year had its name. So the first year of a cycle was called the Year of the Tree and the Mouse; the seventh was the Year of the Metal and the Horse: and the tenth, the twenty-second and some others were the Years of the Hen.

Now imagine that a man was born in the Year of the Hen. There were five Years of the Hen in a cycle: how could people know in what year the man was born? So the people of China don't use their old calendar today.

In the days of the French Revolution of 1789—1794, a new calendar was introduced in France in the first Year of Freedom and the 22nd of September was called the first day of the year. But after a few years the whole country returned to the old calendar.

Today in almost all the countries the 1st of January is the beginning of the year. This day is a holiday.

1 ) Til] 1700 the first day of the year in Ukraine was the 1st of January.

2) The calendar in Russia was changed in 1700.

3) In 1919 the people celebrated the New Year twice.

4) Some countries have their own calendars.

5) In Egypt about fifty centuries ago the calendar was connected with the brightest star Sirius.

6) In old China the calendar had both years and cycles of years.

7) The years did not have their names in old China.

8) There were five Years of the Hen in a cycle in old China.

9) The first Year of Freedom was introduced in France in 1789.

10) Today in almost all the countries the 1st of January is the beginning of the year.

58. Read the text and retell it.

WHAT IS MORE DANGEROUS?

When the party was over, the host¹ offered² to drive one of his guests home. It was a cold night, and the guest accepted the offer. Twice there was nearly an accident³, for frost covered the wind-screen⁴. The nervous guest tactfully suggested that it might help if the frost was cleared from the wind-screen.

"That wouldn't help much," replied the driver. "I've left my glasses at home!"