Independence Day

Words to know

Independence Day — День независимости

a firework — фейерверк

to declare — объявлять

On July 4, 1776, the American colonies declared their independence from Britain. Many families celebrate the Fourth of July by having picnics and, at night, watching fireworks.

Labour Day

This day is celebrated on the first Monday in September in all states and territories. Labour Day was first celebrated in New York in 1882. It honors the American worker. Just as Memorial Day means the beginning of summer. Labour Day marks the end of summer. For many students, the school year starts the day after Labour Day.

Columbus Day

It's a legal holiday in many states. It commemorates the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492. As Columbus was Italian, working for Spain, Columbus Day is especially important for many Italian-Americans and Hispanic-Americans.

Halloween

Words to know

Halloween — канун Дня всех святых

a bonfire — костер

the Celts — кельты

a ghost story — история о привидениях

to welcome—приветствовать; отмечать, встречать

This holiday on October 31 is not an official one, it is a very special day. It is traditionally associated in some countries with old customs such as telling ghost stories, bonfires and so on. This is the way the Celts welcomed the beginning of winter.

Election Day

Words to know

Election Day — День выборов

a Presidential elector — член коллегии выборщиков

an act — акт, закон, постановление президента

Since 1845, by Act of Congress, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is the date for choosing Presidential electors. State elections are also held on this day.

Veterans' Day

Words to know

to serve — служить

armed forces — вооруженные силы

This holiday honors all men and women who have served America in its armed forces.

Thanksgiving

Words to know

Thanksgiving — День благодарения

to date back — восходить к

a scholar — ученый

ancient times — древние времена

This holiday is observed nationally on the fourth Tuesday in November by Act of Congress in 1941. Most Americans believe that the holiday dates back to the day of thanks ordered by Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony in New England in 1621, but scholars say that the day of thanks is celebrated from ancient times.

Christmas

Words to know

Christmas — Рождество

a holly — остролист

a Christmas tree — рождественская елка

to blossom — цвести, распускаться

by miracle — чудом расцветать

a candle — свеча

comparatively recent — сравнительно недавний

an anniversary — годовщина

The most widely celebrated holiday of the Christian year, Christmas is observed as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Christmas customs are centuries old. Use of such plant as a holly comes from the ancient belief that such plants blossomed at Christmas. Comparatively recent is the Christmas tree, first set up in Germany in the 17th century, and the use of candles on trees developed from the belief that candles appeared by miracle on the trees at Christmas.

Задание 8

Студент должен:

• Прочитать диалог «Праздники и традиции» («Holidays and Customs») и на основе данного диалога составить диалог, сравнивая традиции России, Великобритании и США.

Holidays and Customs

— You agree, that every nation and every country has its own traditions, don't you?

— Yes, I do.

— What can you say about traditions in Great Britain?

— In Britain traditions play a more important part in the life of the people than in other countries.

— How do the English feel about their traditions?

— The English are very proud of their traditions and carefully keep them. When you come to England you're struck at once by quite a number of customs. Some ceremonies are rather formal, such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Trooping the Colour, the State opening of Parliament, the Ceremony of the Keys.

— Are there as many public holidays in Britain as customs?

— There are fewer public holidays in Britain than in any other

country in Europe.

— How many holidays a year are there in Great Britain?

— There are eight.

— Do people go to work on these days?

— No, they don't. (On these days people don't go to work.)

— What are they?

— They are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Late Summer Bank Hol­iday.

— What holidays are celebrated on the same date each year?

— New Year's Day, Christmas and Boxing Day are.

— And what about the rest of public holidays?

— The public holidays (except New Year's Day, Christmas and Boxing Day) are movable. They don't fall on the same date each year.

— What origin are these holidays of?

— Most of these holidays are of religious origin. But nowadays they have lost their religious significance and are simply days on which people relax, visit their friends.

— Are there any other holidays in Great Britain?

— Besides public holidays, there are other festivals, anniversaries, on which certain traditions are observed. But if they don't fall on Sun­day, they're ordinary working days.

— What about holidays in America?

— People say American holidays are strikingly different in origin and show surprising similarities in the manner of their celebration. No matter what the holiday's origin is, they all seem to be the same thing. A holiday has simply become, for most Americans, a day off from work, though some (for example, Thanksgiving and Christmas) retain some in­dividuality.

— Is New Year widely observed in England?

— In England New Year is not as widely observed as Christmas. Some people just ignore it, but others celebrate it in one way or another.

— Is New Year widely observed in Russia?

