Добавил:
ivanov666
Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз:
Предмет:
Файл:Практика английской речи = English Speech Practice 2-й курс
.pdf
Many remarked upon the British behaviour in public. Homicidal violence and street robberies were vanishingly rare. But it wasn’t only in the absence of crime that the gentleness
made itself felt. British pastimes were peaceful and reflective: gardening and and the keeping of pigeons, for example. Vast sporting crowds would gather in such good order that
sporting events resembled church meetings. The British must have been the only people in
the world for whom a typical response to someone who accidentally stepped on one’s toes
was to apologize oneself. British behaviour when ill or injured was stoic. Keeping a “stiff
upper lip” was essential.
Gradually, but overwhelmingly, the character of British restraint has changed into the
exact opposite. Extravagance of gesture, vehemence of expression, vainglorious boastfulness, self-exposure, and absence of inhibition are what we tend to admire now – and the
old modesty is scorned. To control oneself for the sake of the social order, let alone for
dignity or decorum ( a word would either mean nothing to the British these days, or provoke peals of laughter), is thus both personally and socially harmful.
(after Theodore Dalrymple )
Характар беларусаў
Беларус – "не мае ў характары рызыкі , адкрытае і грубае прастаты, характэрнае
для маскоўца…" Ён "не мае лёгкадумнасці, свецкасці і самахвальства, якімі гэтак
часта вызначаюцца палякі". "Ад украінца беларус адзначаецца сваім шчырэйшым
сэрцам, крыху большаю рухавасцю".
"Характар беларуса больш паважны, спакойны і рахманы, з добра развітаю воляю,
панаваннем над сабою і
вытрываласцю ў працы".
"Беларус добры гаспадар, шануе капейку, а крыху можа і скупаваты, … вельмі
гасціны".
"Беларус не помніць злога і легка даруе сваім крыўдзіцелям". "Пачуццё помсты ў
ім няразвіта, што адрознівае яго нават ад украінца".
"Недахват ваяўнічасці трэба тлумачыць толькі лагоднасцю, рахманасцю беларускага народнага характару: беларус рады саступіць
, абы была згода".
"Беларус саўсім не знае рэлігійнага фанатызму ды шавінізму, … беларус як
найлепей жывець са сваімі суседзямі розных вераў ды розных нацыяў".
"Беларус мае душу мяккую, з надзвычайна развітаю ўражлівасцю ды фантазіяю
(аб чым сведчыць прыгажосць і багацце яго народнай паэзіі)".
"У песнях выяўляецца глыбіня душы беларуса,
далікатная, паэтычная, глыбока
задуменная. І найчасцей нейкая засмучаная".
(А.Смоліч "Геаграфія Беларусі" Выданне 3-е. Вільня, 1923)
The Belarusian Character
The geographical disposition of a country appears to condition national characteristics.
The international contacts appear over the centuries to have engendered the most distinctive features of the Belarusian National Character – tolerance and hospitality.
With this quality of tolerance goes a certain “please yourself” approach: better to part
company without fuss, than to quarrel. Not that the Belarusians are faint-hearted when
called upon to defend their freedom and their native land: few nations have been more
fired over the centuries by deeds of chivalry, or by patriotic songs and verse than they.
211
The Belarusian is generally intelligent, tactful, imaginative and hard working. In company he is hospitable, convivial and a humourist even in adversity.
A land of lakes, rivers, forests and marshes, Belarus is veiled in a slightly sparkling mist
which has been likened to that of the Celtic lands.
In general, Belarusians are fond of proverbs, riddles, marvellous tales of miraculous
icons, of angels and ghosts, prediction and herbal medicine.
These propensities, together with their self-effacing manner and deeply individualistic
idealism, have led them to be called after Tolkien, and perhaps not inaptly, the hobbits of
Eastern Europe.
(From Minsk by Guy Picarda, 1994)
Class Communication
Ex. 12 These texts above about Belarusians were written by different people in
different times. Do you think the descriptions are accurate? Has the Belarusian
character changed in your opinion?
This is a letter from Dave. Dave is an American exchange student in Britain, who is living in Frank’s home, while Frank stays in America with Dave’s family.
Dear Frank,
Hi! How are you getting on in the States? I am having a wonderful time here in England
with your family and friends. Everyone is so friendly and hospitable. They all welcome me
into their homes and treat me as one of the family.
