annual definitions test for 11 BE - Solutions Intermediate 2nd edition unit 3-7 - matura topics

housing problems

Housing is a high social priority as people need to live under a roof, and society overall looks down on homeless people, regardless of their background. First, it is a giant government spending on public housing. However, the state, and local authorities should build many blocks of flats and let people who can't afford to build or buy a flat of their own. Their interest rates should be reduced, run-down houses should be renovated and sold cheaply, all taxes on building materials should be removed and building industries should work harder and more efficiently.

advantages of computers

The first and foremost is getting information and access to the world. It makes the world an easy and friendly place if it is used in the right way. Computers can serve educational and recreational purposes as well. They can be useful in many different ways, no in each car there is an entire computer system, computers can help translating from one language to another or can read Braille writing to blind people. In the present, modern world computer skills are completely necessary to meet the challenges of the world.

passport and visas

The present Hungarian passport allows its holder to travel anywhere in the world without restrictions. There are only some countries which require you to have visa, mostly in Africa and Asia.

English breakfast

It usually consists of cornflakes or porridge (made of oats, or barley, milk, sugar or salt), bacon and eggs, or ham and eggs (boiled or fried) with baked beans, tomato or mushrooms, buttered toast or bread and butter with marmalade. Instead of bacon and eggs, fish may be served. Some orange juice is drunk before breakfast and either tea or coffee (white or black) is drunk after it.

modern life and relationships

Modern life is getting busier and busier, which can make people feel more isolated. These days, people have fewer opportunities to meet friends, because they work harder, and have less time to socialise. Many say that social-networking sites allow them to stay in touch with friends more easily. This can be misleading as you never actually meet the people who you socialise with. Many think that it is less satisfying than meeting people face to face.

canteen lunch in Hungary

Most working or studying people in Hungary eat either in a self-service restaurant or a canteen of their factory, and it is considered to be the most important meal of the day. In the canteen you have to join a queue, take a tray, the cutlery, some paper serviettes and a glass and pass different counters. Canteen food is not the same quality as what your wife and mother cooks at home. Nevertheless many people are not choosy or fastidious about what they eat. If it is cooked and edible many people gulp it down. However a growing number of people are not satisfied even with a two-menu and vegetarian choice.

informal letter

This is a letter you write to your friends and relatives. Usually you start it with the first name of the person (i. e.: Dear Sam), and you finish the letter with best wishes, love and your first name. Usually you write friendly things about personal information.

description of a train in Hungary

A train consists of several carriages or cars including either a dining car for full meals or a buffet car for light meals. Local trains offer only sitting facilities only while international trains covering long distances have sleeping-cars. Inside the first-class carriages you can find very comfortable upholstered seats, while in a second-class the compartments are less confortable and the seats are covered with fake leather. Nowadays all carriages are non-smoking, and have luggage racks over the seats, where you can put your trunks or suitcases. All intercity trains offer free wifi services, which is included in the price of the extra ticket. Seats by the window and facing the engine are preferred over other not so convenient places.

disadvantages of public transportation

Besides all the advantages any objects use by more than one person has problems of sharing and cooperating. Thus, public transportation vehicles are generally the slowest way of transportation with frequent stops. During rush-hour the carriages can be full and the smells and pressing bodies make you think twice to travel on them. Usually there are no free seats and people tend to jam close to the doorway. Young people usually do not like to give up their seats and gaze at their mobile phones with glassy eyes or listen to music with earplugs. A crying baby or a complaining elderly does not improve your mood either.

frogs and ancient Egypt

Every year in the spring, large numbers of frogs appear in the mud near the river Nile. They are never there in dry weather, so in the past ancient Egyptians used to believe that the mud produced the frogs. They never experimented on the birth of frogs, therefore never realised that their hypothesis was false. Modern biologists and researchers don't accept untested observations, therefore frogs born out of mud is not something they take seriously.

starting a car

First I put the ignition key into the keyhole and turn it. The engine starts. Then I push down the clutch pedal and put the gear lever into first gear. Next I take the handbrake off. I let out the clutch pedal slowly while pushing down the accelerator pedal and thus the car moves off.

the fire people - the washline people and the airline people

Hans Rosling, a famous Swedish doctor, statistician simply divides people by wealth based on what they can afford to use in their daily lives. Rosling made a research using a lot of data and found that out of the seven million people who live on Earth two billion live on under two dollars a day, that is below the poverty line. These people can not afford to use electricity, they cook using fire and sometimes do not have enough food. The airline people are the richest part of Earth's society who usually live in the most industrialised countries of the world, their homes are filled with gadgets, and they live in consumer societies using cars and many times airplanes to travel. Their spending average is around 80 dollars per day. There are four billion people between the poverty and the air line people who use electricity on a daily basis. Out of these, Rosling found out that around two billion people have access to washing machines, and they consume around 40 dollars a day.

The British National Health Service

In short NHS, which most Hungarians do not know too much about, however in the news it is said that it is even more expensive than the Hungarian services. If my information is correct, simply going to a doctor or having a check-up in a hospital won't cost money. For the prescribed medicine, new glasses a charge has to be paid. Private surgeries and hospitals are also exist in Great Britain, so if people want a better service and can afford it can be treated there, they can be treated outside the N. H. S. system.

the washing machine

In the1920's there were nearly one million electric washing machines in the USA and in 1934 the first Laundromat opened. Until the 1950's (after the second World War) they were expensive and there were also electric shortages, but then they spread fast in Western Europe. In Hungary the electric washing machine with a dries spread only in the 1980's. Washing machines helped one of the most burdensome household chores of women all around the world. This saved energy, time for millions of women, which they could use for their own education, spending more time with their family and children and is probably socially one of the most important inventions of the twentieth century. However, today in many African, Asian and South American countries women spend long hours washing at streams by hand, so this blessing of the second industrial revolution hasn't become fully global yet.

Veszprém

It is an old historic town with a lot of monuments. The first Hungarian Catholic bishopric was founded there. The castle area became a palace for the queen, who was always crowned by the bishop of Veszprém. Most of the present landscape was developed during the reconstruction of the baroque period. Lots of buildings of historical and architectural interest can be found there, for instance the Fire Tower, the Heroes' Gate, the Bishop's Palace and Gizella's Chapel.

river trips in Hungary

It is possible to take on of the passenger boats which travel on the Seine-Meine-Danube waterway, the longest in Europe. From May to September there is a daily boat service on the Danube between Budapest and Vienna, which takes about five hours. During the summer season there are a number of river excursion boats operating on the Danube, leaving from Budapest. In many places on the Tisza and on the Danube ferries also cross regularly.

the disadvantages of air travel

It is true that it can be the fastest way of travelling once you are on the train, but by getting to the airport, going through the security, waiting for your flight and then disembarking, waiting for your luggage and going to your destination by car makes it much slower overall. Many fights it very uncomfortable, there is not enough leg space and the weight and size of the luggage is also strictly controlled. Nervous fliers find it tiring and exhausting, during take-off and landing your ears may pop, which is another unpleasant feeling. At times, flights can get rough, especially when the plane hits an air pocket, and people tend to get airsick, fortunately it does not happen too often. Additionally, buying even a glass of water on a plane might look like a legal robbery.

travelling as fun

Many people find travelling as the best way of relaxation and recreation. People who can afford it usually travel twice for longer, one or two-week trips, in summer for a hot place, preferably with a beach and in winter for a skiing holiday. People can get away from the household chores and daily disturbances of life and it can be considered as a fantastic get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Travelling can broaden people's mind, one can learn about other peoples and cultures by visiting places, learn about customs and speaking foreign languages.

operations

The most common operations are removing your tonsils, adenoids or appendicitis. If the surgeons decide on an operation, for the surgery the surgeons and the nurses dress in green, wash their hands and put on masks. The patient is put on a trolley and taken to the operating theatre where a local or general anaesthetic will send the patient to sleep. Sometimes a laxative is given a day before the operation.

monthly season tickets

These are the best deals for their price as they include unlimited rides on any public transport within the city limits. Nowadays they are valid for thirty days from the day of purchase. There are state-subsidized discounts, students have reduced-price ~, and pensioners over the age of 65 can travel free on any public transportation in Hungary. The ~ are also very convenient because you don't have to bother about buying and handling tickets every time you travel, but you have to check that you carry it with yourself once you board a vehicle as inspectors often spot-check and issue heavy fines for fare dodgers (illegal users).

wasting food

This is one of the basic contradictions of our world that most of the industrially-produced food and meals are thrown away in the developed countries. As opposed in many developing countries, mostly in Asia and Africa, millions of people suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Natural disasters like droughts and floods and earthquakes (tsunamis) can add to the problems together with large national debt and warfare. However, if we take the universal human rights seriously, all responsible thinkers most strive to find solution for this problem as aid organisations and relief programmes are not long-term solutions to the thousands of people dying daily of hunger.

treatment after breaking a limb

Usually when a bone is broken the first examination after the physical check-up is an X-ray. The X-ray will decide after accidents such as falling down on a slippery road, colliding with a car, whether it is a bruise or a more serious wound. If the patient is young, usually the recovery is faster, but it still needs to be put in plaster fast for some time. If the leg is broken, besides the plaster usually a medical aid is given, the patient can only walk around on crutches until the plaster is taken off.

tipping in a restaurant

Usually you have to give a tip to the waiter or leave it on the table. There is no set percentage for ~ in Hungary, but usually it is 10-15 percent of the cost of the meal. At times it is included in the meals, that is why you have to check the carte. In this way people who find the idea wrong and degrading can safely pay their compliments for the services.

disadvantages of life in the city

Wit all its modern conveniences and civilisation city life can be extremely stressful. Nowadays with the development of agglomerations and green belts commuting is a problem for all, who do not live downtown. The signs of homelessness and unemployment are also more clearly visible in city environment. Traffic jams in the morning and from 4-6 in the afternoon are regular parts of the daily routine. In the summer cities can be burdensome and hot, many people decided to go to the countryside or to weekendhouses at Lake Balaton.

