Английский язык 11 класс: чтение и позиция автора — бесплатный тест онлайн

Вопрос 1 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 1:
For decades, we have been told that multitasking is the hallmark of a productive mind. The ability to juggle several tasks at once was celebrated in job adverts and praised in performance reviews. Yet research consistently tells a different story. When people switch between tasks, they don't actually do two things at once — they alternate rapidly between them, losing a small but measurable amount of time and focus each time. Over the course of a day, these losses accumulate into something significant: studies suggest that heavy multitaskers are not only slower but also more prone to making errors. What is particularly striking is that people who identify as skilled multitaskers often perform worst in tests designed to measure the very ability they claim to have. The brain, it turns out, was never built for parallel processing in the way our mythology suggests. It is a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity. Recognising this is not an admission of weakness. It is, instead, an invitation to work smarter — to focus on one thing at a time and do it well, rather than spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks.

Q1: What is the main purpose of this passage?

To challenge the popular belief that multitasking is a valuable skill To criticise managers who ask employees to multitask To describe how the human brain processes multiple tasks simultaneously To list the scientific benefits of multitasking in modern workplaces

Вопрос 2 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 1:
For decades, we have been told that multitasking is the hallmark of a productive mind. The ability to juggle several tasks at once was celebrated in job adverts and praised in performance reviews. Yet research consistently tells a different story. When people switch between tasks, they don't actually do two things at once — they alternate rapidly between them, losing a small but measurable amount of time and focus each time. Over the course of a day, these losses accumulate into something significant: studies suggest that heavy multitaskers are not only slower but also more prone to making errors. What is particularly striking is that people who identify as skilled multitaskers often perform worst in tests designed to measure the very ability they claim to have. The brain, it turns out, was never built for parallel processing in the way our mythology suggests. It is a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity. Recognising this is not an admission of weakness. It is, instead, an invitation to work smarter — to focus on one thing at a time and do it well, rather than spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks.

Q2: What does the author imply when saying that people who identify as skilled multitaskers «often perform worst in tests»?

Skilled multitaskers are too tired to perform well in test conditions Tests on multitasking are poorly designed and unreliable People who think they are good at multitasking are usually wrong about themselves Tests should be redesigned to better capture real multitasking ability

Вопрос 3 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 1:
For decades, we have been told that multitasking is the hallmark of a productive mind. The ability to juggle several tasks at once was celebrated in job adverts and praised in performance reviews. Yet research consistently tells a different story. When people switch between tasks, they don't actually do two things at once — they alternate rapidly between them, losing a small but measurable amount of time and focus each time. Over the course of a day, these losses accumulate into something significant: studies suggest that heavy multitaskers are not only slower but also more prone to making errors. What is particularly striking is that people who identify as skilled multitaskers often perform worst in tests designed to measure the very ability they claim to have. The brain, it turns out, was never built for parallel processing in the way our mythology suggests. It is a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity. Recognising this is not an admission of weakness. It is, instead, an invitation to work smarter — to focus on one thing at a time and do it well, rather than spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks.

Q3: The author describes the brain as «a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity». What does this suggest?

We feel we are doing things at once, but we are actually switching between them one at a time The brain is too slow to ever handle more than one task Scientists have proven that all human thought is sequential People enjoy feeling productive even when they are not

Вопрос 4 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 1:
For decades, we have been told that multitasking is the hallmark of a productive mind. The ability to juggle several tasks at once was celebrated in job adverts and praised in performance reviews. Yet research consistently tells a different story. When people switch between tasks, they don't actually do two things at once — they alternate rapidly between them, losing a small but measurable amount of time and focus each time. Over the course of a day, these losses accumulate into something significant: studies suggest that heavy multitaskers are not only slower but also more prone to making errors. What is particularly striking is that people who identify as skilled multitaskers often perform worst in tests designed to measure the very ability they claim to have. The brain, it turns out, was never built for parallel processing in the way our mythology suggests. It is a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity. Recognising this is not an admission of weakness. It is, instead, an invitation to work smarter — to focus on one thing at a time and do it well, rather than spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks.

