- •Introductory phonetic-orthoepic course
- •Introduction
- •Introductory text*
- •Vocabualary practice
- •1. We use certain expressions in different social situations.
- •2. Fill in the blanks with the necessary words in brackets.
- •3. Complete the following sentences.
- •4. Translate into English.
- •5. Match the sentences with the correct photos. The first was done for you.
- •1. Address the following people.
- •2. Insert a suitable form of address.
- •3. Fill in prepositions or adverbs where necessary.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •2. Complete the conversations with the correct expressions.
- •3. Make up your own dialogues with the following word combinations.
- •4. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •3. Match the story with the correct words.
- •4. Translate into English.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •2. Find the logical order of the following dialogue parts.
- •3. Translate the anecdotes into English.
- •2. Draw your own family tree and write a short summary of your family background (family history).
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •1. Fill in the gaps with prepositions.
- •2. Complete the sentences with the suitable words. More than one answer is possible.
- •3. Complete the sentences with the correct words.
- •4. From these jumbled words, find combinations to describe people, as in the example. Some of the combinations are hyphenated. Use a dictionary if necessary.
- •1. You want to know about the following: someone’s general appearance / their height / their weight.
- •2. How would you describe a person in each of these cases?
- •3. Agree or disagree with the following statements.
- •4. Study the article and do the following activities.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •3. Read the following dialogue.
- •4. Act as interpreter, translate Ukrainian lines into English.
- •1. Imagine you’ve just moved into a new flat, and for the first six months you can only have six of the following. Which would you choose?
- •2. Study the advertisements and find the following.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Choose the correct answer.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •2. Tell what’s the time:
- •3. Read the following dialogues.
- •4. Complete the dialogue.
- •1. Can you complete these sentences with the correct number?
- •2. Read the poem and tell what happened to Solomon Grundy during a week.
- •4. Speak about yourself and your country completing these sentences.
- •5. Read the joke and say how you personally appreciate time.
- •Introductory text
- •Vocabualary practice
- •Identify weather conditions in these pictures.
- •2. What disaster is being described in each of these sentences?
- •1. Say the following in one word.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •If we want to look after the environment, there are certain things we should and shouldn’t do. Complete these two lists in suitable ways.
- •Improving Zoos
- •It’s Getting Hotter
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •Vocabulary practice
- •Internet word scramble. Guess the hidden words.
- •2. Complete the missing lines in the following dialogues.
- •It is said like this:
- •Introductory text
- •Our Lives and Computer Technology
- •1. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •2. Complete the following sentences.
- •Vocabulary practice
- •1. Add another word, abbreviation, or part of a word, to complete common ‘computer’ words and phrases.
- •2. Can you remember what these symbols mean?
- •3. Complete the text with the words in the box.
- •4. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •5. Read, smile and find in the Internet similar computer jokes either in English or in Ukrainian.
- •1. Read the following dialogue.
- •2. Read the dialogue and fill in the missing words. The first letter of each missing word is given.
- •3. Computers have many applications in a great variety of fields.
- •4. Study the information and express your ideas on the topic.
- •1. Read the text and do the following tasks.
- •2. Study the article and answer the questions.
- •3. In small groups, choose one of the areas in the diagram below and discuss what computers can do in this area.
- •Introductory text
- •Juvenile Crime
- •Decide whether the following statements about the text are true or false.
- •Vocabulary practice
- •1. Read the following dialogue.
- •2. What is your opinion of the following statements? Agree or disagree.
- •4. Read the text and do the activities that follow.
- •1. Read the text and express your ideas on the offered questions.
- •2. Study the information about youth subcultures and tell…
- •3. Write a paragraph to fit this newspaper headline. Give some details about the crime and the court case using topical vocabulary.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •Vocabulary practice
- •3. Match up the shop (departments) with the appropriate goods. Give answers in the box.
- •4. Say the same in one word or a phrase.
- •5. Fill in the blank with the corresponding words.
- •6. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •1. Read the following dialogue.
- •2. Find the logical order of the following dialogue parts.
- •3. Complete these lines from the conversations.
- •4. Explain clothing idioms and find equivalents in your native language. Use them in the sentences of your own.
- •5. Comparing shopping.
- •1. Read the text and check your ideas.
- •2. Read the text and do the activities that follow.
- •4. Do the shopping crossword and check how easy it is.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following.
- •Vocabulary practice
- •Introductory text
- •Vocabualary practice
- •2. Which symptoms indicate these diseases?
