Английский язык. Практический курс. Уровень Intermediate. Практикум

T o d d : Well, I speak two languages. I speak Thai and I speak Japanese. But my Japanese is not so good and my Thai is just okay. Now, I live in Japan so I study Japanese and I use Japanese everyday. I can speak Japanese at the supermarket. I can use Japanese at a hotel or with a taxi driver, but I cannot have a long conversation. And you, what languages do you speak?

S a r a h : Well, I speak English, of course. And I speak Spanish and Japanese. T o d d : Wow. Spanish.

S a r a h : I lived in Ecuador, and so I spoke Spanish everyday. I used to think I was fluent. Maybe I forgot some Spanish now.

T o d d : Oh, so you can read, speak, write everything?

S a r a h : Yeah. In Ecuador, I did everything. I spoke Spanish all the time. But my Japanese is like yours. I can speak only enough to go to the grocery or ask when the bus leaves or buy a train ticket. T o d d : It’s hard to have a good conversation in Japanese. My reading is okay, but my speaking is just really bad. I have bad pronunciation. So because my Japanese pronunciation is not very good, Japanese people don’t like to speak Japanese with me, I think.

S a r a h : What about Thai?

T o d d : I can speak Thai. My Thai pronunciation is okay. I lived in Thailand when I was young. So I studied it and I like Thai.

S a r a h : Ah. Do you have any Thai friends?

T o d d : I do have some Thai friends. And now, I study Thai on Facebook. So everyday, I check my friends’ messages on Facebook. And then I use Google translate to learn new words. So it’s very good.

10. In pairs, create your own dialog, describing language skills, discussing difficulties and giving advices. Present it to your groupmates.

Writing

11. Is it important to speak foreign languages? How many foreign languages should anyone speak? Answer these questions in a short essay (200-250 words).

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Module II. My day

Unit 3. My workday

Before reading

1.In pairs, discuss these questions.

1.Where do you live?

2.What do you do in the morning when you get up? How do you get to the University? How much time does it take you to get there?

3.What do you do when you come from university?

2.Pay attention to these words and word combinations.

3. Read the text.

Everyday routine

The academic year begins in September. It lasts 10 months and ends in June. There are 2 terms in the course of the academic year. During the terms, students have to attend lectures and seminars, carry out laboratory tests, work hard in libraries and at home. Examinations take place at the end of each term. To get good exam results I should attend all classes, take notes, revise the material at home, use some additional information from books and the Internet. Students who pass all exams get grants.

The University has a four or five-year course of study. The curriculum of the specialized higher institutions may be divided into three parts: the Humanities, General and Specialized subjects. The subjects of the first two groups give a solid basis of general education to future specialists. Specialized subjects help students develop necessary practical skills. Specialization usually begins in the third year. The first-year students study different subjects: higher mathematics, physics, chemistry, English, history, computer sciences and so on. Physical Training is very important at the university. Students go in for different kinds of sports: track-and-field, basketball, volleyball, swimming and wrestling.

Usually we have one lecture and 2 practical classes. Our classes begin at eight o’clock and end at three o’clock. The breaks are not long. That’s hardly enough to have a short snack in the canteen.

I am back home at about 4 p.m. As a rule, I have dinner at once as I’m awfully hungry after classes. Then, I have a short rest reading or watching TV or listening to music.

When I feel rested, I tidy up the flat and do some shopping. Then I sit down at my desk to do my homework. I look through my summaries, do exercises, read books, sometimes I make reports. It usually takes me about 3 hours and a half to get everything ready for the next day.

In the evening, I like to go for a walk with my friends if the weather’s fine. Then I read for an hour before going to bed.

I like studying at the university because every day I learn a lot of new interesting things.

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After reading

4.Answer these questions.

1.How many terms does an academic year have?

2.What must students do during a term?

3.When do students get grants?

4.How many parts can the curriculum be divided into?

5.When does a specialization start?

6.What do first-year students study?

7.How many pairs of classes do you usually have?

8.When do the classes begin and finish?

9.What do you do evenings?

10.Do you like to study at the University? Why?

5.Explain the meaning of the following words and word combinations.

1.Library

2.Term

3.Subject

4.Specialization

5.Track-and-field

6.Fill in the gap.

1.Usually … consists of two terms.

2.Students must … if they want to pass exams successfully.

3.It is good idea to … summaries before classes.

4.Those students, who have good marks, … .

5.He … his notes as today he has a test.

6.Our university has several … where students can buy snacks.

