ПОСОБИЕ англ.яз

Word combinations and prepositional phrases

to be in the same boat – оказаться в одинаково сложном положении; to take it all in – разобраться во всём; to blend in – влиться (в общество); to live on a tiny budget – жить на крошечный бюджет; to make friends’ with smb. - по-

дружиться с кем-л; to settle into University life – привыкнуть к университетской жизни; to become one’s own person – быть предоставленным самому себе; on the right foot – успешно («с той ноги»); to give smb. a head start –

давать преимущество; to pass on one’s wisdom – передавать опыт и знания; to fall behind the group – отстать (от группы) в учёбе; to catch up with the group – догнать (группу) в учёбе.

Vocabulary practice

1. Match the synonyms.

3. Explain the difference between:

college – university; exam-credit; exchange student – student; grant-scholarship; bachelor –master; admission competitiveness – enrollment.

64

4. Match the English prepositional phrases with their Russian equivalents.

5.Fill in the blanks with prepositions. Translate the sentences. behind, in, for, with, in, on, into

1.I’m interested ___ this students international exchange program.

2.Will you take part ___ our concert?

3.I’m here only ___ one academic year.

4.I left the comfort of home and all my friends ____.

5.During the first semester I quickly made friends ___ many students.

6.I don’t get a scholarship and have to live ___ tiny budget.

7.During the first weeks it was difficult to settle ___ Academy life.

6.Fill in the blanks with words or phrases.

Fresher’s , bachelor’s, terms, lecture, Doctor of Philosophy, sandwich, science, prestigious

1.Universities in the UK usually have three _________ in a year.

2.The first degree most students study at university is also known as a

__________degree.

3.What does PhD mean? __________.

4.If a degree course includes a one-year industry placement, it’s also known as a

_________course.

5.Imperial College in London is famous for its teaching and research in

__________.

6.Oxford and Cambridge universities are two of the most ________ universities in the country.

65

7.The first week of your first year at university is called _______ Week.

8.A lesson at university which takes place in a big hall with lots of students and one teacher is called a __________.

Grammar «Continuous and Perfect Tense Forms».

1. Find the verbs in the Continuous tense forms.

2. Open the brackets. Use the verbs in the Present or Past Continuous Tense. Translate the sentences.

1.What are you doing? - I (to do) my homework now.

2.Where is Ann? – She (to write a report) in the library.

3.I (to write) an English exercise at this time yesterday.

4.My friends (not to do) their homework at 7 p.m. yesterday.

5.We (to read) the whole evening yesterday.

6.Look! They (to speak) English!

7.I still can’t believe it! I (to take the exam) at this time yesterday and now I (to lie) in the sun at the seaside.

8.I met Mike and Pete when I (to go) to Academy the day before yesterday.

9.What you (to do) from 8 till 9 yesterday?

10.Why she (to miss) classes the whole semester?

3. Open the brackets. Use the verbs in the Future Continuous. Translate the sentences.

66

1.I (to do) my homework at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

2.Don’t come to my place tomorrow. I (to prepare) for the exam in math.

3.What you (to do) at 8 p.m. tomorrow?

4.I (to wait) for you in the cinema tomorrow.

4. Find the verbs in the Perfect tense forms.

5. Open the brackets. Use the verbs in the Present Perfect Tense. Translate the sentences.

1.Oxbridge (give) me an elitarian education.

2.Many Oxbridge students (come) from public schools.

3.Oxford and Cambridge (become) the best English universities.

4.An agricultural college (educate) many professional workers for this farm.

5.My sister (graduate from) Cambridge this year.

6.Open the brackets. Use the verbs in the Future Perfect Tense. Translate the sentences.

1.Every student (have) a tutor by the end of the week.

2.A tutor (plan) your work by October.

3.We (discuss) our work by tomorrow’s evening.

4.They (receive) a grant by June.

5.I (visit) language clubs, philosophy societies by Thursday.

7.Fill in the blanks with articles if necessary.

67

1.I am … first-year student.

2.There are … 24 students in my group.

3.Most students in our group are from … Irkutsk.

4.Yesterday I read … article about education in … USA.

5.My … dormitory is not far from the Academy.

6.I am … student of … Economics.

7.This text is … most difficult one in the whole textbook.

Reading and comprehension

1. Read and translate the text.

Text 1. Fresher’s week

The UK has a well-respected higher education system and some of the top universities and research institutions in the world. But to those who are new to it all, it can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing.

October is usually the busiest month in the academic calendar. Universities have something called Fresher’s Week for their newcomers. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, join lots of clubs and settle into university life.

However, having just left the comfort of home and all your friends behind, the prospect of meeting lots of strangers in big halls can be nerve-wracking. Where do you start? Who should you make friends with? Which clubs should you join?