- •3. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words.
- •4. Match the words on the left to their definitions on the right.
- •5. What advice does the doctor give?
- •6. Translate the sentences into English.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •2. Complete the following dialogue with the appropriate words from the box.
- •3. Below is step-to-step guide to artificial respiration. Put the jumbled sentences in the right order by numbering them (1 – 7).
- •4. Put the words into the gaps in the text.
- •5. Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
- •6. Read the article; state whether the sentences given after it true (t) or false (f).
- •2. Study the article and discuss the following:
- •3. Read the article about eating disorders and tell whether you agree / disagree with the following statements:
- •Introductory text
- •Vocabualary practice
- •4. Organize these words and put them in the correct columns below.
- •Valuable, afford, traditional, weird, video arcades, rhythm
- •Introductory text
- •2. Define whether the text statement is true (t) or false (f).
- •Vocabualary practice
- •1. Match the words and word combinations from the left column with the definitions from the right column.
- •2. Find the ‘odd one out’. There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons.
- •3. Read the text. Use the word given in brackets changing its form as in the example.
- •4. Read the sayings of famous people about art and decide which definition appeals to you most. You may choose several sayings to complete your own definition.
- •5. Read the following dialogue and discuss the after-dialogue questions.
- •1. Read the lines of a comic vaudeville ‘Romantic Fools’ by Rich Orloff.
- •2. What word or phrase is being defined?
- •3. Fill in the blanks below with the words in the box.
- •Blockbusters
- •4. Study the inside structure of a theatre. Which seats are the most prestigious / convenient / cheap / expensive?
- •5. Write out music styles mentioned in the text. Think of other styles, give their definition or description.
- •6. Translate into English.
- •3. Read the text and discuss the following.
- •In the town (Directions, Street Notices)
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Translate the words in brackets using the text information.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •1. Make up the words out of the given letters.
- •2. Find the topic-connected words among jumbled letters in the box.
- •3. Match the words or word combinations with their definitions.
- •4. Match the sign with the correct word below.
- •5. Choose a proper word from the box to complete the sentences.
- •6. Translate into English.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •2. Fill in the gaps of the text using the words in right-hand column.
- •3. You are at point X in the map. Follow the directions and write the name of the place next to each sentence.
- •1. Read the text and do the activities that follow.
- •2. Read the text about the underground system in London, divide it into logical parts, entitle them.
- •Introductory text
- •Vocabualary practice
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Complete the following sentences using the text information.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •3. Find the ‘odd one out’. There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •3. Translate the following dialogues into English.
- •4. Translate into English.
- •5. Translate the words in brackets in the correct tense form.
- •1. Read the text and find examples of historical hotels in your own country.
- •2. What would you say in these situations?
- •3. Disagree with the statements avoiding simple negations.
- •4. Lest we forget how difficult it is to master the English language, consider these travel and hotel signs from around the world. Try to say them correctly.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Choose one suitable word underlined in each sentence.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •1. Match the words and word combinations from the left column with the definitions from the right column.
- •2. Choose the correct variant.
- •3. Choose the correct response out of two. If both responses are acceptable, choose the one that sounds more natural.
- •4. Read the text. Use the word given in brackets changing its form as in the example.
- •5. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •2. Read the text, putting the verbs in the proper tense form.
- •3. Work in pairs. Make up the dialogues on the following situations:
- •4. Guess what holidays (American, Ukrainian and British) are described in the following sentences. The answers are given below.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Complete the sentences.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •2. Read the text. Use the word given in brackets changing its form as in the example.
- •3. Choose the correct variant to complete the sentences.
- •4. Match the halves of the sentence.
- •5. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •2. Translate these questions into English and answer them.
- •1. Read the text and do the tasks that follow.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •4. Paraphrase the parts of the sentences in bold type using words and word combinations from the text. Change the new sentences if it is required.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •3. Find the ‘odd one out’. There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons.
- •4. What do you think a good language learner does? Make up as many sentences as possible with the phrase given in the table.
- •5. Match the words and word combinations with their explanation.
- •6. Fill in the blanks with prepositions where required.
- •1. Read the following dialogue.
- •2. Answer the following questions.
- •3. Decide which answer – a, b, c or d – best fits each space and read the story given below.
- •4. Read the text. Use the word given in brackets changing its form and grammar category as in the example.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Choose the correct answer.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •2. There are 15 words in this word square that are connected with money. Find 14 more by looking across or down the word square.
