Министерство образования и науки Российской Федерации

Федеральное агентство по образованию

Государственное образовательное учреждение
высшего профессионального образования

«САМАРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ
АРХИТЕКТУРНО - СТРОИТЕЛЬНЫЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ»

Английский язык

Методические указания
по устным экзаменационным темам для студентов I курса

Самара 2006
 Составители: Е.В. Шипанова, Э.Р. Хафиятуллина

Методические указания по устным экзаменационным темам для студентов I курса

всех специальностей (английский язык)/Сост.: Е.В. Шипанова, Э.Р. Хафиятуллина;
Самарск. Гос. арх.-строит. ун-т. Самара,2006.

Данные методические указания по английскому языку предназначены для студентов I

курса всех специальностей и содержат тематические разделы для отработки устных
экзаменационных тем. Пособие содержит список слов и словосочетаний, комплекс
упражнений и диалогов.

Предназначена для студентов I курса всех специальностей

Рецензент: доктор филологических наук, профессор Е.Г. Вышкин

Unit I: MY FAMILY

TEXT A
Vocabulary

good-looking- красивый, миловидный to go in for smth- заниматься чем-либо

slim- стройный opinion- мнение
experienced- опытный, со стажем upbringing- воспитание
to take care of smb- заботиться о ком-либо broad-shouldered - широкоплечий
she is good at cooking она хорошо готовит to play the guitar- играть на гитаре
she is clever with her hands-у нее умелые руки to repair - чинить, исправлять
to tidy -убирать, приводить в порядок twins- близнецы
pensioner- пенсионер to run the house - вести хозяйство
to take to pieces- разбирать на части to knit - вязать
to manage - суметь, справиться, ухитриться accountant - бухгалтер
wheels and screws - колесики и винтики scientist - ученый
to fix -чинить, исправлять vacuum cleaner - пылесос
nursery school -детский сад washing machine- стиральная машина
сosmonaut - космонавт fridge -холодильник
in pieces- разобранный на части views on smth- взгляды на …
fair-haired- светловолосый even-tempered - уравновешенный
to have much in common- иметь много общего horror film- фильм ужасов
and what not- и так далее, и тому подобное
to be fond of smth- увлекаться чем-либo
to be deeply attached to smb- быть сильно привязанным к кому-либо
to be in good mood - быть в хорошем настроении
to get on well - быть в хороших отношениях, ладить друг с другом
to take after- быть похожим, пойти в кого-либо из родителей
“soap opera”- “мыльная опера ”, многосерийная мелодрама
to be handy with smth - уметь делать что-либо, быть искусным в чем-либо

MY FAMILY

I am Alex Sidorov. Alex is my first name and Sidorov is my surname. I am seventeen

years old. I want to tell you a few words about my family. My family is large. I’ve got a
mother, a father, a sister, a brother and a grandmother. We are six in the family.
 My mother is a teacher of biology. She works in a college. She likes her profession.
She is a good-looking woman with brown hair and green eyes. She is forty-four but she
looks much younger. She is tall and slim.
My father is a computer programmer. He is very experienced. He is a broad-
shouldered, tall man with fair hair and grey eyes. He is forty-six. My father often sings and
when we are at home and have some free time, I play the guitar and we sing together. My
father knows all about new radio sets and likes to repair old ones. He is also handy with
many things. When he was small, he liked to take everything to pieces. My grandmother
told me a story that once my father tried to “repair” their kitchen clock. He managed to put
all the wheels and screws back again – but the clock did not work. They had to give it to a
repairman. But that happened a long time ago. Now he can fix almost everything: a vacuum
cleaner, a washing machine, a fridge and what not. He’s got a few shelves where he keeps
everything he needs. On the table there’s always a radio in pieces.
My parents have been married for twenty-six years. They have much in common, but
they have different views on music, books and films. For example, my father likes horror
films and my mother likes “soap operas”. My father is fond of tennis. My mother isn’t
interested in sports. But my parents have the same opinion about my education and
upbringing.
My parents are hard-working people. My mother keeps house and takes care of me and
my father. She is very good at cooking and she is very clever with her hands. She is very
practical. My father and I try to help her with the housework. I wash the dishes, go
shopping and tidy our flat.
My grandmother is a pensioner. She lives with us and helps to run the house. She is fond
of knitting.
My sister Helen is twenty-five. She is married and has a family of her own. She works
as an accountant for a small business company. Her husband is a scientist. They’ve got
twins: a daughter and a son. They go to a nursery school.
My brother Boris is eleven. He is a school-boy. He wants to become a doctor but he is
not sure yet. Three months ago he dreamed of being a cosmonaut.
I think I take after my father. I’m tall, fair-haired and even-tempered. I always try to be in
good mood. I am a first year student. This year I have entered Samara University of
Architecture and Civil Engineering. I am interested in general engineering subjects. I like
maths, chemistry, computer engineering, physics.
We’ve got a lot of relatives. We are deeply attached to each other and we get on very
well.
Exercise I
Answer the questions:
1.What is your first name? What is your surname?
2.How old are you?
3.When is your birthday?
4.Is your family large? How many are you in the family?
5.Have you got any brothers or sisters?
6.What are your parents? Where do they work?
7.How long have your parents been married?
8.Do they have much in common?
9.Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
10.What sort of things do you do together?
11.Do you go out with your parents?
12.Who runs the house in your family?
13.What are your household duties?
14.What is your father’s hobby?
15.Can you describe your mother?

Exercise II
Read the dialogue and translate it:
-Hello, Ann!
-Hello, Kate! Haven’t seen you for ages! Meet my fellow student Lena.
-How do you do! Glad to meet you, Lena. Are you from St.Petersburg?
-No, I’m from Moscow. My family lives there too.
-Do you live in the hall of residence or rent a room?
-Neither. I live at my sister’s. She has a nice three-room flat not far from the center of the
city.
-You are lucky. Is your sister married?
-Oh, yes. She is married and has a daughter already.
-What is her husband?
-He is a manager.
-And is your sister also a manager?
-Oh, no, she is a teacher of English.
-Do your like St.Petersburg, Kate?
-Yes, I do. All members of my family live in St.Petersburg.
-And is your family large?
-Rather. We are five: my parents, a grandmother, my younger brother and me.
-Does your grandmother work?
-No, she is a retired pensioner. She is in her late sixties. But she does a lot of housework.
-Is your brother still at school?
-Yes, he is. He is leaving school this year. He is seventeen.
-What is he going to be?
-His dream is to be an actor. He is a great theatre-lover.

Exercise III
You want to know something about your groupmates. Think of the questions you would
like to ask them (their family, native town, favorite subjects at school and at the
institute, hobbies, sports, TV, cinema, books, friends, future plans, etc.) Make up a
dialogue in pairs.

