| №1 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, что я) 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 (освободительное движение), for which he died. But he did not lead the Greeks in battle as he wished. He died of fever (лихорадка). (262 words)
Translate into English 1) Он любил свободу и простую сельскую жизнь. 2) Он принес в свою поэзию романтизм того времени. 3) Сейчас это музей и галерея искусства. II. Questions: 1) When and where was G. Byron born? 2) Where did he study? 3) What did he describe in the poem? 4) When did he die?
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| №2 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. 1. Questions: 1) Why are people busy some weeks before Christmas? 2) Where can people get Christmas cards? 3) Where is a Christmas tree from? 2. Complete the sentences 1. Many children make their cards at ……. 2. Father Christmas puts the presents in the children’s ……….. 3. There is a very big Christmas tree in the centre of ……… 4. On Christmas people wish their nearest and dearest a ……….
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| №3 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. Choose the correct sentences. Films have shown sharks as monsters. Sharks are in danger like others. Shark meat has become a popular food only in Canada. The number of some kinds of shark has reduced because of much fishing. All people say this is good that a number of some kinds of sharks has reduced. Sharks are not monsters because they don’t kill anybody. It’s not hard to solve sharks ‘image’ problem. Sharks are hunters so they naturally kill. Elephants kill less people than sharks, so people like them . 10.Sharks are very important for the world’s oceans because they kill unhealthy fish. 11.Sharks have been in the oceans for 200 years.
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| №5 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. Choose the right variant 1. George, Harris and Jerome decided to discuss .... a) future holidays b) the weather c) the newspaper article 2. It happened in .... a) summer b) spring c) winter 3. Harris liked ... very much. a) boating b) swimming c) playing football 4. He wanted to ... after swimming. a) eat b) drink c) sleep 5. They decided ... cheese. a) not to take b) to take c) to buy Questions: What is the text about? Where did the friends want to go? What could give Harris a good appetite? Why was cheese the "master" of all food in summer? Whose idea was to take few clothes?
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| №4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, officially Republic of Kazakhstan, has the population of 16,186,000 people and territory 2,719,500 sq km, is situated in central Asia. It borders on Siberian Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and European Russia in the west. Astana is the capital and Almaty (Alma-Ata) is the largest city. Other major cities include Shymkent, Semey, Aqtobe, and Oskemen. Kazakhstan consists of a vast flatland, bordered by a high mountain belt in the southeast. It extends from the lower Volga and the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mts. in the east. It is largely lowland in the north and west, hilly in the center (Kazakh Hills), and mountainous in the south and east (Tian Shan and Altai ranges). Kazakhstan is a region of inland drainage; the Syr Darya, the Ili, the Chu, and other rivers drain into the Aral Sea and Lake Balkash. Most of the region is desert or has limited and irregular rainfall. The population of Kazakhstan consists mainly of Muslim Kazakhs and Russians; there are smaller minorities of Ukrainians, Germans, Uzbeks, and Tatars. Kazakh, a Turkic language, is the official tongue, but Russian is still widely used. Despite Kazakhstan's largely arid conditions, its vast steppes accommodate both livestock and grain production. Wheat, cotton, sugar beets, and tobacco are the main crops. The raising of cattle and sheep is also important, and Kazakhstan produces much wool and meat. In addition, there are rich fishing grounds, famous for their caviar-producing sturgeon, in the Caspian, although these have been hurt by overfishing. The Kazakh Hills in the core of the region have important mineral resources. Coal is mined at Qaraghandy and Ekibastuz, and there are major oil fields in the Emba basin. The country's industries are located along the margins of the country. Steel, agricultural and mining machinery, superphosphate fertilizers, phosphorus acids, artificial fibers, synthetic rubber, textiles, and medicines are among the manufactured goods. Temirtau is the iron and steel center. The Baikonur (Bayqongyr) Cosmodrome in central Kazakhstan was the Soviet space-operations center and continues to serve Russian space exploration through an agreement between the two nations. The main trading partners are Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. True or False Kazakhstan, officially Republic of Kazakhstan, has the population of 14,186,000 people and territory 2,719,500 sq km, is situated in central Asia. Coal is not mined at Qaraghandy and Ekibastuz, and there are major oil fields in the Emba basin. It doesn’t border on Siberian Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and European Russia in the west. Temirtau is the iron and steel center. The main trading partners are not Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
