❤️ Are you worried about not getting to Закл? There's an important message we'd like to share: it's not the end of the world.

🤩 Our teacher Tatiana Starostina, whom you might remember from the "50 States of America" posts in our VK group, would like to share her experience with you. When she participated in the ВсОШ Olympiad, Tatiana didn't make it to the final stage, missing by just half a point — but she still went on to become a great teacher and an experienced professional using her background of Olympiad preparation.

🤩 This February, she took part in an international winter school in Indonesia.

Through the struggle of preparation for Olympiads, burning the midnight oil for years, it has always remained to be my fear: “Will I ever actually use this level of English in real life?”

👉🏻 Learn about her impression here!

#APO_stories@level_APO

🇬🇧 British people you should know 🇬🇧
...according to this year's Regional Stage!

In the Country Studies part this year you needed to match a famous Brit to their description. Let's analyse this task together!

15. Elton John
We have two musicians in the descriptions, E and M:

🔠 singer
leader of the Rolling Stones
collaboration with Keith Richards
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

➖ Have you recognised Mick Jagger (b. 1943)? He was there just to distract you! This couldn't have been Elton John because he doesn't perform in a group in general and has no connection to the Rolling Stones in particular.

🔠 musician
1970s
lyricist Bernie Taupin
both critical acclaim and commercial success over several decades

➖ All these facts are actually about Elton John (b. 1947), so you should've answered 15. M!

16. Alan Turing
A 20th-century scientist! For this we have F and J:

🔠 theoretical physicist
book "A Brief History of Time"

➖ This is Stephen Hawking (1942–2018). He wasn't on the list, but we had a post about him! Besides working in different fields, he also didn't have a machine named after him, so J fits better for Turing.

🔠 scholar
mathematics, computer science, logic, cryptography
machine that was named after him
deciphering German codes during World War II
working at Bletchley Park

➖ This description does fit Alan Turing (1912–1954), so the answer is 16. J. We hope our post about him had helped you!

17. Rowan Atkinson
He's an actor, let's see what we have! B and L:

🅱️actor
stars in hit sitcoms like Mr. Bean
British comedy

➖ This is him, Rowan Atkinson (b. 1955)! Hopefully, the mentioning of Mr. Bean helped you. The answer here is 17. B.

🔠 actor
Sherlock Holmes in the series "Sherlock"
Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

➖ That's Benedict Cumberbatch (b. 1976). You probably know him, but he wasn't on the list. Although he did play Alan Turing, the subject of another extra description in this task, in "The Imitation Game"!

18. David Attenborough
A famous TV presenter; here we have two, C and G:

🔠 television presenter
host of Top Gear
co-host on The Grand Tour
hosted game shows such as "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

➖ The show "Top Gear" was famously presented by Jeremy Clarkson (b. 1960) and James May. He wasn't on the task, so that's an extra description!

🔠 renowned British broadcaster
key positions at the BBC
hosting various nature documentaries and series

➖ That is David Attenborough (b. 1926)! He is famous for his BBC documentaries. So, 18 is G.

19. Audrey Hepburn
For actresses we have D and I:

🔠 renowned British actress
"Roman Holiday"
"Breakfast at Tiffany's"
"My Fair Lady"

➖ That is indeed Audrey Hepburn (1929–1993), so you should've written 19. D!

🔠actress
"Gone with the Wind"
"A Streetcar Named Desire"
Broadway work
partnership with Laurence Olivier

➖ This is Vivien Leigh (1913–1967), added here to confuse you! The mentions of "Gone with the Wind" and Laurence Olivier should've helped you — they're not really connected to Audrey Hepburn.

20. John Locke
A philosopher that lived a long time ago! For this, the task offers us A and K:

🅰️ English philosopher
"father of liberalism"
concept of tabula rasa

➖ That all true about John Locke (1632–1704), so you should have answered 20. A! His famous concepts were mentioned in the description to help you.

🔠 philosopher and statesman
served under King James I
scientific method
importance of inductive reasoning and careful observation in scientific knowledge

➖ That's Francis Bacon (1561–1626), put here as an extra point to distract you. This description doesn't really fit to John Locke because of the "statesman" part. Locke had political ideas, but his main focus was on science.

❓How did you do❓
Let's vote using reactions:
❤️‍🔥 if you nailed it, 6/6!
❤️ if you have 4 or 5 correct answers
🤔 if this task was difficult for you, 2 or 3 points
💔 if it wasn't your year and you only have one or none. No worries!
🇬🇧 and the British flag is for those who didn't participate in the Regional Stage but want to put a reaction! Thanks!

#the_olympiad_times@level_APO

📱 Do you know English slang abbreviations? 📱

A small task to brighten your Friday!

For items 1–8, match the abbreviation to its "fancy" alternative. Two alternatives are extra. There is an example done for you (0).

