English language for technical colleges

Our academy is large and we have several buildings. One of the buildings is for lectures and seminars only. There are many large halls there so that students of 3-4 groups together can fit in there. And that is more than 100 people. The acoustics [э'ku:stiks] in such large halls is very good but sometimes it is very noisy when students chat during the lecture.

We have two laboratory buildings which are equipped with up-to-date equipment and there students can carry on lab works and conduct various experiments. Many students from my group do their own research work.

There are several cafes at the academy. My favourite one is situated in a separate one-storeyed building and people say that this is the oldest canteen or student's cafe. The food there is tasty and very affordable.

There are also several dormitories or hostel buildings where students from other cities live. But you know already that I don't live in a dormitory -- I rent an apartment.

Vocabulary:

currently -- в настоящее время

to be enrolled -- числиться в списках студентов

full-time students -- студенты дневного отделения

part time-students -- студенты вечернего отделения

to conduct -- проводить

course of study -- курс обучения

industrial automation -- промышленная автоматика

robotics -- робототехника

plastics -- пластмассы

machine-tools -- станки

metalworking -- металлообработка

figure [f'igэ] -- фигура, цифра

noisy -- шумный

to chat -- беседовать, болтать

to be equipped with -- быть оборудованным

up-to-date equipment -- современное оборудование

carry on -- проводить

research work -- исследовательская работа

one-storeyed -- одноэтажное

tasty ['teisti] -- вкусный

affordable -- доступная (to afford -- позволять)

ADD TO YOUR ACTIVE VOCABULARY

classroom -- класс, аудитория

lecture hall -- лекционный зал

laboratory -- лаборатория

gym (gymnasium) -- спортзал

semester (term) -- семестр

school year -- учебный год

course of studies -- курс обучения

academy -- академия

university -- университет

institute -- институт

faculty, college, department -- факультет (ex. College of physics -- факультет физики)

department, chair of... -- кафедра

head of the department, chief of the department, chair (man, woman) -- зав. кафедрой

substitute -- заместитель

teaching instructor (TI) -- преподаватель

professor -- профессор

dean -- декан

Rector -- ректор

teaching staff, faculty members -- преподавательский состав

full-time student -- студент(ка) дневного отделения

part-time student -- студент(ка) «вечерник»

student of distant education -- студент(ка) «заочник»

student of preparatory courses -- слушатель подкурсов, «подкурсник» undergraduate student -- студент 1-4(5) курсов

graduate student -- студент 5-6 курсов (магистрант, аспирант)

Exercise 3.1. Tell about:

a) your secondary school (college)

b) the faculty of your university

c) your favourite teacher at school.

Exercise 3.2. Do you know?

1) When was your University or Academy established?

2) Who was the first Rector?

3) Were there any famous a) scientists, engineers b) politicians c) artists among the graduates of your Institute?

4) How many people are currently enrolled?

5) What is the most popular faculty in your Academy?

Exercise 3.3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

a) Larger schools are better than smaller ones.

b) It is impossible to enter the university if you haven't attended preparatory courses.

c) The best professors are the oldest ones.

d) It is better to live in a dormitory or student hostel than to rent an apartment.

e) Professors always know more than students and teaching instructors.

Text B: «MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY»

Moscow State University is the oldest, autonomous, self-governing and state-supported institution of higher learning, founded in 1755 by the scientist Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov. Located in Moscow, the university is composed of faculties of biology, chemistry, computational mathematics and cybernetics, economics, foreign languages, fundamental medicine, geography, geology, history, journalism, law, mechanics and mathematics, physics, psychology, sociology, and soil sciences, as well as an institute of Asian and African Studies. Several museums, colleges, and a number of institutes are affiliated with Moscow University, and a preparatory faculty teaches Russian language and other subjects to foreign students.

Except for the science faculties and some of the arts faculties -- which are situated in south-western Moscow -- the remainder of the faculties are located in the older university buildings in the centre of the city. A diploma in a given field of study is awarded after five or five and a half years of study. After three additional years and the completion of a thesis, the kandidat nauk degree is awarded. The highest degree, the Doctor of Sciences, may be attained upon completion of a thesis based on independent research.

GRAMMAR

А) Безличные и неопределенно-личные предложения.

Английские предложения отличаются от русских тем, что в них всегда есть подлежащее и сказуемое. Поэтому в безличных предложениях, когда нет подлежащего, используется в качестве формального подлежащего местоимение it.

It is cold today. Сегодня холодно.

Как видим, безличные предложения такого типа состоят из местоимения it, которое не переводится, глагола-связки в нужном по смыслу времени и именной части сказуемого, выраженного чаще всего именем прилагательным. Именная часть может быть также выражена именем существительным или именем числительным.

It's nice to meet you. Приятно познакомиться.

It is nine o'clock now. Сейчас девять часов.

Очень часто безличные предложения описывают явление природы, состояние погоды, обозначают время, расстояние.

Вопросительная и отрицательная формы безличных предложений образуются по тем же правилам, что и вопросительные и отрицательные формы предложений с именным составным сказуемым.

Is it cold? -- Холодно?

Wasn't it interesting? -- Разве это не было интересно?

Частица not ставится после первого вспомогательного глагола.

Exercise 3.4. Переведите на английский язык.

