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материал по английскому языку (9 класс) по теме

Education in Russia

People in our country have the right for education. It is our Constitutional right. But it is not only a right, it is a duty, too. Every boy and every girl in Russia must go to school, that is, they must get a J full secondary education. So, when they are 6 or 7 years old they begin to go to school. There are thousands of schools in Russia. There are schools of general education, where the pupils study Russian (or a native language), Literature, Mathematics, History, Biology, Music, Arts, Foreign Languages. There is also a number of specialised schools, where the pupils get deep knowledge of foreign languages, or Maths, or Physics.

After finishing 9 classes of secondary school young people can continue their education at different kinds of vocational or technical schools or colleges. They not only learn general subjects, but receive a speciality there. Having finished a secondary school, or a vocational, or a technical school, the young people can start working, or they may enter an Institute or a University. Professional training makes it easier to get a higher education. As for high schools, there are a lot of them in our country. Some of them train teachers, others — doctors, engineers, architects, actors and so on. Many institutes have evening and extra-mural departments. That gives the students an opportunity to study at an Institute without leaving their jobs at offices.

Words

right — право

duty — обязанность

secondary — зд. среднее

deep — глубокий

vocational school — профтехучилище

general — общий

to receive — получать        

training — обучение

higher — высшее

extra-mural — заочный

opportunity — возможность

Questions

1. Is education in our country free?
2. Is education in Russia a right or a duty?
3. What kind of schools are there in Russia?
4. What are the possible ways to continue education after finishing secondary school?
5. What are the main types of educational institutions in our country?

6.        What are the types of higher education institutions in Russia?

GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometres.

The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales and does not include Northern Ireland. But in everyday speech 'Great Britain' is used to mean the United Kingdom. The capital of the UK is London.

The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands, while the south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called the Lowlands. The north and west of England are mountainous, but all the rest — east, centre and south-east — is a vast plain. Mountains are not very high. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain (1343m).

There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate of the British Isles. It is mild the whole year round.

The UK is one of the world's smaller countries. Its population is over 57 million. About 80% of the population is urban.

The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is shipbuilding.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. In law, the Head of State is the Queen. In practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule. The country is ruled by the elected government with the 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 Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties. The Conservative party is the ruling party nowadays. The Prime Minister is David Cameron.

Names

The United [ju:'naitid] Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern ['no:ðən] Ireland ['aiələnd] — Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии

the British Isles [ailz] — Британские острова

Edinburgh [edinbərə] — Эдинбург

Cardiff [´ka:dif] — Кардифф

Belfast [bəl´fa:st] — Белфаст

the North Sea — Северное море

the English Channel [t∫ænl] — Английский канал (принятое в Великобритании название пролива Ла-Манш)

the Irish [´aiəri∫] Sea — Ирландское море

 the  Atlantic  Ocean   [ə'tlæntik  'ou∫n]   —   Атлантический океан

Highlands [hailəndz] — гористая часть

Lowlands ['louləndz] — низменная часть

Ben Nevis [ben'nevis] — Бен Невис

the Severn ['seven] — Северн

the Thames [temz] — Темза

Gulf Stream ['gΛlfstri:m] — Гольфстрим

the House of Lords — палата лордов

the House of Commons — палата общин

the Labour [´leibə], the Conservative [kən'sə:vətiv] and the Liberal [´libərəl] parties — Лейбористская, Консервативная и Либеральная партии

