Text «The English language».

English is spoken practically all over the world. It is spoken as the mother tongue in Great Britain, The United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A lot of people speak English in China, Japan, Africa and other countries. It is one of 6 official languages of the United Nations. England’s history helps to understand the present conditions of English. Many English words were borrowed from the language Angles and Saxons. Hundreds of French words came into English. Many new words were brought by traders and travellers. These words came from all parts of the world: “umbrella” – from Italian, “skates” – from Dutch, “tea” – Chinese, “cigar” – from Spanish. Some words came into English directly from Latin, which was the language of the church and the universities in the Middle Ages. Some of the English words of today are derivatives. One way of creating new words is to put together two or more older English words. For example, the words “railway”, “football”, “newspaper” are made in this way. Many of the new English words – especially new scientific ones – have been made from Latin and Greek words instead of English ones. “Telephone” for instance, was made from Greek words “far” and “talk”.

Words and word combinations.

mother tongue – родной язык

to borrow – заимствовать

Angles and Saxons – англы и саксы

trader– купец

directly– непосредственно

derivative– производное слово

Ответьте на вопросы:

1. In what countries is English spoken as the mother tongue?

2. From what languages are some English words borrowed?

3. What English words that came from all parts of the world do you know?

4. Why are there so many words with Latin roots in the English language?

5. What ways of creating new words do you know?

Text «The Discovery of America».

America was founded by Columbus in 1492. Columbus fled to this country because of persecution by Ferdinand and Isabella, who refused to believe the world was round. Before Columbus reached America he cried “Ceylon! Ceylon!” because he wanted to see India. When he arrived, he cried again. This time he cried “I have found it!”. Columbus was mistaken in thinking he had reached India. There is still a great deal of confusion about the East and the West. As Columbus discovered, if you go west long enough you find yourself in the east and vice versa. In the New World most of eastern half of the country is called the Middle West although it is known as the East by those who live in the Far West. Columbus, who was as confused as anybody who has been at sea for a long time, called the first people he saw “Indians”. Accompanied by his followers, Columbus made several other voyages in search of India. Try as he might, however, he kept discovering America and finally returned to Spain to die.

Words and word combinations.

persecution – преследование

to reach – достигать

confusion – путаница

voyage – путешествие

Ответьте на вопросы:

1. Who discovered America?

2. Did Columbus intend to reach America or India?

3. Is there any confusion about the East and the West?

4. How did Columbus call first people in America?

5. Did he make other voyages in search of India?