Erasmus of Rotterdam

A Dutch renaissance, humanist philosopher, whose full name was Desiderius ~. As a thinker he was very open-minded and even though a strong believer in values, morality and Catholic beliefs, at the same time critical about people's behaviours. He lived and worked in many countries around the world and learnt about different cultures, one of his friends being Thomas More.

living in a block of flats

A block of flats is usually densely populated, sometimes people do not know even their next-door neighbours. Even if you do not know them, you can hear them, as the walls are thin and not sound-proof at all.

future plans

A) Besides school I don't do much, as it is a demanding enough activity for me. Playing football and going out with friends are just pleasant additions to my week. At times my friends come over, we just chat and watch TV. I don't like to overload myself, I like to have time to relax and not see far in the future. OR: B) Since my childhood I have been conscientious about my choices and I knew that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering would be the perfect step for my future career. After graduating I expect myself to have an interesting, challenging, rewarding and adequately paid job.

permissive or strict parents

A) I believe myself to be child-centered and stress individual freedom over authority. I spare the rod and would never use corporal punishment as I don't want to spoil my kid's life. I try to wrap my children in cotton-wool since i want them to enjoy life and I expect myself to support them as long as I live. B) By nature I am a strict person. I must admit I insist on punctuality, tidiness and courtesy from my children which i expect them at home too. I believe kids are too young to know their own minds and we must educate them now so that they will be able to stand on their feet later. I see the spread of juvenile delinquency as being due to parental laxity.

life-changing ideas

A) I think I am quite happy with the way I am and don't want to make any changes. I can manage my time well, so I can always afford to relax when I need it. My priorities are well set and I never put off activities till tomorrow what I can do today. OR B) I suppose i should make a lot of changes or in fact alter my whole life. I think I need a new set of priorities. My present, city pace of life is controlled from the outside and is quite demanding, at times non-stop. I can hardly find time for leisure activities. I think i should concentrate on my work/studies less and take up a sport or activity without any immediate benefits.

higher education studies in the UK

About four in ten school-leavers (40%) go on to study at university, whereas in the early 1980's it was only 1 in 10 (8%). Nearly every second university student (15%) is from the UK, and their most popular subjects are business studies and engineering. University education is subsidised in the UK by the government. British and EU students pay towards their tuition fees and have to pay their own living expenses. Students usually can take out a government loan for this purpose, which they pay back when they reach a certain level of income. Higher and university studies are an investment in the individual's future. People with degrees are likely to earn on average Ł 100,000 more during their working lives than non-graduates.

restaurants

Depending on their incomes and the occasion people can go to first-, second and third class restaurants. If it is fine dining, you usually have to leave your coats in the cloakroom, in the dining room usually a headwaiter shows you a table. Some people reserve tables in advance, at times you can seat at a table that you like most. In a restaurant you can usually have a fixed dinner or you can eat a la carte, meaning choosing meals from a menu and ordering it to the waiter. At times it is worth asking the waiter what (s)he recommends to you. It is worth trying out the special dishes of the chef or the restaurant which can't be eaten at other places. It is also worth asking the waiter what ingredients dishes include, because a lot of dishes have a fancy name.

prevention is better than a doctor

Fortunately I am in good health and I can't remember the time I last had to consult a doctor. I try to take care of myself, you know good health above wealth, as the saying goes. In my opinion, prevention is better than cure. Many people neglect their health, or feel stressed, and get a bad cold easily when the cool, rainy weather sets in.

the disadvantages of having only one close friend

Having only one friend can be boring as you always to the same things together and never meet anybody new. For all the stability you also take a risk, since if you fall out with them or they move away, you are left completely on your own and it is quite difficult to make new friends. Additionally if you have a group of friends, you can always go to a variety of places and have a diverse impact to your life.

women as mothers, wives and careerists

I honestly think that if a woman has a job, the adults should share responsibilities at home. You can not expect a mother to do three jobs at the same time, building a career, preparing meals and raising children. I don't think you can deprive a woman of her right to earn her own living, find pleasure in her work and keep in touch with real life. OR: I believe woman are born to be mothers and wives. A woman who takes her child to a nursery when she does not have to is selfish and inhumane. Women should never try to make a career, and in an ideal family only the father works. I believe this is the most efficient; there were far fewer broken families and far more happy children if we would have kept the traditional ways of living.

husband's positive attitudes at home

If a father shares the responsibilities of bringing up children and caring for the family with his wife, then women will be less exhausted and more efficient bot hat work and at home. Important decisions should also be shared and kept.

staying at home with a child until the age of three

In Hungary parent, the mother or the father has the right to stay at home with the new-born baby. In practice, it is usually the mother who goes on maternity leave for one to three years. It is crucial for the development of the child, and it is the time when social connections are learnt, love and caring can be taught together with the first steps and learning the mother tongue. It is hard to imagine anything more important for a mother than attending to a child during the first few years of its life. OR: It all depends basically on the family's financial situation and the personal willingness to sacrifice precious career months from the adults' lives. Only the first five months is fully paid salary, so in many families parents decide to try out early child care facilities and later the kindergarten.

Why does your mouth become dry when you're nervous?

In a nervous state, the human body automatically prepares to fight or to run away. This is the body's automatic reaction to danger. The nerves in the body are activated only if they help you fight or escape. When you are in danger eating is not considered to be important, nerve signals are sent to your mouth telling it to stop producing saliva and so your mouth becomes dry.

irony

It is a literary technique which shows when wishes, desires and reality are in sharp contrast. In a verbal irony what is said implies a meaning that is exactly the opposite. In an ironic situation, the actions taken have an exactly opposite effect than what was intended. Alanis Morissette in her song Ironic explains such situations: When a man turned ninety-eight and won the lottery and died the next day. Or a death row pardon two minutes too late.

the Erasmus Programme

It is an exchange programme of the European Union (EU), which gives a chance to students to work or study in a different European country while they are still at university. A programme can last from three months to a full academic year. ~ started in 1987 and it has grown dramatically, in the first year there were 3,244 students which these days is around 200,000 students from over thirty different countries each year.

sharing household chores

My mum does most of the housework in our family (cooking, washing, shopping and ironing). Me as a kid at times help with the washing up, the dusting and the bed-making and I also clean my own room, dust the furniture, hoover the carpet and polish the floor. At times I am quiet enthusiastic about cooking so I help my mother to prepare weekend meals. It is my dad who has green fingers and takes good care of the plants we have in the house. Sometimes he also takes the dog for a walk or washes the car, but usually he just loves sitting on his backside surfing the net or reading.

the use of computers

Nowadays the use of computers, let alone smartphones can not be avoided. Students and teachers use a lot different word processing programmes. The web is also searched for information, at times students have to do research. Music files and films can be downloaded, information from all over the world is at the person's fingertips in the fraction of a second. People can easily chat with their friends and write e-mails to them. There are people who use it to make themselves more organised in their work. Completing reports, writing letters and a laptop is like having your office in your briefcase which is extremely convenient and saves time.

restoration of old buildings

Old buildings of historic interest must be preserved and should be incorporated into the new surroundings. In most Hungarian towns it is being done successfully. This means that extensive foundations are dug under the houses, the walls are reinforced and the old pipelines and wiring is replaced meticulously. It is worth the trouble though as architecture of older periods looks fare more attractive than the new high-rise blocks.

hamburger

One of the most well-known fast-food, the ~ started its history as small pieces of raw beef eaten by the Mongols. According to a legend when the Mongols arrived to the area of Hamburg, people saw their way of cooking meat, mixed the beef with local spices, fried it, and called it the Hamburg Steak. During the nineteenth century hundreds of thousands of Germans emigrated to the USA, who took the recipe with them, and it became known as ~, after the German port city.

murder mystery parties

Organised murder mystery weekends (or evenings) have become popular in the UK and other countries. The party usually takes place in a hotel and involves a game, which has a 'murder.' The guests have to investigate it and find out who the murderer is. Each guest is given a role to play: the detective(s), the murderer, the victim, suspects and other, supporting roles. At times actors are employed to take a role. usually the time is spent investigating the murder mystery.

takeaways

Part of globalisation is fast-food restaurants and ~. Different nationalities have different meals, in Hungary Chinese, Turkish and Mexican are the most popular. Italian pizzerias also have a scooter service and offer ~. Usually these places offer good food at reasonable prices. The most well-known British takeaway and fast-food is fish and chips, one of the most inexpensive places to eat. Many places are restaurants and ~, and usually the food was wrapped up in (news)paper until the 1980's. These places sell easy-to-prepare dishes.

opposition to school canteen reforms in

Some parents believe that the new school reforms don't give pupils enough choice or enough time to enjoy their lunch. They also claim, that children have the right to choose their food, and it is an issue of individual rights, including the freedom of choice. It is everybody's own decision to make up his or her mind if (s) wants to liv a healthy life or not. It is plain and simple the government shouldn't tell people what and how to eat, where people smoke, how they try. Additionally governments tend to change from year to year the guidelines, which makes it even more confusing.

safety of air travel

Statistics show that air travel is safer than any other form of travelling. Air crashes are rarer than serious accident on the railways let alone roads. Nothing is left to chance, from small airbuses to giant jumbo jets all flying vehicles seem to be safe in all weather conditions and can run on automatic pilot. The cockpit is full of modern navigational equipment and the landing and take-off are controlled by computers.

formal letter

This is a letter you write for a job application your school, hotel reservation. Usually you start it with the family name of the person (i. e.: Dear Mr Smith), and you finish the letter with yours sincerely, yours respectfully and your full name. If you want a reply to your letter, you should write I look forward to hearing from you. Usually you write official things and ask for information.

