Question

Every school holiday we worked on the farms. Often it was pea picking but we also harvested runner beans, potatoes, black currents and strawberries – each in their season. Sometimes we travelled quite a distance to work. The incredible thing, looking back on it, was that our parents never seemed to worry about us. Sure enough there were occasional tales of terrible accidents or of children being attacked or kidnapped – but no one thought about such things then. We would disappear early, on our bikes, and not return until dark. Just the thought of letting my own kids do the same today gives me kittens. But back then, that’s how it was. All the harvesting was paid for by the bag or the box. The faster you worked, the more you earned. In one 5 week season I earned about 400 pounds. That was seriously good money in the 1970s probably the same as my Dad earned. And we knew how to spend. We were always treating ourselves to something. But usually the aim was to pay for a holiday before school started again. Of course we often had family holidays when we were younger. But we kids also took our own holidays. Usually it was camping but my focus was beach holidays. Wales was one of my favourite locations. Again I still can’t imagine how our parents were brave enough to let us go. I can only assume they were not worried: That and the fact that as children they had their own adventures. Both my parents were small children during the war and were evacuated from London to be safe from Hitler’s bombs. They went in the clothes they were wearing plus a small suitcase – sent to unknown (in advance) villages and to the care of strangers. My teenage beach holidays probably seemed a stroll in the park to them and they took our safety for granted. Nowadays there seems to be a climate of fear around my generation, concerning the safety of our children. Has the world really changed so much? May be it’s just that the media makes us think more about the horrible things that do happen? Mind you – there was one close shave when I was a kid. It was on one of our Welsh camping holidays. We would have been 15 at the time. I fell asleep on a floating lilo and got swept out to sea. I was only asleep for second and at first was not worried. I began to swim steadily pushing the lilo back to the beach – but after 10 minutes, to my horror, I was no closer to shore. In a panic I jettisoned the lilo so I could swim properly and then swam with all my strength. After another 10 minutes still I made no progress. Then completely irrationally I started worrying about sharks. I knew that there are no dangerous sharks there but just the thought paralyzed me. I told myself not to panic. The sea was really calm and I knew that the tide had to change at some point. I also knew my friends on the beach would call the coastguard. The shore seemed miles away, exhaustion was kicking in and I realized also that I was cold. Shark fins began to circle in my imagination. I was in despair. You hear about accidents and drowning at sea but never imagine that it’s going to be you. My rescue was sharp and sudden. Hands on my wrists and ankles and I was swung into the boat. I was absolutely fine when I got back to shore. I am ashamed to say I lied about my age to prevent my parents finding out about it all. 46. The parents didn’t seem to worry about the narrator and his/her friends as…. A)* there were no obvious cases of child abuse in the region. B) some parents worked on the same farm. C) the farm was not far from where the children lived. D) farm work was part of a regular school summer camp. 47. The expression "gives me kittens " in the second paragraph means…. A) amuses me. B)* scares me. C) fascinates me. D) captivates me. 48. The payment for the farm work the children got depended on….. A) the number of hours spent on the farm. B) the speed at which they moved. C) the type of seasonal harvest. D)* the amount of harvested berries or vegetables. 49. The children earned money mainly to… A) afford tasty treats for themselves and friends. B) help the family budget. C) buy camping equipment. D)* provide for their independent holidays. 50. The narrator thought his parents' evacuation…. A) was like a stroll in the park. B) was a source of serious stress. C) helped them to deal with strangers. D)* helped them to be calm about safety issues. 51. The narrator thinks his generation is probably more fearful because… A)* the media deliberately highlights awful stories. B) they didn't experience the war. C) their childhood was too safe and trouble free. D) there are more unstable people around. 52. The narrator has an additional problem during his accident in the sea because… A) there was no coast guard around. B) the tide was so strong. C)* the thought of sharks terrified him. D) he wasn't a good swimmer.

Answer 1

Ответ:

46 A

47 B

48 D

49 D

50 D

51 A

52 C

Answer 2

nd unexpected. A lifeguard appeared out of nowhere, swimming towards me with strong, purposeful strokes. He reached me, gripping my arm firmly, and guided me back to the shore. I was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude.

The incident left a lasting impression on me. It was a stark reminder of the unpredictability and dangers that can arise, even in seemingly safe environments. Perhaps it was a stroke of luck that a lifeguard happened to be nearby, but it also highlighted the importance of safety precautions and being aware of potential risks.

Reflecting on my childhood experiences and comparing them to the present, it's undeniable that there has been a shift in the way we perceive and prioritize safety, particularly when it comes to our children. The advancement of technology and access to instant information has made us more aware of potential dangers and incidents occurring around the world. Media coverage, both traditional and social, tends to focus heavily on negative events, amplifying our perception of risks.

Additionally, societal changes, such as increased urbanization and changes in community dynamics, have contributed to a more cautious approach towards child safety. We live in a more interconnected world where people often don't know their neighbors as closely as they did in the past, leading to a heightened sense of vulnerability.

While it's essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of our children, it's also crucial to strike a balance. Overprotecting them may hinder their development of independence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Finding the middle ground between ensuring their safety and allowing them to explore and experience the world is a delicate task.

Ultimately, every generation faces its own unique set of challenges and concerns. It's important to be mindful of the changes that have occurred but also to maintain perspective and avoid succumbing entirely to a climate of fear. By fostering open communication, education, and a supportive environment, we can equip our children with the necessary skills and awareness to navigate the world safely while still embracing the adventures and experiences that come with childhood.