Иностранный язык. Развитие английской разговорной речи. Учебное пособие
.pdfRostov is the cultural centre of the Rostov region. There are many educational establishments in Rostov in eluding the Rostov State University founded in Warsaw in 1815. There are six theatres in Rostov (Gorky Drama Theatre, Philharmonic, Puppet Theatre, Theatre of Musical Comedy, Theatre of Young Spectators and Musical Theatre).
There are two museums (Local Lore Museum, Fine Arts Museum), eight stadiums, several Palaces of Culture, a lot of cinemas, libraries, parks and gardens.
Rostov is famous for many prominent people who lived here.
The city is very green. There are a lot of parks in the city. In summer you can see a lot of people on the beach on the left bank of the Don River.
16. Answer the following questions:
1. What is the status of Rostov-on-Don now? 2. Is Rostov-on-Don an old city?
3. What role did Peter the Great play in the history of Rostov-on-Don? 4. Why did Peter the Great call the spring “rich”?
5. When was the first fortress built? How was it called?
17. Learn the following words by heart: construct — возводить, строить
attract — привлекать invader — захватчик
A.D. (Anno Domini) — н.э.
trade-settlements — торговые поселения, фактории
Byzantynne — Византия to conduct — проводить exit — выход
peace treaty — мирный договор mouth of the river — устье реки weapon — оружие
anchor — якорь cannon — пушка purpose — цель
fortress — форт, укрепление
in honour of emperess Alexandra — в честь императрицы Александры to be occupied — быть занятым, заселенным
due to — благодаря luxurious — роскошный irresistible — неотразимый
111
18. Learn the following dialogue by heart.
A.: Hello, Peter. How are you? Where were you a few days ago? I rang you up, but there was no answer.
B.: Didn't you know I was in Kiev? I only came back last night. A.: I see ... How did you like it there?
B.: The city's wonderful.
A.: Did you have enough time to go sightseeing?
B.: I'm afraid I didn't. There are so many places of interest in Kiev, you know, so many palaces, museums and monuments, I couldn't see all of them.
A.: That's a pity, isn't it?
19.Make up a monologue about your Home Town and its history and places of interest.
20.Read and translate the text.
HOLIDAYS IN RUSSIA
There are many national holidays in Russia, when people all over the country do not work and have special celebrations.
The major holidays are: New Year's Day, Women's Day, May Day, Victory Day, and Independence Day.
The first holiday of the year is New Year's Day. People see the new year in at midnight on the 31st of December They greet the new year with champagne and listen to the Kremlin chimes heating 12 o'clock.
There are a lot of New Year traditions m Russia. In every home there is a New Year tree glittering with coloured lights and decorations Children always wait for Father Frost to come and give them a present. Many people consider New Year's Day to be a family holiday. But the young prefer to have New Year parties of their own.
A renewed holiday in our country is Christmas. It is celebrated on the 7th of January. It's a religious holiday and a lot of people go to church services on that day.
On the 8th of March we celebrate Women's Day when men are supposed to do everything about the house and cook all the meals.
The greatest national holiday in our country is Victory Day. On the 9th of May, 1945, the Soviet Army and its allies completely defeated the German fascists and the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War ended. A magnificent memorial on Poklonnaya Gora has been built to commemorate the Victory. Many veterans took
112
part in the military parade and laid wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All stood in silence for a minute. Radio and television broadcast popular war songs all day long. A lot of guests from different countries of the world came to Moscow to participate in the celebrations.
Independence Day is a new holiday in our country. On the 12th of June, 1992, the first President of Russia was elected.
We also celebrate Day of the Defender of Motherland on the 23d of February, Easter, Day of Knowledge and lots of professional holidays which are not public holidays and banks, offices and schools do not close.
21. Learn the following words by heart: irrespective — независимо
celebration — празднование major — главный
to see the new year in — встречать новый год to greet — встречать
champagne — шампанское chimes — куранты
to beat (beat, beaten) — бить
a New Year tree — новогодняя елка to glitter — блестеть, сверкать
to consider — считать the young — молодежь
renewed — возобновленный religious — религиозный service — служба
men are supposed to... — предполагается, что мужчины… ally — союзники
fascist — фашист
to defeat — наносить поражение, разбивать anniversary — годовщина
magnificent — великолепный, величественный memorial — памятник, мемориал
to commemorate the Victory — в ознаменование победы military — военный
to lay a wreath — возложить венок
to broadcast (broadcast, broadcast) — передавать, вещать to participate — принимать участие
113
to elect — избирать
public — общенародный, общественный to remind — напоминать
22. Answer the following questions:
1.What public holidays are celebrated in Russia?
2.What is your favourite holiday?
3.How is New Year's Day celebrated in your family?
4.Do you see New Year in at home?
5.What New Year traditions do you know?