Example: 0. TBH
A. To put it frankly

✉️ Abbreviations:
1. FR
2. IYKYK
3. RN
4. OOTD
5. DM
6. ASAP
7. TMI
8. ICYMI

📕 "Fancy" alternatives:
A. To put it frankly
B. Incidentally
C. At your earliest convenience
D. Those familiar with the matter will understand
E. Should you have overlooked it
F. At present
G. Private correspondence
H. I am most relieved that the week has concluded
I. In all seriousness
J. Today’s attire
K. That may be rather more detail than necessary

👇For extra imaginary points, comment the meaning of each abbreviation as well as its match! 👇

#prove_your_prowess@level_APO

🤩 Happy International Women’s day! 🤩

👾 March 8th is the right time to recognize the achievements of women around the world.

👾 Let’s celebrate by remembering some extraordinary English-speaking women whose achievements have shaped science, politics, sports, and culture.

For items 1–8, match famous women to descriptions of their accomplishments. Two descriptions are extra.

🤩 The women:
1. Rosa Parks
2. Jane Goodall
3. Malala Yousafzai
4. Serena Williams
5. Amelia Earhart
6. Oprah Winfrey
7. Katherine Johnson
8. Emmeline Pankhurst

🤩 The descriptions:
A. She is a global advocate for girls’ education and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
B. She was a mathematician whose calculations were crucial for NASA’s early space missions.
C. She served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990, becoming the first woman to hold the office.
D. She became a global symbol of the civil rights movement after refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955.
E. She is one of the greatest tennis players in history, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
F. She transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and animal behavior through decades of research in Tanzania.
G. She was a leading figure in the British suffragette movement, fighting for women’s right to vote in the early 20th century.
H. She was a pioneering aviator and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
I. This former First Lady, became a global role model through her advocacy for education, health, and women’s empowerment.
J. Through her television show and philanthropy, she has inspired millions and created a powerful platform for important social conversations.

🤩 Share your guesses in the comments!
🤩 Who would you add to this list?

#hall_of_fame@level_APO

👩5 movies directed by women👩

💐 It's important to celebrate International Women's Day, but it's even more important to support creative women — while practicing English, of course!

For items 1–10, read the descriptions of movies directed by women and fill each gap with one word.

🎀 Barbie (2023)

In this colourful comedy directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie leaves the perfect world 1. ____ Barbie Land to explore the real world and confront questions about identity and meaning. Along the way, she learns what 2. ____ truly means to be human. It’s fun, clever, and full of humour while still offering thoughtful themes about growing up and self-discovery.

🛤 Harriet (2019)

The movie, directed by Kasi Lemmons, follows Harriet Tubman, 3. ____ escaped slavery and became a famous conductor 4. ____ the Underground Railroad. Risking her life repeatedly, she returned to the South to help many others gain freedom. It’s an exciting historical narrative about bravery and determination.

❤️ Turning Red (2022)

This Pixar film, directed by Domee Shi, follows Mei, a 13-year-old girl who discovers that whenever she gets too excited or stressed, she transforms 5. ____ a giant red panda. As she navigates friendships, family expectations, and adolescence, she learns 6. ____ embrace who she is. It’s a funny coming-of-age story that many people will find very relatable.

⌛️ A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

Based 7. ____ the namesake book, the film directed by Ava DuVernay follows Meg Murry and her friends as they journey 8. ____ space and time to rescue her father and defeat a cosmic evil. It’s visually spectacular and encourages imagination, courage, and embracing individuality.

🧛🏻 Twilight (2008)

Adapted from the novels by Stephenie Meyer, this film is 9. ____ first in a series to follow Bella Swan, a teen who falls in love 10. ____ the mysterious vampire Edward Cullen. It’s a romantic fantasy with supernatural elements that captivated teen audiences worldwide. Catherine Hardwicke’s direction captures the moody, emotional tone of the book while making it visually engaging.

Which ones have you seen? Tell us in the comments 👇

#culture_compass@level_APO

🎶 Mini-crossword for you 🎶

For items 1–7, solve the crossword by filling the gaps. The definitions are given to help you.

There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a 1. ____ (higher-than-normal body temperature) pitch and it's bringing me out the dark
The scars of your love 2. ____ (help someone remember something) me of us
They keep me thinkin' that we almost had it all
The scars of your love, they leave me 3. ____ (gasping for air)
I can't help feeling

We could've had it all
You're gonna 4. ____ (strongly want something) you never had met me
Rolling in the deep
Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep
You had my heart inside of your hand
And you played it to the 5. ____ (steady pulse in music)

Baby, I have no 6. ____ (description of events or tale) to be told
But I've heard one on you, now I'm gonna make your head burn
Think of me in the depths of your 7. ____ (feeling of complete loss of hope)
Make a home down there, as mine sure won't be shared

#skill_scan@level_APO

👟Do you know world's best slogans?👟

Today we have an interesting task for you: match famous slogans to the brands. Two brands are extra. Have you heard all of them?

