TopasstheAct — принять Акт/Закон (в парламенте)
My New School Is Fantastic
Rita Nelson is fourteen, and she has changed her school because her parents moved to another town this summer.
“Let me tell you about my new school. I’m having a great time. All pupils are very friendly, but it’s very different from my old school. I can tell you! First of all school starts at 8.00 here, a whole, hour before it did in that school. This morning I forgot about it and got to school ten minutes late, so the teacher put a note into my record-book. I was really angry!
There are a lot of other differences in this school, of course. We have seven lessons here almost every day. What else? The school day is different, too. In my former school we finished school at 3.00, and then most pupils went home. Here we finish lessons at 3.30, and then most pupils go to sports practice. Well, they love sports here.
I joined gymnastics and football clubs here. A lot of girls play football in this school. I had my first practice yesterday, and I feel tired today.
Another important thing here is learning to do practical things. Their metal and wood shops are like small factories, and we are taught to drive as well. It’s fantastic. I had my first lesson in driving a tractor yesterday.”
Заданияктексту.
Exercise 1. Choose the right answer.
Rita Nelson is _______
a) 13 b) 14 c) 15
Lessons in Rita’s previous school started at
a) 7 o’clock b) 8 o’clock c) 9 o’clock
Rita has _______ lessons every day.
a) 5 b) 6 c) 7
Rita’s lessons are over at
a) 3. 00 b) 3.30 c) 4.00
After lessons most pupils go
a) to sports practice b) home c) for a walk
Exercise 2. Name the things in Rita’s new school that are different from her previous school.
1. Number of pupils in Rita’s class.
2. Timewhenthelessonsbegin
3. Timewhenthelessonsend
4. Number of subjects in the curriculum (расписание)
5. Numberoflessonseveryday
Exercise 3.Trueorfalse?
1. Rita doesn’t like her new school.
2. Today Rita came to school in time.
3. Student don’t love sports in the new school.
4. Many girls play football in the new school.
5. Rita likes to drive a tractor.
Exercise 4. Answer the questions on the text "My New School Is Fantastic”.
1. Why has Rita changed her school?
2. When do the lessons begin?
3. Why did the teacher put a note into Rita’s record-book?
4. What clubs did she join?
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5. What games do girls play in her new school?
6. What practical things are the children taught?
2.Mysterious Monster
At different times, thousands of people say that they have seen a large animal in the famous lake called Loch Ness in Scotland. For many centuries, people have tried to catch it. People who live there always talk about the mysterious animal in the lake, and many of them believe that it is still there today.
In 1933, John McGregor, a local businessman, saw that the lake began to bubble, and a huge animal with two humps came out of it.
After that, scientists examined the lake with underwater equipment and tried to find out what kind of animal lived there. Of course, they haven’t found it yet, because the lake is so deep and so dark.
Tourists from all over the world have visited Loch Ness, they hope to see the monster. They have even given it a nickname “Nessie”. Many people even show photos of the monster, but they are usually photos of the pictures of the monster. Scientists suppose that the Loch Ness monster is a dinosaur, which has survived since the Ice Age.
Here is a description of the monster:
- Length: About 50 metres.
- Body: Withtwohumps.
- Half horse, half snake and quite small.
- Long and thin, like a giraffe.
- Yellow-brown.
- People think that it eats sheep on land and underwater plants.
- Shy, doesn’t want to be seen.
- Lives in the deepest and coldest parts of the lake about 1 km from the surface.
Заданияктексту.
Exercise 1. Insert the words according to the text.
Have visited, haven’t found, tried, so deep and so dark, came out of it
1. For many centuries people ... to catch it.
2. The lake began to bubble and a huge animal...
3. Of course they ... it yet.
4. Thelakeis …...
5. Tourists from all over the world ... LochNess.
Exercise 2.Выберите правильную концовку для предложений.
1. LochNessisin …
2. England b) Scotland c) Wales
3. LochNessis …
4. a lake b) a river c) a village
5. Scientistsexaminedthelakewith
6. a) underwater equipment c) computers d) special ultrasound gadgets
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7. Tourists have given the monster a nickname
8. Locky b) Nessie c) Lohnessi
Exercise 3. Trueorfalse.
1. For many centuries, people have tried to catch the Loch Ness monster.
2. No one believes that the Loch Ness monster is still in the lake today.
3. In 1956, John McGregor, a local businessman, saw that the lake began to bubble.
4. The lake is very deep.
5. Many people show photos of the monster.
Exercise 4.Дополните описание Лохнесского чудовища.
- Length: About _______ (1)
- Body: Withtwohumps.
- Half __________ (2), half snake and quite small.
- Long and thin, like a giraffe.
- Yellow-brown.
- People think that it eats __________ (3) on land and underwater ________ (4).
- Shy, doesn’t want to be seen.
- Lives in the deepest and __________ (5) parts of the lake about 1 km from the surface.
3. MusicintheStreets
As you go home after a hard day’s work, and you get off the metro train, you sometimes have to walk a long way to the exit or to change trains. Suddenly in the noise, some music is heard. Those are street musicians. You take out a coin from your pocket and throw it into their hat or instrument case. These musicians bring color and life to the city streets. Street musicians are aged between 17 and 30 years. Some of them are men, some women. They play classical music, pop or folk music, old and new songs. Many musicians are former university students or professional musicians.