Q4: How does the author's tone shift in the final two sentences?

From scientific to emotional and personal From critical to constructive and encouraging From positive to pessimistic about human ability From informal to academic and detached

Вопрос 5 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 1:
For decades, we have been told that multitasking is the hallmark of a productive mind. The ability to juggle several tasks at once was celebrated in job adverts and praised in performance reviews. Yet research consistently tells a different story. When people switch between tasks, they don't actually do two things at once — they alternate rapidly between them, losing a small but measurable amount of time and focus each time. Over the course of a day, these losses accumulate into something significant: studies suggest that heavy multitaskers are not only slower but also more prone to making errors. What is particularly striking is that people who identify as skilled multitaskers often perform worst in tests designed to measure the very ability they claim to have. The brain, it turns out, was never built for parallel processing in the way our mythology suggests. It is a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity. Recognising this is not an admission of weakness. It is, instead, an invitation to work smarter — to focus on one thing at a time and do it well, rather than spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks.

Q5: In the phrase «spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks», what is the author contrasting this with?

Ignoring tasks completely Finishing tasks quickly without paying attention to quality Focusing on one thing at a time and completing it well Working longer hours to compensate for distractions

Вопрос 6 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 1:
For decades, we have been told that multitasking is the hallmark of a productive mind. The ability to juggle several tasks at once was celebrated in job adverts and praised in performance reviews. Yet research consistently tells a different story. When people switch between tasks, they don't actually do two things at once — they alternate rapidly between them, losing a small but measurable amount of time and focus each time. Over the course of a day, these losses accumulate into something significant: studies suggest that heavy multitaskers are not only slower but also more prone to making errors. What is particularly striking is that people who identify as skilled multitaskers often perform worst in tests designed to measure the very ability they claim to have. The brain, it turns out, was never built for parallel processing in the way our mythology suggests. It is a sequential machine operating under the illusion of simultaneity. Recognising this is not an admission of weakness. It is, instead, an invitation to work smarter — to focus on one thing at a time and do it well, rather than spreading attention thin across a dozen half-finished tasks.

Q6: The word «mythology» in the passage most likely refers to:

Myths told by managers to motivate their employees Academic theories about brain function Widely accepted but false ideas about multitasking Ancient stories about human memory and thought

Вопрос 7 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 2:
The urban heat island effect is one of the most measurable consequences of city growth. As land is paved over, trees removed, and buildings rise, cities absorb and retain heat in ways that surrounding rural areas do not. On summer evenings, the temperature difference between a city centre and the countryside nearby can reach five degrees Celsius or more. This has real consequences: higher energy bills as residents run air conditioning longer, increased risk of heat-related illness, and disrupted sleep. Yet the solutions exist and are surprisingly simple. Green roofs — building tops covered with soil and plants — reduce heat absorption and provide insulation. Tree-lined streets lower the ambient temperature noticeably. Reflective pavements and roofing materials send heat back into the atmosphere rather than storing it. Cities that have invested in these measures have seen measurable improvements. The challenge is not technical but political: property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate, and governments often prioritise visible, large-scale projects over the unglamorous work of planting trees and coating rooftops.

Q7: What is the author's main argument in this passage?

Green roofs and reflective surfaces are the only way to cool cities The urban heat problem has known solutions but political obstacles prevent their adoption City residents should be required to install green roofs on all buildings Cities are getting dangerously hot and governments are doing nothing

Вопрос 8 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 2:
The urban heat island effect is one of the most measurable consequences of city growth. As land is paved over, trees removed, and buildings rise, cities absorb and retain heat in ways that surrounding rural areas do not. On summer evenings, the temperature difference between a city centre and the countryside nearby can reach five degrees Celsius or more. This has real consequences: higher energy bills as residents run air conditioning longer, increased risk of heat-related illness, and disrupted sleep. Yet the solutions exist and are surprisingly simple. Green roofs — building tops covered with soil and plants — reduce heat absorption and provide insulation. Tree-lined streets lower the ambient temperature noticeably. Reflective pavements and roofing materials send heat back into the atmosphere rather than storing it. Cities that have invested in these measures have seen measurable improvements. The challenge is not technical but political: property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate, and governments often prioritise visible, large-scale projects over the unglamorous work of planting trees and coating rooftops.

