Task 1. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the proper article – “a”, “an”, “the” or “-“ (no article). ( за каждый правильный ответ, максимальный – ) Rivers of Europe

(1…) longest river in (2…) Europe is (3…) Volga. It flows approximately 3,685 kilometers (2,290 miles) across (4….) Russia and empties into (5….) Caspian Sea. (6…) Volga has been used for centuries to transport (7…) timber from northern forests, grain from farms along its valley, and manufactured goods. The river is also known for its sturgeon, a type of large fish whose eggs are used to make a famous delicacy—Russian caviar.

(8…) Thames, in (9…) England, is one of Europe’s most historic rivers. Along its banks stands the city of (10…) London, a bustling urban area for more than a thousand years. By 100 CE, (11…) London had already become (12…) important Roman settlement and trading post. Because of its location on the river and near the seacoast, (13…) London became England’s principal city and trade center. Europe’s busiest river is (14…) Rhine, which runs from (15…) Alps in (16…) Switzerland, through (17…) Germany and (18…) Netherlands, and empties into (19…) North Sea. It flows through many industrial and farming regions and carries barges laden with farm products, coal, iron ore, and (20…) variety of manufactured goods.