Reading Comprehension Test. Text 5a Alfred Nobel – a man of contrasts

Text 5A ALFRED NOBEL – A MAN OF CONTRASTS

Practise introducing opinions using phrases from list number 1. Try to use appropriate phrases from lists number 3,4,5,6 for expressing agreement, doubt, reservations, partial agreement and disagreement.

1. Wouldn’t you agree that Alfred Nobel was a great German inventor and industrialist?

2. Alfred Nobel was a man of many contrasts, wasn’t he?

3. He was the son of a bankrupt and wasn’t able to make a fortune, couldn’t you agree?

4. He became a millionaire but lived a simple life, didn’t he?

5. Don’t you think that although cheerful (весёлый) in company Alfred Nobel was often sad when remained alone?

6. He invented a new internal combustion engine and it began a transport revolution in cars, lorries, trains, ships, don’t you think so?

7. He moved to Russia with his wife and baby son, where he made a strong position for himself in the engineering industry, didn’t he?

8. His father, Emmanuel Nobel, invented the landmine, got plenty of money for it during the Crimean war, and Alfred continued his father’s study of explosives in his own laboratory, don’t you agree?

9. Don’t you think that Alfred Nobel was a skilful chemist and excellent linguist, but had never been to school or University?

10. Like his uncle, Alfred Nobel was imaginative and inventive, but he had better luck in business and showed more financial sense, wouldn’t you agree?

11. He was quick to see industrial openings for his scientific inventions and built up over 80 companies in 20 different countries, don’t you think so?

12. Alfred was always searching (искал) for a meaning to life (смысл жизни), could not find ordinary human love, but he cared about the whole mankind, wouldn’t you agree on that? Do you remember what he used to say about stomachs of the living?

13. Don’t you find it naïve that he invented dynamite and his greatest wish, however, was to see an end to wars between nations?

14. Alfred Nobel left money to provide prizes (предоставлять премии, гранты) for outstanding work in physics, chemistry, mathematics, physiology, medicine, economics, literature and promotion of world peace, didn’t he?

15. According to Nobel’s will (завещание) the capital was to be safely invested to form a fund (для создания фонда), the interest (зд. процент) is to be distributed annualy in the form of prizes, don’t you agree?

16. In choosing the prize winner the great consideration (огромное значение) is given to the nationality of the candidates, isn’t it?

17. Since Nobel’s death many outstanding scientists, writers and public figures from Scandinavian countries have become Nobel prize winners, haven’t they?

Thank you!

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