Q8: The phrase «property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate» implies that:

Property taxes should be raised to fund cooling projects Buildings produce more heat than is currently measured The costs of urban heat are paid by society as a whole, not by those causing it Air conditioning is too expensive for most city residents

Вопрос 9 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 2:
The urban heat island effect is one of the most measurable consequences of city growth. As land is paved over, trees removed, and buildings rise, cities absorb and retain heat in ways that surrounding rural areas do not. On summer evenings, the temperature difference between a city centre and the countryside nearby can reach five degrees Celsius or more. This has real consequences: higher energy bills as residents run air conditioning longer, increased risk of heat-related illness, and disrupted sleep. Yet the solutions exist and are surprisingly simple. Green roofs — building tops covered with soil and plants — reduce heat absorption and provide insulation. Tree-lined streets lower the ambient temperature noticeably. Reflective pavements and roofing materials send heat back into the atmosphere rather than storing it. Cities that have invested in these measures have seen measurable improvements. The challenge is not technical but political: property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate, and governments often prioritise visible, large-scale projects over the unglamorous work of planting trees and coating rooftops.

Q9: What does «unglamorous» suggest about the author's view of tree-planting and rooftop coating?

These are effective but politically unattractive measures that governments overlook These solutions are too expensive to be practical The author finds these solutions unimpressive and outdated Tree-planting is seen as ineffective compared to large-scale projects

Вопрос 10 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 2:
The urban heat island effect is one of the most measurable consequences of city growth. As land is paved over, trees removed, and buildings rise, cities absorb and retain heat in ways that surrounding rural areas do not. On summer evenings, the temperature difference between a city centre and the countryside nearby can reach five degrees Celsius or more. This has real consequences: higher energy bills as residents run air conditioning longer, increased risk of heat-related illness, and disrupted sleep. Yet the solutions exist and are surprisingly simple. Green roofs — building tops covered with soil and plants — reduce heat absorption and provide insulation. Tree-lined streets lower the ambient temperature noticeably. Reflective pavements and roofing materials send heat back into the atmosphere rather than storing it. Cities that have invested in these measures have seen measurable improvements. The challenge is not technical but political: property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate, and governments often prioritise visible, large-scale projects over the unglamorous work of planting trees and coating rooftops.

Q10: In the second paragraph, «these measures» refers to:

Green roofs, tree-lined streets, and reflective materials Studies measuring the urban heat island effect Government regulations on air conditioning use Higher energy bills and increased health risks

Вопрос 11 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 2:
The urban heat island effect is one of the most measurable consequences of city growth. As land is paved over, trees removed, and buildings rise, cities absorb and retain heat in ways that surrounding rural areas do not. On summer evenings, the temperature difference between a city centre and the countryside nearby can reach five degrees Celsius or more. This has real consequences: higher energy bills as residents run air conditioning longer, increased risk of heat-related illness, and disrupted sleep. Yet the solutions exist and are surprisingly simple. Green roofs — building tops covered with soil and plants — reduce heat absorption and provide insulation. Tree-lined streets lower the ambient temperature noticeably. Reflective pavements and roofing materials send heat back into the atmosphere rather than storing it. Cities that have invested in these measures have seen measurable improvements. The challenge is not technical but political: property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate, and governments often prioritise visible, large-scale projects over the unglamorous work of planting trees and coating rooftops.

Q11: Why does the author mention the temperature difference of «five degrees Celsius or more»?