Andrew Hain, for example, was once a music student, but he gave up music and became a painter. Now he plays in the underground because he doesn’t want to forget how to play. His girlfriend is a painter, too. She helps him to collect the money. Another street musician, David MacNell, tells new players:
“Learn new songs all the time, or else you’ll have fewer and fewer listeners. Wear bright clothes to attract attention. Make sure that the places where you choose to play are warm. The best places are bridges and certainly the underground.”
On Sundays, Hyde Park is the best place, as the speakers here address the people. The street musicians are doing their business with the many tourists who visit the park. The weather is one of the worst problems. It is not so easy to play the violin or the guitar on a rainy November day in London and try to smile.
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A much worse problem is the police. From time to time, they come, and the musicians are moved to a different place. True, they are not often fined. One musician told me:
“The policeman asked me what I was doing. I said I was just practising. Some money just fell out of my pocket into the guitar case, and I was told to leave my place. I think it’s not fair. People love street music. It makes the city more attractive.”
Заданияктексту.
Exercise 1. Read the text «Music in the Streets» again and complete the sentences according to the text.
1. Streetmusiciansare
a) men b) women c) men and women
2. According to the text, street musicians
a) bring color and life to city streets.
b) make more noise in the streets.
c) make traffic more difficult
3. Street musicians play
a) old songs b) new songs. c) old and new songs.
4. Andrew Hain plays in the streets because he
a) needs money.
b) does not want to forget how to play.
c) wants to become famous.
5. The worst problem for the musicians is
a) weather b) the police c)
Exercise 2. Say true or false.
1. Street musicians are aged between 17 and 30 years.
2. Andrew Hain, for example, was once a music professor.
3. On Mondays, Hyde Park is the best place for street musicians.
4. The weather is one of the worst problems for street musicians.
5. Street musicians are very often fined.
Exercise 3. Вставьте слова по смыслу.
1. Andrew Hain gave up music and became a ____________.
2. The street musicians are doing their business with the many __________ who visit the Hyde Park.
3. It is not so easy to play the violin or the _________ on a rainy November day in London
4. Make sure that the places where you choose to play are _________.
Exercise 4. Ответьте на вопросы.
1. Why should street musicians wear bright clothes?
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2. What are the best places for street musicians?
3. Which is worse for street musicians–the weather or the police?
4. Why do street musicians need to learn new songs all the time?
The Great Romantic
Lord Byron (1788-1824) didn’t live a long life. He was an aristocrat and a fashionable man. But he loved freedom (свободу) and a simple country life. His personality attracted Britain and all Europe. He brought to his poetry romanticism of his times. He was talented and handsome, noble and brave. London admired him.
George Gordon Byron was born on January 22nd, 1788. He was the son of John Byron and his wife, Catherine, whose ancestors (предки) were of the royal house of Stuart. He spent his early years outside the capital. He lived in the north. Later his mother took him to Aberdeen. There they lived for several years. George went to Aberdeen Grammar School and there is a monument to him outside the school. Now it is a museum and art gallery. Later he studied at Harrow School and the University of Cambridge.
When Byron was 19, he came to London. One day the poet wrote, “I woke up (проснулся) and found myself (обнаружил, чтоя) famous.” It happened after the publication of his autobiographic poem “Childe Harold” in 1812.
The fact is that from 1809 to 1811 he had traveled in different parts of Europe and in the poem he described everything that had happened to him.
In the summer of 1816 Byron left Britain forever (навсегда). He traveled around Europe and soon he became a member of the Greek liberation movement (освободительноедвижение), for which he died. But he did not lead the Greeks in battle as he wished. Hediedoffever (лихорадка). (262 words)
CHRISTMAS
The 25th of December is Christmas Day. It’s a happy holiday for many people in different countries.
Some week before Christmas English people are busy. They send greeting cards to all their relatives and friends. You can buy Christmas cards or you can make them. Many children make their cards at school.
People buy a Christmas tree and decorate it with toys, coloured balls and little coloured lights.
On Christmas Eve people put their presents under the tree. When children go to bed, they put their stockings near their beds.
At night Father Christmas comes. He has got a big bag of presents for children. He puts the presents in the children’s stockings.
Every year there is a very big Christmas tree in the centre of London, in Trafalgar Square. This is a present from the people of Norway to the people of Great Britain. They send it to Londoners every year and Londoners decorate the Christmas tree.
In the evening before Christmas people like to come to Trafalgar Square to look at the tree. On Christmas Eve streets in London are decorated, too.
The shops are very busy at Christmas. People want to buy presents for their family and friends (for their nearest and dearest). And they buy a lot of food and drink for all the Christmas parties.
People open their presents on Christmas morning and they all are happy with what they get.
For Christmas lunch people eat turkey, potatoes and green vegetables. Then they have the Christmas pudding. At five o’clock it’s time for tea and Christmas cake.
On Christmas people wish their nearest and dearest a merry Christmas.
The day after Christmas is Boxing Day. People usually visit their relatives and friends. They do not work on that day.
Monsters of the sea?
People have always been afraid of sharks. Films like “ Jaws” have shown them as monsters. But now these animals are in danger, like many others.
In recent years, shark meat has become a popular food in America. Too much fishing has begun to reduce the numbers of some kinds of shark. Some people say this is a good thing. Sharks kill about twenty-five people a year near the world’s beaches. Are we going to help sharks, or are they going to become extinct?