making potato soup

To make potato soup you have to peel and cut potatoes and onions roughly, wash and cut up celery. Heat the butter in a saucepan and fry vegetables until they are all coated with the butter but not discoloured. You should add milk, water, salt and pepper and boil it gently for 30-45 minutes. Then remove the celery and grate an onion into it. Then boil the soup up again add the sage and let it simmer until the soup thickens. Once you poured the soup sprinkle it with chopped parsley.

the advantages of being an only child

Two or three generations ago married couples used to have lots of children, nevertheless nowadays couples decide not to have children at all or have just one child. If a child grows up without brothers and sisters you can get more attention from your parents and grandparents, than children in large families. This can make these children more confident and secure. There is no one to argue with and only children do not have to share possessions and living space, thus avoiding unnecessary conflicts. As it can be said about anything that is human, besides the advantages there are clear disadvantages too, and personal experience and individual circumstance decide after all.

the disadvantages of being an only child

Two or three generations ago married couples used to have lots of children, nevertheless nowadays couples decide not to have children at all or have just one child. If a child grows up without brothers and sisters, (s)he can feel lonely as there is no one of his/her age group to play with. Friends has to be found which is not always so easy. Another argument is that these children become 'spoilt' overconfident brats. Lonely children always get whatever they want from their parents and relatives, therefore they don't learn to share and co-operate with other people. As it can be said about anything that is human, besides the disadvantages there are clear advantages too, and personal experience and individual circumstance decide after all.

firewalking

Walking across burning coals or red-hot stones has a 3000-year long tradition in many cultures they have used it in ceremonies as test of willpower. It is actually not a mind strength versus body type of activity, but has more to do with physics. The heat doesn't pass quickly from the coals to the walkers' feet, particularly if they keep moving. If you do it properly there is a little risk of injury. In Europe and the USA in the 1970's it became popular and many people went on training courses to learn the skill. Some people believed that firewalking is good for their mind and they can even gain mystical powers. In 2002 30 KFC managers went on a team-building trip which included firewalking. Twenty had to go to hospital in order to get medical treatment for burnt soles. They used inadequate material: red hot wood instead of coal.

weekends vs. weekdays

Weekends are usually slightly different. On Saturdays I tend to sleep in, enjoying the chance of a free day. At times I have to go shopping doing the weekly groceries and meat rounds, but sometimes I try to do it already on Friday. The weekend cleaning is a must, which I would love to skip. We try to spend as much time as possible outdoors, walking in the mountains or going on trips is really important for my family.

James Randi

He started his career as a magician nicknamed Amazing Randi. When he retired, he began investigating claims about the paranormal, including telekinesis, which he believes has no foundation at all. He has offered a prize of one million US dollars to any person who can provide evidence of a paranormal or supernatural power or event. However, the evidence must be provided under condition which both parties agree to. To date, no one has won the prize.

making a tea

In order to make a tea put the kettle under the tap and fill it up with water. Then I put it on the gas cooker and bring the water to the boil. When the water is boiling I pour it into the tea pot where I have previously placed some tea-bags or tea-leaves, which can be black, green or fruit. I leave them to brew for some minutes then take the tea-bags out or strain the liquid to get rid of the tea-leaves. In Hungary we often serve it with sugar and lemon.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

It is a crime story written by the Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson, the first part of the Millennium series, which became an international best seller. Dragan Armansky, the director of the security company, had a conservative image and was upset by Lisbeth Salander's physical appearance. Salander was anorexic young women with short hair and piercings, a 2-centimeter wasp tattoo on her neck, a tattooed ring around the biceps of her left arm and later that year a dragon on her left shoulder was tattooed. Her hair was naturally read, but she dyed it black, and at times wore black lipstick. She did not have any eating disorder as she loved junk food. Salander was twenty-four, with quick and spidery movements and despite her girlish look was the most competent investigator who never once made a mistake or handed a bad report in four years. Her unique talent was her imagination, and she could get under the skin of the person she was investigating, and if they had any, she found out all the deep, dark secrets about them.

the advantages of the Erasmus Programme

It seems that the ~ far outweigh its disadvantages. Students can learn about the host country, and can be part of an international community of students, which is one of the most peaceful and least obtrusive way of learning about differences. Having Erasmus on a CV can offer many opportunities and employers often see it as a positive educational experience. Additionally it is no more expensive than studying in your own country because no extra tuition fees need to be paid. For living abroad as an additional expense, help can be applied for in the form of an Erasmus grant or scholarship.

student hostel house rules

Lodgings are places where sharing and living together makes the owners/renters think of some some rules. Usually, you are not supposed to smoke in the common rooms (TV room, laundry etc.), you are not allowed to be too noisy, take girls or boys into your room, s tick pictures on the wall. You must also accept the fact, that in a Hungarian dormitory you won't have warm water for shower after a certain period.

school canteen in Britain

Recently there has been a health reform in British schools and the government encourages schools to offer healthier meals. This can be logical, as the government pays the bill when people get to hospital, and if more and more people need treatment because of their unhealthy lifestyle, that means raising taxes. Officials also explain that healthier school meals might help children to concentrate better. School break was reduced from one hour to thirty minutes, and children are banned from going out to local takeaways during the break. Head teachers claim that there have been improvements in behaviour and learning in the afternoons as a result of the new healthy eating regime. Moreover, it is fine that adults make themselves look fat and eat unhealthily, but their children is not only their own business, they have the right to become healthy eaters with a balanced diet as well.

kitchen

The kitchen floor is usually tiled or covered with lino because it is easy to keep it clean. A kitchen can be fully fitted with labour saving devices, which can be found in nearly all Hungarian households. Usually there is a cooker, a fridge, a toaster, a dishwasher, a blender, a micro-wave oven and a deep fryer. There is usually a cupboard with spices and ingredients on the shelves that are needed for everyday cooking like salt, flour, sugar and cooking oil. On the shelves of the cupboard saucepans, frying pans, jugs, bowls, kitchen scales, grater, and corkscrew are also kept. Usually the working top of the cupboard has a heat and stain-resistant surface, which can easily be wiped clean. In most households there is no separate dining room.

a fashion student's future

This is my final year at school. Six months from now, I will be studying at university. It is a three-year course, so four years from now, I will have finished it. I will probably be living in a big city: London, New York, Paris or Milan. That's where the fashion jobs are. Hopefully, by the time I am 35, I will have learned enough about the fashion industry to start my own fashion label. With Luck I will be running my own successful company by then and a few young fashion graduates will be working for me.

Lake Balaton

The region has a charm of its own, attracts a lot of visitors from year to year. North of the lake, on the slopes of the Badacsony hills are the special vineyards which produce Grey Friar, the famous wine. Around the lake new hotels have been built, motels have been opened, well-equipped camping sites have been established. The lake is flanked by holiday resorts with beaches, sports centres, boat houses, week-end cottages and private summer villas.

living in a block of flats

The residents or tenants are a cross section of the city population, with families of factory workers, engineers, doctors, students with a fair number of pensioners. Many of the well-to-do people have already decided to move either to the countryside or newly built residential areas. Usually the block is serviced by a caretaker, there is a house committee, which is a voluntary body of flat dwellers, who usually are in touch with a company that handles the financial, architectural, insurance problems of the flat.

universities in the UK

The two oldest universities in Great Britain are the University of Oxford (founded in the eleventh century) and the University of Cambridge (founded in 1209). Scotland also has some famous universities, the most famous being the University of St. Andrews (founded in 1413) and the University of Edinburgh (founded in 1582). There are other universities with excellent reputation, just as the Imperial College London and the London School of Economics. Not only language teaching and strong mission to spread English separates Oxford and Cambridge, together often called Oxbridge. The University of Cambridge has produced 83 Nobel Laureates to date, which is more than any other university in the world.

healthy eating

There are different ideas about what is considered to be healthy and there is an industry based on it with its seasons and fashion. Nevertheless, balanced diet is considered to be important to most. Carbohydrates (bread, cakes and sugar) are popular in Hungary as well as protein (pork, lamb, beef, veal), which are important but fibre must be consumed as well as other nutrients such as vitamins, protein, calories and iron. Vegetables and grain are also important. ~ is not enough, it must be connected to a healthy lifestyle, with some exercise (walking half an hour a day or watering your flowers might suffice) as well as the right psychological approach. One shouldn't worry continuously about what to eat all the time and how to become or stay slim. Diets usually don't last for long.

brain training

There are volunteers who have been playing one particular game every day for six weeks. This specific game was designed to increase brainpower by giving the players mental exercises. One of the volunteers said, that he has been getting much better scores recently. 11,000 volunteers have been taking part in a scientific study organised by a Cambridge scientist called Adrian Owen. Half of the volunteers haven't been using the brain-training programs at all; they have been surfing the internet instead. Owen has conducted several studies of this kind and they have all shown that brain-training has a small positive effect on mental abilities but surfing the internet is just as good.

mortgage

These are to help buying you a house or any expensive items that you desire. Mortgages/loans are difficult to get, because most banks demand that you have some money in order to be entitled. For a three-bedroom house you probably will need a long-term loan or mortgage from a building society, bank or the state. The private sector is usually expensive, therefore the mortgage has a very high interest rate. By the time the new owners have finished paying off the mortgage in about 20 years' time, they will have paid about twice as much as the original cost of the house. The state can give you a grant if you have two or more children, in that case you do not have to pay back a certain amount of money.

female firefighters in London

These days there are over 230 women in the London Fire Brigade. One of them is Dany Cotthen, who has been with the fire service for more than 22 years. As a female firefighter now she spends a lot of time trying to change the image of the Fire Brigade and took part in a national campaign promoting firefighting as a career choice for girls in secondary school. She stated that women do the same training and assessment as man and are expected to do the same job. Both sexes must be fit and healthy, but for passing the physical tests height is not important. She also explains that carrying down a man on the ladder is not part of the job description. This is the film image of firefighters, they enter a burning building as a team, and everybody is assigned a given job. She also claims that saving people from burning buildings is far the only activity firefighters do. They spend days in the community, visiting thousands of homes, businesses and schools giving advice on fire situations. Women are actually good at this, because of their ability to communicate well. Additionally, Ms Cotton works as a manager in an office, and she finds it interesting that she has to combine using her skills with people and working in real life emergency situations.

the Westinghouse time capsules

These were buried about 15 metres below ground in the Flushing Meadows Park in New York City by a group of engineers from an Electric company. The first one was buried in 1939, because at that time there was a World Fair and another in 1964, when another time capsule was buried with the idea that it can only be opened in 6939, exactly 5,000 years after it was buried. The first one, which looked like a giant 2 meter long pen (229 cm) included 35 small items, like a pen, an alarm clock, even a packet of cigarettes, and many materials: rubber, plastic, glass, to show which materials humans had discovered or invented by 1939. Additionally, it had lots of cultural information, books and magazines, but also messages from famous people like Albert Einstein. A special book, the Book of Record was written and sent to thousands of libraries to make the future generations understand the language and learn about the time capsule.

