Английский язык

АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК

СБОРНИК

ТЕКСТОВ И ВОПРОСОВ

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The English language has become the '' new Latin '' of the century, the world's top tongue. One billion people speak English. There are many reasons for its popularity.

First, English is easier to learn than most other languages. Second, it borrows words and phrases from every countries which it expands.

80% of all English vocabulary comes from other languages. Many words have entered English as a result of trade and colonial expansion. English is so widespread nowadays because it has become the standard language for all kinds of international communication.

80% of all information in the world’s computers is in English nearly 50% of all companies in Europe communicate with one another in English.

English is also the international language of business people, diplomats and politicians, scientists and musicians, doctors and students.

is the main and most efficient means of information exchange between the people of our planet.

Learning English broadens our mind and way of thinking. So English is a global language nowadays. Problems of the 21st century, such as the problems of war and peace, ecology, democracy and many others can not be solved if people don't speak the same language. I think that English is going to become even more important as a global language dominating world trade, computers and mass media.

I'm fond of traveling, computing, reading, art and music and I’m sure I can't do without English.

Questions

1. Why is English the global language nowadays?

2. Which vocabulary is the largest in the world?

3. What percentage of words in English comes from other countries?

4. Why is English a Language of communications nowadays?

5. Why do you learn English?

6. Do you agree that English broadens our mind and way of thinking?

7. Can the problems of the 21st century be solved if people don't speak the same language?

8. Is English going to become even more important as a global language?

MY FUTURE PROFESSION

I was always good in mathematics and physics. My parents bought me a computer when I was in the 10th form. Since then I knew that I would become a specialist in computer technologies – a computer puter industry is developing so fast, that it comprises almost all spheres of professional life. No business now is possible without computers. This is especially true about automated manufacturing of products and puter control of automated production opens new horizons for the cheap and quality production of goods. Information is now generated, transmitted, received and stored electronically through computer networks on a scale unprecedented in history, and there is every indication that the explosive rate of growth in this field will puter engineering is a general field. It deals with both electric and electronic industries. Engineers in the field of electric and electronic engineering and concerned with all aspects of electrical puter engineering is now the most rapidly growing field. The electronics of computer is the design and manufacture of memory systems, of central processing units, and of peripheral devices. The most prospective industry now is the Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) and new computer architectures. The field of computer science is closely related to computer engineering; however, the task of making computer more “intelligent” (artificial intelligence), through creation of sophisticated programs or development of higher level machine languages or other means, is generally regarded as the dream of computer science. So, as you see, there are a lot of employment opportunities in my field. I don’t worry about finding a job. The most important thing for me now is to study well and to graduate from the College.

QUESTIONS

1.  When did you decide to become a specialist in computer technologies?

2.  Is computer industry developing fast?

3.  Does computer industry comprise all spheres of professional life?

4.  Is any business possible without computers?

5.  How is information generated, transmitted, received and stored now?

6.  What does computer engineering deal with?

7.  Are there a lot employment opportunities in this field?

8.  Do you worry about finding a job?

OUR COLLEGE

I am a student of the Kemerovo State Professional Pedagogical College. It trains masters of production training, coaches and teachers of physical culture, programmers and lawyers, social teachers and social workers.

So you see that we have several interesting departments providing a secondary special education for young people from our region and other parts of our country. Our college occupies a modern four storied building made of red brick with a good hostel and a big and well equipped sports complex nearby. On the first floor we've got our own publishing centre, an assembly hall and a big library with a big and comfortable reading hall with a great number of special literature and periodicals. Our college is very well equipped. There are 5 computer classes where basic computer skills are taught. Besides we have well equipped physics, electrical and chemical laboratories with all the devices and equipment for studies and making experiments in these subject fields. All studies are light, clean and comfortable with lots of plants and flowers. There are sporting facilities including a gym and some sporting grounds for playing football, basketball and other sports games. We have classes 6 days a week from half past 8 in the morning till 3 or 4 in the afternoon. After classes our students can participate in extracurricular activities including all kinds of college clubs and societies. We can be a member of an orchestra, an arts clubs, a track - and - field club, an English speaking club and a drama club. I am a member of the English speaking club, aiming at giving a deeper knowledge of the subject and developing communication skills. I like my college. I always feel at home there. Our teachers are experienced and friendly. We usually discuss all kinds of problems with them. They are always ready to help everybody. I am on good terms with most of my classmates and we often spend our free time together.

I am sure, our college provides us with a possibility of getting a higher education by correspondence.

QUESTIONS

1.What specialists does your college train?

2. Who can get education in your college?

3. What building does your college occupy?

4. Is there a hostel for your students?

5. Is your sports complex well - equipped?

6. Have you got your own publishing centre?

7. Is your library rich in special literature?

8. What can you say about your reading hall?

9. What laboratories are there in your college?

10. Are they well equipped for studies and experiments?

11. What can you say about sporting facilities?

12. Are there any extracurricular activities?

13. What does your English speaking club aim at?

MY NATIVE LAND - KUZBASS

We live in Kuzbass. It is one of the most important industrial coal-mining and chemical centres of Russia. Its area is 95.5 thousand square kilometers. The population is more than 3 million people. The history of Kuzbass dates back to 1620'S. At that time our region was inhabited by strange tribes, shors, which could smelt and make many useful things of iron. In 1721 coal and iron ore were found by M. Volkov. There are also mineral paints and mineral waters, zink, gold, aluminum, copper ores, etc. But the main wealth of our region is coal, of course. They say that the quality of Kuzbass's coal is the best in the world. Our region is famous for its coal mines. There are also many chemical, machine - building, power -engineering and metal - working factories and plants in our region. Kemerovo region takes the third place in Russia according to the money invested into its development. The climate of the region is sharp continental. Winter lasts for six months, summer lasts for three months. The landscape of the Kemerovo region is mostly characterized as mountain taiga, forest – stepper and steppe. Kuzbass is also rich in lands and forests, rivers and lakes, animals, birds and fish. The main river of Kuzbass is the river Tom. It is used to be a picturesque river but unfortunately it is polluted greatly now. The pride of our forests is the Siberian cedar. A majestic tree can live 400 and even 500 years. The wild animal life is rich and various. The region is inhabited by the bear, the fox, the lynx, the elk, the sable, the squirrel and other animals. The nature of Kuzbass is rich and beautiful. Kuzbass attracts lots of people from our country and abroad. Many businessmen and tourists arrive here from all-over the world.