It’s hard to solve the sharks’ “ image” problem and change people’s minds about them. Sharks are hunters and so they naturally kill. But actually elephants kill more people than sharks every year – and every–one likes elephants.
Sharks are very important for the world’s oceans. They eat unhealthy fish and keep the numbers of different kinds of sea animals in balance. Now scientists are trying to find way to protect these animals. They have been in the oceans for 350 million years. Perhaps they can survive a little longer.
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7.PACKING by Jerome K. Jerome
Holiday time was near now, and we, that is, Harris and George and I met to discuss our plans. Harris said that the first thing was to discuss what to take with us. He also said that we couldn't take the whole world in a boat. They could take what they really needed.
"It is very important," Harris said, "to have everything we need for a long swim every morning before breakfast." He also said that a long swim always gave him fine appetite. "If you're going to eat more than you usually do," George said, "I think we'll let you go swimming not more than once in three or four days. If you go swimming every day, we'll never have enough food for you. We won't be able to carry so much in the boat. "
So we discussed the food question. "Begin with breakfast," George said. "For breakfast we must have a tea-pot," Harris said, "ham, eggs, bread and butter and jam. It's easy to prepare breakfast with such things. And for lunch — cold meat, bread and butter and jam — but no cheese. "
We agreed. Cheese in a boat in summer, little by little becomes the master of all the food. You may think you're eating sausage or meat and potatoes or cake, but it all seems to be cheese.
The Earth.
We live on the Earth. It is very, very big. There is a lot of water on the Earth. It is in rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. There are a lot of forests and fields, hills and mountains on it.
The Earth is full of wonders. Different animals live on the Earth. Different plants grow on it. The Earth is beautiful.
There are large countries and small countries. There are warm countries and cold countries. There are some countries where there are four seasons in a year and some countries where there are only two.
When it is day in one country it is night in another country.
When the sun shines it is day, when the sun does not shine it is night. You can see the moon and the stars in the sky at night.
People live in different countries. Theyspeakdifferentlanguages.
Our country is Russia. Russia is the largest country in the world. Our country is so large that when it is morning in the east, it is evening in the west. When it is winter in the north it is summer in the south.
There are a lot of long rivers, beautiful lakes, large forests and fields and high mountains in Russia.
People who live in Russia speak more1 than one hundred different languages but they can speak Russian too.
9.
Every nation and every country has its own traditions and customs. In Britain traditions play a more important role in the life of people than in other countries. They say British people are very conservative . They are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. But when we speak about British traditions we always remember that there are four parts in Britain — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Traditionsaredifferentinthesepartsofthecountry.
You already know some of the English traditions and holidays. We hope you remember St. Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Hallowe'en which have also become traditional American holidays. HerearesomemorefactsaboutoldEnglishtraditions.
One of the old English legends says that London can be the capital of the country, rich and great until twelve black ravens live in the Tower of London. Each has got its name and the keepers carefully look after them. If one of the birds dies, another younger raven takes its place. Londoners believe this legend and always bring some food to give to the birds when they come to the Tower. The keepers cut the birds' wings a bit as they are afraid that they may fly away.
Another old English tradition is Guy Fawkes Day. Children go out into the streets on the 5th of November with figures like scarecrows. They stand in the streets and squares asking for the usual "Penny for the Guy". Then with the money they have collected they buy fireworks and burn the guy (the figure like a scarecrow) on their bonfire.
People watch fireworks and some people go to parties in the evening.
Though different countries have different traditions and holidays people all over the world know some of them. Theyare — Easter, ChristmasandNewYear.
SCOTLAND
Although Scotland forms a part of the United Kingdom, it has a distinct character of its own. In area it is more than half as big as England. Its population is, however, only one-eighth as great — about 5 200 000.
Scotland is a land of romance and it has had a most eventful history. The Picts and Celts lived there before the coming of the Romans to Britain. Those Northern tribes worried the Romans so much that the Great Wall was built to protect the Roman camps in the Northern part of England.
It was in the 11th century that the Normans began to settle in Scotland. Almost all of Scotland's history is accociated with and reflected in many castles and forts that are to be seen all over the country. They are very picturesque, having retained their medieval features: stern, proud, impressive, perched high on a rock or at a hillside. Mary, Queen of Scots, the beautiful Mary Stuart was married in one of them, her son James (who was to become James I of England) was born in another.
And now some words about the Highlands. For centuries the Highlands were a strange land, where the king's law common to all the rest of the country, wasn't even known, where wild people spoke a language no one could understand. Long after the rest of Britain adopted modern ways they kept to the old life.
In 1603 King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England too, and from then onwards the countries were under the same monarch, though the Act of Union was not passed until 1707. This Act incorporated Scotland with England in the United Kingdom, but the Scots kept their own legal system, religion and administration, centred in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh – the capital of Scotland has always been admired as one of the most beautiful cities. Glasgow – its second city – always had a bad reputation. It was too often seen as a dirty, run-down urban area. But no longer. The buildings have been cleaned up, the streets are tidy and the people now take an obvious pride in their city. Glasgow was chosen to be the cultural capital of Europe 1890.
Not far from Glasgow there is one of the most famous of Scotland's many lakes (called «lochs»), Loch Lomond. Scottish numerous valleys are known as «glens». Scotland is a country with an intense and living national tradition of a kind only too rare in the modern world. It has its distinctive national dress, the kilt, worn only by men. It also has its own typical musical instruments (the pipes, sometimes called «the bagpipes»), its own national form of dancing, its own songs, language, traditions and education. Scotland has even its own national drink, a fact so widely known that one need only ask for «Scotch».
