Topic 2 - THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ

 

PART 1 (ЧАСТЬ 1)
Topic 1 – My Family
Topic 2 – The Russian Federation
Topic 3 – Moscow
Topic 4 – St Petersburg
Topic 5 – The United Kingdom
Topic 6 – London
Topic 7 – Holidays in Great Britain
Topic 8 – The USA
Topic 9 – Washington
Topic 10 – Canada
Topic 11 – The Commonwealth of Australia
PART 2 (ЧАСТЬ 2)
Topic 1 – My Family
Topic 2 – The Russian Federation
Topic 3 – Moscow
Topic 4 – St Petersburg
Topic 5 – The United Kingdom
Topic 6 – London
Topic 7 – My Favourite Holiday
Topic 8 – The USA
Topic 9 – Washington
Topic 10 – New Zealand
Topic 11 – The Commonwealth of Australia

 

PART I

Topic 1 - MY FAMILY

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

I am Alex Sidorov. Alex is my first name and Sidorov is my surname. I am seventeen years old. I want to tell you a few words about my family. My family is large. I’ve got a mother, a father, a sister, a brother and a grandmother. There are six of us in the family.

My mother is a teacher of biology. She works in a college. She likes her profession. She is a good-looking woman with brown hair and green eyes. She is forty-four but she looks much younger. She is tall and slim.

My father is a computer programmer. He is very experienced. He is a broad-shouldered, tall man with fair hair and grey eyes. He is forty-six. My father often sings and when we are at home and have some free time, I play the guitar and we sing together. My father knows all about radio sets and likes to repair old ones. He is also handy with many things. When he was small, he liked to do everything in pieces. My grandmother told me a story that once my father tried to “repair” their kitchen clock. He managed to put all the wheels and screws back again – but the clock did not work. They had to give it to a repairman. But that happened a long time ago. Now he can fix almost everything: a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a fridge and what not. He’s got a few shelves where he keeps everything he needs.

My parents have been married for twenty-six years. They have much in common, but they have different views on music, books and films. For example, my father likes horror films and my mother likes “soap operas”. My father is fond of tennis. My mother isn’t interested in sports. But my parents have the same opinion about my education and upbringing.

My parents are hard-working people. My mother keeps house and takes care of me and my father. She is very good at cooking and she is clever with her hands. She is very practical. My father and I try to help her with the housework. I wash the dishes, go shopping and tidy our flat.

My grandmother is a pensioner. She lives with us and helps to run the house. She is fond of knitting.

My sister Helen is twenty-five. She is married and has a family of her own. She works as an accountant for a small business company. Her husband is a scientist. They’ve got twins: a daughter and a son. They go to a nursery school.

My brother Boris is eleven. He is a schoolboy. He wants to become a doctor but he is not sure yet. Three months ago he dreamed of being a cosmonaut.

We’ve got a lot of relatives. We are deeply attached to each other and we get on very well.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) Симпатичная женщина; 2) высокая и стройная; 3) выглядеть намного моложе; 4) опытный программист; 5) иметь свободное время; 6) вместе; 7) хорошо управляться с …; 8) настраивать; 9) пылесос; 10) стиральная машина; 11) холодильник; 12) быть замужем (женатым); 13) иметь много общего; 14) разные взгляды на…; 15) одинаковое мнение по поводу…; 16) трудолюбивый; 17) управляться по дому (вести хозяйство); 18) образование и воспитание; 19) мыть посуду; 20) делать покупки; 21) убирать квартиру; 22) заботиться о…; 23) собственная семья; 24) обожать что-то делать; 25) ученый; 26) родственники; 27) привязаны друг к другу; 28) хорошо ладить.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Моя мама – симпатичная женщина. 2) Моя сестра высокая и стройная. 3) Моей бабушке – шестьдесят, но она выглядит намного моложе. 4) Мой папа - опытный программист. 5) Мой брат может настроить почти всё. 6) Когда у нас есть свободное время, мы вместе смотрим ужастики. 7) Она помогает вести хозяйство. 8) Моя сестра замужем. 9) У моего брата собственная семья. 10) Я обожаю танцевать. 11) Мы хорошо ладим.

 

Topic 2 - THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. It occupies about one-sevens 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 kilometers. 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’s 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 is Lake Baikal. It’s much smaller than the Baltic Sea, but there’s 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’s its largest political, scientific, cultural and industrial centre. It’s one of the oldest Russian cities.

At present, the political and economic situation in the country is rather complicated. The industrial production is decreasing. The prices are constantly rising; the rate of inflation is rather high. People are losing their jobs because many factories and plants are going bankrupt. 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, the younger generation, can do very much to make Russia as strong and powerful as it used to be.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English.Write them in English.

