Добавил:
ivanov666
Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз:
Предмет:
Файл:Let’s read!. Учебное пособие по чтению на английском языке
.pdf
91
Translate into English:
1. Общая площадь Российской федерации составляет более 17 миллионов
километров.
2. В мире вряд ли есть еще одна страна с такой разнообразной флорой и
фауной.
3. Озеро Байкал — самое глубокое озеро на земном шаре и служит
предметом гордости россиян.
4. На территории Российской федерации существует 11 часовых поясов.
5. Россия является конституционной республикой с президентской
формой правления.
6. Законодательная власть принадлежит Федеральному Собранию,
состоящему из двух палат.
7. Законодательная и судебная власти прямо не подчиняются Президенту.
Text 2
THE STATE SYSTEM OF RUSSIA
Russia is a democratic federative law-governed state with a republican form of
government. The Russian Federation consists of 83 constituents entities / components
(republics, krays, oblasts, cities of federal significance, autonomous oblasts and
autonomous okrugs, which have equal rights). The authorities of the constituent
entities have the right to pass laws independently from the federal government. These
laws are valid on the territory of the appropriate federate division, but they cannot
contradict the federal laws. In case of conflicts between federal and local authorities,
the President uses consensual procedures to resolve the problem. In the event a
consensus is not reached, the dispute is transferred to the appropriate court for its
resolution. The Russian President has the right to suspend acts passed by local
executive authorities in case that these acts conflict with federal laws of Russia, its
international commitments, or if they violate the human and civil rights and freedoms
until the issue is resolved by appropriate court.
State power in Russia is vested in three independent branches: legislative,
executive and judicial. Legislative power belongs to the Federal Assembly (the
Parliament). Executive power belongs to the central and local governments. Judicial
Power is provided by appropriate judicial system and by civil, administrative and
criminal legislation.
92
The President is the head of the state and determines the basic objectives of the
internal and external policy of the state. He is elected for six years on the basic of
universal, equal and direct right to vote by secret ballot for all eligible citizens. One
and the same person cannot serve as President for more than two terms in succession.
The President stops performing his duties ahead of time if he resigns, because of
impeachment, or if he cannot continue to carry out duties due to poor health.
Elections of a new President are to take place within three months and in the
meantime his duties are acted upon by the Chairman of the Government of the
Russian Federation.
The President appoints, with the consent of the State Duma, the Chairman of
the Government, adopts the decisions on the resignation of the government. The
President nominates to the State Duma a candidate for appointment to the post of the
Chairman of the Central Bank, presidents to the Federation Council, candidates for
the posts of the Constitutional and Supreme Court Justices, Supreme Arbitration
Court Justices, and a candidate for the post of Prosecutor General. The President
forms and heads the Security Council. He is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and appoints the supreme commanders of
the Armed Forces. He appoints diplomatic representatives for approval by the
Parliament. He confers supreme military and supreme special titles and honorary
titles of the state. He has the right to pardon and to decide on issues of citizenship. He
has the right to introduce the state of emergency throughout the country or in a
particular area within the Russian Federation. The President has the right to dissolve
the State Duma, to announce elections ahead of time and to pass the decision to
conduct a referendum on federal issues.
The judicial power of the country is vested in the Constitutional Court, which
consists of 13 judges elected for unlimited term (till 65 years of age).
The system of federal common courts includes the Supreme Court, courts of
the regions and martial courts.
The system of Courts of Arbitration includes 93 courts: Higher,
10 interregional courts of federal district, 82 regional courts. The Higher Arbitration
Court was established in January, 1992.
The Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation is the single centralized
structure for supervision over maintenance of the laws and human rights and for
criminal prosecution.
93
Answer the questions:
1. What type of state is Russia?
2. Who has the right to pass laws independently from the federal government?
3. When does the President use consensual procedures to resolve the problem?
4. Where is the dispute transferred to in case a consensus is not reached?
5. In which case does the President have the right to suspend acts passed by
local executive authorities?