QUESTIONS

1.  Is Kuzbass one of the most important industrial, coal mining and chemical centres of Russia?

2.  What is the area of Kuzbass?

3.  What is the population of our region?

4.  What years does the history of Kuzbass date back to?

5.  Who was our region inhabited by at that time?

6.  What could shors do then?

7.  Who were iron ore and coal founded by?

8.  What mineral resources are there is our region?

9.  What is the main wealth of Kuzbass?

10. What place does Kemerovo region take in Russia according to the money invested into its development?

11. What is Kuzbass rich in?

12. What can you say about the Siberian cedar?

13. Does Kuzbass attract lots of people from our country and abroad?

KEMEROVO

Kemerovo is an administrative centre of the Kemerovo Region; it is a city with developed industrial, cultural and scientific potential. The industry of the city is characterized by high level of production concentration. The chemical industry is the basis of the economy. The coal mining industry is represented by Kedrovskii Open-pit Mine that extracts high – quality coals. Food processing enterprises (flour, cereals, milk, meat and confectionery), enterprises of light industry and mechanical engineering (equipment for coal mining and chemical industry), construction industry enterprises (wood processing, production of building materials) are developing rapidly. Kemerovo is one of the largest Siberian educational centres. Thousands of students are trained at 13 higher educational institutions and 17 technical schools. Among the best-known educational institutions are Kemerovo State University, Kuzbass State Technical University Kemerovo Technological Institute of Food Industry and others. Kemerovo is a city of science. Two thirds of all Kuzbass research Institutes are found here. The residents of Kemerovo are proud of the noble townspeople: Honorable Citizens of the City Alexey Leonov cosmonaut, Michail Podgorbunskii honored doctor, Polina Krivova honored teacher, Vitaliy Razdaev master of sports, Galina Zavadskaya honored doctor and Vasiliy Selivanov artist. Kemerovites and guests of the city like to walk along the embankment of the Tom river. One can see there bridges across the river, the Monument of Glory dedicated to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. In front of the Monument there is the Alley of Heroes. If you want to go sightseeing, you can see the Drama theatre (with a beautiful singing fountain in front of its facade), the Puppet theatre, the Musical (Comedy) theatre, art galleries, exhibitions and museums. The halls of the city regional museum and the museum of fine arts are always full of visitors. Kemerovites are also proud of their pine wood on the right bank of the Tom. The street traffic is rather heavy in the main thoroughfares.

QUESTION

1.  Is Kemerovo a city with developed industrial cultural and scientific potential?

2.  What is the industry of the city characterized by?

3.  What industry is the basis of the economy?

4.  What is the coal mining industry represented by?

5.  What enterprises are developing today?

6.  Is Kemerovo one of the largest Siberian educational centers?

7.  What are the best – known educational institutions?

8.  What noble town’s people do you know?

9.  What can you see on the embankment of the Tom river?

10.  What can you see if you want to go sightseeing?

11.  What are Kemerovites proud of?

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Each year new factories and plants are being built and more and more they pollute the environment. Radiation has become the subject to control. Transport is one of the main offenders in noise pollution. The land pollution results from the use of chemical and pesticides. The nuclear weapons are also a great threat to all humanity. We must eliminate all of them in order to prevent the danger of their use or it will lead to an ecological catastrophe. We must fight for clear environment because to protect nature means to protect man. Now industrially developed states cannot ignore the problem of environmental protection. The main aim in this policy is to control atmospheric and water pollution, the study of man's influence on the climate, biological and genetic consequences of pollution, protection of rare and vanishing plants and animals. Control of marine pollution is based on international conventions. The air that we breathe is polluted with harmful substances. People often get ill and die. There are lots of measures to be done to prevent our world from pollution. We must plant greenery in big cities, we must remove factories and plants out of the cities, we must create pollution control system. In several countries there are organizations fighting for peace and clear environment. The most famous is "Green peace ". It has united thousands of people and achieved much success.

QUESTION

1.  Do factories and plants pollute the environment?

2.  What has become the subject to control?

3.  What is one of the main offenders in noise pollution?

4.  Are the nuclear weapons a great threat to all humanity?

5.  What must we do to prevent the danger of their use?

6.  What can lead to an ecological catastrophe?

7.  What does to protect nature mean?

8.  Can industrially developed states ignore the problem of environment protection now?

9.  What is the main aim in this policy?

10.  What is control of marine pollution based on?

11.  What is the air we breathe polluted with?

12.  What must we do to prevent our world from pollution?

13.  What do you know about “Green Peace”?

OUR PLANET EARTH

The planet Earth is only a tiny part of the universe, but it's the only place where human beings can live. Today, our planet is in serious danger. Acid rains, global warming, air and water pollution, overpopulation are the problems that threaten human life on Earth. Who is to blame for the disaster? The answer is simple: all of us. Our forests are disappearing because they are cut down or burnt. If this trend continues, one day we won't have enough oxygen to breathe. The seas are in danger. They are filled with poison: industrial and nuclear waste, chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The Mediterranean is already nearly dead; the North Sea is following. The Aral Sea is on the brink of extinction. If nothing is done about it, one day nothing will be able to live in the seas. Every ten minutes one kind of animal, plant or insect dies out for ever. If nothing is done about it, one million species that are alive today may soon become extinct. Air pollution is another serious problem. In Cairo just breathing the air is dangerous — equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. The same holds true for many Russian cities. Factories emit tons of harmful chemicals. These emissions have disastrous consequences for our planet. They are the main reason for the greenhouse effect and acid rains. An even greater threat are nuclear power stations. We all know how tragic the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster are. Fortunately, it's not too late to solve these problems. We have the time, the money and even the technology to make our planet a better, cleaner and safer place. We can plant trees and create parks for endangered species. We can recycle litter. We can support green parties and put pressure on those in power. Together we can save the planet and all of us with it.

QUESTIONS

1.  Why is our planet in danger?

2.  Who is to blame for the disaster?

3.  What is happening to our forests?

4.  Why are the seas in danger?

5.  The Aral Sea is on the brink of extinction. Do you think it's possible to save it?

6.  A lot of animals are dying out. But people wear fur coats, crocodile handbags, leather shoes, etc. Are you for or against hunting?

7.  Is air pollution a serious problem? Why?

8.  The car is now the world's number one polluter. Do you think it's possible to make it cleaner and safer? Have you heard about electric cars?