I have been very surprised by English people. I thought they would all be very conserva-
tive and traditional. Instead I have found them very open to new ideas. I also thought Eng-
lish people would be rather shy. But most people seem very self-confident and sure of them-
selves, almost as much as Americans. I find the English very tolerant too. Nobody here seems
to mind very much how you dress or what you say. Of course, there are some narrow-minded
people too. But I don’t think there are as many as there are back home in the States.
I often think of you in my home and what you must be thinking about Americans. I ex-
pect you think we are too hard-working and too materialistic. I never realised how much
Americans talk about money, until I came to Britain. And you probably also think that Amer-
icans are very rude compared with the British. I don’t think we’re really so rude, it’s just that
we don’t use all those polite British phrases like “do you mind” and “could I” and “may I”.
One difference I have noticed is that the British don’t seem as optimistic as Americans. In
America we always think we can change things and make them better. But I get the feeling
that the British have a rather pessimistic view of life
I’m feeling lazy so that’s all I’m going to write now. I look forward to hearing your im-
pressions of America.
Yours, Dave
A Letter from Britain
212
Writing
Ex. 13 Choose one of the following tasks:
1. You are Frank. Write a letter to Dave about your impressions of America.
2. A friend of yours who lives in another town has been offered a job in the USA. He / she
knows you’ve been to America, that’s why he / she asks you about the American lifestyle:
Do all Americans wear jeans? Do they prefer walking to driving , eating fast food to
cooking? etc
Write a letter to your friend. Try to answer all the questions and moreover caution
your friend against generalization and stereotypes. You know how Americans feel
about it, don’t you?
3. You are an exchange student abroad. Write a letter to your fellow students and share
your impressions about the people in the country where you study.
4. You are an American / British exchange student in Belarus who writes a letter home.
Class Communication
Ex. 14 Discuss the following:
1. What advice would you give somebody coming to live and work in your country?
2. Do you agree with the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do?” Do we have a
similar saying in our language?
3. Develop the idea: The world will be a dull place indeed when all the different nationali-
ties behave exactly alike.
213
UNIT 2
F
DISCOVERING GREAT BRITAIN
Focus Vocabulary
border cathedral
boundary palace
frontier fortress
coast channel
coastline canal
seaside vary
shore varied
bank various
historic diverse
historical sight
scenery landmark
landscape date from
castle date back to
Britain is packed with exciting places to go and interesting things to discover – magnificent
castles where history can be traced as far back as Norman times; ruined forts built by the Romans; elegant stately homes filled with priceless treasures giving a glimpse of a grandeur past;
fascinating cities with ancient houses and churches at every turn; seaside resorts with all the fun
of the promenade; sleepy villages to wander around and beautiful countryside to explore.
FACTFILE
The United Kingdom
This is an abbreviation of the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’. It
is often further abbreviated to ‘UK’, and is the political name of the country which is
made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (sometimes known as Ul-
ster). Several islands off the British coast are also part of the United Kingdom (for ex-
ample, the Isle of Wight, the Orkneys, the Hebrides and the Shetlands, and the Isles of
Scilly), although the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not. However, all these is-
lands do recognise the Queen.
214
Great Britain
This is the name of the island which is made up of England, Scotland and Wales.
The British Isles
This is the geographical name that refers to all the islands off the north west coast of the
European continent: Great Britain, the whole of Ireland (Northern and Southern), the
Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
But it is important to remember that Southern Ireland – that is the Republic of Ireland
(also called ‘Eire’) – is completely independent.
Ex. 1 Complete these texts, using a map and the text above.
1. The British Isles is the geographical name for all the islands off the _________ coast of Eu-
rope. These islands also include the Republic of_________ (Eire), which is politically independent of the British Government. Many people refer to the inhabitants of the British Isles as
‘the English’, but England is only one of the countries. The other countries are
______________________ and ___________.
2. The United Kingdom (or the UK) consists of _________, __________, _________ and
__________ .The peoples of these countries hold British passports and therefore their nationality is ___________.
3. Great Britain is the name of the one island which is made up of ________, _______ and
__________.
Ex. 2 Discuss the following:
1. Do the peoples of Eire hold British passports?
2. Is Scotland part of the UK?
3. Is Northern Ireland part of Great Britain?
215
Writing
Ex. 3 Complete this table using a map.