6. What are the three independent branches of state power in Russia?
7. Who determines the basic objectives of internal and external policy?
8. What are the basic principles of voting when electing the President?
9. Who heads the Security Council?
10. What is the judicial authority of the Russian Federation?
Text 3
MOSCOW
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. It is also the capital of
Moscow Oblast, and it stands on the Moskva River. Moscow is the economic,
political and cultural center of Russia. Railways and numerous airlines link the city
with all parts of Russia. Navigable waterways, including the Moscow Canal, Moskva
River, and Volga-Don Canal, make the port areas of the city directly accessible to
shipping from the Baltic, White, Black, and Caspian seas and the Sea of Azov.
Moscow covers an area of about 880 sq. km. Concentric boulevards divide the
city into several sections. At the center of the concentric circles (and semicircles) are
the Kremlin, the former governmental seat of Russia, and adjacent Red Square, which
form the center of a radial street pattern. Moscow has a modern underground system
famous for its marble-walled stations.
Situated on the north bank of the Moskva River, the Kremlin is the dominant
landmark of Moscow. A stone wall, up to 21 m in height and 19 towers, surrounds
this triangular complex of former palaces, cathedrals, and other monuments of tsarist
times, some of them dating from the Middle Ages. The Great Kremlin Palace, completed in 1849, is the most imposing structure within the Kremlin. Other notable
Kremlin palaces are the Granovitaya Palace (1491) and the Terem (1636).
Among many cathedrals, now used mainly as museums, are the Cathedral of
the Assumption (Успения) and the Archangel Cathedral, each with five gilded
94
domes, and the Cathedral of the Annunciation (Благовещения) (13–14th century),
with nine gilded domes. Another landmark of the Kremlin is the Tower of Ivan the
Great, a bell tower 98 m high. On a nearby pedestal is the Tsar's Bell (nearly
200 tons), one of the largest in the world. A recent addition to the Kremlin is the
Palace of Congresses, completed in 1961. In this huge modern building were held
meetings of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and congresses of the Communist
party of the Soviet Union; theatrical and other artistic performances have been
held here as well.
St Basil's Cathedral, famous for its unique architecture and colored domes,
stands on the Red Square.
One of the best-known sections of Moscow is the Kitaigorod (Chinese City),
the ancient commercial quarter lying to the east of the Kremlin. This section is now
the site of many government office buildings. Other points of interest in Moscow
include the Central Lenin Stadium, comprising about 130 buildings for various sports
and the tall Ostankino TV tower, which contains a revolving restaurant and an
observation platform.
Vocabulary:
navigable — судоходный
accessible — доступный
marble-walled — с мраморными стенами
landmark — ориентир, достопримечательность
gilded — позолоченный
revolving — вращающийся
observation — обозрение
Answer the questions:
1. Where is Moscow located?
2. Is Moscow a port city?
3. How is Moscow divided into sections?
4. What is known about Moscow Underground system?
5. What are the places of interest in Moscow?
6. Why is the Kremlin the most important place of interest for tourists?
7. What Russian Orthodox cathedrals are situated inside the Kremlin?
8. What is Palace of Congresses used for at present time?
95
UNIT 14. SEASONS AND WEATHER
Text 1
SEASONS AND WEATHER
There are four seasons in a year: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each
of them lasts 3 months. Spring comes in March and ends in May. It often rains in
spring, especially in April. Summer is the hottest season in the year. It begins in June
and ends in August. In summer the sky is clear and cloudless. The days are long and
the nights are short and warm. Summer brings fruits and vegetables. It is pleasant to
spend this season on the sea or in the country. The autumn months are September,
October and November. The days are becoming shorter; the sun loses its force. It
often rains. It is the season of harvesting. Winter lasts three months: December,
January and February. It is getting colder day by day. The sun shines rarely and it
snows often. But everything looks so pretty covered by snow. So, in every season
there are bright and dark sides. But we must be thankful together whatever the
weather.