Vocabulary

to be situated ['sitjueitid] — быть расположенным

to consist [kən'sist] of — состоять из

total area [´toutl 'εəriə] — общая площадь

kilometre [´kiləֽmi:tə] — километр

respectively [ri'spektivli] — соответственно

to include [in'klu:d] — включать

to mean [mi:n] (meant, meant)— означать

to separate ['sepəreit] — разделять

to wash — омывать

surface [sə:fis] — поверхность

to vary [vεəri] — менять(ся), разнообразить

mountainous ['mauntinəs] — гористый

valley ['væli] — долина

vast [va:st] — огромный

plain — равнина

deep — глубокий

to influence [´influəns] — влиять

climate ['klaimit] — климат

mild [maild] — мягкий, умеренный

the whole year round — круглый год

population — население

urban [ə:bən] — городской

highly developed [diveləpt] — высокоразвитый

producer [pre'dju:sə] — производитель

exporter [ik'spo:tə] — экспортер

machinery [mə'∫i:nəri] — машинное оборудование

electronics [,elik'troniks] — электроника

textile ['tekstail] — текстиль

aircraft ['εəkra:ft]— самолеты

navigation [ֽnævi'gei∫n] — судоходство

equipment [i´kwipmənt] — оборудование

chief [t∫i:f] — главный, основной

shipbuilding — кораблестроение

constitutional monarchy [,konsti'tju:∫ənl 'monəki] — конституционная монархия

law [lo:] — закон

in law — по закону

the head of state — глава государства

queen [kwi:n] — королева

in practice ['præktis] — фактически, на практике

to reign [rein] — царствовать

to rule [ru:l] — править

to elect [ilekt] — выбирать

government ['gΛvənmənt] — правительство

Prime Minister — премьер-министр

at the head — во главе

parliament [´pa:ləmənt] — парламент

chamber [t∫eimbə] — палата

HOLIDAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN

T

here are fewer public holidays in Great Britain than in other European countries. They are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday and Summer Bank Holiday. Public holidays in Britain are called bank holidays, because the banks as well as most of the offices and shops are closed.

The most popular holiday is Christmas. Every year the people of Norway give the city of London a present. It's a big Christmas tree and it stands in Trafalgar Square. Central streets are beautifully decorated.

Before Christmas, groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money for charity and sing carols, traditional Christmas songs. Many churches hold a carol service on the Sunday before Christmas.

The fun starts the night before, on the 24th of December. Traditionally this is the day when people decorate their trees. Children hang stockings at the end of their beds, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and fill them with toys and sweets.

Christmas is a family holiday. Relatives usually meet for the big Christmas dinner of turkey and Christmas pudding. And everyone gives and receives presents. The 26th of December, Boxing Day, is an extra holiday after Christmas Day. This is the time to visit friends and relatives or perhaps sit at home and watch football.

New Year's Day is less popular in Britain than Christmas. But in Scotland, Hogmanay is the biggest festival of the year.

Besides public holidays there are some special festivals in Great Britain. One of them takes place on the 5th of November. On that day, in 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. He didn't succeed. The King's men found the bomb, took Guy Fawkes to the Tower and cut off his head.

Since that day the British celebrate the 5th of November. They burn a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, on a bonfire and let off fireworks. This dummy is called a "guy" (like Guy Fawkes) and children can often be seen in the streets before the 5th of November saying, "Penny for the guy." If they collect enough money they can buy some fireworks.

There are also smaller, local festivals in Britain.

Names

Christmas ['krismas] Day — Рождество (25 де-   Boxing [´boksiŋ] Day — второй день Рождества,
кабря)        день рождественских подарков (в этот день

New Year's Day — Новый год        принято дарить подарки)

Good Friday — Великая пятница (пятница на страстной неделе)

Easter [´і:stə] Monday — первый понедельник после Пасхи

May Day — майский праздник, праздник весны (отмечается в первое воскресенье мая)

Spring Bank Holiday — весенний день отдыха (в мае или начале июня)

Summer Bank Holiday — летний день отдыха (в августе или сентябре)

Trafalgar Square [trə´fælgə 'skwεə] — Трафальгарская площадь

Norway ['no:wei] — Норвегия

Father Christmas – Рождественский дед, Дед Мороз

Hogmanay [´hogmənei] – хогманей, канун Нового года

Guy Fawkes [´gai ´fo:ks] – Гай Фокс (глава Порохового заговора)

King James I – Джеймс I (король Англии с 1603 по 1625 г.)

the Houses of Parliament [´pa:ləmənt] — здание английского парламента

the Tower ['tauə] — Тауэр

Vocabulary

Christmas tree – рождественская (новогодняя елка)

to decorate [´dekəreit] – украшать

charity [´t∫∫æriti] -  благотворительность

carol [´kærəl] – кэрол (рождественская песня религиозного содержания, славящая рождение Христа)

service ['sə:vis] — служба (церковная)

to hang (hung, hung) — развешивать

stocking [stokiŋ] — чулок

chimney [t∫imni] — труба

relative ['relativj — родственник

turkey [´tə:ki] – индейка

Christmas pudding ['pudiŋ] — рождественский пудинг (с изюмом, цукатами и пряностями)