1. Сегодня холодно. 2. Идет снег целый день. 3. Сейчас утро. 4. Было приятно познакомиться с вашим другом. 5. Поздно. Пора спать. 6. Разве это не смешно? 7. Сейчас уже 10 часов утра. 8. На улице холодно? 9. Сейчас ранняя весна, но уже тепло. 10. Это далеко отсюда?

В) Неопределенные местоимения some. any. отрицательное местоимение по и их производные.

Употребление some и any, а также их производных определяется типом предложения.

В утвердительном предложении употребляются, как правило, местоимение some и его производные:

Give me something to read, please. I met him somewhere before.

В вопросительных и отрицательных предложениях обычно используются местоимение any и его производные:

Have you seen him anywhere? Is there anything I can do for you?

В отрицательных предложениях используется либо местоимение any и его производные:

I cannot find this book anywhere.

либо отрицательное местоимение по

There is nobody in that room. There isn't anybody in that room.

Различия между местоимениями any и some -- в степени неопределенности, поэтому иногда местоимение any можно встретить и в утвердительных предложениях:

You can find this book anywhere. -- Эту книгу вы можете найти где угодно.

Exercise 3.5. Make 16 pronouns and translate them:

Образец: some + body = somebody -- кто-то, кто-нибудь

some body

any one

no thing

every where

Exercise 3.6. Insert somebody, anybody, nobody or everybody:

l. The question was so difficult that... could answer it. 2.... left his bag in our classroom yesterday. 3. Has... in this group got a dictionary? 4. I am afraid there is... in the office now. It is too late. 5.... knows that water is necessary for plants. 6. Is there... here who knows English? 7. You must find... who can help you. 6.... knew anything about our home task. 9.... can answer this question. It is very easy. 10. There is... in the next room. I don't know him. 11. Please tell us the story,... knows it. 12. Is there... in my group who lives in the hostel? 13. Has... here got a red pencil?

Exercise 3.7. Translate into English:

1. Тут есть кто-нибудь? 2. В саду никого нет. 3. В нашей комнате есть кто-нибудь? 4. В классе есть кто-то. 5. Там никого нет. 6. В саду есть кто-нибудь? 7. На столе есть что-нибудь? -- Нет, там ничего нет. 8. В сумке что-то есть. 9. В этой книге есть что-нибудь интересное? 10. На стене есть какие-нибудь картины? -- Да, там есть несколько. 11. В кабинете директора есть кто-нибудь? -- Нет, там никого нет. 12. В нашей библиотеке есть какие-то книги на английском языке. 13. В вашей библиотеке есть какие-нибудь книги на английском языке? 14. Мой друг не хочет мне ничего сказать. 15. Я хочу провести летние каникулы где-нибудь на берегу Черного моря. 16. Если вы голодны, поищите что-нибудь в холодильнике. 17. Расскажите нам все о вашем путешествии. 18. Никто нигде не помог ему.

UNIT 4

MY HOME TOWN

I. Гласные звуки [u:], [u].

II. Text A: «Sochi».

Text B: «Rostov-on-Don».

II1.§1. Местоимения little и few и местоименные выражения a little и a few.

§2. Оборот there is / there are.

Гласный звук [u:]

При произнесении долгого гласного звука [u:] губы напряжены и сильно округлены, но гораздо меньше выдвинуты вперед, чем при русском звуке [у]: moon. На письме передается буквосочетанием двойное О, за исключением случаев перед буквой k.

Например: soon -- скоро, вскоре, moon -- луна

Исключение: book -- книга (краткое и)

Гласный звук [u]

При произнесении краткого гласного звука [u] губы заметно округлены, но не выдвинуты вперед, язык оттянут назад, но несколько меньше, чем для и: (u долгого). Звук напоминает безударный русский звук [у] в словах пустой, тупой, произнесенный без выдвижения губ вперед:

hook -- крюк, look -- взгляд

Запомните слова, в которых в качестве исключения произносится [u]: put -- класть, pull -- тянуть, push -- толкать, full -- полный

Exercise A	Exercise С	Exercise D
too -- tooth -- food boot -- fool -- foot soon -- spoon -- tooth boot -- mood -- shook	fool -- pool -- hook fool -- too -- book cook -- boot -- loop foot -- cool -- mood	pull (тянуть) -- pool (бассейн) tool (инструмент) -- full (полный)
Exercise В	shook - soon - spoon - moon
took -- shook -- nook
hook -- look -- cook

Text A: «SOCHI»

«Big Sochi -- the best place on the Earth!»

Hello, everyone! Here is Ann Sokolova again. This time I'll tell you about my lovely hometown -- Sochi. I am sure everyone knows where Sochi is. For those who are not really sure I remind that it is situated on the Black Sea coast about 1500 km south from Moscow.

But what makes this city so special? Sochi is called the city of three seasons because there's no winter here. As we usually say, «the golden autumn slowly turns into the early spring.» When golden leaves slowly fall down on the earth the first flowers begin to blossom. Sochi is the only northern subtropical city in Russia. One can bathe in the Black Sea from May till October because the water of the Black Sea is still warm. The water of the Black Sea contains many chemical substances such as iodine, chlorine, bromine, sulphates, carbonates, sodium, potassium, etc. All of them react with your body and make you healthier. There are many mineral water springs in Sochi and its area.

Have you ever heard the name Big Sochi? Sochi is one of the most stretched cities along the sea coast -- it is 148 km long! Small towns and cities Adler, Khosta, Kudepsta, Dagomys and Lazarevskoye belong to Big Sochi!