Vocabulary:
season — время года
spring — весна
summer — лето
autumn — осень
winter — зима
month — месяц
rain — дождь
clear — ясный
cloudless — безоблачный
pleasant — приятный
spend — проводить
in the country — за городом
force — сила
harvesting — сбор урожая
rarely — редко
snow — снег
pretty — красивый
96
covered — покрытый
bright — яркий
dark — темный
thankful — благодарен
Answer the questions:
1. How many seasons are there in a year?
2. How long does each month last?
3. What is the hottest season?
4. What are the autumn months?
5. What are the winter months?
6. What is the weather like in each season?
Text 2
THE CLIMATE OF GREAT BRITAIN
А. Great Britain is situated on the islands. It is washed by seas from all the
sides. That’s why the climate and the nature of Great Britain are very specific. It is
not very cold in winter and never very hot in summer. There is no ice on the lakes
and rivers in winter. It seldom snows. It rains very often in all the seasons. The
weather changes very often. All this is due to the influence of the Gulf Stream.
The English also say that there are three variants of weather: when it rains in
the morning, when it rains in the afternoon or when it rains all day long. The driest
period is from March to June and the wettest months are from October to January.
The average temperature is from 5 to 23 degrees above zero. Sometimes the
temperature rises to 30 degrees above zero in summer and falls to 10 degrees below
zero in winter.
So, we may say that the British climate has three main features: it is mild,
humid and changeable. This humid and mild climate is good for plants. Trees and
flowers begin to blossom very early in spring.
В. The climate of Great Britain is mild, temperate and wet. In the country it is
not hot in summer and it is not very cold in winter. Spring is very beautiful season
because everything is covered with flowers. Autumn is wet and cool. In January
average temperature is from 3 to 7 degrees below zero and in July it is from
16–17 degrees above zero. It often rains in Great Britain. It does not often snow in
Great Britain. The weather changes very quickly. In the morning it may be shining
97
brightly and in the afternoon it may rain. That is why radio and television inform
people about weather forecast very often. The British joke is “In other countries it is
climate, in Britain we have weather.”
Vocabulary:
is situated — расположена
islands — острова
is washed — омывается
changes — меняется
due to — благодаря
the influence — влияние
average — средний
rises — поднимается
falls — падает
main features — основные черты
mild — мягкий
humid — влажный
to blossom — цвести
dry — сухой
wet — влажный, мокрый
covered — покрытый
forecast — прогноз
joke — шутка
Answer the questions:
1. Why are the climate and the nature of Great Britain very specific?
2. What is winter like?
3. What is summer like?
4. Is there ice on the lakes and rivers in winter?
5. Does it snow often or seldom?
6. Does it rain often or seldom?
7. Why does the weather change very often?
8. What do the English say about the weather?
9. What is the driest period?
10. What are the wettest months?
11. What are the main features of the British climate?
12. Is the climate good for plants? What proves it?
98
Text 3
THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH WEATHER
In 1758 Samuel Johnson, that great authority in the country, noted “It is
commonly observed, that when two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the
weather, they are in haste to tell each other, what each must already know, that it is
hot or cold, bright or cloudy, windy or calm.” As with much else in English life, this
has remained unchanged and is cherished as a good English tradition.
The weather really is a national weakness. All the jokes and anecdotes which
are told about this are totally justified. Every English conversation really does turn
around this subject, even semi-formal letters from organizations will contain some
remark about good or bad weather. And as for private conversation, the weather is
simply inevitable. In a little English church, two charming middle-aged (but certainly
not old) English ladies, upon hearing that you are from Russia will almost certainly
say “Lovely weather today, don’t you think? So much better than yesterday.” Having
found strength in this meaningful remark, they then carry on the conversation on a
different subject (for example, how is the weather in Moscow? Cold as usual?).
In Europe talking about the weather means that you are 1. making polite
conversation, 2. bored, 3. fulfilling the requirements of formal politeness, 4. talking
to people you do not know or to officials. For the English, talking about the weather
is entirely different, it is 1. interesting, 2. important, 3. necessary, 4. affects
everybody. Every morning the English greet their neighbors with the phrase about the
weather and swap this important information. There is also the greeting “How are
you?” but everybody knows that you do not need to answer as it is not interesting.
