UNIT 4
Разговорная тема: Наша родина — СССР.
Грамматика: 1. Модальные глаголы и их эквиваленты. 2. Употребление времен в придаточных предложениях времени и условия.
PHONETIC EXERCISES
I. Practise the pronunciation of the following words:
area, earth, frontier, north, vary, resource, reserve, iron, possessor, wealth, backward, attain, link
II. Read the proper names:
Europe, European, Asia, Asian, the United States of America, India, Japan, Norway, Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Mongolia, the Korean People’s Democratic Republic, the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Baltic Sea, the Crimea, the Urals
TEXT 1
THE USSR
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is situated in Eastern Europe and Northern and Central Asia. Its area is 22.4 million square kilometres which is more than 16 per cent of the earth’s inhabited land area. The Soviet Union is the largest country in the world. It is nearly two and a half times as big as the United States, seven times as big as India, 60 times as big as Japan and 90 times as big as Great Britain. Eleven of the 24 time zones into which the world is divided pass through the territory of the USSR. Twelve countries border on the Soviet Union. In the west it borders on Norway, Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Rumania, in the south — on Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Mongolia and the Korean People’s Democratic Republic. The frontiers of the USSR are approximately 60,000 km in length of which more than two-thirds are sea frontiers. The Arctic Ocean and its seas wash the frontiers of the USSR in the north; the Black, Azov and Caspian seas in the south, in the east the frontiers are washed by the Pacific Ocean, in the west by the Baltic Sea. No other country in the world has such long frontiers or so many countries bordering on it.
The population of the USSR is about 270 million people. The Soviet Union is a multinational state. It consists of 15 republics in which more than a hundred nationalities live. They speak no less than fifty different languages.
A country stretching from the subtropical zone to the Arctic Ocean naturally has an extremely varied climate. The duration and nature of winter and summer vary in different regions but the contrast between the seasons is distinct everywhere. When spring arrives in Moscow it is already summer in the South while in the North it is still winter. When the temperature in the northern parts of Siberia is minus 50° roses are in bloom in western Georgia.
The Soviet Union takes the first place in the world in water resources. The largest river in the European part of the country is the Volga and the longest river in the Asian part of the country is the Lena. Lake Baikal is the largest fresh-water lake in Asia and Europe and the deepest in the world. Most of the territory of the USSR is flat but it is mountainous in the South and in the East.
The USSR is one of the richest countries in the world in natural resources. It has large reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, copper, lead and other minerals. As possessor of a vast wealth of raw materials the USSR has a highly developed industry. Our country takes the first place in Europe and the second place in the world in industrial output. The USSR has all modern branches of industry, it has mighty electric power stations. It was the Great October Socialist Revolution that made it possible to use all these riches for the benefit of the people. Old Russia was a backward agrarian country. Today the USSR has attained a high level of development both in industry and agriculture. Our motherland is immense. If you cross the Soviet Union from the extreme North to the South you will get a good idea of the climate contrasts, of the difference in scenery. The Crimea is unlike the Urals, the face of Tatary differs from that of Kirgizia. One region is rich in one thing, another is rich in another. But still all parts of our country are linked together and its economy develops according to one single plan. The USSR today occupies a leading position in world science and culture. Social changes and rapid economic development created the conditions for a cultural and scientific revolution in the USSR. The USSR is the first socialist country in the world, it is the leading force in the struggle for peace, freedom and national independence of peoples.
