ТЕКСТЫ ДЛЯ РАЗВИТИЯ УСТНОЙ РЕЧИ С КОМПЛЕКСОМ РАЗНОУРОВНЕВЫХ УПРАЖНЕНИЙ
ABOUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY
First of all, I'd like to say that it's very hard to speak about myself because I have to analyze the traits of my character by myself but I'll try to . I was born on the ... (day) of ... (month) in ... (year) in ... (city, town. I am a student of the Higher State College of Communication. I am lucky to study here because the atmosphere at my college is non-stressful, friendly, and enjoyable but at the same time creative and stimulating.
I am friendly, energetic but also a bit lazy. I have many friends because I am very sociable and my friends are very important for me.
If speaking about my family, I can say that it is not very large. I'm the only child in the family, so I have neither brothers nor sisters to share my secrets with. But I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth because I have both of my parents alive and I can enjoy honest and open relationship in my family. It is my parents who give me a good example to follow. I feel safe because the little world within my family is perfect.
My parents are nice people but they are very different, you know. Mum is an out-going woman who enjoys talking and contacting with people. Dad is rather reserved, he likes being on his own. Mum is always calm and well-balanced and she never gets excited. Dad, on the other hand, easily gets angry. But he never raises his voice to shout at me because I'm the apple of my father's eye.
I have taken after my mother in character and in appearance. I am not very tall but I am slender, I have blue-eyes and fair curly hair. I never lose my temper and can control my feelings. I understand humor and appreciate it.
There is nothing I like better than to curl up in a big arm-chair with an interesting book. Literature means a lot in my life. It helps me to build up my character and the world outlook Besides, I get a real joy playing tennis and hiking with my friends,
There are some things in my life which I dislike. For example, I dislike staying in long queues and I can't stand overcrowded buses. And I hate getting up early.
I hope to get good knowledge at my college. I am sure knowledge is the highest privilege of the day quite necessary to make my way in society.
VOCABULARY
trait – черта, штрих
creative - творческий
sociable - общительный
the only - единственный
to be reserved – быть сдержанным
to get excited – волноваться, возбуждаться
I'm the apple of my father's eye – “я - свет в окошке для своего отца”
to appreciate - ценить
to curl up – свернуться в клубок
queue - очередь
overcrowded – переполненныйI have taken after my mother – я похожа на мать
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Supply prepositions according to the text
have both…my parents
enjoys talking and contacting … people
being…his own
to shout…me
enjoys talking and contacting … people
to curl…in a big arm-chair
to build…my character
LEVEL III
Put questions to the answers according to the text
A student.
The only child.
Mum.
After my
mother.
Overcrowded buses.
At my college.
LEVEL IV
Speak about
-your appearance
-your Dad
-your character
MY WORKING DAY
Unfortunately, being a student means that you don't really have much free time, except the holidays which we have at the end of terms and long summer holidays. Sunday is my only day off which I have from studying. Other days are a dull routine. My everyday activities doesn't differ much from those of any other student of our country.
So, my working day usually begins at seven o'clock when the alarm-clock wakes me up. I'm not an early riser, that's why it is very difficult for me to get up. And though it is said that “An early bird catches the worm”, I am in the habit of staying in bed for about 10 minutes, sometimes planning what I am going to do during the day. So, in the mornings I always fee sleepy and have to jump out of my bed.
After that I open the window to let the fresh air in. Then I make my bed, switch on the tape-recorder and do my morning exercises in front of the open window. I think it's really important that you do a few exercises in the morning: it makes your body feel good and keeps the muscles firm. After that I go to the bathroom where I clean my teeth and wash my face and neck. If I have enough time, I take a warm shower. After the bathroom I go to the kitchen where I sit down to breakfast. Usually my mother makes breakfast for me but when she is away on business, I make it myself. I don't wash up after breakfast because I usually am in a hurry for my classes.
When my breakfast is over, I quickly put on my coat, sort out my books, take my bag and rush to the college. Our classes begin at eight thirty in the morning but I always come to the college a few minutes before the bell. I am never late for my classes, I am just in time.
We go to the college six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. The lessons go on till four o'clock in the afternoon. We have several short breaks to have a snack. And when my classes are over, I go to the canteen and have my dinner there. I usually have soup, hot meat, potatoes or macaroni with some salad and a glass of juice for dinner.
At about five o’clock in the evening I return home. I have a short rest and after that I do my homework. It takes me several hours to do the homework. I always try to do everything in time. As a rule, I practically have no time for television, books or friends on my week-days. And it happens once in a blue moon when I spend my free time outside. They say: “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy”.
Eight o'clock is a supper time in our little and friendly family. We all gather together in the kitchen to exchange news, to talk about the events of the day or simply about some things that trouble any member of the family.
At about eleven o'clock I take a shower, brush my teeth and then at last I can get into my lovely bed.
You see, my daily routine is not quite interesting or a pleasure. And by the end of the week I get very tired. Nevertheless, I always look forward to my next working day because the time I've spent at college I will remember all my life.
VOCABULARY
To be in the habit of – иметь привычку
an early riser – “ранняя пташка”
to have a snack - перекусить
once in a blue moon - раз в кои веки (редко)
look forward - ждать с нетерпением
routine - рутина
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Give the English for:
- любитель рано вставать
- иметь привычку
- протянуть руку помощи
- перекусить
LEVEL III
Put questions to the answers according to the text.
