My study at the University

1. Look up the words in a dictionary, find their pronunciation and read them aloud.

to orientate oneself	Descriptive Geometry
Physical Culture	Engineering Drawing
Physics	interval

2. Read the following words and word combinations and learn them by heart.

I have been studying just for one month.	Я учусь только один месяц.
to make the right choice	сделать правильный выбор
to enter the University	поступить в университет
freshman	первокурсник
to take into consideration	принимать во внимание
to consult with teachers	консультироваться с преподавателями
to be dead on one's feet	валиться с ног
to have to	вынужден, приходиться
It takes me…	У меня уходит…

3. Read the following words and word combinations and translate them into Russian.

to go by bus	additional lessons in all the subjects
to include	attend
special subjects	nevertheless
general

4. Make up your own sentences using words and phrases from tasks 1, 2, 3.

5. Read and translate the text.

***

As you know I am only a first-year student of the Technical University. I have been studying just for one month at the Murmansk State Technical University and now I can say that I made the right choice when I entered the University because I like studying here very much in spite of the fact that we have to work hard.

Every day we have three or four pairs of lessons. The lessons begin at 9 o'clock but as I live rather far from the University I must get up at 7 o'clock not to be late for the lessons. Usually I go to the University by trolley-bus; it takes me about 20 minutes to get there. At 8.50 I am at a class-room. By the way at first it was really a problem and not only for me but for all the freshmen to find the necessary class-room. You see our University includes some buildings marked by different letters and the lessons usually take place in different buildings located rather far from each other. Taking into consideration the fact that we didn't know the positions of those buildings and that the interval between the lessons is just 10 minutes you can easily understand that we were often late. But now we can more or less orientate ourselves in the University and can find our ways to the class-rooms.

As for the subjects we are taught they differ from the school subjects. It needs to say that we study a lot of mathematics, some special subjects such as … and some general ones, they are History of Culture, Physical Culture, Physics, Descriptive Geometry (Engineering Drawing), English etc. We often go to the library or reading hall to take books for our studying or to work there. Besides nearly every day we have some additional lessons in all the subjects at which we can consult with our teachers about the matters which are not quite clear for us. As I attend all the lectures, seminars, lessons and try not to miss additional consultation lessons I usually come home at 5 о'clock. Then I have some meals and begin preparing for the next day. I always have a lot of tasks to be done for the following day. So in the evening I usually feel sick and tired and I am dead on my feet. I go to bed at 11 o'clock. The only time when I can have a short rest is Saturday evening because Sunday is my day off and I don't have to go to the University. But nevertheless I like studying because every day I learn a lot of new interesting things.

6. Find in the text English equivalents to the following words and phrases:

cделать правильный выбор, поступить в университет, первокурсник, принимать во внимание, консультироваться с преподавателями, чувствовать себя разбитым, валиться с ног, вынужден, приходиться, у меня уходит, вставать, много работать, опаздывать, кстати, принимая во внимание, отличаться от чего-л., начертательная геометрия, посещать занятия, пропускать занятия, ложиться спать, вынужден, приходится.

7. Replace the words in brackets with the corresponding English words and phrases.

1. As you know I (студент-первокурсник) of the Technical University.

2. I (учусь) just for one month at the Murmansk State Technical University and now I can say that I (сделал правильный выбор) when I (поступил в университет) because I like studying here very much (несмотря на то) that we have to work hard.

3. The lessons begin at 9 o'clock but (так как) I live (довольно далеко от университета) I must get up at 7 o'clock (чтобы не опоздать на) the lessons.

4. Usually I go to the University (на автобусе), (у меня уходит) about 20 minutes to get there.

5. By the way at first it was really a problem and not only for me but for all (первокурсников) to find the necessary class-room.

6. You see our University (включает в себя) some buildings marked by different letters and the lessons usually (проходят) in different buildings (находящихся) rather far from each other.

7. (Принимая во внимание) the fact that we (не знали) the positions of those buildings and that (интервал) between the lessons is just 10 minutes you can easily understand that we (часто опаздывали).

8. But now we can more or less (ориентироваться) in the University and can find our ways to the class-rooms.

9. As for the subjects (нам преподают) they differ from the school subjects.

10. It needs to say that we study a lot of mathematics, (специальные предметы) and some (общие) ones.

11. Nearly every day (у нас есть дополнительные занятия) in all the subjects at which we can (консультироваться с преподавателями) about the matters which are not quite clear for us.

