Lesson 4

Грамматика: 1. Типы вопросов (§ 10) 2. Безличные предложения (§ 11) Устная тема: Russia

Grammar Review

I. Составьте предложения из следующих слов в соответствии с порядком слов в английском предложении:

1. rivers, beautiful, and, is, Russia, in, lakes, rich.

2. of, cultural, Moscow, country, the, political, is, centre, and, our.

3. natural, gas, Russia, resources, largest, oil, and, has, the world’s.

4. flows, Russia’s, important, the Volga, into, river, the, is, most, which, the Caspian sea.

5. kilometers, area, square, its, 17, total, is, about, million.

II. Определите к каким типам вопросов относятся следующие предложения:

1. What is the role of Moscow in Russia?

2. Is Omsk or Novosibirsk your native town?

3. When was Omsk founded?

4. The history of Russia began several centuries ago, didn’t it?

5. Do many people live in Russia?

6. Are there many or few monuments in your city?

7. You like your native town, don’t you?

8. What famous sights can one see in the Red square?

9. It is far from here, isn’t it?

10. Have you ever been to St. Petersburg?

III. Задайте различные типы вопросов (общий, альтернативный, специальный, разделительный) к следующим предложения:

1. Russia is a multinational state.

2. Our country has eleven time zones.

3. In the southern areas there is hardly any snow in winter.

4. The most important rivers are the Volga, the Ob, and others.

5. Russia is rich in raw materials and energy resources.

6. There are a lot of theatres and concert halls in Moscow.

7. Visitors can find a lot of places of interest in the capital of the country.

8. The Hermitage was founded in St. Petersburg in 1764.

9. The Tretyakov Art Gallery is housed in a two-storey brick building.

10. The Gallery has collections of Russian art.

IV. Переведите предложения:

a) It is ten o’clock in the morning. It is snowy. It’s not far from here. It was nice to meet you here. It’s late. It is time to go home. Isn’t it interesting? It is early. It is necessary to finish work now. It is difficult for me to understand French. It is difficult for him to write in German.

b) Сегодня холодно. На улице холодно? Темно. Сейчас три часа дня. Интересно. Мне интересно читать эту книгу. Это далеко отсюда? Теплеет.

Reading

total area – общая площадь	to be rich in – быть богатым (чем-либо)
to be washed by – омываться	resources – ресурсы
to border on – граничить	various – различный
river – река	temperate climate [׳klаimәt]– умеренный климат
high mountains – высокие горы	head of state – глава государства
vast plain – огромная равнина	legislative – законодательный

Text 1

Russia

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. Its total area is about 17 million square kilometers. It covers the eastern part of Europe and the northern part of Asia. The country is washed by 12 seas and three oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Arctic. Russia borders on many countries.

The population of Russia is about 142 million people. The capital of Russia is Moscow, its political, administrative, cultural and scientific center.

Russia is a land of long rivers and deep lakes. The Europe’s biggest river is the Volga. The world’s deepest lake is Lake Baikal. There are high mountains (the Urals, the Caucasus, the Altai) and vast plains, forests and steppes.

Russia is very rich in mineral resources: oil, coal, natural gas, iron ore and others. On the vast territory of the country there are various types of climate. But most part of the country has temperate continental climate.

The Russian Federation is a parliamentary republic. The Head of State is the President. The legislative powers are exercised by the Duma.

Answer the following questions:

1. Where is Russia situated?

2. What is the total area of the country?

3. What is the climate like in Russia?

4. What is the country washed by?

5. What mineral resources is the Russian Federation rich in?

6. What is the longest river in Europe?

7. What countries does Russia border on?

8. Who is the head of the country?

9. What do you know about Lake Baikal?

Text 2

Russia is My Beautiful Motherland

I am proud that I live in Russia, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Here you can find high snow-capped mountains and vast green lowlands, long wide rivers and deep lakes, thick forests and spacious steppes. The Russian land is rich in gold and diamonds, oil and gas, fish and wild animals. The people of Russia are famous for their hospitality and friendly relations to other people of the world. People from all over the world are eager¹ to see Russia, its beautiful churches with ancient icons, magnificent² multi-domed cathedrals, to enjoy the charming nature of the northern land – the land of white nights. Russia has a lot of most beautiful and original places to see and enjoy. Russian and foreign tourists like to visit St. Petersburg and its suburbs³ to see outstanding pieces of Russian art. Magnificent architectural ensembles, sculptures, a unique system of numerous fountains, fine examples of park-landscape art make me proud of the generations⁴ of Russian people who have managed to create in rotten swamp⁵ such great masterpieces⁶ of human genius.

