The Seven New Wonders of the World
The seven wonders of the world are impressive monuments regarded with awe and wonder. In the past, there were the seven wonders of the ancient world that amazed people who had the fortune to see them. Today, there are some spectacular monuments that are just as impressive as the ancient ones. The New 7 Wonders Foundation in Switzerland received around two hundred entries from across the world, and it finally short-listed twenty one finalists. In July 7th, 2007, the final list of the seven modern wonders was announced in Lisbon, Portugal.
The new seven modern wonders of the world are comprised of: the Taj Mahal of India, The Great Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer statue of Brazil, Machu Picchu of Peru, Petra of Jordan, Colosseum of Italy, and Chichen Itza of Mexico.
The Great Wall of China is a 2,400-km wall that stretches along the southern side of China’s Mongolian plain. It was built in the 3rd century by the Ch’in Emperor, and it was appended by successive dynasties. The wall was built to stop the entry of northern nomads into China. This remarkable monument is so long, that it can be seen from space stations.
The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum made of white marble, and it is situated on the banks of river Yamuna in Agra. The mausoleum is the epitome of Indian Islamic architecture, and it was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal was completed in 1643, and it remains one of the most impressive buildings ever created by Man.
Peru ’s Machu Picchu is the ancient Inca site excavated by US explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. The site is located in an elevated area, with the Urabamba River flowing below. The Machu Picchu was a pre-Columbian city, and even after hundreds of years, the site remains intact. The city served as a mountain retreat for Pachacuti Yupanqui, the ruler of the Incas, during the 15th century. The ruins feature some spectacular architectural designs, such as terracing systems and religious monuments.
The Chichen Itza is an ancient city that was established during the time of the Mayan civilization. It is located in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, and it was once a major Mayan city. The structures in Chichen Itza feature a mix of architectural styles, which include Mexican and Puuc designs.
The famous Colosseum of Rome is another impressive structure with great historical significance. This grand amphitheatre was built by the Roman Empire in the 1st century, and it could seat almost 50,000 spectators in the past. Many gladiatorial combats were held in the Colosseum.
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The sixth wonder of the modern world is an old ruin in Jordan known as Petra. Petra was the capital of the Nabateans during the 4th century, and it also served as a religious center for the Arab world for a long time. Hundreds of old structures still stand in the Jordanian site of Petra, including the Khazneh el-Farun and the El Deir.
The seventh wonder of the world is Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. This awesome statue stands 130 feet high, and it is perched on the top of the Corcovado Mountain. It is a symbol of Roman Catholicism in Brazil.
Vocabulary:
7 июля 2007 года в день «трёх семёрок», в столице Португалии Лиссабоне были названы новые семь чудес света. Ими стали:
| Название | Регион | Местоположение | Изображение |
| Великая китайская стена | Азия |  Китай
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| Колизей | Европа |  Рим, Италия
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| Мачу-Пикчу | Южная Америка |  Перу
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| Петра | Азия |  Иордания
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| Тадж-Махал | Азия |  Агра, Индия
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| Статуя Христа-Искупителя | Южная Америка |  Рио-де-Жанейро, Бразилия
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| Чичен-Ица | Северная Америка |  Юкатан, Мексика
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LONDON
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It's one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.
London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world.
Traditionally it'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.
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The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work.
There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of 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. Perfect for ages 5 and up, the Tower displays the famous Crown Jewels and offers free tours by the Yeoman Guard or Beefeaters. One of their main ceremonial functions is the daily Ceremony of the Keys. A ceremony where the gates of the Tower of London are secured each night shortly before 10.00 pm by the Chief Yeoman Warder escorted by an armed guard of four men. The bloody history of the Tower is irresistible. This is where two of Henry VIII's wives - Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard - and one of his successors - Lady Jane Grey - were beheaded. It also was a temporary prison for his daughter, Elizabeth, before she became one of the most famous monarchs of all time. Ravens have lived at the Tower of London for hundreds of years. Legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London the White Tower will crumble and a great disaster shall befall England.
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".
