Q: Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland and the second largest city of Lesser Poland. It is the capital and the center of Lublin Voivodeship ("province") with a population of 349,103 (March 2011). Lublin is the largest Polish city east of the Vistula River, and is located approximately to the southeast of Warsaw by road.

One of the events that greatly contributed to the city's development was the Polish-Lithuanian Union of Krewo in 1385. Lublin thrived as a centre of trade and commerce due to its strategic location on the route between Vilnius and Krakow; the inhabitants also had the privilege of free trade in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Lublin Parliament session of 1569 led to the creation of a real union between the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, thus creating the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Lublin also witnessed the early stages of Reformation in the 16th century. A Calvinist congregation was founded and certain groups of radical Arians also appeared in the city, making it an important global centre of Arianism. At the turn of the centuries, Lublin was also recognized for hosting a number of outstanding poets, writers and historians of the epoch.

Answer the following questions:
1. What is Poland's ninth largest city?
2. What is its most recent population?
A: 1. Lublin.
2. 349,103.

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

The BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) Limited, commonly known as the British Phonographic Industry or BPI, is the British recorded music industry's trade association.

Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all three "major" record companies in the UK (Warner Music UK, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group), and hundreds of independent music labels and small to medium-sized music businesses.

It has represented the interests of British record companies since being formally incorporated in 1973 when the principal aim was to promote British music and fight copyright infringement.

In 2007, the association's legal name was changed from British Phonographic Industry Limited (The).

It founded the annual BRIT Awards for the British music industry in 1977, and, later, The Classic BRIT Awards. The organizing company, BRIT Awards Limited, is a fully owned subsidiary of the BPI. Proceeds from both shows go to the BRIT Trust, the charitable arm of the BPI that has donated almost 15m to charitable causes nationwide since its foundation in 1989. In September 2013, the BPI presented the first ever BRITs Icon Award to Sir Elton John. The BPI also endorsed the launch of the Mercury Prize for the Album of the Year in 1992.

The recorded music industry's Certified Awards program, which attributes Platinum, Gold and Silver status to singles, albums and music videos (Platinum and Gold only) based on their sales performance (see BPI Certified Awards program), has been administered by the BPI since its inception in 1973. In September 2008, the BPI became one of the founding members of UK Music, an umbrella organisation representing the interests of all parts of the industry.

1. What does BPI stand for?
2. How many music companies are in it?
3. How many major companies are there?
4. How many independent labels?
5. What awards did it start?
6. In what year?
7. Who arranges it?
8. Where does the money from the show go?
9. How much has it donated to charities?
10. Who received the first Icon award?
11. What's the prize for the best album?
12. How many independent labels are in the BPI?
13. Whose interests does it represent?
14. When was it incorporated?
15. What were its main goals?
16. How many different achievement statuses are given out?
17. Is Diamond one of them?
18. How about platinum?
19. What is the status based on?
20. Do music videos get rated this way?

Numbered answers:

A: 1. British Phonographic Industry
2. hundreds
3. three
4. hundreds
5. the annual BRIT Awards and The Classic BRIT Awards.
6. 1977
7. BRIT Awards Limited
8. BRIT Trust
9. 15 million pounds
10. Sir Elton John
11. Mercury Prize
12. hundreds
13. British record companies
14. in 1973
15. to promote British music and fight copyright infringement
16. three
17. no
18. yes
19. sales performance
20. yes, with different levels

Answer the questions at the end based on the text.

CHAPTER 71

The terrace of the Villa Catalano, with its orange and palm trees, looked upon a sea of lapiz lazuli, and rose from a shelving shore of aloes and arbutus. The waters reflected the color of the sky, and all the foliage wag bedewed with the same violet light of morn which bathed the softness of the distant mountains, and the undulating beauty of the ever-varying coast.

Lothair was walking on the terrace, his favorite walk, for it was the duly occasion on which he ever found himself alone. Not that he had any reason to complain of his companions. More complete ones could scarcely be selected. Travel, which, they say, tries all tempers, had only proved the engaging equanimity of Catesby, and had never disturbed the amiable repose of his brother priest: and then they were so entertaining and so instructive, as well as handy and experienced in all common things. The monsignore had so much taste and feeling, and various knowledge; and as for the reverend father, all the antiquaries they daily encountered were mere children in his hands, who, without effort, could explain and illustrate every scene and object, and spoke as if he had never given a thought to any other theme than Sicily and Syracuse, the expedition of Nicias, and the adventures of Agathocles. And yet, during all their travels, Lothair felt that he never was alone. This was remarkable at the great cities, such as Messina and Palermo, but it was a prevalent habit in less-frequented places. There was a petty town near them, which he had never visited alone, although he had made more than one attempt with that view; and it was only on the terrace in the early morn, a spot whence he could be observed from the villa, and which did not easily communicate with the precipitous and surrounding scenery, that Lothair would indulge that habit of introspection which he had pursued through many a long ride, and which to him was a never-failing source of interest and even excitement.

1. where was Lothair walking?
2. what did it overlook?
3. did he enjoy the walk?
4. did he have pleasant travelling companions?
5. Did Catesby have a short temper?
6. Did Lothair feel lonely?
7. what was the name of the Villa they were staying?
8. did it have a nice view??
9. could he see the sea?
10. how about the mountains?

Numbered answers:

A:
1. the terrace
2. unknown
3. yes
4. Yes
5. No
6. No
7. Villa Catalano
8. Yes
9. Yes
10. Yes