6.When is Christmas celebrated?
7.What holiday do we celebrate on the 8th of March?
8.What is the greatest national holiday in our country?
9.Why is the 9th of May so sacred for the Russian people?
10.What other Russian holidays do you know?
23.Give a summary of the text.
24.Read and translate the text.
MY NATIVE TOWN
My native town is Stavropol. I am proud to be its citizen. The history of Stavropol is bound up with the history of Russia.
Stavropol was founded in 1777 as a fort in the South part of the Russian land. Later it grew up to the town with the population about 800 thousand people.
The citizens of Stavropol participated in the Great Patriotic War of 1941 – 1945. Nowadays, there are a lot of monuments, which help us to remember that awful times.
Today Stavropol is one of the most beautiful places of Russia. There are a lot of parks and squares. In spring and summer you can see nice flowers here, especially roses. I like to be outside in this time of the year.
Stavropol is a town of students. There are a lot of universities, institutes and colleges. The town has rich cultural traditions. Its drama theatre lifted its curtain long time ago. Also, there are many museums and public libraries here.
The town of Stavropol honours its past and is full of creative effort and vi-
tality.
114
25. Read and discuss the text.
THE MAIN DIRECTIONS OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY
Russia has never threatened anyone, nor does it threaten anyone now. We lay no territorial claims against any country in the world, nor do we intend to deprive anyone of his natural or any other wealth. The fundamental direction of Russia’s foreign activity is the struggle against the nuclear threat, against the arms race, for the preservation and strengthening of universal peace. Its ultimate goal is to provide the Russian people with the possibility of working and living in conditions of lasting peace and freedom.
The world historic experience convincingly says that the genuinely reliable security of one nation cannot be ensured at the expense of the other nation. Security can clearly understood in today’s Russia which attaches considerable significance to its relations with the nuclear powers, primarily with the United States, and seeks to promote cooperation with them on a basis of equality and mutual benefit.
Russia also pays especial attention to maintaining its traditionally good relations with neighbouring countries, that entered the Soviet Union not long ago and are forming now a new community — the Community of Independent States. The strengthening of close and friendly relations with socialist China and democratic India is in the center of Russia’s policy too. Russia is in favour of constructive quests for ways of defusing conflict situations in the Middle and Near East, Central America, Asia and the other regions. Crises and conflicts are fertile soil for international terrorism. In its very principles, Russia rejects terrorism and its prepared to cooperate with the countries in order to uproot it.
One of the main directions of the Russian international activity is the European one. The future of Europe lies, in our view, in peaceful cooperation among the states of that continent. While preserving the experience that has already been accumulated, it is important to move further, to a more stable and dependable security through a radical reduction of nuclear and conventional weapons and close cooperation in deciding all other global problems. This is what we should think about, this is where the power of human intellect and hands should be done without delay, for time is pressing as never before.
115
ТЕМА 13.THE UNITED KINGDOM
Практические вопросы:
1.Соединенное королевство.
2.Английские города.
Задания для отработки практических навыков
1. Read and translate the text.
THE UNITED KINGDOM
The United Kingdom, officially the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, is an island nation and constitutional monarchy in north-western Europe, member of the European Union (EU).
Great Britain is the largest of the British Isles. It comprises, together with numerous smaller islands, England and Scotland, and the principality of Wales. Northern Ireland, also known as Ulster, occupies the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland.
The United Kingdom is bordered to the south by the English Channel, which separates it from continental Europe, to the east by the North Sea, and to the west by the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The only land border is between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The total area of the United Kingdom is 242 sq km. The capital and largest city is London.
The names «United Kingdom», «Great Britain», and «England» are often used interchangeably. The use of «Great Britain», often shortened to «Britain», to describe the whole kingdom is common and widely accepted, although strictly it does not include Northern Ireland.
However, the use of «England» to mean the «United Kingdom» is not acceptable to members of the other constituent countries, especially the Scots and the Welsh.
England and Wales were united administratively, politically, and legally by 1543. The crowns of England and Scotland were united in 1603, but the two countries remained separate political entities until the 1707 Act of Union, which formed the Kingdom of Great Britain with a single legislature. From 1801, when Great Britain and Ireland were united, until the formal establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the kingdom was officially named the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
The mainland of the island of Great Britain is 974 km at its longest and 531 km at its widest; however, the highly indented nature of the island's coastline means that nowhere is more than about 120 km from the sea.
116
The climate of the United Kingdom is mild relative to its latitude, which is the same as that of Labrador in Canada. The mildness is an effect of the warm Gulf Stream. This current brings the prevailing south-west winds that moderate winter temperatures and bring the depressions which have the main day-to-day influence on the weather. The western side of the United Kingdom tends to be warmer than the eastern; the south is warmer than the north. The mean annual temperature is 6 ºC in the far north of Scotland; 11 ºC in the south-west of England. Winter temperatures seldom are below –10 ºC and summer temperatures rarely higher than 32 ºC. The sea winds also bring plenty of moisture; average annual precipitation is more than 1 000 mm.