Karelia, a country of one thousand lakes, and more than 23 thousand rivers, attracts attention of many tourists. About half of Karelia's territory is covered with woods, mostly pine and fir.

One more masterpiece of Russian people, the Kizhy, is called "Russian Wonder". The most precious thing in Kizhy is 22-cupola Cathedral of the Transfiguration (Преображения) built in 1714. Its walls, ceilings and roof were made of pine trees without any nails, using only an axe. The 22 cupolas are of different size which give the cathedral a fairy-tale look. People from every corner of the world keep coming here. They speak different languages but all agree on one point: Kizhy is incomparable.

Notes:

1. to be eager – хотеть

2. magnificent – великолепный

3. suburbs – пригород

4. generation – поколение

5. rotten swamp – гниющее болото

6. masterpiece – шедевр

Answer the following questions:

1. Are you proud of your Motherland and why?

2. Why are people from all over the world eager to see Russia?

3. What is St. Petersburg famous for?

4. What does Karelia attract attention with?

5. Why is Kizhi called Russian Wonder?

V. Выполните проверочную работу по теме «Россия»:

I. Сопоставьте даты и события

Dates: 1147, 1941, 1961, 1703, 1980, 1918, 1991, 1812, 1237.

Events:

1. Napoleon tries to conquer Russia.

2. The October Revolution takes place.

3. Moscow holds the XX Olympic Games.

4. Yuri Dolgoruky founds Moscow.

5. Yuri Gagarin makes a space flight on the board spaceship “Vostok”

6. Peter the Great founds St. Petersburg.

7. Khan Batyi of the Golden Horde conquers Moscow.

8. Russia becomes an independent country after the break up of the Soviet Union.

9. The USSR enters the World War II.

II. Ответьте на вопросы по-английски:

10. What sea washes Russia in the South?

11. What is the longest river in Europe?

12. What is the official name of the Russian Parliament?

13. Who is the Head of the RF republic?

14. What marshal was four times awarded (награжден) with the title “the Hero of the country”?

15. What great scientist founded Moscow University in 1755?

16. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a famous ….

17. Who was the author of “War and Peace”

18. What is the current name of the city known as Stalingrad?

19. Which Russian bank note features (изображает) a picture of the Bolshoi Theatre?

20. What holiday is celebrated with present-giving by Father Frost, decorating a fur tree and joyful parties?

LESSON 5

Грамматика: 1. Сопоставление настоящих времен в активном залоге (§ 12) 2. Специальные вопросы в настоящем времени (§ 13) Устная тема: Great Britain

Grammar Review

I. Сравните предложения в Present Simple, Present Continuous и Present Perfect, обращая внимание на наречия (маркеры):

1. It often rains in autumn.

2. It is raining now. Take the umbrella.

3. My wife makes plum-cake on Sundays.

4. My wife is in the kitchen now. She is making a plum-cake.

5. My wife has just made a plum-cake. It’s very tasty.

6. Jane usually has a bath every evening.

7. Can you phone later, please? Jane is having a bath.

8. Jane has already had a bath, so the bathroom is empty.

9. They sometimes work in the garden. They are still working in the garden.

10. They haven’t worked in the garden since last month.

II. Употребите глаголы, данные в скобках в одном из настоящих времен:

1. Television (to play) as important role in the life of the British people as newspapers.

2. The British press (to consist) of several kinds of newspapers.

3. The British (to look) through newspapers at breakfast, (to read) papers on their way home, on a bus and when they (to come) home in the evening.

4. He (to read) Shakespeare’s tragedy “Hamlet” now.

5. It is 8 p.m. It (to get) dark.

6. Today is the Christmas Eve. All people (to travel) home to be with their families.

7. Benjamin Britten (1913 – 1976) (to become) world-famous for such operas as “Peter Grimes” and “Billy Budd”.

8. The most successful group the world ever (to know) was the Beatles.

9. Our group (to visit) the Drama theatre recently.

10. Today everybody (to have) an opportunity to enjoy the kind of music he (to like) best.

III. Поставьте следующие предложения в Present Continuous и Present Perfect добавляя слова now, at this moment; just, already, recently, today, this week:

1. The students of our group often visit museums and theatres.

2. We have four lectures every day.

3. They usually do their homework for the next day.

4. At night I read books and magazines.

5. My studies often begin at half past eight.

IV. Составьте вопросы из следующих слов и словосочетаний:

1. the weather, in England, is, changeable?