The history of this area goes back to the ancient times. One can call this area «the Cradle of Mankind». People came here from the Asia Minor 400-350 thousand years ago. There are more than 150 historical places of interest in the area. Here the camps and caves of prehistoric people have been found.

The dolmens -- massive prehistoric grave structures from the 2nd thousand B.C. are the features of the Bronze era. The most ancient five-stone dolmens are found in the Sochi area. Travellers of the 19th century called dolmens «the houses of the giants» because each grave stone weighs from 500 to 3000 kg. It is still uncertain what technical developments made it possible to construct such structures.

The rich lands of Caucasus always attracted invaders: Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Genuese, Turks.

In the VI^th century B.C. the Black Sea coast attracted Greek colonists, who have based a number of trade-settlements, such as Dioscuria (modern city of Sukhumi), Pitiunt (Pitsunda), Triglif (Gagra).

Christian religion was brought over from the Byzantynne three centuries earlier than to Russia. In the end of X^th -- beginning of the XI^th centuries A.D. the first known Christian constructions were built in Loo, Galitsino and Veseloye.

During the XVIII^th-XIX^th centuries Russia conducted long wars with Turkey for the exit to the Black Sea. In 1829, after the end of Russian-Turkish war, by the peace treaty the Black Sea coast of Caucasus, from the mouth of the Kuban river up to a fort St.Nicholas (to the south of modern city Poti), has departed to Russia.

Symbol of the victory of the Russian weapon in the war of 1829 is the monument near modern hotel «Leningrad» -- «Anchor and Cannon».

The end of Russian-Turkish war has not solved all the problems of strengthening of Russia on the Black Sea coast. The Black Sea coastal line consisting of 17 forts was created with this purpose.

On April 21st, 1838 a small wooden fortress was established in the Sochi river area to protect this land from local tribes. It was named Alexandria in honour of emperess Alexandra. It was renamed one year later, on May 18, 1839 and became Navaginskoye. But in 1854, because of the beginning of the Crimean war, the fortress was destroyed by Russian army. Russians left this area. Only 10 years later, on March 25th, 1864 the new fortress named Dakhovskiy was established on the place of the Navaginskiy fortress.

In 1896 by the decision of the Tsarist government fortress Dakhovskiy was renamed in the settlement of Sochi, after the name of the river Sochi.

In the end of XIX^th century the Black Sea coast was intensively occupied by the immigrants from central parts of Russia, Moldova, the Ukraine, Byelorussia, Georgia and Armenians and Greeks from Turkey. The Sochi district becomes multinational area of Russian Empire.

In Soviet times Sochi was a quickly developing port, industrial and resort city on the Black Sea. The fast development of the city and construction of modern houses was due to Joseph Stalin's sympathy to this place. Many streets in the center of Sochi look like the center of Moscow built in 30s and 50s.

Until now the favourite residence of Russian Presidents was Bocharov creek (ручей). Ski resorts of Krasnaya polyana, warm blue waters of Black Sea, luxurious tennis courts create irresistable atmosphere around the place.

I guess, I have taken a lot of your attention already. You know yourself what a popular resort is Sochi nowadays. Just buy the ticket and have your suitcases packed!

Vocabulary:

to remind -- напоминать

to turn into -- прeвращаться (во что-либо)

blossom -- цвести

chemical substances -- химические вещества

iodine -- йод

chlorine -- хлор

bromine -- бром

sulphate сульфат

carbonates -- карбонаты

sodium -- натрий

potassium -- калий

to be stretched -- быть вытянутым

events -- события, мероприятия

«the Cradle of Mankind» -- «колыбель человечества»

B.C. (Before Christ) -- до н.э.

Asia Minor -- п-ов Малая Азия

camp -- лагерь

cave [keiv] -- пещера

Bronze era -- бронзовый век

pre-historic -- доисторический

grave structures -- могильники

dolmens -- дольмены

features -- особенности

to weigh -- весить

uncertain -- неопреленный

construct -- возводить, строить

attract -- привлекать

invader -- захватчик

trade-settlements -- торговые поселения, фактории

Byzantynne -- Византия

A.D. -- (Anno Domini) -- нашей эры (н.э.)

to conduct -- проводить

exit -- выход

peace treaty ['tri:ti] -- мирный договор

mouth of the river -- устье реки

weapon -- оружие

anchor -- якорь

cannon -- пушка

purpose -- цель

fortress -- форт, укрепление

in honour of emperess Alexandra -- в честь императрицы Александры

to be occupied -- быть занятым, заселенным

due to -- благодаря (кому-либо, чему-либо)

luxurious -- роскошный

irresistible -- неотразимый

ADD TO YOUR ACTIVE VOCABULARY:

village -- село, деревня

cossack's settlement -- казачья станица

town -- небольшой город

suburbs -- пригороды

city -- крупный город

center of the region -- районный центр

capital of the republic -- столица республики

capital of the federal district -- столица федерального округа

ancient history -- древняя история

medieval history -- средневековая история

Dark Ages -- средние века

Tsarist's Russia -- царская Россия

Great October revolution -- Великая октябрьская революция

Great Patriotic War -- Великая Отечественная война

WWII (World War II) -- вторая мировая война

soviet times -- советские времена

former USSR -- бывший СССР

c) historical center -- исторический центр

cultural center -- культурный центр

trade center -- торговый центр

transport center -- транспортный центр

Exercise 4.1. Translate into English:

1. Мой родной город был основан во время царствования Николая I.