TEXT B
THE AMERICAN FAMILY
Belonging to a family is one bond almost everyone in the world shares, but family patterns
vary from country to country. The United States has many different types of families. While
most American families are traditional, comprising a father, mother and one or more children,
22.5 percent of all American families in 2001 were headed by one parent, usually a woman. In a
few families in the United States, there are no children. These childless couples may believe that
they would not make good parents; they may want freedom from the responsibilities of child-
rearing; or, perhaps they are not physically able to have children. Other families in the United
States have one adult who is a stepparent. A stepmother or stepfather is a person who joins a
family by marrying a father or mother.
Americans tolerate and accept these different types of families. In the United States, people
have the right to privacy and Americans do not believe in telling other Americans what type of
family group they must belong to. They respect each other's choices regarding family groups.
Families are very important to Americans. One sign that this is true is that Americans show
great concern about the family as an institution. Many Americans believe there are too many
divorces. They worry that teenagers are not obeying their parents. They are concerned about
whether working women can properly care for their children.
Families give Americans a sense of belonging and a sense of tradition. Families give
Americans strength and purpose.
 Families serve many functions. They provide a setting in which children can be born and
reared. Families help educate their members. Parents teach their children values - what they think
is important. They teach their children daily skills, such as how to ride a bicycle. They also teach
them common practices and customs, such as respect for elders and celebrating holidays. The
most important job for a family is to give emotional support and security.

Exercise I
Answer the following questions:
1. What types of families are there in the USA?
2. What is the attitude of Americans to the types of family groups?
3. Why is a family important to Americans?
4. Why do some couples prefer to be childless?
5. What sense do families give to Americans?
6. What functions do families serve?
7. What is the most important job for a family?

Exercise II
Put all types of questions to the text.
Exercise III
Give Russian equivalents to the following word combinations:
Family patterns, childless couples, responsibility of child-rearing, stepparent, the right to privacy,
a sense of tradition, to earn money, emotional, support and security, family groups, to obey the
parents, daily skills, good relationship, to teach daily skills, respect for elders, emotional support,
concern about the family as an institution.

Exercise IV
Give English equivalents to the following word combinations:
Бездетные пары, типичная американская семья, воспитание ребенка, освободиться от
ответственности, отчим, стать хорошими родителями, мачеха, право на личную жизнь,
повиноваться родителям, выполнять много функций, уважение к старшим, моральная
поддержка, забота.

Exercise V
Make up your own topic “ABOUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF”.
UNIT II: OUR UNIVERSITY

TEXT A
Vocabulary
highly-qualified – высоко-квалифицированный tutorials – занятия с преподавателем
state supported - государственный to attend - посещать
to аdmit (into) - принимать post-graduate courses - аспирантура
to study (at) - учиться faculty - факультет
to provide - обеспечивать to offer - предлагать
elements of machines - детали машин leisure - досуг
town planning - градостроительство to acquire - приобретать
well-equipped – хорошо оснащенный science and engineering – наука и техника
to depend (upon) – зависеть от supervision - руководство
course of study – курс обучения examination period - сессия
particular - определенный to make up - составлять
curriculum – учебная программа variety of – ряд, множество
intense - напряженный dormitory- общежитие
academic year – учебный год grant -стипендия
general engineering subjects – общетехнические предметы
strength of materials – сопротивление материалов
computer engineering – вычислительная техника
to meet requirements – удовлетворять (отвечать) требованиям
water supply and sewerage – водоснабжение и водоотведение
research – научно-исследовательская работа

SAMARA UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING

There are many higher educational establishments in Samara. The University of

Architecture and Civil Engineering is one of them. It trains highly-qualified specialists for
the construction and service industries.
The University was founded in 1930. It’s a state supported institution. This means the
tuition is free.
To be admitted into the University applicants are to pass entrance examinations. Students
are able to study at full-time or extra-mural departments.
 The University is a federal organization comprising Institutes: Institute of Ecology and
Engineering Life Support Systems, Institute of Economics and Management, Institute of
Architecture and Design, Construction Institute, Institute of Pre-Higher Education.
There are ten faculties at the University: Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Design, Faculty
of Industrial and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Construction Engineering, Faculty of
Transport and Town Development, Faculty of Engineering Life Support Systems, Faculty of
Engineering Economics, Faculty of Information Systems and Technologies, Correspondence
Engineering Faculty and Correspondence Faculty of Economics.
The University provides training in specialties such as civil engineering, heating,
ventilation and gas, water supply and sewerage, power construction, town planning,
building materials, production of precast units, etc.
The University has a big library, many classrooms, well-equipped labs, a big computer
center, an assembly hall and a canteen.
The course of studies lasts 5 – 6 years depending upon the particular faculty or
department requirements.
The higher education curriculum is very intense and students have to work hard to meet
its requirements. The academic year in Russia’s higher educational institutions begins on
the first of September and is divided into two semesters. During this time students attend
lectures, seminars and tutorials in many different subjects. The first- and second- year
students study general engineering subjects such as maths, physics, chemistry, mechanics,
strength of materials, elements of machines, drawing, computer engineering, a foreign
language as well as a number of other subjects.
Specialization begins in the third year with further subjects available. The students
acquire not only theoretical knowledge of construction science and engineering but also
obtain production experience. They do practical work under the supervision of specialists.
At the end of each semester students obtain credits and take exams. Those who do well
receive grants. On graduating from the University our students receive a special higher-
school certificate.
The graduates with an inclination towards research work have the opportunity to continue
their studies at post-graduate courses.
However, studies are not the only thing that makes up a student’s life. The University
offers a variety of leisure facilities. The University has a big sports complex for those who
go in for sports. Students from out of the city live in the dormitory or in privately rented
accommodation. Most students find it interesting but difficult to study at the University,
especially the first-year students as they do not know how to organize their work and time.
Exercise I
Answer the following questions using the vocabulary from the text.
1. What is the full name of the University you study at?
2. When was it founded?
3. How many faculties are there at the University? What are they?
4. What should one do to become a student?
5. Why do some people choose the extra-mural department?
6. What specialists does the University train?
7. What subjects do students study in the first and second years?
8. When does specialization begin?
9. Do all students pay for their tuition?
10. Most students get grants, don’t they?
11. Where can students out of the city live?
12. Why have you chosen the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering?
13. What did you do to be admitted into the University?
14. Are you a full-time student?
15. How much do you pay for your tuition?
16. Do you receive a grant?
17.What faculty do you study at?
18.What qualification does the University award?
19. What do you plan to do when you graduate from the University?
20. What do you think your chances are in that field?

Exercise II
Give synonyms to the following words and word-combinations:
University, to train, construction, to study, to provide, auditorium, structural materials, to sit
for examinations, to work hard, to begin, to acquire, scientific work, chance, canteen, to
found, to graduate, work.