1) Занимать территорию; 2) общая площадь; 3) омывать; 4) моря и океаны; 5) граничить с …; 6) север, юг, восток, запад; 7) едва ли; 8) разнообразие; 9) леса; 10) пустыни; 11) горная цепь; 12) быть богатым чем-то; 13) глубокое озеро; 14) умеренный климат; 15) чистая вода; 16) впадает (втекает) в…; 17) различные типы; 18) уголь и нефть; 19) железная руда и медь; 20) довольно сложный; 21) уменьшаться; 22) расти (подниматься); 23) возможности; 24) терять работу; 25) научный и культурный центр; 26) сильный и могущественный; 27) равнины и возвышенности; 28) растительность.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Россия – одна из самых больших стран мира. 2) Общая площадь России – 17 млн. кв.км. 3) Россия граничит со многими странами. 4) В нашей стране есть леса и пустыни, равнины и возвышенности. 5) В России есть много рек и гор. 6) Байкал – самое глубокое озеро в мире. 7) Вода в озере очень чистая. 8) Россия богата нефтью и газом, железной рудой и медью, а также другими природными ресурсами. 9) Столица России – Москва. 10) Москва – культурный, научный и политический центра страны. 11) Экономическая ситуация в стране – весьма сложна. 12) Многие люди не имеют работы. 13) Цены растут. 14) Я уверен, что Россия станет сильной и могущественной страной.

 

Topic 3 – MOSCOW

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

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 middle of the 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 9 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 Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St Basil’s Cathedral was built in the middle of the 16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There’s a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn’t want them to create another masterpiece.

There are more than 100 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 All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, 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.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) коммерческий и культурный центр; 2) основать; 3) постепенно; 4) борьба; 5) освобождение от…; 6) единое государство; 7) перенести (переместить); 8) оставаться в каком-либо состоянии (статусе); 9) разрушить; 10) стать основной целью; 11) восстановить; 12) сердце; 13) шедевр архитектуры; 14) собор; 15) колокол и пушка; 16) в память о победе; 17) создавать; 18) ослепить; 19) уникальный музей; 20) быть известным чем-то.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Москва – политический, культурный и коммерческий центр России. 2) Москва была основа князем Юрием Долгоруким. 3) Москва была центром освобождения русских земель. 4) Москва – сердце России. 5) Москва была уничтожена огнем во время нападения Наполеона. 6) Кремль и Собор Василия Блаженного – шедевры древней архитектуры. 7) Собор Василия Блаженного был построен в 16 веке. 8) Существует легенда, что Иван Грозный ослепил архитекторов. 9) В Москве много старых соборов и уникальных музеев. 10) Москва знаменита своими музеями.

Topic 4 - ST PETERSBURG

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as the "Window on the West". Thousands of workmen were brought from all parts of Russia to build a new city on the swampy land at the mouth of the Neva River. Peter the Great was in a hurry. The work was fast and hard, and workmen dropped dead by the hundreds. But the work went on.

In 1712 St Petersburg, a city of great beauty, with palaces, cathedrals, churches, government buildings became the capital. Under later rulers the new capital of the Russian Empire grew rapidly in wealth and beauty. Architects were brought from Western Europe to lay out the city in harmonious squares. Buildings were constructed of grey and rose-coloured granite. The Hermitage Palace and the Winter Palace, the homes of the tsars, were equal to any in Europe.

When the First World War began in 1914, the German-sounding name, St Petersburg, was changed to Petrograd. After the October Revolution the city was renamed after Lenin.

During the Great Patriotic War the city suffered a great deal. The German armies laid siege to it in 1941, and for the next year and a half it was cut off from the rest of the country. No food could be brought in, and people died of starvation. Daily shelling and air raids destroyed parts of the city. Thousands of people were killed. Rebuilding took years.

Now St Petersburg is an important industrial, cultural and educational centre. The population of the city is over 5 million.

St Petersburg is indeed a wonderful city: at every turn there’s something to catch your eye. The Winter Palace, the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, St Isaac’s Cathedral, the Peter-and-Paul Fortress, the Admiralty building attract thousands of tourists from every corner of the world.

Petersburg’s many museums house some of the world’s most famous art collections. The Hermitage, for example, contains the richest collection of pictures in the world.