2. Первое укрепление на месте современного Сочи было названо в честь императрицы Александры.

3. Во время Великой отечественной войны немецкие войска дважды захватывали наш город.

4. Владимир -- один из древнейших русских городов.

5. Мягкий климат и плодородные земли всегда привлекали захватчиков на берега Кубани.

6. Великий русский изобретатель Владимир Комаров жил и работал в нашем городе.

7. Современный Новороссийск -- это крупнейший портовый город на побережье Черного моря.

8. Наш город является одновременно крупным индустриальным и историческим центром региона.

Exercise 4.2. Answer the following questions:

1. Do you study in your hometown or you just live here while studying?

2. Do you like the city where you study? Why and why not?

3. Do you know the history of your hometown?

4. When was your hometown founded?

5. Do you know any famous people who were born in your hometown?

6. What are the places of interest in your hometown?

7. What is your favourite place in your hometown?

Exercise 4.3. Derive the adjective (прилагательное) from the noun (существительное):

* history -- historical

* military --

* culture --

* science --

* industry --

* trade --

* agriculture --

* administration --

* politics --

Text B: «ROSTOV-ON-DON»

Rostov-on-Don, the capital of the Southern federal district and Rostov region, is a comparatively young city. Not so long ago Rostovites celebrated its 250^th anniversary. The city was founded in 1749 when a custom-house on the Temernik river was set up. According to a legend, Tsar Peter the First tried the water from a spring when he stopped on the right bank of the Don on his way to Azov. He was so pleased with the taste of water that he called the spring «Bogaty istochnik» -- Rich spring. The name of the spring gave the name to the street. The water is being bottled now and sold all over the country.

But only years later, after the death of Tsar Peter I, under the rule of Katherine II a fortress was built here. The main purpose of the fortress was to support the customs effectively operating in this trade and transport active region. The fortress was named after Dimitry Rostovsky, the Archbishop of Rostov the Great. The town grew later on, round the walls of the fortress and it was also called «Rostov which lies on the river Don».

Rostov is situated on the right bank of the river Don, not far from the Sea of Azov. Due to its geographical position the city grew rapidly.

After the hard years of the Civil War Rostovites restored the ruined economy of the region.

During the World War II Rostov was occupied by the Germans twice. They destroyed almost all the city. Nowadays Rostov is the largest city in the South of the country. It's a big sea and river port and an important railway junction. Rostov is called «The Gateway to the Caucasus».

The main branch of industry is agricultural machine building. «Rostselmash» is a giant machine building plant producing a lot of agricultural machines. Factories of Rostov produce champagne, cigarettes, musical instruments which are well-known abroad. There is also a big helicopter plant in Rostov.

Rostov is the cultural centre of the Rostov region. There are many educational establishments in Rostov including the Rostov State University founded in Warsaw in 1815. There are six theatres in Rostov (Gorky Drama Theatre, Philharmonic, Puppet Theatre, Theatre of Musical Comedy, Theatre of Young Spectators and Musical Theatre).

There are two museums (Local Lore Museum, Fine Arts Museum), eight stadiums, several Palaces of Culture, a lot of cinemas, libraries, parks and gardens.

Rostov is famous for many prominent people who lived here.

The city is very green. There are a lot of parks in the city. In summer you can see a lot of people on the beach on the left bank of the Don river.

General understanding:

1. What is the status of Rostov-on-Don now?

2. Is Rostov-on-Don an old city?

3. What role did Peter the Great play in the history of Rostov-on-Don?

4. Why did Peter the Great call the spring «rich».

5. When was the first fortress built? How was it called?

GRAMMAR

§1. Местоимения little и few и местоименные выражения a little и a few.

Местоимение little и местоименное выражение a little употребляются с неисчисляемыми существительными, местоимение few и местоименное выражение a few -- с исчисляемыми:

Give me a little water, please. There is little milk in the bottle.

I have a few friends in Minsk I've got only few pencils in the box.

Местоимения few и little означают «мало», а местоименные выражения a few и a little -- «немного».

Much (много) употребляется с неисчисляемыми существительными, many (много) -- с исчисляемыми.

Exercise 4.4. Insert much, many, little, a little, few, a few:

1. I'd like to say... words about my travelling. 2. She gave him... water to wash his hands and face. 3. He had... English books at home, so he had to go to the library. 4. After the lesson everybody felt... tired. 5. Let's stay here... longer. I like it here. 6. There were... new words in the text and Peter spent... time learning them. 7. There was... sugar in the bowl, and we had to put... sugar there. 8. My mother knows German... and she can help you with the translation of this text. 10. When we walked... farther down the road we met another group of pupils. 11. Have you got... time before the lesson?

Exercise 4.5. Translate into English:

Много тетрадей, много молока, много воды, много дней, много газет, много мела, много снега, много лет, много картин, много музыки, много сахара, много чая, много лимонов, много мяса, много комнат, много учителей, много работы, много воздуха, много птиц, много машин.

Exercise 4.6. Insert much or many:

1. Please don't ask me... questions. 2. How... money have you got? 3.1 never eat... bread with soup. 4. Why did you eat so... ice-cream? 5. She wrote us... letters from the country. 6.... of these students don't like to look up words in the dictionary. 7.... in this work was too difficult for me. 8. He spent... time writing his composition in Literature. 9. There were... plates on the table. 10. Thank you very... ! 11.... of my friends are preparing for their entrance examinations now. 12. I don't like... sugar in my tea.