12. I (посещаю) all the lectures, seminars, lessons and try (не пропускать) additional consultation lessons.

13. I have some meals and begin (готовиться к) the next day.

14. I usually feel sick and tired and (падаю с ног).

15. But (тем не менее) I like studying because every day I learn a lot of new interesting things.

8. Complete the following sentences using the information from the text:

1. As you know I am only…

2. I can say that I made… the right choice when I entered the University because I like…

3. Every day we have…

4. The lessons begin… but as I live rather far from the University I must get up at… not to be late for the lessons.

5. Usually I go to the University…

6. It takes me…

7. …I am at the class-room.

8. By the way at first it was really a problem to find…

9. You see our University includes…

10. Taking into consideration the fact that we didn't know the positions of those buildings and that the interval between the lessons is just 10 minutes you can easily…

11. But now we can more or less… in the University and can find… to the class-rooms.

12. As for the subjects we are taught…

13. It needs to say that…

14. We often go to…

15. Besides nearly every day we have some… at which we can…

16. As I attend all the lectures, seminars, lessons and try not to miss additional consultation lessons I usually come…

17. I always have a lot of tasks…

18. So in the evening I usually…

19. I go to bed…

20. The only time when I can have a short rest is… I don't have…

21. But nevertheless I like…

9. Read the following statements and express your agreement or disagreement. When you disagree give the correct information.

To express your agreement use such expressions as:

I think, that exactly so; How right you are; Speaking frankly, you are quite right; Exactly, just so; I quite agree with you; I fully agree with you; I can't agree more; That is my opinion too; That is very true; etc.

To express your disagreement use such expressions as:

I am afraid you are wrong/ mistaken/ not quite right; Nothing of the kind; It is unlikely; It is doubtful; I don't think you are right; Well I think that's not so; Are you sure?; That's your opinion, not mine; I don't believe that; etc.

To give the correct information and to express your opinion use such expressions as:

I think/ suppose/ believe/ consider/ feel/ guess; In my opinion; From my point of view; Frankly speaking; As far as I understand; The matter/ the problem/ trouble is that; etc.

1. As you know I am a second-year student of the Technical University.

2. I have been studying just for one month at the Murmansk State Technical University and now I can't say that I made the right choice when I entered the University because I don't like studying here because we have to work hard.

3. Every day we have five or six pairs of lessons.

4. The lessons begin at 9 o'clock but as I live rather far from the University I must get up at 7 o'clock not to be late for the lessons.

5. By the way at first it wasn't a problem and not only for me but for all the freshmen to find the necessary class-room.

6. You see our University includes some buildings marked by different letters and the lessons usually take place in one building.

7. But now we can more or less orientate ourselves in the University and can find our ways to the class-rooms.

8. As for the subjects we are taught they don't differ from the school subjects.

9. I should say that we don't study a lot of mathematics.

10. We never go to the library or reading hall to take books for our studying or to work there.

11. As I attend all the lectures, seminars, lessons and try not to miss additional consultation lessons I usually come home at 5 о'clock.

12. I always have few tasks to be done for the following day. So in the evening I usually don't feel sick and tired and I am not dead on my feet.

13. The only time when I can have a short rest is Saturday evening because Sunday is my day off and I don't have to go to the University.

10. Answer the questions using information from the text and compare them with the given answers. Work in pairs.

1. Where do you study?	I study at the Murmansk State Technical University.
2. Do we have to work hard?	We have to work hard.
3. How many pairs of lessons do you have every day?	Every day we have three or four pairs of lessons.
4. When do lessons begin?	The lessons begin at 9 o'clock.
5. How do you get to the University?	I go to the University by trolley-bus.
6. How much time does it take you to get to the University?	It takes me about 20 minutes to get there.
7. Why was it a problem for you to find the necessary class-room?	Our University includes some buildings marked by different letters and the lessons usually take place in different buildings located rather far from each other. As we didn't know the positions of those buildings at first it was really a problem and not only for me but for all the freshmen to find the necessary class-room.
8. Why were you often late for lessons?	The interval between the lessons is just 10 minutes and we didn't know the positions of the buildings, it took us a lot of time to find the necessary class-room you can easily understand why we were often late.
9. What subjects do you study?	We study a lot of mathematics, some special subjects such as … and some general ones, they are History of Culture, Physical Culture, Physics, Descriptive Geometry (Engineering Drawing), English etc.
10. Why do you go to the library or reading hall?	We often go to the library or reading hall to take books for our studying or to work there.
11. What do you have nearly every day?	Nearly every day we have some additional lessons in all the subjects.
12. Why do you attend additional lessons?	At them I can consult with our teachers about the matters which are not quite clear for me.
13. Why do you spend a lot of time at the University?	As I attend all the lectures, seminars, lessons and try not to miss additional consultation lessons I usually spend a lot of time at the University.
14. What do you do after University?	I have some meals and begin preparing for the next day.
15. Why do you feel sick and tired in the evening?	Besides the fact that I spend almost all day at the University I always have a lot of tasks to be done for the following day. So in the evening I usually feel sick and tired.
16. Why do you like studying?	I like studying because every day I learn a lot of new interesting things.