1. Sunday.
2. Six days a week.
3. I am not an early riser.
4. At about 5 o’clock.
5. No, it happens once in a blue moon.
LEVEL IV
Comment on the proverb:
“An early bird catches the worm”
COMPUTERS IN OUR LIFE
Computer is a very clever machine. This new servant of man is only about twenty-five years old, but it has already changed the lives of many people. Wherever the citizen turns, he finds a computer working. It helps him make long-distance and local telephone calls.
Computers are also used when one reserves space on аn airplane. Walk into any airline office. Before selling you a ticket, the reservation clerk uses machine that looks like a typewriter to record information about where you want to go and the flight number of the plane that will take you to your destination. This information is sent instantly to a central computer that may be many kilometres away from the airline office. Within seconds, the computer informs the clerk whether or not there is space for you on that plane.
Such reservation systems are now in increasing use. They are also employed by hotels, by companies that rent cars, and by offices that sell tickets to theatres and sport events. The computer not only determines what seats are available at what prices, but it also prints the tickets at the same time.
When you buy an automobile, a computer enables you to obtain a car with your own choice of colors and special features in just a few weeks' time.
In medical laboratories, computers have reduced the errors in testing, and they have saved doctors countless hours of work. Before long, medical histories of all Americans will be kept in computer “banks». If a person becomes ill far from his home, local doctors will be able to get his medical record immediately. In science, the computer has performed in minutes experiments which would have required thousands of hours of work by human hands and minds.
The United States is not the only country affected by the computer revolution. Computers are popular all over the world.
Most experts agree that computers are essential to solving the problems of increasing population, city living, and Public welfare. Without computers the job of solving these problems would require millions of workers to do tons of paperwork.
Without special training it is impossible to understand exactly how a computer does its work. Nevertheless, many people without scientific training use computers in their daily lives. In some American schools, for example, young children are being taught by computers for part of the school day.’ The use of computers in schools has worried some Americans. There are those who fear it will remove the human clement from teacher-student relationship. Some teachers fear that computers will take their jobs. On the other hand, there are educators who consider computers a valuable means of freeing teachers from the more boring and tiring tasks, thus enabling them to spend more time with individual students.
In education, as in business and industry, science and medicine, computers play an important part in almost every type of operation. The future will bring major advances in computer technology and applications, which will aid man in his efforts to improve his world.
VOCABULARY
to record – записывать, регистрировать
to determin – назначать, определять
process – обрабатывать
enable – давать возможность, право что-либо сделать
to reduce – уменьшать, понижать, ослаблять
error – ошибка, заблуждение
advancement - продвижение
essential – существенный, неотъемлемый
educator - педагог
application – применение, употребление, просьба, обращение
to aid - помогать
EXERCISES LEVEL II
Answer the questions:
1. How old are computers? 2. Are computers helpful?
3. How long does it take the computer to give you the right answer?
4. What has reduced the errors in testing in medical labs?
5.Before long, medical histories of all Americans will be kept in computer “banks”, won’t they?
6.What will local doctors do if a person becomes ill far from his home?
7.Is it easy to understand how a computer does its work?
8.What has worried some Americans?
9.What do American teachers fear?
10.In what spheres of life are computers used?
LEVEL 111
Put the following sentences into the Passive Voice.
1, Hotels, companies that rent cars and offices that sell tickets employ reservation
systems.
2. Doctors will keep medical histories of Americans in computer ‘banks’.
3. They instantly send this information to the central computer
LEVEL 1V
Say what you have learnt from the text about
- computer reservation systems;
- computers in American schools;
- the future of computer technology
THE INTERNET
The Internet, a global computer network which embraces millions of users all over the world, began in the United States in 1969 as a military experiment. It was designed to survive a nuclear war. Information sent over the Internet takes the shortest path available from one computer to another. Because of this, any two computers on the Internet will be able to stay in touch with each other as long as there is a single route between them.
This technology is called packet switching. Owing to this technology, if some computers on the network are knocked out (by a nuclear explosion, for example), information will just route around them. One such packet-switching network already survived at war. It was the Iraqi computer network, which was not knocked out during the Gulf War,
Most of the Internet host computers (more than 50 %) are in the United States, while the rest are located in more than 100 other countries. Although the number of host computers can be counted fairly accurately, nobody knows exactly how many people use the Internet, there are millions, and their number is growing by thousands each, month worldwide.
The most popular Internet service is e-mail. Most of the people, who have access to the Internet, use the network only for sending and receiving e-mail messages. However, other popular services are available on the Internet: reading Usenet News, using the World-Wide Web, Telnet, FTP and Gopher.
In many developing countries the Internet may provide businessmen with a reliable alternative to the expensive and unreliable telecommunication systems of these countries. Commercial users can communicate over the Internet with the rest of the world and can do it very cheaply. When they send e-mail messages, they only have to pay for phone calls to their local service providers not for calls across their countries or around the world. But who actually pays for sending e-mail messages over the Internet long distances, around the world? The answer is very simple: a user pays his/her service provider a monthly or hourly fee. Part of this fee goes towards its costs to connect to a larger service provider. And part of the fee got by the larger provider goes to cover its cost of running a worldwide network of wires and wireless stations.