7.… is included in Physical Training at our university.

8.After university he usually … a little … .

9.He … and now he is revising it for a presentation tomorrow.

10.Computer … are essentially important in modern world.

7.Translate these phrases from Russian into English.

1.Учебный год начинается в сентябре и заканчивается в июне.

2.В течение семестра студенты посещают лекции, проводят опыты, занимаются в библиотеке и дома.

3.Учёба в университете длится 4 или 5 лет.

4.Учебный план студентов первого курса включает в себя занятия по информатике, истории, физике, иностранному языку и другим предметам.

5.На лекциях студенты пишут конспекты.

6.Занятия по лёгкой атлетике популярны среди студентов.

7.Перерыва хватает, чтобы перекусить в столовой.

8.После университета он обычно немного отдыхает и делает домашнее задание.

9.Он предпочитает работать в библиотеке, когда нужно написать доклад.

10.Подготовка к практическим занятиям занимает у него 4 с половиной часа.

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8. Agree or disagree with the following statements and prove your point of view. Use the following phrases: I agree that... It’s true... I disagree because... I can’t agree with this statement because... It’s false...

1.I don’t like to study at the University because I have to work hard.

2.I live not far from the University and it doesn’t take me much time to get there.

3.At first freshmen were late for classes because they didn’t know the location of the buildings.

4.At practical classes students discuss different topics and try to express their point of view.

5.Physical Training is not very important at the University.

6.Teachers help students to understand matters, which are not quite clear for them.

Speaking

9. Read and translate this dialog.

M a x : Hello, Alex! Glad to see you!

A l e x : Hello, Max! Glad to see you too! How are you?

M a x : I’m a little bit tired. We have four pairs of classes today.

A l e x : What are they?

M a x : Higher Mathematics, English, Philosophy and Descriptive Geometry. A l e x : Are you good at these subjects?

M a x : I’m quite good at Higher Mathematics, Descriptive Geometry is my favourite subject and English is the most difficult subject for me. I’m not good at foreign languages.

A l e x : Do you have to work hard?

M a x : Oh, yes. I want to pass the credit on time so I work really hard: I read and translate texts, learn new words, study grammar rules, do a lot of exercises.

A l e x : And what about Philosophy?

M a x : Well, frankly speaking, I’m not ready for the seminar today. So I don’t think I’ll take part in the discussion.

A l e x : Don’t worry! You can take my book, there are some good articles on your topic! You still have time to look them through and to prepare for the seminar!

M a x : Thank you very much!

A l e x : You are welcome! See you!

10. In pairs, create your own dialog and present it to your groupmates.

Writing

11. Write a text about yourself (use a text «Everyday routine» as an example). Prepare it for presentation.

Before reading

1.In pairs, discuss these questions.

1.What do you like and dislike about shopping?

2.How many time a week do you go shopping?

3.What do you think about online shopping?

2.Pay attention to these words and word combinations.

3. Read the text.

Shopping

It is difficult to imagine our life without shopping. Whether you like shopping or not – you have to do it because it’s a part of our daily routine.

It goes without saying, we buy food more often, as food is our basic need. Nowadays you can buy food wherever you like: in small shops round the corner, flea markets or in huge supermarkets. Supermarkets are very popular as prices are flexible because of interesting offers and discounts. You just take a trolley and go along the shelves of different departments: dairy products, grocery, green grocery, butcher’s, fishmonger’s, bakery and others. Self-service shopping is very convenient but you are risky to buy something you really don’t need, as aggressive advertising makes you buy more. So psychologists advise never be hungry and don’t forget your shopping list.

As for shopping for other goods, modern shopping centres, malls and hypermarkets can provide you with all goods you can imagine. There are thousands of goods in the stock and you can find everything you need: clothes, footwear, accessories, furniture, electrical appliances, household products – the list can be endless. Besides, shopping malls offer many other facilities, for example: cinema, cafes, bowling, gyms and even swimming pools. So, for some people shopping can be a kind relax with family or friends.

Nowadays there is a very good service called online shopping. It really helps you to save your time. For those people who are too busy to stand in a queue or live far from any shopping centre, online shopping is just right. You have only to turn on your computer, click your favourite shop, look through a catalogue, choose the things you like, order them and wait a little to get them.

Shopping online is convenient for people who don’t have any cars, are housebound or too busy to go shopping. Usually goods there are cheaper. The most comfortable thing about online shopping is that goods are delivered to the doorstep.

After reading

4.Answer these questions.

1.What do we usually buy?

