Task 2. Decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space. Saint Patrick’s Day. Who was Saint Patrick? The patron saint of Ireland lived in the fifth century. No one knows when exactly he was born, but he is believed 31) ____ on the 17th of March. As a teenager he 32) ____ kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland. During that time he learned a lot about Irish traditions and beliefs. After six years, he managed 33) ____ escape. He fled from the island and finally 34) ____ shelter in Gaul (France), where he stayed and studied for 12 years. Having become a bishop, he decided 35) ____ back to Ireland as a missionary. As he knew the Irish and what was important to them, Patrick managed 36) ____ many Irish pagans to Christianity. This is, for example, how the Celtic cross 37) ____ into existence — Patrick simply added a circle to the Christian cross, symbolizing the sun. Even 38) ____ is how Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Trinity of father, son and holy ghost to Irish pagans. The shamrock is therefore a symbol you’ll find everywhere on Saint Patrick’s Day. What happens on Saint Patrick’s Day? 39) ____ 17th of March is a public holiday in Ireland, but it is celebrated all over the world by Irish people and lovers of Ireland. There are parades in the streets, there is music and dancing everywhere, especially in Irish pubs. People usually wear something green on that day, they dance, sing, have fun … and drink, especially Irish stout and whiskey. Many pubs sell green beer and in Chicago the river 40) ____ green in celebration.

Перевод задания: Решите, какой вариант (A, B, C или D) лучше всего подходит для каждого пропуска.

Заполненный текст:

Who was Saint Patrick? The patron saint of Ireland lived in the fifth century. No one knows when exactly he was born, but he is believed to have died on the 17th of March. As a teenager he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland. During that time he learned a lot about Irish traditions and beliefs. After six years, he managed to escape. He fled from the island and finally found shelter in Gaul (France), where he stayed and studied for 12 years. Having become a bishop, he decided to go back to Ireland as a missionary. As he knew the Irish and what was important to them, Patrick managed to convert many Irish pagans to Christianity. This is, for example, how the Celtic cross came into existence. Even more famous is how Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Trinity. The 17th of March is a public holiday in Ireland. In Chicago the river is dyed green in celebration.

Перевод: Кто такой святой Патрик? Покровитель Ирландии жил в V веке. Никто точно не знает, когда он родился, но считается, что он умер 17 марта. В подростковом возрасте его похитили и продали в рабство в Ирландии. За это время он узнал много об ирландских традициях и верованиях. Через шесть лет ему удалось бежать. Он покинул остров и в конце концов нашёл убежище в Галлии (Франции), где оставался и учился 12 лет. Став епископом, он решил вернуться в Ирландию в качестве миссионера. Зная ирландцев и то, что было для них важно, Патрик сумел обратить многих ирландских язычников в христианство. Так, например, появился кельтский крест. Ещё более известен способ, которым Патрик использовал трилистник, чтобы объяснить ирландским язычникам Святую Троицу. 17 марта является государственным праздником в Ирландии. В Чикаго реку окрашивают в зелёный цвет в честь праздника.

Ответ: 31 — B, 32 — A, 33 — A, 34 — B, 35 — C, 36 — D, 37 — A, 38 — C, 39 — D, 40 — B.