But saving money is only the first step. If people see that they can make money from the Internet, commercial use of this network will drastically increase. For example, some western architecture companies and garment centers already transmit their basic designs and concepts over the Internet into China, where they are reworked and refined by skilled - but inexpensive - Chinese computer-aided-design specialists.
However, some problems remain. The most important is security. When you send an e-mail message to somebody, this message can travel through many different networks and computers. The data are constantly being directed towards its destination by special computers called routers. Because of this, it is possible to get into any of computers along the route, intercept and even change the data being sent over the Internet, In spite of the fact that there are many strong encoding programs available, nearly all the information being sent over the Internet is transmitted without any form of encoding, i.e. "in the clear". But when it becomes necessary to send important information over the network, these encoding programs may be useful. Some American banks and companies even conduct transactions over the Internet. However there are still both commercial and technical problems, which will take time to be resolved.
VOCABULARY
to embrace - охватывать
to design -замышлять, конструировать
to survive -выжить, уцелеть
path -путь
available -доступный
to stay in touch -оставаться на связи
route -путь, маршрут, курс
packet switching -пакет коммутации
to knock out -уничтожить, вывести из строя
host computer -сервер
fairly accurately -довольно точно
access -доступ
to communicate with -сообщаться, связаться с …
actually -фактически, действительно
user -пользователь
fee -оплата
the cost of running -стоимость обслуживания
wires and wireless stations -проводные и беспроводные станции
saving money -экономия денег
will drastically increase -значительно возрастет
garment center /Amer./ -центр моды
to transmit –передавать
to refine -совершенствовать
skilled -квалифицированный
computer-aided –design specialists -специалисты компьютерного дизайна
security -безопасность
data -информация
destination -место назначения
router -маршрутер
intercept -перехватить
encoding programs -кодировочные программы
i.e. /id est/ -то есть
to conduct transactions -проводить сделки
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Answer the questions
Was the Internet designed as a civil program?
What packet switching network survived at war?
Where are most of the host computers?
Does anybody know exactly the number of users?
What services are available on the Internet?
What can commercial users do over the Internet?
When will commercial use of the network increase?
What is the most important problem of the Internet?
Why is it possible to intercept the data sent over the Internet?
10. When are encoding pro grams used?
LEVEL III
Give the English for:
благодаря этой
технологии
можно сосчитать
довольно точно
их количество растет тысячами ежемесячно
люди, имеющие
доступ в Интернет
надежная альтернатива
ежемесячная или
почасовая оплата
экономия денег
зарабатывать деньги с помощью Интернета
квалифицированные, но недорогие
войти в любой компьютер
перехватить или даже изменить информацию
потребуется время для решения
LEVEL IV
Prove that
- the Internet was designed as a military experiment;
-the Internet is a reliable alternative to telecommunication systems;
-there is a problem of security.
TELEVISION IN OUR LIFE
The name ‘Television’ comes from Greek word meaning ‘far’ and Latin word meaning “to see” so it means “to see far”.
Experiments in broadcasting television began in the 1920s but were interrupted by World War II. By 1992 the U.S. had 1,505 television stations, and cable television systems in the U.S. served over 56 million households. Television signals are also now transmitted from satellites direct to household satellite dishes.
Television is the main source of news for many households around the world. TV does what none of the other media can: it brings the sight and sounds of some important news events by means of filmed, taped or live reports.
TV is one of the best inventions the man has ever made. We are beginning to forge what the world was without TV. Everybody knows what a great force TV is in the world today. Thanks to TV we get a great amount of information. It gives wonderful possibilities for education. It enriches our intellect we also become better informed by watching documentaries, science programmers, and discussions and by learning the most important issues of the day.
TV gives an opportunity to see the best actors, sport matches, to meet famous people. TV brings the world to our room. We see people in our country and in other lands and learn about their customs, occupations, traditions, problems. We become cultured people by learning more of the arts.
Television helps us to relax after a hard day's work, so we can then cope better with the next day's work. Besides, there is a considerable amount of TV programmes: news, different talk-shows, TV games, concerts and variety shows, sport programmes, feature films, serials and so on and so forth. They are of great entertainment value and provide useful topics for conversation. A lot of these programmes are very popular. For example, News deal with political and social problems of modern society. Their aim is to give analysis of the problems and show different view points. They are concerned with the country's national events, the most topical political problems of the day. Musical Review presents songs, pop groups, folk songs. It is very popular with TV viewers.
Thus, we can say that TV is a great force which attracts millions of people to the screens.
But tastes differ. Some people are against TV. They say that TV is doing a lot of harm. It occupies a lot of free time. People used to have hobbies, to meet with friends, to go to the cinema or theatre, to read books, to listen to music. Nowadays many people sit watching TV hour by hour. They don't read books, they don't do sports, they begin to forget the art of conversation. Watching TV for a long time may lead to poor health and ruin eye-sight.
But nobody makes you watch TV for hours. You can simply switch off your TV-set . Nobody can deny the fact, that TV is a great force in the world today.