2.Where do we usually buy foods?

3.Why are supermarket popular?

4.What does buying in supermarket look like?

5.What does self-service shopping mean?

6.Where can you buy goods and clothes?

7.What facilities do malls have?

8.What does online shopping mean?

9.How can it help to save time?

10.What is the most convenient thing about online shopping?

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5.Agree or disagree with the following statements and prove your point of view. Use the following phrases: I agree that... It’s true... I disagree because... I can’t agree with this statement because... It’s false...

1.Fruit and vegetables are only sold in supermarkets.

2.Self-service shopping is very convenient for customers.

3.Malls have wider variety of goods.

4.Shopping can be a way to relax.

5.Online shopping economize your time.

6.Fill in the gap.

1.Nowadays people love to … goods in the Internet.

2. The shop where we usually buy food is in the … of this street.

3. … helps you to carry goods when you are visiting a supermarket. 4. Supermarkets offer … to its clients this month.

5.This warehouse hold … of a city mall.

6.Shopping in the Internet is convenient for people who can't leave home or … .

7.Information on offers and discounts can be usually founded in … .

8.We go to the … when we want to buy fruits or vegetables.

9.Small shops are …, especially if they are near your home.

10.Most people in supermarkets work … hours.

7.Translate these phrases from Russian into English.

1.Хождение по магазинам стало частью нашей повседневной жизни.

2.В супермаркетах часто бывают акции и скидки.

3.Самообслуживание удобно для клиентов, но есть риск купить товар не из списка

покупок.

4.В гипермаркетах и торговых комплексах вы можете купить разнообразные

товары.

5.Некоторые люди отдыхают, когда ходят по магазинам.

6.В торговых комплексах покупатели также могут сходить в кино или посетить

кафе.

7.Покупка товаров онлайн позволяет сэкономить время тем, кто не любит стоять в очереди.

8.Вам нужно открыть каталог товаров, выбрать нужное и заказать их.

9.Все онлайн-магазины осуществляют доставку товаров до двери.

10.Онлайн-шоппинг будет особенно удобен тем, у кого нет времени ходить по магазинам, или тем, кто не может выйти из дома.

8.Match the words in column A with the definitions in column B.

9. Match the words below with the correct definitions.

10. Use words from the box to fill in the blanks in the text.

Bob 1) … during his lunch hour. After a quick lunch, he goes to the 2) … in the new 3) … . He walks around putting the things he needs in a 4) … . He always writes a 5) … of things he needs to buy, but he often forgets to look at it. When he looks for some coffee on the 6) … , he can’t find any: an 7) … tells him they have 8) … coffee. When he has finished his shopping, he has to join the 9) … at the 10) … . When it’s his turn to pay, he asks the 11) … for a plastic 12) … . She checks the 13) … on the items and 14) … them … on the 15) … . Then she tells him the 16)

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… and he 17) … . She gives him the 18) … and his 19) … . As he is putting his change away he finds his shopping list, still in his pocket.

11. Prepare a retelling of the text «Shopping».

Speaking

12. Read and translate this dialog.

In a shop

A s s i s t a n t : Can I help you?

C u s t o m e r : Yes. Have you got any shoes like these? A s s i s t a n t : What size do you need?

C u s t o m e r : Size twelve.

A s s i s t a n t : And what colour? C u s t o m e r : Black.

A s s i s t a n t : I am sorry, we haven’t. We have one pair of size ten, but they are brown.

C u s t o m e r : Could you show me another pair of leather shoes? A s s i s t a n t : Yes, of course. How do you like this pair?

C u s t o m e r : Let me see… well, that’s just what I want. I think I’ll take them. A s s i s t a n t : You’d better try them on to make sure. How do they feel?

C u s t o m e r : Well, they seem all right. Just pinch a little bit. Don’t you think they will stretch when I wear them?

A s s i s t a n t : I don’t think it’s good to wear tight shoes. Try on a larger pair.

C u s t o m e r : You are right. These shoes fit perfectly. I’d like also a nice summer dress.

A s s i s t a n t : Oh, madam, I can offer you a wide choice of dresses to all tastes. What colour dress would you like?

C u s t o m e r : Something not too loud. I think something in blue or pink, or maybe light-brown. A s s i s t a n t : Yes, madam. What size do you take in dresses?

C u s t o m e r : My size is ten.

A s s i s t a n t : Just have a look at this dress.

C u s t o m e r : Mm… The cut is somewhat strange…

A s s i s t a n t : Oh, madam, such dresses are just coming in. They are going to be all the fashion in the coming season.

