Английский в СМИ: 5 заданий на базе статей англоязычных медиа

Увлекательные задания для взрослых учеников уровня Intermediate на базе текстов ведущих изданий: BuzzFeed, WIRED, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Mental Floss. Упражнения помогут развить языковые навыки, обогатить словарный запас и освоить актуальную лексику.

Содержание:

• Задание 1. Текст на базе BuzzFeed
• Задание 2. Текст на базе WIRED
• Задание 3. Текст на базе The New York Times
• Задание 4. Текст на базе Cosmopolitan
• Задание 5. Текст на базе Mental Floss

Задание 1. Текст на базе BuzzFeed

Europeans Are Not Holding Back on How Strange American Restaurants Are

«Americans eat so fast at restaurants and then leave right away. In Europe, it’s normal to linger for an hour or more after eating, chatting and enjoying the time.»

We recently asked Europeans in the BuzzFeed Community to share their thoughts on what makes American restaurants so unusual. Here’s what they had to say:

«Dining out in the US isn’t relaxing. The staff interrupts you constantly, and you’re usually in and out in less than an hour, tipping $20 per person for that experience.»

— bubblyelephant984

«The free refills. I was at a restaurant with my dad (both German), and the waiter took my drink away even though I still had a sip left. I must have looked confused because my dad had to explain the whole free refill thing.» 

— AnLe21

«The huge, cold, chlorine-tasting water at every restaurant. Do people actually enjoy drinking that?» 

— mellie06

«It’s strange that Americans call the main course an ‘entrée’ when that actually means starter/appetizer in French. Call it what you want, but it feels odd to use the wrong French term.»

— copperghoul948

«I was stunned when they took my card away to pay. Bring the machine to the table, please, so I can keep my card in sight!»

— martinwilliams

• to linger — задерживаться, медлить
• to interrupt — прерывать
• tip — чаевые
• refills — пополнения, дозаправки
• sip — глоток
• confused — озадаченный, растерянный
• chlorine-tasting — имеющий привкус хлора
• strange — странный
• entrée — основное блюдо (в США), закуска (во Франции)
• stunned — ошеломлённый, поражённый

• to eat quickly and leave — быстро поесть и уйти
• leisurely experience — неспешный опыт
• waiting staff — официанты, обслуживающий персонал
• starter/appetizer — закуска, первое блюдо
• freezing chlorine water — ледяная хлорированная вода
• take away one’s drink — забрать чей-то напиток
• bring the machine to the table — принести терминал к столу
• keep one’s card in sight — держать карту в поле зрения

Вопросы для обсуждения:

1. What differences between American and European restaurant cultures are mentioned in the text?
2. How do Americans usually behave in restaurants, according to the text?
3. Why do some Europeans find free refills surprising?
4. What does the text say about the use of credit cards in American restaurants?
5. Why is the word «entrée» confusing for some Europeans?
6. Have you ever experienced cultural differences when dining out? How did you react?
7. Do you prefer the American or European style of dining in restaurants? Why?

Задание 2. Текст на базе WIRED

The Art of the Perfect Nap

When done properly, naps can be a great way to boost your focus and energy. A sleep expert explains how to make the most of them.

It’s the middle of the afternoon. Your eyelids are heavy, your focus is slipping, and you feel exhausted. You close your eyes for a quick half hour, and suddenly, you wake up feeling recharged. But later that night, you struggle to fall asleep, wondering why you can’t drift off. That midday nap that seemed so refreshing at the time might be the reason.

Naps have long been celebrated for their ability to enhance alertness, improve mood, sharpen memory, and boost productivity. However, for some people, naps can disrupt their sleep at night.

Napping can be both beneficial and problematic. If done correctly, it’s a fantastic way to refresh the brain, improve concentration, and support overall health. If done incorrectly, napping can leave you feeling groggy, disoriented, and make it hard to fall asleep later. The key is understanding how the body manages sleep and wakefulness.

Many people experience a natural decrease in alertness during the early afternoon, typically between 1 pm and 4 pm. This isn’t just caused by eating a large lunch — it’s a natural part of our circadian rhythm, which creates cycles of wakefulness and fatigue throughout the day. The afternoon dip is part of this rhythm, which explains why so many people feel sleepy around that time.

Research indicates that a short nap during this period — preferably followed by exposure to bright light — can help reduce fatigue, boost alertness, and enhance cognitive function without disrupting nighttime sleep. These «power naps» allow the brain to rest without entering deep sleep, making it easier to wake up feeling refreshed.