👾 Slogans:
1. Just do it.
2. Think different.
3. A diamond is forever.
4. There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s [the brand].
5. Impossible is nothing.
6. Because I’m worth it.
7. Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s [the brand].
8. Finger lickin’ good.

👩‍💼 Brands:
A. Mastercard
B. L’Oreal
C. Subway
D. Nike
E. Maybelline
F. De Beers
G. Adidas
H. Apple
I. Coca-Cola
J. KFC

👇Share your guesses in the comments!👇

#culture_compass@level_APO

❤️ Every Tom, Dick, and Harry: people in expressions ❤️

Why do these three names represent the whole population? Good question. Did you know that this phrase can be found in Shakespeare's "Henry IV"? He had "Tom, Dick, and Francis" though.

Anyway, let's take a look at more expressions containing names!

For items 1–8, fill the gaps in the sentences with a name. There is an example done for you and the first letter is given to help you.

Example: 0. Just add the eggs, bake it for 30 minutes, and B_____’s your uncle: you’ve got a perfect cake.
0. Bob

1️⃣ The software is designed so that even the Average J____ can use it without reading a manual.

2️⃣ Everyone had been supporting the band for years, so the J____-come-lately fans who only discovered them after their big hit felt a bit out of place.

3️⃣ The neighbour was caught hiding behind the bushes and looking through people’s windows like a Peeping T____.

4️⃣ Even after we told him about the surprise party, he wanted to see the decorations himself — he’s such a Doubting T____.

5️⃣ When they asked if I’d jump into the freezing lake in winter, I said, "No way, J____!"

6️⃣While everyone else worried about exams, Mark kept organizing parties — he’s a real Good-time C____.

7️⃣ Every time we suggest a fun idea for the weekend, you say it won’t work — don’t be such a Negative N____.

8️⃣ The kids finished all the cookies before you could say J____ R____.

As usual, share your guesses in the comments! 🛫

#prove_your_prowess@level_APO

📙 References in The Catcher in the Rye 📙

📚 The Catcher in the Rye is one of the most controversial novels of the 20th century. Written by J.D. Salinger, the book has often appeared on lists of banned or challenged books because of its language, themes of rebellion, and its raw portrayal of teenage alienation. Yet the same qualities that made the novel controversial also made it a powerful and honest story about growing up.

📖Beyond its plot, the book is rich with literary and cultural references that reflect post-war American society, identity struggles, and the search for authenticity.

👀 Let’s take a look at some of these references and check yourself for country studies!

1. Rockefeller Center
2. A Farewell to Arms
3. John Lennon
4. Mercutio
5. Charlie Chaplin
6. Museum of Natural History
7. Robert Burns
8. A Perfect Day for Bananafish
9. Charles Dickens
10. The Great Gatsby

A. A scenic, man-made body of water located at the southern end of Central Park in Manhattan.
B. A novel by Ernest Hemingway that tells the tragic love story of an American ambulance driver and a British nurse.
C. A prolific 19th-century English novelist and social critic .
D. Romeo's witty and passionate friend, whose death sparks the tragic events in Shakespeare’s play.
E. A legendary British comedian, actor, and filmmaker, best known for his iconic silent film character "The Tramp"
F. A British musician and activist, known for co-founding one of the most influential rock bands of all time, who became a prominent peace advocate.
G. A landmark famous for its ice rink, Radio City Music Hall, and annual Christmas tree lighting.
H. An 18th-century Scottish poet and lyricist, celebrated as the national bard of Scotland.
I. A respected Moorish general, whose deep insecurities ultimately lead to his tragic downfall.
J. A short story by J.D. Salinger about a traumatized World War II veteran.
K. A novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that chronicles a mysterious millionaire’s obsessive pursuit of his former love.
L. One of the world’s largest and most celebrated science museums, featuring extensive collections and exhibits on
dinosaurs.
M. A masterpiece of architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, housing an array of modern art exhibits in a uniquely structured building.

👀 Are you up for a challenge? Share your answers in the comments!

#a_bit_of_lit@level_APO

🤩 Reading practice for ЗЭ ВсОШ 🤩

The biggest event of the Olympiad season is just around the corner. To help you prepare, we've created this practice task.

🤩 Read the text about a new type of planets in the PDF above and do the task after it!

🤩 For more guided practice, join our intensive course that will take place April 6–19th!
🤩 10 lessons (90 minutes each)
🤩 2 full sets of sample task, in the beginning and in the end of the course
🤩 regular homework with feedback from our expert teacher

#skill_scan@level_APO

🔠A pun vocabulary task: Vol 4🔠

Here’s a new fun task for you!

