I am a student of the Murmansk State Technical University

Кафедра иностранных языков

Я – СТУДЕНТ

МУРМАНСКОГО ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО

ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА

Методические указания

по развитию навыков устной речи и чтения

для студентов всех факультетов

на начальном этапе обучения

Мурманск

УДК 811. 111 (076.5)

ББК 81. 2Англ. я 73

Я 11

Составитель –

Евгения Михайловна Максимова, преподаватель кафедры иностранных языков Мурманского государственного технического университета

Методические указания рассмотрены и одобрены кафедрой 27 февраля 2008 г., протокол № 7

Рецензент –

В. Н. Ионова, ст. преподаватель кафедры иностранных языков Мурманского государственного технического университета

Редактор Г.В. Зобнина

Мурманский государственный технический университет, 2008

ОГЛАВЛЕНИЕ

ВВЕДЕНИЕ................................................................................................ 4

PART ONE. GETTING ACQUAINTRD.................................................. 5

PART TWO................................................................................................. 9

Unit 1. I am a student of the Murmansk State Technical University......... 9

Unit 2. My friend's family........................................................................ 21

Unit 3. My study at the University.......................................................... 29

Unit 4. My friend's study at the University............................................. 40

Unit 5. My day off................................................................................... 49

Unit 6. My friend's day off...................................................................... 55

PART 3. GRAMMAR DRILL.................................................................. 62

Present Simple......................................................................................... 62

Past Simple.............................................................................................. 74

Revision................................................................................................... 82

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАННАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА................................................. 86

ВВЕДЕНИЕ

Целью методических указаний является развитие навыков говорения по теме "Я – студент Мурманского государственного технического университета". Методические указания включают в себя следующие разговорные темы: "О себе и своей семье", "Мой рабочий день", "Мой выходной день". По каждой теме предлагается два текста. Первый текст – среднего уровня сложности, второй – повышенной трудности, ориентированный на студентов, имеющих хороший уровень языковой подготовки.

После каждого текста приводятся упражнения, направленные на усвоение лексико-грамматического материала по данной тематике.

Обзорные упражнения имеют контрольные ответы, что облегчает самостоятельное овладение студентом лексикой и грамматикой, необходимой для составления собственных рассказов о себе, о своем друге и т. д.

Методические указания могут быть использованы на аудиторных занятиях, как в полном объеме, так и выборочно по усмотрению преподавателя.

PART ONE

GETTING AZQUAINTED

1. Do you know how people greet each other when they meet? Discuss it with your partner and tell your fellow students. Read the text to know about possible ways of greeting and why people do it.

2. Read the following words and word combinations below and try to memorize them.

to be invited	быть приглашенным
to get-together	собираться вместе
to be up	встать, подняться
to shake hands	пожимать руки
to make a point	стараться

3. Read and translate the text.

***

When people have a company or when they're invited to formal or informal get-togethers, they usually make a point of trying to make others feel comfortable and relaxed. On the whole, they tend to be informal. Men shake hands, but usually only when they're introduced. Male friends and business associates who haven't seen each other in a while may shake hands when they say hello. Women usually don't shake hands when being introduced to each other. When a woman and a man are introduced, shaking hands is up to the woman. Men shake hands to say good-bye.

Handshaking is rather rare in Britain as well, but it is a correct thing to do on the Continent. When an Englishman passes a friend in the street he only touches his hat. He doesn't shake hands when he stops to talk.

At parties, interviews and other formal and informal situations you meet people you haven't met before and have to introduce yourself to them, or they introduce themselves to you. You also have to introduce people you already know to one another.

Here are a few rules of introduction which are useful to remember:

1. men are introduced to women;

2. young people to older ones;

3. old friends to newcomers;

4. a young girl to a married woman;

5. women are never presented to a man.