• to snooze — дремать
• to recharge — восстановить силы
• to sabotage — саботировать
• double-edged sword — палка о двух концах
• alertness — бдительность
• groggy — вялый, невыспавшийся
• circadian rhythm — циркадный ритм
• lull — затишье, спад активности
• power nap — кратковременный сон
• cognitive function — когнитивная функция
• to interfere — вмешиваться
• productivity — продуктивность

• to boost focus and energy — повысить концентрацию и энергию
• to toss and turn — ворочаться в постели
• to drift off — заснуть
• midday snooze — дневной сон
• disoriented — дезориентированный
• internal body clock — внутренние биологические часы
• early afternoon lull — дневной спад активности
• bright light exposure — воздействие яркого света
• counteract fatigue — противодействовать усталости

Вопросы для обсуждения:

1. How can naps improve mental and physical health?
2. Why do people often feel sleepy in the early afternoon?
3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of napping?
4. How does the circadian rhythm influence our sleep patterns?
5. What is the ideal duration of a nap, according to studies?
6. Have you ever experienced grogginess after a nap? What do you think caused it?
7. What advice would you give to someone who struggles with napping without ruining their nighttime sleep?

Задание 3. Текст на базе The New York Times

Train Routes Showcasing Europe’s Beauty

Many of these routes operate daily, are reasonably priced, and offer unique features that make the journey comfortable, picturesque, and unforgettable.

1. Intercity Notte to Sicily

The overnight trains from Milan or Rome to Sicily are among the longest direct routes in Europe. While the distance may be too great for a daytime journey, it’s ideal for a night train. Passengers can have dinner or go to bed soon after departure and wake up to the warm southern sun and breathtaking coastal views. The journey’s highlight comes at breakfast time when the train cars are loaded onto Europe’s last remaining passenger train ferry, which carries them across the Strait of Messina to Sicily. The final stretch offers a scenic coastal ride to Palermo or Syracuse.

2. Train de la Côte Bleue

Named after the stunning blue waters of the Mediterranean, this train ride from Marseille to Miramas takes less than two hours. Its charm lies in the first section of the route — towards the fishing town of Martigues — where the train runs along dramatic white cliffs overlooking the sea. Recent renovations have ensured the line’s safety and prevented its closure. The best way to enjoy this day trip is by hopping on and off at various coastal stops. From L’Estaque station, visitors can explore the locations that inspired artists like Paul Cézanne and Georges Braque. A coastal hiking trail from Niolon to Cap Méjean winds through limestone coves known as calanques, resembling small fjords. Unlike the untouched calanques in the national park south of Marseille, those along the Côte Bleue have charming features such as a tiny harbor and a towering railway viaduct that enhances the landscape, especially in Méjean.

• reasonably priced — по разумной цене
• overnight train — ночной поезд
• breathtaking — захватывающий дух
• passenger ferry — пассажирский паром
• stretch of the journey — отрезок пути
• dramatic cliffs — живописные утёсы
• renovations — ремонтные работы
• coastal hiking trail — прибрежный туристический маршрут
• limestone coves — известняковые бухты
• towering railway viaduct — высокий железнодорожный виадук

• train route — железнодорожный маршрут
• highlight — изюминка, ключевой момент
• coastal views — прибрежные виды
• scenic ride — живописная поездка
• direct train — прямой поезд
• fishing town — рыбацкий городок

Вопросы для обсуждения:

1. Which of the two train routes mentioned in the text would you prefer to take and why?
2. What makes the Intercity Notte to Sicily a unique train journey?
3. How does the Train de la Côte Bleue offer travelers opportunities to explore local culture and nature?
4. Why are scenic train routes popular among travelers?
5. What challenges might railways face in maintaining historic and picturesque train routes?

Больше интересных идей:

Задание 4. Текст на базе Cosmopolitan

Do These Questions to Fall in Love Really Work?

Imagine if simply asking someone a set of carefully crafted questions could deepen their connection with you — or even spark love. That’s the concept behind the Questions to Fall in Love, a psychological experiment designed to explore emotional intimacy. The process is straightforward: two people — whether strangers, friends, or longtime partners — take turns answering a series of increasingly personal questions. To cap it off, they hold four minutes of uninterrupted eye contact, setting the stage for a potentially profound connection.

The questions range from lighthearted icebreakers like «Who would be your ideal dinner guest?» to deeper inquiries about childhood, fears, and even mortality. Unlike casual small talk, this structured dialogue fosters emotional vulnerability in a way that accelerates bonding. But does it actually lead to love?

Relationship experts suggest that self-disclosure plays a crucial role in building emotional closeness, whether on a first date or within a long-term relationship. «We feel more connected to others when they share their vulnerabilities, especially in the early stages of getting to know them,» explains Los Angeles-based psychologist Karen Stewart, PsyD, who has observed couples strengthening their bond through meaningful conversations.