England
Scotland
Wales
Country
Capital Mountains Rivers
N. Ireland
Welcome to Britain
The white cliffs of Dover are the first sight many people have of England. Dover, looking
out over the English Channel, has been the Gateway to England for some 2000 years.
During the second century AD, it was the headquarters of the Roman fleet in Britain and is
now the busiest passenger port.
216
Word Meaning
Ex. 4 Say in other words.
a) a place, especially a city that you can go through in order to reach another much bigger
place;
b) the place from which military operations are controlled;
c) something you can see, especially something unusual, beautiful;
d) to have a view of something;
e) a place where ships can load and unload people and things;
f) a group of ships, or all the ships in a navy.
Ex. 5 Answer the questions.
1. Can you explain the difference between a channel and a canal?
2. Can you give the Russian / Belarusian equivalents of the English Channel
Strait(s) of Dover?
3. What do we call a person who lived in ancient Rome?
4. Can you explain the difference between the second century AD
5. What do the following initials stand for: UK, AD, BC, GB, HQ?
and the second century BC?
and the
Class Discussion
Ex. 6 Answer the questions.
1. Why is Dover called the Gateway to England?
2. Why did the Romans choose it as the headquarters of the Roman fleet?
3. What makes Dover the busiest port of Great Britain?
Class Communication
Ex. 7 Work in pairs. You and your friend (husband, wife, etc.) are on a ferry-boat
approaching Dover. It’s your first visit to Great Britain. Complete the dialogue.
− I see the white cliffs of Dover from the boat deck.
− What do they look like?
− Wonderful! You can see them clearly. You should come and see them yourself.
− ...
217
GREAT BRITAIN: LAND OF INSPIRATION
Part I
Although you may think of Britain as
England, it is really three countries in one.
Scotland in the North, and Wales in the
West, were once separate countries. They
have different customs, traditions, languages and, in Scotland's case, different legal and educational systems, all fought
over with the English centuries ago. Both
the Scottish language Gaelic, and particularly Welsh, can still be heard spoken in
each country, but nevertheless English is
still their main language.
Britain is a deceptively large island and
is surrounded by some varied – and very
beautiful – coastline, which is worth exploring. Some of the best sandy beaches are
found in Devon and Cornwall, where they
are washed by shallow Atlantic seas and
overlooked by craggy, granite cliffs.
Beyond London, Britain's landscape varies from the soft rolling hills of Southern
England, through the flatter expanses of
the Midlands, to the dramatic hills and lakes
of Northern England, Wales and Scotland.
Historical towns abound in the south.
Oxford is a world famous university town
dating back to the 12
elegant spa town built over the remains of
a similar Roman settlement.
In the hub of England
steeped in heritage, unspoiled countryside,
bijou villages and lively cities competing for
attention. This is an area of contrasting
landscapes and architectural styles, with
meandering rivers and picturesque market
towns that have changed little with time.
Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and Cambridge with its
architectural glories and peaceful, unhurried atmosphere, Nottingham, home to the
medieval outlaw Robin Hood and his merry
men, must all surely merit a visit too.
Some of the country's most inspiring
landscapes await you in the north of England. It is a peaceful and pastoral region
th
century. Bath is an
lies an area
boasting no less than five National Parks.
In Cumbria you will find the Lake District, a
stunning combination of mountains, lakes
and rushing streams that have inspired
countless poets, artists and writers, including Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, who
lived in the area. The spectacular views of
the Lake District are a magnet to fellwalkers, climbers and watersports enthusiasts.
Scotland
conjures up images of dramatic mountains, lochs, tartan, bagpipes
and fine malt whisky. Scotland is all this
and much more besides… it's a land rich in
royal heritage, with turreted castles, Highland games and historical towns and cities.
Landscapes in Scotland are breathtaking
in their variety, and have sustained and inspired the unquenchable spirit of Scotland.
The soaring Highlands, with deep glens
cradling jewel-like lochs attest to the drama
and beauty of Scotland's landscapes.
Southwards lie high moorland, green rolling
hills and scattered abbey ruins of the Lowlands. The Scottish Isles – the Hebrides,
the Orkneys and the Shetlands – belong to
another peaceful and idyllic world.