- •3. What can you say in these situations? Complete the sentences but don’t use the underlined words and phrases.
- •4. Choose the most suitable word or phrase to complete each sentence.
- •5. Match the words and word combinations from the left column with the definitions from the right column.
- •6. Choose one suitable word underlined in each sentence.
- •1. Read the following dialogues.
- •2. Choose the most suitable response to each sentence (a-I) from the sentences (1-9).
- •3. Translate the sentences into English.
- •4. Read the text. Use the word given in brackets changing its form as in the example.
- •5. Read the conversations below and guess the meanings of the phrases in bold. Match them with the definitions after the dialogues.
- •1. Read the text and do the tasks given after it.
- •2. Read and explain the following quotations.
- •Introductory text
- •1. Comprehension questions.
- •2. Find in the text English equivalents to the following words and phrases.
- •Vocabualary practice
- •2. Translate the words given in brackets.
- •3. Read the text. Use the word given in brackets changing its form as in the example.
- •4. Choose the correct word in each sentence.
- •5. Choose the correct option.
- •6. Translate the following sentences.
- •4. Read the dialogues.
- •5. What would you say if you took part in these dialogues?
- •6. Translate the dialogues into English.
- •1. Study the following information carefully and give answers to the questions.
- •3. Read the sample of application form. What is the difference between application form and resume? Try to fill in the following:
- •In the town
- •Verb. Auxiliary Verbs to be, to have, to do
- •Indefinite Group of Tenses
- •Infinitive
- •1. Insert articles a / an, the where possible.
- •2. Complete the sentences using a / an, the where necessary.
- •3. Supply a / an, the where possible.
- •4. Choose the correct answer, pay attention on the usage of a definite article.
- •5. Translate into English.
- •1. Make the following nouns plural.
- •2.Choose the correct verb is / are. Mind the noun (singular or plural).
- •3. Make selected nouns plural. Don’t forget to make other changes in the sentences.
- •4. Choose the correct word in brackets.
- •5. Choose the correct form of the compound noun.
- •6. Write selected nouns singular. Make changes in the sentence where necessary.
- •7. Correct the mistakes in these sentences.
- •8. Rewrite these sentences using ‘s, s’, or just an apostrophe (‘).
- •9. Translate into English.
- •10*. Supply the correct plural forms.
- •2. Fill in the missing words into the gaps. Mind the first two words in each task.
- •4. Complete the sentences.
- •5. Decide which one is right. If wrong correct it.
- •6. Rewrite the sentences using the italicized words.
- •7. Supply as…as, not so…as, less.
- •8. Read the conversation with Todd. He compares the places he visited last year. Can you complete any of the sentences?
- •9. Translate into English.
- •10*. Put in the right forms. Alternatives are possible.
- •1. Use the correct personal pronouns. Watch the words in brackets. Model: ___ often reads books. (Lisa) – She often reads books.
- •2. Put in my / our / your / his / her / their / its.
- •3. Choose the right word.
- •4. Put in the relative pronouns who, which or whose where necessary. Model: Peter is the boy ____ rides the blue bike. – Peter is the boy who rides the blue bike.
- •5. Supply anybody / anyone, nothing, anything, nobody / no one, somebody / someone or something in these sentences.
- •6. Translate into English.
- •7*. Put in reflexive pronouns (ourselves, etc.) or object pronouns (us, etc.).
- •Verbs to be, to have, to do
- •1. Put in the following forms of to be (am, are, is) into the gaps in the text.
- •2. Supply am, is, are, was, were or weren’t.
- •3. Decide which tense / number of the expression there is / are fits in the sentence below.
- •5. Look at the underlined forms of have, has or had in the following sentences. Decide whether these verbs are auxiliary verbs or main verbs.
- •6. Complete the following sentences by using the right form of to have (have, has, had).
- •7. Define the meaning of the verb “to do” in the following sentences.
- •8. Complete the following sentences by using the right form of to do (do, don’t, does, doesn’t, did, didn’t, done).
- •Indefinite group
- •1. Replace the infinitive in brackets by the Present Indefinite Tense (I do).
- •2. Choose the correct verb in each sentence.
- •4. Put the words in these questions in correct order. Then, write short answers.
- •5. Translate into English.
- •1. Complete these sentences. Use the verbs from the box in Past Indefinite.