Notes
The Picts and Celts – пиктыикельты (племена)
Tribe — племя
Camp — лагерь
topasstheAct — принять Акт/Закон (в парламенте)
Shmily
My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word “Shmily” in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving “Smily” around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged “Smily” with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to wait whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding with blue food coloring. “Shmily” was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave Shmily on the very last sheet.
There was no end to the places “Shmily” would pop up. Little notes with “Shmily” scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. “Shmily” was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparents’ house as the furniture.
It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents’ game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love- one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparents’ relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection which not everyone is lucky enough to experience.
Grandma and grandpa held hands ever chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other’s sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome an old man he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew “how to pick ‘em”. Before every meal they bowed heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessing: a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in my grandparents’ life: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier. As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that color so she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.
Now the cancer was once again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather’s steady hand, they still went to church every morning. But my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife. Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone. “Shmily. It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother’s funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time. Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother’s casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her. Though his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew then that, although I couldn’t begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty. S-H-M-I-L-Y: See How Much I Love You
Thank you , Grandpa and Grandma, for letting me see.
LauraJeanneAlien
12. Hello! I am Jane. I am 21. I am a student. I consider it to be a special time in my life. Student life is always full of fun, new impressions and knowledge. I like being a student. Each day I learn something new and communicate with my friends. We meet almost every day. Sometimes we stay at the university after classes to prepare our homework for the next day or just to talk about our student life.
I like spending time with my friends. We often visit each other. I can talk with them for hours. They can help me and support me in any situation. I can say the same about my parents, with whom I live. My mother is a very wise woman. She understands me. We are not only close relatives, but also close friends. We have the same favouritecolours — green and blue. These are the colours of nature and the sky. Our family hobby is travelling. We like seeing new places, meeting new people, exchanging our impressions. We often travel in summer and in winter. I adore Turkey, Egypt, and France. These countries have their own traditions, unique nature and culture.
My other hobbies are music and theatre. I often visit the theatre. I sympathize with the characters on the stage. I try to understand them and, finally, I find it easier to solve my own problems watching the play. I understand my family and friends better. I am grateful to them for being so close to me, for their understanding and support.
Словарь
to consider — считать
an mpression (s) — впечатление
to exchange — обмениваться
unique — уникальный
to sympathize with — сочувствовать
to be grateful to smb — бытьблагодарнымкому-либо
13. America, the beautiful: climate and weather
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It’s awell-known fact, that the geographical position very often influences the climate and weather of any country. The United States is no exception. Here, the Cascade Mountains and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, due to their being closeto the west coast, catch the largest share of the rain off the Pacific Ocean. As a result there is too little rain for almost the whole western half of the Unites States, which lies in the "rain shadow" of the mountains. In agreat part of that territory farmers must depend on irrigation water from thesnows or rains.
One of themost important geographic boundaries in the United States is the 50-centimeter rainfall line. It runs north and south almost through the middle of the country. East of the line, farming here is easy and the population is relatively large. West of the line, you can find man-made irrigation systems, dry-farming and grazing. There are fewer people living here. West of the RockyMountains, there are vast areas without any trees. In this part of the country are the deserts which receive as little as over 12 centimeters of rainfall ayear.
If there were no mountains or oceans, then the amount of the heat would progress from north to south. Instead, there are all kinds of unexpected differences in climate. For example, all along the western coast, the temperature changes little between summer and winter. The climate along the northern part of this coast is similar to that of England.
But in the north central part of the country, summer and winter are very different. There the average difference between July and January is 36 degrees centigrade (°C). The coldest days of a typical January day may be — 40 degrees °C, and the hottest July day may be +45 degrees °C. In the eastern part of the United States, the difference between summer and winter is also distinct, but not so extreme. Near the southwestern corner of the country, the climate is mild and spring like in winter.
The variations in temperature within the United States have had a marked effect on the country’s economy and living standards. There is a long crop-growing season along the south-east coast where cotton is a principal product. In some of the cooler climates or in climates which combine coolness and humidity, people grow apples, wheat and corn. This gives the United States a large variety of agricultural products.
Словарь
thelargestshareoftherain — наибольшее количество осадков
the"rainshadow"— «тень от дождя», т. е. в данной местности очень редко идут дожди
a geographicboundary— географическая граница, предел
man-madeirrigationsystems — построенные человеком (самодельные)оросительные системы
grazing— пастбище
deserts— пустыни
unexpecteddifferences— неожиданные различия
average— средний
coolnessandhumidity — прохлада и влажность
wheatandcorn — пшеница и кукуруза
14. A typical American
Few of us like to be told we are average. Americans are no exception. Generalizations about nationalities (like, Americans are optimists, or Germans are professional pessimists) are not usually welcomed, even if they are truthful.
One generalization often made about Americans is that they value their individualism quite high. They pay great attention to their individual differences; to a great number of various choices in their lives; and to the opportunity to do things their own way.