festival ['festival] — празднество, праздник

to blow up — взорвать

to succeed [sek'sr.d] — достигнуть цели, добиться

bomb [bom] — бомба

to cut off smb's head — отрубить кому-либо голову

to celebrate ['selibreit] — праздновать, торжественно отмечать

to burn [bə:n] — жечь, сжигать

dummy ['d^mi] —кукла, чучело, манекен

straw [stro:] — солома

bonfire ['bonfaiə] — костер

to let off fireworks ['faiəwə:ks] — устроить фейерверк

penny [peni] — пенни, пенс

local ['loukl] — местный

Questions

1. 
   Aкe there many holidays in Great Britain?
2. What is a "bank holiday"?
3. What is the most popular holiday in Britain?
4. When is Christmas celebrated?
5. What are traditional Christmas songs called in Britain?
6. What do children leave at the end of their beds and why?
7. What do the British do on Boxing Day?
8. What is the name of New Year's Eve in Scotland?
9. When is Guy Fawkes Night celebrated?
10. What do you know about Guy Fawkes?

LONDON

     London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.

London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world.

Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it is a museum.

Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London.

Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, etc.

Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen.

The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.

Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square.

On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum — the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc, and is famous for its library.

The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.

Names

the Bank of England — Английский банк

the Stock Exchange ['stok iks't∫eindj] — Лондонская фондовая биржа

the Old Bailey [ould ´beili] — Центральный уголовный суд, находящийся в Олд-Бейли

St Paul's Cathedral [sənt 'po:lz kə'θi:drəl] — собор св. Павла (главный собор англиканской церкви)

Sir Christopher Wren [´sə: 'kristəfə ´ren] — Кристофер Рен

the Tower [´tauə] of London — Лондонский Тауэр

Julius Caesar [Ju:liəs 'si:zə] — Юлий Цезарь

William the Conqueror [´wiljəm ðə 'koŋkərə] — Вильгельм Завоеватель, Вильгельм I (первый король из норманнов в Англии)

Westminster Abbey [´westminstər 'æbi] — Вестминстерское аббатство

Newton [´nju:tn] — Ньютон

Darwin [´da:win] — Дарвин

Chaucer [t∫o:sə] — Чосер

Dickens [´dikinz] — Диккенс

Tennyson [´tenisn] — Теннисон

Kipling ['kipliŋ] — Киплинг

Westminster Palace [westminstə ´pælis] (the Houses of Parliament) — Вестминстерский дворец (здание английского парламента)

Big Ben — "Бит Бен", "Большой Бен" (колокол часов-курантов на здании парламента, бой которых передается ежедневно по радио как сигнал точного времени)

Buckingham Palace ['bΛkiŋəm 'pælis] —Букин-гемский дворец (главная королевская резиденция в Лондоне)

Trafalgar Square [trə'fælgə ´skwεə] — Трафальгарская площадь

Nelson's Column ['nelsnz 'koləm] — колонна Нельсона (памятник адмиралу Нельсону)

the National Gallery ['næ∫ənl ´gæləri] — Национальная галерея (крупнейшее в Великобритании собрание картин)

the National Portrait [po:trit] Gallery —

Национальная портретная галерея

the British Museum — Британский музей (один из крупнейших в мире)

Vocabulary

commercial [kə'mə:∫əl] — торговый

population — население

to belong [bi´loŋ] — принадлежать

epoch [´i:pok] — эпоха

financial [fai'næn∫əl] — финансовый

numerous [nju:mərəs] — многочисленный

firm — фирма

ancient [´ein∫ənt] — древний

striking ['straikiŋ] — поразительный, замечательный

church [t∫ə:t∫] — церковь

to found [faund] — основывать

to rebuild [,ri:'bild] — перестраивать

fortress [´fo:tris] — крепость

royal [roiəl] — королевский

palace [´pælis] — дворец

prison ['prizn] — тюрьма

governmental [gΛvn'mentl] — правительственный

association [əֽsousi'ei∫n] — ассоциация

to crown [kraun] — короновать

outstanding [aut´stændiŋ] — выдающийся

statesman [´steitsmən] — государственный деятель

scientist [´saiəntist] — ученый

painter [´peintə] — художник

to bury [´beri] — хоронить

tower ['tauə] — башня

official residence [ə´fi∫əl ´rezidəns] – официальная резиденция

wealth [welθ] — богатство

wealthy ['welθi] — богатый

symbol ['simbəl] — символ

luxury [´lΛk∫əri] — роскошь

restaurant [´restront] —ресторан

splendid [´splendid] — великолепный

in memory of—в память о

column [´koləm] — колонна

to contain [kən'tein] — содержать priceless — бесценный

manuscript ['mænjuskript] — рукопись coin — монета

sculpture [´skΛlpt∫ə] — скульптура

to be famous for — быть знаменитым, славиться

workshop [´wə:k∫op] — мастерская

dock — док

narrow ['nærou] — узкий

unimpressive [ֽΛnim'presiv] —  невпечатляющий, невыразительный

densely [´densli] — густо

to populate [´popjuleit] — населять

MOSCOW

      Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow's history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon's attack. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.

Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 8 million.

Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. The Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (Vasily Blazheny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Palace of Congresses, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There is a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn't want them to create another masterpiece.

There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city will become even more beautiful.

There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow include the АН-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.

Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.

Moscow is a city of students. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in it, including several universities.

Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country.

Names

Ivan the Terrible [,aivn ðə 'teribl] — Иван Грозный

Peter the Great [greit] — Петр Великий (Петр I)

St    Petersburg    [sənt     pi:təzbə:g]    —    Санкт-Петербург

Napoleon [nə'pouliən] — Наполеон

St Basil's Cathedral [sənt 'bæzlz kəθ´i:drəl] — собор Василия Блаженного

the Bell Tower [´tauə] of Ivan the Great — Колокольня Ивана Великого

the Tzar-Cannon ['za:(tsa:) 'kænən] — Царь-пушка

the Tzar-Bell ['za:(tsa:) ´bəl] — Царь-колокол

Barma [bə'ma:] and Postnik [´poustnik] — Барма и Постник

the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts — Музей зобpaзительных искусств имени Пушкина

Kazan [kə'zæn] — Казань

the State Tretyakov [tretjəkof] Gallery ['gæləri] — Государственная Третьяковская галерея

the All-Russia Museum of Folk [fouk] Arts — Всероссийский музей декоративного, прикладного и народного искусства

the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art — Музей древнерусского искусства имени Андрея Рублева

Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum — Театральный музей имени Бахрушина

Mikhail Glinka ['gliŋkə] Museum of Musical Culture — Музей музыкальной культуры имени Глинки

the Bolshoi [ֽbol´∫oi] Opera House — Большой театр оперы и балета

Vocabulary

historian [his´to:riən] — историк

to accept [ək´sept] — принимать, допускать

gradually ['grædjuəli] — постепенно

powerful [´pauəful] — сильный, могущественный

liberation [ֽlibə'rei∫n] — освобождение

tartar yoke [´ta:tə 'jouk] — татарское иго

united [ju:'naitid] — соединенный, объединенный

to remain [ri'mein] — оставаться

target [´ta:git] — мишень, цель, объект

attack [ə´tæk] — нападение, атака

to destroy [dis´troi] — разрушать

fire [faiə] — пожар

occupation [ֽokju´pei∫n] — оккупация

completely [kəm'pli:tli] — полностью, целиком

to restore [ris'to:] — реставрировать, восстанавливать

ancient [´ein∫ənt] — древний

masterpiece ['ma:stəpi:s] — шедевр

architecture ['a:kitekt∫ə] — архитектура

architect ['a:kitəkt] — архитектор, зодчий

tower [´tauə] — башня

legend ['ledzənd] — легенда

to blind [blaind] — ослепить

palace ['pælis] — дворец

mansion ['mæn∫n] — особняк

to  reconstruct   ['ri:kən'strΛkt]   —   перестраивать, восстанавливать

unique [ju:'ni:k] — уникальный, единственный в своем роде

drama ['dra:mə] theatre — драматический театр

studio [stu:(stju:)diou] — студия, театр-студия

higher educational institution — высшее учебное заведение

MY MEALS

It goes without saying that I prefer to have meals at home. At the weekend I like to get up late and have a good breakfast of scrambled eggs, or pancakes, or something like that. But on weekdays I'm always short of time in the morning. So I just have a cup of strong tea or coffee and a couple of sandwiches.

As I spend a lot of time at school (usually eight or nine hours) it's necessary to have a snack at midday just to keep me going. That's why I have to go to the school canteen to have lunch. Our school canteen leaves much to be desired. It has become a tradition with our canteen to serve chops and watery mashed potatoes every day with a glass of cocoa or stewed fruit.

But I enjoy my evening meal at home. My mother is a wonderful cook and her dinners are always delicious and various.