4. Answer the questions to the text.

1. Why do people greet each other?

2. How do people greet each other?

3. What are the rules of introduction?

5. How do you greet your friends/ acquaintance?

Phrases to remember

1. Read the following phrases and try to memorize them.

A. General
to get acquainted with smb to make smb acquaintance to make the acquaintance of smb	познакомиться с кем-л.
acquaintance	знакомый
have a nodding acquaintance with smb	не быть лично знакомым
to introduce smb to smb	представить кого-л.
to be introduced to smb	быть представленным кому-л.
to introduce oneself	представиться
to meet smb	познакомиться с кем-л.
to address	обращаться к кому-л.
to know smb	быть знакомым с кем-л.
to know by sight	знать в лицо
bosom friend	закадычный друг
to make a friendly chat	поболтать
B. Useful phrases
Have you met…?	Вы знакомы с…?
I don't think you have met…	Боюсь, вы не знакомы с…
Allow me to introduce you to...	Разрешите Вас познакомить с...
May I introduce Mr./Mrs. …(formal)	Разрешите представить Вам...
I'd like to introduce you to...	Я хотел бы познакомить Вас с…
I'd like you to meet...	Мне хотелось бы познакомить Вас с...
Let me introduce myself	Разрешите представиться
Formal/less formal (both): How do you?	Как дела?
Informal/semi-formal: Hello!
Informal: Hi! Morning! Evening!
I fancy I've met you before.	Мне кажется, что мы уже где-то встречались.
This is a pleasure, Mr/Mrs...	Очень приятно,…
Glad/pleased/nice to meet you.	Рад с Вами познакомиться.
Delighted to meet you.	Счастлив с Вами познакомиться.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
We met at ..., didn't we?	Мы уже знакомы?
We've met before?
We've already been introduced.	Нас уже представили друг другу.
Your face seems (so) familiar (to me).	Ваше лицо мне знакомо.
Your name sounds familiar.	Я о вас слышал.
	C. Greetings	Replies
	How do you do? (formal)	How do you do?
	Hello, how are you? Hello, how are you getting on?	(I am) very well, thank you. Fairy/ quite well. Fine. All right. Not too bad. Not very/too well, I am afraid. A bit tired, otherwise all right. So-so. More or less all right. And how are you?
	Formal
	Good morning. (until 12 p.m.)	Good morning.
	Good afternoon. (until 5–6 p.m.)	Good afternoon.
	Good evening. (until 10–11 hp.m.)	Good evening.
	Semi-formal – used to people whom one sees regularly but does not know well
	Morning.	Morning.
	Afternoon.	Afternoon.
	Evening.	Evening.
	Informal
	Hallo/ Hello/ Hullo.	Hallo! Nice to see you!

2. Read the dialogues and dramatize them in class.

– Can you do me a favour, Jim? Would you mind introducing me to Miss Jones?

– Oh, yes, with pleasure, though it is rather strange you don't know each other.

– I just didn't have a chance to get acquainted with her. Is she a nice girl?

– Yes, of course, and she has a very nice dog.

– Harry, have you met Mr. Grey?

– No, we haven't met.

– Come along then, I will introduce you to him, if you like.

– With pleasure.

– Mr. Grey, I should like to introduce Mr. Smith, a friend of mine.

– How do you do, Mr. Smith? Pleased to meet you.

– How do you do, Mr. Grey? I am very glad to know you.

– James, may I introduce Henry Brown? Mr. Smith, this is Henry Brown. You are sure to have plenty to say each other.

– How do you do, Mr. Richardson?

– How do you do, Mr. Brown? (They shake hands.)

– Have you ever met Mr. Hall?

– No, we haven't met.

– Come along, I will introduce you to him if you like.

– With pleasure.

– Mr. Hall, I'd like to introduce Mr. Brown, a friend of mine.

– How do you do, Mr. Hall?

– How do you do, Mr. Brown? I am very glad to know you.

– I'm sorry. Are you acquainted? No? Harry, this is James Richardson!

– How do you do? I am glad to meet you.

– How do you do? I am pleased to have made your acquaintance, Mr. Smith.

3. Translate the dialogues into English.

– Господин Джонсон, разрешите представить вам г-на Смирнова.

– Здравствуйте, г-н Смирнов.

– Здравствуйте, г-н Джонсон. Бернард Грей недавно рассказывал мне о вашей последней работе. Это чрезвычайно интересно.

– Разрешите Вам представить г-на Маркова из Санкт-Петербурга.

– Здравствуйте, г-н Марков. Рад с вами познакомиться.

– Здравствуйте, г-н Холл. Я тоже очень рад.

– Генри, познакомитесь с моей женой. Элиза, это мой друг Генри.

– Очень рада с Вами познакомиться, Генри.

– Я также очень рад, Элиза.

– Вот идет Билл. Ты знаешь его? Он один из моих лучших друзей.

– Нет, я никогда его не встречал раньше.

– Хочешь с ним познакомиться?

– Конечно.

– Привет, Билл. Как твои дела?

– Неплохо, спасибо. А как твои?

– Спасибо, прекрасно. Знаешь, Билл, я хочу познакомить тебя с Гарри. Он один из моих старых друзей.

– Здравствуйте!

