- What universities have the highest academic reputation in the UK?
- Oxford University and Cambridge University.
- What is the first degree awarded by universities?
- It’s a bachelor’s degree.
- What is “a University tutor”?
- A tutor is a member of a staff who teaches small groups of students and gives them help and advice.
Our Republic
3.1 Read and translate the text:
The republic of Bashkortostan was formed in 1919. It lies both in Europe and Asia. The climate is continental. The population is over 4 million people.
Bashkortostan is a well developed republic. Its main industries are oil refining and chemical. As for agriculture, vegetable growing and livestock breeding are on a high level here. Our farmers grow wheat, rye, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage etc. Horse-breeding, cattle-breeding and bee-keeping are traditional occupations of Bashkirs.
The capital of Bashkortostan is Ufa. It is the largest industrial and cultural centre of the republic. Our city has six theatres, a lot of cinemas, several museums and entertainment centres.
The nature of our republic is very beautiful and people from different parts of Russia come to Bashkir sanatoriums and rest homes.
Words to the text:
to lie
лежать
both...and...
и… и…, как… так…
oil refining
нефтеперерабатывающий
wheat
пшеница
barley
ячмень
oats
овес
buckwheat
гречиха
cabbage
капуста
horse-breeding
коневодство
cattle-breeding
скотоводство
bee-keeping
пчеловодство
theatre
театр
several
несколько
entertainment
развлечение
different
различный
rest
отдых
etc. = etcetera
и т.д.
3.2 Questions:
1. Where is Bashkortostan situated?
2. What branches of industry are developed in the republic?
3. What vegetables are grown in Bashkortostan?
4. What are traditional occupations of Bashkirs?
5. What historic places in Ufa do you know?
3.3 Say whether the facts about the Republic of Bashkortostan (RB) are true or false:
The Republic is rich in iron, oil, copper, manganese.
Yamantau is the highest peak of the Southern Urals.
The main water route of the Republic is the Belaya River.
The most important of the RB’s industries are oil extracting, refining, and processing.
Ufa is linked with Moscow by 2 federal highways.
Ufa is the only city-millionaire in the Russian Federation where there is a natural increase in population since 2008.
Great Britain
4.1 Read and translate the text:
Britain has several names: Britain, Great Britain, the British Isles. Its official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The population of the country is 62 million people.
The climate is warm and damp. There are many rivers in Great Britain and the largest river is the Thames. The largest cities are London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham.
Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. Its main industries are coal mining, machinery, textiles, electronics. The capital of Great Britain is London.
Agriculture is a highly developed branch of the British economy, too. The climate of Great Britain is ideal for cattle breeding and vegetable growing. There are a lot of sheep and poultry farms in Great Britain. The chief agricultural products of Great Britain are meat, milk, potatoes, sugar beet, wheat, barley and oats.
Words to the text:
the British Isles
Британские острова
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии
population
население
warm
теплый
damp
влажный
long
длинный
large
большой
capital
столица
to develop
развивать
coal
уголь
agriculture
сельское хозяйство
poultry
домашняя птица
sheep
овца
4.2 Questions:
1. What is the official name of the country on the British Isles?
2. What parts does the UK consist of?
3. What branches of industry are well developed in Great Britain?
4. Who is the head of the state?
5. What sights of London are world famous?
4.3 Read and translate the dialogues:
- Have you been to England?
- No, but I’ve been dreaming about it all my life.
-What would you like to see there?
- First of all, Stonehenge – a mysterious place. Then, the Lake District with its beautiful nature and the white rocks of Dover.
- What about towns and cities?
- Not all at once.
* * *
-Do you know that Britain is famous for being a nation of animal lovers?
-Is it so? What are the most popular pets?
-They are dogs, cats, hamsters, birds and rats.
- How many pets are there in the country?
-More than 27 million.
4.4 How much do you know about the United Kingdom?
1. How many countries are there in the UK:
a) 3, b) 4, c) 5?
2. What is the national emblem of England:
a) the red rose, b) the daffodil, c) the thistle?
3. Where does the mysterious Loch Ness Monster live:
a) Wales, b) Northern Ireland, c) Scotland?
4. The British flag is often called:
a) The Union Jack, b) the Stars and Stripes, c) the Maple Leaf?
5. Ben Nevis is:
a) a mountain, b) a sort of whiskey, c) a pop singer?
6. Madam Tussaud’s is a museum of:
a) wax figures, b) western paintings, c) ancient coins?
7. The kilt is:
a) a shirt, b) a skirt, c) a pair of trousers.
8. Where did the Beatles start their career:
a) in London, b) in Liverpool, c) in Glasgow?
9. What is the most popular sport in Britain:
a) football, b) baseball, c) tennis?
10. Which of the following is a well-known British food:
a) pasta, b) fish and chips, c) frog legs?
5 Russia
5.1 Read and translate the text:
Russia is the largest country in the world. It is situated in Europe and Asia. Its total area is over 17 million square kilometres. The climate is different in different parts of our country.
The population of the Russian Federation is about 147 million people.
Russia is among the world leaders in mineral resources. It in rich in coal, oil, iron, natural gas, copper. Russia is a highly developed industrial country. Its oil and chemical industries are well developed. As for agriculture animal breeding and crop growing are on a high level here. Farmers of Russia grow cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, and vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots.
The capital of the country is Moscow. It was founded in 1147. Now it is the most important political, industrial and cultural centre of the country. The Red Square, the Kremlin and other sights attract tourists from all over the world to Moscow.
Russia plays an important role in the world. It is a peace-loving country and a member of many peaceful organizations.
Words to the text:
world
мир
to be situated
располагаться
total area
общая площадь
different
различный
among
среди
leader
лидер
mineral resources
минеральные ресурсы
rich
богатый
iron
железо
as for
что касается
animal breeding
животноводство
crop growing
растениеводство
level
уровень
to grow
расти, выращивать
cereals
хлебные злаки
such as
такой как
vegetable
овощ
cucumber
огурец
carrot
морковь
to found
основывать
sights
достопримечательности
to attract
привлекать
to play
играть
peace-loving
миролюбивый
5.2 Questions:
1. How large is the territory of the Russian Federation?
2. What mineral resources is Russia rich in?
3. What branches of industry are the leading ones in our country?
4. What cereals and vegetables do farmers of Russia grow?
5. What sights of Moscow are world famous?
5.3 Read and translate the dialogues:
- I must say that your country is very big.
- In fact, it is the largest country in the world. But your country is also big.
- Canada is the second largest country in the world.
- But its population is considerably smaller than that of Russia, isn’t it?
* * *
- Can you tell me a little about Krasnodar?
- Yes, sure. What would you like to know?
- Well, when’s the best time to visit it?
- Mmm, you should go in summer. The weather is nice then.
- Good, and what places should I see?
- You should not miss visiting its beaches.
- Thanks.
* * *
- Where are you from?
- I am from Yelabuga.
- Oh, I’ve never been there. What’s it like?
- It’s a great place on the high bank of the Kama river with a lot of historic sights and unusual museums.