II. English Usage.

Exercise 1. Give the close definition of these words.

I) laboratory 2) workshop 3) Assembly Hall 4) slide 5) slide-projector 6) canteen 7) calculator 8) tape-recorder 9) examination 10) to cope

a) testing knowledge, to see if someone knows the material well;

b) a large hall used for meetings, gathering of people;

c) a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing;

d) a coloured photo on plastic which you can see through;

e) a very small factory, place where things are made;

f) a machine for projecting slides on a screen;

g) a dining-room;

h) a machine for calculating,

i) a machine which records sounds on tape;

j) to struggle , to overcome difficulties or problems.

Exercise 2. Write a letter to your English-speaking pen-friend telling him/her about your English lessons at school. Use the plan: (200-250 words)

• say how many English classes a week you have;

• say what activities you like most of all and why;

• say what problems you have with your English ;

• say why it's so important to know foreign languages and how you can use your knowledge of English outside the class.

KEY: Task: 1)a teacher of geography 2)she was very strict 3)he had been her pupil 4) told how he had got a medal 5) his brother asked him to do it

Ex.1. 1)c 2)e 3)b 4)d 5)f 6)g 7)h 8)I 9)a 10)j

Test 3. ( pre- Intermediate level)

I. Reading and Writing. Read the text and then do the exercises.

The American Classroom ( a story told by Miho who is from Japan)

In Japan, I studied English for many years. I knew English well when I began college in the United States, but I was not prepared for American style education. It is very different from Japanese education.

In Japan, students usually listen to the instructor. They ask questions only to clarify something they do not understand. They usually do not question or doubt the instructor. They repeat what the instructor tells them. He or she is usually right.

In America, students talk as much as the instructor does, sometimes more. They say what they believe in class (their opinions). Sometimes they disagree with the instructor. Most instructors encourage students to be independent and to think for themselves. In some classes, students critique each other's work. I found the American classroom shocking at first.

The first time an instructor called on me to speak in class, I couldn't say anything, so she called on someone else. The second time she called on me, I repeated what she had said. I wanted to gain her approval. She told me to say what I believed, not repeat what she had said. Was she tricking me or testing me? I didn't know, so I repeated what she had said. She got angry with me and again called on another student. She asked him the same question that she had asked me.

This student spoke for several minutes. In his answer, he disagreed with many things the instructor had said. He was also eating a muffin and drinking coffee - right in class! This behaviour was shocking, I thought the student was very rude and disrespectful. But, in fact, the instructor was pleased by his answer. I think the instructor thought that he was the best student because he spoke up during every class and gave his opinions.

Now, after several years at an American university, I like the American classroom. I think that I'm even becoming an American student. I speak up in class when I want to, or I just sit when I don't have anything to say. My English has definitely improved a lot because I have to talk in class. I bring lea into afternoon classes to keep me awake - when I'd rather take a nap. I can leave the classroom during a class to use toilet room. In Japan, I might have to wait to go , perhaps for some hours. Also, American students sometimes come to class late. I could never come to class late in Japan.

In general, I think students in American classrooms are more comfortable than students in Japanese classrooms because they have more freedom. They can do and say whatever they want. However, I don't want to be a teacher in America.

Exercise 1. Comprehension. Answer the questions.

1) In Miho's first American class, what made her uncomfortable?

2) How are Japanese students different from American students?

3) How are Japanese teachers different from American teachers?

4) What do Russian students have in common with American or Japanese students?

5) What do Russian classes have much in common with Japanese and American classes?

Exercise 2. Use the best word.

6) In Japan , Miho accepted everything the teachers said. She .........( questioned / repeated /encouraged) the teacher.

7) American teachers want their students to speak up in class. They.......( critique / encourage /control) their students to participate in class discussions.

8) Generally, American schools do not leach students to believe what everyone else believes. Rather, they encourage students to be..........( shocking / freedom / independent) thinkers.

9) Miho can do what she wants in class. She can speak up , be quiet, or sometimes even eat or drink. At first, this behaviour was.........( pleased / comfortable / shocking) to her.

10) Miho thinks that American students have a lot of freedom in class but that their teachers have less.........( freedom / control / opinion) than in Japanese classrooms,