VOCABULARY
to broadcast – передавать по радио
household -хозяйство
satellite dish – спутниковая антенна
media – средство информации
issue – выпуск, издание
to cope – справляться, бороться
feature film – художественный фильм
entertainment - развлечение
topical - злободневный
screen - экран
deny - отрицать
LEVEL 111
Answer the questions:
When did television come into existence?
What is television for people around the world?
What are the advantages of TV?
What TV programs are especially popular?
Are you for or against TV?
What harm does TV do?
Do you watch TV for hours?
What’s your favorite TV program?
Why does television attract millions of people to the screens?
10.What is the origin of the name ‘Television’?
LEVEL 1V
Comment on the following;
- television as the source of news; - television as an entertainment;
- television as the best possibility for educdtion.
LEVEL 11
Give the English for:
Основной источник новостей
Смотрят телевизор часами
- значительное количество телепрограмм
SPORT IN MY LIFE
Sport is probably as old as the humanity itself. It is an exciting creative sphere of hard work and competition. Everyone seeks in it answers to his own problems. Whether as a player or merely as a spectator, just about everyone likes sports today.
Sport is not only a perfect pastime but it is a special world of its own. A lot of people are fond of sports and games. Sport makes us healthy, keeps fit and more organized. It unites people of different classes and nationalities.
Many people all over the world go in for sports . People of all ages practice skiing, cycling, table tennis, swimming, volleyball, football, body-building, etc. They have all necessary facilities for going in for sport: stadiums, sport grounds, swimming pools, etc. Sport is paid much attention to in our educational establishments. Gymnastics is a part of children's daily activity in the kindergartens. Physical culture is a compulsory subject at schools, colleges and higher educational establishments.
In the last years Belarusian sportsmen take an active part in the world sports movement and in the Olympic Games. International competitions are often held in Belarus. They attract a large number of fans. There is a lot of live broadcasting of matches in our country.
But it is not necessary to go in for sport for enjoying it. Millions of people all over the world spend hours watching sport events on television, or at stadiums. They enjoy being "fans" of this or that sport team, Many professional sportsmen are now very popular and famous, for example: Michael Jordan, Pele, Ronaldo, etc.
Sport is an essential part of my daily life. It helps me to be active and to overcome difficulties, because it trains not only my body but my will. I go in for swimming. It needs mobility and energy. It keeps a person in a good form. I have been practicing swimming for six years, but the more I do the more I like it. I get a real joy taking part in different competitions. Three days a week I go to the swimming pool. Certainly, it's a great distance between me and professionals, but I do my training with great pleasure and hope it will help me to be healthy and fit.
VOCABULARY
Spectator-зритель Pastime–времяпровождение To keep fit – поддерживать форму
Compulsory – обязательный
Mobility-подвижность
LEVEL II
Answer the following questions.
-Why do millions of people go in for sports?
-What kinds of sports do you know?
-Is sport popular in our country?
-What sports are particularly popular in our country (Great Britain, America)?
-What kind of sports are you going in for?
-Have you ever taken part in any sport competitions?
-Who is your favorite professional sportsman?
-Do you get a real joy going in for sports?
LEVEL III
Finish the sentences according to the text.
Sport is probably…
Sport is paid…
Sport makes us…
I get a real joy…
Sport helps me…
LEVEL IV
Share you opinion about
- the attention our President pays to sport;
wonderful possibilities of going in for sports in Minsk.
TOURISM
The desire to get away from everyday trouble and tension is so great today. Tourism is the best way to satisfy it. Travel gives you an opportunity to relax, to do some sightseeing; it broadens your mind and world outlook. So, everybody is on the move in the summer months. Tourism can be considered as an entertainment and as a rest. It can be very useful and it also can give us a lot of interesting and curious information. To rest means visiting sights, resorts, walking tours to the forest, to the lake-side and so on. If we talk about travelling as a kind of job we mean a business trip and an official journey. Some people go on a business trip to very attractive towns and countries, but unfortunately they do not have enough time to visit museums, interesting places, to do some sightseeing.
Tourism can be organized and can be not. Travelling companies and agencies offer us an organized travelling. The unorganized rest is, when you shoulder the responsibility for a trip, when you plan the route, provide the transport, assure an accommodation and provide yourself with food. Certainly, all of it is not so simple, as it looks at first sight. It is much easier to appeal to a travel firm.
There are a lot of different agencies in our town, which offer services of holiday organization. The employees of such firms will help you to select the most suitable trip, excursions, hotels and so on, according to your possibilities.
If you are going to visit a foreign country, you should appeal to a tourist agency beforehand. The inhabitants of our republic should receive a visa to enter many countries that is a special sanction. In some cases a whole week for registration of the documents can be required. For obtaining a visa you should fill in a special form, a kind of a questionnaire, an employee of the firm will help you to make it, if it is necessary.
In a travelling company you will be answered all the questions you are interested in, about the accommodation, meals, the journey. A brief video-film about a planned trip can be demonstrated, you also can look through the price-list. They also will advise you the most convenient kind of transport. In summer period charter planes trips have a wide circulation that is very convenient, fast and rather cheap.
If you wish to travel within the CIS, you can organize your rest independently. You can select any kind of transport you like best of all: a car, an automobile, a bus, a train, a plane. Undoubtedly, the fastest and the most suitable type of transport is the plane, but it is also the most expensive one. Therefore most people prefer to travel by train or by bus.