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| №6 Table Manners Good table manners avoid ugliness. All rules of table manners are made to avoid it. To let anyone see what you have in your mouth is offensive. So is to make a noise. To make a mess in the plate is disgusting. So there are some rules how to behave yourself at the table: Do not attract undue attention to yourself in public. When eating take as much as you want, but eat as much as you take. Never stretch over the table for something you want, ask. your neighbour to pass it. Take a slice of bread from the bread-plate by hand, don't harpoon your bread with a fork. Never read while eating (at least in company). When a dish is placed before you do not eye it suspiciously as though it were the first time you had seen it, and do not give the impression that you are about to sniff it. Chicken requires special handling. First cut as much as you can, and when you can't use knife or fork any longer, use your fingers. The customary way to refuse a dish is by saying, "No, thank you" (or to accept, "Yes, please"). Don't say "I don't eat that stuff, don't make faces or noises to show that you don't like it. In between courses don't make bread-balls to while the time away and do not play with the silver. Do not leave spoon in your cup when drinking tea or coffee. Do not empty your glass too quickly - it will be promptly refilled. Don't put liquid into your mouth if it is already full. Don't eat off the knife. Vegetables, potatoes, macaroni are placed on your fork with the help of your knife. If your food is too hot don't blow on it as though you were trying to start a campfire on a damp night. Try to make as little noise as possible when eating. And, finally, don't forget to say "thank you" for every favour or kindness. True or False When eating take as much as you want, but eat as much as you take. Stretch over the table for something you want, Don’t ask your neighbour to pass it. Leave spoon in your cup when drinking tea or coffee. Don't put liquid into your mouth if it is already full. To make a mess in the plate is not disgusting.
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| №7 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. They speak different languages. 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. Questions: 1.Where do people live? 2.Is the Earth big or small? 3.What is there on the Earth? 4. Where is there water on the Earth? 5.The Earth is beautiful, isn't it? 6.Why do we say that the Earth is full of wonders? 7.Why do people speak different languages.?
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| №9 Traditions and customs
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. Traditions are different in these parts of the country. 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. Here are some more facts about old English traditions. 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. They are — Easter, Christmas and New Year. I. True or False. Every country has its own traditions and customs. There are no common traditions all over the world. English people celebrate Maslenitsa. There are some common holidays in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. London can be great until 10 black ravens live in the Tower. English people celebrate Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th of November.
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| №8 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. Questions. 1. What is the population of Scotland? 2. Why was the Great Wall built? 3. Why are there so many castles in the country? 4. What have you learnt about the Highlands? 5. When was the Act of Union passed? 6. What's the country's second city?
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| №10 My Holidays
After each term in school we had our holidays. It's fun to have holidays, you can do whatever you like, you don't have to get up too early, do your homework or think of troubles which occur very often at school. Most of all I liked summer holidays, they were the longest ones, though, when winter was snowy and and frosty, I enjoyed my winter holidays skating and skiing, sledging and making a snowman or having a fight with snowballs. I'd like to tell you about my summer holidays I spent in Sochi. It was just three years ago. My parents and me were sitting in the living-room discussing our plans for the summer holidays. My father suggested that we should go to Sochi. On hearing that I jumped up with joy and said it was a wonderful idea. My mother wasn't against the idea either. So one summer morning we started for our journey to Sochi. First, we travelled to Odessa by plane and from there we got to Sochi by boat. We stayed in Odessa for three days, our relatives live there and they gave us board and lodging. So we had an excellent opportunity to go round the city, to see beautiful monuments to the famous people who had lived in Odessa, museums and the Odessa Opera House. We enjoyed our trip from Odessa to Sochi. The Black Sea was calm. We sat on deck in the lounge chairs and looked at the sea. I like Sochi very much, we bathed and went boating and swim-ming, lay in the sun on the beach. In the evenings we went for a walk or dropped in at a cafe to have ice-cream or juice. My father showed us the famous Botanical Gardens, we went for hikes in the mountains, we saw the magnificent Augura Waterfalls. The sea was nice and warm. The weather was fine. When it was time to go home, we were sorry to leave the marvelous town of Sochi. True or False After each term in school we had not our holidays. First, we travelled to Odessa by plane and from there we got to Sochi by boat. We didn’t stay in Odessa for three days, our relatives live there and they gave us board and lodging. The sea was not nice and warm. It is fun to have holidays, you can do whatever you like, you don't have to get up too early, do your homework or think of troubles which occur very often at school.