The city is called the Northern Venice because there are 65 rivers, arms and canals there with artistically decorated bridges. It’s also famous for its beautiful white nights.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) один из самых прекрасных; 2) основать; 3) привозить, приводить; 4) болотистая местность; 5) устье реки; 6) спешить; 7) тяжелая работа; 8) продолжать; 9) быстрый; 10) падать замертво; 11) соборы и церкви; 12) правитель; 13) богатство; 14) быстро расти; 15) равный; 16) звучать / звук; 17) изменить на …; 18) осада; 19) умирать от голода; 20) отрезать от…; 21) образовательный центр; 22) привлечь внимание; 23) привлекать; 24) содержать; 25) известен чем-то; 26) белые ночи; 27) украшать; 28) мастерски (со вкусом).

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Петербург был основан Петром Великим. 2) Город был построен на болотистой местности, в устье реки Нева. 3) Тысячи рабочих напряженно работали, многие из них умерли. 4) Петербург стал столицей в 1712 году. 5) Петербург быстро рос. 6) Архитекторы из Западной Европы построили прекрасные дворцы, соборы и церкви. 7) Во время осады 1941 года многие части города были разрушены. 8) Тысячи людей умерло от голода. 9) В Петербурге много прекрасных дворцов, соборов, церквей, мостов. 10) Они привлекают тысячи туристов со всего мира.

 

Topic 5 - THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

Thе 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 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.

Shakespeare called Britain a "precious stone set in the silver sea" because of its natural beauty. It has a varied countryside where you can find mountains, plains, valleys and sandy beaches. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain, but it is only 1343 metres high.

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 58 million. About 80% of the population live in cities.

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.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) располагать на…; 2) состоять из; 3) остров; 4) соответственно; 5) включать в себя; 6) использовать; 7) иметь ввиду; подразумевать; 8) отделять; 9) влиять; 10) песочные пляжи; 11) самая важная река; 12) умеренный климат; 13) круглый год; 14) высокоразвитая промышленная страна; 15) царствовать; 16) управлять; 17) самолет; 18) оборудование; 19) глава; 20) выбирать правительство.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Объединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии располагается на Британских островах. 2) Объединенное Королевство состоит из Англии, Уэльса, Шотландии и Северной Ирландии. 3) Великобритания включает в себя Англию, Уэльс и Шотландию, но не включает Северную Ирландию. 4) Великобритания – высокоразвитая промышленная страна. 5) Она экспортирует машины, электронику, навигационное оборудование. 6) Кораблестроение – важная отрасль промышленности. 7) Великобритания – конституционная монархия. 8) Королева царствует, но не управляет. 9) Страной управляет Премьер Министр и правительство. 10) Парламент состоит из Палаты Лордов и Палаты Общин.

 

Topic 6 - LONDON

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It’s one of the largest cities in Europe. Its population is about 8 million. London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world. Traditionally it’s 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. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of British 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’s 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.

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’s the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, 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 and is famous for its library.

The East End was once the poorest district of London - with lots of factories and docks, narrow streets and unimpressive buildings. Today, the district is changing very fast. There are huge offices and new blocks of flats in the East End.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) непохожий / разный; 2) принадлежать к…; 3) казаться; 4) многочисленный; 5) мало людей; 6) самый потрясающий; 7) завоеватель; 8) крепость; 9) тюрьма; 10) королевский дворец; 11) исторические связи; 12) выдающийся ученый; 13) государственный деятель; 14) художник; 15) хоронить; 16) часовой колокол; 17) официальная резиденция; 18) король и королева; 19) в память о битве; 20) бесценный; 21) монеты и рукописи; 22) бедный район; 23) роскошь.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Лондон – один из старейших городов Европы. 2) Сити – финансовый и коммерческий центр Англии. 3) Собор Святого Павла – одна из самых потрясающих церквей Британии. 4) Тауэр использовался как крепость, королевский дворец и тюрьма. 5) Сейчас Тауэр – музей. 6) Почти все короли и королевы короновались в Вестминстерском Аббатстве. 7) Многие выдающиеся ученые, поэты и государственные деятели были похоронены тем. 8) Королева живет в Букингемском дворце. 9) Самые роскошные гостиницы, рестораны и театры расположены в Вест Энде. 10) Британский Музей известен своей библиотекой. 11) В Британском музее есть бесценная коллекция монет и скульптур.