2. England, many, people, do, visit?

3. ever, London, been, have, you, to?

4. brother, the institute, come, has, your, yet, from?

5. do, to, going, what, are, you?

6. usually, holidays, where, you, do, spend, your?

7. dinner, when, cook, does, his, sister?

8. free, spend, how, his, time, does, he?

9. recently, who, has, come?

10. you, so, late, are, why?

V. Задайте специальные вопросы, которые начинаются со слова в скобке:

1. The English Channel separate Great Britain from the continent. (What?)

2. Stratford-on-Avon lies at the very heart of England. (Where?)

3. Thousands of people from all parts of England come to Stratford-on-Avon on Shakespeare’s birthday (23^rd April) to pay tribute to the great poet. (Why?)

4. At Christmas time there is a huge Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square. (What?)

5. Glasgow in Scotland is the third largest city in Britain. (Where?)

6. The two districts of London, the City and the West End are the main tourists attractions in London. (How many?)

7. The majority of Londoners live in its suburbs. (Where?)

8. The Parliament has two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. (How many?)

9. Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state. (Who?)

10. Since 1945 government in Britain has alternated between only two political parties, the Conservatives (the Tory) and the Labour Party. (What parties?)

VI. Повторите настоящие времена (Present Simple, Present Continuous, Present Perfect) и выполните тест № 1:

1. Listen! Someone ____ now.

a) is singing b) has sung c) sings

2. We ____ five days a week.

a) are working b) have worked c) work

3. My little cousin already ___ to read.

a) is learning b) learns c) has learnt

5. What ___ you ____ here now?

a) do you do b) are you doing c) have you done

4. Она еще не написала упражнение.

a) She is not writing the exercise yet.

b) She has not written the exercise yet.

c) She doesn’t write the exercise yet.

Reading

to separate – отделять	weather – погода
to call – называть(ся)	such as – такой как
mild [mаild] – мягкий	to influence – влиять
cotton – хлопок	House of Lords – палата Лордов
rubber – каучук	House of Commons – палата Общин
iron ore – железная руда	constitutional monarchy [׳monәki]– конституционная монархия
to catch the train – успеть на поезд	to wear (wore, worn) – носить (одежду)
to spend money – тратить деньги	to be proud of – гордиться

Text 1

Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK covers the British Isles which consist of Great Britain, Ireland and about five thousand small islands. The North Sea, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel separate Great Britain from the continent.

The surface¹ of the British Isles varies very much. The North of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands. The South, which has beautiful valleys² and plains, is called the Lowlands. There are many lakes in Scotland and they are called Lochs.

There are many rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the most important one.

The climate of Great Britain is mild. The Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the weather of the British Isles. The summers are cool and rainy. There is much rain and fog in autumn and in winter.

The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It exports machinery, electronics and textiles. One of the main industries of the country is shipbuilding. Great Britain is not rich in mineral resources. It imports all of its oil, cotton, rubber and iron ore. Great Britain has a lot of industrial cities, such as Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol and some others. London, the capital of the UK, is one of the biggest commercial centers and ports of the world.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and the Queen as Head of State. The British Parliament consists of the sovereign³, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has always played an important role in world politics.

Notes:

1. surface – поверхность

2. valley – долина

3. sovereign – монарх

Answer the following questions:

1. Where is Great Britain situated?

2. What are the parts of the country?

3. What is the climate like?

4. How can you characterize the surface of the British Isles?

5. What are Britain’s chief industries?

6. What is the most important river in the UK?

7. Who is the head of the country?

VII. Просмотрите текст «Great Britain» и, используя ключевые слова, передайте его основное содержание:

consists of – состоит из

separate from the continent – отделяют от континента

many rivers and lakes – много рек и озер

mild climate – мягкий климат

developed industrial country – развитая промышленная страна

It exports – Она экспортирует

It imports – Она импортирует

many large cities – много больших городов

capital of the UK – столица Соединенного Королевства

a constitutional monarchy – конституционная монархия

the House of Lords and the House of Commons – Палата Лордов и Палата Общин.

Text 2

Four Characters of Britons

An Englishman. This is Michael Smith, an Englishman. He lives in a small country town outside London. Every morning he goes to his local station, buys a copy of ‘The Times’ and catches the 8.14 train to London. Mr. Smith works for a bank in the City. He has worked there for 24 years and he has never missed the 8.14 train. Mr. Smith has a pretty wife, called Marion, and two children: a boy, called Mark, who is thirteen, and a girl, called Sylvia, who is 19. Mark goes to the same school his father went, and Sylvia is engaged to a young man who works for a bank in the City. Mr. Smith likes: ‘The Times’, the Queen, money, people who call him “Sir”, big dogs and his umbrella. He doesn't like: the Labour Government, the Rolling Stones and girls in mini-skirts.