If mountains, glens and lochs embody
the scenery of the Highlands; clans, tartans
and bagpipes, porridge and whisky are its
essence.
The cities are just as diverse as the
landscapes. Edinburgh, the graceful capital, is dominated by an imposing 12
th
century castle. In contrast is the Georgian Edinburgh of attractive squares, tree-lined
avenues and elegant shopping thoroughfares (renowned for their classic tartans
and cashmere sweaters). The city's rich
cultural heritage is highlighted by its spectacular International Festival.
Glasgow is the cultural centre of Scotland and its exuberant festivals are widely
acclaimed. Housing some of the finest museums and galleries in Europe, the city is
great for culture hunters.
218
Word Meaning
Ex. 8 Say in other words.
a) very happy and peaceful, with no problems or dangers;
b) completely and in a very possible way;
c) the parts of something that are left after the rest has been destroyed or disappeared;
d) the most basic and important quality of something;
e) a very large area of water, sky, land, etc;
f) to exist in very large numbers or qualities;
g) to have a lot of particular quality, such as history, heritage, etc;
h) spread over a wide area;
i) happy and cheerful, and full of energy and excitement;
j) small and pretty.
Ex. 9 Answer the questions.
1. Tell the difference between varied and various. Find a synonym to the word varied in
the text.
2. What is the opposite of deep?
3. What is the meaning of the word deceptively?
4. How many synonyms to the word beautiful can you find in the text?
5. What is the meaning of the word heritage?
6. What is meant by to conjure up images of smth?
7. Find a synonym to the expression to be known for.
8. In what meaning is the word hub used in the text?
9. What is the difference between historic and historical? Match them with their definitions:
• making history;
• connected with history, really existing in history.
Word Use
Ex. 10 Choose between 'historic' and 'historical'.
1. January 1973 – the ________ date when Britain joined the European Common Market.
2. Was King Arthur a _________ figure?
3. For ___________ reasons the boundary runs down the middle of the stream.
4. Here's a ___________ account of the event.
5. The falsification of ____________ records is common practice in totalitarian regimes.
6. Pulling down the Berlin Wall will be remembered as one of the _______ events of the
late 20
7. Our reporters were there at the _________ moment when the hostages were released
from prison.
th
century.
219
Ex. 11 Choose between 'various', 'varied', 'different'.
1. I had to sign ________ documents before they would give me the package.
2. I really enjoy the work here – it's very __________.
3. Let's compare the prices of five _________ detergents.
4. Our circle of friends was __________ and often a little strange.
5. There were __________ media personalities at a party.
6. Some words have __________ meanings in __________ contexts.
7. A month should be long enough to visit the many and _________ sights of the city.
8. They have decorated their house in lots of _________ colours.
9. It's important that a child gets a ___________ diet.
10. It's a drug that affects _________ people in ___________ ways.
Ex. 12 Supply prepositions or postpositions where necessary.
a) to date back ________ the 12
th
century
b) to change little _________ time
c) to compete _________attention
d) to be renowned __________ smth
e) to attest _________ the beauty of the landscape
f) to be rich _________ royal heritage
g) to be dominated _________ a castle
h) to embody _________ the scenery
i) to be breathtaking __________ their variety
Ex. 13 Complete the sentences using the words from the text. To help you, the
first letter of each word is given.
1. The estate agent described this little house as a desirable b________ residence.
2. He got it at the s_________ end of the swimming pool.
3. The weather forecast says we'll have s_________ showers today.
4. The luxurious furnishings a_________ (to) the family wealth.
5. She played the sonata with great s___________.
6. Buckingham Palace is a great m_________ for / to tourists.
7. He tries to keep his professional life completely s__________ from his private life.
Class Discussion
Ex. 14 Answer the questions.
1. What accounts for the differences in languages, traditions and customs of the peoples
inhabiting the British Isles?
2. How can you characterise Britain's landscape?
3. What can you say about an area which lies in the hub of England?
4. What is the north of England renowned for?
5. Why do some people who visited Scotland say that it has the most beautiful scenery in
the world?
6. What can you say about the cities of Scotland?
220
Соседние файлы в предмете [НЕСОРТИРОВАННОЕ]