For items 1–5, complete the puns. The number of letters is given in brackets to help you and there is an example (0) done for you.

0. Be kind to dentists. They have _ (8) too, you know.
Answer: fillings

1️⃣What do you call an alligator in a vest? An _ (12).

2️⃣Why couldn’t the pony sing in the choir? He was a little _ (5).

3️⃣The past, the present and the future all walk into a bar. It was _ (5).

4️⃣ Don’t ever believe an atom, they _ (4) _ (2) everything.

5️⃣Why does Waldo from Where’s Waldo always wear a striped shirt? He doesn’t want to be _ (7).

Guess in the comments 💟

#prove_your_prowess@level_APO

🇬🇧 David Livingstone — the explorer who opened Africa to the world

David Livingstone (1813–1873) was one of the most famous explorers of the 19th century and a symbol of Victorian curiosity about the wider world. Today, on March 19, we celebrate his birthday and the remarkable journeys that made his name legendary 🌍

Born in the mill town of Blantyre, Livingstone grew up in a poor working-class family. As a child he worked long hours in a cotton mill but studied at night, driven by an intense desire to learn. Eventually he trained as both a doctor and a missionary, preparing to travel overseas and spread Christianity.

In 1841 he sailed to southern Africa as a missionary with the London Missionary Society. What began as religious work soon turned into decades of exploration. Livingstone became fascinated by the geography and cultures of the African interior, travelling thousands of kilometres through regions that were largely unknown to Europeans.

Here are some interesting facts about Livingstone, the explorer who:

🤩 became the first European to see and describe the spectacular waterfall he named Victoria Falls in 1855, calling it one of the most beautiful sights in Africa;

🤩 crossed large parts of the continent, becoming one of the first Europeans to travel from the Atlantic coast to the Indian Ocean;

🤩 campaigned strongly against the East African slave trade, believing exploration and legitimate trade could help end it;

🤩 became the subject of one of history’s most famous meetings when journalist Henry Morton Stanley finally found him in 1871, greeting him with the legendary line:

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

Livingstone spent much of his life traveling through central and southern Africa, mapping rivers and documenting landscapes, wildlife, and cultures. Although his expeditions were often dangerous and exhausting, he remained driven by a belief that exploration and humanitarian work could change the world.

#hall_of_fame@level_APO

🤩 Актуальные курсы 🤩

🤩 Интенсив к Заключительному этапу ВсОШ: с 6 по 19 апреля методист кафедры и эксперт по подготовке призёров и победителей ВсОШ Анастасия Крюкова проведёт 10 занятий по 90 минут обо всех частях олимпиады. Курс также включает входное и итоговое тестирование в формате ЗЭ и письменные домашние задания с проверкой и развернутой обратной связью от преподавателя.
🤩При покупке курса до 5 апреля действует скидка 30%.

🤩 Выездная школа «Use of Culture: олимпиадные задания и страноведение англоязычных стран»: 3–9 августа на базе «Непецино» пройдет выездная школа для выпускников 8–10 классов, рассчитанная на 17 занятий по 90 минут. На занятиях ученики узнают необходимую для олимпиад базу страноведческих знаний и отработают форматы для части Use of English.

🤩 Выездная школа «Unlocking English Olympiads: подготовка к олимпиадам по английскому языку»: 22–28 августа на базе «Непецино» пройдет выездная школа, посвящённая знакомству с ВсОШ и олимпиадами Перечня. Занятия будут включать в себя разбор сложных грамматических тем, изучение новую лексику, а также практику устной речи.
🤩 Ссылка для 6–7 классов
🤩 Ссылка для 8–10 классов

🤩 Для того, чтобы узнать больше подробностей и записаться на выездные школы, перейдите по ссылкам на сайт.

🤩 Английский класс АПО 🤩

Английский класс — это полноценное среднее общее образование (10–11 классы) в онлайн-формате с углублённым изучением английского языка. Профильный класс (не более 15 человек) даёт старшеклассникам из всех регионов страны возможность получить качественное обучение и подготовиться к поступлению в лучшие вузы. Выпускникам выдаётся аттестат Школы ЦПМ.
Первая волна конкурсного набора в 10 класс продлится с 1 марта по 1 мая, вторая — с 26 мая по 31 августа.

🤔Use of English: Can you solve the puzzles?🤔

Let's continue practicing for Закл together. Solve 10 puzzles in the PDF below!

For more guided practice, join our intensive course between April 6–19th!
🙃 You'll get round all the difficult tasks
🤓 You'll study in a small group of likeminded students
💌 You'll get useful feedback from our expert teacher

#skill_scan@level_APO