- •2. Supply the past forms of the irregular verbs in italics.
- •5. Correct the following sentences.
- •1. Put the following sentences in the Future Indefinite Tense.
- •2. Insert the missing conjunctions in the following sentences. Use conjunctions: when, till, before, after, as soon as, while, if.
- •4. Complete the sentences. Use I think I’ll … or I don’t think I’ll and one of the following verbs: buy, go, have, play.
- •6. Translate into English.
- •7. Put down five types of questions to the following sentences.
- •1. Open the brackets using Present Continuous (I’m doing).
- •2. Translate the words given in brackets using Present Continuous.
- •3. Use the verbs given in brackets in Present Indefinite (I do) / Present Continuous (I’m doing).
- •4. Complete the sentences with Present Indefinite (I do) / Present Continuous (I’m doing) forms of the following verbs.
- •Belong, need, see, take, bite, play, shine, understand, drive, prefer, sing, watch, look, rain, snow, write
- •1. Use Past Continuous (I was doing) in the sentences below.
- •2. Complete the sentences in a choosing the most suitable phrase from b.
- •3. Make sentences from the words in brackets. Put the verbs into correct form: Past Indefinite (I did) / Past Continuous (I was doing).
- •4. Complete the sentences using Past Continuous of the verbs in the box.
- •5. Thanslate the following sentences.
- •6*. Put in Past Indefinite (I did) / Past Continuous (I was doing). Note where both forms are possible.
- •1. Open the brackets using Future Continuous (I will be doing).
- •2. Supply Future Indefinite (I will do) / Future Continuous (I will be doing).
- •3. Use Past Continuous (I was doing) / Future Continuous (I will be doing) in the following sentences.
- •4. Translate the following sentences.
- •6*. Put in the correct forms of have / have got.
- •2. Join these pairs of sentences, using the conjunctions in brackets. Change one verb into the Past Perfect (I had done).
- •3. Supply the Past Perfect (I had done) / Past Simple (I did).
- •4. Open the brackets using the verbs in Past Simple (I did) / Past Continuous (I was doing) / Past Perfect (I had done)
- •5. Translate the following sentences into English.
- •6. Make up five types of questions to the following sentences.
- •7*. Open the brackets using Past Simple (I did) / Past Perfect (I had done)
- •3. Using the words in brackets, complete the text below with the Future Simple (I will do) / Future Perfect (I will have done)
- •4. First, read Jack’s itinerary for tomorrow. Then, for each sentence, choose either Future Continuous (I will be doing) or Future Perfect (I will have done) to complete it.
- •5*. Put in the Future Simple (I will do) / Future Continuous (I will be doing) / Future Perfect (I will have done).
- •Insert ‘have’ / ‘has’ according to the person given.
- •8*. Put in the Present Perfect (I have done) / Present Perfect Continuous (I have been doing) / Past Simple (I did).
- •5*. Put in the Past Perfect (I had done) / Past Perfect Continuous (I had been doing) / Past Simple (I did). Give alternatives where possible.
- •1. Write passive sentences in Present, Past, Future Simple.
- •2. Rewrite the sentences in Passive Voice.
- •3. Rewrite the sentences in the proper tenses in Passive.
- •4. Put the verbs in brackets into Past Indefinite or Past Continuous Passive.
- •5. When were these famous people born? Choose the right year for each person.
- •6. Complete the sentences using being with one of these verbs: keep, pay, attack, give, invite, use, ask
- •7. Give the following sentences in Passive Voice.
- •8. Rewrite the sentences in Active Voice.
- •9. Translate into English using the verbs in Passive.
- •10*. Put in the correct forms, active or passive, of the verbs in brackets.
- •1. Choose the correct word from those in brackets to fill the blank in each sentence.
- •2. Fill in the table reporting the statements with said (except 13) moving the clauses ‘one tense back’.
- •3. Turn each direct-speech statements into indirect speech with tense changes.
- •4. Report these Yes / No questions moving the clauses ‘one tense back’.
- •5. Report these special questions moving the clauses ‘one tense back’.
- •6. Report these subject-questions moving the clauses ‘one tense back’ only where necessary.
- •7. Report the following statements using indirect commands.
- •I told him to wait for me.
- •8. Renew direct speech in the following sentences.
- •9. Translate the sentences following the rules of Sequence of Tenses.
- •10*. Put in the correct forms and tenses into the gaps.
- •1. Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs.
- •2. Change these sentences to begin with an imperative.