ID card

This is a plastic card with which you can prove your identity, as well as with your residence card, student card or driver's licence. Outside the EU you need a valid passport for this purpose. These days in a city you must take your ~ with you all the time, you can be stopped by the police and pubs can request your ~ too. If you lose it, you have to go to the state office, where a form has to be filed in. They ask you personal particulars such as place and date of birth, temporary and permanent address, marital status, Christian name, occupation and place of work. You don't have to worry about your photos as it is taken on the spot. You can also pay for the revenue stamps there, if you wish by credit card as well.

congestion

This is one of the most acute problems of modern traffic, especially during rush hours (in the morning from 6-8 in Hungary and 4-6 in the evening during weekdays, and Sunday late afternoons or evenings) or in case of accidents. There are constant ~s, with hundreds of people waiting. Urban areas are so choked that traffic often is not faster than with a horse and a buggy at the turn of the twentieth century. Besides the lack of speed, most of these vehicles make our Earth polluted. One solution for the growing number of vehicles is the system of ring roads around larger towns, which help passing traffic avoid the city centres. Banning heavy goods vehicles and ~ charges are also on agenda. For the individuals the greater use of one-way streets and computer-controlled sets of traffic lights might also help the traffic flow.

time capsule

This is usually an American way of looking at the world, people bury certain objects that give a picture of what the world is like and what life is like for the people who live in it. Its idea is that in the future, when people dig it up, they will learn a lot about the world of the people who buried it.

pizza Margherita

This specific tomato based pizza was created in 1889, when Queen Margherita invited chef Rafaelle Esposito to visit the royal palace and bake a selection of pizzas for her. Mr Esposito wanted to impress the queen, and made a special pizza. Overall, it was large, topped with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh herbs to represent the red, white and green colours of the Italian flag. The queen was so delighted with this design that it became one of her favourite foods, everyday people heard the story and wanted to try a similar taste, so ~ was born.

package tours

This type of travelling means that you pay a single, all-inclusive price that covers all expenses such as transportation, meals, accommodation, sightseeing tours and guides. You travel with others following a prearranged itinerary covering all the famous spots and landmarks.

making a sandwich

To make a sandwich cut a loaf of bread into slices spread some butter or margarine over them. You can flavour it with vegetables, slices of salami, cold sausages as well as hard-boiled eggs. You can also grate some cheese and sprinkle it on the bread slices. You can also add paprika paste or mustard to it.

superhuman strength

Tom Boyle performed an amazing act of strength in Tucson, USA on a summer evening to rescue a cyclist who had been run over by a car. Boyle and his wife were in their truck at the exit of the car park of the local mall. Suddenly a Camaro in front, drove out and ran straight over an 18-year old cyclist, who became trapped under the car with his bike. The driver of the Camaro didn't notice and drove off with the cyclist underneath. When the Camaro stopped ten meters up the road, the cyclist started hitting the side of the car, screaming in pain. As Boyle ran towards the car, the driver got out. Boyle lifted up the 3,000 kg Camaro so that the driver could pull the cyclist out. About 45 seconds later Boyle put the car back down onto the road and went to help the cyclist. Boyle to this date doesn't understand his power, nevertheless scientists have a perfect explanation. According to science when the brain detects an extreme situation, it sends more adrenaline and a substance called cortisol into the blood stream. This provides extra energy, as a result of which our blood pressure rise, our heart starts beating faster and more oxygen is pumped into our muscles. For a short while, in effect, we become superhuman. Tom Boyle was acknowledged not only in the local media and in TV stations but also received an award for his brave actions.

application letter

When a person looks for a job, they have to write an ~. In the letter you have to write where you saw the advert, what job you are applying for, what is your work experience, what your personal qualities are, who can give you references and when you can start work. is a form of formal letter.

alcoholism and drugs

When people feel that they can not cope with the stress of life and find solutions to their problem often they take on mood-enhancing legal or illegal drugs. These can work once or twice, but using it regularly can lead to addiction. Alcoholism is a legal drug, in Hungary people are allowed to make their own spirits (called pálinka) legally and alcohol in the morning, at a christening, wedding and funeral are common. As the saying goes, you should drink when you are happy but also when you are sad. Getting used to alcohol can surely ruin your health, if your uncontrollably need it, it might lead to the loss of your senses and work and can ruin not only yours, but your family member's lives too. Drug addiction is a relatively new problem in larger numbers. Since 1989 more and more people take drugs, especially young people at parties and poor people also, because the latest synthetic drugs are cheaper than the cheapest alcohol. Drug-taking influences you in ways in which you lose touch with the real world and it is hard if not impossible to get back to normalcy.

the advantages of air travel

When you are flying, air travel is the quickest way of transport, even the fastest Inter-city train seems to crawl at a snail's pace compared to it. Nowadays low-cost airlines can also provide the cheapest way of transport and it is possible to go from Budapest to any European cities just for a few euros. Even the remotest places became accessible for everybody. Some find it extremely comfortable too, and enjoy the food served for them.

modern city health problems

With the growing amount of chemicals used in every walk of life the number of patients suffering from hayfever, allergies and respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma, is rising. Quinsy and appendicitis are very common among children as well as food poisoning and indigestion. There is a strong tendency that more and more people suffer from nervous breakdowns and have crack-ups due to overwork and fatigue. In the most serious cases people end up in mental hospitals and never recover from their illness. As a result of vaccinations for small pox and polio at a very young age together with periodical medical check-ups at school, many of the former deadly diseases and epidemics are wiped out in industrial countries, like plague, cholera, small-pox, malaria, tuberculosis and polio. Nowadays, in developed countries the heaviest toll on human life are coronary heart diseases, circulatory disorders, different types of cancer (many of which are stress-related) and the 1980's new contagious disease called AIDS.

EU travel

Within the Schengen area any citizens of the 31 states don't need any special document, the id card or driver's licence are enough. Border posts and checks have been removed between the states in this area, one of the basic rights of the EU is the freedom of travel, and this can last up to three months.

English dinner

it is usually the biggest meal of the day served between seven and eight. Two or three courses are served, sometimes even a soup. Then some meat dishes (beef or lamb or chicken or duck), with some vegetables (peas, beans, Brussels sprouts or broccoli). For a third course pudding or other sweets are served and also different kinds of fruit: apples, pears, oranges, bananas, figs and nuts are served.

Danny MacAskill

~ grew up on a Scottish island, but has lived in Edinburgh, since 2006. Thanks to the Internet, he has become one of the most famous stunt riders in the world. Three years ago, he made a video called Mountain Bike Trickster and posted it on YouTube. Three million people watched it. His most recent video is called Inspired Bicycles. It has already had half a million views - and hasn't been on YouTube for more than a few days. His videos are so successful, that Danny has given up his regular job and become a professional mountain bike rider. Danny has always enjoyed doing stunts. Not surprisingly, he's had a lot of accidents. In fact, he can't ride at the moment because he's just broken his collarbone for the third time in the past six months.

My mother

~ is a short, broad-shouldered and stocky woman. She has a round face, a double chin, a large nose and brown eyes. She wears her hair in a tight bun. She is in excellent health and appears strong and energetic. She can see well for longer distance, but she wears glasses for close work and reading.

hypnosis

~ means that performers can make volunteers get into a stage of mind, when they look like they lost control over their minds. Once a person is hypnotised, volunteers do weird activities: act like animals, behave like giant babies. Controlling minds sounded so alarming that the British Government passed a law in 1952 to protect the public from irresponsible hypnotists. The law has been repealed ever since. Most scientists believe that stage hypnotism does not involve real mind control, it usually involves extrovert personalities who want to help the performer to put on a good show.

the disadvantages of living in Budapest

~ suffers from industrial decline, unemployment, poverty and housing and social stress, which are all visible. Waiting rooms at railways stations are occupied by homeless people, just as underpasses and doorways. Squatters occupy vacant flats arbitrarily and live under the continuous threat of eviction. If mortgage payment deadlines are not met it is easy to get to the street. There is a higher degree of air and water pollution than in other cities. Public transportation is usually inadequate, buses are crowded and people resort to using their own cars. This leads to another problem: there are constant traffic jams in downtown and to the greenbelt are normal part of daily life. There are not enough green areas. Housing can be considered problematic too. There are giant housing estates which are usually situated around industrial centres and families live there in overcrowded and unsatisfactory conditions. Most of the huge blocks of prefabricated flats are faceless and identical, though since 1989 they are given insulation, colours and more individuality.