To begin with, we usually have some salad — tomato and cucumber salad or mixed salad (I like it very much). For the first course we have some soup — noodle, mushroom or cabbage soup, or maybe some fish soup for a change. For the main course we have meat, chicken or fish dishes, for example, steak or fried fish with spaghetti or potatoes (boiled or fried). We also have a lot of vegetables — green peas, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers. I prefer meat to fish but my mother makes me eat fish from time to time. She says it's good for my brains.

For dessert we have some fruit, fruit juice or just a cup of tea with a slice of cake.

On Sundays we sometimes go to McDonald's. I like everything there: cheeseburgers, hamburgers and Big Macs, apple pies and fruit cocktails. But unfortunately we can't afford to go there very often, because it's rather expensive for a family and besides, they say it's not very healthy to eat at McDonald's.

Questions

1. How many meals a day do you usually have?
2. What do you usually have for breakfast?
3. Where do you have lunch (dinner)?
4. How many courses does your lunch (dinner) usually consist of?
5. What is your favourite dish?
6. What vegetables do you like?
7. What do you usually have for dessert?
8. How often do you eat out?
9. Have you ever eaten at McDonald's?

10. Some people say that eating at a restaurant is a waste of money. Do you agree?

11. Can you cook?

12. Do you agree that the best cooks in the world are men?

ROSTOV-ON-DON

    My native city is Rostov-on-Don. It is the capital of the Don area. It was founded in 1749. It is situated on the right bank of the river Don.

    In the past Rostov was a small town with small population. But now the territory of Rostov-on-Don is 380 square kilometres and the population is more than one million people.

    Our city is a big industrial, scientific and cultural centre in the South of Russia. The plant “Rostselmash” is known not only in our country but abroad as well.

    The largest scientific and educational establishment is the Rostov State University, which was founded in 1915 and now has more then ten faculties.

    In Rostov there are four theatres: Gorky Drama Theatre, Musical Comedy, Puppet Show, Theatre of Young Spectators. The Gorky Theatre is surrounded by a large park named after the October Revolution. It is one of many parks and gardens which make Rostov a green town and where Rostovites like to walk on a nice sunny day.

    During the Second World War Rostov-on-Don was occupied twice (1941 and 1942). The war cost Rostovites huge losses in life. That is why in the city there are a lot of monuments devoted to the war years and people who gave their lives for our peaceful life.

    Rostov-on-Don is a large transport centre. It is not only a big knot of railways and airways but it is also the port of five seas (the Baltic, the White, the Caspian, the Black and the Sea of Asov).

    Nowadays Rostov-on-Don as many other cities and villages in Russia is undergone the process of economical changes. Factories and plants can hardly survive in the conditions of deep economic crisis. But we hope that in some years people will be able to overpass all the difficulties and Rostov-on-Don will occupy its place of one of the biggest industrial cities of Russia.

THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

     The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. It occupies about one-seventh of the earth's surface. It covers the eastern part of Europe and the northern part of Asia. Its total area is about 17 million square kilometres. The country is washed by 12 seas of 3 oceans: the Pacific, the Arctic and the Atlantic. In the south Russia borders on China, Mongolia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan. In the west it borders on Norway, Finland, the Baltic States, Belorussia, the Ukraine. It also has a sea-border with the USA.

    There is hardly a country in the world where such, a variety of scenery and vegetation can be found. We have steppes in the south, plains and forests in the midland, tundra and taiga in the north, highlands and deserts in the east.

    There are two great plains in Russia: the Great Russian Plain and the West Siberian Lowland.     There are several mountain chains on the territory of the country: the Urals, the Caucasus, the Altai and others. The largest mountain chain, the Urals, separates Europe from Asia.

    There are over two million rivers in Russia. Europe's biggest river, the Volga, flows into the Caspian Sea. The main Siberian rivers — the Ob, the Yenisei and the Lena — flow from the south to the north. The Amur in the Far East flows into the Pacific Ocean.

    Russia is rich in beautiful lakes. The world's deepest lake (1,600 metres) is Lake Baikal. It is much smaller than the Baltic Sea, but there is much more water in it than in the Baltic Sea. The water in the lake is so clear that if you look down you can count the stones on the bottom.

    Russia has one-sixth of the world's forests. They are concentrated in the European north of the country, in Siberia and in the Far East.

    On the vast territory of the country there are various types of climate, from arctic in the north to subtropical in the south. In the middle of the country the climate is temperate and continental.

    Russia is very rich in oil, coal, iron ore, natural gas, copper, nickel and other mineral resources.