- •3. Write Type 2 Conditionals to match these situations.
- •If I had a spare ticket, I could / would take you to the concert.
- •4. Write sentences with I wish…
- •5. Comment on the following situations with if (expressing regret, etc.).
- •If John hadn’t eaten too / so much birthday cake, he wouldn’t have been sick.
- •6. Use Mixed Conditionals in these sentences.
- •7. Open brackets using Zero Conditional.
- •8. Translate into English using Conditionals.
- •9*. Put in the right Conditionals.
- •Infinitive
- •1. Translate and memorize the following expressions.
- •2. State the form and the function of the Infinitive. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.
- •3. Use the appropriate form of the Infinitive.
- •4. Insert to where necessary.
- •5. Combine each of the following parts of sentences into one sentence using an Infinitive.
- •6. Complete the following sentences by adding the Infinitive to each sentence.
- •7. Insert the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets after ‘would rather’ and ‘would sooner’.
- •8. Translate the sentences into English using the Infinitive.
- •9*. Put in the correct forms of the verbs.
- •Insert to where necessary.
- •1. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian, paying special attention to the use of the Complex Object.
- •2. Insert to where necessary.
- •3. Replace the following complex sentences or groups of sentences by simple sentences with the Complex Object.
- •4. Fill in the blanks with suitable verbs. Give several variants where possible.
- •6. Translate the sentences into English using the Complex Object.
- •1. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian paying attention to the Complex Subject.
- •2. Open the brackets using the correct form of the Infinitive.
- •3. Translate the words in brackets.
- •3. Paraphrase the following sentences using the Complex Subject.
- •4. Transform the following sentences using the Complex Subject. Use the verbs given in brackets.
- •5. Translate the sentence into English using the Complex Subject.
- •1. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian paying special attention to the form and function of the Participle in the sentence.
- •2. Open the brackets using the correct form of the Participle. Don’t mix these forms.
- •3. Translate the following expressions.
- •4. Transform the following sentences according to the model.
- •5. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms from the right column.
- •6. Complete the sentences, using the Participle.
- •7. Open the brackets. Use the appropriate forms of the Participle or of the Infinitive.
- •8. Translate the sentences into English using the Participle.
- •9*. Put in the correct forms of the infinitive or –ing.
- •Insert the right form of the Participle into the blank space.
- •1. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian paying special attention to the use of the Gerund.
- •2. Fill in the blanks with prepositions where necessary
- •3. Match the parts of sentences in two columns.
- •4. Complete the sentences by translating what is given in brackets using the Gerund. Insert prepositions where necessary.
- •5. Translate the sentences into English using the Gerund.
- •6. Put the verbs into the correct form (Gerund or Infinitive).
- •7. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (Gerund or Infinitive).
- •1. Supply can, may, must and their negative forms (can’t / may not / mustn’t) where needed.
- •2. Rewrite these sentences using can, can’t, could, couldn’t.
- •3. Supply can, can’t, could, couldn’t, was / were able to, managed to. Alternatives are possible.
- •4. Supply suitable forms of to be able to in these sentences.
- •5. Complete the sentences with must, mustn’t, needn’t.
- •6. Supply must have been, can’t, couldn’t have been, have to, had to (be), didn’t have to (be).
- •7. Rephrase these notices to give or refuse permission. Begin each sentence with You…..
- •8. Supply the correct tense form of to allowed to.
- •9. Respond to these statements with should, shouldn’t, shouldn’t have done that, oughtn’t to have done that.
- •10. Translate the sentences using can / could / to be able to, may / might, must / to be to / to have to, should / ought to, need.
- •11*. Put in am, can, can’t, couldn’t, have had to, haven’t been able to, may, must, must be, must have.
5. Read the joke and say how you personally appreciate time.
Apreacher went into his church and he was praying to God.
While he was praying, he asked God, ‘How long is 10 million years to you?’
He replied, ‘1 second’.
The next day the preacher asked God, ‘God, how much is 10 million dollars to you?’
And God replied, ‘A penny’.
Then finally the next day the preacher asked God, ‘God, can I have one of your pennies?’
And God replied, ‘Just wait a sec’.
BLOCK IV
Topics for discussion and essays.
Explain the saying ‘Time is money’.
Explain why the time is not the same all over the world.
People often say that time flies, time changes and we can’t turn back the time. Express your opinion on the topic.