Kaspar Hauser

~ was a teenage boy who was found on 26 November, 1828 wandering alone through the streets of Nuremberg, who only had two old letters in his possession. Due to his behaviour and appearance he was taken to the police station, where ~ spent two month in prison, hardly spoke and refused all food except for bread and water. ~ claimed that he had spent his whole childhood in a small dark cell, had never met and spoken to another human being, and the cell was empty and had nothing but a small bed and one toy, a wooden horse. According to Kaspar's account a mysterious man had begun to call on his never showing his face before his release. ~'s story fascinated people, a schoolteacher named Friedrich Daumer agreed to look after him and teach him subjects. In the next year ~ was found with a knife wound to his head, and claimed that the man with a hood attacked him and that it was the same man who had brought him to Nuremberg. Five years later, in 1833 he went home with a deep knife wound in his chest saying that somebody attacked him in a garden and in a couple of days he died. Before he died, the told the police that the attacker had given him a bag, which the police found and there was a note inside in mirror writing in German: 'I want to tell you about myself. I come from the Bavarian border, on the river."

Johnny Depp

~ was born in Kentucky in 1963, is a well-known American actor. He first became famous when he starred in the TV series 21 Jump Street, in which he played a young police officer. This role, which he played for nearly four years turned him into a teen idol. Later, Depp played the title role in the film Edwards Scissorhands, which was directed by Tim Burton, whose partner at the time was the actress Helena Bonham Carter, who also played in the very same film. Depp has two children with his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis, and they divided their time between their five homes, including a villa in the south of France called Le Plan de la Tour, where Depp made his own wine.

theories about Kaspar Houser

~'s life story has fascinated people all over the world. Some suggested that he was the son of a rich and powerful man, may be a prince, who wanted to keep his identity secret. Dozens of books have been written about his story and various historians have examined them. Most concluded that the stories must have been lies and Kaspar Hauser committed suicide (perhaps by mistake). Nevertheless, for some, Kaspar Hauser's life and death remains one of the most mysterious stories in history.

Usain Bolt

~, the Jamaican athlete is one of the fastest men on Earth for short distances. He has broken the world 200m and 200m records several times and he also holds the record for the 4x100m relay with his teammates. However, Usain hasn't been a runner all his life. When he was a child, he spent his time playing football and cricket in the street with his brother. It wasn't until the age of 12 that anybody realised how fast he could run. He won his first gold medal at the 2002 World Championships, where he was so nervous that he actually put his running shoes on the wrong feet. Since then, however, he has learned to deal with his pre-race nerves, and they no longer affect him. Even more importantly Bolt is loyal to his country. A number of American clubs have offered him a contract over the years, but so far he has said that he does not want to leave Jamaica.

male nursery schoolteacher

22-year old Jonathan Brown was the first trainee employed by ToddlerWorld Nursery. He was the only man who applied for the job, and the head teacher of ToddlerWorld insisted that he was also by far the best applicant. Mrs Bowman explained that it will be a highly beneficial experience for the children to have a male role model in the nursery. Jonathan has his own social background that makes him interested, his mother is a childminder and his father is a teacher. She said she has always helped her mum changing nappies, feeding babies, reading stories. Male nursery teachers are exceptions to the rule, about 2% of the total. There are strong stereotypes against them, and are often viewed with anxiety and suspicion.

living in a house

A detached house has more room and privacy than a semi-detached house, row of houses let alone a block of flats. You can be on your own and nobody disturbs you. You can have a garden, in which you can grow flowers or just sit on the lawn or keep your pet dog. Children can also feel safer as they can play in the fenced-off yard. usually houses are fairly comfortable and well-equipped with all modern conveniences such as hot water, electricity, gas central heating, drains and a telephone and internet line.

throwaway society

A synonym for this term is consumer society, which means that we choose according to our likes and when we got bored of it, or gets out of fashion we throw away clothes, food, furniture, mobile phones and even cars. Many people in industrial societies have extensive wardrobes of elegant clothes, which they just wear once or twice and throw them away or given them to charity organisations. The process is similar in technological progress, a computer that is new now will become obsolete and will worth a fragment of its original value. The gravest mistake is when mechanics believe that it is easier to replace them or other electrical appliances than have them repaired. It is also well-known that about half of the food on the shelves of supermarkets goes to landfill sites.

morning routines and personality

A) I am a light sleeper so I find it easy to get u pin the morning. Even if I don't have the alarm clos set for a particular time - at the weekends for instance - I wake up somewhere between 6 and 7 in the morning. I jump out of bed, have a quick cup of coffee with a toast, listen to the news broadcast and the weather forecast and then I am off to work. OR: B) In the morning I need time to regain my senses and I am wide awake, which usually does happen after my morning coffee, which my mum brings in bed every morning. Since I am a heavy sleeper my morning routines are long and slow, I like to fiddle around, sometimes wasting my face in cold running water does help. I eat breakfast silently with my family members and my mum always prepares the elevenses, which I eat at school.

position in the family

A) I am very fond of my family but I don't always get on very well with them. Before secondary school rules and regulations worked well, but not I feel they try to control me too much and after i feel they treat me like a child. My friends are given much more freedom while I am always told what is right and what is wrong. In fact, I don't regard them as friends and I never talk to them about my feelings. B) I tend to get on extremely well with my mum. I see her as my best friend and she will come to me first if she has a problem. I am trying to be obedient and nice. However, we both can be moody and then not talk to each other for days. I often take criticism to heart and it is quite difficult to learn how to treat certain things easy.

how to get to school

A) Our house is within spitting distance, so I came here on foot, it is a nice and pleasant walk to school every day. I just have to cross the pedestrian crossing at St. John's hospital, go under the cogwheel tunnel and I am already in Városmajor park, where our school is situated. B) My dad usually drives me to school, this morning the traffic was not particularly happy, however we took the wrong way as the road I usually took had been made into a one-way street. We ended up in a housing estate I have never been to before. Nonetheless, my dad - the traditional guy, who avoids using his GPS - checked his map and found the way to VMG quite easily. C) As I live in the green belt I always have to take the morning train to get here in time. The train is usually full of commuters who come to work in the morning. When I get off at Déli (Southern) railway station, I usually take a tram, number 56 and 61 all run next the Városmajor, a giant city park in which my school is situated. I have to step off at the stop St. John's hospital, turn right, walk under the cogwheel tunnel and I can already see the school buildings and the gym.

catastrophe version of fifty years on

According to Sir David King, scientific adviser to the British Government, if humans do not reduce carbon emissions, the Earth will be warmer, polar ice will melt and the oceans will rise. Cities like London and New York will disappear under the water. J. Richard Gott, a physicist claims that humans could entirely disappear just like the dinosaurs became extinct with hundreds of other species. One solution to this problem could be starting a colony on Mars.

boarding a plane

After buying their tickets and before boarding the plane passengers must register at the check-in counter. While checking-in, the luggage is weighed and the attendant attaches a special tag to it to prevent it from getting lost or misplaced. If you exceed your baggage allowance you have to pay an excess fare. The boarding card given to you indicates the flight number, the destination, the class (comfort or tourist) and the seat number. Your passport is only checked if you travel outside the European Union. In the departure lounge you will possibly find a duty-free shop, where you can kill time until departure.

the scientific method

All modern scientific methods start with observation. The scientist, researcher observes the world around. The second step is to ask a question based on the observations. This is what Newton did when he posed the question why does the apple fall down? One possible answer was that objects are pulled to the ground by an invisible force. After this second step, one must try to find some evidence to confirm the hypothesis. This is the testing period, when the ideas are tested with experiments and more observations. Experiments most be repeatable with the same results and one must also analyse the findings statistically. It must also be carefully recorded so that other scientists can duplicate your work and check your conclusions. Once there is a lot of experimental evidence the hypothesis becomes a theory. If a theory has been confirmed by experiments many times then it becomes a scientific law. You can use hypothesis, theories and laws to make predictions. The law of gravity predicts that astronauts should float in space, which they do.

average British house

An average English family lives in a medium-sized, semi-detached house. The rooms are usually not too big. Often, there are brightly-patterned carpets all over the floors and the stairs. The house usually has a small garden in front of it, a small garage for the car at the side, and another small garden at the back.

technical specifications of a laptop

An average laptop has a 1.66 Ghz processor, with a 1024 MB of RAM. It has at least 500 GB hard drive and a 17 inch LED display, a 16 x DVD writer and two built-in 3-watt speakers. Its colour can be important to but you always have to make sure that it is as fast as your wallet can allow it.

sandwich

Another popular snack started out in Britain, and it is said that John Montagu, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich invented the ~. He enjoyed playing cards in his favourite restaurant, the Beef Steak Club in London. There, he found out that on most days his games lasted for hours. Instead of having lunch, he decided to have a fast meal, and ordered his servant to bring him some meat between two slices of bread, which would prevent the cards from getting dirty. When other players saw this, they began to order 'the same as Sandwich', and so the ~ got its name after a card-playing earl and his earldom.

the germ theory

Antoni van Leuwenhoek, Dutch scientist and microscope-maker discovered the existence of bacteria and was the first person who observed microorganisms under a microscope by studying his own saliva. The French chemist and biologist Louis Pasteur carried out experiments on fermentation. Pasteur believed that fermentation could only happen if a substance contained or came into contact with microorganisms or germs. His findings confirmed his hypothesis and so provided the evidence which finally convinced European scientists that germ theory was true. Many of today's vaccination programmes, the pasteurisation of milk are based on ~.

customs

Any country has a right to examine the luggage of out-going and in-coming travellers. Customs officials are the specialists who perform this task and they usually are more interested in the luggage of people arriving in the country. Usually they ask what you brought with you and you must truthfully answer any questions otherwise you commit the crime of smuggling. As a smuggler you have to pay a fine which may be more than the goods you smuggled on top of that all of the goods may be confiscated. If the traveller has goods liable to duty (s)he must pay taxes on them. If you have nothing to declare you can either tell the officer about it, or just simply go through the green channel, which is subject only to an occasional spot-check of the customs officer. Most articles which are for personal use are exempt from duty and there is a fixed quota. You must pay duty on a large amount of spirits, tobacco, coffee, on electrical appliances and cars.

