Ex. 3. Match the synonyms.
| 1) to be located | a) rainfall |
| 2) woods | b) elevations |
| 3) to meet the needs | c) the most important |
| 4) precipitation | d) different |
| 5) hills | e) to be situated |
| 6) main | f) well-known |
| 7) production | g) to satisfy the needs |
| 8) various | h) manufacturing |
| 9) famous | i) forests |
Ex. 4. Match the antonyms.
| 1) heavy industry | a) southern |
| 2) to export | b) non-ferrous |
| c) northern | c) to decrease |
| 4) urban | d) smaller |
| 5) larger | e) light industry |
| 6) lowlands | f) rural |
| 7) ferrous | g) hills |
| 8) to increase | h) to import |
Ex. 5. Complete the sentences.
1. Belarus borders on _____ .2. Belarus is located _____. 3. The climate of the republic is ____. 4. The total population of the republic is _____. 5. The basic ethnic groups are _____. 6. The mineral resources of the country are _____. 7. The most developed branches of the economy are _____. 8. The most developed branches of manufacturing _____. 9. Belarus imports _____. 10. Belarus exports _____. 11. State power of the Republic is released through three main branches _____.
Ex. 6. Answer the questions.
1. Where is the republic of Belarus located? 2. What countries does it border on? 3. How many parts does it consist of? 4. What territory does it occupy? 5. Is it a large country? What is its landscape? 6. What do you know about its climate? 7. How many people live there? 8. What is its capital? 9. What are your country's natural resources? 10. What can you say about its economy? 11. What products does Belarus export? 12. What products does Belarus import? 13. What countries does Belarus have trade relations with? 14. How is state power realised? 15. What do you know about the history of the Republic?
Ex. 7. Tell about your country using a plan:
1) the location of the country;
2) landscape;
3) climate;
4) population;
5) economy;
6) state power.
Ex. 8. Problems for discussion.
1. Belarusian mentality: In what way do you think it is different from that of any other nation?
2. The globalisation of communications will certainly bring about the globalisation of “cultural idioms”. Do you think it is possible to maintain Belarusian cultural heritage?
3. Who is who in Belarus in the 21st century: name the most important personalities born in Belarus and prove that they must be on the list!
Ex. 9. Working in libraries or using the Internet database, prepare reports about the history of our country.
Ex.10. Read the text.
Text B
Minsk – the Capital of the Republic of Belarus
More than 2000 years ago on the banks of the Nemiga and Svisloch rivers came into existence the city of Minsk or Mensk as it was called before. The name of the city is believed to be associated with the river Menka that flowed into the lake Ptych not far from the city. But the legends say that the city derives its name from the word “mena” as in the ancient times there was a barter market on the right bank of the river Svisloch. Mensk was first mentioned in a chronicle in 1067. In the 12th century Mensk became the centre of the independent principality. In the 13th century the principality of Mensk became part of the Great Duchy of Lithuania.
The 14th–15th centuries were very important in the life of Mensk and its inhabitants. It was the period when the Belarusian nation was formed with its national language and culture. In the middle of the 16th century the Lithuania Princes united with the Polish Kingdom and formed a joined State Rzecz Pospolita. It was at that period when Mensk was renamed into Minsk. Till the 18th century the Belarusian people were placed in bondage to Polish feudal lords who exploited them cruelly.
In me 18th century (1793) Belarus was annexed by Russia. It was turned into a province with Minsk as its centre. In 1812 the Napoleon troops burnt the city. In the 20th century the foreign invaders not once occupied the Belarusian capital: in 1918 it was occupied by Germany; in 1919 – 1920 by Poland.
During the World War II our capital was almost completely destroyed by the fascist invaders. We can say that in the post-war years it was rebuilt anew.
At present Minsk is the capital of the Republic of Belarus which is an independent state with its own state symbols, Parliament and President. It's a big growing city with the population of about 2 million. It occupies an area of 200 square kilometres.
Every visitor admires the city with its beautiful buildings, wide streets and avenues, green parks and fine monuments. Minsk is also a big traffic centre with a large network of roads, railways, airlines and two Metro lines. It goes without saying that Minsk is an industrial centre of Belarus. There are hundreds of plants and factories in the city which produce various goods. Tractors and lorries, motorcycles and bicycles, TV-sets and watches, refrigerators and computers, textile and footwear are manufactured here. Our Belarus tractors and MAZ trucks enjoy a high reputation both in our country and abroad.
Minsk is also known as a city of science and students. There are many state and commercial institutions which train specialists in different fields of economy and social life.
The cultural life of the Belarusian capital is varied and very interesting. In Minsk there are many museums and exhibitions, a number of theatres and concert halls, acircus and dozens of cinemas, libraries and clubs. The leading theatres here are the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Yanka Kupala State Academic Theatre and the Gorky Russian Drama Theatre which are extremely popular with the public.
Minsk is a Hero-City. It was honoured with the title in 1974 for the courage and heroism displayed by its residents during the World War II.
The inhabitants of Minsk and all the Belarusians love their capital. It is attractive in every season of the year.