Разговорные темы (стр. 2 )

welfare - благосостояние

to signify - выражать

keen promoter – ярый защитник

outspoken – откровенный, прямой

controversial – противоречивый

modesty – скромность

car accident – автомобильная катастрофа

arrogant – высокомерный; надменный; самонадеянный

helicopter – вертолёт

to pursue – продолжать; заниматься

to be keen - сильно увлекаться

charity – благотворительность

widow – вдова

Answer the questions:

1. Who is the royal family headed at present?

2. When was Queen Elizabeth born?

3. What was Elizabeth interested when she was a child?

4. What can you say about her husband?

5. How many children does she have?

6. Who is the Queen’s heir?

The System of Education in the UK.

The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated.

By law children go to school at the age of 5.

They go to Infant school for two years. At the age of 7 they go to Junior school. So, English children get their Primary education during 6 years.

At the age of 11 they take the so called 11 + examination (Eleven plus exam). It is an examination in English and arithmetic. The 11 + examination includes intelligence testing. Each boy or girl is given a printed test paper. On the test paper one can find 100 questions and 5 answers to each question. The pupil must choose the correct answer to each question. Time is limited.

Children who have very good results go to Grammar school. Some children go to the Secondary Technical school. Those who have bad results, go to The Secondary Modern school.

The Grammar school prepares pupils for Universities or Colleges. Those who study at the Secondary Technical school are taught practical subjects, such as commerce, industry and agriculture.

The Secondary Modern school gives a very limited education. There pupils get instruction in woodwork, metal-work, sewing, shorthand, typing and cooking.

There is also the Comprehensive School which takes children without any 11 + examinations. At the Comprehensive school children have the opportunity to be taught according to their ability and the level of intelligence.

Comprehensive schools were introduced in 1965. The idea of Comprehensive school was supported by the Labour Party. Some pupils of schools of this type leave school at 16 without any real qualification. They do not pass GCE (General Certificate of Education) exams and increase the ranks of unemployed people.

It is difficult to imagine the system of education in Great Britain without Independent Schools.

They are boarding schools for children from rich families. The most expensive boarding schools in Britain are exclusive public schools like Eton and Harrow Colleges for boys and St. James’ School for girls.

When the pupils are 16 they take Ordinary Level (“0” level) examinations in three or four subjects. Those who have passed their “0” level examinations enter the sixth form.

In two years they take their Advanced Level examinations (“A” level) in one or two subjects. Those who have passed “A” level examinations can enter Colleges and Universities.

Universities accept students mainly on the basis of their “A” level results.

After graduating from the University a student gets a degree of Bachelor of Arts or Sciences. Students receive grants to pay for books, accommodation and food.

The most famous universities are Oxford and Cambridge. They are called “Oxbridge”.

Words and expressions:

complicated – сложный

by law – по закону

primary school – начальная школа

infant school – начальная школа (5-7 лет)

junior school – начальная школа (7-11 лет)

to prepare – готовить

to choose – выбирать

correct - правильный

sewing – шитьё

shorthand – стенография

comprehensive school – общеобразовательная школа

opportunity – возможность

ability – способность

to support – поддерживать

to pass exam – сдавать экзамен

unemployed – безработный

boarding school – закрытая школа

expensive – дорогой ( по цене)

GCE (General Certificate of Education) - общее свидетельство об образовании

0- level (Ordinary level) - экзамены по программе средней школы обычного уровня

A-level (Advanced level) – экзамены продвинутого уровня

Degree - степень

Bachelor of Arts or Science – бакалавр в области гуманитарных или естественных наук

to receive - получать

to pay – платить

accommodation – жильё

Answer the questions:

1. Is the system of education in Britain complicated?

2. What does primary school in Britain include?

3. What age do children go to school?

4. What exams do children pass at the age of 11?

5. What is Comprehensive school?

6. What degree does a student get after graduating the University?

7. What are the most universities in Britain?

My native town - Cheboksary.

Chuvashia is poetically called a land of one hundred thousand of songs and one hundred thousand of embroideries. The republic’s capital is Cheboksary, one of the most beautiful and the cleanest cities in Russia. It is situated on the Volga river. Cheboksary (in the Chuvash language – Shupashkar), the population of which approaches 500,000 people, is a city with many-centuries-old history. In the Russian chronicles Cheboksary was first mentioned in 1469 and this year is considered as the year of its foundation.