Describe peculiarities and express your opinion on ‘Some people are early birds others are night owls’.
Does waiting for something bother you?
Do you think you manage your time wisely?
If you could stop time, what would you do and why?
If time travel were possible, which period of world history would you like to return to? Why?
LESSON 5
Natural Phenomena in Weather and Seasons
There is no bad weather, there are bad clothes.
Rainbows apologize for angry skies.
A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.
The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.
Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.
Bad weather always looks better through a window.
It is best to read the weather forecast before praying for rain.
Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.
Introductory text
Notes to the text:
to forecast(ed) the weather – прогнозувати погоду
to have one thing in common – мати щось спільне / спільну річ
accurate – точний
complicated – складний
weather balloons – метеозонд, кулька-пілот
altitude – висота (над рівнем моря)
satellite – супутник, супутникова антена
to be processed by computer – обробляти на комп’ютері
to take into account – узяти до уваги
coast – узбережжя
basic equipment – базове (основне) обладнання
wind meter – флюгер
to get worse – погіршуватися
to beat (beat; beaten) the experts – перемогти експертів
Do-It-Yourself-Forecast
When the wind is in the west, the weather is always best.
When the wind’s in the south, the rain’s in its mouth.
Have you heard sayings like these before? Or have you heard that when cows lie down it’s going to rain? May be you’ve heard that a sunny Christmas Day means we’re going to have a warm Easter. Many cultures have traditional ideas about how to forecast the weather and they all have one thing in common: they are not very accurate. Most of them are about as accurate as saying that the weather tomorrow will be more or less the same as today. The weather is too complicated to be forecasted easily.
How do meteorologists go about trying to forecast the weather? The first thing they need is information, and lots of it. Data is constantly collected from weather stations around the world. Weather balloons tell us what is happening at high altitude. Satellites give us images of cloud cover and wind direction. All this information is processed by computer and combined with information about the normal climate of a region to produce the forecast. Even so, we can only accurately forecast the weather for the next couple of days.
Can’t we amateurs forecast the weather at all, then? Yes, we can, but to be a great amateur meteorologist you need to do some of the things the experts do. First of all, collect your information. You need to know about the climate in the area where you live. What’s a typical summer like? How much rain normally falls in October? If your area never gets fog in the summer, then a forecast of fog in July is unlikely to be accurate. The next thing to be taken into account is local geography. Are there any mountains nearby? They could affect the wind. Are you by the coast? That could affect rainfall. You also need some basic equipment: a good thermometer, a barometer to measure pressure in the atmosphere and, if possible, a wind meter.
Then it’s a question of using your eyes, and even your ears. Listen to the radio. Is there a lot of static? With the fall of atmospheric pressure the weather will get worse. Go outside and listen. Do sounds seem clearer than usual? Is there a kind of ring around the sun or moon? It could mean that it’s going to rain. Is your barometer rising and do the clouds seem to be getting higher? It probably means that the weather is clearing up. With a little practice, your forecasts will become more accurate one day.
Making your own forecasts can be a lot of fun, and you might even beat the experts!
Comprehension questions.
What’s the common thing about the weather forecast that all cultures have?
Is it easy to forecast the weather?
What’s the first thing a meteorologist needs to forecast the weather?
What’s the function of weather balloons / satellites / computers in weather forecasting?
What are the things an amateur meteorologist needs to do to predict weather?
What equipment should an amateur meteorologist have?
You will even beat the experts one day, won’t you?
Choose the best answer according to the text.
What does ‘them’ in passage 1 refer to?
a) different cultures b) traditional ideas about the weather
c) most weather forecasts d) the weather on different days
The writer does not mention that forecasters collect information about…
a) the weather very high in the atmosphere b) the accuracy of forecasts in the past
c) the amount of clouds over an area d) the way the wind is blowing
What does the writer say you need to know about your area?