The British Airways London Eye (Millennium Wheel) stands 135 metres high on the South Bank of the River Thames between Westminster and Hungerford Bridges. It is the world's highest observation wheel.
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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, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square and is surrounded by four great stone lions.
On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum — the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc, and is famous for its library.
The East End 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.
Names
the Bank of England Английский банк
the Stock ExchangeЛондонская фондовая биржа
the Old Bailey Центральный уголовный суд, находящийся в Олд-Бейли
St Paul's Cathedral собор св. Павла (главный собор англиканской церкви)
Sir Christopher Wren Кристофер Рен
the Tower of London Лондонский Тауэр
Julius Caesar Юлий Цезарь
William the Conqueror Вильгельм Завоеватель, Вильгельм (первый король из норманнов в Англии)
Westminster Abbey Вестминстерское аббатство
Newton Ньютон (физик)
Darwin Дарвин (биолог)
Chaucer Чосер (писатель)
Dickens Диккенс (писатель)
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Tennyson Теннисон (художник)
Kipling ['kipligj Киплинг
Westminster Palace ( the Houses of Parliament ) Вестминстерский дворец (здание английского парламента)
Big Ben Биг Бен", "Большой Бен" (колокол часов-курантов на здании парламента, бой которых передается ежедневно по радио как сигнал точного времени)
Buckingham Palace Букингемский дворец (главная королевская резиденция в Лондоне)
Trafalgar Square Трафальгарская площадь
Nelson ' s Column колонна Нельсона (памятник адмиралу Нельсону)
the National Gallery Национальная галерея (крупнейшее в Великобритании собрание картин)
the National Portrait Gallery Национальная портретная галерея
the British Museum Британский музей (один из крупнейших в мире)
Vocabulary
commercial торговый
population население
to belong принадлежать
epoch эпоха
financial финансовый
numerous многочисленный
firm фирма
ancient древний
striking поразительный, замечательный
church церковь
to found основывать
to rebuild перестраивать
fortress крепость
royal королевский
palace дворец
prison тюрьма
governmental правительственный
association ассоциация
to crown короновать
outstanding выдающийся
statesman государственный деятель
scientist ученый
painter художник
to bury хоронить
tower башня
official residence официальная резиденция
wealth богатство
wealthy богатый
symbol символ
MOSCOW
Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow's history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the straggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon's attack. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.
Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 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 mid-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 a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we hope that in a few years the city will become even more beautiful.
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, Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.
Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.
Moscow is a city of students. There are over 100 higher educational institutions in it.
Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country.
English in the World
The modern world is becoming smaller all the time. Every day distances between different countries seem less. For this reason it's becoming more and more important to know different languages, especially English.
One billion people speak English today. That's about 20% of the world's population. 400 million people speak English as their first language. For the other 600 million people it's either a second language or a foreign language.
English is the first language in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. It is one of the official languages in Canada, the Irish Republic and the Republic of South Africa.
As a second language English is spoken in more than 60 countries. It is used by the government, businessmen and universities.
English is the language of politics and diplomacy, science and technology, business and trade, sport and pop music. 80% of all information in the world's computers is in English. 75% of the world's letters and faxes are in English. 60% of all international telephone calls are made in English. More than 60% of all scientific journals are written in English.
To know English today is absolutely necessary for every educated person, for every good specialist. Learning a language is not an easy thing. It's a long and slow process that takes a lot of time and patience. But it's a must.
English is taught throughout the world and a lot of people speak it quite well. In our country English is very popular: it is studied at schools (sometimes even at nursery schools), colleges and universities.
Everyone will speak English soon — I'm sure of it. We all need to understand each other. To do that we need an international language, and that's English.
GREAT BRITAIN
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometres.
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales and does not include Northern Ireland. But in everyday speech "Great Britain" is used to mean the United Kingdom. The capital of the UK is London.
The British Isles are separated from the 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 5S 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 oftwo 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.