Exercise 4.7. Translate into English:

1. В стакане есть немного молока. 2. В тетради осталось мало чистых страниц. 3. У тебя много кофе? -- Нет, очень мало. 4. Немногие из англичан говорят по-русски. 5. У них здесь очень мало друзей. 6. У него очень мало времени для чтения. 7. У Петра много русских книг и мало английских книг. 8. У меня есть немного времени вечером, чтобы закончить эту работу. 9. Я провожу много времени в библиотеке, потому что я готовлюсь к экзаменам.

§2. Оборот there is / there are.

Оборот there is / there are служит для выражения наличия (отсутствия) какого-либо предмета в определенном месте или в определенное время. Формы прошедшего и будущего времени: there was, there were и there will be.

There are some pictures on the wall. На стене несколько картин.

There was nobody in the room. В комнате никого не было.

Выбор формы глагола to be зависит от числа существительного, следующего сразу за ним:

There is a chair and two armchairs in the room.

There are two armchairs and a chair in the room. Вопросительные предложения с оборотом there is / there are строятся следующим образом

Общий вопрос: Is there anything in the bag? Will there be lessons tomorrow?

Специальный вопрос: What is there in the bag?

Разделительный вопрос. There are some pupils in the classroom, aren't there?

Exercise 4.8. Insert to be in the right form:

1.There... a telegram on the table. 2.... there any telegrams from Moscow? Yes, there... some. 3.... there... a flight for Moscow tomorrow? Yes, there.... 4. There... much snow last winter. 5.There... a lot of stars and planets in space. 6.... there... a lift in your future house? Yes, there....... 7. Some years ago there... many old houses in our street. 8.... there any lectures yesterday? No, there... 9.... there a lamp over the table? Yes, there.... 10.... there any interesting stories in this book? 11.... there a test last lesson? No, there.... 12. Soon there...... a new film on.

Exercise 4.9. Translate the following sentences and put general questions to them:

1. There are some new pupils in our group. 2. There is no book on the table. 3. There were many old houses in our street. 4. There are 4 seasons in a year. 5. There will be a conference next week. 6. There are many large cities in our country. 7. There was nobody in the room. 8. There are 7 days in a week. 9. There is something on the shelf. 10. There are many places of interest in London. 11. There are many beautiful flowers in our garden. 12. There was much work last week.

Exercise 4.10. Rewrite the following sentences in Past Indefinite and Future Indefinite, translate them into Russian:

1. There is much snow in winter. 2. There are 4 theatres in our city. 3. There is no lift in our house. 4. There are many new books in our library. 5. There is little milk in the bottle. 6. There are 3 rooms in our flat. 7. There is a map on the wall.

UNIT 5

RUSSIA IS MY HOMELAND

I. Гласные звуки [o:], [o], дифтонг [эu].

II. Text A: «The Russian Federation», Text B: «Moscow».

III. §1. Времена английского глагола,

§2. Правильные и неправильные глаголы.

Гласный звук [o:] -- долгий гласный. Для того, чтобы правильно произнести звук, следует придать органам речи положение, как при произнесении звука [а:], затем значительно округлить губы и несколько выдвинуть их вперед.

Гласный звук [o]. Для того, чтобы произнести, следует исходить из положения органов речи при произнесении звука [а:], затем слегка округлить губы и произнести краткий звук [э].

Дифтонг [эu]. Звук представляет собой нечто среднее между русскими звуками [о] и [э]. Губы при произнесении начала этого дифтонга слегка растянуты и округлены. Скольжение происходит в направлении гласного [u].

Exercise A more -- score -- tore floor -- for -- form fork -- pork -- sport dawn -- hawk -- because	Exercise С tone -- note -- smoke cone -- loan -- moan code -- hope -- cope lobe -- mould -- gold boat -- soap -- coat
Exercise В not -- top -- hot dot -- mop -- mob

Text A: «THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION»

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. It occupies about 1/6 of the Earth surface. The country is situated in Eastern Europe, Northern and Central Asia. Its total area is over 17 million square km.

Our land is washed by 12 seas, most of which are the seas of three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific. In the south and in the west the country borders on fourteen countries. It also has a sea-border with the USA.

There is hardly a country in the world where such a great variety of flora and fauna can be found as in our land. Our country has numerous forests, plains and steppes, taiga and tundra, highlands and deserts. The highest mountains in our land are the Altai, the Urals and the Caucasus. There are over two thousand rivers in the Russian Federation. The longest of them are the Volga, the Ob, the Yenisei, the Lena and the Amur. Our land is also rich in various lakes with the deepest lake in the world, the Baikal, included.

On the Russian territory there are 11 time zones. The climate conditions are rather different: from arctic and moderate to continental and subtropical. Our country is one of the richest in natural resources countries in the world: oil, natural gas, coal, different ores, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other minerals.

The Russian Federation is a multinational state. It comprises many national districts, several autonomous republics and regions. The population of the country is about 140 million people.

Moscow is the capital of our Homeland. It is the largest political, scientific, cultural and industrial center of the country and one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. Russian is the official language of the state. The national symbols of the Russian Federation are a white-blue-red banner and a double-headed eagle.