a) the forecasts of the experts b) the general patterns of weather
c) how rains affect local people d) how summer fog is caused
The writer suggests that the amateur forecaster should…
a) buy a lot accurate equipment b) get a good map of the area
c) make notes about changes in the weather d) live in a flat area away from the sea
You might be able to forecast good weather when…
a) the reading on your barometer is falling b) you can hear sound very clearly
c) low clouds start to disappear d) the moon is very bright in the sky
To make accurate forecasts, you need to have…
a) experience in forecasting b) good planning
c) time to watch the weather change d) a good memory
TOPICAL VOCABULARY
1. General |
1. Загальна лексика |
weather / weather forecast / to predict weather / meteorologist |
погода / прогноз погоди / передбачати погоду / метеоролог |
season / spring / summer / autumn (fall, Am.) / winter |
пора року / весна / літо / осінь / зима |
to affect(ed)=to influence=to impact / to depend(ed) on (upon) |
впливати на / залежати від |
to clear(ed) up / to get colder / to get milder / |
прояснюватися / холоднішати / теплішати |
air humidity |
вологість повітря |
degree / Fahrenheit / Celsius (Centigrade) |
градус / за Фаренгейтом / за Цельсієм |
midsummer Day (22nd of June) |
середина літа (літнє сонцестояння, 22 червня) |
midwinter Day (22nd of December) |
середина зими (зимове сонцестояння, 22 грудня) |
2. Natural Features |
2. Властивості природи |
continents – e.g. Asia, Europe |
континент – напр. Азія, Європа |
countries – e.g. China, Brazil |
країни – напр. Китай, Бразилія |
islands – e.g. Sicily, Corsica, Hong Kong |
острови – напр. Сицилія, Корсика, Гонконг |
group of islands – e.g. the Bahamas, the Balearics |
групи островів – напр. Багамські (архіпелаг в Атлантичному океані), Балеарські (західна частина Середземного моря, Іспанія) |
oceans – e.g. the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Arctic Ocean |
океани – напр. Атлантичний, Тихий, Арктичний |
seas – e.g. the Red Sea, the Dead Sea |
моря – напр. Червоне (Африка), Мертве (кордон Ізраїль–Йорданія) |
lakes – e.g. Lake Tanganyika, Lake Titicaca |
озера – напр. Танганьїка (Танзанія), Тітікака (кордон Перу та Болівії) |
rivers – e.g. the Nile, the Mississippi |
річки – напр. Ніл (Африка), Міссісіпі (США) |
falls – e.g. Niagara Falls, the Iguaçu Falls |
водоспади – напр. Ніагарський (Північна Америка), Ігвесу (Бразилія) |
mountains – e.g. Mount Everest, Mount Fuji |
гори – напр. гора Еверест (Джомолунгма), Гімалайї, висота 8848 м; Фуджі (Японія, вулкан та гора) |
mountain ranges – e.g. the Andes, the Alps |
гірські хребти – напр. Анди (Південна Америка), Альпи (Європа) |
jungles – e.g. the Amazon (the Amazon rainforest) |
джунглі – напр. Амазонка (Південна Америка, тропічний, вологий ліс) |
forests – e.g. the Black Forest |
ліси – напр. Шварцвальд (гори в Німеччині) |
deserts – e.g. the Sahara, the Gobi |
пустелі – напр. Сахара, Гобі (територія Монголії, Китаю) |
3. Seasons’ Features |
3. Особливості пір року |
spring: spring months: March, April, May to awake (awoke; awoken) from winter sleep to be fill(ed) with new life to shine (shone; shone) brightly earth is warmed by the rays of the sun days become longer snow melt(ed)s / thaw / puddles little streams flow merrily to bud / to blossom(ed) to grow green / fresh green grass / green leaves
to fill(ed) the air with fragrance (scent) twitter of birds revival of nature |
весна: весняні місяці: березень, квітень, травень прокидатися від зимової сплячки наповнюватися новим життям яскраво світити земля обігрівається променями сонця дні стають довшими сніг тане / відлига / калюжі маленькі струмки весело течуть випускати бруньки / квітнути зеленіти / свіжа зелена трава / зелене листя наповнювати повітря ароматом спів птахів відродження природи |
summer: summer months: June, July, August unbearably hot weather to go bathing / to lie in the sun to do (did; done) the gardening farmer’s busy season to cut (cut; cut) the grass / to make the hay to plough(ed) / to sow (sowed; sown) early fruits / vegetables to pick(ed) mushrooms / berries to gather(ed) flowers to have (had; had) storms with lighting / thunder / hail dew on flowers |
