Dialogue

Read and translate the dialogue into Russian. Practice good reading of the dialogue. Change the names in the dialogue and learn it by heart. Act it out with a partner.

Asking about health (by phone)

Ann	Hello, is that you, Mary? How are you? Why didn’t you go to the classes yesterday?
Mary	Hello, Ann. I felt very ill yesterday. I couldn’t even get up.
Ann	What’s the matter with you?
Mary	I had a high temperature and a sore throat.
Ann	Can you go to the institute today?
Mary	No, I’m afraid I can’t. The doctor’s coming this morning. I’m very sorry I have to miss several lectures.
Ann	That’s all right. You mustn’t come if you are ill. Can I come to see you today?
Mary	Certainly. Please come round after classes.
Ann	All right. And now I must hurry to the institute. See you later.
Mary	Till this evening then.

Text 2

Read and translate the text into Russian. Ask 10 questions on the text. Retell the text.

How do others see Americans?

Some people, when they first arrive in the United States, say that Americans are very friendly, open and easy-going, but after living in the United States for a while, they change their minds. One international student explained that when he first came, people helped him get settled, took him shopping, invited him for dinner, and called to see how he was. After two or three weeks, however, they stopped doing these things, and he was confused and disappointed.

The thing is Americans try to do what is necessary to help people when they first arrive. They do many things to help these people get settled and often make the new arrivals feel like a part of the family. Newcomers expect this warm hospitality to continue in the form of a solid friendship. However, Americans expect that once people are settled and have been there for a few weeks, they will begin to do things for themselves and become independent.

Many international students are often surprised at American attitude to humor and animals. For example, one student who was staying with an American family was shocked at how they treated the family dog. “I couldn’t believe it”, he said. “The dog had a bed in the child’s room and was actually allowed to sit on the living room sofa. The dog even had its own food in cans, which is very expensive”.

American humor also seems strange at times. For instance, Americans enjoy making jokes about politicians and government policies.

In the United States, time is a matter of punctuality. People plan activities and arrange their lives around specific time. For example, in the United States, one should always arrive in time for dinner, a date, or a business appointment. While it is sometimes acceptable to arrive five minutes earlier, it is considered extremely impolite to arrive later. If other people are expected for dinner or for a meeting and you are late, everyone else will have to wait until you arrive to begin.

Americans are fond of sending greeting cards. They are printed not only for birthdays and anniversaries, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Christmas and New Year but also for graduation, Valentine’s Day, and many other events. People in the United States send get-well cards to friends and relatives who are ill and even cards to express friendship. The average American family sends about 50 cards every year. Some business people send cards to clients to maintain good-will.