- •Chapter 1
- •Text 1 Metals in Perspective
- •Task 1 Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2 Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3 Focus on Grammar
- •Articles
- •Text 2
- •Hephaestus
- •Task 2 Comprehension Check
- •Oral Practice
- •Unit 2 Text 1
- •The Importance of Iron and Advent of Steel
- •Task 1
- •Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2 Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Degrees of Comparison
- •The sooner you finish this work,the better it will be for you.
- •Text 2
- •Some of the Great Names in the History of Metallurgy
- •Task 2 Comprehension Check
- •Unit 3 Text 1
- •Iron in the Middle Ages
- •Task 1 Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •The Coming of the Vikings
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Unit 4 Text 1
- •Iron - Smelting without Charcoal
- •The First Blast Furnaces
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2.
- •Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Indefinite and Distributive Adjectives and Pronouns
- •Text 2
- •The Crusades
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Oral Practice
- •Chapter 2
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Present Perfect And Perfect Continuous
- •This tense is used for an action which began in the past and is still continuing (usually with for and since):
- •Я жду уже целый час, а он еще не пришел.
- •Exercise 1.Translate into Russian. Comment on the use of Tenses.
- •Text 2
- •A Tight Little Island
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Supermarket sweets handcream
- •Unit 2
- •Text 1 More Progress in Steel Production
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •Task 2 Comprehension Check
- •Lincoln
- •Directions
- •Prepositions
- •Unit 3 Text 1 Steel Production in Sheffield
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •The blast furnace
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2.
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Student Grants
- •Unit 4 Text 1 The British Steel Industry Today
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Merry Christmas! Поздравляю с Рождеством
- •Is your writing narrow?
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2 Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2 British Customs and Traditions
- •April Fools’ Day
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •The Mount Everest is8,848 metreshigh.
- •Unit 2 Text 1 Precious Metals
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •Land and Climate
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Inviting. Eating out.
- •Unit 3 Text 1 The Alchemists
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •New York
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Unit 4 Text 1 Silverware and Plate Industry
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2 The us Government
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Chapter 4
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Simple to give to be given
- •Text 2 Results of Immigration
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Unit 2 Text 1 Basic Metallurgy of Cast Iron
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Listening Comprehension
- •Task 4. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •Education
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
- •Unit 3 Text 1 Alloy Steels
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •The us Customs and Traditions Thanksgiving Day
- •Information Letter. Going on a Business Trip
- •Unit 4 Text 1
- •Aluminum
- •Task 1. Phonetic Exercise
- •Task 2. Lexical Exercises
- •Task 3. Focus on Grammar
- •Text 2
- •American English
- •Task 2. Comprehension Check
Text 2
Pre- reading Task
1. What do you already know about American English?
2. How many variants of the English language do you know?
3. Now look through the text and say what facts are new to you.
American English
American English is very different from other forms of English spoken around the world. If you learned English as a second language, you probably learned a British variety in a classroom setting. One of the first things you will notice in the United States is the American usage of English does not always conform to strict rules. Even among well educated Americans, spoken English is very flexible and popular idioms are common - another example of American informality.
To understand American English, listen carefully, relax, and be aware that idioms are often used. For example, an American might greet you with Howya doin? as a way of saying ‘hello’. Other common phrases include Shape up (behave yourself), Suit yourself (do as you please), and Knock it off (stop what you are doing). If you do not understand an American’s phrase ask for an explanation.
Throughout the country, only a few minor dialectal variations exist. Except for some differences in pronunciation, Americans speak a uniform language. This is due largely to American mobility, the national mass media (especially television), and the nation’s education system. In areas such as New England, the ‘r’ may be dropped from the end of a word; in the South, English is spoken at a slower pace that leads to different vowel pronunciations. In general, Americans draw out their sounds, rather than speaking in concise, clipped syllables. Some ethnic groups also have their own variety of English, especially in large urban areas. Spanish is common in many Hispanic communities, and Native Americans speak a variety of Amerindian languages. Many first- and second-generation immigrants continue to speak their native tongues.
A special challenge for newcomers is to understand American idioms. Some for years have learned many English words, but they are still baffled in trying to understand when Americans combine words into expressions.
American English is constantly being enriched by new words, new meanings given to old words. The problem presented by idioms is that these expressions usually include words that are understandable by themselves, but when combined with other words often have entirely different meaning. Also, Americans use the same idiom to mean diametrically opposite things. For example, “That’s just great.” means both “wonderful” and “that’s awful”.
Task 2. Comprehension Check
Exercise 1. Choose the one best answer to each question from the text.
