Grammar

Task 1. Use the articles wherever necessary.

1. Marian Beane, Director of the International Student Office, in____Charlotte, described___major American values.

2. Americans are encouraged at___ early age to be independent and to develop their own goals in___life.

3. Americans believe that everyone has___same rights.

4. They try to make___best use of their time.

5. They discuss their differences without____mediator.

6.___competitive spirit is often regarded as___motivation to work harder.

Task 2. Put the adverb into the sentence.

1. She drinks this medicine (seldom).

2. They should give you this sum of money (always).

3. She speaks Chinese (rarely).

4. Do you use Internet (often)?

5. She tells the truth (never).

6. She plays with her cat in the evening (usually).

7. They are so stupid (sometimes).

8. We visit art galleries (occasionally).

Task 3. Complete these sentences using a comparative or superla­tive form of the word in brackets:

1. This room is (small) in the flat.

2. She is not as (fast) as I think she should be.

3. We should employ Mary not Jane as an interpreter. Jane's English is (bad) than Mary's.

4. She studied (hard) to achieve her goal.

5. She reads (attentive) than Kate.

6. Your dress looks (nice), but it is (cheap) than your favourite one.

7. I think she has put up with your existence; she behaves (friendly) than yesterday.

8. She seemed to be (beautiful) girl in the class.

Lesson VII russian economy

The Soviet Union had a centralized state control almost over all means of production, exchange, distribution and investment. The Soviet Union also had a planned economy. Economic policy was made according to directives from the Communist Party, which controlled all aspects of economic activi­ty.

Today Russia has changed its planned economy into market economy. But we can see that this process of transition is full of challenges. It is evi­dent that Russian economy has great potential for growth: Russia has huge supplies of the most valued natural resources, especially those required to support a modern industrialized economy. It also has a well-educated labour force especially in technical area. At the same time, Soviet-era management practices and old infrastructure hinder efficient utilization of those re­sources.

Russian economy has grown considerably since the financial crisis of 1998. High oil prices and a relatively cheap rouble were important factors of these economic successes, but since 2000 investment and consumer demand have played a very important role. Russia has also improved its international financial standing.

Strong oil export incomes have allowed Russia to increase its currency reserve. These achievements, along with structural reforms of the govern­ment, have increased business and investor confidence in Russia's economic prospects.

But still there are some problems which include a weak banking system, a poor business climate that discourages domestic and foreign investors, corruption, and a lack of trust in institutions.