On a daily basis, an American wakes up at 5 am for jogging, then comes back home and rushes to the bathroom to take a shower. As the working day starts at 8 am or 8.30, he/she gets a quick breakfast meal and gets dressed fast. After a morning make-up, for American ladies, and a morning shirt pressing, for American men, he/she runs to their car and heads to the working place. The usual working schedule during a week is from 8 am till 5 pm or 6 p.m. In the evening, he or she drives home and starts preparing an evening meal, called dinner. The leisure time in the evening is spent either with children, or in the night clubs with friends, or at a restaurant with a beloved person. During the weekends Americans go to a church, visit their relatives, meet with their friends, or do anything else that makes them relax.
Nowadays American habits have changed much. Americans buy smaller cars and walk more. More and more of them are cooking "from scratch", instead of using frozen or half-prepared foods. Italian fashion, French wines. German cars, and Dutch cheese are selling well in the U.S. Overall, trends in lifestyles have moved and still move across the Atlantic from Europe.
As a result a typical European may say: "what they are doing in California today, we’ll probably be trying to do in Europe tomorrow".
Словарь
average — средний, среднестатистический
tobetruthful — правдивый, верный, точный
on a dailybasis — ежедневно
jogging — утренняя пробежка; оздоровительный бег
to rush to the bathroom — спешитьвванную
to take a shower — приниматьдуш
a beloved person — возлюбленный; возлюбленная
Dutch cheese — голландскийсыр
frozenfoods — замороженные полуфабрикаты
15. A wedding in Chicago
My name’s David. We’re in a small village near Chicago. My cousin’s getting married. My father and her father are twins. A lot of relatives are here for the wedding party. We’re very busy. My uncle’s friend is making palov. My sister Susan and Aunt Keane are making cakes. My mother’s helping her niece with her wedding dress. My grandparents are here too. They’re very old. They live in Chicago. I’m making a video and taking photos. It’s great. I want to be a reporter.
16. AlisherNavoi
AlisherNavoi was a great poet. He was born in Herat on 9 February 1441. AlisherNavoi got a very good education. He was a good architect and he designed a lot of schools, hospitals, bridges, roads and canals. Navoi’s poems in old Uzbek are ‘Chor-Devon’. His poems in Persian were collected and called ‘Devoni-Foni’. His most important work is the ‘Quintuple’, five poems from 1483 and 1485. AlisherNavoi lived his last years in Herat. He died on 3 January 1501
17. Americanfavoriteholidays
The United States does not celebrate national holidays. But Congress has designated 10 "legal public holidays," during which most federal institutions are closed and most federal employees have days off work. Since 1971, a number of the holidays have been fixed on Mondays, so as to afford workers a long holiday weekend. AmongmostfavoriteAmericanholidaysarethefollowingones:
New Year’s Day (January 1) — Americans celebrate the beginning of a new year at home, with friends, and in gatherings from the Tournament of Roses Parade in California to the giant gathering in New York’s Times Square.
Independence Day (July 4) — The Independence Day holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental
Congress on July 4, 1776. The holiday was already widely observed throughout the nation when Congress declared it a federal legal holiday, in 1870.
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) — Thanksgiving is a variant of the harvest festival. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. The holiday is typically celebrated at home with a large and festive meal, and in order to express thanks for that bounty.
Christmas Day (December 25) — Most Protestants and Roman Catholics and some Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25.
These holidays are observed nearly universally throughout the public and private sectors. Sometimes, although, states and private employers are free to adopt their own holidays.
Словарь
todesignatesmth — назначать что-либо
anemployee (s) — работник, служащий
toaffordsmbsmth — позволить кому-либо что-либо
tocommemoratetheadoptionofsomedocument — ознаменовать, отмечать принятие какого-либо документа
a festivemeal — праздничный стол; праздничное блюдо
toexpressthanksforsmth — выражать благодарность за что-либо
the birth — рождение
in employer (s) — работодатель
18. American pastime — Baseball
It is a well-known and a well-proved fact that American pastime is all about baseball. For over a century, families have spent their afternoons together at the ballpark, cheering for their home teams and eating hot dogs and drinking soda. It’s been a favorite family pastime as far as anyone can remember. In fact, in the modern era of television and radio, many regularly scheduled programs show re-runs during the World Series so they do not compete with the home team game.
In order to encourage me whole American pastime, baseball is introduced everywhere. Baseball programs are offered in many schools. Youth leagues are also popular. Softball, a direct derivative of baseball, is played by young women. There are Minor and Major Leagues of baseball. The Minor Leagues are a "farming" ground for grooming young players to play for Major League Baseball clubs. Ball players in the Major Leagues make millions of dollars. They usually go on to coach or own their own teams after retirement.
Little has threatened the love of the game in the past. But the recent steroid scandal has cast a shadow over Major League Baseball and divided its fans. Hopefully the problem will be solved. And this fine American tradition will continue to bring people together in future, as it is the most watched sport in the United State.
Словарь
a well-provedfact — доказанный факт
tocheerfor a team — болеть за команду; поддерживать команду морально
todrinksoda — пить газированную воду
toshowre-runs — транслировать повторные показы (матчей)
a direct derivative of baseball — прямаяпроизводнаябейсбола
to groom young players — готовитьюныхигроков
afterretirement — на пенсии
tothreatensmth — угрожать чему-либо; стать угрозой для чего-либо
19. Animals in Great Britain
People in Great Britain like animals. There are even special hospitals, which help wild animals. There are a lot of television films about wildlife. They are very popular with children and grown ups. A lot of British families have ‘bird tables’ in their gardens. Birds can eat from them during the winter months. The ‘bird table’ should be high because cats can eat birds.