Exercise III
Give antonyms to the following words and word-combinations:
Full-time department, private, to be able to, to begin, to work, a foreign language,
theoretical, at the end of, to pass one’s exam, town.
 Exercise IV
Translate from Russian into English:
1.В каком университете Вы учитесь?
2.На каком факультете Вы учитесь?
3.Когда Вы поступили в университет?
4.Вы студент третьего курса, не так ли?
5.Сколько раз в году у Вас сессия?
6.Где Вы берете специальную литературу?
7.Сколько экзаменов у вас в эту сессию?
8.Вы уже сдали экзамен по английскому языку?
9.Какую оценку Вы получили?
10.Когда Вы закончите университет?

Exercise V
Read the dialogues and translate them:

Dialogue 1
A.: What faculty do you study at?
B.: At the faculty of Construction Engineering.
A.: What will your future profession be?
B.: Building Industry.
A.: Are you satisfied with your profession?
B.: Oh, yes, I am. I work in it now and soon I’ll be a very good specialist.
Dialogue 2
A: You are a second-year student, aren’t you?
B: Yes, I am. But why are you asking me about it?
A: Because I‘ve missed the whole year and now want to attend lectures for second-year
students.
B: We are going to have a lecture on Strength of Materials in a few minutes. Let’s go with me.
A: Is it the first lecture?
B: Yes, it is the very first lecture.
Dialogue 3
A: What lectures have you got today?
B: A lecture on maths and English practical classes.
A: What was our homework for today?
B: Three exercises in writing and the retelling of the text.
A: Will you give me the exercises to copy?
B: Certainly. I will. And what about the oral task?
A: Oh, I know the text perfectly well, but I haven’t done the written exercise.

Exercise VI
Speak on the topic “Samara University of Architecture and Civil Engineering”.

TEXT B

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Higher education is given in colleges and universities. There are about 3000 institutions of
higher education in the United States. Some of them are public, others are private. A public
institution is owned and operated by a government. The cost of education in private
institutions is paid by the students. Approximately 700 of all private institutions are
controlled by religious groups.
More than 30% of young American adults attend college. Each college or university in the
USA has its own requirements for admission. Most of them require students to take a
standard entrance exam. In addition some colleges require a personal interview.
The most common college degree is a bachelor of arts, or a B.A. degree. This degree
usually requires four years of study. During the first two years, a student often takes liberal
arts courses to receive a general education. Liberal arts courses include the study of
literature, languages and history. Then, in the last two years of college, a student focuses on
major subjects, his or her specialization. Then the students may go on studying, and with a
year or two of further study get a master’s degree. After another year or two of research,
they may get a still higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Higher education trains
people to become teachers, engineers, dentists or do other professional work.
A university is larger than a college. The most well-known universities in the USA are
Columbia and Michigan, Cornell, Nee York and Buffalo.
Tuition and living costs at a state university might be about 1000 dollars a year. Private
universities are even more expensive.
Students are classified as freshmen (first-year students), sophomores (second-year
students), and juniors (third-year students). All the students who have graduated from the
senior class are called advanced students or graduate students. Some graduate students get
grants or stipends, which cover the cost of their education.

Exercise I
Find the equivalents of the following Russian words and word combinations in the text:

Высшее образование, учебное заведение, приблизительно, взрослые, требования к

поступлению, типовые вступительные экзамены, собеседование, бакалавр,
гуманитарные курсы, сосредоточиться на главных предметах, обучение,
первокурсник, второкурсник, студент предпоследнего курса, выпускник, стипендия.

Exercise II
Arrange these words in suitable pairs
bachelor courses
higher for admission
attend students
private education
requirements interview
entrance exam
liberal arts studying
go on stipends
graduate college
get of arts
personal universities

Exercise III
Translate the words and word combinations in brackets using their equivalents from the
text:

1. There are about 3000 (высших учебных заведений) in the USA.

2. The cost of education (в частных учебных заведениях) is paid by the students.
3. Most colleges and universities require students to take a (типовой вступительный
экзамен).
4. The most common college degree is (бакалавр искусств).During the first two years
students take (гуманитарные предметы) to receive a general education.
 5. In the last two years of college students (концентрируют свое внимание на
основных предметах).
6. Students graduate from the college with the degree of (Доктор Философии).
7. University students are classified as (первокурсники, второкурсники, студенты
предпоследнего курса и выпускники).
8. Some graduate students get (дотации или стипендии).

UNIT III: RUSSIAN FEDERATION

TEXT A
Vocabulary

on a large scale- зд. в больших количествах plain- равнина

a number of- ряд, несколько to influence - влиять
it is to be noted- cледует отметить temperate zone- умеренная зона
the legislative branch- законодательная власть to create- создавать, творить
the executive branch- исполнительная власть to carry out- выполнять
the judicial branch- судебная власть to elect - избирать
total- общий, всеобщий election- выборы
government - правительство

OUR COUNTRY

The total area of Russia is a little more than 17 million square kilometers. The
population is about 160 million people. The capital of Russia is Moscow.
The greater part of the territory of Russia is vast plains with low mountain ranges and
long rivers.
The Urals divide Russia into the European and Asian parts.
The Volga and the Ural are the longest rivers in the European part of the country. The
longest rivers in the Asian part are the Ob, the Yenisei and the Lena which flow into the
Arctic Ocean. The world’s largest inland sea is the Caspian. Lake Baikal is the world’s
deepest lake.
As Russia is a very large country, its climate is very different. However, we can say that
it is mainly continental. The Arctic Ocean influences the weather on a great territory of the
country. In some parts of our country winter lasts as long as six months.
The European part of Russia is in the temperate zone with warm or hot summers and
rather mild winters.
Our country is very rich in mineral resources; especially it is rich in gas, oil and forests
which are exported to different countries on a large scale.
From an agricultural country before the 1917 Revolution our country has become a
highly developed industrial and agricultural state. After the Revolution heavy industry has
been created; there have appeared such new branches of industry as aviation, machine-
building, chemical, automobile and many others. A number of hydroelectric power stations
have been constructed as well.
It is to be noted that the first atomic power station in the world began operating in
Obninsk near Moscow in 1954, the first atomic ice-breaker in the world was also built in
Russia. For a number of years our country played a leading role in the field of space
exploration. In 1957, the first artificial satellite (sputnik) in the world was launched in
Russia. On the 12 th of April we celebrate Cosmonautics Day in the memory of the first space
flight carried out by Yury Gagarin in 1961.
The new political system has brought great changes in all spheres of life in Russia. The
Russian Federation is an independent state with a president at the head. The president is
elected every four years at general elections.
The political system consists of three branches of power:
1. the legislative branch is the Parliament that is divided into two houses – the Upper
House, that is the Federation Council, and the Lower House, the Duma.
2. the executive branch is the government with Prime Minister at the head.
3. the judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court.
There exist a great many political parties and organizations (political as well as social)
in our country today.