1. Is American English a language or a variety of the English language?
a) a variety b) a dialect c) a language
2. Does American English observe strict rules?
a) no rules at all b) strict rules c) not always
3. What is often used in American English?
a) proverbs b) idioms c) neologisms
4. Where can you find the main differences between American and British English?
a) in vocabulary b) in grammar c) in pronunciation
5. Are there many dialectal variations in American English?
a) many b) two major c) a few minor
Exercise 3. Below there are some examples of American idioms and their English meanings. Translate them into colloquial Russian.
1. Catch on? Do you understand?
2. We are working for peanuts. We are working for very low wages.
3. Dry up Be quiet!
4. What’s the catch? What’s the bad news?
5. Put on your best bib and tucker. Put on your best clothes.
6. Will he catch on? Will he discover the truth? 7. It’s a snow job. They are trying to fool us.
8. He is square. He is very formal.
9. It’s a lemon! I’s faulty! It’s worthless!
10. Way to go! Wonderful!
Exercise 4. Below there are two texts which mean the same but one
is written in conversational American English and the
other - in a more formal, relatively idiom - free English.
Make a little idiom dictionary.
1. Sam is a real cool cat. He never blows his stack; he hardly ever flies off the handle. What’s more, he knows how to get away with things. . . . Well, of course, he is getting on, too. His hair is pepper and salt, but he knows how to make up for lost time by taking it easy. He gets up early, works out and turns in early. He takes care of the hot dog stand like a breeze until he gets time off. Sam’s got it made; this is it for him.
Sam is a really calm person. He never loses control of himself; he hardly becomes very angry. Furthermore, he knows how to manage his business financially by using a few tricks. . . . Needless to say, he is also getting older. His hair is beginning to turn gray, but he knows how to compensate for wasted time by relaxing. He rises early, exercises, and goes to bed early. He manages his frankfurter stand without visible effort, until it is someone else’s turn to work there. Sam is successful, he has reached his life’s goal.
Exercise 5. Here are some more Americanisms. Write their
equivalents in British English.
1. He ain’t gonna help. 6. I gotta go.
2 . Monday thru Friday. 7. Did you have a good vacation?
3. Boy, he was real mad! 8. Wonna cookie?
4. I arrived in the fall. 9. Waiter! The check, please.
5. I’m going downtown. 10. What did you do on the weekend?
Oral Practice
Enquiry Letters. Making Plans
An enquiry letter states the aim of the letter and conditions on which the author would like to achieve the aim. (for example, the name of equipment; its quality and quantity; the model; the terms of delivery; the price)
Mr Hemingway
Export Manager
Primrose & Co
Dear Mr Hemingway,
We are much interested in the new line of gold extraction advertised by you in the recent issue of “The Metallurgy”. The advertisement however, does not give sufficient information about the specifications, price, and terms of delivery.
Therefore we should appreciate further details as soon as possible.
We hope to establish long-term business relations with your company and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours
Vincent Robins
Dialogue
Ben - Hi, Susan. Haven’t seen you for ages. How are things?
Susan - Great. We are busy with a new line of gold extraction.
Ben - Sounds interesting. Are you going to apply for a patent soon?
Susan - Yes, we are. We are preparing the necessary papers now.
Ben - And how about the market research?
Susan - Oh, there is a good market not only here but abroad, as well.
Ben - Then I advise you to start a good promotional campaign.
Susan - Without doubt. Sorry, I must dash now.
Ben - Bye then, it was nice to meet you again.
Exercise 1. Write an enquiry letter about a new model of PC. Use the
phrases given above and some additional phrases like:
We require; we are regular buyers of; we are in the market for;
we learned from . . . that you are exporters of;
could you send us your quotation for . . .;
please, inform us what is the price of your new model/ what are your terms of delivery.
Exercise 2. Make a dialogue. You and your friend are making plans to
set up a new business. Use the phrases from the dialogue given
above and some additional patterns.
to go into business with smb; to get along well; to run a risk in one’s business; to be liable; to invest money; to contribute skills/name/reputation; to distribute profits and losses; to share profits and losses equally; the production targets; to keep abreast of.
Exercise 3. Listen to the short lecture and choose the best answers
from the four given.
1. What US agency controls the Patent Office?
a) The State Department b) The Treasury Department
c) The Department of Commerce d) The Department of Agriculture
2. For how long is a patent in the US granted?
a) for seven years b) for seventy years c) for seventy seven years
d) for seventeen years
3. Who is responsible for administering the patent laws?
a) Patent examiners who are trained in technical fields
b) The President of the US
c) The Director of the US Patent Office
d) Government officials from the applicant’s home state