PART TWO

Unit 1

I am a student of the Murmansk State Technical University

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

to enter the University	to apply
to leave school	to feel affection
the Faculty of Natural Sciences	to be fond of
Water Supply and Water Diversion	discuss the news
Environmental Engineering	generous
Civil Engineering	perfectly
to acquire proficiency

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

to pass entry exams	сдать вступительные экзамены
to provide promotion	обеспечивать продвижение по службе
to apply one's skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity	применять на практике умения и навыки в других сферах человеческой деятельности
to do one's best	делать все возможное
to be at the top of sth. with sth.	быть лучшим где-л. в чем-л.
to go in for sports	заниматься спортом
to get along	ладить
to work late	работать допоздна
fair	порядочный, справедливый
to bring up	воспитывать
to be interested in	интересоваться чем-л.
to be fond of	увлекаться
to keep house	вести домашнее хозяйство
to get much knowledge	получать много знаний
to wash up	мыть посуду
opinion	мнение
event	событие

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

to make the right choice	to feel affection	as well
to acquire proficiency	to spend a lot of time	to wash up
well-bred	generous	discuss the news
reserved	perfectly	common sense
in spite of

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

5. Read and translate the text using a dictionary.

***

First of all let me introduce myself: my name is Sergey. I am 17 years old. This year I left school and I entered the Murmansk State Technical University. I still feel excited at the thought that I managed to pass entry exams successfully and now I am a first year student of the faculty of Natural Sciences. My specialized field is Water supply and water diversion / Environmental Engineering/ Civil Engineering. I decided long ago where to study. I wanted to be an engineer and to continue my father's career. I am sure that this profession guarantees good living conditions and provides promotion. I think I will avoid unemployment or at least I will be able to apply my skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity. I believe that I have made the right choice and I will do my best to acquire proficiency.

So, as I have just started studying, I do everything possible to get as much knowledge as I can. I should say that being a school boy I was not at the top of the class with my study, but I am a very hard worker, I am used to doing everything well. My favorite subjects are chemistry and mathematics. In fact I am rather good at them. Besides I am very interested in reading. I am a regular visitor of the library where I spend a lot of time. I also go to the reading hall to get ready for seminars and practical classes. I go in for sports as well. I play volleyball. I like yachting and windsurfing.

Now I'd like to tell you some words about my family. We are the family of three. I live with my parents. But I have got the elder brother. He is married and has a family of his own.

In my opinion, family is an emotional center of a person's life, transmitter of culture. In happy families parents are honest with their children without moralizing, and children, in their turn, learn how to get along with other people. It is true to my family, I think.

My father's name is Vadim. He is 50. He works as an engineer at a water treatment plant. He is strong both in body and character. He is generous and full of joy. He has a lot of work to do in his office. He often works very late. He likes to do everything perfectly. He can make different things with his own hands.

My mother's name is Olga. She is well-bred, tactful and fair. She is warm-hearted and at the same time practical, reserved and full of common sense. She is a housewife and she does all the housework. Besides she helps my brother to bring up his sons. She is very concern about them and the boys feel affection for their Granny. My father and I try to help her about the house, though we are always short of time.

My brother Igor is 30. As I have already said, he is married and has two sons Alex and Boris. He is a lawyer by profession.

We are all on friendly terms. We like to spend time together. In the evenings we watch TV, read books and newspapers, listen to music or just talk about the events of the day. My parents don't always agree to what I say but they listen to my opinion. So, we are the family and we get along fine.

Additional vocabulary

Faculty	Specialized field	Special subjects
The Faculty of Natural Sciences	Oil Gas Engineering	Fundamentals of oil and gas engineering, seismic acoustics, bit hydraulics, well drilling
Physical Processes
Geology	Geology, geochemistry, mine surveying, open-cast mining, technologies of mineral exploration, underground and surface operations, rock mechanics, mine ventilation, surveying, mine safety and operating research
Mining
Environmental Engineering	The theoretical fundamentals of environment protection, ecology nature resource management, methods and measuring instruments of ecological control and ecological monitoring
Waste Water Engineering	Water supply, water diversion, pumps and ventilator stations, water chemistry and microbiology, land hydrology, fundamentals of natural water bodies treatment, building structures, construction site engines and machinery, technology of construction processes, engineering networks
Civil Engineering	Hydrotechnical construction, municipal construction services and engineering; building materials engineering; structural design
The Faculty of Biology	Biology	Cellular and molecular biology, anatomy, zoology, chemistry
Microbiology	Microbiology, virology, bacteriology
Bioecology	Ecology, botany
Ecology	Chemistry, environmental protection, ecology
Polytechnic Faculty	Automation	Electronics, fundamentals of electroengineering, computer science
Power Engineering
Automobile Engineering	Object oriented programming, high and low level programming languages, logic programming, data bases, fundamentals of programming
The Faculty of Technology		Microbiology, ichthyology, organic chemistry, chemistry, fish and fish products, food engineering

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

поступить в университет; закончить школу; сдать вступительные экзамены; естественно-технический факультет; водоснабжение и водоотведение; защита окружающей среды; промышленное и гражданское строительство; обеспечивать продвижение по службе; избегать; применять на практике умения и навыки в других сферах человеческой деятельности; чувствовать привязанность; сделать правильный выбор; делать все возможное; быть лучшим; заниматься спортом; гарантировать хороший уровень жизни; ладить; работать допоздна; избегать безработицы; полагать; привыкать; воспитанный; интересоваться чем-л.; увлекаться; проводить много времени; вести домашнее хозяйство; получать много знаний; обсуждать новости; как я уже сказал.

