KET Reading

Living in the UK

Madeleine came from Dakar to London twelve months ago. In the beginning, she missed everything – the weather, the food, her family. But now, she owns a profitable business with her two sisters and her brother. They run a pound shop in London's West End. Madeleine's boyfriend is now her husband, and they have three children who go to British schools. When asked why she came to England, Madeleine says immediately, 'Because I'd like to work hard and be successful.' She works very hard. She's at the shop all day and then she works as a nurse in the evening. 'That's why I love England,' she says.' You can be whatever you want to be. ''When I first came to England, I spoke basic English, and it was autumn. It was so cold and rainy! Now almost all my family are here, not only in London, but also in Scotland, and Wales. We meet about twice a year and have a huge Senegalese meal that takes about three hours! We're all happy here."

An Irish Teenager's Typical Day

My name is Sean O'Brien. I'm fifteen years old, and I'm Irish. I live in Cork. From Monday to Saturday, my daily routine is always the same. My mum always starts at seven o'clock in the morning when I get up and wash my face. After that, I do some exercises, put my clothes on, and prepare my school bag. Then I go downstairs and have breakfast with my mum and dad. I usually have a sandwich and a cup of tea, but I never have sausages and eggs. After breakfast, I always make my bed, and then I go to school. I stay at school from eight o'clock in the morning till half past two in the afternoon. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I stay later because I have drum lessons. On the other days, I often play football with my friends. When I get home, I sometimes help my mother in the house. I usually do my homework from five to seven o'clock in the evening. At around seven o'clock we all have dinner together. After dinner, I usually watch some TV and chat with my family. At 10 o'clock I read a book and go to bed. After such a busy day, I always feel sleepy and ready for my comfortable bed!

Dutch Forger May Go To Prison

German police have just arrested Dutch artist Andreas Van den Berg in Hamburg for forgery. Yesterday he sold a Rembrandt copy to a Berlin art dealer for 4,3 million euros. Van den Berg is Dutch but was born in Hamburg, and he has lived there all his life. His father was the famous portrait artist Lucas Van den Berg, and his son has learnt a lot from him. He has been an outstanding artist for many years and could copy different styles of paintings since he was twelve years old. He could do everything from Rembrandt to Andy Warhol. 

Hermann Schneider saw Van Der Berg in a Hamburg bar three years ago. 'It was strange, he didn't know any of the customers in the bar, but he bought lunch for everybody.' I really couldn't understand it – he was only seventeen, and he had a lot of money. I've been very interested in Andreas Van den Berg since that day.' A week ago, Van den Berg went to an art gallery with a Rembrandt painting. Schneider followed him and waited for a quarter of an hour. Then Van den Berg left with a big suitcase and quickly ran into a bus station. The gallery owner told Schneider that the painting was just a cheap imitation. Schneider arrested Van den Berg at his office a few hours later. Van den Berg was arrested only yesterday, but his wife has already spoken to Die Welt.