    Russia is a parliamentary republic. The Head of State is the President. The legislative powers are exercised by the Duma.

    The capital of Russia is Moscow. It is its largest political, scientific, cultural and industrial centre. It is one of the oldest Russian cities.

    At present, the political and economic situation in the country is rather complicated. There are a lot of problems in the national economy of the Russian Federation. The industrial production is decreasing. The prices are constantly rising, the rate of inflation is very high.

    But in spite of the problems Russia is facing at present, there are a lot of opportunities for this country to become one of the leading countries in the world. I'm sure that we can do very much to make Russia as strong and powerful as it used to be.

Names

the Russiau Federation [ֽfədə´rei∫n] — Российская Федерация

Europe [´ju:ərəp] — Европа

Asia ['ei∫ə] — Азия

the Pacific Ocean [pə'sifik 'ou∫n] — Тихий океан

the Arctic Ocean ['a:ktik 'ou∫n] — Северный Ледовитый океан

the Atlantic Ocean [a'tlæntik 'oufn] — Атлантический океан

China ['t∫ainə] — Китай

Mongolia [moŋ'gouliə] — Монголия

Korea [kou'riə] — Корея

Kazakhstan [ֽka:za:h'sta:n] — Казахстан

Georgia [´d3o:d3jə] — Грузия

Azerbaijan [a:,zə:bai'd3a:n] — Азербайджан

Norway ['no:wei] — Норвегия

Finland [finlənd] — Финляндия

the Baltic ['bo:ltik] States — Прибалтийские государства

Belorussia [,belou'rΛ∫ə] — Беларусь

the Ukraine [ju:´krein] — Украина

the Great Russian Plain — Русская (Восточно-Европейская) равнина

the West Siberian [sai´biəriən] Lowland — Западно-Сибирская низменность

the Urals ['juərəlz] — Уральские горы

the Caucasus [´ko:kəsəs] — Кавказ

the Altai [Λl´tai] — Алтай

the Volga [´volgə] — Волга

the Caspian ['kæspiən] Sea — Каспийское море

the Ob [o:pj] —Обь

the Yenisei [jəni'sei] — Енисей

Amur [ə´muə] — Амур

Lake Baikal [bai'ka:l] — озеро Байкал

the Baltic ['bo:ltik] Sea — Балтийское море

Siberia [sai'biəriə] — Сибирь

the Far East — Дальний Восток

Vocabulary

to occupy ['okjupai] — занимать

surface [sə:fis] — поверхность

eastern [´i:stən] — восточный

northern ['no:ðən] — северный

total area [´toutl 'εəriə] — общая площадь

square [skwεə] — квадратный

kilometre ['kilə,mi:tə] — километр

to wash — омывать

to border [bo:də] on — граничить с

sea-border — морская граница

There is hardly a country in the world... — Едва ли найдется страна...

variety [və'raiəti] — разнообразие, множество

scenery ['si:nəri] — пейзаж, ландшафт

vegetation [ֽvedzi'tei∫n] —растительность

steppe [step] — степь

plain — равнина

midland [´midlənd] — средняя полоса

tundra [´tΛndrə] — тундра

taiga [tai'ga:] — тайга

highland   [´hailənd]   —   нагорье,   высокогорная местность

desert ['dezət] — пустыня

chain — цепь

to separate ['sepəreit] — разделять

to flow ['flou] into — впадать

Siberian [sai'biəriən] — сибирский

to count [kaunt] — считать

bottom ['botəm] — дно

to concentrate [´konsəntreit] — сосредотачиваться, концентрироваться

European [juərə'pi:ən] — европейский

vast [va:st] — обширный

territory [teritri] — территория

various ['vεəriəs] — различный

climate ['klaimit] — климат, климатический пояс

arctic ['a:ktik] — арктический

subtropical [ֽsΛb'tropikl] — субтропический

temperate ['tempərit] — умеренный

continental [konti'nentl] — континентальный

oil [oil] — нефть

coal [koul] — уголь

iron ore ['aiən ֽo:] — железная руда

copper — медь

mineral resources [ri´so:siz] — полезные ископаемые

The System of Education in Great Britain

The system of education in any country is aimed at developing a personality for the good of the individual and society as a whole.

Pre-school education in England begins at the age of 3 or 4. Around half of the children at this age attend nursery schools or playgroups mostly organised by parents. Children of this age need care as well as education. That's why kids play a lot, learn to listen attentively and to behave.