9.  Why are nuclear power stations dangerous? What were the tragic consequences of the Chernobyl disaster?

10.  What is the main cause of the greenhouse effect and acid rains?

11.  What will happen to our planet if the present trends continue? Do you think that one day it may become uninhabitable?

12.  What can we do to save the planet?

THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

I live in Russia and I’m proud to say that my Motherland is the largest country in the world. It occupies one seventh of the earth’s surface. The total area is about 17 million square kilometers. The population is about 145 million people. About 70 per cent of the population live in cities. It is a highly developed industrial country.

The Russian Federation is a parliamentary republic. The capital is Moscow. It is the largest political, economic, commercial, educational and cultural centre. Moscow is the seat of our government. The head of the state is the President. The legislative powers are exercised by the Duma. There is hardly a country in the world where such a variety of scenery and vegetation can be found. Our Motherland is really rich. It is rich in lands and forests which are concentrated in Siberia and in the Far East. It is very rich in natural resources: coal, iron ore, gas, oil, copper, nickel. Our country is very rich in deep and long rivers, high mountains and beautiful lakes. But the main wealth of our country is its people, of course: talented, spiritual and *****ssia is famous for its scientists, writers, musicians and sportsmen. In America and Australia, in Europe and Asia, people know the names of Tolstoy and Chekhov, Glinka and Tchaikovsky, Gagarin and Korolyov. When foreign guests leave Russia they usually say different things about the country. They often criticize many things in Russia. But practically everybody says that Russian people are wonderful. They are open, kind and very *****ssian people have always loved their country, though life in Russia has never been *****ssian people have always been devoted to their Motherland, fighting for peace and independence against enemies of our land. We have a heroic and sometimes tragic history. Our victory in the Great Patriotic War proves that our people are *****ssia is populated with a large number of nationalities, having their own traditions and customs. So our country is exotic and unique. No wonder, it attracts lots of businessmen and tourists from all over the world. Nowadays the politic and economic situation in Russia is rather complicated and there are a lot of problems in the national economy. But I’m sure that there are all opportunities for Russia to become one of the leading countries in the world. And we, the younger generation, can do very much to make our Motherland as strong and powerful as it used to be.

QUESTION

1.  Is Russia the largest country in the world?

2.  How much of the earth’s surface does it occupy?

3.  Is Russia a highly developed industrial country?

4.  Is our country the largest political, economic, commercial, educational and cultural centre?

5.  Who are the legislative powers exercised by?

6.  What is our country rich in?

7.  What is the main wealth of our country?

8.  What can you say about Russian people?

9.  Does our country attract lots of businessmen and tourists?

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. The total area is over 244,000 square kilometers. The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their biggest cities 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 meters high. There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one. The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate of the British Isles. It is mild the whole year round. The UK is one of the world's smaller countries. Its population is over 58 million. About 80% of the population live in cities.

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

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. In law, the Head of State is the Queen. In practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule. The country is ruled by the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties.

QUESTION

1.  The UK is an island state, isn't it? Where is it situated?

2.  What countries is the UK made of? What are their capitals?

3.  What channel separates the British Isles from the European continent?

4.  The surface of the British Isles varies very much, doesn't it?

5.  What's the highest mountain on the British Isles?

6.  Are there a lot of long and deep rivers in Great Britain?

7.  Why is the climate of the British Isles mild?

8.  Is the UK a large country?

10.  What's the UK's population?

11.  The UK is a highly developed industrial country. What does it produce and export?

12.  The UK is a constitutional monarchy. What does it mean?

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The USA is one of the largest countries in the world. It is situated in the central part of the North American continent. Its area is over nine million square kilometers. It is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and by the Pacific Ocean. The population of the country is nearly 250 million people, most of them live in towns and cities. People of different nationalities live in the USA. The official language of the country is English.

The USA is a very large country, so it has several different climatic regions The coldest regions are in the north and north-east of the country where much snow falls in winter. The south has a subtropical climate.

The capital of the country is Washington. It was named in honour of the first President of the country George Washington.

The USA is a highly developed industrial country. It is rich in mineral resources, such as salt, aluminum, copper, zink, gold and others. The country has natural gas, oil and coal too. It holds the first place in the capitalist world for the production of coal, iron, oil and natural gas.

Such industries as machine-building, ship-building are highly developed

American agriculture produces more food products than any other capitalist country. Many of them are exported. The USA produces more than 52% of the world's corn, wheat, cotton and tobacco.

The USA is a federal republic consisting of fifty states. Each of these states has its own government. Congress is the American parliament which consists of two Chambers.

The President is the head of the state. He is elected for four years. There are two main political parties in the USA: the Democratic Party, which was organized in the 1820s, and the Republican Party, which was organized in the 1850s.

QUESTION

1.  Is the USA the largest country is the world?

2.  What is its area?

3.  What is the population of the country?

4.  What is the official language of the country?

5.  In whose honor was the capital of the country named of?

6.  Is the USA a highly developed industrial country?

7.  What mineral resources is the USA rich in?

8.  What does american agriculture produce?

9.  Who is the head of the USA?

10.  What are the main political parties?

COMPUTER REVOLUTION

50 years ago people didn't even hear of computers, and today we cannot imagine life without puter technology is the fastest-growing industry in the world. The first computer was the size of a minibus and weighed a ton. Today, its job can be done by a chip the size of a pin head. And the revolution is still going on. Very soon we'll have computers that we'll wear on our wrists or even in our glasses and earrings. The next generation of computers will be able to talk and even think for themselves. They will contain electronic "neural networks". Of course, they'll be still a lot simpler than human brains, but it will be a great step forward. Such computers will help to diagnose illnesses, find minerals, identify criminals and control space travel.

Some people say that computers are dangerous, but I don't agree with them. They save a lot of time. They seldom make mistakes. It's much faster and easier to surf the Internet than to go to the library. On-line shopping makes it possible to find exactly what you want at the best price, saving both time and money. E-mail is a great invention, too. It's faster than sending a letter and cheaper than sending a telegram. All in all, I strongly believe that computers are a useful tool. They have changed our life for the better. So why shouldn't we make them work to our advantage?