An Irishman. This is Peddy O’Donoghue, an Irishman. He lives in a grey brick house with five rooms, in Belfast. He dislikes work very much; if he didn't have to work, he would be a very happy man. To earn money Peddy writes about horse-racing every week for a newspaper.

Peddy loves talking and telling stories. If he didn't have to work every day, he says, he knows exactly what he would do: he would get up late in the morning and eat a big plate of bacon for breakfast. He would then go to his favourite pub and have three glasses of beer, and tell everybody what he did the day before. In the evening he would have a big meal and then dance and sing with his wife and friends. Peddy likes: a good fight, his coloured ties, the bar-girl in the pub, singing, beer and Ireland. He doesn't like: rich Englishmen, people who don't like to listen to his stories and work.

A Scotsman. This is Robby McGregor, a Scotsman. Robby's house is in the hills, in the north of Scotland. He is married and has three children - all boys. He is very proud of his kilt and the McGregor family tartan. He goes to work every day wearing trousers but he wears a kilt at the weekend and on special occasions. Robby works in a factory which makes tartans (пледы). He says: “Only true Scotsmen should wear the kilt. I am a true Scotsman”. Robby, like most Scotsmen, is a proud man. He likes to work hard and earn a lot of money, but doesn’t like to spend it. Robby’s youngest son is learning to play the bagpipe (волынка) – Scotland’s traditional instrument. This makes Robby feel very proud. Robby likes: his kilt, fishing, Scotch whisky, and the Highland Games. He dislikes: people who say he looks stupid in his kilt, the English, and people who wear kilts and are not Scotsmen.

A Welshman. This is David Jones, a Welshman. David lives in a mining village¹ in South Wales. Most of the men in his village work in a coal-mine². Every day after work they meet in “The Black Spade”, drink and sing together. David loves to sing: he sings in the church³ every Sunday, and he sings in the coal-mine when he is working. David speaks Welsh, his country’s language. But if he speaks Welsh in England, Ireland or Scotland, nobody can understand him. He thinks that everybody should speak Welsh because it is a very musical language. David’s eldest son, John, plays rugby for his school team; his daughter, Jenny, is learning to play the harp (арфа), the national instrument of Wales. David sometimes takes his wife and family to London, but he thinks it is too big. He doesn’t like London because none of his friends live there, and there are no mountains in London. David likes: music, poetry, fresh air, singing, his family and his friends in the coal-mine. He doesn’t like: people who say that the Welsh language is old-fashioned, big cities and English cooking.

Notes:

1. mining village – шахтерская деревня

2. coal-mine – угольная шахта

3. church – церковь

VIII. Подготовьте сообщение на тему «Выдающиеся люди Великобритании».

IX. Проверьте свои знания о Великобритании, выполнив тест:

1. How many countries does the UK consist of?

a) 3 b) 4 c) 5

2. Where is the UK situated?

a) on the British Isles b) on the Northern Isles c) on the Southern Isles

3. What weather is the most common in Great Britain?

a) snowy b) sunny c) rainy

4. What ocean is the UK washed by?

a) the Atlantic ocean b) the Pacific ocean c) the Indian ocean

5. What is between Great Britain and Ireland ?

a) Indian sea b) Irish island c) Irish sea

6. What’s the name of Scotland’s traditional musical instrument?

a) balalaika b) bagpipes c) guitar

7. What pets are the special animals in Great Britain?

a) birds b) cats and dogs c) fish

8. What did Guy Fawkes and his people want to do?

a) to elect the members of the Parliament

b) to be a king

c) to blow up the Parliament

9. What do the British like to talk about?

a) weather b) policy c) love

10. What’s the national Scottish dish?

a) fish and chips b) haggis c) pizza

11. Where does the monarch of Great Britain live?

a) in Tower of London

b) in Buckingham Palace

c) in Kensington Palace

12. What architect built St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1675-1710?

a) John Nash b) Thomas More c) Sir Christopher Wren

13. What English city is famous for its University?

a) London b) Liverpool c) Cambridge

14. When is Halloween celebrated?

a) on the 5th of November

b) on the 31st of October

c) on the 1st of March

15. How many sonnets did William Shakespeare write?

a) 34 b) 108 c) 154

16. This famous festival takes place every August in Edinburgh.

a) Eisteddfod b) Military Tattoo c) Hogmanay

17. What’s the name of Scotland’s national poet?

a) Robert Burns b) Robert Stevenson c) Walter Scott

18. What is the symbol of Wales?

a) red rose b) daffodil c) red hand

LESSON 6

Грамматика: 1. Общий и альтернативный вопросы (§ 14) 2. Сопоставление прошедших времен в активном залоге (§ 15 ) Устная тема: United States of America