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| №11 Education in Our Life
Education plays a very important role in our life. It is one of the most valuable possessions a man can get in his life. During all the periods of human history education ranked high among people. Human progress mostly depended upon well-educated people. We get our knowledge of this world and life through education. Many famous discoveries would have been impossible if people were not interested in learning something. Self-education is very important for the development of human’s talents. Only through self-education a person can become a harmonically developed personality. A person becomes a highly qualified specialist after getting some special education. And professionalism can be reached only through it. Even highly qualified specialists from time to time attend refresher courses to refresh their knowledge. Education develops all sides of human personality, reveals his abilities. Besides, it helps a person to understand himself, to choose the right way in this world. The civilized state differs from others in the fact that it pays much attention to the educational policy. John Kennedy said: “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education”. But it doesn’t concern only one particular nation. We know that science and art belong to the whole world. Before them the barriers of nationality disappear. So education brings people closer to each other, helps them to understand each other better. True or False Education doesn’t play a very important role in our life. Human progress mostly depended upon well-educated people. Only through self-education a person can become a harmonically developed personality. Education doesn’t develop all sides of human personality, reveals his abilities. Education doesn’t bring people closer to each other, helps them to understand each other better.
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| №13 Travelling
Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene. It's always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms. Those who live in the country like to go to a big city and spend their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City-dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and laze in the sun. Most travellers and holiday-makers take a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them — the sights of a city, old churches and castles, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, plains, waterfalls, forests; different kinds of trees, flowers and plants, animals and birds. Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photos of the happy time they have had. People travel by train, by plane, by boat and by car. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations. If we are fond of travelling, we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home, though we may read about them in books and newspapers, and see pictures of them on TV. The best way to study geography is to travel, and the best way to get to know and understand people is to meet them in their own homes. True or False Holidays travelling means to travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene. If we are not fond of travelling, we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home, though we may read about them in books and newspapers, and see pictures of them on TV. The best way to study geography is to travel, and the best way to get to know and understand people is to meet them in their own homes. City-dwellers don’t like a quiet holiday by the sea or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and laze in the sun. Most travellers and holiday-makers take a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them — the sights of a city, old churches and castles, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, plains, waterfalls, forests; different kinds of trees, flowers and plants, animals and birds.
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| №14 Sport In My Life
Sport is probably as old as the humanity itself. It has been developing with the developing and growth of the mankind. To my mind we can hardly overestimate the meaning of sport in our life and day-to-day activities, because its main purpose is to bring up the harmoniously developed generation - the generation of strong and healthy people. Sport makes our bodies strong, quickens our reaction, and shapes the wits. It also prevents us from getting too fat, gives us so valuable practice in making eyes, brain and muscles work together and makes us more self-organized and better disciplined. I'm absolutely sure that doing sports is the best way to keep fit. There is always a kind of sport which will suit you and there are many different kinds to choose from. If you like team games, try hockey, football, volleyball or basketball. Games for you to play with a friend include badminton, squash and tennis, and if you enjoy doing things on your own, you may take up swimming, riding, golf or athletics. I'm sure you know an axiom: "Sport makes people healthy". No doubt, that's true, but frankly speaking one knows that there are some kinds of sport which you cannot go in for if you are not healthy enough. Say, body-building. If you have a heart decease or other sickness, attending the body-building trainings will bring you nothing but harm. And also, going in for sport is always connected with a great risk, because any athlete can get an injury. And we know many examples, when an athlete got trauma at the beginning of his sports career and in the prime of his life had to leave professional sport. But it doesn't mean at all that people shouldn't go in for sports. I only want to say that they should be careful and remember that the health is given to a human being only once, so, do your best not to lose it. True or False Sport makes our bodies strong, quickens our reaction, and shapes the wits. Doing sports is not the best way to keep fit. Going in for sport is not always connected with a great risk, because any athlete can get an injury. Sport makes people healthy If you have a heart decease or other sickness, attending the body-building trainings will bring you nothing but harm.
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| №15 Shops and Shopping
When we want to buy something, we must go to the shop where it is sold. In the shop window we see what is sold in the shop. Sugar, tea, coffee, salt, pepper, ham, bacon, and so on are sold at the grocer’s. Bread is sold at the baker’s, meat at the butcher’s. We go to the greengrocer’s for vegetables and fruit. We buy boots and shoes at the shoeshop. We buy books at the bookseller’s and jewelleryand watches at the jeweller’s. The salesman or salesgirl stands behind the counter. We ask the salesman: “How much is this?” or “What is the price of that?” He tells us the price. He gives us the bill. At the cashdesk we give the money and the bill to the cashier, who gives us a check and our change. The salesman wraps up the goods and gives them to us. We put them in our bag. Some shops have many departments. We can buy nearly everything we need there. They are called department stores. In some shops there are no salesmen, but only cashiers. The customers choose the goods they want and pay at the cashdesk. These are called self-service shops. If someone tries to take things from a shop without paying they are almost certain to be caught. Most shops have store detectives who have the job catching shoplifters. Shoplifting is considered a serious crime by the police. True or False When we want to buy something, we must not go to the shop where it is sold. We buy books at the bookseller’s and jewelleryand watches at the shoeshops. At the cashdesk we give the money and the bill to the cashier, who gives us a check and our change. Shoplifting is not considered a serious crime by the police. Sugar, tea, coffee, salt, pepper, ham, bacon, and so on are sold at the grocer’s.