freight railway transport

Apart from passengers, trains can also carry many different kinds of goods. Next to shipping it is still one of the cheapest ways of carrying freight over long distances. Freight liners are perhaps the fastest and most efficient of them as they transport the goods in special large containers that can be loaded and unloaded quickly and easily.

physical appearance

As for my appearance I think I take after my father's grandfather. I am in my late teens (early twenties), I am medium-height and slightly (heavily)-built, but I have narrow /wide shoulders. I have straight/wavy medium-length (short/long) brown/fair/dark hair. I (don't) have a short beard and a moustache. My eyes are blue/ greenish-yellowish/ and i wear glasses. I have thin/full lips and an expressive face. My face changes a lot when i smile. I have a high forehand, as my parents say, it looks intelligent. I don't think I am good-looking, and I look a bit older than my age. I really don't think looks matter that much, as the Hungarian saying goes, 'It is not the clothes, that make the man.' Therefore I am not really dress-conscious and I am usually casually dressed. / I believe no woman, or man either, wants to look repulsive and unattractive. I admire people who have good taste in clothes and I am annoyed when people have no dress sense. What looks nice, however, always depends on the occasion. At work I enjoy wearing colourful suits, while at a party I prefer to wear black.

the pros of online dating

As we live in our busy, stress-filled modern times the best way to find a life partner is through online dating, and internet dating sites have become one of the most popular ways to meet people. Dating agencies use science to match people with suitable partners, besides a simple personality profile now complex psychological questionnaires (at times with over 200 questions) are used which allows the agencies to match people with compatible partners and provide a greater chance of success. The advantages of the online dating are obvious, potentially you can meet hundreds of potential partners without leaving your home, not only form your home country but other countries as well.

the cons of online dating

As we live in our busy, stress-filled modern times the best way to find a life partner is through online dating, and internet dating sites have become one of the most popular ways to meet people. Even though online dating is popular, nobody can avoid the personal meetings, and many people are looking for that spark of attraction. And we know the ancient saying, sometimes 'Opposites attract.' There are no agencies that can provide the right 'chemistry' between two people. Moreover, you can't be sure if the other person is telling the truth about their sex, age and appearance until you personally meet them.

the oldest fisherman in Britain

Bill Hocking, who is 81 years old this year, is Britain's oldest fisherman. most mornings he gets up early and goes down to the harbour, where he keeps his boat. His fishing trips, which used to last up to 36 hours, are now only a few hours long. Besides being very old for a fisherman, there are other unusual facts about Mr Hocking. First of all, he can't swim. His wife, who worries about him every time he goes out to the sea, says 'It's what he loves doing and I would never try to stop him.' Mr Hocking whose boat is called Neptune's Pride, goes out in his boat in almost any weather to catch lobsters and crabs, which he sells at the local market. The other odd fact about Hocking is that he doesn't eat fish. He says he prefers steak.

camping

Camping-sites these days offer facilities like flush toilets, drinking water, cooking areas, washing-up facilities, guarded parking places, electricity, bungalows, restaurants bathing and fishing facilities and sports grounds. ~ became the pastime for a lot of motorists all over the world. You don't have to book in advance and the price is much less than for a hotel. You can come and go any time which gives the feeling of freedom. Plus working for yourself, putting up your tent or fixing your caravan can be a pleasantly familiar feeling which is still different from the household chores. Additionally, camp-sites are usually situated next to clear streams, in green valleys or at a seaside and the scenery is absolutely magnificent.

avoiding deadly diseases

Cancer can be combatted successfully if it is discovered at an early stage. In the media a lot of emphasis is placed on preventive medicine nowadays. Heart diseases and circulatory problems can be avoided through a healthy way of life. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which spreads in the developed world through sexual intercourse and blood transfusion, can be avoided by having sex responsibly (with a stable partner or with condom) and going to trustable hospitals. One should also try not to participate fully in the rat-race of modern city life. Stress and tension should be avoided by having time for relaxation and enjoyable activities. Breathing fresh air, not sitting all they long can help. As the ancient saying goes "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," that is eating fruits and vegetables as part of your balanced diet are also helpful.

the advantages and disadvantages of a car

Cars are a convenient and fast way of transportation that is best suited for a family or an individual. From agglomerations and green belts hundreds of thousands of people commute every day to downtown or to their workplaces. Cars that are used in city transportation are called taxis, or cabs, in England, their drivers are the cab drivers, or cabbies. Usually they wait at taxi ranks and when their lights are on, it signals that they are free to rent. They are usually the fastest, most individualised, but most expensive way of getting around, even if the distance covered is recorded on a meter with its fare. Cars can have multiple disadvantages. Ever since you buy a brand new car its price keeps dropping, so it is a non-returnable investment, except if you buy a vintage car, but then you have to take care of the special licences and worry about it. The maintenance and daily gasoline consumption of cars can be expensive (petrol tax, road tax, weight tax, high parking charges). Additionally cars' fume contains lot of dangerous material to the environment, and the growing use of cars is a factor in global warming. Families feel the need to change their cars every ten-fifteen years at least (in Western Europe every 2-3 years), and the carcass of an old car which ends up in a scrapyard is a waste that is non-decomposing, thus environment-polluting too.

a description of a car

Cars generally have two basic parts, the wheels and the body. The wheels have rubbery tyres on them and the body is made of metal. Under the bonnet you can find the parts that basically move the car: the engine, the cylinders, the battery and the petrol tank. The driver manipulates the care with the clutch, accelerator and brake pedals, stops firmly with the handbrake and naturally, uses the steering wheel. The speedometer and the different indicator lights are on the dashboard. From the outside in front there are the headlights, the registration number on the number-plate, the windscreens with wipers, the bumpers, the rear view mirror. A) Our car is a four-stroke, four-cylinder and sixteen valve car with a very comfortable design. It does around ten kilometres to a litre of petrol and its maintenances and insurance fees are a bit high, but I have never had to get it repaired. B) Our car is swift economical and comfortable. It looks small from the outside but the interior space is quite large. It has a super economical 852 cc engine and its average petrol consumption is 20 kilometres per liter. It does not have much luggage space unless you remove the rear seats. We bought it second hand, it had done 50.000 kilometres so it hadn't been used much, the engine had been well looked after and the body was not in the least rusty. it is silent, has good acceleration and has never let us down.

public transportation in cities

Cities generally have a wide choice of vehicles as public transportation on offer. Usually buses, trams, suburban trains and underground system are part of the system, in Budapest there are trolley buses, a funicular railway, and ships on the Danube as well. Trams, which are mostly yellow in Budapest, work by electricity and have a pair of fixed rails and electric wires, thus they are not polluting air as much as buses do. Trolleys are a mixture of trams and buses, as they use electricity (usually a high wire), but look like buses and run on tyres. The underground railway (or metro) is usually the quickest means of t transport, since it goes under the ground and thus it never gets into traffic jams and also runs every other minute during the rush hours. All these public vehicles are necessary as day by day the inhabitants of cities have to travel long distance to and from work and school. There are a large number of commuters as well, mass tourism is also widespread, and therefore public transport has to handle an enormous number of passengers. Before boarding public transport passengers have to obtain their tickets (at times they can also purchase it from the driver) or boarding passes because of the no-conductor system. If there is an inspector, all passengers are required to show their valid (or validated) passes or tickets. All public transportation vehicles stop at determined distances, and the stops are marked with signs of different colours for different types of vehicles. For the trams there are special pedestrian islands in the middle of the road. If a passenger wants to get off (s)he has to signal to the driver by pushing a button.

the disadvantages of computers

Computers make people sit in front of them all day long one can even get addicted to it. Firstly it is not healthy, it is bad for the eye after some hours, plus our backbone is not used to such a posture for prolonged hours. Secondly, if too much time is spent in front of it, the computer geeks can not make real friends, and will not even know about real human relationships. Additionally computers, can be broken, hackers can steal all your data, deplete credit cards.

the advantages of cycling

Cycling can be part of your daily routine a form of exercise cycling to work or school. It is also a cheap, environmental friendly way of transport, which can be pretty fast too. You do not need much space for overtaking and parking does not cause problems either.

Devon coasteering

Devon is a county in the south west part of England which is known for its high cliffs, rocky coastline and beaches which face the Atlantic Ocean. Two of England's most famous national parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor are also in this county. Coasteering is an adventure activity which grew in popularity in the past decade. It involves people going along a coast on foot or by swimming, and it includes climbing, going into caves, swimming in rock pools and jumping and diving into the sea. All without the use of boats, surfboards and other crafts.

a dream job

Dream jobs attract thousands of applicants from around the world, therefore there is a tough competition to get in. Usually you must send in an application to explain why you want the job and what skills you can offer. A top dream job was being the caretaker of Hamilton Island, in the Great Barrier Reef. There, it is always sunny and warm all year round and it probably has the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. The job included exploring the islands nearby and reporting back to the world about the experiences. Unfortunately, even for the most lucky, chosen candidate, the job lasted for only six months.

the disadvantages of the Erasmus Programme

Even if the advantages far outweigh ~, there are still some considerations about a year abroad. The financial burden is definitely the number one factor, travelling, boarding, the books, the desire to do sightseeing will all significantly raise the costs compared to staying at home. Secondly, if the person is not flexible enough, studying abroad can by a psychological burden. On the one hand, the person might be homesick, missing family and friends so much that (s)he can't enjoy staying in another country. On the other hand, not being able to get used to other people might result in the strengthening of xenophobia in his/her personality. Additionally not all European universities might be compatible with each other, thus spending a year abroad might be similar to a gap year.

announcement

For an event or activity ~ the following writing strategies are often used. Capital letters emphasize key words or phrases. Key information must be present (the time, date, place, cost) in note form or in a list with bullet points. Rhetorical questions can help the effect, these are not real questions, but have an inviting personal effect on the reader. Usually you must end with a strong and memorable final message.

the problems of growing electricity need

Hans Rosling put the question simply, nobody can deny the right of any people, any woman for a washing machine. It saves human labour, time and helps social liberation. However, the income and the energy has to be produced so that nowadays poor people might be able to use them. There are two major problems. The human population will grow to 9 billion by 2050 and if everybody starts using electricity that will quadruple Earth's already depleted energy resources. So humanity has to find answers for the constant and growing need of energy in the next thirty years.