Luckily, there will be thousands of others in the same boat as you worrying about starting their university social life on the right foot. So just take it all in slowly. Don’t rush into anything that you’ll regret for the next three years. Here are some top tips from past students on how to survive Fresher’s Week:

-blend in. Make sure you are aware of British social etiquette. Have a few wine glasses and snacks handy for your housemates and friends;

-be hospitable. Sometimes cups of tea or even slices of toast can give you a head start in making friends;

-be sociable. The more active you are, the more likely you’ll be to meet new people than if you’re someone who never leaves their room;

-bring a doorstop. Keep your door open when you're in and that sends positive messages to your neighbours that you’re friendly.

68

So with a bit of clever planning and motivation, Fresher’s Week can give you a great start to your university life and soon you’ll be passing on your wisdom to next year’s new recruits. (BBC Learning English News about Britain 2008 Fresher’s week www.bbclearningenglish.com)

2. Are these sentences true or false? Or is the answer not given in the text? Choose the correct answer.

1.Fresher’s Week is for second year students at universities.

True / False / Not given

2.October is generally the busiest month for universities.

True / False / Not given

3.Having wine glasses in your room is a bad idea.

True / False / Not given

4.It's a good idea to pack a doorstop.

True / False / Not given

5.A bit of planning can make Fresher’s Week easier.

True / False / Not given

3. Read the extracts from the American exchange students blog.

Text 2. The Student Union (http://blogs.voanews.com/student-union)

1.The university is a place where people truly become their own person and face life on a tiny budget without much help from their parents. (by Tom Collier - Posts (4). Posted Wednesday, January 30th, 2013 at 12:55 pm)

2.What happens when you throw together 5,300 students, all of us between 17 and 25 years of age and leaving our parents for the first time? We are never told to go to bed before 11, to stay away from things like drugs or alcohol, or to use our language mindfully. No. After all, we are college kids now! (by Abuzar Royesh - Posts (3). Posted Thursday, January 24th, 2013 at 11:27 am)

3.Many Russians believe that American education is not as good as Russian education is, probably because they have heard that the academic environment in the U.S. is less formal and students there have “too much freedom” as they make their own course choices. Russian students don’t make many choices about their education. In my three years at a public Russian university, I wasn’t allowed to choose any classes. (by Anna Malinovskaya - Posts (13). Posted Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 at 2:28 pm)

69

4. So what is the best university in the country? The answer’s not quite so simple. “The ‘best’ school for one student may not be the best for another.” Students should consider things like their academic interests, location preferences, financial means, and admissions competitiveness in choosing where to apply. (by Jessica Stahl - Posts (404). Posted Thursday, October 4th, 2012 at 3:25 pm)

4. Answer the questions.

1.What problems do students face when they enter Universities?

2.Why students are called college kids?

3.Do Russian students choose classes?

4.What classes did you choose this semester?

5.Is it simple to choose a University to apply?

location preferences

admission competitiveness

tuition fee / financial means parents’ opinion opportunity to get a good job

Listening and comprehension

“Why American schoolchildren traditionally get a long vacation” Listen and write whether the statements are true or false (T/F).

1.In America a school year begins traditionally in late August or early September.

2.Long ago, young people had to work during summer to earn money for their study.

3.In the early days school calendars depended on local needs.

4.Students in rural areas went to school for no more than eight months of the year.

5.City schools were open for eleven months of the year.

70

6.In the 1860s national leaders took a fresh look at schools.

7.Many city schools wanted a longer year and shorter summer break.

8.Rural educators stood for a longer summer break and shorter year.

9.Today the average school year is 180 days.

10.Some experts think the traditional school calendar needs to change because the needs of nation have changed.

Speaking

1.Read and act out the dialogue.

–Hello. I haven’t seen you for ages. How are you?

–Hello. I am well at present. You see, I have been ill for a month and now I have many problems.

–Do you have any health problems?

–No, I don’t. I have fallen behind in some subjects. Especially, I can’t cope with math.

–As for math, I can help you. I am good at math and have passed the exam in math ahead of time.

–I shall be very grateful to you.

–As far as I know you left school 22 and you are on good terms with English aren’t you.

–Yes, I am. English is one of the first subjects I have passed my credit tests in. I can really give you a helping hand with English.

–When shall we start?

–I think as soon as possible. Let it be this Saturday 10 a.m.

–Agreed. So, good bye. See you on Saturday.

2. Look at the idioms below. Each one is connected to university life in some way. Try to match each idiom to its definition.

you say when a difficult

4. the university of life 4. situation is ended suddenly before you have to do or say something that you do not want to

3. Now complete the sentences below by using one of the idioms above.

1.My grandfather began to work in the print shop when he was fifteen and learned everything from ____________.

2.We were ______________ when the fire alarm went before we had to give a very badly prepared presentation.

3.Parents give their children thousands of pounds to help them ___________ and get a foot on the property ladder.

4.Like most professors, Jason seems _____________. He has no idea how ordinary people cope with life.

Writing practice

1.Did you have a good start to your Academy life? Write about some difficulties you had during fresher’s week.

2.Write your recommendations to next year’s new recruits of Academy.

72