To suggest that five degrees is the minimum acceptable difference To compare temperatures recorded at different times of day To give a concrete, measurable illustration of how significant the problem is To prove that climate change is more severe in cities than in rural areas

Вопрос 12 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 2:
The urban heat island effect is one of the most measurable consequences of city growth. As land is paved over, trees removed, and buildings rise, cities absorb and retain heat in ways that surrounding rural areas do not. On summer evenings, the temperature difference between a city centre and the countryside nearby can reach five degrees Celsius or more. This has real consequences: higher energy bills as residents run air conditioning longer, increased risk of heat-related illness, and disrupted sleep. Yet the solutions exist and are surprisingly simple. Green roofs — building tops covered with soil and plants — reduce heat absorption and provide insulation. Tree-lined streets lower the ambient temperature noticeably. Reflective pavements and roofing materials send heat back into the atmosphere rather than storing it. Cities that have invested in these measures have seen measurable improvements. The challenge is not technical but political: property owners rarely bear the full cost of the heat their buildings generate, and governments often prioritise visible, large-scale projects over the unglamorous work of planting trees and coating rooftops.

Q12: The contrast between «visible, large-scale projects» and «planting trees and coating rooftops» is used to:

Suggest that both types of solutions are equally effective Show that large-scale projects are more expensive and complex Illustrate how political incentives often favour spectacle over effective action Argue that tree-planting is more visible than reflective surfaces

Вопрос 13 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 3:
When the smartphone arrived, we were told it would liberate us — give us access to the world's information in our pockets and free us from the desk. In many ways, this happened. But liberation came with an unexpected companion: permanent availability. The same device that let you work from a beach also meant that work could reach you on the beach. What began as freedom quietly became obligation. The blurring of work and leisure has accelerated with remote working, which stripped away the physical separation between office and home that once acted as a natural boundary. Some research suggests that remote workers put in longer hours than their office-based counterparts, not because they are more motivated, but because the end of the workday has become harder to identify. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations. Those who have adapted best are often not those with the strongest willpower but those who have been deliberate about creating new rituals — a walk at the end of the day, a dedicated workspace, a hard stop on notifications. Structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design.

Q13: What is the central irony the author identifies in this passage?

The technology that promised freedom has created a new form of obligation Smartphones are useful for work but harmful in personal relationships Remote working has made employees more productive but less happy Office workers have more free time than remote workers

Вопрос 14 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 3:
When the smartphone arrived, we were told it would liberate us — give us access to the world's information in our pockets and free us from the desk. In many ways, this happened. But liberation came with an unexpected companion: permanent availability. The same device that let you work from a beach also meant that work could reach you on the beach. What began as freedom quietly became obligation. The blurring of work and leisure has accelerated with remote working, which stripped away the physical separation between office and home that once acted as a natural boundary. Some research suggests that remote workers put in longer hours than their office-based counterparts, not because they are more motivated, but because the end of the workday has become harder to identify. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations. Those who have adapted best are often not those with the strongest willpower but those who have been deliberate about creating new rituals — a walk at the end of the day, a dedicated workspace, a hard stop on notifications. Structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design.

Q14: The word «colonised» in the phrase «the bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations» implies:

People are designing their homes to look like offices Remote workers prefer working from their bedrooms Offices are moving into residential buildings Work has invaded private spaces that were previously free from professional demands

Вопрос 15 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 3:
When the smartphone arrived, we were told it would liberate us — give us access to the world's information in our pockets and free us from the desk. In many ways, this happened. But liberation came with an unexpected companion: permanent availability. The same device that let you work from a beach also meant that work could reach you on the beach. What began as freedom quietly became obligation. The blurring of work and leisure has accelerated with remote working, which stripped away the physical separation between office and home that once acted as a natural boundary. Some research suggests that remote workers put in longer hours than their office-based counterparts, not because they are more motivated, but because the end of the workday has become harder to identify. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations. Those who have adapted best are often not those with the strongest willpower but those who have been deliberate about creating new rituals — a walk at the end of the day, a dedicated workspace, a hard stop on notifications. Structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design.

Q15: According to the author, why do remote workers often work longer hours?