Exercise I
Answer the questions:
1. How large is the territory of Russia?
2. How large is the population of Russia?
 3. What parts do the Urals divide Russia into?
4. Can you name the longest rivers in Siberia and the Far East?
5. Which is the largest inland sea in the world?
6. Which is the deepest lake and where is it? What’s its depth?
7. Why do we say that the climate in Russia is various?
8. What influences the climate of large territories in our country?
9. What mineral resources is Russia rich in?
10. What has been created in our country after the 1917 Revolution?
11. What can you say about the first atomic power station in the world and about the first
atomic ice-breaker?
12. When and where was the first sputnik launched into space?
13. Who was the first to make a space flight? When did it happen?
14. What kind of state is the Russian Federation?
15. What period is the president elected for?
16. What are the three branches of power in our country?

Exercise II
Complete the sentences:
1. The greater part of the territory of Russia …
2. The Urals divide Russia …
3. Lake Baikal is …
4. The climate of Russia is …
5. The Arctic Ocean influences …
6. The European part of Russia is in …
7. Our country is very rich in …
8. After the 1917 Revolution there have appeared such …
9. The first atomic power station in the world began …
10. In 1957 … was launched in Russia.
11. On the 12th of April we celebrate …
12. The Russian Federation is …
13. The legislative branch is …
14. The executive branch is the government …
15. The judicial branch is headed …
Exercise III
Read and translate the dialogues:

Dialogue 1

REPORTER: (Addressing Mr.Butler who headed an expedition to Kamchatka): How do

you do, Mr. Butler? I’m Alexander Somov, a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times.
MR. BUTLER: How do you do, Mr. Somov?
R.: Our newspaper is very much interested in the results of your expedition. Have you had a
good journey? Have you seen much of our country?
B.: The journey was quite safe and comfortable. As to your country, it’s really very large.
We especially felt it when were coming back by train. It was very interesting to cross the
whole country from the Far East to St. Petersburg.
R.: What impressed you most during your expedition?
B.: First of all, it’s Kamchatka itself with volcanoes and unusually high geysers.
R.: And what about Siberia? What have you seen there?
B.: We have visited Irkutsk, Novosibirsk and some other industrial and cultural centers. We
saw your beautiful Lake Baikal. We met many interesting people. I must say that Russians
are very friendly. I’m very sorry, Mr. Somov, but we are in a hurry now. Goodbye!
R.: Thank you for the interview, Mr.Butler. Goodbye!

Dialogue 2
(Somov is phoning Mr. Butler on the next day)
SOMOV: Is that you, Mr. Butler? Good morning!
MR. BUTLER: Good morning, Mr. Somov!
S: Could I ask you a few more questions, Mr. Butler?
B: Yes, of course. I’m free now and I’m ready to talk to you.
S: Mr. Butler, you have seen our Far East, Siberia, you have been to Altai. Is there anything
else you would like to see?
B: Yes, there is a region in your country which greatly attracts tourists. It’s the “Golden
Ring of Russia”. I’ve heard a lot about it but I don’t know what it is.
S: Oh, it’s a really popular tour which embraces a number of towns in Central Russia:
Zagorsk, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Suzdal and some others. They are old Russian towns
which are famous for their ancient architecture, churches and monasteries. If one wants to
have an idea of the life of Russians a few centuries ago, one should certainly make this tour.
You will admire an unusual excursion to the past and it will certainly help you understand
present Russia much better.
B: Thank you for your advice, Mr. Somov.

Exercise IV
Make up your own dialogue on the topic.

Exercise V
Answer the questions:
1. Have you ever traveled about Russia?
2. What places have you been to?
3. Where did you go last time?
4. Why did you go there?
5. What did you like (dislike) there and what impressed you most?
6. What places would you like to visit in the future?
7. What region of our country do you live in?
8. What places of interest are there in your region and in your town?

TEXT B
MOSCOW

Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural
centre. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted
the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow’s history. Gradually the city became more and more
powerful. In the 13 th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the
liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16 th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became
the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St
Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main
target of Napoleon’s attack. Three quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during
Napoleon’s occupation, but by the mid-19 th century Moscow had been completely restored.
After the October Revolution Moscow became the capital again.
Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred
square kilometers (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The
population of the city is over 9 million.
 Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red
Square. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. The Kremlin and
St Basil’s Cathedral (Vasily Blazheny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture.
The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. On
the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the
Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St Basil’s
Cathedral was built in the mid-16 th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There’s a
legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn’t
want them to create another masterpiece.
There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments
in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city
will become even more beautiful.
There are more than 100 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin
museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow
include the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian
Art, Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and
many others.
Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House.
Drama Theatres and studios are also very popular.
Moscow is a city of students. There are over 100 higher educational institutions in it.
Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life
of the country.
Names
Ivan the Terrible – Иван Грозный Peter the Great – Петр Великий (Петр I)
The Tzar-Cannon – Царь-пушка The Tzar-Bell – Царь-колокол
The Bell Tower of Ivan the Great – Колокольня Ивана Великого
St Basil’s Cathedral – собор Василия Блаженного
the Bolshoi Opera House – Большой театр оперы и балета
The State Tretyakov Gallery – Государственная Третьяковская Галерея
Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture - Музей музыкальной культуры им.Глинки
Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum – Театральный музей имени Бахрушина
the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts- Всероссийский музей декоративного, прикладного и
народного искусства
the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art- Музей древнерусского искусства имени
А. Рублева
The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts –Музей изобразительных искусств имени А.С.Пушкина
Exercise I
Answer the questions:

1. When was Moscow founded?

2. Is there a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Moscow? Where is it?
3. When did Moscow become the capital?
4. In 1712 the capital was moved to St Petersburg, wasn’t it? When did Moscow
become the capital again?
5. Was ancient Moscow a big city? What’s the total area of modern Moscow?
6. What’s the population of Moscow?
7. What places of interest in the centre of Moscow do you know?
8. What do you know about St Basil’s Cathedral?
9. What can you see on the territory of the Kremlin?
10. What are the most famous Moscow museums? (art galleries?)
11. What theatres in Moscow do you know?
12. What is your favorite place in Moscow?