The Russian Federation is a constitutional republic headed by the President. The country government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The President controls only the executive branch -- the government, but not the Supreme Court and Federal Assembly.

The legislative power belongs to the Federal Assembly comprising two chambers: the Council of Federation (upper Chamber) and the State Duma (lower Chamber). Each chamber is headed by the Speaker. The executive power belongs to the government (the Cabinet of Ministers) headed by the Prime Minister. The judicial power belongs to the system of Courts comprising the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and federal courts.

Our country has a multiparty system. The largest and most influential political parties are the «Unity», the Communist party, the «Fatherland-All Russia», «The Union of the Right Forces», «The Apple», Liberal-Democratic and some others.

The foreign policy of the Russian Federation is that of international cooperation, peace and friendship with all nations irrespective of their political and social systems.

Vocabulary:

to occupy -- занимать

surface -- поверхность

total area -- общая площадь

to border on -- граничить с

numerous -- многочисленные

steppes -- степи

taiga -- тайга

highlands -- горные возвышенности

the Urals -- Уральские горы

the Caucasus -- Кавказ

climate conditions -- климатические условия

moderate -- умеренный

ore --руда

ferrous and non-ferrous metals -- черные и цветные металлы

state -- государство

to comprise -- включать, охватывать

banner -- знамя, флаг

legislative -- законодательный

executive -- исполнительная

judicial -- судебная

Federal Assembly -- Федеральное Собрание

the Council of Federation -- Совет Федерации

State Duma -- Государственная Дума

Supreme Court -- Верховный суд

influential -- влиятельный

foreign policy -- международная политика

irrespective -- независимо

General understanding:

1. Is Russia the largest country in the world?

2. What oceans wash the borders of the Russian Federation?

3. How many countries have borders with Russia?

4. Are Russian flora and fauna various?

5. What are the highest mountains in Russia?

6. What is Baikal famous for?

7. What is the climate in Russia like?

8. What is the national symbol of Russia?

9. What does the Federal Assembly consist of?

10. Who is the head of each Chamber of the Federal Assembly?

Exercise 5.1. Translate into English:

1. Общая площадь Российской федерации составляет более 17 миллионов километров.

2. В мире вряд ли есть еще одна страна с такой разнообразной флорой и фауной.

3. Озеро Байкал -- самое глубокое озеро на земном шаре и служит предметом гордости россиян.

4. На территории Российской федерации существует 11 часовых поясов.

5. Россия является конституционной республикой с президентской формой правления.

6. Законодательная власть принадлежит Федеральному Собранию, состоящему из двух палат.

7. В Российском парламенте представлены такие партии, как «Единство», КПРФ, «Отечество--Вся Россия», «Яблоко», СПС, ЛДПР.

8. Законодательная и судебная власти прямо не подчиняются Президенту.

Exercise 5.2. How well do you know your Homeland?

What is (are):

* the biggest Russian lake?

* the longest Russian river (in European and Asian parts of the Russian Federation)?

* a city with subtropical climate?

* cities with arctic climate?

* agricultural regions?

* old historical cities?

* places of recreation and tourism?

Text B: «MOSCOW»

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. It is also the capital of Moscow Oblast, and it stands on the Moskva River. Moscow is the economic, political and cultural centre of Russia. Railways and numerous airlines link the city with all parts of Russia. Navigable waterways, including the Moscow Canal, Moskva River, and Volga-Don Canal, make the port areas of the city directly accessible to shipping from the Baltic, White, Black, and Caspian seas and the Sea of Azov.

Moscow covers an area of about 880 sq.km. Concentric boulevards divide the city into several sections. At the centre of the concentric circles (and semicircles) are the Kremlin, the former governmental seat of Russia, and adjacent Red Square, which form the centre of a radial street pattern. Moscow has a modern underground system famous for its marble-walled stations.

Situated on the north bank of the Moskva River, the Kremlin is the dominant landmark of Moscow. A stone wall, up to 21 m in height and 19 towers, surrounds this triangular complex of former palaces, cathedrals, and other monuments of tsarist times, some of them dating from the Middle Ages. The Great Kremlin Palace, completed in 1849, is the most imposing structure within the Kremlin. Other notable Kremlin palaces are the Granovitaya Palace (1491) and the Terem (1636).

Among many cathedrals, now used mainly as museums, are the Cathedral of the Assumption (Успения) and the Archangel Cathedral, each with five gilded domes, and the Cathedral of the Annunciation (Благовещения) (13th-14th century), with nine gilded domes. Another landmark of the Kremlin is the Tower of Ivan the Great, a bell tower 98 m high. On a nearby pedestal is the Tsar's Bell (nearly 200 tons), one of the largest in the world. A recent addition to the Kremlin is the Palace of Congresses, completed in 1961. In this huge modern building were held meetings of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and congresses of the Communist party of the Soviet Union; theatrical and other artistic performances have been held here as well.

St Basil's Cathedral, famous for its unique architecture and coloured domes, stands at one end of Red Square.

One of the best-known sections of Moscow is the Kitaigorod (Chinese City), the ancient commercial quarter lying to the east of the Kremlin. This section is now the site of many government office buildings. Other points of interest in Moscow include the Central Lenin Stadium, comprising about 130 buildings for various sports and the tall Ostankino TV tower, which contains a revolving restaurant and an observation platform.