QUESTION

1.  Have you got a computer?

2.  Do you think it's a useful tool?

3.  Will computers become smaller in the future?

4.  Can the Internet help you to do your homework?

5.  Can computers help us to learn foreign languages?

6.  Do you play computer games?

7.  What are the advantages of on-line shopping?

8.  What are the advantages of e-mail?

9.  Do you think that computers are bad for health?

10.  Some people have made friends through the Internet. What about you?

11.  Some people say that computers make us less sociable. Do you agree?

12.  What will the next generation of computers be able to do?

COMPUTERIZATION OF ECONOMY

Information science deals with the laws as well as ways and means of accumulating and processing information. The necessity to store and exchange information led to the development of speech and writing, printing and art, radio and TV.

But the most important thing about utilization of information is the planning of purposeful activity aimed at solving problems or making decisions on the basis of the acquired information. And until recently this planning was performed by the human mind exclusively. The invention on computers, calculating machines capable of processing information, cardinally changed, the situation. The computer performs very simple actions, but its advantage is the speed it calculates at. In fact, the computer performs hundreds of thousands of operations per second. Moreover, having done one operation, it is capable of choosing further actions by it self.

But to utilize this operation, this miraculous advantage of the new machines one has to be able to synthesize an algorithm and translate it into a "language" that computers can understand. It became possible after the wonderful discovery that all logic actions of the living being can be described in the mathematic language - in the from of simple commands such as addition, deduction, comparison.

Computers are penetrating all spheres of human activity, in many of them they have become indispensable. They calculate orbits, guide spaceships and planes, calculate the targets of economic development, play chess, teach pupils, help house wives to choose a menu.

Computerization of economy is the agenda of the world's economic-development. And it is the young generation who will implement it tomorrow. That's why it is important that school students should learn to handle computers today at school. They must get ready to meet the task.

QUESTIONS

1.What does information science deal with?

2. What did the necessity to store and exchange information lead to?

3. What is the most important thing about utilization of information?

4. Who was the planning performed by until recently?

5. What cardinally changed the situation?

6. What is computer’s advantage?

7. Is it capable of choosing further action by itself?

8. Are computers penetrating all spheres of human activity?

9. What is the agenda of the world’s economic development?

INTERNET: HOW IT AFFECTS US

We live in a multi-media society. How does the internet affect our lives? It can be very helpful to people who carefully choose websites that they visit. The internet can increase our knowledge of the outside world; there is much high-quality information that can help us understand many fields of study: science, medicine, arts and so on. In this global network you can find any information in a few minutes. Otherwise you would have to search for the necessary information in directories, libraries or on the phone for a long time.

The internet has already revolutionized the way we live and work. But these are still early days for the internet. We don’t know how much it is up-to-date wonder. As the proverb says: “nothing is wonderful, when you get used to it”, that is why the internet fails to astonish us any more. One of the most valuable functions of the internet is its information function. The internet keeps people informed about current events, as well as the latest achievements in science and culture. You can even find out how to pass from the underground station to the house of your girlfriend, who recently moved to London. Recently a system of distance learning became popular. You can study foreign languages and even study in universities. Individual educational programs can be developed especially for you. The internet is also widely used in business. Thanks to the internet, we have rapid connections with partners from all corners of the world. You can even conduct negotiations, hear and see your contacts and exchange graphic and textual information. On the other hand, there are several serious disadvantages of the internet. Of course, it provides us with a pleasant way to relax and spend our free time, but some people spend an average of six hours or more a day on the network. Many children look at a screen for more hours each day than they do anything else, including studying and sleeping. It’s clear that the network has a powerful influence on their lives, and that its influence is often negative. Another disadvantage is that for many people the internet becomes more “real” than reality, and their own lives seem boring. Also, many people get upset or depressed when they can’t solve problems in real life as quickly as they can do in internet games. In real life they can not simply press “Escape”. The most negative effect of the internet might be people’s addiction to it. People often feel a strange and powerful need to spend time on the network. Addiction to a computer screen is similar to drug or alcohol addiction: people almost never believe they are addicted. One more disadvantage of the internet is the absence of information control. Children receive wide access to porno sites and sites with violence and promoting hate. From that, how much we know about the internet depends on the choices we make and how effectively we use the opportunities of the internet in our time.

QUESTIONS

1.  What society do we live in?

2.  Can the internet affect our lives?

3.  Can the internet increase our knowledge of the outside world?

4.  What has the internet already revolutionized?

5.  Why do we call the internet an up-to-date wonder?

6.  What is one of the most valuable functions of the internet?

7.  Did a system if distance learning become popular?

8.  Can individual educational programs be developed especially for you?

THE FUTURE OF THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Among various recent trends in the engineering profession computerization is the most widespread. The trend in modern engineering offices is also towards puters are increasingly used for solving complex problems as well as for handling and generating the enormous volume of data modern engineers must work with. Scientific methods of engineering are applied in several fields not connected directly to manufacture and construction. Modern engineering is characterized by the broad application of what is known as systems engineering principle-Engineers in industry work not only with machines but also with people, to determine, for example, how machines can be operated most efficiently by workers. A small change in the location of the controls of a machine or of its position with relation to other machines or equipment, or a change in the muscular movements of the operator, often results in greatly increased production. Human-factors engineering seeks to establish criteria for the efficient, human-monitor and govern nuclear reactor operations.

QUESTIONS

1.  What is the most widespread trend in the engineering profession?

2.  What are computers used for in modern engineering?

3.  What approaches are used in modern engineering?

4.  What does human-factors engineering deal with?

5.  Is the trend in modern engineering offices towards computerization?

6.  Are computers increasingly used for solving complex problems?

7.  What is modern engineering characterized by?

8.  What does human factors engineering seek?

9.  What is known as systems engineering principles-engineers in industry work?

WHAT IS LAW?

Law is valuable not because it is law, but because there is right in it.

Henry Ward Beecher

Law is the system of rules established by the state. It governs our conduct from the cradle to the grave. It protects us while it restricts us. The main aim of law is to consolidate and safeguard the social and state system and its economic foundation.

We live in a society which has developed a complex body of rules to control the activity of its members. There are laws, which govern working conditions, laws, which regulate the life we lead and laws, which control personal relationships. Law tells us how fast we can drive and how long we must attend school. It helps to protect us from unfair commercial practices.

In all countries there is distinction between private - or civil - law and public law. Private law deals with relationships among citizens of a country. Public law deals with relationships between the State and the citizens or between one state and another. The system of law in our country consists of different categories of law: constitutional law and administrative law, criminal law and civil law, international law, financial law etc. Governments use a system of courts and the police to enforce the laws.