Grammar Review

I. Задайте общий и альтернативный вопросы к следующим предложениям:

1. These ships are new.

2. My brother is an artist.

3. The traffic is very heavy today.

4. I am eager to see the world.

5. He has a business of his own.

6. We usually have dinner at home.

7. He has a cold shower in the morning.

8. There are some letters to answer.

9. There is something interesting on the display.

10. He goes on business trips every month.

II. Сравните предложения в Past Simple, Past Continuous или Past Perfect, обращая внимание на маркеры:

1. I played guitar last evening.

2. I was playing guitar when you came.

3. I had played guitar by 6 p.m.

4. We took some books from the library yesterday.

5. We were taking books from library at 3 p.m. yesterday.

6. We had taken the books from the library before you bought the tickets.

7. My sister wrote a letter to our aunt 10 minutes ago.

8. My sister had written a letter to our aunt when the telephone rang again.

9. My sister was writing a letter to our aunt while I was cooking dinner.

10. She said she hadn’t seen him since she left Berlin.

III. Употребите глаголы, данные в скобках в одном из прошедших времен:

1. He (to give) a lecture at twelve yesterday.

2. Thank you for everything that you (to do) for us.

3. My little cousin (to learn) to read before going to school.

4. My little cousin (to learn) to read 2 months ago.

5. I (to read) the magazine while you (to sleep).

6. When we went out, it (to snow) heavily.

7. She (to be) very lonely.

8. It was 9 o‘clock. We (to listen) to the latest news.

9. Mary looked at the clock and realized that it (stop).

10. When he went out of the office, he saw that his car (disappear).

IV. Раскройте скобки и поставьте глаголы в Present Perfect или Past Simple.

1. I (to come) to America in 1990.

2. Do you know Australia? – No, I never (to be) there.

3. When I was a child I (to travel) a lot.

4. You (to read) any English books?

5. She just (to arrive) and everything is very new for her.

6. I never (to travel) by train.

7. It often (to snow) last winter?

8. When they (to get married)?

9. You (to see) the film about animals last night?

10. You (to have) dinner today?

V. Раскройте скобки, употребляя глаголы в Past Simple или Past Perfect.

1. Не (to study) French before he (to enter) the university.

2. Lanny (to say) that he (to get) his education in Cape Town.

3. The boy (to want) to act the main part in the play because he (to organize) the theatre.

4. The girl (to be) glad that she (to find) a seat near the window.

5. Suddenly he (to remember) that he (not to ring) her up in the morning.

6. By two o'clock the teacher (to examine) all the students.

7. When his uncle (to leave), he (to hurry) to the station to book a ticket.

8. When they (to enter) the hall, the performance already (to begin).

9. When I came home, my mother (to tell) me that she (to receive) a letter from grandfather.

10. Where you (to work) before you (to enter) the institute?

Reading

climate conditions – климатические условия	district – округ
lowland – низина	own – собственный
mountain chain – горная цепь	several parties – несколько партий
agricultural – сельскохозяйственный	to symbolize – символизировать
to prove – доказывать	to explore – исследовать
to represent – представлять	independent – независимый

Text 1

The United States of America

The United States of America is the 4^th largest country in the world after Russia, Canada and China. It occupies the central part of the North American continent, Alaska and the Hawaii. The total area of the country is more than 9 mln square km.

The country is washed by three oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Arctic. The climate conditions are rather¹ different. The coldest regions are in the north and north-east. The south has a subtropical climate.

The USA is a land of rivers and lakes. The longest rivers are the Mississippi and the Missouri. On the US territory there are mountains and lowlands. The highest mountain chains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada.

The country is rich in natural and mineral resources: oil, gas, iron ore, coal and various metals. The USA is a highly developed industrial and agricultural country. The main industrial branches are aircraft², automobile, electronics, radio-engineering and others.

The United States of America is a federal republic, consisting of 50 states and one District of Columbia. The states differ in size, population and economic development. Each state has its own capital. The nation’s capital is Washington, DC. It is named after the 1^st US President – George Washington. At present the population of the US is about 250 mln people. The largest cities of the country: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San-Francisco, Philadelphia and some others.

