READING. If you look around the area where you live, you may notice

SPIDERS

If you look around the area where you live, you may notice

many different kinds of spiders.The world has anywhere from

40, 000 to 120, 000 different species of spiders. In any ordinary field,

two million spiders may be hard at work.They thrive in the hottest jungles

and the coldest polar regions. They have been found even at the height of

22, 000 feet (6, 700 meters), on Mount Everest! The spider's incredible silk-spinning

organs are on its abdomen. The silk thread begins as a liquid that hardens on

contact with the air. A spider can make many different kinds of silk thread. Each kind

has its own special purpose. By using certain tubes, or by combining the threads in

different ways, a spider can make a very delicate thread or a thick, broad band of

silk. Some sizes are used to line their nests or retreats. Others are used for egg

cocoons, or for tying up victims, or for weaving webs. Spider silk is stronger than

silkworm silk. If twisted into a rope.it can lift more weight than a rope of the same

size made of iron wire! In his book Sociobiology, E.O. Wilson quotes an old

Ethiopian proverb, " When spider webs unite, they can halt a lion." Although lions

have never been seen in spider webs, there does seem to be some truth in this.

Scientists believe that cooperative prey-capturing in spiders has probably evolved

because it improves efficiency. It also allows the spiders to go after larger prey.

Cooperation and sharing improve the use of their webs and the food available to

them.

EXERCISE 1: Find words or phrases in the passage which mean the same as:

COLUMN A COLUMN B

a) do well; live successfully

b) part of the body; stomach

c) become stiff or solid

d) place in which to hide

e) cross threads over and under each other in

order to make something

f) net made by spiders from their silk in order to

catch food

g) to wind together

h) thin metal thread

i) say or write someone else's words

J) stop

k) catching animals forfood

I) change over the years due to environmental

conditions

62 ELS

EXERCISE 2: Choose the correct answer according to the passage.

1. We understand from the passage that spiders

A) can live in virtually any climate

B) are increasing in number every year

C) prefer hot jungles to cold places

D) have more different species than any other animal

E) are the hardest-working of all animals

2. The silk that spiders produce

A) is stronger than iron

B) has to be twisted before use

C) can measure 6, 700 metres in length

D) has a variety of specific functions

E) can be used in the same way as silkworm silk

3. It is stated that when spiders work together

A) they are stronger than the strongest animals

B) they can capture more and bigger prey

C) any food they catch is then shared equally

D) the webs they weave become much more complex

E) they are less vulnerable to attack by lions

EXERCISE 3: Complete the sentences by selecting words from Column B in EXERCISE 1.

1. Since we moved to the country, the children have on the clean air and

fresh food.

2. The traffic was to allow the President's car to pass.

3. The bandits were in their mountain and so the police were unable to

find them.

4. After repairing the broken vase, you'll need to wait for 24 hours before using it again so that

the glue can

5. I believe that we're going to get a pay-rise, but don't me on that-it's just

a rumour.

ВАРИАНТ 14