11. Translate the sentences from Russian into English and then check them up with the given ones.

1. Я сделал правильный выбор, когда поступил в университет.	I made the right choice when I entered the University.
2. Мне приходится много работать.	I have to work hard.
3. Каждый день у нас по три или по четыре пары.	Every day we have three or four pairs of lessons.
4. Занятия начинаются в 9 часов.	The lessons begin at 9 o'clock.
5. Я живу далеко от университета.	I live rather far from the University.
6. Я езжу в университет на троллейбусе.	I go to the University by trolley-bus.
7. У меня уходит 20 минут, чтобы добраться туда.	It takes me about 20 minutes to get there.
8. Наш университет включает в себя несколько зданий, обозначенных разными буквами.	Our University includes some buildings marked by different letters.
9. Уроки обычно проходят в разных зданиях, находящихся довольно далеко друг от друга.	The lessons usually take place in different buildings located rather far from each other.
10. Мы часто опаздывали.	We were often late.
11. Что касается предметов, которые мы изучаем, они отличаются от предметов, которые мы изучали в школе.	As for the subjects we are taught they differ from the school subjects.
12. Я часто хожу в библиотеку или в читальный зал, чтобы взять книги на занятия или поработать там.	I often go to the library or reading hall to take books for our studying or to work there.
13. Кроме того, у нас есть дополнительные занятия по всем предметам.	Besides I have some additional lessons in all the subjects.
14. Я посещаю все лекции, семинары и практические занятия, и пытаюсь не пропускать консультации.	I attend all the lectures, seminars, lessons and try not to miss additional consultation lessons.
15. У меня всегда много заданий, которые нужно сделать на завтра.	I always have a lot of tasks to be done for the following day.
16. Вечером я обычно устаю до смерти и падаю с ног.	In the evening I usually feel sick and tired and I am dead on my feet.
17. В воскресенье мне не нужно ехать в университет.	I don't have to go to the University on Sunday.
18. Я узнаю много новых и интересных вещей.	I learn a lot of new interesting things.

12. Translate interrogative sentences from Russian into English. Mind the proper usage of auxiliary verbs and word order. Compare them with the given answers. Work in pairs.

1. Когда начинается твой рабочий день?	When does your working day begin?
2. Когда ты уходишь в университет?	When do you leave for the University?
3. Как ты добираешься до университета?	How do you get to the University?
4. Сколько времени у тебя уходит, чтобы добраться до университета?	How much time does it take you to get to the University?
5. Когда начинаются занятия?	When do your lessons begin?
6. Почему ты опаздываешь?	Why are you late?
7. Какой для тебя самый сложный предмет?	What is the most difficult subject for you?
8. Какие предметы вы изучаете?	What subjects do you study?
9. Что ты делаешь после занятий?	What do you do after lessons?
10. Почему ты чувствуешь себя уставшим?	Why do you feel sick and tired?
11. Почему ты ходишь на консультации?	Why do you attend additional consultation lessons?
12. Тебе приходится много работать?	Do you have to work hard?
13. Где ты проводишь много времени?	Where do you spend much time?

13. Read the dialogue and dramatize your own dialogue using words and word combinations from the text and these dialogues as a model.

A	You:	How many pairs of classes do you usually have?
	Friend:	We usually have four pairs of classes but on Wednesday we have only three.
	You:	What are they?
	Friend:	First we have History of Culture, then Physics and the third English.
	You:	Where do you have your English classes?
	Friend:	Block P, on the 4th floor, just above the men's hostel.
	You:	See you later in the reading hall. Buy.

B	Friend:	Hallo, old chap. Where are you going?
	You:	I'm going to the University for the first pair of classes.
	Friend:	What time does it start?
	You:	It starts at 9 o'clock. I think I am going to be late.
	Friend:	But why?
	You:	You see, I missed my trolley-bus and it was hard to get on the next one but I managed.
	Friend:	How much time does it take you to get to the University?
	You:	About 30 minutes.
	Friend:	Hurry up you will be on time. Good luck.

C	You:	Hello, Andrew. You look quite upset. What is wrong with you? Any problems?
	Friend:	I have to prepare for seminars in the History of Culture and I don't know where to find information.
	You:	You'd better go to the reading hall. There is all necessary books there.
	Friend:	Where is it? It is easy to get lost there.
	You:	You are right. The reading hall is in block B, on the second floor. Come with me and I will show you the way.
	Friend:	Thanks a lot.
	You:	You are welcome.