They have no clear moment when the workday ends They are more ambitious than office workers They lack the social pressure from colleagues to stop working Their managers monitor them more closely at home

Вопрос 16 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 3:
When the smartphone arrived, we were told it would liberate us — give us access to the world's information in our pockets and free us from the desk. In many ways, this happened. But liberation came with an unexpected companion: permanent availability. The same device that let you work from a beach also meant that work could reach you on the beach. What began as freedom quietly became obligation. The blurring of work and leisure has accelerated with remote working, which stripped away the physical separation between office and home that once acted as a natural boundary. Some research suggests that remote workers put in longer hours than their office-based counterparts, not because they are more motivated, but because the end of the workday has become harder to identify. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations. Those who have adapted best are often not those with the strongest willpower but those who have been deliberate about creating new rituals — a walk at the end of the day, a dedicated workspace, a hard stop on notifications. Structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design.

Q16: What does the author suggest about people who have adapted best to remote working?

They keep their smartphones turned off during non-working hours They work fewer hours because they are more efficient They are naturally more self-disciplined than other people They have replaced old external structures with deliberately created personal ones

Вопрос 17 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 3:
When the smartphone arrived, we were told it would liberate us — give us access to the world's information in our pockets and free us from the desk. In many ways, this happened. But liberation came with an unexpected companion: permanent availability. The same device that let you work from a beach also meant that work could reach you on the beach. What began as freedom quietly became obligation. The blurring of work and leisure has accelerated with remote working, which stripped away the physical separation between office and home that once acted as a natural boundary. Some research suggests that remote workers put in longer hours than their office-based counterparts, not because they are more motivated, but because the end of the workday has become harder to identify. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations. Those who have adapted best are often not those with the strongest willpower but those who have been deliberate about creating new rituals — a walk at the end of the day, a dedicated workspace, a hard stop on notifications. Structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design.

Q17: What does the author mean by «structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design»?

Urban planners should redesign commuting routes for remote workers People who commute are better at time management than those who work remotely Office hours should be redesigned by employers to help remote workers The natural boundaries that used to separate work from life no longer exist automatically and must be actively created

Вопрос 18 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 3:
When the smartphone arrived, we were told it would liberate us — give us access to the world's information in our pockets and free us from the desk. In many ways, this happened. But liberation came with an unexpected companion: permanent availability. The same device that let you work from a beach also meant that work could reach you on the beach. What began as freedom quietly became obligation. The blurring of work and leisure has accelerated with remote working, which stripped away the physical separation between office and home that once acted as a natural boundary. Some research suggests that remote workers put in longer hours than their office-based counterparts, not because they are more motivated, but because the end of the workday has become harder to identify. The bedroom, kitchen, and living room have been colonised by professional expectations. Those who have adapted best are often not those with the strongest willpower but those who have been deliberate about creating new rituals — a walk at the end of the day, a dedicated workspace, a hard stop on notifications. Structure, once imposed by commuting and office hours, now requires conscious design.

Q18: The phrase «quietly became» in «what began as freedom quietly became obligation» suggests that:

Obligations in remote work are less noticeable than in offices People were silent about the problem for too long The shift from freedom to obligation was welcomed without complaint The change happened gradually and was not immediately noticed

Вопрос 19 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 4:
Biodiversity loss is often framed as a problem of sentiment — a matter of preserving beautiful creatures for future generations to admire. This framing, however well-intentioned, misses the core issue. Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries. When a species disappears, it does not simply leave an empty space — it disrupts the web of relationships that keeps the system working. Pollinators decline and crop yields drop. Predators vanish and prey populations explode, overgrazing land and stripping rivers of vegetation. Fungi that break down dead matter disappear and soils lose their fertility. Each loss triggers further losses through cascades that can be unpredictable and hard to reverse. The economic case for biodiversity is increasingly well-documented: natural systems provide services — water purification, flood control, pollination, climate regulation — whose total value exceeds global GDP many times over. Yet investment in biodiversity protection remains a fraction of what is spent on infrastructure, healthcare, or defence. Part of the problem is visibility: a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing. It is only when it fails that we notice what it was doing.

Q19: What is the author's main criticism in this passage?