General understanding:

1. Where is Moscow located?

2. Is Moscow a port city?

3. How is Moscow divided into sections?

4. What is known about Moscow Underground system?

5. What are the places of interest in Moscow?

6. Why is the Kremlin the most important place of interest for tourists?

7. What Russian Orthodox cathedrals are situated inside the Kremlin?

8. What is Palace of Congresses used for at present time?

Exercise 5.3. Where are these places of interest situated?

* Granovitaya Palace

* Terem

* the Red Square

* the Kremlin

* the Great Kremlin Palace

* the Cathedral of the Assumption

* the Archangel Cathedral

* the Cathedral of the Annunciation

* the Tower of Ivan the Great

* the Tsar's Bell

* the Palace of Congresses

* St Basil's Cathedral

* the Central Lenin Stadium

Exercise 5.4. Please, write a short story about your visit to Moscow. The following questions will certainly help you:

1) Have you ever been to Moscow?

2) If yes, when was it?

3) Was it a business trip or a pleasure tour?

4) Did you fly, take a bus or a train to Moscow?

5) What railway station (airport) did you arrive at?

6) What was your first impression of Moscow?

7) What places of interest have you visited?

8) Where did you stay in Moscow?

9) How long did you stayed in Moscow?

10) Did you enjoy your visit to Moscow?

GRAMMAR

§1. Времена английского глагола.

Таблица временных форм глагола

TENSE ВРЕМЯ	Indefinite (Simple) Простое	Continuous Длительное	Perfect Завершенное
Present Настоящее	I write Я пишу (вообще, обычно)	I am writing Я пишу (сейчас)	I have written Я (уже) написал
Past Прошедшее	I wrote Я(на)писал (вчера)	I was writing Я писал (в тот момент)	I had written Я написал (уже к тому моменту)
Future Будущее	I shall/will write Я напишу, буду писать (завтра)	I shall/will be writing Я буду писать (в тот момент)	I shall/will have written Я напишу (уже к тому моменту)

Глаголы в формах Indefinite (Simple) описывают обычные, повторяющиеся действия как факт -- безотносительно к их длительности или к результату действия:

I go to school every day. -- Я хожу в школу каждый день. В этом высказывании интересует не время, потраченное на дорогу, не процесс движения, не результат походов, а сам факт: я хожу в школу, а не на работу.

То же самое относится к прошедшему времени и к будущему:

I went to school when I was a boy. -- Я ходил в школу, когда был мальчиком.

I shall go to school when I grow up. -- Я буду ходить в школу, когда вырасту.

Отрицательная и вопросительная формы в Indefinite образуются при помощи вспомогательных глаголов do, does, did с частицей not, краткая форма: don't, doesn't, didn't. Порядок слов прямой. Вопросительные предложения образуются, как правило, простой перестановкой подлежащего и вспомогательного глагола. Вопросительные местоимения при этом стоят всегда впереди.

Не is a student. -- Is he a student?

We do not write much. -- Do we write much?

You have a computer. -- What do you have?

She does not live in Moscow. -- Does she live in Moscow?

He didn't like the film. -- Did he like the film?

Особую группу составляют разъединительные вопросы, которые переводятся как утверждения плюс «не так ли?» Они применимы к любому времени. Например:

You speak English, don't you? Вы говорите по-английски, не так ли?

Но: Let us speak English, shall we? Давайте говорить по-английски, хорошо?

§2. Правильные и неправильные глаголы.

По способу образования прошедшего времени все глаголы в английском языке можно разделить на две группы: правильные и неправильные. У правильных глаголов вторая и третья формы (Past Indefinite Tense и Past Participle -- простое прошедшее время и причастие прошедшего времени) совпадают между собой и образуются путем прибавления к основе глагола окончания -ed (-d):

to ask -- asked, to change -- changed, to receive -- received, to work-- worked

При этом существует ряд особенностей:

а) если глагол оканчивается на -у с предшествующей согласной, то буква у меняется на i и добавляется окончание -ed

to supply -- supplied, to apply -- applied

если глагол оканчивается на -у с предшествующей гласной, то буква у не меняется и добавляется окончание -ed

to stay -- stayed to play -- played

б) если глагол оканчивается на согласную с предшествующим кратким гласным звуком, то согласная на конце удваивается:

to stop -- stopped

После звонких согласных и гласных звуков окончание -ed или -d произносится как [d] loved, said, а после глухих согласных как [t] looked.

После звуков [d] и [t] на конце слова окончание -ed (-d) произносится как [id] landed, started.

Неправильные глаголы образуют вторую и третью формы различными способами, без четких правил. Это наиболее часто употребляемые глаголы.

Глаголы в формах Continuous описывают действие как процесс, как длительность -- в соотнесенности с определенным моментом в прошлом, настоящем или будущем:

I am reading a book now. -- Я читаю книгу (сейчас, в настоящий момент).

I was reading a book yesterday at 5 o'clock. -- Я читал книгу вчера в 5 часов.

I will be reading a book tomorrow at 7 o'clock. -- Я буду читать книгу завтра в семь часов.

Помимо этой функции, глаголы в Present Continuous Tense выражают действие, отнесенное в ближайшее будущее:

We are leaving for Moscow in July. -- Мы уезжаем в Москву в июле.

Глаголы в формах Perfect выражают действие завершенное, приведшее к определенному результату (или к отсутствию результата). Можно сказать, что с помощью форм Perfect мы подводим итоги определенному периоду времени, определенных действий. Время подведения итогов -- либо настоящий момент Present Perfect, либо момент в прошлом Past Perfect, либо -- в будущем Future Perfect.