Exercise II
Translate from Russian into English:

Москва – это столица России с населением примерно ( some) 9 миллионов

человек. Москва – самый большой и один из старейших городов нашей страны. Она
была основана Юрием Долгоруким в 1147. В 1997 году Москва отпраздновала свое
850-летие.
Москва – крупный индустриальный и культурный центр. Здесь более 550
исследовательских институтов и более 80 высших учебных заведений (institutes of
higher education), более 50 музеев, около 1000 библиотек. Москва- это политический
центр России, где находятся президент, парламент и правительство.
UNIT IV: SAMARA AND SAMARA REGION

TEXT A
Vocabulary
to border – граничить oil shale – горючий сланец
to stretch – протягиваться silicate clay – силикатная глина
pine –сосна native sulfur – самородная сера
magnificent – великолепный sodium chloride – поваренная соль
distinct – явный elk - лось
annual – годовой roe deer - косули
average - средний fertilizer - удобрение
drought – засуха ball-bearing - шарикоподшипник
fossils – полезные ископаемые spirit - спирт
significant – существенный to maintain - поддерживать

SAMARA REGION

The Samara region is situated in the southeastern European part of Russia. The Samara
region covers the area of 53.6 thousand square kilometers. It borders on the Republic of
Tatarstan in the north, the Saratov region in the south, the Orenburg region in the east, the
Ulyanovsk region in the northwest.
The Samara region stretches for 335 kilometers from north to south, and for 315
kilometers from west to east. Most of the territory of the Samara region is forest steppe.
Pine and wide-leaf woods are in the north of the region, southern and eastern parts are
mostly steppes. The largest mountain chain of the region and at the same time the most
magnificent in Russia are the Zhiguly Hills situated in Samarskaya Luka. Besides the Volga,
the most important water arteries of the region, are the Samara, the Sok, the Kinel, the
Bolshoy Irgiz, and the Kondurcha rivers.
The Samara region has a distinct continental climate. The annual air temperature is +3.8 ْC.
The average temperature in January is -13.9 ْ C, in July it is +20.1ْ C. The neighborhood with
the waterless Asian half desserts affects the climate of the southern parts of the region.
Therefore droughts take place here once in a while. For the same reason, large areas of the
region are risky for agriculture.
 The main fossils of the region are oil and natural gas. Among other natural resources
significant for the economy of the region are oil shale, silicate clay, native sulfur, sodium
chloride, construction stone and a number of other substances and minerals. With the
creation of the Volzhskaya Hydro Electric Station in 1957, the Zhiguly Sea became the most
important hydroelectric resource. Despite active industrial development of the city, the wild
nature, flora and fauna are carefully preserved. The key nature reserves areas are the
national park “Samarskaya Luka”, the Zhiguly public nature reserve named after Ivan
Sprygin, “Buzuluksky Bor” and some others. Elks, deer, wild boars, roe deer, wolves, hares,
dozens of unique species of birds, fish and insects inhabit the Samara region, rare plants
grow here too.
The Samara region ranks first among the most advanced regions as regards
development of the educational system. This system includes several stages: nursery school
and kindergarten education, primary and secondary education and higher education. Taking
into account new requirements of Russian society that undergoes reforms many educational
institutions started to train specialists in fields that are relatively new for the country, such
as management, marketing, banking and information systems. Many of our institutions of
higher education have established strong partnerships with some Western universities.
The Samara region exports automobiles, metal-cutting machine tools, high power
transformers, fertilizers, building materials, airplanes, ball-bearings and spirits. The Samara
region maintains economic relations with over 70 countries of the world. The region exports
its products and services to leading countries in the West, including the USA, Germany,
France and Italy.

Exercise I
Answer the questions:

1. How large is the territory of the Samara region?

2. Can you name the most important water arteries of the region?
3. What natural resources is the Samara region rich in?
4. What can you say about the climate of the region?
5. What does the Samara region export?
6. What specialists have educational institutions begun to train recently?
7. What countries does the Samara region maintain economic relations with?
Exercise II
Complete the following sentences:

1. The Samara region is …

2. It borders on …
3. The Samara region has …
4. Natural resources of the Samara region …
5. The Samara region exports …

TEXT B
SAMARA

Samara with its population of more than a million people occupies a large territory (its
area is 35 by 13.5 km now) and is one of the largest cities in Russia. It is situated on the
bank of the Volga ( the largest river in Europe) and is known for its remarkable history and
industry.
Samara was founded in 1586. It emerged as a small fortress near the two rivers, the
Volga and the Samara, to guard the Russian frontiers from nomads. Due to its favorable
position Samara developed into a sizeable river port and a trading centre. And though some
factories appeared in the town it remained an agricultural centre up to the October
Revolution. It was a dusty town then with narrow and crooked streets, open to the bitter
north winds in winter and to the oppressive heat waves in summer. The only thing that
struck visitors was a great number of churches.
Great changes have taken place in Samara in the years of Soviet Power. It became a
large industrial town, famous for its heavy engineering, motor and tools production, aircraft,
chemical and light industries.
Samara is now an important transport centre. It has a river port, a railway station and a
home and international airport.
It is a well-known fact that during the years of the Second World War the Government
of the Soviet Union had its seat in Samara (Kuibyshev then). Since that time our city has
always played an important part in the life of our country.
Samara is also a cultural centre. The city’s numerous highly educational institutions
train specialists for all branches of our national science, economy, industry and culture. A
wide network of professional schools and technical colleges provides our young people with
every opportunity of choosing their road in life.
If you are staying in Samara for a few days you will have no difficulty in finding
where to go and what to see. We have a fine Natural History Museum, a picture Gallery and
many museums connected with the names of some outstanding people. Our citizens are
proud of our Drama Theatre, Opera and Ballet House, Theatre for Younger Spectators and
Puppet Theatre. If you want to listen to good music you should go to the Philharmonic
Society.
Tourists usually like Samara’s broad streets and avenues of the new districts. They also
admire the old centre of the town with its old but stylish buildings, theatres, museums and
historical monuments.
Many new and comfortable houses are being built in all the districts. Some people say
that Samara is growing not older but younger and it’s exactly so. The old part of the city is
considerably smaller than the new one. Samara’s citizens are proud of our modern districts,
green parks and splendid squares, of our embankment that is the most frequented place in
the city. And what can be compared with the view of the Volga river from the park near the
Drama Theatre.
The Volga, one of the most important waterways in Russia, also provides our citizens
with every chance of having a good rest in summer and winter too.

Exercise I
Find in the text the English equivalents to the following words:
Промышленность, возникать, крепость, охранять, границы, кочевники,
благоприятный, сельскохозяйственный, кривой, томительный, оборудование,
выдающийся, часто посещать, житель, район, обеспечивать.

