5.1 Translate into English:

1. Россия это обширная страна.

2. Ландшафт России разнообразен.

3. Больше людей живет в городах, чем в сельской местности.

4. Москва была основана в 1147 году.

5. Красная площадь и кремль привлекают много туристов.

6. Россия это миролюбивое государство.

7. Московское метро – это одно из самых красивых метро в мире.

8. Скотоводство и растениеводство развиты в России.

9. Реформы и перемены сделают российское сельское хозяйство высоко эффективным.

10. Во фруктовых садах фермеры выращивают яблоки, сливу и вишню.

11. Фермеры выращивают картофель и свеклу в больших количествах.

12. В смешанных хозяйствах фермеры выращивают зерновые, овощи, фрукты и содержат скот.

5.2 True / false sentences:

1. Russia has large resources of coal and oil.

2. The aim of the reforms in agriculture is to supply people with food products.

3. The government of Russia is in Moscow.

4. Farmers keep cows for meat, milk and wool; poultry is kept for meat and eggs.

5. Animal breeding is developed all over Russia.

6. The most densely populated part of Russia is the Far East.

7. There are no fertile soil zones in our country.

8. Outstanding agriculturists develop new crop varieties.

9. Cereals are wheat, rye, buckwheat, oats, beets and barley.

10. Tractors, combine harvesters and trucks work in the fields of the country.

5.3 Dialogues

• Well, what are your impressions of our farm?

• I can only repeat what I told you before. It is really a modern farm.

• Did you notice that we are engaged in mixed farming?

• Of course. What industrial crops do you grow?

• Flax and sunflower seeds. We also grow various fruits and berries. Have you seen our orchards?

• It’s a pity, but we didn’t have time for that.

• We have a big orchard. We are growing several varieties of apples and pears. Cherries and plums are also grown in the orchards.

• What about potatoes? I saw only large fields of cabbage and sugar-beet?

• Potatoes are grown in large amounts too. We also grow cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots but in smaller amounts.

• I was surprised to see that you have a lot of foreign combines in the fields.

• We have two American combines; we grow potatoes and carrots according to Dutch technology. Foreign specialists are often invited here to teach us new achievements in agriculture and we are ready to learn.

• Now I see what makes your farm the leading in the district.

* * *

• I have visited several private farms in your region to see how farming is developed in Russia.

• And what are your impressions?

• All the farms, including yours, are strong and developed.

• I started my farm only four years ago. It was in the place where soils were poor, there was no water around and the nearest motorway is still many kilometres away.

• But looking at your well built, warm and tidy cow sheds, green pastures and comfortable cottage for your family, it’s hard to believe, that the situation was so bad.

• My family are hard working people. And I invited two families to work for me. By hard work and with joint effort we changed the situation.

* * *

• My favourite season is spring. It becomes warmer, and the days are lighter and longer. Do you like spring?

• Да. Но это не мое любимое время года. Я предпочитаю лето. Я люблю летние виды спорта, ты ведь знаешь.

• Yes, I know that. You have a country house, don’t you?

• Да. Позади дома у нас огород, где мы выращиваем овощи. А перед домом я выращиваю цветы. Цветы – это мое увлечение.

• Yes, I remember that. And it’s clear for me now why you like summer.

* * *

• The weather changes very often this winter. Am I right?

• Я бы так не сказал. Эта зима теплая. Снега мало.

• Do you call it a warm winter? Yesterday the temperature was minus 7 and today it is minus 5 degrees. I’ m so cold!

• Для нашего района это тепло. Зимой в это время бывает 20 градусов.

• Oh, Russia is such a cold country.

* * *

• Что вы можете рассказать о климате в Великобритании?

• It is much milder than the climate of Russia. The average temperature in winter is much higher. Sometimes it snows but the snow never lies long.

• Реки в Британии замерзают? Наши реки все замерзли.

• Never. The Thames is navigable all year round. I see your rivers are all frozen. When will the ice melt?

• У нас лед на реке растает в середине апреля, иногда бывает и раньше. Снег растает в конце марта или в начале апреля.

• As I understood, winter begins in November and ends in March.