C u s t o m e r : Where can I try it on?

A s s i s t a n t : Just step into this fitting room. You look smart in this dress. C u s t o m e r : Do I?

A s s i s t a n t : Does it fit you well?

C u s t o m e r : I am afraid it is just a little bit broad in the shoulders.

A s s i s t a n t : Let me see….yes, you are right. And now I see it is a bit too long in the sleeves. C u s t o m e r : Will it shrink, do you think? Perhaps if it does….

A s s i s t a n t : Oh no, madam, it won’t shrink, it is made of pre-shrunk stuff. Try on this dress. It’s a size smaller.

C u s t o m e r : Now let me see… Oh yes, it fits me well.

A s s i s t a n t : Shall I wrap it up for you?

C u s t o m e r : Yes, please. How much are they? A s s i s t a n t : 200$.

C u s t o m e r : Fine. That’s just the money I was thinking to pay. Where is the cash-desk? A s s i s t a n t : Over there on the right.

C u s t o m e r : Thank you.

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13.In pairs, create your own dialog and present it to your groupmates.

14.Where do you prefer doing the shopping – at a supermarket, a local grocery or a hypermarket? Work with a partner to fill in the table: advantages / disadvantages of going shopping to the supermarket, local grocery, hypermarket, online shops.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Writing

15. Do you love or hate shopping? Is online shopping the best way to buy things? Answer these questions in a short essay (200-250 words).

Unit 4. Pastimes

Before reading

1.In pairs, discuss these questions.

1.What are some of your hobbies or interests? Have they changed over the years?

2.What kinds of hobbies or interests do your friends or family have? Do they influence your choice of friends?

3.How much time do you spend on your hobbies or interests? Do they interfere with your work or personal life?

2.Pay attention to these words and word combinations.

3. Read the text.

Pastimes of teenagers in Great Britain and Russia

The word hobby is used to describe any favourite leisure occupation. Leisure occupations or hobbies can be divided into four groups: doing things, making things, collecting things and learning things.

Britain has been described as a «leisure society». There is a great variety of leisure pursuits. Young people generally go out on Friday or Saturday nights to a disco, to a concert or to a pub. In recent years, going out for a meal or getting a take-away meal have become popular too. During the past years, there is a great increase in keeping fit and staying healthy. Many teens started

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running, jogging and going to different fitness clubs in their spare time. Aerobics classes and fitness clubs opened in every town, and the number of recreation centres greatly increased.

The same is true in Russia. Many teens go in for different kinds of sport. Sport helps them to feel fit. In both countries, there are special programmes for teenagers, such as jumping out of aeroplanes. However, despite the increase in the number of teens participating in sport, the majority of young people still prefer to be spectators. They prefer to be couch potatoes. Watching sports on TV is a popular leisure activity, as is going to football matches on Saturday. Cinemas have been redesigned with four or more screens, each showing a different film at the same time, and many teens like going to the cinemas too.

The young generation is fond of communication. The most popular way are computers and smartphones. Teenagers spend plenty of time working on computers. They chat with friends from different countries and get their answers instantly. Many teenagers have mobile phones, so they can always be contacted or tend text messages.

Many teenagers in both countries are crazy about other kinds of activities, such as travelling, visiting historical places, reading, going to museums, going fishing, shopping, helping people in need and others.

After reading

4. Answer these questions.

1. What is the meaning of «hobby»?

2.What is a classification of hobbies?

3.Why is Britain called a «leisure society»?

4.Are there any trends during the past years?

5.Is Russia different from Britain in leisure activities?

6.What is «couch potatoes»?

7.Is going to cinema popular in Russia?

8.How does young generation communicate with each other?

9.Is it a fast way of communication?

10.What leisure activities are popular in Russia and Britain?

5.Agree or disagree with the following statements and prove your point of view. Use the following phrases: I agree that... It’s true... I disagree because... I can’t agree with this statement because... It’s false...

1.Doing things and making things are the same activities.

2.Spending nights at a disco or at a pub are popular in Britain nowadays.

3.Russia has a great variety of leisure pursuits.

4.Young people mostly prefer sport activities.

5.Information technologies are being used for communication purposes.

6.Fill the table with hobbies and pastimes. Use information from the text. Can you add more? Doing things

Making things Collecting things Learning things

7.Fill in the gap.

1.Regular … helps people to keep fit.

2.Leisure occupations and hobby are also called … .

3.Everyone who wants to be healthy, should … .

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