QUESTIONS

1.  What is law?

2.  Does law govern our conduct from the cradle to the grave?

3.  What is the main aim of law?

4.  Who has developed a complex body of rules to control the activity of its members?

5.  What kinds of laws are there?

6.  Does law help to protect us from unfair commercial practices?

7.  Is there a distinction between private or civil law and public law?

8.  What does public law deal with?

9.  What categories of law does the system of law in our country consist of?

MASS MEDIA

The mass media play an important part in our lives. Newspapers, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in this world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. They also influence the way we see the world and shape our views. Of course, not all newspapers and TV programmers report the events objectively, but serious journalists and TV reporters try to be fair and provide us with reliable information. It is true that the world today is full of dramatic events and most news seems to be bad news. But people aren't interested in ordinary events. That is why there are so many programmers and articles about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars, murders and robberies. Good news doesn't usually make headlines. Bad news does. Some people say that journalists are given too much freedom. They often intrude on people's private lives. They follow celebrities and print sensational stories about them which are untrue or half-true. They take photos of them in their most intimate moments. The question is — should this be allowed? The main source of news for millions of people is television. People like TV news because they can see everything with their own eyes. And that's an important advantage. Seeing, as we know, is believing. Besides, it's much more difficult for politicians to lie in front of the cameras than on the pages of newspapers. Still, many people prefer the radio. It's good to listen to it in the car, or in the open air, or when you do something about the house. Newspapers don't react to events as quickly as TV, but they usually provide us with extra detail, comment and background information. The Internet has recently become another important source of information. Its main advantage is that news appears on the screen as soon as things happen in real life and you don't have to wait for news time on TV.

QUESTIONS

1.  Do the media play an important part in your life?

2.  Do you think that the media influence our life?

3.  Millions of people get most of their news from television. What about you?

4.  Do you read newspapers?

5.  When do you usually listen to the radio?

6.  Do you agree that most news we get from the media is bad news?

7.  Do you think it would be nice if all news printed in newspapers and shown on TV was good news?

8.  Do you think that journalists are given too much freedom?

9.  If people have died in a plane crash, should their bodies be shown on TV?

10.  Are you interested in politics? Don't you think that some politicians use the media to influence their voters (избиратели)? What is the main advantage of the Internet?

NEWSPAPERS

In the past people learnt about news from newspapers. Nowadays people usually learn what is happening in the country and in the world from TV or radio news programmers or from the Internet. Still we cannot imagine our life without newspapers. There are dozens of them on every news-stand. There are newspapers for professionals, for businessmen, for children and teenagers, for men and women, for sports fans, for those who are interested in gardening and for those who keep pets. Some newspapers publish serious articles on politics, economy and finance, some aim to entertain their readers. Many newspapers express certain political opinion and people choose them according to their own political beliefs. In short, you can always find a paper which suits your interests. Besides, there are many free local newspapers which are put into your post-box whether you ask for it or not. Probably they are not interesting, because they consist mainly of advertisements, but you can find a lot of useful telephone numbers and addresses there. From time to time I read «Arguments and Facts». It's one of the most popular daily papers, but I don't consider it serious. However, I never miss an article written by Minkin. I think he is a very good journalist. I also like Merinov's cartoons. Sometimes they publish good reviews of new films, new CDs and so on. In short, I think that TV, radio and the Internet have their advantages, but nothing can substitute newspapers.

QUESTIONS

1.  Do you read newspapers regularly?

2.  How many newspapers does your family subscribe to?

3.  Do you like to read articles on politics and finance?

4.  Do you read reviews of new films and books?

5.  Do you follow sports news in newspapers?

6.  Some newspapers run gossip columns (kojiohkи сплетен). Do you read them?

7.  Many newspapers print readers' letters, in which people write about their problems. Often there are answers written by psychologists, doctors, educators, etc. Do you read these letters and answers?

8.  Have you ever written to a newspaper?

9.  Do you read any newspapers in English?

10.  What kind of newspapers do you prefer?

11.What do you think of «Arguments and Facts»?

HOBBIES

Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby according to your character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes more interesting. Hobbies are divided into four large classes: doing things, making things, collecting things, and learning things. The most popular of all hobby groups is doing things. It includes a wide variety of activities, everything from gardening to travelling and from chess to volleyball. Gardening is one of the oldest of man's hobbies. It's a well-known fact that the English are very fond of gardening and growing flowers, especially roses. Both grown-ups and children are fond of playing different computer games. This is a relatively new hobby but it's becoming more and more popular. Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes, handicrafts. Two of the most famous hobby painters were President Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. Some hobbyists write music or play musical instruments. Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches. Some collections have no real value. Others become so large and so valuable that they are housed in museums and galleries. Many world-famous collections started in a small way with one or two items. People with a good deal of money often collect paintings, rare books and other art objects. Often such private collections are given to museums, libraries and public galleries so that others might take pleasure in seeing them.

No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from reading about the things he is interested in, he is adding to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

QUESTIONS

1.  Tastes differ. Can you say the same about hobbies?

2.  Have you chosen a hobby according to your character and taste?

3.  Which hobby groups do you know?

4.  The most popular hobby group is doing things, isn't it? What kind

of activities does this group include?

5.  What do you know about gardening?

6.  Do you like computer games?

7.  Are you fond of making things?

8.  Do you know any famous hobbyists?

9.  Have you ever collected anything?

10.  What can be collected?

11.  Do you know of any private collections that were given to museums or art galleries?

12.  Do you agree that learning can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby? Why?

CIVIL CONSTRUCTION

The building profession attracts many numbers of young men and women nowadays. It is an honorable profession. *

Builders construct and reconstruct residential and industrial buildings, bridges, schools, palaces of culture, museums, theatres, kindergartens and hospitals. They build tunnels, canals, power stations, dams and reservoirs. They also construct aqueducts to store and transport water in irrigated areas and to irrigate desert lands.

The person entering this honorable profession must have a scientific attitude, imagination, initiative and good judgment, obtained by experience and serious work.

Civil engineers and architects have a common aim-to provide people with modem conveniences, such as running water, gas, electricity, central heating. While a sanitary engineer protects the quality of water by treating and purifying this water when it is used for domestic purposes, an architect is a person who designs buildings. An architect must receive a great deal of scientific training, connected with his profession. He must know mathematics, as well as many facts concerning materials. Architect must need some knowledge of sculpture, painting, design, mechanical engineering, geography, city planning. The structure the architect creates should give us pleasure and a sense of beauty.