Rain tends to fall throughout the year, frequently turning to snow in the winter, especially in Scotland, the mountains of Wales, and northern England. The western side of Britain is much wetter than the eastern: average rainfall varies is from 5 000 mm in the western Highlands of Scotland, to less than 500 mm in parts of East Anglia in England.
The population of United Kingdom is more than 56 mln people, but it is one of the world's leading commercial and industrialized nations. In terms of gross national product (GNP) it ranks fifth in the world, with Italy, after the United States, Japan, Germany, and France.
2. Translate into English:
1.Официальное название Великобритании — Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии.
2.Соединенное королевство является членом Европейского союза и конституционной монархией.
3.Северная Ирландия занимает северо-восточную часть острова Ирландия.
4.Пролив Ла-Манш отделяет Соединенное Королевство от континентальной Европы.
5.Остров имеет длину 974 километра и ширину 531 километр.
6.Лондон — столица и самый большой город Англии.
7.Климат Великобритании умеренный. Зимы не холодные, а лето не жаркое.
8.Великобритания — одна из ведущих промышленно-развитых стран
вмире.
3.Learn the following words by heart:
island nation — островное государство
constitutional monarchy — конституционная монархия European Union — Европейский союз
117
to comprise — включать numerous — многочисленные principality — княжество
North Sea — Северное море interchangeably — взаимозаменяемо to accept — принимать, допускать strictly — строго, зд. строго говоря include — включать
constituent — составляющий administratively — административно entities — зд. субъекты
single — зд. единая indented — зд. изрезанная latitude — широта геогр.
prevailing — преобладающий
4.Make up a dialogue about the United Kingdom.
5.Read the following text.
LONDON
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.
London is situated on the river Thames. The city is very old. It has more than 20 centuries old history. Traditionally it is divided into several parts, the City, Westminster, the West End and the East. End. They are very different from each other.
The City is the oldest part of London, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are concentrated here. Few people live in the City but over a million come to work here. There are two places of interest in the City: St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. St. Paul's Cathedral was built in the 17th century by the architect Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was built in the 15th century. It was used as a fortress, a palace and a prison. Now it's a museum.
Westminster is the aristocratic official part of London. There are Buckingham Palace where the Queen lives and the Houses of Parliament along the north bank of the Thames.
118
The clock tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell known as “Big Ben”. Westminster Abbey is the place where the coronation of nearly all kings and queens has taken place. Many of them are buried here as well as some other famous people of the country.
The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. The best hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs, parks and houses are situated there. There are many tourists there from different countries of the world.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London; it was named in the memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square.
The East End is an industrial district of London. There are many factories there. It is densely populated by working class families.
6. Answer the questions:
1.What is the capital of Great Britain?
2.Is London a big city?
3.What is London's population?
4.On what river does London stand?
5.Into what parts is London divided?
6.What places of interest does Westminster include?
7.Who was buried in Westminster Abbey?
8.What is the West End famous for?
9.Why is the central square in London named Trafalgar Square?
10.Who lives in the East End?
7. Read and translate the following dialogue.
TALK ABOUT LONDON
—I say, Ronald, I am going lo London one of these days.
—You don't say so! I hope you will enjoy your trip to London.
—Let's hope for the best. I would like you to tell me something about London.
—With great pleasure. I have been to London several times. Is it your first trip to London?
—Yes, it is. I have never been there before.
—How long are you going to stay there?
—For three days. Then we shall go to Glasgow and Manchester for a couple
of days.
119
—I must tell you that there are many places of interest in the capital of Great
Britain.
—What do you advise me to begin with?
—The Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar square, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace are a must. People who come to London always go to those places of interest.
—Is Buckingham Palace the residence of the Queen?
—Sure. You should watch Changing of the Guard which takes place in front of Buckingham Palace every day. It is a very old ceremony.
—I'll follow you advice.
—If you are keen on ancient architecture you should see St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower.
—Are they in the center of London?
—Yes, they are. The Tower guarded the entry to London from the North Sea for many centuries. Besides don't forget to go to Hyde Park which is the place where mass meetings and demonstrations take place.
—Thank you for the information.
8.Give a summary of the text.
ENGLISH CHARACTER
One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behaviour, and practically no loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.
Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired in saying “Thank you”, “I'm sorry”, “Beg your pardon”. If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented, on a remarkable politeness of the English people.
English people don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.
The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech. Sometimes he conceals his knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner's language.
The Englishman prefers his own house to an apartment in a block of flats, because he doesn't wish his doing to be overlooked by his neighbours. “An Englishman's house is his castle”.
120