William Blake

He is one of England's most famous poets and painters (1757-1827) He was the son of a clothes maker, who did not go to school but was educated at home by his mother. Already at the age of 12 he started to study drawing and engraving, cutting pictures into metal and then printing them. By the age of 21, he became a professional engraver, who also started to write poetry some time earlier. In 1782 Blake met Catherine Boucher, an illiterate women, five years younger than him. They fell in love and Blake asked her to marry him, she signed her marriage contract with an 'X'. Blake taught his wife to read and write and she became his assistant and they stayed together for the rest of his life. They tried living in the countryside in a village, but moved back to London after three years. Blake not only wrote but also illustrated his poems, some of which are romantic love poems, however most of them are religious and mystical. Blake claimed he had visions throughout his life and said he spoke daily with his dead brother. During his lifetime Blake was not well-known, but about thirty years after his death he was rediscovered and ever since his work has had a huge influence on poets writers and artists.

Hungarian meals

Hungarians are proud of their own cuisine and believe it has a good reputation. Soups are pride of many Hungarians, there are hardly any meals without soups. One of the most popular is the Újházi chicken broth. The famous Goulash for most Hungarians is a soup made from beef cubes and different ingredients, whereas already in Austria it is served as a stew. Also fish made of pike and perch are popular, where paprika is not spared. Despite its fiery red colour it usually gives a rather pleasing sweet taste to the food, but it can also be annoyingly hot. Other popular national dishes are paprika chicken with sour cream, stuffed cabbage, which can also be served with sour cream. Hungary is also rich in noodle dishes. noodles with ground poppy-seed and sugar are as popular for the ones with a sweet tooth as noodles with cabbage or roasted paprika potatoes for the carbohydrate-lovers.

English meals

I don't think most Hungarians have a lot of personal experience about British cuisine, so our way of thinking must be a bit stereotypical. As opposed to the many different ways of spices and flavourings ~ are considered tasteless, and it is believed that the English eat all their meals with chips and overcooked vegetables, let alone eating cooked tomato for their infamous English breakfast. However there are some staple national dishes that are famous, around Christmas the famous pudding is know, fish and chips and shepherd's pie, as well as apple pie and cherry tart from the desserts.

personality

I think I have got my father's rather than my mother's personality. I am an extrovert, who prefers conversations regarding the meaning of life. Overall, I consider myself a cheerful and sociable person, and I do hate myself when I am moody or sulky. As a matter of fact I am quite sensitive to what is happening around me, but I tend to leave things till tomorrow. I always speak my mind and am never very sentimental.

at the dentist's

I visit the dentist's surgery on a regular basis (at least twice a year) as it is better to nip the trouble in the bud than to have a tooth pulled out. If I have an aching tooth I take a strong pain killer to stop the blinding pain and I also try to call my dentist for a fast appointment. After I have been comfortably seated in the dentist's chair he asks me which tooth is troubling me. He makes me open my mouth and begins probing for cavities. When he finds a tooth with a hole in it, he makes a sign to the nurse and reaches for the drill. After drilling I am allowed to rinse my mouth. Sometimes my mouth-wash contains an antiseptic, the dentist then fills the cavity and asks me not to chew for an hour or two. If the aching tooth is too far gone the dentist will pull it out. Before the extraction he anaesthetises my nerves with an injection given in my gum so the pain that I actually feel is quite bearable. The worst tooth-aches usually come when the wisdom teeth is coming through, usually they are extracted.

at the garage

If you take your car to car repairs you can ask for the following services among others. The mechanic can check all the parts, or if it is too loud can find a hole in the silencer. The plugs can be changed. The exhaust system can be found in a mess, which needs to be controlled. The oil filter must be replaced if it is necessary. At times, when you can not ignite your car, the ignition has to be re-set. Additionally a rust service can be offered as well.

the theory of radioactivity

In 1896 the French physicist Antoine Henri Becquerel was investigating uranium salts. He accidentally left a bit of uranium lying on some photographic plates - glass plates which were used in photography before film was invented. Although the plates were wrapped in thick black paper to protect them from light, after some time Becquerel found out that they had been exposed just as if they had been lying in the sun. He asked himself how this had happened. He repeated the experiment and finally came to the conclusion that the uranium salt emitted unknown rays similar to x-rays, which could pass through thick black paper. In this way radioactivity was discovered. Radioactivity as a theory forms the basis of all atomic plants and nuclear power stations, the most powerful objects humanity has ever produced so far.

The Eiffel Tower hoax

In 1925, Victor Lustig invited six French businessmen to a meeting in Paris and told them that the Eiffel Tower was becoming too expensive to maintain, therefore the French Government decided to sell it. He claimed that he has the secret official documents to prove it, nonetheless the businessmen could not tell it to anyone else. One of them, André Poisson agreed to buy the Tower, nevertheless his wife was suspicious and said that Lustig was lying so they arranged another meeting in private. Lustig told Poisson that he was acting strangely because he expected a bribe. This convinced Lustig, who promised not only the bribe but also the money for the Tower. In fact, Lustig turned out to be a conman and disappeared with all of Poisson's money, all the official documents were forged and the whole story was a giant hoax. Poisson felt ashamed and never told anybody except his wife that Lustig had tricked him.

getting a driving licence in Hungary

In Hungary one of the few tests of adulthood for a teenagers next to the school is ~. You can get it from the age of 17 and you have to pass a theoretical, a medical and a practical test to get your plastic card. In the theoretical part you are asked about the rules of the Highway Code, in the medical about medical emergencies and what you have to do in case of accidents. At the practical, you drive with an examiner next to you. You are expected to show your technical skills by performing U-turns, three-point turns, reversing into a narrow space and other manoeuvres. In the real traffic you have to show that you can drive responsibly and safely. You can repeat the test any times, but it costs money.

the Hungarian Healthcare

In Hungary the healthcare system is constantly undergoing changes, and are usually underfunded. Most medical services are substantially financed by the state and form a significant part of the national budget. Each pays a monthly contribution from their salaries, so officially in a state hospital there is no pay for the actual treatment. There are private practitioners, which are faster and better equipped, so if you have the money and can afford those, you don't have to wait so long. Everybody chooses his or her G. P freely, but for a more complex treatment and examination you must go to the hospital. Often patients pay extra in an envelope to the specialist's pocket in the hope of getting a better treatment. Many of the doctors, young and specialised have left Hungary in hope of a better salary to the European Union.

influence of commercials

In a consumer society the sale of products has its own way, but it surrounds us before a film, during a TV programme and on billboards. Everything has to be sold and communicated, thus political parties also become a kind of product. Commercials influence people who are easy to be manipulated and make them believe that the products are of good quality and it is necessary to possess them. Car and Swiss watch advertisements can be particularly catchy. One way of putting commercials into perspective is to check more information about anything that is advertised.

advantages of life in the city

In an urban environment life is never dull, the latest exhibitions, films and plays are within walking distance or only a short bus ride away. Conditions are usually more civilised in a town, streets are better kept and shops are better supplied, there is a much wider choice of goods. Public transportation is efficient and usually there are night buses or trams even in the evening. For families it is also more favourable because there are a variety of schools. In terms of workplaces there is more chance of employment.

Franz Mesmer

In the 1770's in Paris a doctor called ~ started to treat his patients with a new technique: he held their thumbs, pressed their stomachs and then played music on an instrument made of glass. ~ did not know, but he was using a form of hypnosis, which still exists in the English language in the verb: mesmerise, that is to amaze to an unbelievable degree.

female air-traffic controllers

In the 2000-s this area of work was man's world, but these days about 25% of air-traffic controllers in the UK are women and their number is increasing. One of them, Caroline Beck, explained that she inherited the love of planes from her dad and knew a lot about them. She also said that ~ are viewed with suspicion and had to work twice as hard to be accepted by their male colleagues. They are still a minority and there are plenty of jokes about women, as men say that they can't read maps. Ms Beck believes the job is highly responsible and stressful but she knows she is good at it.

geek

In the past the slang word ~ referred to a person who is boringly intellectual, wears unfashionable clothes and does not know how to behave in social situations. Nevertheless these days its meaning transformed and is less negative, can be computer ~, a person who is very knowledgeable about computers. These days it is often used with other words like sci-fi ~.

Feed me Better

It is a British media campaign organised in 2005 by TV chef and celebrity Jamie Oliver to encourage British schoolchildren to eat more healthy food and less junk food. Oliver also created a television series called Jamie's Ministry of Food, in which he tried to encourage ordinary people in Yorkshire to cook healthy meals. The British media became interested in the story, there was an explosion of publicity and as a result real reform started in GB.

5 o'clock tea

It is a Victorian tradition, a meal between lunch and dinner, usually between four and five. It is served in restaurants and on cruise ships, but it can also be an informal family gathering where family members come together to chat. Usually small sandwiches are eaten, scones with whipped cream and jam, and there are bread and butter cakes as well.

a job application letter

It is a type of formal letter which shows the intent of a future employee to compete for a workplace in his/her job. ~ follows the norm of formal letters, does not have abbreviations in it, it contains the name, address and rank of the future employer, as well as the applicant's most important details as well as the date. ~ has usually two parts, a short, factual CV (Curriculum Vitae), and a letter of intent, in which the applicant describes the job (s)he is applying for, gives previous work experience and responsibilities detains, talks about his/her strength and personal qualities that make the person highly eligible for the job. Additionally usually a reference is also attached, and the final paragraph includes questions about the future interviews time, place and possible work-starting dates.