If you are going to have a rest in summer, you should take care of the tickets in advance, because you simply won't be able to get them. A ticket can be reserved by telephone or directly in an advance booking office. It is also necessary to think about a return ticket. After that you can reserve a room in a hotel of the town, where you are going to spend some time. You can reserve a single, a double room or apartments.
If I had an opportunity, I would visit Great Britain and the USA with great pleasure. China also attracts me very much. I think that some day my dream will come true. I can not affirm, that I traveled a lot in my life, nevertheless, last year my parents and I spent one week in St.-Petersburg. We arrived there by train, all the trip took only one night, and in the morning we were in St.-Petersburg. We stayed at our relatives' place. We visited several interesting places, museums and theatres. After that travelling we have a lot of photos and wonderful impressions.
VOCABULARY
| accommodation – размещение, жилье
arrival - прибытие
carriage - вагон
change - пересадка
departure - отъезд
destination – место назначения
journey – путешествие
(сухопутное)
luggage - багаж
reserve - заказать
ticket – билет
train – поезд
travel – путешествие
trip – путешествие, экскурсия
voyage - путешествие (морское)
booking-office - билетная касса
by air - по воздуху
by road - по дороге
in advance -заблаговременно,
предварительно
railway station – железнодорожный
вокзал
go sightseeing - осматривать
достопримечательности
| traveller – путешественник
by sea - по морю
customs office - таможня
return ticket - обратный бил
in advance - заблаговременно,
предварительно
railway station –
железнодорожный вокзал
go sightseeing - осматривать
достопримечательности
luggage - багаж
reserve - заказать
ticket – билет
train – поезд
travel – путешествие
traveller – путешественник
trip – путешествие, экскурсия
voyage - путешествие (морское)
booking-office - билетная касса
by air - по воздуху
by road - по дороге
by sea - по морю
customs office - таможня
return ticket - обратный бил
|
LEVEL II
Give the English for:
Заказать билет предварительно
Подумать об обратном билете.
Я не могу утверждать.
Любопытная информация.
Брать на себя ответственность.
Гарантировать жилье.
Обратиться в туристическую фирму.
LELEL III
Answer the questions.
Is tourism an entertainment or a job?
What does active rest mean?
What’s the difference between organized and unorganized tourism?
What do tourist agencies offer?
What is necessary if you are going abroad?
AT THE THEATRE
There are not many theatres in Minsk but they are all very popular with the public. Theatre lovers don't miss any new performance at the Gorky Russian Drama Theatre and Yanka Kupala State Academic Theatre. Both children and grown-ups like to go to the Puppet Theatre and the circus. Those who are fond of music go to the Opera and Ballet Theatre and to the Philharmonic.
I am a great theatre-goer. I’ll never forget my first visit to the Belarusian Opera and Ballet Theatre. My friend and I wanted to see the famous ballet Swan Lakeby Tchaikovsky. We knew the plot very well. We also knew some pieces of music from this ballet (Small Swans' Dance) and decided to see the whole performance.
We bought the tickets in advance and came to the theatre half an hour before the show. At 7 sharp the performance began. From the very first minute I was deeply impressed by everything I saw on the stage. The setting and the dancing were superb and exciting. The costumes were fine, the music was thrilling. The ballet seemed to me a fairy-tale. I had never seen anything more wonderful. My friend also enjoyed every minute of it.
After the first act we went to look over the theatre. We saw the boxes, the pit, the dress-circle and the gallery. There were many portraits of famous. Opera-singers, ballet-dancers, musicians and producers on the walls of the foyer. Among them we could see the portraits of A.Savchenko, R.Petrov, S.Gulegina, etc. In the foyer we came across our teacher of Literature. We had a word about the play and went to our seats again as it was the bell for the second act.
When the curtain fell at the end of the performance there came a storm of applause. It seemed that it would never end. The dancers received call after call. They were presented with large bouquets of flowers. We also applauded enthusiastically. The performance was a success.
VOCABULARY
Show - спектакль, сеанс, представление
Performance - спектакль, сеанс, представление
Bouguet - букет
Lobby – вестибюль,
Foyer – фойе
Spectator - зритель
Audience – публика, зрители
The pit - партер
Stall – кресло в партере
Prompter - суфлер
Conductor - дирижер
Dresser - костюмер
Dressing hoom – актерская уборная
Dress circle - бельэтаж
Extra ticket – лишний билет
Cast – состав исполнителей
Chandelier - люстра
Scenery - декорация
Playbill – театральная афиш
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Correct the statements:
- Theatres in Minsk are not popular with the public.
- Only children like to go to the Puppet Theatre and to the circus.
-Those who are fond of football go to the Opera and Ballet Theatre and to the Philharmonic.
- The ballet seemed to me boring.
After the first act we went home.
LEVEL III
Give the English for:
театралы, сюжет, купить билеты заранее, ровно в семь, балет казался мне сказкой, когда опустили занавес, им дарили букеты цветов
LEVEL IV :
Say: - what you like at the theatre most of all;
- what you do if the performance is a success;
- how you get tickets;
-what seats you prefer.
THE POWER OF MUSIC
Can you think of a day without music? There's music everywhere; at home, in a concert hall, in parks, at the seaside and even in the forest. People can't live without music.