Topic 7 - HOLIDAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

There 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.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) меньше праздников; 2) государственный праздник; 3) закрытый; 4) собирать деньги; 5) украшать улицы; 6) перед Рождеством; 7) благотворительность; 8) рождественский гимн; 9) вешать чулки; 10) дымоход; 11) наполнять; 12) взрывать; 13) происходить (о событии); 14) преуспеть; 15) чучело; 16) костер; 17) зажигать фейерверк; 18) достаточно денег; 19) сделанный из соломы; 20) найти бомбу.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Государственные праздники Великобритании – Рождество, Второй день рождества (День подарков), Новый год, Страстная пятница, Пасхальный понедельник, Первомай, Весенний день отдыха, Летний день отдыха. 2) Государственные праздники в Британии называют банковскими праздниками. 3) Банки и большинство магазинов закрыты на праздники. 4) Рождество – самый популярный праздник. 5) Дома и улицы украшают огнями. 6) Певцы ходят от дома к дому, поют рождественские гимны и собирают деньги на благотворительность. 7) 24 декабря люди наряжают рождественскую елку. 8) Дети вешают чулки, потому что они верят, что Дед Мороз наполнит их ночью подарками. 9) Рождество – семейный праздник. 10) Родственники собираются на рождественский обед, дарят друг другу подарки.

 

 

Topic 8 - THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada and China). It occupies the southern part of North America and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. It also includes Alaska in the north and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The total area of the country is about nine and a half million square kilometres. The USA borders on Canada in the north and on Mexico in the south. It also has a sea-border with Russia.

The USA is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, a special federal area where the capital of the country, Washington, is situated. The population of the country is more than 270 million.

If we look at the map of the USA, we can see lowlands and mountains. The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada. The highest peak is Mount McKinley which is located in Alaska.

America’s largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio Grande and the Columbia. The Great Lakes on the border with Canada are the largest and deepest in the USA.

The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are in the north. The climate of Alaska is arctic. The climate of the central part is continental. The south has a subtropical climate. Hot winds blowing from the Gulf of Mexico often bring typhoons. The climate along the Pacific coast is much warmer than that of the Atlantic coast.

The USA is a highly developed industrial country. It’s the world’s leading producer of copper and oil and the world’s second producer of iron ore and coal. Among the most important manufacturing industries are aircraft, cars, textiles, radio and television sets, armaments, furniture and paper.

Though mainly European and African in origin, Americans are made up from nearly all races and nations, including Chinese and native Americans.

The largest cities are: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San-Francisco, Washington and others.

The United States is a federal union of 50 states, each of which has its own government. The seat of the central (federal) government is Washington, DC. According to the US Constitution the powers of the government are divided into 3 branches: the executive, headed by the President, the legislative, exercised by the Congress, and the judicial. The Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

There are two main political parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic, though there’s hardly any difference between their political lines.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) четвертый по величине; 2) после; 3) простираться от…до; 4) включать в себя; 5) граничить с…; 6) состоять из…; 7) население страны; 8) особая федеральная территория; 9) посмотреть на карту; 10) низина (долина); 11) меняться, отличаться; 12) дующие ветра; 13) вдоль побережья; 14) ведущий производитель; 15) мебель; 16) оружие; 17) преимущественно; 18) по происхождению; 19) хотя (не смотря на); 20) в соответствии с …; 21) возглавлять; 22) разница.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) США – четвертая по величине страна. 2) Страна простирается от Тихого океана до Атлантического. 3) США граничит с Канадой и Мексикой. 4) США включает 50 штатов и Округ Колумбия. 5) В США есть горы и долины, реки и озера. 6) Гора Мак Кинли расположена на Аляске. 7) Великие озера – самые глубокие в США. 8) Климат страны очень разнообразен. 9) США – ведущий мировой производитель нефти, угля, железной руды. 10) Столица США – Вашингтон. 11) В США три ветви власти – исполнительная, законодательная и судебная. 12) Президент возглавляет исполнительную власть. 12) Законодательная власть осуществляется Конгрессом. 13) Конгресс состоит из Сената и Палаты Представителей.

 

Topic 9 - WASHINGTON, DC

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

Washington is the capital of the United States of America. It’s situated in the District of Columbia and is like no other city in the USA. It is the world’s largest one-industry city. And that industry is government. The White House, where the US President lives and works, the Capitol, the home of the US Congress, and the Supreme Court, are all in Washington.

Washington was named after the first US President George Washington. He selected the place for the capital and Pierre L’Enfant, a French engineer, designed the city.

Washington was first settled in 1790 and since 1800 it has been the federal capital.

Washington is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the States. In the very centre of it rises the huge dome of the Capitol - a big dome standing on a circle of pillars. The 535 members of the Congress meet here to discuss the nation’s affairs. It’s easy to get lost in this huge building, full of paintings and statues.

Not far from the Capitol is the Library of Congress, the largest library in the States. It contains more than 13 million books, more than 19 million manuscripts, including the personal papers of the US presidents.

The White House is the official residence of the US President. He worksin the Oval Office.