Compulsory primary education begins at the age of five in England, Wales and Scotland and at four in Northern Ireland. Children start their school career in an infant school. Lessons start at 9 a. m. and are over at 4 p.m. They are taught «3 R's»: reading, writing, arithmetic. Pupils have a lot of fun at school, drawing, reading, dancing or singing.

When they are 7 pupils move to a junior school, which lasts four years till they are 11. They study a lot of subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography along with Technology, Music, Art and Physical education. All the children are divided into A, B, C, D classes. The most gifted attend A classes, the least talented are in D classes.

Most of children (over 90 per cent) go to state schools where education is free. Only a small proportion of them attend private or independent schools. Parents have to pay for the education at these schools. The fees are high and only some families can afford it. So such schools are for the representatives of the high class of England. The most notable Public schools are Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Rugby.

Secondary education begins at 11. The majority of secondary schools are Comprehensive schools where boys and girls study together. Besides, parents can take their sons and daughters to Grammar schools or Secondary Modern Schools.

Grammar schools provide an academic course from 11 to 18. They prepare pupils for colleges and universities.

Many children of working class families go to Modern schools. They give a very limited education. Pupils get instruction in woodwork, metal work, sewing, shorthand, typing and cooking. After finishing such a school a pupil becomes an unskilled worker.

The Comprehensive Schools have their own «Grammar school» classes and «Modern classes»

Every pupil has to choose a set of subjects to learn. If he takes up Art he will study English Literature, Music, Art, Drama and foreign languages. If he is good at exact and natural sciences, he will learn Science: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. Biology. Geography, Economics and Technical Drawing.

The British government encourages careers education in the country. That's why secondary schools try to break down the barriers between education and business. They set up close links with firms to allow their students to take part in business activities. At around 16 years old teenagers take some exams and coursework to get General Certificate of Education. Those who choose to stay on at school usually study for two further years to pass A level (Advanced level) exams. These exams will give them a chance to enter the university.

Words

to be aimed to — преследовать цель

pre-school — дошкольное

to attend — посещать

nursery school — детский сад

compulsory — обязательный

primary education — начальное образование

infant school — подготовительная школа

junior school — начальная школа

Comprehensive school — общеобразовательная школа

Grammar school — грамматическая школа

science — естествознание

secondary education — среднее образование

limited — ограниченный

sewing — шитье

shorthand — стенография

unskilled — неквалифицированный

to encourage — поощрять

link — связь

fee — плата

to afford — позволить себе

Questions

1. What is a system of education aimed to?

2. When does the pre-school education begin in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
3. When does the compulsory education begin in England?
4. What are «3R's» of the infant school?
5. What are the most famous Public schools in England?
6. What are Grammar and Comprehensive schools?
7. What are Modern schools?
8. Are there compulsory subjects in the UK?
9. What exams must be taken to enter the University?

University Education in Great Britain

There are more than 60 universities in Britain. But not all universities are equal. They differ from one another in history, tradition, academic organisation. Not all British universities have a well-known reputation. Oxford and Cambridge, the oldest universities, are world-known for their academic excellence. The University of London has the size and breadth to rank among the UK's top universities. A university usually consists of colleges. The departments of the colleges are organised into faculties.

University teaching in the UK differs greatly at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels from that in many other countries. An undergraduate programme consists of a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes which in total account for about 15 hours per week.

Following a particular programme students take series of lecture courses which may last one academic term or the whole year. Associated with each lecture course are seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes which illustrate the topics presented in the lectures.

Lectures are given to large groups of students (from 20 to 200). Seminars and tutorials are much smaller than lecture classes and in some departments can be on a one-to-one basis (one member of staff and one student).

Students prepare work in advance for seminars and tutorials. And this can take the form of a topic for discussion by writing essays or by solving problems.

Lectures, seminars and tutorials are all one hour in length, laboratory classes last two or three hours. Each student has a tutor whom he can consult on any matter whether academic or personal.

The academic year is split into three terms. Formal teaching takes place in the first two terms which last for twenty four weeks in total The third term is reserved for classes and examinations and lasts for six weeks.

Universities teach in all major subject areas: arts, science, law, engineering, medicine, social sciences.

University staff are chosen for the best knowledge in their subject. The teaching encourages students to learn in the most effective way. University degree courses extend from three to four years. After three years of study at the University graduates will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science. They can continue to take their Master's Degree and then the Doctor's Degree.