літо: літні місяці: червень, липень, серпень нестерпно спекотна погода купатися / лежати на сонечку (засмагати) займатися садівництвом у фермера багато роботи зрізати (косити) траву / скласти сіно орати / сіяти ранні фрукти / овочі збирати гриби / ягоди рвати квіти мати бурю із блискавкою / громом / градом роса на квітах |
Indian summer: warm weather soft carpet of dying leaves nature is slowly falling asleep a soft breeze the sky seems sad silent gardens |
бабине літо: тепла погода м’який килим згасаючого листя природа поступово засинає теплий вітер (бриз) сумне небо тихі сади |
autumn (fall): autumn months: September, October, November cool weather / it often rains / it drizzles (sleet) / it’s muddy and wet / sky is covered with heavy clouds season of harvesting / to gather crops to ripen(ed) in orchards woods (forests) turn yellow (brown) leaves fall off to make multi-colored carpet birds fly (flew; flown) away |
осінь: осінні місяці: вересень, жовтень, листопад прохолодна погода / часто йде дощ / мряка (дощ зі снігом) / брудно і вогко / небо вкрите важкими хмарами пора врожаю / збирати врожай достигати у плодових садах ліси стають жовтими (коричневими) листя падає утворювати кольоровий килим птахи відлітають |
winter: winter months: December, January, February the sun shines rarely / it rises late and sets early
low temperature / it drops to zero lakes / rivers / streams are frozen roads are covered with slippery ice / deep snow
bare trees a piercing wind snowfall / snowstorm / blizzard to snow heavily / snowflakes / snow-work / snow-bank (snow-drift) / slush to make a snowman / to play snowballs |
зима: зимові місяці: грудень, січень, лютий сонце світить рідко / встає пізно та сідає рано низька температура / падає до нуля озера / річки / струмки замерзають дороги вкриті крижаною кіркою / глибокий сніг голі дерева пронизливий вітер снігопад / завірюха / хуртовина (буран) снігопад / сніжинки / візерунки / замет (кучугура) / талий сніг ліпити сніговика / грати в сніжки |
4. Weather Conditions |
4. Погодні умови |
weather: 1) positive: calm / mild / fine (good) / warm / windy / clear / favorable 2) negative: bad / cloudy / showery / rainy / sunny (sunshine) / heat / changeable (unsettled, unstable) / wet (humid) / cold / cool (chilly) / snowy / windless / stuffy / frosty / foggy (misty) / nasty (abominable, awful) / severe / dull (gloomy) / unfavorable / dry |
погода: 1) позитивні прикметники: спокійна / м’яка / хороша / тепла / вітряна / ясна / сприятлива 2) негативні прикметники: погана / хмарна / злива / дощова / сонячна / спекотна / мінлива (нестабільна) / волога / холодна / прохолодна / сніжна / без вітру / задуха / морозна / туманна / огидна (бридка) / сувора / похмура / несприятлива / суха |
rain / rainfall (shower, downpour) / continuous rain / rainbow |
дощ / злива / затяжний дощ / веселка |
thunderstorm / thunder / lighting / hail |
гроза / грім / блискавка / град |
It looks like rain / It’s pouring down rain / It’s raining cats and dogs / It’s sprinkling (drizzling) / I’m wet through (I’m wet to the skin) |
Схоже на дощ / Ллє як із відра / Мряка / Я змок до нитки |
temperature: hot / warm / chilly / cold / freezing |
температура: спекотно / тепло / прохолодно / холодно / дуже холодно |
wind: breeze / strong wind / gale / hurricane / offshore / choppy / side (cross) / head / fair (favorable) / north-west
how can the wind blow: fierce / furious / great (intense, powerful) / mad / howling / roaring / violent / sharp / shrewd |
вітер: бриз / сильний вітер / шторм (буря) / ураган / з берега / поривчастий / боковий / зустрічний / попутний / північно-західний як дме вітер: люто / несамовито / сильно / оскаженіло / завиває / ревуче / шалено / пронизливо / люто |
5. Climate |
5. Клімат |
hot / cold / dry / wet / mild / tropical / subtropical / insular / continental / moderate |
спекотний / холодний / сухий / вологий / м’який / тропічний / субтропічний / острівний / континентальний / помірний |
6. Disasters: |
6. Катастрофи |
volcanic eruption |
виверження вулкану |
earthquake / drought |
землетрус / посуха |
flood / tsunami (seismic sea wave) |
потоп / цунамі (гігантські хвилі як наслідок підводних землетрусів) |
hurricane / tornado / sandstorm |
ураган / торнадо/ піщана буря |
avalanche (snow-slip) |
сніжна лавина |
mud flow (torrent) / landslide (landslip) |
зсув ґрунту |
watersprout (whirlwind – water) / tornado (land) |
водяний смерч / торнадо (на суші) |