They listen to music, they dance to music, and they learn to play musical instruments. . Nowadays it's almost impossible to escape from music, even if we want to .It thunders out of every high-street shop, hisses horribly through other people's stereos on public transport, lulls you in hotels and restaurants.
But what is music? It's not only a combination of pleasant sounds. It is an art, which reflects life, people's ideas and emotions. There are different musical genres: symphony, concerto, chamber music, vocal music, opera and ballet.
Though music accompanies us, very few of us have any real idea of the effect music has on the human system. For many years it has been assumed that musical tastes are subjective, that one person will like jazz while another prefers classical. Those who prefer classical music think that it is always a complex of emotions, excitement; it contains the powerful appeal for listeners; it creates a special spiritual world for the listener which immensely enriches his inner life and makes him happy. But some people consider classical music complicated art difficult to find the way into.
As a result of changing times many young people today are fond of new rhythms and new styles. The new rhythms are full of vigour and force. It's simple, cheerful, and up-to-date. While listening to such music you can dance or just talk to friends.
But it has been scientifically proved in America and Australia that certain types of music will have a particular effect on us, regardless of whether we like them or not. Some music will help us feel relaxed; other types may be stimulating to the brain, encouraging curiosity, love feelings, hate, and violence.
Music can be divided into three types, and each one has profound effect on the body and mind. The first is low-energy music, the sort that makes you feel bad. Most rock music falls into this category.
The volume of sound produced by powerful music at some pop and rock concerts does great damage both to the sense of hearing and the nervous system. In Australia taped pop music is used to frighten the sharks off the public beaches. The work of some classical composers, such as Debussy and Schoenberg has also been found to be harmful.
The next category is high-energy music. This makes you feel better and it can help to normalize heart rate. J S Bach is exceptionally high energy.
The third category is prayerful music. This is the most healing of all. Much of the classical music written before 1600 falls into this category. '
It seems that most Jazz and Country and Western is simply neutral, having neither a healing nor harming effect.
As a result music is being used in hospitals, and doctors have found that 20 minutes of soothing music is often far more effective than tranquillizers or sleeping pills.
Scientific work on the healing power of music started with plant research in the 1970s. Many types of classical music speeded plant growth, whereas heavy metal caused plants to draw away from the speakers and die.
I often spend my spare time listening to classical music. It reflects my mood, helps me to relax, gives me keen delight.
VOCABULARY
To lull – успокаивать, убаюкивать
Lobby - вестибюль, коридор
Genre - жанр, стиль, манера
Concerto – концерт (муз.)
Chamber music – камерная музыка
Assume – допускать, предполагать
Gravitate – стремиться, тяготеть,
притягивать
Vigor – сила, бодрость, энергия
Whip up – подстегивать, подгонять, раздувать
Profound – глубокий, мудрый
Healing – целебный
Whereas – тогда как
LEVEL II Answer the questions:
What kind of music do you often listen to?
Is a special musical training necessary to understand
music?
Does music affect our bodies in the same way?
Do you believe that rock music can be harmful?
How important is music in your life?
6. How does music affect plants?
LEVEL III
Supply prepositions:
- to escape …music;
- to dance …music;
- effect music has …human system;
are gravitating …new rhythms;
stimulating …brains;
rock music falls …this category.
LEVEL IV
What do you think about?
- the third category of music?
- plant growth and music?
- harmful effect of music?
MY SPARE TIME
By the way in which a man uses his spare time his character can be told more surely, than by the way he does his work.
In our spare time we do what we really want and our real selves are reflected in our actions. Some people are completely passive during leisure hours. They go to some place of entertainment where no effort is required by them- a cinema or a dance hall. They do not dance but simply sit and watch others dancing.
There is another type-creative. For this type of people their leisure hours are full of promise. They hurry home from work full of eagerness to begin what they have been planning for their leisure time: carpentry, model engineering, gardening, collecting, reading and what not.
Spare time should be refreshment; it should send a man out with fresh spirits to battle with the problems of life. Sometimes this refreshment comes not from doing anything, but by filling one’s mind with fresh springs of beauty. Often a man gets full value from his leisure by contemplating nature, listening to music, reading noble books. This is the true use of leisure.
I am a student. That means that I don’t really have a lot of spare time except the holidays we have at the end of each term and Sundays.
My first priority on Sundays is to sleep longer than I usually do. After getting up I do all the necessary things- have breakfast, do my room, dust the furniture, go shopping. Two more hours with getting ready with my lessons and I am free. What I do then on my days off really depends on my mood and the weather.
Meeting friends is a necessity for me. We share our problems, stroll around the city-centre, have a good chat and relax.
In summer we spend our spare time out of town. We lie in the sun getting sunburn, play games. I also like to take up some knitting or perhaps to do some cooking. I can do everything I can’t afford myself on week-days because of the lack of time: I can listen to music, watch TV, go to the theatre or to the cinema, visit my relatives and friends.
When it rains or snows outside and the moon shines brightly in the sky, there is nothing I like better than to curl up in a big and soft arm-chair with an interesting book. I can forget about all my problems and escape into another, make-believe world. The time spent on a good book is never wasted. Reading is a rewarding pastime.