I have written the letter. (Present Perfect) -- Я (только что) написал письмо (передо мной письмо как результат).

I had written the letter when he came. (Past Perfect) -- Я написал письмо, когда он пришел. (2 действия, одно завершилось раньше другого)

I will have written the letter by 10 o'clock tomorrow. (Future Perfect) -- Я напишу письмо к 10 часам завтpa. (действие завершится к определенному моменту времени в будущем).

Exercise 5.5. Open the brackets:

1. He (know) several foreign languages.

2. I (learn) English at school.

3. Usually the train (leave) at 10 o'clock.

4. Our grandparents (live) now in Moscow.

5. He (visit) them regularly last year.

6. As a rule I (go) to my Academy by bus.

7. She (work) abroad next year.

8. She (not like) poems.

9. Your children usually (ask) many questions.

10. At present he (work) at school.

11. My brother (like) music.

12. What you (do) yesterday?

13. His sister (go) to the seaside next July.

14. Soon we (leave) the school.

15. Who (take) his book yesterday?

Exercise 5.6. Put the verb to write in the appropriate form:

1. We often... letters to our parents.

2. What... you... now?

3. Yesterday they...... tests from 10 till 12 o'clock.

4. Who...... this letter tomorrow?

5. I...... some letters last week.

6. What... you... tomorrow at 10?

7. When I came in she...... a letter.

8. Do you often... letters to your parents?

9. I... not... this article now. I...... it in some days.

10.... he... his report at the moment?

11. What... she... in the evening yesterday?

12. As a rule he... tests well.

Exercise 5.7. Put the verbs in brackets in the right form:

1. Peter and Ann (go) away five minutes ago. 2. I (write) the letter but I (not send) it. 3. He just (go) away. 4. She already (answer) the letter. 5. She (answer) it on Tuesday. 6. I just (tell) you the answer. 7. I (read) that book in my summer holidays. 8. The greengrocer (sell) now all his vegetables. 9. He (sell) all of them half an hour ago. 10. I (not see) him for three years. I (be) glad to see him again some time. 11. What you (do)? I (copy) the text from the text-book now. 12. He (go) to Moscow next week? 13. He (not smoke) for a month. He is trying to give it up. 14. When he (arrive)? -- He (arrive) at 2:00. 15. You (switch off) the light before you left the house? 16. I (read) these books when I was at school. I (like) them very much. 17. I can't go out because I (not finish) my work. 18. I already (tell) you the answer yesterday. 19. What you (do) tomorrow in the morning? 20. I (not meet) him last week. 21. I usually (leave) home at seven and (get) here at twelve. 22. Here is your watch. I just (find) it. 23. You (not have) your breakfast yet?

Exercise 5.8. Translate into English. Pay attention to the Tense used:

1. Я никогда об этом не слышал. 2. Мальчику только четыре года, но он уже научился читать. 3. Вы уже переехали на новую квартиру? 4. Вы сделали много ошибок в диктанте. 5. Вы когда-нибудь видели этого писателя? 6. В этом месяце я прочитал две новых книги. 7. Мой приятель уехал в Киев неделю назад и еще не писал мне. 8. Я не видел своего брата за последнее время. 9. Вы читали сегодня в газете статью о нашем новом театре? 10. Вы были когда-нибудь в Лондоне? -- Нет, я поеду туда в этом году. 11. Вы уже прочитали эту книгу? -- Как она вам понравилась? 12. Я хотел посмотреть этот фильм на прошлой неделе, но смог посмотреть его только вчера. 13. В этом году я собираюсь поступать в институт. 14. Ваш сын уже окончил институт? 15. Его дочь окончила школу в прошлом году.

Exercise 5.9. Translate into English:

1. Он писал письмо, когда я пришел к нему. 2. Он делал свою работу, пока его братья играли в футбол. 3. Я упал, когда бежал за автобусом. 4. Мы делали уроки, когда пошел дождь. 5. Когда учитель давал урок, новая ученица вошла в класс. 6. Когда зазвонил телефон, я работал в саду. 7. Я увидел своих одноклассников, когда я шел по улице. 8. Начался дождь, когда мы наблюдали за игрой.

Exercise 5.10. Put the verbs in brackets in the right form. Use Past Tenses:

1. When I (arrive) the lecture already (start). 2. Peter (sit) in a dark room with a book. I told him that he (read) in very bad light. 3. Mother (make) a cake when the light (go) out. She had to finish it in the dark. 4. When I arrived Jenny (leave), so we only had time for a few words. 5. John (have) a bath when the phone rang. He (get) out of the bath and (go) to answer it. 6. When we (come) to the airport, the plane already (land). 7. He suddenly (realize) that he (travel) in the wrong direction. 8. You looked very busy when I saw you last night. What you (do)? 9. I (call) Paul at 7.00 but it wasn't necessary because he already (get) up. 10. When I (see) him he (cross) the street. 11. While he (water) the flowers it (begin) to rain. 12. Ann said that she (be) on holiday. I (say) that I (hope) that she (enjoy) herself. 13. When I (look) through your books I (notice) that you (have) a copy of Jack London. 14. She said that she (not like) her present flat and (try) to find another. 15. When Ann (finish) her homework she (turn) on TV.