Biodiversity loss is wrongly seen as an emotional issue rather than a functional and economic one Governments spend too much on defence compared to the environment Scientists have failed to explain the economic value of ecosystems clearly People care too much about endangered animals and not enough about plants

Вопрос 20 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 4:
Biodiversity loss is often framed as a problem of sentiment — a matter of preserving beautiful creatures for future generations to admire. This framing, however well-intentioned, misses the core issue. Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries. When a species disappears, it does not simply leave an empty space — it disrupts the web of relationships that keeps the system working. Pollinators decline and crop yields drop. Predators vanish and prey populations explode, overgrazing land and stripping rivers of vegetation. Fungi that break down dead matter disappear and soils lose their fertility. Each loss triggers further losses through cascades that can be unpredictable and hard to reverse. The economic case for biodiversity is increasingly well-documented: natural systems provide services — water purification, flood control, pollination, climate regulation — whose total value exceeds global GDP many times over. Yet investment in biodiversity protection remains a fraction of what is spent on infrastructure, healthcare, or defence. Part of the problem is visibility: a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing. It is only when it fails that we notice what it was doing.

Q20: In the sentence «Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries», the word «galleries» implies:

Art galleries are a poor way of educating people about nature Biodiversity should be studied in museums Nature is being treated as something to display, not as a system that must keep working Species should be preserved for display in zoos and parks

Вопрос 21 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 4:
Biodiversity loss is often framed as a problem of sentiment — a matter of preserving beautiful creatures for future generations to admire. This framing, however well-intentioned, misses the core issue. Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries. When a species disappears, it does not simply leave an empty space — it disrupts the web of relationships that keeps the system working. Pollinators decline and crop yields drop. Predators vanish and prey populations explode, overgrazing land and stripping rivers of vegetation. Fungi that break down dead matter disappear and soils lose their fertility. Each loss triggers further losses through cascades that can be unpredictable and hard to reverse. The economic case for biodiversity is increasingly well-documented: natural systems provide services — water purification, flood control, pollination, climate regulation — whose total value exceeds global GDP many times over. Yet investment in biodiversity protection remains a fraction of what is spent on infrastructure, healthcare, or defence. Part of the problem is visibility: a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing. It is only when it fails that we notice what it was doing.

Q21: What does the author mean by «cascades» in the context of species loss?

A series of interconnected losses where one disappearance triggers further ones Government reports on the economic value of nature Scientific studies that measure the speed of biodiversity decline Sudden floods caused by the loss of riverside vegetation

Вопрос 22 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 4:
Biodiversity loss is often framed as a problem of sentiment — a matter of preserving beautiful creatures for future generations to admire. This framing, however well-intentioned, misses the core issue. Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries. When a species disappears, it does not simply leave an empty space — it disrupts the web of relationships that keeps the system working. Pollinators decline and crop yields drop. Predators vanish and prey populations explode, overgrazing land and stripping rivers of vegetation. Fungi that break down dead matter disappear and soils lose their fertility. Each loss triggers further losses through cascades that can be unpredictable and hard to reverse. The economic case for biodiversity is increasingly well-documented: natural systems provide services — water purification, flood control, pollination, climate regulation — whose total value exceeds global GDP many times over. Yet investment in biodiversity protection remains a fraction of what is spent on infrastructure, healthcare, or defence. Part of the problem is visibility: a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing. It is only when it fails that we notice what it was doing.

Q22: The author states that «a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing». What does this explain?

Because ecosystems are only noticed when they fail, people undervalue them while they function Scientists use invisible markers to measure ecosystem health Ecosystems that look empty are actually the most productive Healthy ecosystems are invisible and therefore impossible to study

Вопрос 23 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 4:
Biodiversity loss is often framed as a problem of sentiment — a matter of preserving beautiful creatures for future generations to admire. This framing, however well-intentioned, misses the core issue. Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries. When a species disappears, it does not simply leave an empty space — it disrupts the web of relationships that keeps the system working. Pollinators decline and crop yields drop. Predators vanish and prey populations explode, overgrazing land and stripping rivers of vegetation. Fungi that break down dead matter disappear and soils lose their fertility. Each loss triggers further losses through cascades that can be unpredictable and hard to reverse. The economic case for biodiversity is increasingly well-documented: natural systems provide services — water purification, flood control, pollination, climate regulation — whose total value exceeds global GDP many times over. Yet investment in biodiversity protection remains a fraction of what is spent on infrastructure, healthcare, or defence. Part of the problem is visibility: a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing. It is only when it fails that we notice what it was doing.