— Yes, it is. It is one of the most beloved holidays, if not to say the only beloved.

— What is a usual way to celebrate it?

— The most common type of celebration is a New Year party (either a family party or one arranged by a group of young people).

— When is St Valentine's Day celebrated?

— St Valentine's Day is celebrated on February, 14.

— Is this Day celebrated in Russia?

— Now we know about this festival, even heart-shape bakery forms are sold now. But there is no tradition to celebrate it in Russia.

— How is it celebrated in Great Britain and America?

— Every St Valentine's Day thousands of people travel to a small village on Scotland's border with England to get married. The village is called Gretna Green.

— What is Gretna Green famous for?

— Its romantic reputation began in 1754. In that times in England marriage for the people under the age of 21 without parents' permission was banned. However, in Scotland this permission was not required. Gretna Green was the first stop across the border. Many young couples came to Gretna Green to get married there.

Nowadays, in this place, at least one couple gets married every day of the year. Weddings for St Valentine's Day have to be booked 3 months in advance.

— In what way do the British celebrate this Day?

— On this day boys and girls, sweethearts, husbands and wives, friends and neighbours exchange greetings of affection and love. People send each other greeting cards, chocolates and flowers. Valentine's cards are very colourful, with a couple of human hearts on them and verse.

— What kind of verse is it?

— Traditional Valentine's cards are sentimental in nature: I'll be your sweetheart, If you will be mine, All of my life I'll be your Valentine. Just one more way, Sweetheart to say I love you. Just one more way To tell you that I care Because your world, Sweetheart, is one I share. Perhaps the most popular rhyme is "Roses are red". There are numerous variations of it:

Roses are red and violets are blue, Carnations sweet and so are you.

Roses are red, violets are blue You know how much I love you.

Roses are red, violets are blue, Grass is green, and I love you.

Holidays. Traditions and Customs Messages can be humorous (these are usually in prose): Dear Debbie, I can't love you any more. I have a dog now.

— Is there a holiday celebrated in many countries, both in Russia and in Great Britain (America)?

— Yes, it is.

— What is it?

— Easter is. Easter is a time when certain traditions are observed. It is celebrated either as the start of spring or a religious festival.

— Do people give presents to each other in Russia, in Great Brit­ain, in America, in other English-speaking countries?

— Yes, they do. In England presents traditionally take the form of an Easter egg. Easter eggs are usually made of chocolate. Nowadays, Eas­ter eggs are often artificial.

— And in Russia?

— Such eggs haven't displaced the true Easter eggs. Easter eggs al­ways grace breakfast tables on Easter Day.

Задание 9

Студент должен:

Ознакомиться с разговорными клише социально бытовой сферы общения

1) Как спросить, попросить о чем-нибудь и как ответить

May I ask a question? — Yes, you may. — Можно задать вопрос? — Да.

Would you be so kind as to... — He могли бы вы быть так любезны...

Could you tell me about... — He могли бы вы рассказать мне о...

I'd like to ask you a question. — Мне бы хотелось задать вам вопрос.

Say again, please. — Скажите еще раз, пожалуйста.

I haven't quite got you. — Я не совсем понял вас.

Would you mind...? — Вы не возражаете?

What do you mean? — Что вы имеете в виду?

This isn't exactly what I mean. — Это не совсем то, что я имею в виду.

Are you following me? — Вы следите за мной?

Let's make it clear. — Давайте-ка выясним.

То my mind... In my opinion... — По-моему мнению ...

To tell the truth... — По правде говоря ...

Dialogue

• Would you be so kind as to tell me about your job?

• What do you mean? I haven't quite got you.

• I'd like to ask you about all likes and dislikes of your job, because 1 want to join your company.

• To tell the truth I am going to leave this company soon. In my opinion I could find a better place to work.

2) Как говорят по телефону

• Hello! May I speak to Jane, please? (Алло! Можно поговорить с Джейн?)

• Hold up a moment, please. (Подождите минуточку, пожалуйста.)

— Is this Jane? Hi, Jane. This is Ann calling. (Это Джейн? Привет, Джейн. Это Анна.)

— I can hardly hear you. There's some noise. And your voice is fading from time to time. Could you speak louder, please? Ok... It's better... Call me up once again, please. (Я едва слышу тебя. Какой-то шум. И твой голос пропадает время от времени. Не могла бы ты говорить громче, пожалуйста? Или... Лучше... Перезвони мне еще раз, пожалуйста.)

— Are you there? (Ты слышишь меня?)

— Now I hear you alright! (Сейчас я слышу тебя хорошо.)