Names
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии
the British Isles - Британские острова
Edinburgh – Эдинбург
Cardiff – Кардифф
Belfast – Белфаст
the North Sea - Северное море
the English Channel - Английский канал (принятое в Великобритании название пролива Ла-Манш)
the Atlantic Ocean - Атлантический океан
the Irish Sea - Ирландское море
Shakespeare – Шекспир
Ben Nevis - Бен Невис
the Severn – Северн
the Thames – Темза
Gulf Stream – Гольфстрим
the House of Lords - палата лордов
the House of Commons - палата общин
the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties Лейбористская, Консервативная и Либеральная партии
Vocabulary
to be situated быть расположенным
to consist of состоять из
total area общая площадь
kilometre километр
respectively соответственно
to include включать
to mean (meant) означать
to separate разделять
to wash омывать
precious драгоценный
varied разнообразный, меняющийся (ландшафт)
plain равнина
valley долина
sandy beach песчаный пляж
deep глубокий
to influence влиять
climate климат
mild мягкий, умеренный
the whole year round круглый год
population население
highly developed высокоразвитый
producer производитель
exporter экспортер
machinery машинное оборудование
electronics электроника
textile текстиль
aircraft самолеты
navigation судоходство
equipment оборудование
chief главный, основной
shipbuilding кораблестроение
constitutional monarchy конституционная монархия
in law по закону
the head of state глава государства
queen королева
in practice фактически, на практике
to reign царствовать
to rule править
to elect выбирать
government правительство
Prime Minister премьер-министр
at the head во главе
parliament парламент
chamber палата
HOLIDAYS IN GREAT BRITAIN
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 bum a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, on a bonfire and let off fireworks. This dummy is called a "guy" (like Guy Fawkes) and children can often be seen in the streets before the 5th of November saying, "Penny for the guy;' If they collect enough money they can buy some fireworks.
There are also smaller, local festivals in Britain.
Names:
Christmas [krismǝs] Day Рождество (25 декабря) New Year's Day Новый год
THE USA
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-boarder 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.
CANADA
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.
Australia
Australia is lying south-east of Asia, between the Pacific and Indian oceans. It is the world's smallest continent which is almost completely surrounded by ocean expanses. Its total area is 7,682,300 sq.km.
The continent of Australia is divided into four general topographic regions: a low, sandy eastern coastal plain, the eastern highlands, the central plain, and the western plateau. Although Australia has a wide diversity of climatic conditions, the climate of Australia is generally warm and dry, with no extreme cold and little frost. It changes from comfortably mild in the south to hot in the central inferior and north.
The total population in 1986 was about 16 mln people with the average population density of about 2 persons per sq.km. Most Australians are of British or Irish ancestry. More than 99% of the population speaks English.
The capital of Australia is Canberra. Australia has a federal parliamentary government. The Australian federation was formed on January 1, 1901, from six former British colonies, which thereupon became states. The Australian constitution combines the traditions of British parliamentary monarchy with important elements of the US federal system. Powers of the federal government are enumerated and limited. The government consists of the British sovereign and the Australian Parliament.
Australia is the world's largest wool producer and one of the world's largest wheat exporters. The main sources of foreign earnings are wool, food and minerals which also provide raw materials for home processing industry.
New Zealand
New Zealand is situated in the southwest Pacific Ocean on two large islands: the North Island and the South Island. Its total area is 268,112 sq.km.
Less than 1/4 of the territory of the country lies below the 200 m contour line. The South Island is significantly more mountainous than the North Island. New Zealand has a temperate, moist ocean climate without marked seasonal variations in temperature or rainfall.
The total population in 1986 was about 3.3 mln people with the average population density of about 12 persons per sq.km. About 85 % of the population is classified as Europeans. Most of them are of British descend. English is the universal language.
The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. Like the United Kingdom New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. Officially the head of the state is the British Queen (or the King) whose representative, the governor-general, is appointed for a five-year term. The government of New Zealand is democratic and modeled on that of the United Kingdom.
The economy of New Zealand has traditionally been based on pastoral farming. The last decades have seen a large expansion in the light industries. New Zealand draws many thousands of tourists to its shores because of the beauty, diversity, and compactness of its natural attractions.
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