Exercise II
Complete the following sentences:
1. … to guard the Russian frontiers from nomads.
2. Due to its favorable position … .
3. In the years of Soviet Power Samara became … .
4. … where to go and what to see.
5. Some people say that Samara … .
6. Samara’s citizens are proud of … .
7. The Volga provides … .
Exercise III
Make up word combinations using the given words:

large people
favorable districts
sizeable place
dusty position
crooked town
outstanding river port
stylish territory
modern streets
frequented buildings

Exercise IV
Answer the following questions:

1. Why did Samara emerge?

2. How did the town look like up to the October Revolution?
3. What changes have taken place in Samara in the years of Soviet Power?
4. What museums and theatres in our town do you know?
5. What do you think attracts tourists most of all the city now?
6. Why is Samara growing not older but younger?
7. What is the most frequented place in Samara?

UNIT V: THE UNITED KINGDOM

TEXT A
Vocabulary

to consist of -cоcтоять из total area- общая площадь

to form- формировать, o6paзовывать to separate- paзделять
narrow -yзкий to make up- составлять
to include- содержать, включать to wash- омывать
surface- поверхность to vary - меняться, paзнообразить
valley - долина plain - paвнина
monster- чудовище temperate- умеренный
mild- мягкий, yмеренный to influence- влиять
highly developed- высокоpaзвитый producer -npoизводитель
exporter –экспортер machinery -машинное o6opyдование
textile -текстиль aircraft- самолеты
navigation - судоходство equipment -o6opyдование
chief -главный, основной shipbuilding - кopa6лестроение
power- сила, власть belong - принадлежать
offer - предлагать change - изменять, заменять
law -закон policy -политика
taxes- налоги member- член
to elect- выбирать permanent- постоянный
government- правительство parliament - парламент
constitutional monarchy- конституционная монархия
delay -откладывать, пpeпятствовать

THE UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the official name of the
British Kingdom. It is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large
islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is
over 244 000 square kilometers. Many years ago the British Isles formed a part of the
continent. Now Great Britain is separated from the continent by the English Channel and the
North Sea. The narrowest part of the English Channel is called the Strait of Dover.
The UK is made up of four countries. They are England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast. The capital of the UK is
London. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales and does not include
Northern Ireland.
The UK is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the North Sea in the west. The
two islands are separated by the Irish Sea.
The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous.
It's called the Highlands. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain (1343m). The south
of Scotland has beautiful valleys and plains. It is called the Lowlands.
 Scotland is a land of famous lakes. They are called "lochs" there. The beautiful Loch
Lomond is the largest one. Loch Ness attracts millions of tourists by its legendary monster.
The north and west of England are mountainous. Mountains aren't very high. The east,
centre and south-east of England is a vast plain.
There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they aren't very long. The largest of them
are the Severn (350 km), the Clyde, the Mersey, the Thames (346 km), the Trent (274 km)
and the Ouse. The Thames is the deepest river. London stands on the Thames.
The climate of Great Britain is temperate and mild. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream
influence the climate of the British Isles.
The population of the UK is over 57 million people.
The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It is the largest producer and exporter of
machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief
industries of the country is shipbuilding.
The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. The Queen is the
Head of State, but she has no power. The Queen is a symbol of the country's history and its
traditions. The real power in the country belongs to the British Parliament and to the British
Government.
The British Parliament has two "houses". They are the House of Lords and the House of
Commons. The House of Lords can offer and change laws. It can delay laws. The House of
Commons makes laws about the policy of the country, taxes and many other things.
The members of the House of Lords aren't elected. These members are permanent. The
members of the House of Commons are elected. The British people elect 650 members of
the House of Commons every five years.
There are three main political parties in Great Britain. They are the Labour, the
Conservative and the Liberal parties.
The flag of the UK is known as the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the cross
of St. George (the patron saint of England), the cross of St. Andrew (the patron saint of
Scotland) and the cross of St. Patrick (the patron saint of Ireland).

Names
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland-Coeдиненное Kopoлевство
Beликобритании И Ceвepной Ирландии
the British Isles- Британские ocтpoвa the English Channel- Английский канал
the Strait of Dover- Дуврский пpoлив the North Sea- Ceвepнoe мope
the Atlantic Ocean- Атлантический океан the Irish Sea- Ирландское море
the House of Lords-Палата Лордов the House of Commons- Палата общин
the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties - Лейбористская, Консервативная
и Либеральная партии

Exercise I
Answer the questions:

1. What is the official name of the British Kingdom?

2. Where is the UK situated?
3. What do the British Isles consist of?
4. What is the total area of the British Isles?
5. What did the British Isles form many years ago?
6. How is Great Britain separated from the continent?
7. What is the narrowest part of the English Channel called?
8. What parts does Great Britain consist of?
9. What is the UK washed by?
10. What are the two islands, Great Britain and Ireland, separated by?
11. What is the north of Scotland called? Why?
12. What is the highest mountain in Scotland?
13. What is the south of Scotland called? Why?
14. What is the largest lake in Scotland?
15. What can you say about the surface of England?
16. What rivers are there in Great Britain? What are the largest ones?
17. What is the deepest river in Great Britain?
18. What is the climate of Great Britain like?
19. What waters influence the climate of the British Isles?
20. What is the population of the UK?
21. The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch, isn't it?
22. Does the Queen rule the country?
23. Who does the real power in the country belong to?
24.How many "houses" does the British Parliament have? What are they?
25.What are the main political parties in Great Britain?
Exercise II
Read the first part of the sentence in A and find the second part in B:

A
1. The UK is made up of ...
2. The climate of Great Britain is...
3. The flag of the UK is known as ...
4. The British Parliament has ...
5. The UK is washed by ...
6. The UK is the largest producer and exporter of
7. The UK is ...
8. The British Isles consist of ...

B
... machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment.
... two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands.
... the Union Jack.
... England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
... a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch.
... two "houses", the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
... temperate and mild.
... the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the North Sea in the east.

Exercise III
Read the beginning of the sentence and find its end in the text:

1. The Queen is the Head of State ... .

2. The largest of them are ... .
3. The British people elect ... .
5. It is made up of three crosses ... .
6. The real power in the country belongs ... .
7. London stands ... .
8. Now Great Britain is separated ... .
Exercise IV
Put in the missing words according to the text:

1. The south of Scotland has beautiful... and ....

2. The narrowest part of the English Channel is called ... .
3. The British people elect 650 members of the ... every five years.
4. The House of Commons makes laws about the ... of the country, ... and many other
things.
5. The climate of Great Britain is ... and ... .
6. Loch Ness attracts millions of tourists by its legendary ....
7. The UK is a ... developed industrial country.
8. The Union Jack is made up of three ...

Exercise V
Read the dialogue and translate it. Act it out:

Ann: Nice day, isn't it? But too mild for this time of the year.
Susan: Yes, it is. I like such weather. It's snowing, but it isn't very cold.
Ann: But I like colder weather better. After all, winter must be winter.
Susan: Well, and now you know that the climate of England is very different from yours.
It's true that our winter is warmer than yours, but our summer is cooler too.
Ann: In summer you have a lot of rainy days and in winter there isn't much snow.
Susan: Exactly. This winter we're going to have as little snow as last winter, I'm afraid.
Ann: Yes, I think you are right. But now there is much snow. Let's go for a weekend to
Brighton. The air is much cleaner there than in London.
Susan: OK. Clean air is so important for people's health!
Ann: It certainly is.