In pubs, museums, hotels, wherever you run into the English, you need to be
ready to start your conversation with the phrase about the English weather and then
follow that up (since you are a foreigner) with a conversation about the weather in
Russia. Surprisingly enough the English react in exactly the same way when they
meet with their compatriots and even with close friends. Even if you saw each other
last night, you need to be ready for the inevitable “It’s a bit chilly today, isn’t it?” Do
not be offended, this does not mean that they are dismissing you and putting you in
your place, just accept it as part of English life. The ability to hold a conversation
about the weather is always seen as a sign of good upbringing.
There is one golden rule for discussing the weather in England, and it was
formulated by Hungarian called George Mikes who made England his home. He
wrote: “You must not conflict anybody when discussing the weather. Should it snow,
should hurricanes uproot the trees from the sides of the road and should someone
remark to you: “Nice day, isn’t it?” — answer without hesitation: “Isn’t it lovely?”.
99
Answer the questions:
1. What is the topic of the first talk when two Englishmen meet?
2. How do they usually describe the weather?
3. What is thought as a national weakness?
4. Why do even semi-formal letters contain remarks about the weather?
5. Why is the weather inevitable subject of private conversation?
6. What do the English think about the weather in Russia?
7. What does it mean when you talk about the weather in Europe?
8. And what does it mean when you are in England?
9. How do the English greet their neighbors?
10. What greeting doesn’t need an answer in Britain?
11. What is a sign of good upbringing in England?
12. What is the golden rule of discussing the weather in England?
13. When the weather is nasty and you are asked “Fine day, isn’t it?” what is
the right answer if you are in England? And if you are in Russia?
UNIT 15. HEALTHY LIFE STYLE
Text 1
HEALTHY WAY OF LIFE
To be healthy is very important. You can work, learn and have fun only when
you are healthy. Health is the man’s greatest wealth. Of course, you can inherit some
problems from your parents. But you can always keep your health if you want to.
As for me, the healthy way of life does not mean to look, like a top model or a
ballet-dancer. The human body needs a little fat, about 10 % but not much more. So,
the first rule of healthy way of life is to have normal weight, not to be overweight,
and not to change your weight quickly.
There are two ways to do so. You can regulate your diet and your exercise.
I know some facts about these ways.
People in all times understood how important food is. To be healthy you need
vitamins and fiber. You should eat fruit and vegetables. The English say “An apple a
day keeps the doctor away”. It is because apples have vitamins and are good for your
health. The most important vitamin is vitamin C. You can find it in lemons, oranges
and even in cabbage. You can find fiber in plants. As for me, I eat fruit or vegetables
every day. In the evening I usually have cabbage or boiled beetroots.
100
But if you eat fruit and vegetables, it does not mean that you keep to a healthy
diet; there are things you should not eat much. They are chocolate, pasta, cakes and
sweets. They have much fat and sugar. This food gives a lot of energy. If you do not
work it out it becomes fat in your body. I don`t want to become fat. That is why
I have apples or bananas for lunch. I eat sweets from time to time.
If you eat sweets and fat food from time to time, you have to exercise
regularly. Many people jog, walk or cycle in their free time. Physical exercises help
you keep fit and have a good figure. They also help you lose weight and work out
energy. It is not good to be as thin, as a stick, but extra weight can cause serious
problems, such as heart problems and diabetes. In my free time I walk with my
friends or my sister. I try to walk when it is possible.
For example, if I can walk or go by bus, I choose to walk.
There are also some bad habits, which can ruin your health. They are smoking,
drinking alcohol and using drugs. My parents don`t smoke, and I don`t smoke, either.
I think these bad habits ruin health and show your weak character.
Nowadays it becomes more and more popular to be healthy and slim. Everyone
has to decide what he can do to be healthy. What do you do?
Vocabulary:
to be overweight — иметь избыточный вес
fat — толстый, тучный
drug — наркотик
fiber — клетчатка
ruin — разрушать
beetroots — свекла
weak — слабый
slim — стройный
Answer the questions:
1. What is the man’s greatest wealth?
2. What does the human body need?
3. What do you need to be healthy?
4. What does the English say?
5. What is the most important vitamin?
6. What food gives a lot of energy?
7. Do you have any bad habits?
Соседние файлы в предмете [НЕСОРТИРОВАННОЕ]