QUESTIONS

1.  Do you know what civil engineers construct and reconstruct at present?

2.  What qualities must a person entering the building profession possess?

3.  What common aim do civil engineers and architects have?

4.  Who protects the quality of the water we use for domestic purposes?

5.  What kind of training must an architect receive?

MY FUTURE PROFESSION

I am a student of the college, Building Faculty. So I have already chosen my future profession. I am going to become a builder. I think this specialty is very interesting and useful. Every year new buildings are being built in our country and in our region and more and more they need working hands. May be I’ll work at one of the building enterprises in our town.

I try to learn hard as I want to be a good specialist. We study different special subjects such as drawing, technical mechanics, building constructions, architecture and some others. During the course of study the students spend some weeks in practice. I am sure it will help me in my future work.

After finishing my college I am going to enter an Institute, the same faculty. My dream is to get a higher education. I am absolutely sure it is necessary for every modern man nowadays as our industry is modernized and our economy is computerized. So it is much better to be a good qualified specialist because it is not easy to find an interesting and well paid work. That is why I do my best to get as much knowledge as I can.

QUESTIONS

1. What is your future profession?

2. Do you agree that building industry needs more and more working hands?

3. What subjects do you study?

4. Why is it important to learn hard?

5. Are you going to get a higher education?

6. Why is it necessary to be a good qualified specialist?

CONSTRUCTION WORK

Building erected nowadays can be divided into two general classes: building for housing and industrial buildings. As far as material concerned buildings can be divided into brick, wood, concrete and steel buildings. Brick is an artificial building material. made of clay, which is then burnt for hardening. Natural stone (rubble masonry) is used for footing and foundations for external walls carrying the load. : '

Buildings made of stone are durable and fire - resisting. The floors divide a building into stories. They may be either of timber or, in brick houses, of reinforced concrete details of big and small sizes. ’

The coverings or upper parts of buildings meant to keep out rain and wind and to preserve the interior from exposure to weather are called roofs. They tie the walls and give the instruction strength and firmness.

Every building must have a beautiful appearance. The interior should be planned to suit the requirements of the occupants while the exterior must be simple with nothing superfluous.

Every building should be provided with water, electricity, ventilation and heating systems, water supply and sewerage systems are called plumbing.

Careful consideration must be given to the amount of money which is going to be spent in building the house. An estimate depending upon the design of the building must be calculated after which work on the site can be started.

KEMEROVO.

The centre of Kuzbass is Kemerovo. It is an important industrial and educational centre. Kemerovo is a young city. It was founded 95 years ago on the banks of the river Tom. The little village, Sheglovka by name has changed greatly. Nowadays, Kemerovo is a beautiful modem city with a population of more than half a million people. You can see now many-storied buildings, wide and straight streets, green squares and parks. Kemerovo is a city of students. There are 8 higher educational institutions in it: The State Technical University, The State University, the Medical Academy, the Academy of Culture, the Institute of Food Technology, the Higher Military School of Communication, the Commercial Institute and Agricultural Academy. There are some colleges, dozens of technical vocational schools and general secondary schools in Kemerovo. Young people from all parts of our country come to our city to get an education here.

Besides we have some scientific institutions and research laboratories.

Kemerovo is a cultural centre of Kuzbass. The Kemerovites and the visitors can go to the Drama and Musical Comedy Theatres, the Concert Hall, the Circus as well as to its Museums and picture galleries.

QUESTIONS

1.  Is Kemerovo an important educational and cultural centre?

2.  When was Kemerovo founded?

3.  What is the population of our city?

4.  What higher educational institutions are there in Kemerovo?

5.  Have we any scientific institutions and research laboratories in Kemerovo?

6.  Prove that Kemerovo is a cultural centre of Kuzbass.

MY LAST DAY OFF

(weekend)

Last Sunday i went to visit my friend. She lives in the village not far from Kemerovo. I went there by bus. It took me half an hour to get there. My friend and her family were very glad to see me. We talked a little, discussed our news and problems and then had dinner together.

My friend has got lots of hobbies. One of them is playing computer games. So after dinner we played some interesting games and went for a walk. The weather was fine and we decided to ski in the forest. We took a dog with us it gave us much joy. We had a very good time together.

In the evening we went to the cafe where we danced and took part in different* entertainments.

It was a very pleasant evening. We enjoyed it very much.

Late in the evening I returned home. I was very tired and sleepy. So I went to bed at once.

QUESTIONS

1.  Where did you go last Sunday?

2.  Did you visit anybody last weekend?

3.  Where does your friend live?

4.  Do yeu like to visit your friends?

5.  How much did it take you to get to your friends place?

6.  What are your friends hobbies?

7.  What did you d© together?

8.  ©шуои go anywhere in the evening?

9.  ©id you have a good time together?

10.  What did you enjoy?

11.  When did you §o to bed?

STUDENT’S WORKING DAY.

I am a student of a college and go to my college every day except Sunday. On my working day I usually get up early. The alarm clock wakes me at half past seven. Sometimes I do my morning exercises. Then I go to the bathroom where I clean my teeth, wash or take a shower. I have my breakfast at 8.I prefer a cup of tea or coffee with sandwiches for it.

After breakfast I go to my college. I don't live far from it and that's why I usually walk there. As a rule we have 6 or 8 lessons every day. They begin at half past eight and are over by 2 or 4 o'clock.

Our college offers a general course of academic and non-academic subjects providing general and special education. So we study different subjects such as Russian, Literature, Maths, Psychology, Pedagogy. All students of our college learn foreign languages. I study English. We read and translate interesting texts from English into Russian and from Russian into English. We speak English to each other and to our teacher at English lessons. I want to know this language well and work hard at it. I am sure that every educated person must know English.

Every week we have physical training lessons. Sport and sports games are paid much attention in our college. We often take part in sport competitions. After classes I usually go home, have my dinner and a: short rest; I often help my mother about the house and go shopping. From 4 till 7 I usually prepare my home task. It usually takes me about 3 or more hours to prepare them. I try to study well and work hard at every subject.

In the evening I like to read something interesting, look through newspapers and journals, watch TV, listen to music or go in for sports on the sports ground. I usually go to bed after 11.