One can hardly find a park, a square or an open area in Washington without a monument or a memorial. The most impressive and the best-known ones are the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

There are some important museums in Washington where you can see all kinds of things: famous paintings and sculptures, the dresses of President’s wives, the original of the Declaration of Independence, the largest blue diamond in the world, etc.

There are 5 universities in Washington.

There are no skyscrapers in Washington, because they would hide the city's many monuments from view. No building in the city may be more than40 metres tall.

Thousands of tourists visit Washington every day. People from all parts of the United States come to see their capital.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) похожий; 2) правительство; 3) верховный суд; 4) был назван в честь; 5) поселиться, обосноваться; 6) огромный купол; 7) круг из колонн; 8) обсуждать государственные дела; 9) легко потеряться; 10) недалеко от; 11) включая личные бумаги; 12) впечатляющий; 13) голубой бриллиант; 14) небоскребы; 15) укрыть от обзора;

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Вашингтон не похож ни на один другой город в Америке. 2) Знаменитый Белый дом, американский Конгресс, Верховный суд расположены в Вашингтоне. 3) Город был назван в честь первого американского президента. 4) Город был спроектирован французским инженером. 5) Члены Конгресса собираются в Капитолии чтобы обсудить государственные дела. 6) Библиотека Конгресса содержит множество книг и рукописей, включая личные бумаги президентов. 7) Белый дом – официальная резиденция президента. 8) Вы едва ли сможете найти парк или площадь без памятника или мемориала. 9) В Вашингтоне нет небоскребов, поэтому ничего не закрывает городские памятники от обзора. 10) Тысячи туристов приезжают в Вашингтон каждый день.

 

Topic 10 - CANADA

Задание 1. Read and translate the text

Canada is the second largest country in the world. It covers the northern part of North America and its total area is 9 975 000 square kilometres. Canada’s only neighbour is the USA. The border between the two countries is the longest unguarded border in the world.

Canada’s motto, "From Sea to Sea," is particularly appropriate because the country is bounded by three oceans — the Pacific, the Arctic and the Atlantic. Its vast area includes some of the world’s largest lakes and countless smaller ones. One-third of all fresh water on Earth is in Canada.

Canada’s name comes from an Indian word kanata, which means "village". The first French settlers used the Indian name for the colony, but the official name was "New France". When the area came under the British rule in 1897, the new country was called the Dominion of Canada, or simply Canada. Canada is a union of ten provinces and two territories.

Compared with other large countries, Canada has a small population, only about 27 300 000. The country, however, is one of the world’s most prosperous. Canadians developed its rich natural resources and, in the process, have achieved a high standard of living.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and Queen Elizabeth II is its official head of state. Although the Queen holds this high position, she doesn’t rule. She serves as a symbol of British tradition. Her representative in Canada is the Governor General, whom she appoints on the advice of the Canadian Prime Minister. The Governor’s duties are limited to symbolic, mostly ceremonial acts.

The real power belongs to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. The Canadian Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Commons and the Senate.

There are two official languages in the country: English and French. All Canadian children have to learn both French and English at school, but Francophones and Anglophones do not enjoy learning each other’s language.

"We have two races, two languages, two systems of religious belief, two sets of laws ... two systems of everything," said one Canadian journalist.

There was a time when Quebec Province (its population is 90% French) decided to separate from Canada and form a new country. Fortunately, the movement has waned.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa.

Задание 2. Make sure that you can say the following words and word combinations in English. Write them in English.

1) покрывать, накрывать; 2) сосед; 3) особенно; 4) подходящий (соответствующий); 5) бесчисленный; 6) свежий; 7) слово; 8) по сравнению с; 9) колонисты (поселенцы); 10) процветающий (преуспевающий); 11) достигать; 12) высокий уровень жизни; 13) хотя (не смотря на то, что); 14) назначать; 15) ограничивать; 16) обязанности; 17) оба языка; 18) свод законов; 19) ослабевать (убывать); 20) к счастью.

Задание 3. Translate into English

1) Канада граничит только с США. 2) Это самая длинная неохраняемая граница. 3) Девиз Канады – «От моря до моря». 4) Одна треть всей свежей воды на Земле находится в Канаде. 5) Канада – союз десяти провинций и двух территорий. 6) В Канаде богатые природные ресурсы и высокий уровень жизни. 7) Официально во главе государства стоит Королева Елизавета Вторая. 8) Ее официальный представитель – Генерал Губернатор. 9) Реальная власть принадлежат Премьер Министру и его Кабинету. 10) В Канаде два официальных языка – английский и французский. 11) Школьники учат оба языка.