VOCABULARY EXERCISES
I. Read and translate the text “The USSR”.
II. Give Russian equivalents to:
the earth’s inhabited land area, two and a half times as big as, to pass through, the frontiers of the USSR are approximately 60,000 km in length, a multinational state, they speak no less than fifty different languages, an extremely varied climate, the duration and nature of winter, the contrast is distinct, roses are in bloom, to take the first place, a fresh-water lake, to have large reserves of oil, coal, iron ore, copper, lead and other minerals, as possessor of a vast wealth of raw materials, industrial output, modern branches of industry, to use the riches for the benefit of the people, a backward agrarian country, to attain a high level of development, both in industry and agriculture, difference in scenery, its economy develops according to, to occupy a leading position, to create the conditions, struggle for national independence of peoples
III. Choose the right word:
1. The most important … … … are those producing machinery, chemicals, glass and many others. 2. Moscow has become such a big city that it... for many miles from North to South. 3. Not many countries … … … coal. 4. Our country is rich in water... , the rivers in the USSR are wide and long. 5. After the October Revolution our country began to... quickly, new cities grew, new factories and plants appeared. 6. The Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Pepublic contains... 50 per cent of the... of the Soviet Union. 7. Moscow is the port of five seas: ships from... e to Moscow. 8. Now the economy of our country develops … … five-year plans. 9. How many... are there in the Soviet Union? The Soviet Union is a... state, isn’t it? 10. In the west our country … … six countries such as Norway, Finland, Poland and others; China … … to the south of the USSR.
to be rich in, branches of industry, to develop, nationality, multinational, to be situated, nearly, a resource, various regions, according to, to border on, to stretch, population
IV. Translate into Russian:
1. The USSR takes the first place in Europe and the second in the world in the production of electric energy. 2. The climate in the USSR is different in various regions of the country. 3. It is a highly developed industrial country, it is rich in many minerals. 4. Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources. 5. If you want to get a general idea of a country, you must study the map. 6. The Urals form the natural border between Europe and Asia and divide the country into two main regions. 7. What do you call the highest mountains situated in the south and the south-east of our country? — They are the Caucasus between the Caspian and the Black Seas and the Pamirs in Asia. 8. In Siberia the biggest rivers are the Ob, the Yenissei and the Lena. 9. The frontier line of our country is the longest in the world, it borders on many countries.
V. Give English equivalents to:
простираться с юга на север; различные отрасли промышленности; иметь общее представление о стране; граничить; для блага народа; занимать ведущее место; высокоразвитая страна; богатый водными ресурсами; этот пейзаж отличается от... ; равнинный район; многонациональное государство; по плану; использовать полезные ископаемые; промышленный выпуск; находиться на территории СССР; приблизительно половина населения; сделать возможным; быть связанным; бороться за мир во всем мире.
VI. Arrange the following words in pairs of synonyms:
a) an area, a frontier, population, various, scenery, to differ, nearly, leading, struggle, output, a region, motherland
b) a district, different, a landscape, inhabitants, fight, approximately, to vary, a border, a territory, production, a native country, main
VII. Answer the following questions (work in pairs):
1. Where is the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics situated? 2. The area of the USSR is very large, isn’t it? How large is it? 3. What countries does the Soviet Union border on in the west? 4. What seas and oceans wash the Soviet Union? 5. Are the frontiers of the USSR long? 6. What is the population of the USSR now? 7. Why do we say that the USSR is a multinational state? 8. What is the weather like in the Crimea or the Caucasus if it is winter in Moscow? 9. What is the weather like in the South of our country when it is winter in Siberia? 10. What great rivers in the USSR do you know? Why do we say that the USSR is rich in water resources? 12. What minerals are there in the USSR? 13. What part of the USSR is flat and what regions are mountainous? 14. How has our country changed after the Revolution? 15. What created the conditions for a cultural and scientific revolution in the USSR?
VIII. Ask questions for these answers (work in pairs):
1. Twelve countries border on the Soviet Union. 2. The Arctic Ocean and its seas wash the frontiers of the USSR in the North. 3. Yes, it does. The Soviet Union takes the first place in the world in water resources. 4. The USSR is rich in oil, natural gas, coal, iron and other minerals. 5. Yes, it was. Old Russia was a backward agrarian country. 6. Social changes and rapid economic development created the conditions for a cultural and scientific revolution. 7. Yes, it is. The USSR is the leading force in the struggle for peace and freedom.
IX. Fill in the blanks with articles if necessary:
There is no other country in... world whose nature is more varied than that of... Soviet Union. ... western half of... country is mainly flat. ... country is divided into two parts by... Ural mountains. ... greater part of... eastern half is covered with... plateaus and... mountain chains. Here, on... Kamchatka, ... biggest active volcanoes are located. Many of... rivers of... Soviet Union are among... world’s greatest. ... most important rivers of... western plain are... Volga, ... Dnieper and... Don. In... Siberia... biggest are... Ob, ... Yenissei and... Lena. In... Far East... Amur flows into... Pacific. In... lakes, too, our country is extremely rich. Among them are... world’s greatest lake... Caspian Sea and... deepest lake Baikal.