Q23: The reference to GDP in the passage is used to:

Compare the economic systems of different countries in terms of environmental policy Prove that environmental protection is too expensive for most countries Suggest that biodiversity loss is directly causing a decline in GDP Demonstrate the enormous economic value that natural systems provide, which dwarfs current investment in protecting them

Вопрос 24 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 4:
Biodiversity loss is often framed as a problem of sentiment — a matter of preserving beautiful creatures for future generations to admire. This framing, however well-intentioned, misses the core issue. Ecosystems are functional systems, not galleries. When a species disappears, it does not simply leave an empty space — it disrupts the web of relationships that keeps the system working. Pollinators decline and crop yields drop. Predators vanish and prey populations explode, overgrazing land and stripping rivers of vegetation. Fungi that break down dead matter disappear and soils lose their fertility. Each loss triggers further losses through cascades that can be unpredictable and hard to reverse. The economic case for biodiversity is increasingly well-documented: natural systems provide services — water purification, flood control, pollination, climate regulation — whose total value exceeds global GDP many times over. Yet investment in biodiversity protection remains a fraction of what is spent on infrastructure, healthcare, or defence. Part of the problem is visibility: a healthy ecosystem looks like nothing. It is only when it fails that we notice what it was doing.

Q24: The phrase «however well-intentioned» in the first paragraph suggests that the author:

Believes that people who care about biodiversity are insincere Acknowledges good motives while still criticising the framing as inadequate Thinks that good intentions are more important than correct framing Is sarcastic about people who campaign for wildlife conservation

Вопрос 25 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 5:
There is a persistent belief that great writers are born rather than made — that talent is innate and discipline is merely a vehicle for its expression. This idea is comforting because it removes the pressure of effort: if you have talent, work will flow naturally; if you do not, no amount of effort will save you. But the historical record tells a more complicated story. Many writers now celebrated as natural geniuses were, in fact, prolific revisers who spent years producing work they later suppressed or destroyed. Kafka burned most of what he wrote. Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby obsessively. Nabokov rewrote entire chapters of Lolita in hotels across America. What looks like effortless brilliance is usually the visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts. The implication for anyone trying to improve as a writer is uncomfortable but clear: the gap between what you produce and what you admire is not fixed. It can be closed — but only by writing badly, frequently, and without expecting the first version to be any good. Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it.

Q25: What is the main purpose of this passage?

To challenge the belief that writing talent is purely innate and argue that craft can be developed To explain why revision is more important than inspiration for professional writers To prove that famous writers like Kafka were actually lazy To profile famous writers who destroyed their early work

Вопрос 26 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 5:
There is a persistent belief that great writers are born rather than made — that talent is innate and discipline is merely a vehicle for its expression. This idea is comforting because it removes the pressure of effort: if you have talent, work will flow naturally; if you do not, no amount of effort will save you. But the historical record tells a more complicated story. Many writers now celebrated as natural geniuses were, in fact, prolific revisers who spent years producing work they later suppressed or destroyed. Kafka burned most of what he wrote. Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby obsessively. Nabokov rewrote entire chapters of Lolita in hotels across America. What looks like effortless brilliance is usually the visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts. The implication for anyone trying to improve as a writer is uncomfortable but clear: the gap between what you produce and what you admire is not fixed. It can be closed — but only by writing badly, frequently, and without expecting the first version to be any good. Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it.

Q26: Why does the author describe the belief in innate talent as «comforting»?

