Text 2 Altai State Agrarian University

Altai State Agrarian University (ASAU) is a large higher institution. It was founded in 1943. The University trains specialists for our agriculture. The university has several buildings.

There are two forms of training in the University: full-time and extramural. Classes begin in September and are over in June. Students study in 2 shifts.

The academic year is divided in 2 terms. After a term students pass exams and credit tests. Students have vacations in winter and in summer. Students also have their practical training on different farms in the Altai Territory. Students study such subjects as mathematics, physics, and foreign languages.

The University has some faculties, for example: the Agronomy faculty, the Economy faculty, the Engineering faculty.

The Rector heads the university. Every faculty is headed by the dean. There are many departments at the University.

The University has some hostels, several libraries, a publishing house, a students' club, a skiing lodge, gymnasiums, and an assembly hall.

III. Read, translate and reproduce the dialogues: Dialogue 1.

• Hello, Nick! Did you have a good day?

• Not bad! The usual sort of things. Practical classes, lectures. You know.

• Did you try to take your English exam ahead of time?

• Well, I did. But the teacher advised me to get ready for English better.

• I see.

• After classes I went to the reading -room. It took me an hour to make an abstract of the paper recommended by our teacher of physics. And then Kate turned up. As usual.

• So, what did you do?

• We had a long talk.

• Oh, yes. What about?

• Oh, this and that. Things. You know. Then we had a lunch.

• Where did you go? Somewhere nice?

• No, just the cafe round the corner. Then I returned to the university and stayed at the reading-room till 5 p.m.

• Sounds like a boring day.

• I don't think so. There is a very good proverb: "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today"

• I think you are right.

Dialogue 2.

Nick: Hello. How are things with you?

Oleg: Nice, thank you. And what about you? You look worried. What's up?

Nick: Well, nothing serious. Just studying. As you know I decided to become an engineer, but I didn't even accept a thought that would be so difficult.

Oleg: Surely. Any point of higher education demands labour. And becoming an engineer too.

Nick: That's it. I'm constantly trying to catch up with the group.

Oleg: The program is wide, isn't it?

Nick: Yes. We attend lectures on some subjects, have seminars and go to the library every day.

Oleg: I wonder what about physical education? Do you have any?

Nick: Yes, we usually do. It's a part of the curriculum. We are taught to play sport games to be in good form.

Oleg: That's really hard, I believe. And in how many years will you be a specialist?

Nick: It takes you about 5 years to become a specialist, but you may continue your studies and become a post-graduate, and even a scientist.

Oleg: Now I see. Thank you. See you soon.