Английский язык. Тексты общественно-политической тематики «обзор английской прессы» = English language. Texts of socio-political topics «A glimpse of

English language. Texts of socio-political topics: “A glimpse of English press”

2.They play a vital role in ensuring __________ for human rights violations.

3.Economic __________ is essential for improving living standards in developing nations.

4.During humanitarian __________, international organizations coordinate relief efforts.

5.Many international organizations work to create and enforce environmental

__________.

Task 3: Synonyms and Antonyms

Write a synonym and antonym for the following words

Task 4: Answer the questions

1.What motivated the creation of international governmental organizations in recent decades?

2.How have some international organizations evolved in terms of their influence and operations?

3.What are the key functions of international organizations mentioned in the text?

4.Can you provide examples of both intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations?

5.How do international organizations contribute to promoting human rights?

Task 5: Translate the following sentences into English

1.Рост количества международных правительственных организаций за последнее время продиктовано желанием усилить взаимодействие между странами .

2.Эти организации играют ключевую роль в содействии сотрудничеству между странами.

3.Такиеорганизации,какВсемирнаяорганизацияздравоохранения,координируют международные реакции на кризисы в области здравоохранения.

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Английский язык. Тексты общественно-политической тематики: «обзор английской прессы»

4.Международные организации помогают странам, нуждающимся в реформе, защищая права человека

5.Они также занимаются защитой окружающей среды через инициативы, направленные на устойчивое развитие.

Task 6: Short Essay

Write a short essay (150–200 words) discussing the importance of international organizations in addressing global challenges. Use at least five vocabulary words from the list provided in the previous tasks.

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Text 3

WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?

Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. They are inherent to all human beings and are essential for living with dignity, freedom, equality, and justice. When the UDHR (UNITED NATION UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS) was released, it had two purposes: one to provide a guideline for the future and two to force the world to acknowledge the same during World War II, (because after world war we have lost so many lives unnecessarily and the governments in some countries do not provide the basic requirement of the people) Initially, the Human rights of many individuals had been infringed on a very large scale. So that governments can be held accountable for their actions if they are violating what stands under Human Rights. There’s power in naming injustice and pointing to a precedent, which makes the UDHR and other human right documents so important. UDHR states that there are some basic laws that must be practiced or some rights must be given to people to ensure human dignity, individuality, equality, and also to protect them. Human rights are often enshrined in international law and can be categorized into several groups:

1. Civil and Political Rights

These rights protect individuals’ freedoms and ensure their ability to participate in the civil and political life of society without discrimination or repression. Examples include the right to free speech, the right to a fair trial, and the right to vote.

2. Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

Theserightsfocusonthewell-beingofindividualsandcommunities.Theyinclude the right to education, the right to work, the right to health, and the right to an adequate standard of living.

3. Collective Rights

These rights are held by groups rather than individuals. They include the right to self-determination, the right to development, and the right to a healthy environment.

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Английский язык. Тексты общественно-политической тематики: «обзор английской прессы»

Human rights are universal and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away or given up. They are protected by various international treaties and declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Task 1: Vocabulary Matching

Match the following terms with their definitions

a.Inalienable Rights

b.Civil Rights

c.Political Rights

d.Economic Rights

e.Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Definitions

1.A landmark document that outlines fundamental human rights.

2.Rights that ensure individuals have access to basic economic needs.

3.Rights related to participation in government and political processes.

4.Rights that protect individuals’ freedoms in society.

5.Rights that cannot be taken away or transferred.

Task 2: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the words from the box below (dignity, freedoms, discrimination, justice, well-being)

a.Human rights are essential for living with __________ and respect.

b.They protect individuals’ __________ and ensure equality for all.

c.Violations of human rights can lead to social __________ and unrest.

d.Economic, social, and cultural rights contribute to the overall __________

of individuals.

e.Upholding human rights is crucial for achieving social __________

in society.

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English language. Texts of socio-political topics: “A glimpse of English press”

Task 3: Synonyms and Antonyms

Write a synonym and antonym for the following words

Task 4: Word Formation

Use the root word to create different forms

• Right • Discriminate • Declare

Task 5: Answer the questions

1.What are human rights and why are they important for everyone?

2.What are the main categories of human rights that you can name?

3.What are the examples of civil and political rights?

4.Why are human rights considered universal and inalienable?

5.How do international agreements protect human rights?

Task 6: Translate the following sentences into English

1.Права человека являются основополагающими правами, которые принадлежат каждому человеку в мире. независимо от национальности, пола, этнической принадлежности, религии или любого другого статуса.

2.Гражданские и политические права защищают свободы личности и обеспечивают участие в жизни общества.

3.Экономические, социальные и культурные права сосредоточены на благополучии людей и сообществ.

4.Коллективные права принадлежат группам, а не отдельным людям.

5.Все права человека защищены международными договорами и декларациями.

Task 7: Short Essay

Write a short essay (150–200 words) discussing the importance of human rights in society. Use at least five vocabulary words from the list provided in the previous tasks.

