Текст 7.

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?

Текст 8.

BUSINESSMAN'S DAY

Mr. John Turner is 30. He is married and he has got his own family. He has a wife, a daughter and a son. His wife is an economist. Her name is Jane. The names of their children are Rate and Peter. They live in a small house in Greenwood. Greenwood is a small place not far from London.

John works in London. He is a manager in a big trade firm. His firm sells the goods in various countries. In the morning he always goes to his office in London on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He doesn't go to his office on Saturday and Sunday. These are his days-off.

John frequently meets the representatives of English and French firms. They discuss the prices, terms of payment and delivery. He begins his working day at 9 o'clock in the morning. Every morning John first looks through fresh newspapers. He takes much interest in the latest political and business news. Sometimes John goes to different cities to discuss business with their customers. He is a very busy man. He always has a lot of work. He looks through mail, reads telegrams and letters and speaks on the phone with the customers. He also makes appointments with his business partners.

At twelve he has lunch. After lunch he sometimes goes to factories with the inspectors, but sometimes stays in the office and discusses business matters with director or customers. He finishes his working day at 6 o'clock. He usually comes home at 7 o'clock in the evening.

Linda Foster is a secretary to Mr. John Turner. Her office is not large. She has got a computer, a lax and a telephone on her desk. Linda comes to her office at nine every morning from Monday to Friday. At the beginning of her working day Linda usually looks through the mail. She receives both snail-mail and e-mail. At 11 o'clock she comes into her manager's office with the letters and telegrams. The manager reads them and gives answers to the letters. Linda writes everything in her book and goes to her office. There she types the answers on her computer. She also receives and sends e-mail correspondence.

In the afternoon Linda usually has lunch at the office but sometimes she has lunch at the cafe with her friend Alex. She stays in the office till 6 o'clock. In the evening Linda has her French lessons. She learns French for two years already. Linda wants to know French well because she wants to work with French firms and customers.

own - собственный

economist - экономист

manager - менеджер

trade firm - торговая фирма

frequently - часто

customer - клиент, заказчик

representatives - представители

prices - цены

terms of payment - условия платежа

delivery - доставка

to look through - просматривать

to discuss business - обсуждать деловые вопросы

business matters - дела, деловые вопросы

to take interest - интересоваться

to speak on the phone - говорить по телефону

to make an appointment - назначать встречу

business partners - деловые партнеры

inspector - приемщик

mail - почта

snail-mail - почта (обычная), (snail - улитка)

e-mail - электронная почта

correspondence - корреспонденция