There are several political parties in the USA, the largest of them are the Republican (symbolized by a donkey³) and the Democratic (symbolized by an elephant).

Notes:

1. rather – довольно

2. aircraft – самолетостроение

5. donkey – осёл

Answer the following questions:

1. Where is the USA situated?

2. What is the total area of the country?

3. What is the climate like?

4. What is the country washed by?

5. What mineral resources is the country rich in?

6. What are the names of the biggest mountain chains?

7. What big cities are there in the USA?

VI. Просмотрите текст «The United States of America» и, используя ключевые слова, передайте его основное содержание:

the 4^th largest country – четвертая по величине страна

is washed by – омывается

different climate conditions – различные климатические условия

many rivers and lakes – много рек и озер

developed industrial country – развитая промышленная страна

is rich in natural and mineral resources – богата природными ресурсами

the largest cities – крупнейшие города

50 states – 50 штатов

the capital of the USA – столица США

VII. Прочитайте текст и кратко изложите его содержание в виде тезисов:

Text 2

History of the U.S.A.

North America's first settlers were people, who came from Asia, using the land bridge between North America and Asia. Later the natural bridge was covered with water, the Bering Strait appeared¹. So the continents were isolated and the migration stopped. Modern Europeans knew nothing about American continent till the 15^th century when Christopher Columbus discovered it.

In 1492 C. Columbus, an Italian sailor, whose life-time dream was to find a new way to India, sailed westwards with three little ships. It was a very difficult voyage but in three months the ships reached² and landed on one of the Bahamas islands. Until the end of his life Columbus thought that the islands and the mainland were the part of India. That's why they were called West Indies and the red-skinned natives - «Indians».

In 1497 another Italian seaman Amerigo Vespucchi explored the coast of South America and proved that the land discovered by Columbus was not India but the new continent. The «New World» was decided to name after him – America, the land of Amerigo.

But only at the beginning of the 17^th century Englishmen established several colonies and called them new England. It happened in 1620 when some English families (about 100 people) left England on board the ship³ «Mayflower» and sailed to America. From the Atlantic coast colonists penetrated into the depths⁴ of the continent. They drove back the native population, took away their lands by force⁵ and destroyed them.

The colonists became richer and stronger, but they were ruled by England and paid duty⁶ on different things. At the end of the 17^th century (in 1775) the colonists started the War of Independence. It lasted eight years. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. Thirteen colonies declared themselves free and independent of England. This day (July, 4) is considered to be the birthday of the American nation.

After the end of the War of Independence in 1783, 16 states were formed and they chose George Washington as their first president. At present there are 50 stars on the American flag, symbolizing 50 U.S. states, the stripes⁷ represent 13 original states.

Notes:

1. the Bering Strait appeared – появился Берингов пролив

2. to reach – достигать

3. on board the ship – на борту корабля

4. penetrated into the depths – проникли в глубины

5. by force – силой

6. to pay duty – платить налог (пошлину)

7. stripe – полоса

VIII. Проверьте свои знания о США, выполнив тест:

1. America used to be a British colony.

a) True b) False

2. The traditional Thanksgiving Fay dinner includes

a) goose b) turkey c) chicken

3. What do Americans celebrate on the 4^th of July?

a) Columbus Day b) Independence Day c) Election (выборы) Day

4. Which American holiday is NOT celebrated in October?

a) Columbus Day b) Halloween c) St. Patrick’s Day

5. Which is the youngest of all American states?

a) Illinois b) Alaska c) Hawaii

6. Which American President freed the slaves?

a) George Washington b) Abraham Lincoln c) George Bush

7. The Mississippi is the longest river in the US.

a) True b) False

8. Who was the first person to walk on the moon?

a) John Glen b) Neil Armstrong c) Jim Lowell

9. What are the two main parties in the US?

a) the Republicans and the Democrats

b) the Conservative Party and the Labour Party

c) the Democrats and the Socialists

10. What did James Marshal discover in California in 1848?

a) oil b) coal c) gold

11. The Pentagon is a museum of modern art in New York.

a) True b) False

12. Where is Hollywood?

a) in Florida b) in Los Angeles c) in San Francisco

13. How many presidents died at the hand of assassins?

a) two b) three c) four

14. New York City’s nickname is the Big Apple?

a) True b) False

15. Which city is the biggest car producer in the USA?

a) Las Vegas b) Detroit c) Philadelphia