It makes people feel better about not practising writing It provides emotional support for writers who struggle to publish It removes the need for effort by suggesting that talent determines everything It encourages talented writers to work harder to develop their skills

Вопрос 27 из 30

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Текст 5:
There is a persistent belief that great writers are born rather than made — that talent is innate and discipline is merely a vehicle for its expression. This idea is comforting because it removes the pressure of effort: if you have talent, work will flow naturally; if you do not, no amount of effort will save you. But the historical record tells a more complicated story. Many writers now celebrated as natural geniuses were, in fact, prolific revisers who spent years producing work they later suppressed or destroyed. Kafka burned most of what he wrote. Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby obsessively. Nabokov rewrote entire chapters of Lolita in hotels across America. What looks like effortless brilliance is usually the visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts. The implication for anyone trying to improve as a writer is uncomfortable but clear: the gap between what you produce and what you admire is not fixed. It can be closed — but only by writing badly, frequently, and without expecting the first version to be any good. Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it.

Q27: The iceberg metaphor («visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts») is used to suggest that:

Writers should hide their drafts from editors and publishers The apparent ease of great writing conceals enormous amounts of hidden work and rejection Nabokov and Fitzgerald wrote far more than they published Most of what great writers produce is eventually published

Вопрос 28 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 5:
There is a persistent belief that great writers are born rather than made — that talent is innate and discipline is merely a vehicle for its expression. This idea is comforting because it removes the pressure of effort: if you have talent, work will flow naturally; if you do not, no amount of effort will save you. But the historical record tells a more complicated story. Many writers now celebrated as natural geniuses were, in fact, prolific revisers who spent years producing work they later suppressed or destroyed. Kafka burned most of what he wrote. Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby obsessively. Nabokov rewrote entire chapters of Lolita in hotels across America. What looks like effortless brilliance is usually the visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts. The implication for anyone trying to improve as a writer is uncomfortable but clear: the gap between what you produce and what you admire is not fixed. It can be closed — but only by writing badly, frequently, and without expecting the first version to be any good. Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it.

Q28: What does the author imply when saying «Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it»?

Most people are not talented enough to become good writers Ceilings set by talent are too high for most people to overcome People stop developing well before they reach the limits of what their talent could allow Talent is less important than hard work in creative fields

Вопрос 29 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 5:
There is a persistent belief that great writers are born rather than made — that talent is innate and discipline is merely a vehicle for its expression. This idea is comforting because it removes the pressure of effort: if you have talent, work will flow naturally; if you do not, no amount of effort will save you. But the historical record tells a more complicated story. Many writers now celebrated as natural geniuses were, in fact, prolific revisers who spent years producing work they later suppressed or destroyed. Kafka burned most of what he wrote. Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby obsessively. Nabokov rewrote entire chapters of Lolita in hotels across America. What looks like effortless brilliance is usually the visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts. The implication for anyone trying to improve as a writer is uncomfortable but clear: the gap between what you produce and what you admire is not fixed. It can be closed — but only by writing badly, frequently, and without expecting the first version to be any good. Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it.

Q29: The author describes the implication for writers as «uncomfortable». Why?

Because it removes the excuse of lacking talent and places responsibility on the writer's own effort Because it suggests that most writers will never produce anything worth reading Because it means that writing always involves public failure Because it implies that revision is a painful and unpleasant process

Вопрос 30 из 30

Ситуация

Текст 5:
There is a persistent belief that great writers are born rather than made — that talent is innate and discipline is merely a vehicle for its expression. This idea is comforting because it removes the pressure of effort: if you have talent, work will flow naturally; if you do not, no amount of effort will save you. But the historical record tells a more complicated story. Many writers now celebrated as natural geniuses were, in fact, prolific revisers who spent years producing work they later suppressed or destroyed. Kafka burned most of what he wrote. Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby obsessively. Nabokov rewrote entire chapters of Lolita in hotels across America. What looks like effortless brilliance is usually the visible tip of a vast iceberg of discarded drafts. The implication for anyone trying to improve as a writer is uncomfortable but clear: the gap between what you produce and what you admire is not fixed. It can be closed — but only by writing badly, frequently, and without expecting the first version to be any good. Talent may set a ceiling, but most people never come close to it.

Q30: What is the function of the examples of Kafka, Fitzgerald, and Nabokov?

To suggest that destroying your drafts is a sign of genius To compare writing styles across different literary traditions To show that even great writers suffered from lack of confidence To provide evidence that widely admired writers were in fact dedicated revisers, not effortless geniuses