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Text 4

BRITISH COUNCIL

COULD DISAPPEAR WITHIN A DECADE,

SAYS CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Exclusive: Scott McDonald is looking at budget cuts and axing the organization’s presence in up to 40 countries. Why the financial crisis at the British Council matters as UK pushes soft power The British Council could “disappear” within a decade, harming the UK’s global status and leaving an international vacuum to be filled by Russia and China, unless the government acts to save it, according to the council’s leader. Scott McDonald, the British Council’s chief executive, said he was looking at £250m in budget cuts, losing hundreds of staff and axing the council’s presence in up to 40 countries. McDonald said, ‘Without financial guarantees from the government I think we’d be in real danger of disappearing, probably over a period of a decade. And I don’t think I’m saying this just for headlines, I think it’s really true.” The financial crisis would imperil hundreds of millions of pounds in economic activity generated by the council’s activities, jeopardising Britain’s soft power and cultural influence, with knock-on effects on diplomacy, tourism and international student recruitment. The council — which independently generates 85% of its nearly £1bn annual revenue from commercial activities such as language classes — has an active presence in 100 countries but is being forced to consider closing down operations in 30 to 40. China was attracting students from across the world through scholarships and other aid, with UK higher education facing increased competition for talented students and billions of pounds in international tuition fees. UK education is an international export success story but it’s not a given. Places such as Singapore and Malaysia have historic ties to Britain but UK universities have to work hard to convince students, who are able to travel almost anywhere in the world, to go to a British institution, and the British Council plays a big role in that. The council’s financial instability arises from a £200m Covid-era loan from the government. The government charges commercial interest rates with a rolling oneyear term, requiring annual reauthorization that McDonald said was “a very painful

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English language. Texts of socio-political topics: “A glimpse of English press”

experience for us, because each year we’re going to be insolvent unless the loan is renewed”. McDonald added: “We really need help on that loan. The government’s got to turn it into something viable for us, and at reasonable terms. And they’ve got to start funding us so that we can do more around the world. “I would like the loan to be written off but I think in this economic environment, it’s very difficult to justify. So I would just like reasonable loan terms of something like 25 years and a lower interest rate, and then we’d commit to paying it back fully.” McDonald said he offered the council’s collection of art valued at £200m, including works by Barbara Hepworth, Steve McQueen, David Hockney and Rachel Whiteread, to the government in exchange for writing off the loan but to no avail. The council wants to avoid selling any of its art collection, much of it given by artists to support the British Council’s work. But its financial crisis may leave no alternative.

Task 1: Vocabulary Matching

Match the words with their definitions

Definitions

a.A financial award to support a student’s education

b.The ability to attract and co-opt rather than coercively persuade

c.To put something in danger

d.Results that follow from an action or event

e.Capable of working successfully

f.The state of being unstable or unreliable

g.To eliminate or reduce significantly

h.The power to shape the culture and values of others

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Английский язык. Тексты общественно-политической тематики: «обзор английской прессы»

Task 2: Fill in the Blanks with appropriate words from the text

1.The British Council could “__________” within a decade if the government does not intervene.

2.Scott McDonald mentioned that the council generates 85% of its revenue from

__________ activities.

3.The financial crisis threatens the UK’s __________ power and cultural influence.

4.The government’s loan has created a situation where the council is facing

__________ every year.

5.The British Council plays a significant role in attracting __________ students to UK institutions.

Task 3: Synonyms and Antonyms

Identify synonyms and antonyms for the following words from the text

2.Jeopardising

•Synonym: __________

•Antonym: __________

Task 4: Word Formation

Use the root word to create different forms (verb, adjective, adverb)

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English language. Texts of socio-political topics: “A glimpse of English press”

Task 5: Answer the questions

1.Who is the chief executive of the British Council, and what warning did he give regarding the organization’s future?

2.What amount in budget cuts is the British Council considering, and how many staff members could potentially be affected?

3.Why does Scott McDonald believe that the British Council could disappear within a decade?

4.How does the financial crisis at the British Council impact the UK’s soft power and cultural influence?

5.What percentage of the British Council’s annual revenue is generated from commercial activities, and what are some examples of these activities?

6.In how many countries does the British Council currently have an active presence, and how many countries are they considering closing operations in?

7.What challenges does UK higher education face in attracting international students, according to the text?

8.What specific financial issue is the British Council facing related to a Covidera loan from the government?

9.What terms does Scott McDonald propose for the loan to make it more manageable for the British Council?

10.What alternative did McDonald offer to the government in exchange for writing off the loan, and what was the government’s response?

Task 6: Translate into English

1.По мнению .МакДональда, Британский Совет может исчезнуть в ближайшее время из-за экономического кризиса.

2.2.Британский Совет имеет огромный доход от коммерческой деятельности, такой как, например, языковые школы, которые действуют почти в 100 странах мира.

3.Одной из причин экономической нестабильности Совета является займ, полученный от правительства в период Ковида.

4.Взамен на списание долга МкДональд предложил продать государству коллекцию картин стоимостью 200 млн фунтов.

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Английский язык. Тексты общественно-политической тематики: «обзор английской прессы»

Task 7: Short Essay

Write a short essay (150–200 words) discussing the importance of the British Council in promoting UK education globally. Use at least five vocabulary words from the text.

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