Exercise VI
Use the information below to make a report on the following:

LAND
Area - 241,752 sq km
Highest Point — Ben Nevis 1,343 m above sea level
Lowest Point - Holme Fen 3m below sea level
CLIMATE
Average Temperatures
London — January 4°C, July 18°C
Edinburgh — January 3°C, July 15eC
Average Annual Precipitation
London 590 mm Edinburgh 680 mm
POPULATION
Population - 59,000,000 (approximate figure)
Population Density - 242 persons/sq km
Urban/Rural population
92% Urban
8% Rural
ETHNIC GROUPS
94.5% English, Scottish, Welsh, or Irish
5.5% Other
LANGUAGES
Official Language - English
Other Languages - Welsh, Scots-Gaelic, other minority languages
RELIGIOUS
54% Anglicanism
13% Roman Catholicism
33% Other including other Protestant denominations, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism
ECONOMY
Gross Domestic Product - US $1,023,900,000,000
Agriculture: wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, livestock, animal products
Fishing: mackerel, herring, cod, plaice
Mining: coal, limestone, petroleum and natural gas
INDUSTRY
Machinery and transport equipment, food products, chemical products, minerals and metal
products. Employment Statistics
58% Trade and Services
23% Industry
16% Business and Finance
2% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing
1% Military and Defense
Major Exports
Industrial and electrical machinery, automatic data processing equipment, road vehicles,
petroleum.
Major Imports
Road vehicles, industrial and electrical machinery, automatic data processing equipment,
petroleum, paper and paperboard, textiles, food.
Major Trading Partners
Germany, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan

TEXT B
LONDON
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre.
London is one of the greatest cities in the world and the biggest seaport in Europe. The territory
of London is twice as great as the territory of New York, though its population is almost twice
smaller.
London is the oldest city of the English-speaking peoples, more than twenty centuries old.
The Old City is the birthplace of London. Here, on the banks of the Thames, was a small
settlement named Llyn-din, which means a lonely port. To this place, in the year 55 before our
era, Caesar came from Rome. For 400 years Britain remained a Roman province. Llyn-din
became Londinium. The Romans made Londinium a large and rich city with good streets,
beautiful palaces and shops. Trade was growing. A lot of goods-skins, copper and iron ore, silver
and gold-were sent to Rome.
In the fifth century the Romans left Britain, and other invaders came to the British shores.
The Saxon hordes and the Danes rushed to Londinium, conquered the land and ruined the city.
During nearly 400 years Londinium lay in ruins, grass grew where the beautiful buildings had
been before, wild beasts walked on the good Roman roads.
In the ninth century and later the Saxon Kings began to rebuild the ruined city of
Londinium. Soon another centre, Westminster Abbey, was founded. In 1066 came William the
Duke of Normandy, or William the Conqueror. He settled in Londinium, which now became
London-the capital of Norman Britain. The Norman masters built new palaces, churches and
cathedrals. The population grew and more wooden houses were built along the narrow streets.
Simple wooden houses were good enough for the poor Brittons. Stone and marble were used by
the Normans who wanted to shine in the conquered land.
In 1666 the Great Fire broke out, almost the whole London was scorched by the fire. Not
only wooden, but even stone buildings were burnt down. After the fire the City could not be
reconstructed, it had to be built again. A commission of six architects was organized for this
business and Sir Christopher Wren was the most talented of them. It was forbidden to build
wooden houses in the City of London. The streets were made much wider and open land was left
for squares.
Today the City is the central part of London, its business and financial centre and the heart
of commerce. The Bank of England is not only the centre of English trade, but of the world trade
as well. Only about five thousand live permanently in the City today but nearly a million works
there. In the day-time the streets of the City are crowded but late at night they are deserted.
But life never stops in the streets and squares of the West End, not far from the City. This
area is famous for splendid shops, concert-halls and theatres. You can see elegant people, wealth
and luxury, beautifully illuminated shop-windows in Piccadilly or Regent Street. The West End
is the richest and the most beautiful part of London.
The Thames is a natural boundary between the West End and the East End of London.
Working class London is centered in the East End. This is a vast area running eastwards from the
City. This area is populated by workers, dockers and small craftsmen. There are not many places
of interest here. The Londoners who live in the East End are not rich and their houses are seldom
built by great architects.
Westminster is the central part of London. Most governmental buildings are in
Westminster.
Although there is much traffic in London there is indeed little dust. The road is asphalted,
and the pavement is of stone. When it rains, there is no mud. Narrow side-streets lead off from
the main street at right angles. If you walk along one of these, you are surprised to find how quiet
it is.
London has many great and wonderful sights which attract the attention of tourists from
many parts of the world.

Exercise I
Answer the questions:
1. Is London the largest city in the world?
2. What's the population of London?
3. Traditionally London is divided into several parts. Can you name them?
4. What do you know about the City?
5. Who was St Paul's Cathedral built by?
6. Who founded the Tower of London? When was it rebuilt?
7. What is Westminster Abbey famous for?
 8. Where does the British Parliament sit?
9. What is Big Ben?
10. Why was Trafalgar Square named so?
11. Why does Buckingham Palace attract so many tourists?
12. What are the most famous London museums and art galleries?

Exercise II
Give equivalents to the following Russian word combinations from the text:
коммерческий центр, более 20 веков, приехал из, росла, устремились, завоеватели,
лежали в руинах, был основан, деревянный, вспыхнул пожар, почти 1000 лет, не только
центр, известна, естественная граница, несмотря, заметим, привлекают внимание,
постоянно.

Exercise III
Complete the following sentences according to the text:
1. The Old City is...of London.
2. For 400 years Britain...a Roman province.
3. ...skins, copper and iron ore were sent to Rome.
4. The Saxon kings began...the ruined city.
5. The Saxon hordes and the Danes.. to .Londinium…the land and the city.
6. During nearly 400 years Londinium... .
7. Simple...were good for poor people.
8. In 1666 the Great Fire…, almost the whole London was scorched by the fire.
9. It…to build wooden houses in the City of London.
10. Westminster Abbey…soon.
11. London has wonderful sights which…of tourists.