Words

equal — равный breadth — широта rank — ранг

undergraduate — студенческий уровень обучения postgraduate — аспирантский (магистерский) уровень обучения

levels — уровни

tutorials — индивидуальные консультации с преподавателем

per week — в неделю

account — счет

following — следующий

series — зд. ряд

term — семестр

particular — определенный, конкретный

in advance — заранее

staff — зд. профессорско-преподавательский состав

length — длительность, протяженность

to last — длиться

tutor — репетитор, наставник

to be split into — делиться на

to encourage — поощрять, стимулировать

to graduate — оканчивать учебное заведение

Degree — степень

Bachelor of Arts — бакалавр искусств

Bachelor of Science — бакалавр наук

Master's Degree — степень магистра

Doctor's Degree — степень доктора

Questions

1. How many universities are there in the UK?
2. What are the most famous universities in Britain?
3. What are two levels in university education?
4. What are the forms of study in British universities?
5. What subject areas do universities teach?
6. What degrees do British universities offer?

WORLD WAR II

There was bad news from Europe and Asia in the late 1930’s. The governments of Germany, Italy and Japan were trying to gain control of other lands. Their actions brought the threat of another war.

After World War I Adolf Hitler founded the Nazi Party in Germany. Together with his followers, he began to spread his beliefs. Hitler called the German a superior race, which must rule the world.

Soon Hitler made himself dictator of Germany and began preparing for war. The Nazis oppressed anyone whose race, religion or politics they didn’t like. They built huge concentration camps. Jews, Catholics, Poles and others whom Hitler considered enemies were sent to these camps. In the concentration camps people who were strong enough were forced to work as slaves. Those, who were too weak to work, children and old people were killed soon after they arrived at the camps.

Germany was not the only country in Europe ruled by a dictator. Benito Mussolini, who had come to power in Italy, was making plains to revive the glory of the Roman Empire.

In Asia, a military group came to power in Japan. They also believed in the “glory” of ruling over other nations. They wanted to take control of other countries in Asia and islands in the Pacific Ocean.

In the 1930’s Germany, Italy and Japan formed an alliance called the Axis. Great Britain and France led the alliance of European countries called the Allies. The Allies opposed the Axis.

Japan was the first nation to use military might. In 1931 the Japanese army invaded a part of China called Manchuria. In 1935 Italy invaded parts of Africa. Germany seized Austria and part of Czechoslovakia. On September 1, 1939, the German army invaded Poland. The Polish government asked Great Britain and France for help. On September 3, 1939, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. That was the beginning of World War II.

The Poles fought bravely, but the German army conquered the country in less than three weeks. The Germans used a new tactics called a blitzkrieg (lightning war). The attack was so swift that Poland’s allies, Great Britain and France had no time to come and help Poland.

In the spring of 1940 Germany turned its attention to western Europe. The Germans invaded Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. The French army was thought to be very strong. But with the help of Italy, Germany defeated the French in a few weeks.

By June 1940 Great Britain stood alone against the Nazis. German planes made bombing raids against British cities, railways and factories. All night long, the bombs dropped. The pilots of the British air forced tried to fight off the German planes.

Hitler's plan was to break the spirit of the British and destroy Great Britain's ability to defend itself. Then the Germans would cross the English Channel from France. They would invade and take control of Great Britain. But the British Royal Air Force shot down many German planes, and Germany was not able  to fulfil its plan of invading the country. The battle of Britain was the Allies’ first victory.

Several months later German armies marched east toward the Soviet Union. In June 1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union. But the Germans were not able to conquer the huge Soviet nation. The Soviet Union joined forces with the Allies. In November 1942 the Soviet troops stopped the German advance and began pushing the German army back towards Germany.

1. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What political changes tool place in Germany, Italy and Japan in the period between the two world wars?
2. What was the Axis?
3. What countries joined the Allies?
4. How did Hitler plan to conquer Great Britain? Why did his plan fail?
5. How does the geographical position of Great Britain make it easier to defend it than Poland or France?

2. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES:

1. … were trying to gain control of other lands.
2. Hitler called the German people …
3. … whom Hitler considered enemies…
4. … was making plans to revive the glory of the Roman Empire.
5. The Poles fought bravely, but the German army…
6. … Poland’s allies, Great Britain and France had no time to come…
7. … tried to fight off the German planes.
8. … shot down many German planes, and Germany was not able to fulfil its plan…
9. The pilots of the British Air Force tried to fight…
10. … the Soviet troops stopped the German advance…