QUESTIONS

1.  Where do you study?

2.  Do you study every day?

3.  When do you usually get up?

4.  Do you do your morning exercises?

5.  Do you take a shower in the morning?

6.  What do you prefer for your breakfast?

7.  Do you lessons begin in the morning?

8.  How many lessons do you usually have?

9.  What subjects do you study?

10.  What is your favorite subject?

11.  Do you study foreign languages?

12.  What do you usually do at your English lessons?

13.  Do you work hard at every subject?

14.  What do you usually do after classes?

15.  How much does it take you to prepare your lessons?

16.  Do you often look through new journals?

EDUCATION IN RUSSIA

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

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

Words

right — право

duty — обязанность

secondary — зд. среднее

deep — глубокий

vocational school — профтехучилище

general — общий

to receive — получать

training — обучение

higher — высшее

extra-mural — заочный

opportunity — возможность

ENGLISH HOUSES

The climate of a country is one of the factors that influence the style of its architecture. It can be best illustrated by British residential buildings. The weather in England is often cloudy and there are few sunny days in the winter season, therefore, as a rule, the windows in an English house are of a large size to catch as much light and sunshine as possible. In the houses built in the past century the windows, besides being large, opened upwards, which is very convenient on windy days.

Since there is much rain in England, typical British houses have high, steep roofs where rain water and melt­ing snow can easily flow down.

Most of the houses have a fireplace which forms the most characteristic feature of an English home and is seldom seen in other European countries.

The plan of an English house also differs from that of the houses where we live. English architects plan some apartments vertically instead of planning them horizon­tally, so that an English family having a separate apart­ment lives on two or sometimes three floors with rooms connected with a narrow staircase. They find it the most convenient style of apartment. There are usually three rooms in each apartment besides a kitchen and a bath­room: a living room, a bedroom and a dining room.

INTRODUCTION ТО THE WWW AND THE INTERNET

Millions of people around the world use the Internet, to search for and retrieve information on all sorts of topics in a wide variety of areas including the arts, business, government, humanities, news, politics and recreation. People communicate through electronic mail (e-mail), discussion groups, chat channels and other means of informational exchange. They share information and make commercial and business transactions. All this activity is possible because tens of thousands of networks are connected to the Internet and exchange information in the same basic ways.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a part of the Inter­net. But it’s not a collection of networks. Rather, it is information that is connected or linked together like a web. You access this information through one interface or tool called a Web browser. The number of resources and services that are part of the World Wide Web is growing extremely fast. In 1996 there were more than 20 million users of the WWW, and more than half the information that is transferred across the Internet is accessed through the using a computer terminal (hardware) connected to a network that is a part of the Internet, and by using a program (software) to browse or retrieve information that is a part of the World Wide Web, the people connected to the Internet and World Wide Web through the local providers have access to a variety of information. Each browser provides a graphical interface. You move from place to place, from site to site on the Web by using a mouse to click on a portion of text, icon or region of a map. These items are called hyperlinks or links. Each link you select represents a document, an image, a video clip or an audio file somewhere on the Internet. The user doesn’t need to know where it is, the browser follows the link.

All sorts of things are available on the WWW. One can use Internet for recreational purposes. Many TV and radio stations broadcast live on the WWW. Essentially, if something can be put into digital format and stored in a computer, then it’s available on the WWW. You can even visit museums, gardens, cities throughout the world, learn foreign languages and meet new friends. And of course you can play computer games through WWW, competing with partners from other countries and continents.

Just a little bit of exploring the World Wide Web will show you what a much of use and fun it is.

Working vocabulary:

retrieve — извлекать variety — спектр

humanities — гуманитарные науки recreation — развлечение share — делить network — сеть

business transaction — коммерческие операции web — паутина

browser — броузер (программа поиска информации) access — доступ

to provide — обеспечивать чем-либо provider — провайдер (компания, предоставляющая доступ к WWW через местные телефонные сети) broadcast live — передавать в прямом эфире to link — соединять hyperlink — гиперссылка to compete — соревноваться

LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The problem of learning foreign languages is very important today. Students should learn foreign languages. They became important especially at the present time.

Foreign languages are needed as the main and most efficient means of information exchange between the people of our planet.

Today English is the language of the world. Over 350 (three hundred and fifty) million people speak it a mother tongue. The native speakers of English live in Great Britain, in the United States of America, Austral­ia and New Zealand. English is one of the official languages in the Irish Republic, Canada and South African Republic. As a second language it is used in the former British and US colonies.

It is the major international language for communication in such areas as science, technology, business and mass media. English ought to be used as one of the official languages of the United Nations Organization and other political organizations. It is the language of computer software, literature, education, modern music, international tourism.

Learning a foreign language is not an easy thing. It is a long and slow process that takes a lot of time and patience. But every educated person, every good specialist has to know English, because it is absolutely necessary «• nowadays.

It is well known that reading books in the original, talking with the English speaking people will help a lot. When learning a foreign language you are to learn the culture and history of the native speakers. You may learn any foreign language. They are all important.

Words

especially — особенно efficient — эффективный major — главный means — средство exchange — обмен area — область

native speakers — носители языка (те, для кого язык родной)

software — компьютерные программы

patience — терпение

necessary — необходимый

MASS MEDIA

Mass media (that is the press, the radio and television) plays an important role in the life of society. They inform, educate and entertain people. They also influence the way people look at the events and sometimes make them change their views.

Millions of people watch TV and read newspapers in their spare time. People listen to the radio while driving а car. On the radio one can hear music, plays, news and various discussions of current events. Lots of radio or TV games and films attract large audience.

Newspapers give more detailed reviews of political life, culture and sports. Basically they are read by the people who are subscribers and those who are interested in politics.

There is a lot of advertising in mass media. Many TV channels, radio stations and newspapers are owned by different corporations. The owners can advertise what­ever they choose.

But we cannot say that mass media do not try to raise the cultural level of people or to develop their tastes. Mass media bring to millions of homes not only entertaiment and news but also cultural and educational programs.

There is a great number of TV, cable TV and satellite TV channels and lots of radio stations and newspapers now.

Words

mass media — средства массовой информации

society — общество

to entertain — развлекать

to influence — влиять

events — события

view — точка зрения

spare time — свободное время

current events — зд. новости

audience — аудитория

detailed review — подробный обзор

subscribers — подписчики

advertising — реклама

to own — владеть

satellite — спутник

SPORTS IN GREAT BRITAIN

The British are known to be great sports-lovers, so when they are neither playing, nor watching games, they like to talk about them. Many of the games we play now have come from Britain.