VOCABULARY
Leisure –досуг
Spring - здесь - родник, источник
Contemplate –созерцать
Knitting - вязание
Lack of - нехватка, недостаток
Creative- творческий, активный
Model engineering-моделирование
Carpenter-плотник
Refreshment – восстановление сил,
To stroll around - бродить
To curl up –свернуться колечком
Make –believe world–воображаемый /вымышленный/ мир
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Answer the questions.
How can our character be told?
What is the true use of leisure?
What is reflected in the ways we spend our spare time?
What is the first priority of each student on Sundays?
What does the way you spend your spare time depend on?
LEVEL III
Copy the sentences with the following words and memorize them.
Eagerness, contemplating, refreshment, entertainment, character.
LEVEL IV
Say what you think about
- passive pastime - creative way of spending spare time
- strolling around the city - leisure by contemplating nature
MEALS
To live we should eat. The process of chewing and swallowing food is called eating. We eat various food-stuffs: meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruit, eggs, bread etc. We partake of food several times a day. Partaking of food at a certain time is called meal. We have 3 meals a day: breakfast, dinner and supper.
In England meal times are: breakfast at about 8 o'clock in the morning, lunch at 1 p.m., tea at about 4 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. In many English working-class families dinner is eaten in the middle of the day instead of lunch. They have tea a little later - between 5 and 6 p.m., and then, in the evening, before going to bed, they have supper.
The English breakfast is a bigger meal than ours. It consists of porridge with milk or cream, bacon and eggs, marmalade or jam with toast, tea or coffee. For a change they can have a boiled egg, cold ham or perhaps fish.
Lunch in England starts with soup or fruit juice. Then follows some meat with potatoes, carrots and beans. Then a pudding comes. Instead of it they may have cheese and biscuits. Last of all comes coffee. Some people prefer lemonade.
Tea is the third meal of the day. It's rather light: a cup of tea with milk or cream and cakes or toast with jam.
Dinner, the last meal of the day, consists of soup, fish or meat with vegetables, sweet pudding, fruit salad, ice cream and coffee.
Before having meals we must cook our food. The ways of cooking are boiling, roasting, stewing, baking, stuffing. We say that food is underdone or overdone if it's too little or too much boiled or roasted. If the cake is good we say "The cake is a success", and if not, we say "The cake is a failure".
Before having a meal we lay (or set) the table. We put plates, cups, spoons, forks and knives. When dinner is served, we sit at table.
When people are at table they may ask their neighbor "Pass me salt, please", or "I'll trouble you for mustard". When you accept something that is offered you say "Yes, please", when you refuse you say "No, thank you". If you don't like the dish you may say "No, thank you, I don't care for it’.
If the hostess says «Help yourself to salad» or «Would you care for another helping» and you don't want, you say I’ve had enough, thank you» or «No more for me, thank you» or «No more, thanks, I've made an excellent meal». When we want a drink of water we say «I am thirsty» or «I'd like a drop of w a t e r». When we are hungry we say «I'd like to have a bite (snack) ».When we want to praise the food we say «It's delicious» or «You've dined me handsomely».
«To dine in» means to dine at home. When you are invited to dinner at your friends' or relatives' you say «I'm dinning out».
If a person has a good (bad) appetite they say «He is a good (poor) eater». Happy meal!
VOCABULARY
Chew- жевать
Swallow -глотать
Poultry –домашняя птица
To partake of food –принимать пищу
Meal-прием пищи
Porridge -каша
Cream –сливки крем
Ham-ветчина
Beans -бобы
To cook-готовить
To boil –варить кипятить
To roast-жарить
To stew-тушить
To bake -печь
To stuff -фаршировать
Underdone - недожаренный
Overdone -пережаренный
Failure-неудача
To lay /set/ the table-накрывать на стол
To serve dinner-подавать обед
Pass-передать
Refuse-отказаться
Hostess-хозяйка
Help yourself to…-угощайтесь…
Helping- порция кусочек
I am thirsty-хочу пить
To have a bite /snack/-перекусить
To praise-хвалить
Delicious-восхитительный
To dine-угощать обедом обедать
Handsomely-щедро изрядно
To dine in-обедать дома
To dine out-обедать вне дома
A good /poor/ eater-хороший / плохой/ едок
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Put questions to the following answers
1. Meal.
2. Eating.
3. Boiling, roasting, stewing, baking, stuffing.
4. ‘I am thirsty’.
5. Underdone.
LEVEL III
Express in one word
1. Chicken meat.
2. The room where we cook.
3. Dessert made of oranges.
4.The thing we cut meat with.
5. The dish the English usually eat for breakfast.
LEVEL IV
Describe:
-the first meal of the day in England;
-English tea;
-setting the table;
-phrases used at table
SHOPPING
Shopping is a part of everyone's daily life and a duty that needs to be done, though it is not always interesting or a pleasure. So, when we want to buy something, we usually go to a shop. There are many kinds of shops in every town or city but most of them have a food supermarket, a department store, men's and women's clothing stores, a grocery, a bakery and butchery.