The city plays a very important role in the cultural life of the Volga region. The city has 5 professional and many amateur theatres. One of the theatres is the Chuvash State Academic Theatre named after a remarkable Chuvash poet Konstantin Ivanov. It attracts many people by its interesting plays and different shows. Our Music Theatre of Opera and Ballet is very popular not only in our republic but also in the whole country. There are also many schools, institutes and universities, museums, libraries and beautiful parks in our town.

Cheboksary is the seat of the Chuvash government. Our town is divided into three administrative districts: Moskvsky, Leninsky and Kalininsky.

Cheboksary is a big industrial centre of our country. There are many factories, plants and offices here. There is the Cheboksary hydro-electric power station.

There is also a big airport in our capital.

One of the most beautiful and the nicest places of interest in our town is our bay. It’s very nice here especially in summer. There is a monument to our Chuvash mother here. Our bay attracts many tourists all over the world. My friends and I like to walk here.

I like my native town with its wide and beautiful streets, its parks and squares. The city is very green and clean. And I hope it will grow more and more and it will be the most remarkable cities in the world.

Words and expressions:

Native - родной

embroidery – вышивка

population – население

to approach – приближаться, подходить

to mention – упоминать

to attract – привлекать

amateur – любительский

remarkable – замечательный

government – правительство

district – район

bay - залив

Answer the questions:

1. Where were you born?

2. What is your native town?

3. Is your town a cultural centre?

4. What places of interest are there in your town?

5. Is your town clean?

6. What would you show your guests in our town?

My school – Sport College of the Olympic Reserve.

I can say I have been happy at school. I believe school is not only walls, but walls are also important. If the building is cosy and comfortable, if it is freshly - painted and repaired, if it is well- equipped, the pupils feel that the state pays attention to their studies, that they will be needed as educated people.

I study at Sport College of the Olympic Reserve and I like to study there.

I like my school building because it is clearly seen that everything has been designed so as to help the pupils. You can easily find your way around the school.

There are three floors in it. On the ground floor you can see a gym, a medical room, a cloakroom, a hostel for our students and pupils and our trainers’ offices. On the first floor you can see a canteen, a computer lab, the classrooms of Russian, Literature, Economy, Psychology, German and other subjects. It is very convenient to have a canteen at school, because we can not only have dinner but we can have a snack – the prices are reasonable and the range of food is rather good. Cakes and buns baked at school are so tasty that I buy them very often. The headmaster’s office and the teachers’ room are also on the first floor. On the second floor you can see an assembly hall, the classrooms of History, Mathematics, Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and English.

Our school is very well - equipped. Our computer lab is supplied with ten computers and the computers are available for the students to prepare their papers and reports after lessons. Our classrooms are cosy and home - like, because there are lots of flowers and posters on the walls, nice curtains hang on the windows. We help keep our school clean and tidy by washing the desks and windows every term.

The teachers of our school are professionals. They do their best to help us study.

My favourite school subject is … because I like the teacher and also it is useful and interesting. The teacher can explain everything in detail. But I’m not very good at Maths and Chemistry. For me these are hard nuts to crack. It is difficult for me to memorize and use formulas.

I have got many friends at school. Some of them are my classmates. They share the same interests as I do. My friends are very friendly. I feel that I can rely upon them in difficult circumstances. During the breaks we speak about everything in the world and share all our secrets. It is great to have so many friends. That is why I can say that I was happy at school.

Words and expressions:

to believe – верить

building – здание

cosy - уютный

repaired – отремонтированный

well-equipped – хорошо оборудованный

state – государство

to pay attention – обращать внимание

educated people – образованные люди

cloakroom – раздевалка

hostel – общежитие

canteen – столовая

to have a snack – перекусить

the prices are reasonable – цена разумная (недорогая)

bun – сдобная булочка с изюмом

tasty – вкусный

headmaster – директор

director of studies – завуч

form master – классный руководитель

is supplied with – снабжён

are available for – доступны

to explain – объяснять

to be good at – хорошо успевать

to crack – щёлкать

these are hard nuts to crack – они мне трудно даются

Answer the questions:

1. Where do you study?

2. Do you like your school? What do you like at school?

3. Is your school well-equipped?

4. What is your favourite subject at school?

5. What subjects are more difficult for you?

6. What exams are you going to take?

Choosing your future profession.