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| №16 Animals and Pets
There are a lot of animals on our planet. They can be wild and domestic. Wild animals are those animals who live in nature without people. Wolves, foxes, giraffes are wild animals. Domestic animals are animals who live with people, who are not really scary. People always call them “pets”. Cats, dogs, sheep are domestic animals. People divide animals into four groups – reptiles, birds, insects and mammals. Reptiles are animals without wings who lay eggs. Some reptiles are very dangerous. Crocodiles and snakes are reptiles. Birds are animals with feathers, two wings and two legs. Parrots and eagles are birds. Insects are small creatures with six legs and usually two pairs of wings. Butterflies and ladybirds are insects. Mammals are animals who feed their babies on milk. Dogs, kangaroos, dolphins are mammals. Cats are mammals too. Their short fur can be of different colors – clear white, black, red, grey and so on. Cats have no fins and wings, just legs, a body, a head with whiskers and a long tail. They have 4 long legs, so they run quite fast. Sometimes cats can be friendly and nice to people, sometimes – selfish. It depends on a cat’s temper. Cats are domestic animals, so they live with people – in people's houses and apartments. They eat fish, meat, milk, sometimes – human food. Cats live for 10 - 15 years, but some of them can live longer. As for me, I have a pet too – I have got a red fluffy cat. His name is Ryjiy and it was named after his fur. My cat is four years old, he is very funny and sometimes he does crazy things. He likes to sleep with us and to look at the window where colorful birds fly. Ryjiy is rather smart and he knows the time I feed him and he goes to the kitchen before me. I like him very much and I hope he will live a long and happy life. True or False There are a lot of animals on our planet. They can be only wild. People divide animals into four groups – reptiles, birds, insects and mammals. Crocodiles and snakes are animals with feathers, two wings and two legs. Cats are domestic animals, so they live with people – in people's houses and apartments. Cats live for 5 - 10 years, but some of them can live longer.
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| №17 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, что я) 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 (освободительное движение), for which he died. But he did not lead the Greeks in battle as he wished. He died of fever (лихорадка). (262 words)
Translate into English 1) Он любил свободу и простую сельскую жизнь. 2) Он принес в свою поэзию романтизм того времени. 3) Сейчас это музей и галерея искусства. II. Questions: 1) When and where was G. Byron born? 2) Where did he study? 3) What did he describe in the poem? 4) When did he die?
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| №18 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. 1. Questions: 1) Why are people busy some weeks before Christmas? 2) Where can people get Christmas cards? 3) Where is a Christmas tree from? 2. Complete the sentences 1. Many children make their cards at ……. 2. Father Christmas puts the presents in the children’s ……….. 3. There is a very big Christmas tree in the centre of ……… 4. On Christmas people wish their nearest and dearest a ……….
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| №19 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. Choose the correct sentences. Films have shown sharks as monsters. Sharks are in danger like others. Shark meat has become a popular food only in Canada. The number of some kinds of shark has reduced because of much fishing. All people say this is good that a number of some kinds of sharks has reduced. Sharks are not monsters because they don’t kill anybody. It’s not hard to solve sharks ‘image’ problem. Sharks are hunters so they naturally kill. Elephants kill less people than sharks, so people like them . 10.Sharks are very important for the world’s oceans because they kill unhealthy fish. 11.Sharks have been in the oceans for 200 years.
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| №20 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. Choose the right variant 1. George, Harris and Jerome decided to discuss .... a) future holidays b) the weather c) the newspaper article 2. It happened in .... a) summer b) spring c) winter 3. Harris liked ... very much. a) boating b) swimming c) playing football 4. He wanted to ... after swimming. a) eat b) drink c) sleep 5. They decided ... cheese. a) not to take b) to take c) to buy Questions: What is the text about? Where did the friends want to go? What could give Harris a good appetite? Why was cheese the "master" of all food in summer? Whose idea was to take few clothes?