The British often think their animals are like people. For example in Britain animals can have jobs like people. British Rail has cats and pays them for their work. Their job is to catch mice. There is usually one cat per station. They get food and free medical help. The cats don’t catch a lot of mice but they are very popular with the British Rail staff and travellers.
20. Amir Temur
Amir Temur was bom on 9 April 1336 In the village of Hojailgor near Shakhrisabz. His father was a rich man whose name was Amir Taragay. His mother was a noble woman. He was strong and handsome. His father had many servants. When he was 12 years old he began to rule over them. When he was a young man he began to go to war. He was a good horseman. In Europe he was called Tamerlane.
21. Astronomy
Dear Friend
I’m really interested in astronomy and space — I want to become an astronaut. When I was in London some weeks ago, I had the best day in my life. I met Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut. She gave a talk in London. After the talk my mum asked the steward and he allowed me to meet Helen Sharman. She was really nice and I got her autograph. When I went home, I wrote a letter to her. I hope to get her answer soon. Love Jenny Austin
22.Helen Sharman:
When I was five I knew about astronomy. When I was 11 I wanted to become an astronaut. After school I went into the army and studied astrophysics. Before I became an astronaut I worked at NASA. And then one day they told me they wanted me to go into space. My dream came true. They chose me for ‘Challenger 3’.
23. Animals in South America
South America is famous for its wild animals. There are many kinds. We saw some of them. We drove to the jungle in the north of Brazil. We were really lucky. We walked very quietly and we saw a jaguar. It is a kind of South American cheetah. It was beautiful and very fast. I was really scared. I think Jaguars like eating hedgehogs!
Then we went by boat up the Amazon river in the east of Brazil. It is the biggest river in South America. We saw alligators there. They were three metres long, fast and have big teeth! They are like crocodiles. We didn’t stay there long. We didn’t know. Maybe alligators like eating hedgehogs too!
In Brazil we took a helicopter to the desert. There we met an unusual animal: an armadillo. Armadillos aren’t very big but they are very strong. They have got a ‘house’ on their backs like a tortoise. Armadillos don’t eat hedgehogs — they eat insects!
The last animal we saw in the forest in Brazil was a vampire bat. It was small and slow but … Heeeeelp! Do you know the story of Dracula? He met a vampire bat. It drank his blood. We didn’t stay long in that forest!
24.Are we alone?
The universe is enormous, so the chances of us being the only living creatures are small. Although we think we are intelligent and that we know a lot about Space, we have only explored a very small area. We might be the only creatures that can travel in Space, but it is unlikely.
In fact, some people say that we might have been visited by aliens. These people point to ‘wonders’ such as Stonehenge in Britain and the Nazca lines in Peru as proof that aliens have been here.
So, what are the chances that there is life out there?
25. Animals are in danger of extinction
Animals are in danger all over the world. Some animals are in danger because people want to wear their fur. Others, like elephants, are killed for their tusks which become necklaces and decorations. But many animals are in danger because man is destroying their environment — cutting down forests, building roads and houses or polluting the places where these animals live
26.Pets
Many people are fond of pets. They keep different animals and birds as pets. More often they are dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea-pigs, parrots and fish.
As for me I like parrots. They are my favourite pets. They are clever and nice. I’ve got a parrot. His name is Kesha. He’s blue. He’s not big, he’s little. He has got a small head, a yellow beak, a short neck, two beautiful wings and a long tail. He lives in a cage.
I teach him to talk. He knows many words and can speak well. He can answer to his name. I take care of my pet. I give him food and water every day. He likes fruit and vegetables. He likes to fly, play and talk.
I love him very much. He is a member of our family.
27.People in the Family
My name is Helen. I’m nine. I’m from Minsk. I’ve got a mother, a father and a sister. So we are a family of four.
My sister’s name is Kitty. She is three. She is a nice funny little girl. I like to play with her. We play hide-and-seek and tag. Kitty has got many toys: dolls, balls, toy animals. We often play with her toys.
My father and my mother are very busy. My father works in a plant. He is an engineer. My mother is a teacher. She works at school and teaches children English. Her pupils love her. I want to be a teacher, too. I like to go to school. It’s interesting.
When my parents are at work my Granny looks after my sister and me. She cooks us tasty dinner and takes us for a walk. She is very kind. I love her very much.
We have got a lot of relatives: cousins, aunts and uncles, because my Granny has a son and two daughters, five grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. But they don’t live in Minsk. They live in different towns. They come to see us and we usually have a good time together.
I’m happy to have such a family.
28. Nature
Our Earth is so beautiful. There, are a lot of blue rivers and lakes on the Earth. Its oceans are full of wonders. There are high mountains covered with snow and wonderful fields and forests full of different plants and animals. The sun shines high up in the blue sky. At night we can see the moon and millions of stars. One season comes after another and brings changes in weather and nature. There are so many wonderful places to visit and interesting things to see. Nature gives people its riches to live and enjoy.
We can’t live without fresh air, clean water, sunshine and a lot of things which we take from the nature. That’s why we must take care of it. We must keep our rivers and lakes, forests and towns clean. We must take care of each plant and each animal. We must plant flowers — not pick them up, feed birds and animals in winter — not kill them. Then we’ll be happy to live on the most beautiful planet in the Universe.
29. My Native Town
There are many beautiful cities and towns in the world. I would like to visit some of them, to see with my own eyes what I have read or heard about. But there is no place like home. I love my native city. I was born here and live with my parents. It’s not the capital, but it is a wonderful place to live.