I like doing my shopping in big department stores and supermarkets. They sell various goods under one roof and it's very convenient, I think. In every food supermarket one can buy meat and poultry - at the butcher's , white and brown bread, rolls, biscuits - at the baker's, fish - at the fishmonger's, different kinds of fruit and vegetables - at the green-grocer's, milk, cheese and butter –in a dairy and so on. And a department store, true to its name, is composed of many departments: ready-made clothes, fabrics, hosiery, linen, shoes, china and glass, cosmetics, records, electric appliances, etc. You can buy everything you like there. There are also escalators in such big stores in Minsk as “TSUM”, “Nemiga” and “Belarus” which take customers to different floors. But some people dislike doing their shopping in big stores. Although everything they buy there is carefully weighed out and wrapped up nicely, they feel annoyed. That is why they prefer to buy goods in small specialty shops which usually offer a wide assortment of articles of one kind. For instance, there are shops in which one can buy hats, umbrellas, stationery, jewellery, cameras, flowers, etc.
The method of shopping may vary. It may be a self-service shop where the customer goes from counter to counter selecting and putting into a basket what he wishes to buy. Then he takes the basket to the check-out counter, where the prices of the purchases are added up. If it is not a self-service shop, and most small shops are not, the shop-assistant helps the customer in finding what he wants. You pay money to the cashier and he gives you back the change.
In general, many people love doing the shopping As far as consumer goods such as food products are concerned, they can be bought cheapest at the open-air markets where the prices are lower and the choice is wider.
VOCABULARY
food supermarket – продуктовый супермаркет
department store - универмаг
men's clothing store – магазин мужской одежды
women's clothing store – магазин женской одежды
grocery (grocer's) — бакалея
bakery (baker's)- булочная
butchery (butcher's) — мясной отдел (магазин)
poultry— домашняя птица
roll – булочка
biscuit — печенье
fishmonger's — рыбный отдел (магазин)
green-grocery (green-grocer's)- овощной отдел (магазин) d airy — молочный
ready-made clothes — готовая одежда fab r i c (s) — ткани hosiery — чулочно-носочные изделия linen — постельное белье shoes — обувь
glass — стекло, стеклянная посуда
cosmetics — косметика
china — фарфор
records—пластинки
customer — покупатель
to be wrapped up - быть упакованным
stationery - канцтовары jewellery – ювелирные изделия
electric appliances – электротовары
to be weighed out – быть расфасованным
specialty shop — специализированный магазин
EXERCISES
LEVEL II
Complete the sentences using the text.
A department store is composed of…
They sell various goods under …
It may be a self-service shop where …
I like doing my shopping in …
There are many kinds of shops …
LEVEL III
Answer the questions
1. Why are department stores in great demand?
2. What is pleasant about small specialty shops?
3. What are the methods of shopping?
4. Where can you buy consumer goods besides shops?
5. What are the advantages of markets?
LEVEL IV
Make up dialogues
- At the green-grocer’s
- At the bakery
GREAT BRITAIN
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It consists of four parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. England, Wales and Scotland occupy the territory of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is situated in the northern part of Ireland.
The territory of the United Kingdom is about 244,000 square kilometres, it is the 75th place among other countries in the world. The population is over 56.5 million. About 80% of the population is urban. The capital of the country is London.
The Surface of Great Britain varies greatly. The northern and western part of the country is mountainous and is called the .Highlands. All the rest (south, east and centre) is a vast plain which is called the Lowlands. The mountains are not very high, the rivers are not long. The most important of them are the Severn and the Thames. There are many beautiful lakes in the mountainous parts of the country.
The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild the whole year round.
Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of iron and steel products, machinery and electronics, chemicals and textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is ship -building.
Great Britain is a country with old cultural traditions and customs. The most famous educational centers are Oxford and Cambridge universities. They are considered to be the intellectual centers of Europe. The education is not free, it is very expensive.
The United Kingdom is a .monarchy and the Queen is the head of state. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with a Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
There are three; main political parties in Great Britain: the Labor, the Conservative and the Liberal parties. The Labor party is at power today.
VOCABULARY
Urban –городской free -бесплатный
Vast plain –обширная равнина elected - выборный
Aircraft -авиационный chamber -палата
LEVEL II
Give the English for
Горные районы страны.
Крупнейший производитель и экспортер.
Авиационное и навигационное оборудование.
Одна из главных отраслей промышленности.
Обучение платное.
LEVEL III
Put questions to the following answers according to the text.
On the British Isles.
About 244 000 square kilometres.
The Severn and the Thames.
Mild the whole year round.
Ship -building.
LEVEL IV
Say what you have learnt from the text about
- the state organization of Great Britain;
- the country’s riches;
- the main political parties
- the population.
План 2004 / 2005. Поз.____
Дюба Вера Васильевна
ТЕКСТЫ ДЛЯ РАЗВИТИЯ УСТНОЙ РЕЧИ С КОМПЛЕКСОМ РАЗНОУРОВНЕВЫХ УПРАЖНЕНИЙ
по дисциплине “АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК”
для студентов всех специальностей ССО
Часть I
Редактор Вердыш Н.В.
Подписано к печати__________
Формат 60x80/16
Усл.печ. л.______ Уч.-изд.л.____
Тирж____ зкз. Заказ_______
Учреждение образования
«ВЫСШИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ КОЛЛЕДЖ СВЯЗИ»
220114, г. Минск, Староборисовский тракт, 8, к.2
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