Vocabulary focus

Ex. 1. Go through the words below and find their derivatives in the text. Translate the sentences in which they are used.

To exist, to possess, to retain, to compile, to verify, to apply, to accept, to appraise

Ex. 2. Form all possible word combinations using the words of both columns and translate them into Russian.

to enforce to deposit to make to gain to designate to compile to keep to constitute

distinctions information records laws reports buildings archives capabilities

Ex. 3. Find the words in the text which mean the following.

1. sheep, goat, calf skin prepared for writing; manuscript of this

2. confirmation of truth

3. parchment of calfskin used for manuscripts

4. order proclaimed by authority, decree

5. lawsuit

6. keeper, caretaker, curator

Ex. 4. Fill the gaps in the sentences with suitable preposition from the text.

1. The earliest keeping ___ records and archives can be traced __ Ancient Civilizations.

2. The words “archeion” was used to refer ___ government records belonging ___ an office.

3. It is very difficult at times to distinguish ___ records and archives.

4. Archives are not always synonymous ___ non-current records.

5. The medium ___ which this information was recorded differed ___ society ___ society and ___ age ___ age.

6. These record offices were open __ the public who could come and inspect them.

COMPREHENSION

Ex. 1. Complete the following sentences using information from the text.

1. Records and archives have been in existence since … .

2. The reasons why records and archives were kept were … .

3. The records and archives were also preserved to … .

4. The growth and development of records and archives has however … .

5. There is a wide variety of views as to … constitutes … .

6. It is however very difficult at times to distinguish .. .

7. In this study records will be used to denote that information which … .

8. Archives will refer to those records which … .

Ex. 2. Answer the following questions.

1. What time can the earliest keeping of records be traced back to?

2. What were the media on which information was recorded in ancient times?

3. What were the reasons for keeping records?

4. What societies developed recording infrastructures earlier? Why?

5. What is the origin of the word “archives”?

6. What information do records denote?

7. What do archives refer to?

8. What is the difference between non-current records and archives?

9. What are the purposes for keeping records and archives.

Ex. 3. Arrange the points of the plan in the right order according to the text.

• the purposes of records and archives;

• the origins of records and archives;

• the reasons for keeping records and archives in ancient times;

• the difference between records and archives;

• the growth and development of records and archives throughout the world;

• the origin and usage of the word “archives”.

Ex. 4. Discuss in pairs each point of the plan above. Speak about records and archives, their similarities and differences.

T E X T 3