My city is old and modern at the same time. It is old because it was founded in the 11th century. At that time its streets were narrow, dark and dirty. Now my city looks modern because of its architecture. Almost all the buildings were built after the war. The streets and avenues are wide and clean.
I live in the main street. It is the widest street in the city. A lot of cars, buses and trolley-buses run fast along it. If you want to see the places of interest in our city, you can walk along the main street. It leads to the main square. It will be a short trip, but you can see a lot: a cinema and a concert hall, an art gallery and museums, a stadium, a zoo and a large park.
Our art gallery is next to the main post office. Opposite the post office there is a modern hotel. If you turn to the left, you can see a theatre. And in front of the theatre there is a museum of history and culture. Walk two blocks and you’ll come to a monument to our famous writer and a fountain in the park. If you want to visit our zoo, take a bus and get off on the third bus stop. Not far from the traffic lights you will see the entrance to the zoo. Near it there is a circus. Children and tourists can’t but visit it. They admire funny clowns, tamed animals, miracles and magic. There are only some churches in our city. Every evening we can hear the sound of the bells.
Our city stands on the river. Parks, lanes, bridges across the river, small water falls and man-made islands add much to the beauty of the city.
Just come and see everything with your own eyes. It is better to see than to hear.
30. My flat
My name is Tanya. I live in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. I live in Gerasimenkostreet in a large nine-storeyed house. Our flat is on the eighth floor. Our flat is not large but it is very cosy. There are two rooms in our flat. There is a living- room and a bedroom in our flat. There is a kitchen, a bathroom and a toilet there, too.
Our living-room is light and comfortable. There is only one window in it, but it’s very large. There is modern furniture in our living-room. There is a wall-unit, a TV-set, a sofa, two armchairs and a table in the room. There is a large carpet on the floor. But there is no carpet on the wall. There are some pictures on the walls. I like to watch TV in the living-room and to play or talk with my parents in the evening there.
Our kitchen is small, but it is nice. There is a cooker there, a refrigerator, a table and four chairs. We have meals in the kitchen and my mother cooks tasty things there.
Our bathroom is clean and nice. We wash hands and face, clean teeth in the bathroom. There is a bath and a sink with hot and cold water taps there.
I like to be at home, to play, to read books. There are a lot of books in our flat. I help my parents about the house and our flat is always clean and nice. I think, thereisnoplacelikehome.
31. My Favourite Subject
I am a sixth-former. This year we have begun to study some new subjects. They are Literature, Geography, Botany, Ancient History, French or German. At Geography we study the world around us, at Botany — different plants, at History — the life of people in the ancient times. There are so many things to do, to learn and to see. We cannot afford to go to-the .cinema or just for a walk very often, because we don’t have enough time. There are six or seven lessons oil our timetable every day .Some of them are my favourite ones.
Mathematics
We have Maths every day. It’s the science of numbers. People say, Maths is hard. As for me, I don’t agree. If you know the tables, it’s as easy as ABC. At the lessons we learn to add, divide, multiply and subtract, because everybody uses numbers and Mathematics every day: when we go shopping, plan something, build houses, plant corn and vegetables and so on. As for me, I am good at Maths.
Drawing
Drawing is an interesting subject, too. I’m fond of drawing and painting. When we draw, we make pictures with a pen or chalk. When we paint, we make pictures with paint. We may paint in water- colours or in oils. It is not easy to paint in oils. At the lessons we speak about famous artists and their paintings. It helps me to understand the beauty.
There is a Museum of Fine Arts in our city. There are many paintings of Belarusian, Russian and foreign artists there.
If we want to make a good drawing, we must have a good eye, see and watch, learn to compare things and have rich imagination.
Drawing helps us in many subjects: in Geography, History, Botany, Literature. We understand things better, remember the facts and learn things quicker if there are pictures in the books and our textbooks. Drawing is a useful subject, I think. I’m good at Drawing.
English
We study one of the modern languages at school. It is English. It’s my favourite subject. At the lessons of English we learn to read, write and speak. We learn the History and Geography of bur country, Great Britain and the USA. We read stories after famous English and American children’s writers. I like stories after Alan Milne, Donald Bisset, Lewis Carroll, Mark Twain and others.
I want to be clever at English because English will help me in my future life. I shall read books in English, watch films and listen to songs and understand them. But what is more important, I shall speak with people from other countries and we’ll understand each other. We’llmakefriendsandwillliveinpeace.
32.Holidays
I think all people like holidays, because they don’t work and have a good time. They can visit their friends and relatives, invite guests and have a lot of fun.
There are many different holidays. On the first of January we celebrate New Year. On the seventh of January and the twenty-fifth of December we have Christmas. The twenty-third of February is the Day of the Defenders of the Motherland or the Army Day. On the eighth of March we congratulate our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and all the women with their holiday. Then comes Easter and Radonitsa. The first of May is the Labour Day. The ninth of May is Victory Day. The third of July is Independence Day. Then comes the seventh of November, the day of the October Revolution and so on.
But our favourite holidays are Christmas and New Year. They are full of magic, presents and hopes.
Every year we have a New Year tree and decorate it with toys, tinsel and coloured lights. We send and get many greeting cards. We buy and give presents to our dearest and nearest. I like to get presents. Last year my parents gave me a wonderful game and many tasty things as a present. Next year I would like to get a puppy, because I like pets and I want to take care of somebody. Puppies are so charming. I’m going to make something with my own hands for my Mum, Dad, Granddad and Granny.