Exercise IV
Agree or disagree.
1. London is more than 10 centuries old.
2. Caesar came from Rome to the settlement named Londinium.
3. Agriculture was developing.
4. During nearly 400 years Londinium lay in ruins.
5. In the 9th century the Roman kings began to rebuild the ruined city.
6. The Norman masters built wooden houses for rich people.
 7. In 1666 the Great Fire broke out.
8. It was forbidden to build wooden houses in the City after the fire.
9. The West End is famous for shops, concert halls and theatres.
10. Working class live in Westminster.
11. Most governmental buildings are in the East End.
12. When it rains there is no mud on the pavement.
13. London has a lot of sights.

Exercise V
Read and translate the dialogue:
Sightseeing

A: Is it possible to see anything of London in one or two days?

B: Well, yes, but, of course, not half enough.
A: What do you think I ought to see first?
B: Well, if you are interested in churches and historical places you should go to
Westminster Abbey, The Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's and the Tower. Do you like art
galleries?
A: Rather!
В: Then why not go to the National gallery and the Tate?
A: I`m told one ought to see the British Museum. Do you think I shall have time for that?
B: Well, you might, but if I were you, I should leave that for some other day. You could
spend a whole day there. It's much too big to be seen in an hour or so.
A: I suppose it is. What about going to the Zoo?
B: That's not a bad idea. You could spend a couple of hours there comfortably, or even a
whole afternoon, watching the wild animals, birds and reptiles. You could have tea there
too.
A: I`ll do that then. How do I get there?
B: Let me see. I think your best way from here is to walk across Regent's Park.
A: Is it much of a walk?
B: Oh, no, a quarter of an hour or so, but, if you are in a hurry, why not take a taxi?
A: I think I will. Ah, here's one coming. Taxi! The Zoo, please.
UNIT VI: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTOIN
TEXT
Vocabulary
environment - окружающая среда protection - защита
surroundings – окружение development - развитие
crowded – переполненный nuclear -ядерный
pollution – загрязнение noise - шум
destruction – разрушение alarming - тревожный
acid rain - кислотный дождь to suffer from - страдать от
depletion – истощение ozone - озон
layer – слой to protect - защищать
ultraviolet – ультрафиолетовый ray - луч
to damage - портить, наносить ущерб chlorofluorocarbons – хлорфторуглеводы
to release – выбрасывать refrigerator - холодильник
conditioner – кондиционер to increase - возрастать
skin – кожа cancer - рак
to weaken – ослаблять immune – имунная
danger – опасность to fill - заполнять
waste – отходы chemical - химический
fertilizer – удобрение pesticide - пестицид
the Mediterranean Sea - Средиземное море to die – умирать
following – следующий the Aral Sea - Аральское море
brink - край (обрыва, пропасти) extinction - вымирание
major – большой impact – влияние
to recycle – перерабатывать carbon – углерод
nitrogen – азот oxygen - кислород
to determine – определять rainfall - количество осадков
even – еще threat - угроза
power station - атомная станция accident - катастрофа
disaster – бедствие catastrophe - катастрофа
to affect - действовать, влиять destiny - судьба
to survive – выживать to solve - решать
research - (научное) исследование urgent - срочный
measure – мера to avoid - избежать
numerous – многочисленный to preserve – сохранять
 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTOIN

People have always polluted their surroundings. But until now pollution was not such a
serious problem. With the development of crowded industrial cities the problem has become
more important. The most serious environmental problems are pollution in its many forms (water
pollution, air pollution, nuclear pollution), noise from cars, buses, planes, destruction of wildlife
and others.
Air pollution is a very serious problem. One of the most alarming forms of air pollution is
acid rain. Acid rain is killing forests in Canada, the USA and central and northern Europe. In the
USA 1 in 5 lakes suffers from this type of pollution.
One of the most important problems is depletion of the ozone layer. The ozone layer
protects the earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays. The ozone layer is being damaged by
chlorofluoro-carbons. They are released by the daily use of industrial and household products,
such as refrigerators, air conditioners and so on. Depletion of the ozone layer increases the risk
of skin cancer, weakens the immune system of people.
The seas are in danger. They are filled with poison: industrial and nuclear waste, chemical
fertilizers and pesticides. The Mediterranean is already nearly dead, the North Sea is following.
The Aral Sea is on the brink of extinction.
Another problem is destruction of the tropical forest. It has a major impact on the world
climate. The tropical rain forest is a natural protector for our planet. It recycles carbon, nitrogen
and oxygen, helps determine temperature, rainfall and other climatic conditions.
An even greater environmental threat is nuclear power stations. After the Chernobyl
accident Belarus has become the zone of the ecological disaster. The Chernobyl catastrophe has
affected the destinies of millions of people.
If people want to survive they must solve these problems quickly. Some progress has been
already made. 159 countries - members of the UN have set up environmental protection
agencies. They hold conferences discussing ecological problems and take practical urgent
measures to avoid ecological catastrophe. There are numerous public organizations such as
Greenpeace. They are doing much to preserve environment.

Exercise I
Answer the questions:
1. In your opinion, is pollution a very serious problem nowadays?
2. Why has this problem become more important now?
3. What forms of pollution do you know?
4. What do you know about acid rains? What suffers from this type of pollution?
5. What do you know about the depletion of the ozone layer?
6. What does the ozone layer protect?
7. Why is the ozone layer being damaged?
8. Why are the ozone "holes" dangerous for the life on the Earth?
9. Why do we say that the seas are in danger?
10. What seas are in danger?
11. What is the natural protector for our planet? What do you know about the destruction of the
tropical forest?
12. In you opinion, are nuclear power stations dangerous? Nuclear power stations can cause a lot
of trouble, can't they? Why? What have you read or heard about the Chernobyl catastrophe?
13. Which in your opinion is the most serious ecological problem?
14. Why should people solve ecological problems as soon as possible?
15. What have people done in this direction?
16. What public organizations do you know which do much to preserve environment?

Exercise II
Answer these questions:
1. Which environmental problems does your town, village or city suffer? Which are the most
serious?
2. Do you think the situation in your country is better or worse than in other countries?
3. What can you do to help your local environment?
4. Can anything be done about global environmental problems? Can the world community solve
them and on what conditions?
5. If you had a chance to go on a nature study holiday anywhere in the world, would you go? Or
would you be bored? Where would you go?

Exercise III
Read and translate the dialogue:

Bessy: It's an interesting world we live in, isn't it?

Linda: Yes, indeed. We fly to other planets and discover old manuscripts.
Bessy: We build, build and build...
Linda: ...and pollute our beautiful planet.
Bessy: Yes. When I went with my parents to the seaside last summer, I was surprised to see
that the water was not blue but brown with rubbish floating in it.
Linda: Besides, millions of tons of oil are released into the sea every year.
Bessy: We can only imagine how many seabirds and animals die because of it.
Linda: And those ozone holes...
Bessy: I think people will be able to solve this problem.
Linda: Let's stop using our aerosol spray right now.
Bessy: That's a great idea!