Bones

It is an American TV series, a crime drama, which puts a completely new perspective on criminal investigation as each episode is about the mystery behind some human remains. The remains are found by FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth and taken to forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance ~s Brennan and her team for analysis. Despite the serious subject matter, the series has a touch of light-hearted comedy and the humour revolves around Dr Brennan who is cold an unemotional, without any social skills and understands only the language of science. So far there has been seven seasons filmed and if the writers are able to continue producing such a gripping storyline, it will continue to be popular. The show has been criticised for making forensic science seem simple.

the advantages of having only one close friend

It is clear that having only one close friend can give you the feeling of stability. That specific person is always at your side, always willing to help you when you need it. Some also argue that it is easier to agree on what to do with only one person. Additionally you will always do what you enjoy doing most and don't have to negotiate your ideas with a bunch of people all the time.

continental breakfast

It is much less substantial than an English breakfast. Usually there are some buttered rolls with honey or marmalade or perhaps some sausages or eggs. Some people just eat an apple or banana or drink a cup of tea or coffee.

file sharing

It is the sharing of digital files with other users on the Internet. You have to download a software to get access to a file sharing network and can exchange files with others who are online. It is very commonly used for downloading free music and films. The practise of ~ is legal, however, it is very frequently used for downloading copyrighted material, which is, in fact, illegal.

life in the countryside

Life in rural areas can be considered dull and not so eventful in terms of culture, nonetheless with the advancement of information technology and the development of the internet, even the most remote houses can be well-equipped and part of the global virtual environment. It is true that the choices are limited in terms of shop, services and people, nevertheless the pace of living is much gentler and the atmosphere is clean. It must be said that having one general doctor, a couple of teachers can be a disadvantage. Additionally there is always some physical activity around the house or the farm, and having your own animals and orchards or yards can be a pleasant experience as well. It is also practical, as a result of growing your own crops and raising your own animals, you also produce your own meat and health supplies of fruits and vegetables. Most people have cars, or know somebody who has one, therefore moving is much more flexible, then, let's say twenty or thirty years ago.

London and its sights

London as any ancient European capitals has a lot of sights on offer. The Tower of London, which is an ancient fortress originally built by the Norman William the Conqueror played an important part of British history. It served as a palace and a prison, nowadays it is a museum, which holds the crown jewels and is guarded by beefeaters and the seven ravens. The Buckingham Palace is the residence of the queen with its famous changing of the guard at 11.30. In the Westminster Abbey, this historical church building complex one can find the tombs and monuments of famous Britons and it is also the scene of coronations and royal weddings. Next to it are the Houses of Parliament, where the parliamentary sessions are held. It has one of the most famous clock towers on Earth, with its giant watch, the Big Ben. St. Paul's Cathedral which was built right after the Great Fire of London in 1666 by Sir Christopher Wren in the seventeenth century has the second largest dome on Earth. Trafalgar Square is the heart of London, surrounded by statues and next to the National Gallery, which is famous for its fountains, the intruding pigeons and Nelson's Column. You can also find Downing Street 10 here, which is the official residence of the Prime Minister and his or her family, guarded all day long. The most famous bridges of London are the Westminster Bridge and the two-level, blue Tower Bridge. If one wants to catch a bird's eye view of the city then probably the London Eye is the best place to visit with its glass capsules.

going to the doctor with flu and receiving treatment

My mom called the G. P. and made an appointment with her when I had a bad cold and a splitting headache on the same morning. I had to go to the local health centre, where there were a lot of patients in the waiting room due to a flu epidemic. When the assistant shouted, 'next please', I entered the consulting room. I felt dizzy and nearly fainted. The doctor examined me very conscientiously and told me to strip to the waist. He began by feeling my pulse, then gave me a thermometer to take my temperature with. It was quite high, so he looked at my throat and said that it was badly inflamed. He also listened to my lungs and breathing with a stethoscope and took my blood pressure. After the thorough examination he diagnose my illness - which I feared most - and told me that I had all symptoms of influenza. I had to stay in bed for a few days, drink a lot of hot tea with lemon and keep warm. I got some anti-febrile medicine to keep the fever down, some menthol drops for my nose, which were great and gave me immediate relief and a mixture for my throat that I had two gargle every two hours. I got the medicine at the chemist's, where they made up the mixture for my throat and reminded me to shake it well before use. I also bought some pain-killers for my headache and took one pill three times a day after meals. My G. P. made out a sick note in my name and told me to remember that this flu can be catching and I had to stay off school for a week. Since I was basically confined to bed and not allowed to go out even for a walk, my classmate and friend came, helped me with the homework and wished me a quick recovery.

ocean liners

One of the top technological wonders of the tourism industry are giant ocean liners, which are like real floating cities with all modern conveniences, accommodating between 200 to up to 10,000 people. The cabins can be above and below deck, and looks like a compartment of a railway sleeping car. The luxurious cabins of the first class passengers are the so-called staterooms. The captain and his crew are there to ensure a comfortable voyage for the passengers. Onboard, there is a wide choice of sports and entertainment facilities: you can go to dance in a bar, have an elegant meal in one of the restaurants or just sneak up to the buffet for a fast snack. You can listen to concerts, watch shows and films, or have a dip in the swimming pool of the liner. Every day, or every other day the cruise ship arrives to a new port destination, she slowly slips into a harbour (which by the way is a magnificent view) and the passengers can disembark.

the disadvantages of cycling

Riding a bike in city traffic can cause you breathe in smog. While driving in traffic it can be dangerous as even if cyclists have their own lanes, motorists and car drivers usually don't care too much about them. Additionally there is the physical factor, the external, the weather and the internal, the sweating. With regards to weather, neither too cold, too wet, nor too hot is favourable for cycling. Even if you do not ride it too fast, you can sweat and many people are sensitive to body odours. In workplaces usually there is no place and time even for a quick shower. Another problem can be on-road accidents, like flat tyre or the chain jumping off, which are not too frequent but can make a riders life hell. You also have to be careful to look your bike properly with a secure lock as it can easily be stolen.

Why is there salt in the sea?

Rivers flow over rocks and earth and wash in small quantities of minerals which enter the water and make it taste a little bit salty. Then this salty water runs into the sea. Water can escape in two ways from the sea. It can evaporate into the air or it can freeze into ice around the poles. However the dissolved salt can not escape, thus the seas just get saltier and saltier.

accidents

Road accidents are quite frequent, not only in Hungary. Usually the mistakes are committed by the people involved, both drivers and pedestrians tend to break the traffic rules. Many of the basic driving offences can lead to accidents, like improper parking, reckless switching between traffic lanes and driving through red lights and hand-held mobile phones. Driving fast and without any consideration to others is also problematic, and even if there is zero tolerance for alcohol drinking, there are always people who think they are safe at the wheel even though they have drunk too much. Pedestrians often step off the pavement without looking, or cross the roads when the traffic lights are still (already) red. Many roads are in a poor state of repair and dual carriageways are far from being the norm. We don't have a lot of self-driving cars, therefore their mechanical problems are not part of the general picture.

European Union health card

Since Hungary became part of the EU (2004), Hungarians can get free medical service in other EU countries provided they have their ~ issued, which covers their insurance. Before any journey to the EU it is advisable to organise having this card. The card only covers basic services, injuries through extreme sports, like skiing or rock-climbing are not covered, and even a helicopter rescue is charged on the patient's account, regardless if it is a life-saving manoeuvre or not.

travelling

Since the industrial revolution mass tourism developed as industry. Nowadays millions of people all over the world are crazy about travelling. Mobility is one of the keywords of the modern times, travelling both inland and abroad generate massive income and workplaces for thousands of people. There are different reasons for travelling: people can travel on business, for pleasure, for relaxation or even for education or for their health.

travelling as boredom

Some people prefer taking long walks or sitting in front of the television as a better way of spending free time than travelling. It costs not only a lot of time but even more money to travel, which can be inconvenient and unpleasant at the same time. Additionally travelling generates a lot of waste and pollution, and we must take care of our Earth more and limit our so called "freedom" of travel.

most important meal of the day debate

Some people say that dinner is the most important where hot dishes are served. Some experts say that a substantious breakfast is considered healthy, whereas others claims that it is enough to have a piece of fruit or a glass of fruit juice just to get you started. No matter what science says, I believe it is best if you eat and drink to your heart's content: eat when you are really hungry, don't overeat and don't force any food down or munch on snacks if you don't need it.

Ray Kurzweil's future predictions

The Singularity University is an institution based in Silicon Valley, California. It is also backed by the American Space Agency, NASA, and offers courses in subjects as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and biotechnology. You can actually study futurology and its director, Ray Kurzweil is never short of predictions. In fact he predicts a huge increase in computer power and by 20145 we will probably be only the second most intelligent creatures on Earth, that is, after computers. He believes that these computers might think, communicate and act so quickly that ordinary humans won't be able to understand them. He also says that each human might have computer chips inside their bran. Technology may also eradicate disease and increase life expectancy, which, together with the prospect of forever living might present new problems.

dream flat advertisement

The flat everyone is looking for. Small but comfortable, cheap to look after. 2 bedrooms and a hall with sliding glass French windows opening ont a beautiful patio. Ultra modern kitchen. Central heating. Quiet surroundings only for .... Forints.

telekinesis

The idea that some people can have the power to move a physical object without touching it interested the scientists, and this power was called ~. Many people have claimed to have this power, one famous example was in 1980, when an American, James Hydrick showed millions of people that he was turning the pages of a book without touching them. James Randi, an American magician was sceptical, and asked Hydrick in a live TV show to turn the pages without moving the small polystyrene pieces he had put into a book. Hydrick could not do it. Later, Hydrick publicly admitted that he never had telekinetic powers, but he could skilfully blow the pages without moving his lips or chest.