Sample Questions from Set I:

• If you could choose anyone in the world, who would you invite as a dinner guest?
• Would you like to be famous? In what way?
• Before making a phone call, do you ever rehearse what you’re going to say? Why?
• What would your perfect day look like?
• When was the last time you sang to yourself? To someone else?
• If you could live to 90 while keeping either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you choose?
• Do you have a secret feeling about how you might die?
• Name three things you and your partner seem to have in common.

• carefully crafted — тщательно составленный
• emotional intimacy — эмоциональная близость
• uninterrupted eye contact — непрерывный зрительный контакт
• lighthearted icebreaker — лёгкий способ разрядить обстановку
• self-disclosure — самораскрытие
• to accelerate bonding — ускорить сближение
• casual small talk — непринуждённая беседа
• psychological experiment — психологический эксперимент
• to strengthen the bond — укрепить связь
• meaningful conversation — содержательный разговор

• seemingly random — казалось бы, случайный
• emotional connection — эмоциональная связь
• to take turns — делать по очереди
• increasingly personal — становящийся всё более личным
• romantic comedy montage — монтаж в стиле романтической комедии
• first date small talk — светская беседа на первом свидании
• vulnerability — уязвимость
• relationship therapists — семейные психологи
• deeper bonds — более глубокие связи

Вопросы для обсуждения:

1. Do you think answering increasingly personal questions can really make two people fall in love? Why or why not?
2. What role does emotional vulnerability play in building relationships?
3. If you had to participate in this experiment, whom would you choose as your partner?
4. How do you feel about the final step of the experiment — holding four minutes of uninterrupted eye contact? Would you find it easy or difficult?
5. What do you think about the 10 questions listed in the text? Which one would be the most interesting for you to answer?

Задание 5. Текст на базе Mental Floss

The Tetris Effect: A Curious Psychological Phenomenon

Anyone who has ever played Tetris knows how captivating the classic ‘80s video game can be. Researchers suggest that the so-called Tetris Effect could even provide psychological benefits, particularly for individuals dealing with PTSD.

The Link Between Dreams and Repetitive Tasks

One of the most intriguing studies on the Tetris Effect was led by Robert Stickgold in 2000. His interest in the phenomenon began during a rock-climbing trip in the late 1990s when he repeatedly dreamed about the mountains he had been scaling during the day. As a sleep researcher at Harvard, Stickgold sought to understand why this happened.

He discussed his experience with his students, who proposed using Tetris as a research tool instead of mountain climbing. The repetitive nature of the game, they suggested, made it an ideal candidate for studying the effect.

Stickgold’s research uncovered some fascinating insights. First, beginners were more likely to experience the effect than experienced players. This indicated that the brain is more prone to reinforcing new skills through dreams when it is still unfamiliar with a task.

Second, the phenomenon was also observed in people with amnesia. In one experiment, five participants with hippocampal damage — who lacked short-term memory — played Tetris without remembering it the next day. Nevertheless, three of them reported dreaming about falling blocks. Even more remarkably, one participant instinctively placed her fingers on the correct keys the next day despite having no recollection of playing. «She did not fully understand what she was doing, yet somehow she did,» Stickgold told Scientific American. «In a way, this aligns with Freud’s idea of the unconscious — hidden memories influencing our actions without entering our conscious awareness.»

• captivating — захватывающий
• psychological benefits — психологические преимущества
• repetitive gameplay — повторяющийся игровой процесс
• intriguing insights — интересные открытия
• to reinforce new skills — закреплять новые навыки
• short-term memory — кратковременная память
• hippocampal damage — повреждение гиппокампа
• instinctively — инстинктивно
• recollection — воспоминание
• conscious awareness — осознанное восприятие
• to align with — соответствовать, совпадать
• influencing actions — влияя на действия

• Tetris Effect — эффект Тетриса
• addictive — вызывающий зависимость
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) — посттравматическое стрессовое расстройство
• blocking out dreams — подавление снов
• to trigger the phenomenon — вызвать феномен
• novice players — новички (в игре)
• masters — эксперты, опытные игроки
• inexperienced brain — неопытный мозг
• to revisit the task — вновь переживать задачу
• amnesia — амнезия
• falling blocks — падающие блоки
• unconscious — бессознательное
• to guide one’s behavior — направлять поведение
• scientific investigation — научное исследование
• experiments revealed — эксперименты показали
• to activate memories — активировать воспоминания

Вопросы для обсуждения:

1. What is the Tetris Effect, and why do scientists study it?
2. How did Robert Stickgold first experience the Tetris Effect?
3. Why did Stickgold choose Tetris instead of mountain climbing for his research?
4. What did his experiments reveal about novice players vs. expert players?
5. How did the study involving amnesia patients contribute to understanding the Tetris Effect?
6. What does Stickgold mean by saying, «She did not quite know what she was doing, and yet she did know what she was doing»?
7. Do you think the Tetris Effect could be used to help people with PTSD or other psychological conditions? Why or why not?