X. Make up situations using the following words and word-combinations:
1. to stretch from ... to, population, to be situated, to border on, to wash the frontiers, the territory is flat (mountainous), in the east, in the south, to be rich in. 2. my native city (town, village), to be situated, to the north, a varied climate, nature of summer (winter), beautiful scenery, to be rich in, industrial (agricultural) region.
plete the sentences consulting the text:
1. The Union of Soviet Republics is situated... . 2. Twelve countries border on the Soviet Union. In the west... . 3. The Arctic Ocean... . 4. No other country in the world... . 5. The Soviet Union is a multinationial state. It consists of... . 6. A country stretching... . 7. The Soviet Union takes the first place... . 8. Most of the territory of the USSR... . 9. The USSR is rich in... . It has... . 10. It was the Great October Socialist Revolution that... . 11. The USSR is the leading force... .
XII. Translate the following sentences into English:
1. Союз Советских Социалистических Республик — одна из крупнейших стран мира, одна часть его находится в Европе, другая — в Азии. 2. В Советском Союзе много высоких гор, больших рек, озер, лесов и полей. На Кавказе, в Крыму, на Волге, на Урале есть много красивых мест. 3. До революции Россия была сельскохозяйственной страной. В ней было мало больших промышленных городов. Сейчас Советский Союз — индустриальная держава. Советские люди строят много новых промышленных центров на севере и на востоке нашей страны. 4. Если вы проедете страну с севера на юг и с востока на запад, то получите общее представление о ландшафте и климате различных географических зон. 5. Казахская (the Kazakh) Советская Социалистическая Республика простирается от Волги до Алтайских гор, от равнинной Сибири до пустынь (deserts) Центральной Азии. 6. Все прогрессивные силы мира борются за мир во всем мире против ядерной (nuclear) войны. Они делают все возможное, чтобы использовать богатства земли на благо людей.
GRAMMAR EXERCISES
I. a) Form adjectives from the following nouns using the suffix “-ous”. Translate them into Russian:
mountain, industry, fame, autonomy
b) Form adjectives from the following adjectives using prefixes “in-, un-, im-”. Translate them into Russian:
distinct, different, natural, dependent, possible, like
c) Form nouns from the following verbs. Translate them into Russian:
to link, to struggle, to border, to place, to use, to plan, to change
II. Read the sentences and translate them into Russian:
1. They must leave at once. 2. Mother says you mustn’t tell him about it. 3. He is not to come before midnight. 4. She has to get up early in the morning. 5. We don’t have to do this exercise again. 6. It is very late. You shouldn’t phone them now. 7. You ought to speak at the meeting. 8. Adam was to come on Saturday. 9. You ought not to write so carelessly, nobody can make out your handwriting. 10. Do I have to tell them the truth? No, you don’t have to do it. They’ll know it anyway. 11. You must feel hungry. 12. It must be still raining. 13. Students mustn’t be late for classes. 14. He may not be back before dinner. 15. We could go shopping together if you have time.
III. Say the following sentences in the Past and in the Future using equivalents of the modal verbs:
1. He can understand it. 2. Can you find this book? 3. You may use her dictionary. 4. No one may leave this room.
IV. Use “may. might, can, could, needn’t”:
1. ... I wait here? 2. It... or... not be true. 3. It was so dark, we... see nothing. 4. ... you lend me a dictionary? 5. ... this be true? 6. Mother says I... not go out. 7. Sorry, sir, you... not smoke here. 8.... I have some more bread? 9. You... find this book in any bookshop. 10. ... I do anything for you? 11. They... not know about it.
V. Use “must, have, should, to be”:
1. I’m afraid I ... go now. I ... do some shopping before school. 2. John... get up early in the morning because he... meet his friend who... to arrive at 8 a. m. 3. They... marry early in June, so they... stay in Moscow. 4. You... work more at your English if you want to improve it. 5. She... wash her shoes after working in the garden. 6. We are late, we... run. 7. You... not go out in such bad weather, you are still ill. 8. ... I... stay at home all evening? 9. When... the train come?