Finishing school is the beginning of the independent life for millions of school leavers. Many roads are opened before them: vocational and technical schools, institutes and universities. But it is not an easy thing to choose a profession out of more than 2,000 existing in the world. Some pupils do this still at the industrial training centres, some follow the advice of their parents, others can’t decide even after leaving school.

I think, choosing a profession you should take into considerations many factors. The first is your talents, gifts and abilities. If somebody is good at languages, likes reading and writing, he can become a good journalist or a writer. If you take part in the school theatre club activities, enjoy acting on stage and playing musical instruments, you are a potential actor. The love to younger children will show you a future teacher.

As for me I made my choice long ago. I want to link my future profession with sport. My choice with this occupation didn’t come as a sudden flash. During all school years I was interested in sport. That’s why I study at the Sport College of the Olympic Reserve. I go in for sport very seriously. My results in sport are not bad. I’m Master of Sports in swimming. After finishing the Sport College and getting a diploma I shall be able to work as a trainer of swimming. But for the present I’d like to train myself and take part in more serious competitions. Going for sport gives us a good opportunity to meet different famous sportsmen and visit many countries.

Words and expressions:

the beginning of the independent life – начало независимой жизни

school leaver – выпускник

vocational school – ремесленное училище

existing – существующий

to choose – выбирать

to take into consideration – принять во внимание

advice – совет

gift – дар

ability – способность

to take part in – принимать участие

to enjoy – получать удовольствие

choice – выбор

should – должен, следует

didn’t come as a sudden flash – не был неожиданностью

that’s why – вот поэтому

I shall be able – я смогу

opportunity – возможность

Answer the questions:

1. Is finishing school the beginning of the independent life for millions of school leavers?

2. Is it an easy thing to choose a profession?

3. Who helps you choose a profession?

4. What should you take into consideration choosing a profession?

5. Have you already made your choice? What would you like to become after finishing school?

6. Do you think going for sport gives you a good opportunity to visit many countries?

Studying foreign languages.

Learning a foreign language isn’t an easy thing. Nowadays it’s especially important to know foreign languages. Some people learn languages because they need them for their work, others travel abroad, for the third studying foreign languages is a hobby. Everyone who knows foreign languages can speak to people from other countries, read foreign authors in the original, which makes your outlook wider. Of course, it is very useful to learn foreign languages. Knowledge of foreign languages helps us to develop friendship and understanding among people. I study English. English is very popular now. It is the language of computers, science, business, sport and politics. It is spoken all over the world. English is the language of communication. It is the official language of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States of America, Canada, Australia. There are more than 750 million speakers of English in the world.

Speaking a foreign language you can read papers, magazines and original books by great writers, watch satellite TV programs. If you like traveling you can go anywhere without being afraid that other people will not understand you. I think, that to know especially English today is absolutely necessary for every educated man, for every good specialist. English is very important to find a good work. So I advise everybody to study some foreign language.

Words and expressions:

foreign language – иностранный язык

especially – особенно

need – нуждаться

to travel abroad – путешествовать за границу

makes your outlook wider – делает ваш кругозор шире

useful – полезный

knowledge – знание

to develop friendship and understanding among people – развивать дружбу и понимание среди людей

the language of communication – язык общения

to be afraid – бояться

is necessary – необходимо

to advise – советовать

Answer the questions:

1. Is learning foreign languages an easy thing?

2. Why is it important to know foreign languages?

3. What does knowledge of foreign languages help us?

4. Why is English very popular now?

5. Why is English the language of communication?

6. What languages would you like to study?

Travelling.

Modern life is impossible without traveling. Thousands of people travel every day either on business or for pleasure. They can travel by air, by rail, by sea or by road.

Of course, traveling by air is the fastest and the most convenient way, but it is the most expensive too. Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. You can see many interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Modern trains have very comfortable seats. There are also sleeping cars and dining cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. Speed, comfort and safety are the main advantages of trains and planes. That is why many people prefer them to all other means.