5. Make a project work: “a character sketch of the typical Belarusian”.

Youth and Society, The Belarusian State Agrarian and Technical University

1. Study the words.

branch – отделение, филиал

headquarters – штаб-квартира, головной офис

equal – равный, ровня, сверстник

implementation – выполнение

issue – спорный вопрос

assist – помогать

estimate – оценивать; приблизительно подсчитывать

involve – вовлекать

handicapped – физически или умственно неполноценный

authoritative – авторитетный, влиятельный

2. Choose the correct definitions of the given words.

1. Authoritative

a) showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment

b) feeling or characterized by resentment

c) commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed

2. Implementation

a) realization of something

b) a particular year in an indiction period

c) not directly caused by or resulting from something

3. Headquarters

a) the amount of space below a roof or bridge

b) any centre or building from which operations are directed

c) a room in a house for the special use of young children

4. To estimate

a) to demonstrate the truth or existence of something by evidence or argument

b) to accept the statement of someone as true

c) roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of something

5. Handicapped

a) having a condition that markedly restricts one's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially

b) the mark left by the impression of a hand

c) an electronic device designed to be operated without using the hands

3. Read the text and do the exercises that follow it.

Today young people take an active part in the social life of the country. It’s quite natural that they want to socialize with their equals so as to express their views on several political and social issues. They join youth organizations and societies. The main aim of these organizations is to involve young people into socially useful activities such as sporting events, volunteering at hospitals, taking care of war veterans, assisting the old and the handicapped, carrying out some ecological projects and doing other things.

There are a lot of youth organizations in Belarus. The most authoritative of them are the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM), the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization. The BRSM national headquarters is located in Minsk, the national capital of Belarus. Each region of Belarus has its own branches of the BRSM. The BRSM has estimated that it has 6803 branches located inside Belarus. Both these organizations take an active part in the formation of the basis and implementation of the state policy in respect of youth. The activities are managed and directed by the State Committee on the Affairs of Youth.

At the same time there are a lot of informal youth movements that want to express themselves in different ways. Usually they are organized on the base of common interests or preferences in music styles or in arts priorities. Some try to express their political views others are searching for their own answers to universal problems: ecological, religious or philosophical. Anyway all young people want to express themselves and find their place in this world.