VI. Translate into English using the modal verbs:
1. Кто может ответить на этот вопрос? 2. Не откладывайте на завтра то, что можно сделать сегодня. 3. Говорите громче, мне не слышно. 4. Неужели ей уже 20 лет? 5. Могу я попросить вас помочь? 6. Нельзя научиться говорить по-английски, не разговаривая. 7. Можете спросить их об этом сами. 8. Можете не делать это упражнение. 9. Нельзя говорить так громко, дети спят. 10. Возможно, вы правы. 11. Она сейчас, наверное, дома. 12. Автобуса не было, и нам пришлось идти пешком. 13. Мы должны были ехать на юг в начале августа, но мама заболела, и мы были вынуждены остаться в Москве. 14. Вы, должно быть, устали, вам надо отдохнуть.
VII. Replace the Infinitives in brackets by the Future Indefinite or the Present Indefinite:
1. Our delegation (to start) for London as soon as they (to receive) their tickets. 2. When you (to get) some news let me know. 3. When I (to go) to Kiev I usually (to stay) at my friends’ place. 4. He (to be) thankful to you if you (to type) the article for him. 5. We (not to forget) this meeting as long as we (to live). 6. You (to improve) your pronunciation only when you (to work) systematically. 7. If she (to follow) my advice it (to do) her much good. 8. I advise you to think twice before (to decide) anything. 9. What I (to do) if nobody (to help) me? 10. We (to phone) her later if she (not to be) at home now.
VIII. Translate into English:
1. Как только приедете в Москву, приходите ко мне. 2. Если мы не достанем билеты, пойдем погулять. 3. Мы обсудим этот вопрос, когда все соберутся. 4. Если свернете направо, сразу увидите впереди здание университета. 5. Как только студенты сдадут все экзамены, они отправятся в поход. 6. Если у вас будут вопросы, я охотно отвечу на них. 7. Нам надо узнать, когда отправляется поезд. 8. Я не знаю, будем ли мы сдавать зачет в конце этого семестра. 9. Если он не сможет прийти, он сообщит нам. 10. Вы сможете успеть, если возьмете такси. 11. Что вы собираетесь делать, когда вернетесь в Москву?
TEXT 2
Look through the text and try to get the main facts. Take down some notes so that you can answer the comprehension questions given below:
1. When was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics formed? What documents were adopted at the Congress? 2. What does the Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee “On the 60th Anniversary of the Formation of the USSR” stress? 3. What are the results of the past six decades?
THE FORMATION OF THE USSR
When the last shots in the Civil War were fired in 1922 and the country moved into a period of peaceful construction, delegates from all parts gathered in Moscow for the 1st All-Union Congress of Soviets. Armenians, Byelorussians, Russians, Ukrainians, Georgians, Uzbeks and representatives of many other nationalities discussed ways of further developing their multinational state and building relations between their republics. On December 30, 1922 the Congress adopted a Declaration and a Treaty on the Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or the USSR. The formation of the USSR was the embodiment of V. I. Lenin’s ideas on the nationalities policy. Lenin saw the strength of this union in complete mutual confidence, in the elimination of any form of inequality between the nations. The birth of the USSR, says the Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee “On the 60th Anniversary of, the Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics”, was the result of the victory of the Great October Socialist Revolution, which smashed the chains of social and national oppression.
“The formation of the USSR,” the Resolution stresses, “is the greatest achievement of the Leninist Party of Bolsheviks, multinational in composition and deeply internationalist in its ideology, policy and working principles.” A decisive role in the rise of a single union state was played by the Russian Federation, around which all the Soviet Republics voluntarily united. From their own experience the peoples of the land of Soviets became convinced that cohesion in a single union multiplied their strength and speeded up their socio-economic advance. In the past six decades the economies of all the Soviet Republics have developed dynamically. The actual equality of all nations and nationalities has been ensured through this development. The day of the 60th anniversary of the USSR’s formation was celebrated as a great festival of a great state. The results of these decades are now Nearly evident to the whole world. They include the great unity of all nations and nationalities, the socialist economy built up by free labour, they include the triumph of socialist ideology. The USSR is a friendly family of equal republics jointly building communism.