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| №21 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan, officially Republic of Kazakhstan, has the population of 16,186,000 people and territory 2,719,500 sq km, is situated in central Asia. It borders on Siberian Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and European Russia in the west. Astana is the capital and Almaty (Alma-Ata) is the largest city. Other major cities include Shymkent, Semey, Aqtobe, and Oskemen. Kazakhstan consists of a vast flatland, bordered by a high mountain belt in the southeast. It extends from the lower Volga and the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mts. in the east. It is largely lowland in the north and west, hilly in the center (Kazakh Hills), and mountainous in the south and east (Tian Shan and Altai ranges). Kazakhstan is a region of inland drainage; the Syr Darya, the Ili, the Chu, and other rivers drain into the Aral Sea and Lake Balkash. Most of the region is desert or has limited and irregular rainfall. The population of Kazakhstan consists mainly of Muslim Kazakhs and Russians; there are smaller minorities of Ukrainians, Germans, Uzbeks, and Tatars. Kazakh, a Turkic language, is the official tongue, but Russian is still widely used. Despite Kazakhstan's largely arid conditions, its vast steppes accommodate both livestock and grain production. Wheat, cotton, sugar beets, and tobacco are the main crops. The raising of cattle and sheep is also important, and Kazakhstan produces much wool and meat. In addition, there are rich fishing grounds, famous for their caviar-producing sturgeon, in the Caspian, although these have been hurt by overfishing. The Kazakh Hills in the core of the region have important mineral resources. Coal is mined at Qaraghandy and Ekibastuz, and there are major oil fields in the Emba basin. The country's industries are located along the margins of the country. Steel, agricultural and mining machinery, superphosphate fertilizers, phosphorus acids, artificial fibers, synthetic rubber, textiles, and medicines are among the manufactured goods. Temirtau is the iron and steel center. The Baikonur (Bayqongyr) Cosmodrome in central Kazakhstan was the Soviet space-operations center and continues to serve Russian space exploration through an agreement between the two nations. The main trading partners are Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. True or False Kazakhstan, officially Republic of Kazakhstan, has the population of 14,186,000 people and territory 2,719,500 sq km, is situated in central Asia. Coal is not mined at Qaraghandy and Ekibastuz, and there are major oil fields in the Emba basin. It doesn’t border on Siberian Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and European Russia in the west. Temirtau is the iron and steel center. The main trading partners are not Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
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| №22 Table Manners Good table manners avoid ugliness. All rules of table manners are made to avoid it. To let anyone see what you have in your mouth is offensive. So is to make a noise. To make a mess in the plate is disgusting. So there are some rules how to behave yourself at the table: Do not attract undue attention to yourself in public. When eating take as much as you want, but eat as much as you take. Never stretch over the table for something you want, ask. your neighbour to pass it. Take a slice of bread from the bread-plate by hand, don't harpoon your bread with a fork. Never read while eating (at least in company). When a dish is placed before you do not eye it suspiciously as though it were the first time you had seen it, and do not give the impression that you are about to sniff it. Chicken requires special handling. First cut as much as you can, and when you can't use knife or fork any longer, use your fingers. The customary way to refuse a dish is by saying, "No, thank you" (or to accept, "Yes, please"). Don't say "I don't eat that stuff, don't make faces or noises to show that you don't like it. In between courses don't make bread-balls to while the time away and do not play with the silver. Do not leave spoon in your cup when drinking tea or coffee. Do not empty your glass too quickly - it will be promptly refilled. Don't put liquid into your mouth if it is already full. Don't eat off the knife. Vegetables, potatoes, macaroni are placed on your fork with the help of your knife. If your food is too hot don't blow on it as though you were trying to start a campfire on a damp night. Try to make as little noise as possible when eating. And, finally, don't forget to say "thank you" for every favour or kindness. True or False When eating take as much as you want, but eat as much as you take. Stretch over the table for something you want, Don’t ask your neighbour to pass it. Leave spoon in your cup when drinking tea or coffee. Don't put liquid into your mouth if it is already full. To make a mess in the plate is not disgusting.
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| №23 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. They speak different languages. 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. Questions: 1. Where do people live? 2. Is the Earth big or small? 3. What is there on the Earth? 4. Where is there water on the Earth? 5. The Earth is beautiful, isn't it? 6. Why do we say that the Earth is full of wonders? 7. Why do people speak different languages.?
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| №25 Traditions and customs
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. Traditions are different in these parts of the country. 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. Here are some more facts about old English traditions. 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. They are — Easter, Christmas and New Year. I. True or False. Every country has its own traditions and customs. There are no common traditions all over the world. English people celebrate Maslenitsa. There are some common holidays in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. London can be great until 10 black ravens live in the Tower. English people celebrate Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th of November.
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