We usually have a holiday supper with many tasty things. When the clock strikes twelve the grown-ups drink a toast to the New Year and wish «Happy New Year» to each other. Then we dance, sing songs, watch holiday TV or go for a walk and play games. I thinkitisthebestholiday.
33.Halloween
I’d like to tell you about Halloween. It is an old festival. It is more than two thousand years old. In the past this festival was a time of fear because people believed in ghosts and witches.
Halloween is celebrated on the thirty-first of October. It is a special night, an exciting and funny holiday. There are pumpkins on the windows. They look like faces. Children dress up as witches and ghosts. They have parties and play tricks on people. Children go from house to house and say «Trick or treat!» The grown-ups give them some fruit, sweets, chocolate or money. When there is no treat, the children play a trick on them. A favourite trick is to ring a doorbell and hide. It’s really an exciting holiday.
34. Food
I usually have four meals a day. In the morning I have breakfast. At school I have lunch. At home I have dinner and in the evening I have supper. Besides, I like to eat an apple or a banana, or to drink a glass of juice between meals, if I’m thirsty.
Yesterday I got up at 7 o’clock, washed, cleaned teeth and dressed. Then I had breakfast. I had mashed potatoes with meat, a cheese sandwich and a cup of tea for breakfast. At school we had a pie and a glass of orange juice. I’m always hungry when I come home after school. Yesterday my mother, cooked cabbage soup, roast chicken and rice, made pudding and tea. It was so tasty. I ate everything with pleasure.
For supper we had pancakes with jam and sour cream. These are my favourite things.
My mother thinks that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. That’s why she buys fruit and vegetables every day. Yesterday she bought oranges and kiwi. I have a sweet tooth and my parents often buy me ice-cream, sweets, chocolate, cakes, cookies and other tasty things. I likethemverymuch.
35. EnglishPrimarySchool
· In Great Britain school begins at the age of five. At the age of sixteen the children usually leave school. So they spend eleven years there.
There are primary and secondary schools in England. When children are five, they go to primary schools. First they attend infant schools or infant classes. They spend two years there till they are seven.
Their classes are usually informal: they learn to read, count and write through different games. They sing songs, dance, look at pictures in interesting books, draw, learn to get on with their classmates. So their lessons are easy, not difficult.
At the age of seven they go to junior schools and stay there till they are eleven. Real school begins. The lessons are more formal. There are different subjects on the timetable. Children study English, Maths, History, Nature Study, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education (PE), Handicraft and Religion.
By the way, English children go to school five days a week. On Saturday arid on Sunday they have their days off. Classes usually begin at nine and are over at 4 o’clock. Children have lunch at school. In many primary schools pupils don’t wear uniforms. But some schools have special uniforms. School year starts in September and is over in summer, in July.
36.Daily Life
I’m Jane. I’m nine. I’m a pupil of the third form. I go to school every day.
I usually get up at 7 o’clock. Then I do exercises, take a shower, wash my face and hands, clean teeth and dress. Then I have breakfast and go to school.
At 8 o’clock my classes begin. We usually have five lessons. We have lunch at school after the second lesson. When the lessons are over I go home.
I come home at one o’clock. I wash my hands and have dinner. It is always very tasty. After dinner I go for a walk or read books.
Sometimes I watch TV when an interesting film is on. At 4 o’clock I do my homework.
At 6 o’clock I have supper. In the evening I help my parents about the house, play chess or computer games with my father, read, watch TV or play with my friends.
At 9 o’clock I go to bed.
I like the proverb, «Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today». So I trytodoeverythingintime.
37. Clothing. Shopping.
Tastes differ. That’s why all people wear different clothes. Besides they wear different clothes when it is warm and cold. When it is cold we put on sweaters, coats, caps and gloves. When it’s warm we take off warm clothes and put on light shirts or blouses and dresses.
My favourite clothes are jeans, shirts and sweaters or jackets. They are comfortable. And I can wear them in any weather. Now I’m wearing jeans, a white shirt and a sweater. But tomorrow is my friend’s birthday. He invited me to the birthday party. So I shall be in my best.
My mother bought me a nice suit and new shoes. We went to the shop together and chose a grey suit. I tried it on. It was my size and suited me well. I looked great. Mother paid money for the suit and we brought it home. It’s a pity I didn’t try the shoes on. They were the wrong size. So my mother changed them for the bigger size. And now they are OK. Frankly speaking, I don’t like shopping. There are more interesting things.
38юBooks
It goes without saying, books are our teachers and friends. They teach us to be kind, clever, polite, hardworking, friendly. Books help us to learn more about nature, the world around us and many other interesting things.
There are a lot of books on history, about animals, travellers, children, school and so on. Children like to read adventure and magic books, science fiction and detective stories. They enjoy stories, short stories, novels, fairy-tales, fables and poems.
We must keep books clean and tidy. We must not spoil them.
I am fond of reading, too. I like to read fairytales. My favourite book is «Mary Poppins». The author of the book is Pamela Travers. She is a famous English writer. The book tells us about wonderful adventures of children with their magic nurse Mary Poppins. She is my favourite character. She is kind and strict at the same time, joyful and tactful, well-bred and very pretty. MaryPoppinsispopularwithchildren.
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