TEXT 3
Read the text and render it in English:
THE USSR - A MULTINATIONAL STATE
The USSR today consists of 15 constituent, 20 autonomous republics, 8 autonomous regions and 10 autonomous areas. A constituent republic is an independent sovereign Soviet Socialist state of workers and peasants. Constituent republics differ in size of territory, size and density of population, national composition and a number of other characteristics. Nonetheless, all of them enjoy equal rights and are constituent members of the USSR.
Each constituent republic has its own constitution, it has its own higher organs of state power; its Supreme Soviet, Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court. Each constituent republic has its own republican military formation, anthem, flag, emblem and capital. There is complete equality of all nationalities in the Soviet Union. All of them have the same opportunities for development. Their relations are based on fraternity, friendship, respect and willingness to aid one another.
The RSFSR or Russian Federation is the first among the constituent republics as to the size of population, territory and economic development. It stretches from the Baltic to the Pacific, from the Arctic Ocean to the Central Asian deserts.
Russia. This word arouses emotions not only in the heart of a Moscow or Kiev citizen but also of people far beyond the frontiers of the Soviet Union. There are so many historical events associated with the name of Russia. Stretching over a part of Europe and Asia it includes the most diverse areas: the industrial area with Moscow as its centre, the North-Western area with Leningrad, the Central Black Earth belt and its vast plains, the Volga valley with its wheat and oil, the North Caucasus and the Black Sea coast, the industrial Urals rich in natural resources, boundless Siberia, a land with a great industrial future, and lastly the Far East with the Ussuri primeval forests and the Kuriles chain.
TEXT 4
Render the following text in English:
СОЮЗ РАВНЫХ
Образование Союза ССР — результат победы Великой Октябрьской социалистической революции, разорвавшей цепи национального гнета и поднявшей к самостоятельному историческому творчеству все народы нашей страны.
Величайшая заслуга в создании СССР принадлежит , разработавшему основы национальной политики, непосредственно руководившему деятельностью Коммунистической партии и Советского государства по осуществлению этой политики на практике. Ныне у нас установились зрелые социалистические общественные отношения. Все наши республики, в том числе и те, которые ранее отставали в экономическом и культурном отношениях, достигли теперь высокого уровня развития. Одновременно экономика каждой республики превратилась в неразрывную часть единого народнохозяйственного комплекса. За годы Советской власти объем промышленной продукции вырос в республиках в сотни, а в некоторых — более чем в тысячу раз. Ныне национальные различия между народами СССР не связаны больше с различиями в уровнях их экономического развития, а также в уровне их образования, науки, культуры, искусства.
В соответствии с Конституцией СССР — единое союзное многонациональное государство, образованное на основе принципа социалистического федерализма, в результате свободного самоопределения наций и добровольного объединения равноправных республик.
Нерушима дружба советских народов, в процессе коммунистического строительства неуклонно происходит их сближение. В нашей стране установлены зрелые социалистические отношения, сформировалась новая историческая общность людей - советский народ, основанная на союзе рабочего класса, колхозного крестьянства и народной интеллигенции.
SPEECH EXERCISES
I. Speak on the following points:
I. The geographical position of the USSR. 2. The climate in various geographical zones. 3. The development of the USSR nowadays and its position before the Great October Revolution. 4. The USSR is a highly developed country.
II. Ask your fellow-students questions to find out:
1. what his native place is; 2. if he lives in a village or town; 3. if he lives near the sea; 4. if there is a river or a lake in his native place; 5. what the population of the place is; 6. what natural resources are found in his native place; 7. what main industries are developed in this place; 8. if his native place is an agrarian part of the USSR or an industrial region; 9. if he is fond of his place; 10. why he likes his native city or village
III. Speak about your native city (town, village), about its geographical position, the Republic on the territory of which it is situated, its population and the main occupation of its inhabitants.
IV. What area in the USSR is your favourite?