One of the most British games is cricket. It is often played in schools, colleges, universities and by club teams all over the country. Summer isn’t summer without cricket. To many Englishmen cricket is both a game and a standard of behaviour. When they consider anything unfair, they sometimes say «That isn’t crickets-.

But as almost everywhere else in the world; the game which attracts the greatest attention is football, or soc­cer. Every Saturday from late August till the beginning of May, large crowds of people support their favourite teams in football grounds. True fans will travel from one end of the country to the other to see their team play. International football matches take place at Wem­bley.

Rugby is also very popular, but it is played mainly by amateurs. Next to football, the chief spectator sport in British life is horse-racing. A lot of people are interest­ed in the races and risk money on the horse which they think will win.. The Derby is perhaps the most famous single sporting event in the whole world.

Britain is also famous for motor-car racing, dog-rac-ing, boat-racing, and even races for donkeys. The famous

boat-race between the teams of Oxford and Cambridge attracts large crowds of people.

A great number of people play and watch tennis. Ten­nis tournaments at Wimbledon are known all over the world. The innumerable tennis courts of Britain are oc­cupied by people between the ages of 16 and 60 who show every degree of skill — from practically helpless to the extremely able.

The British also like to play golf, baseball, hockey, grass-hockey. Various forms of athletics, such as run­ning, swimming, boxing are also popular. You can some­times hear that there are no winter sports in England. Of course the English weather is not always cold enough to ski, skate, or toboggan, but winter is a good season for hunting and fishing.

Words

Wembley — стадион Уэмбли в Лондоне the Derby — Дерби Wimbledon — Уимблдон cricket — крикет

unfair — нечестный, несправедливый to attract attention — привлекать внимание crowd — толпа

to support — поддерживать, болеть football ground — футбольное поле fan — болельщик amateur — любительский rugby football — регби

next to football — на следующем месте после футболе chief — главный, основной spectator sport — зрелищный вид спорта racing — бега (конские, собачьи и пр.)

boat-race — гребные гонки tournament — турнир innumerable — бесчисленный degree — степень, уровень skill — умение helpless — беспомощный extremely — чрезвычайно able — умелый

-to toboggan — кататься на санях, санках

SPORTS

Sport is very popular among people in all the coun­tries of the world. Sport makes people healthy, keeps them fit, more organized and better disciplined. It unites people of different classes and nationalities. Many peo­ple do sports on their personal initiative. They go in for skiing, skating, table tennis, swimming, volleyball, foot­ball, basketball, body-building etc.

All necessary facilities are provided for them: stadi­ums, sport swimming-pools, skating-rinks, football fields. But, of course, one have to pay for these services.

Sport is paid much attention to in our schools and colleges. Physical training is a compulsory subject. Dif­ferent sports and games are popular with my classmates. All my friends go in for different kinds of sport, such as water sports (that is swimming, sailing, rowing), gymnastics, horse-racing, wrestling, fencing, weightlifting, boxing, football, basketball, volleyball etc.

Physical training lessons at our college are held out - of-doors in summer. When it is cold outside the lessons are held indoors in our college gymnasium.

Professional sport is also paid much attention to in our country. In the city where I live, there are different sport societies, clubs and sport schools. Practically all kinds of sports are popular in our country, but gymnas­tics and tennis enjoy the greatest popularity. The most popular kinds of sports in the United States are baseball, basketball and American football. In Eng­land popular kinds of sports are golf and rugby. English­men like football too. It is their national kind of sports.

Words

all over the world — во всем мире to be fond of — зд. любить • healthy — здоровый to be fit — быть в форме

personal initiative — личная инициатива

skiing — лыжный спорт

skating — коньки

body-building — культуризм

facilities — помещения, оборудование

swimming-pool — плавательный бассейн

skating-rink — каток

attention — внимание

compulsory — обязательный

sailing — парусный спорт

rowing — гребля

wrestling — борьба

fencing — фехтование

weightlifting — штанга

out-of-doors — на воздухе

indoors — в помещении

THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN

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

Pre-school education in England begins at the age of

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

Compulsory primary education begins at the age of five in England, Wales and Scotland and at four in North­ern Ireland. Children start their school career in an infant school. Lessons start at 9 a. m. and are over at

4  p. m. They are taught «3 R’s»: Reading, wRiting, aRithtnetic. Pupils have a lot of fun at school, drawing, reading, dancing or singing.

When they are 7 pupils move to a junior school, which lasts four years till they are 11. They study a lot of subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geogra­phy along with Technology, Music, Art and Physical education

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

England. The most notable Public schools are Eton, Har­row, Winchester, Rugby.

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

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

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

The Comprehensive Schools have their own «Gram - таг school* classes and *Modern classes*

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

The British government encourages careers education in the country. That’s why secondary schools try to break down the barriers between education and business. They set up close links with firms to allow their students to take part in business activities.

At around 16 years old teenagers take some exams and coursework to get General Certificate of Education. Those who choose to stay on at school usually study for two further years to pass A level (Advanced level) exams. These exams will give them a chance to enter the university.

Words

to be aimed to — преследовать цель pre-school — дошкольное to attend — посещать compulsory — обязательный primary education — начальное образование infant school, nursery school — подготовительная школа; детский сад

junior school — начальная школа science — естествознание

secondary education — среднее образование

limited — ограниченный

sewing — шитье

shorthand — стенография

unskilled — неквалифицированный

to encourage — поощрять

link — связь

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

Computer is a device for processing ­puter has no intelligence by itself and is called hardware. A computer system is a combination of four elements: Hardware

•  Software

•  Procedures

Data / Information Software are the programmes that tell the hardware how to perform a task. Without software instructions, the hardware doesn’t know what to do.

The basic job of the computer is the processing of puters take information in the form of instructions called programs and symbols called data. After that they perform various mathematical and log­ical operations, and then give the results (information). Computer is used to convert data into puter is also used to store information in the digital form.

Working vocabulary:

device — устройство

processing — обработка

intelligence — разум

hardware — оборудование

software — программ

procedures — процедуры, операции

data — данные

perform — выполнять

manner — манера, способ

various — различные

to convert — превращать

to store — хранить

digital — цифровой