Прочитайте текст два раза и выполните следующие задания. Anyone who has ever visited the centre of London cannot help but notice the number of young people who beg in the streets

Anyone who has ever visited the centre of London cannot help but notice the number of young people who beg in the streets, and some who probably steal as well. Last summer I returned to attend a summer language course in London and stayed in the same area I had visited five years earlier. I was shocked by the increase in the number of young homeless people, living and sleeping in the streets.

There are approximately 30,000 homeless people in and around London. This has worsened due to the long recession¹ in Britain and the change in the social security system which doesn't allow any person under 18, or those without a permanent address to receive any social benefits from the governments. The numbers of homeless are growing as more young people come to London, believing that they will find work and a place to live. Unfortunately London does not live up to their dreams and a vicious circle is created: without a job they have no money to rent a place to live and without a place to live they cannot get any government social benefits or a job.

My solution to this problem may be short term but at least it would be a start for many of these young people. Squatting² should become legal again, as it once was in Britain. It is only recently that the law has been changed to make squatting illegal.

Surely it would be more profitable for the local council to let people squat in these houses if they are going to be empty for more than six months. These young people would then have an address and if over 18 years old, could get some benefits. They could then buy some decent clothes, tidy themselves up and have a greater chance of getting a job and a proper place to live. The houses may be in a bad condition but for homeless people this must surely be better than sleeping in the streets in the rain and cold. Somehow the vicious circle has to be broken.

¹ recession — worsening of economic activity

² squatting — occupying a house or a flat without permission

Test № 11

I. Определите, верны (True) или неверны (False) следую­щие утверждения.

1. Homeless people do not receive any social benefits from the government.

2. People under 18 years old are not allowed to work in Britain.

3. Squatting used to be allowed in Britain.

4. The author suggests that the local councils should let homeless young people live in the houses that have been empty for more than 6 months already.

II. Ответьте на следующие вопросы.

1. Where did the author live when he came to London last year?

2. Why are the numbers of homeless people growing?

3. Why is the situation with homeless people like a vicious circle?

4. Why are there many empty houses in London?

III. Исправьте предложения в соответствии с содержани­ем текста.

1. Anyone who has ever visited the suburbs of London cannot help noticing the number of people living and sleeping in the streets.

2. The author came to London to study the problem of squatting.

№12

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