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

1. First of all (разрешите представиться): my name is Sergey.

2. This year I (закончил школу) and I (поступил в Мурманский государственный технический университет).

3. I am (студент первого курса естественно-технического факультета).

4. I am sure that this profession (гарантирует хороший жизненный уровень и обеспечивает продвижение по службе).

5. I think I (избегу) unemployment or at least I (смогу применить) my skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity.

6. (Мне следует сказать) that being a school boy I was not at the top of the class with my study, but I (очень трудолюбивый) and I (привык) to doing everything well.

7. Besides I (интересуюсь) in reading.

8. I also go to a reading hall (чтобы подготовиться к семинарам и практическим занятиям).

9. He (работает) as an engineer at a water treatment plant.

10. He often (задерживается на работе).

11. She (заботится о внуках) and the boys (чувствуют привязанность) for their Granny.

12. My father and I (пытаемся) to help her about the house, though (у нас мало времени).

13. My brother Igor is 30. As I have already said, he (женат) and has two sons Alex and Boris.

14. We like (проводить) time together.

15. In the evenings we (смотрим) TV, read books and newspapers, (слушаем) music or just talk about (событиях) of the day.

16. My parents don't always (соглашаются) to what I say but they listen to my opinion.

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

1. …myself: my name is Sergey.

2. This year I left school and I entered…

3. I still feel excited at the thought that I managed… and now I am a first year student…

4. My specialized field is…

5. I am sure that this profession… and…

6. I think I will avoid… or at least I will be able…

7. I will do my best to…

8. I do everything possible…

9. I should say that being a school boy I was not…, but I am a very hard worker… . My favorite subjects are…

10. Besides I am very…

11. I also go to…

12. My father works…

13. He has a lot of work…

14. My mother is a housewife and she…

15. Besides she helps my brother...

16. My father and I try to…

17. We are all…

18. So, we are the family and we…

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. Last year Sergey left school and he didn't enter the Murmansk State Technical University.

2. He still feels excited at the thought that he didn't manage to pass entry exams successfully.

3. He wanted to be an engineer and to continue his father's career.

4. He is not sure that this profession guarantees good living conditions and provides promotion.

5. He doesn't think he will avoid unemployment.

6. He will not be able to apply his skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity.

7. He does everything possible to get as little knowledge as he can.

8. He is a very hard worker and he is used to doing everything well.

9. She doesn't go to a reading hall to get ready for seminars and practical classes.

10. He lives with my parents.

11. In my opinion, family is not an emotional center of a person's life.

12. His father has a lot of work to do in his office and he never works very late.

13. He and his father don't try to help their mother about the house, though they have time to do it.

14. They aren't the family but they get along fine.

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

1. Where do you study?	I am a first year student of the faculty of Natural Sciences of the Murmansk State Technical University. My specialized field is Water supply and water diversion / Environmental Engineering/ Civil Engineering.
2. Why do you feel excited?	I managed to pass entry exams successfully.
3. Did you decide to enter the University long ago or you follow your parents' advice?	I decided long ago where to enter because I wanted to be an engineer and to continue my father's career.
4. Why did you choose this specialized field?	I am sure that this profession guarantees good living conditions and gives promotion. I think I will avoid unemployment or at least I will be able to apply my skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity.
5. How do you do your study?	I do everything possible to get as much knowledge as I can. I am a very hard worker I am used to doing everything well.
6. What are your favorite subjects?	My favorite subjects are chemistry and mathematics. In fact I am rather good at them.
7. How often do you go to a library?	I am a regular visitor of the library where I spend a lot of time. I also go to the reading hall to get ready for seminars and practical classes.
8. What are you fond of?	I am very interested in reading.
9. Are you a sporty person?	Yes, I am. I go in for sports as well. I play volleyball.
10. Why is family very important for everybody?	Family is an emotional center of a person's life, transmitter of culture. In happy families parents are honest with their children without moralizing, and children, in their turn learn how to get along with other people.
11. What does your father do?	He works as an engineer at a water treatment plant.
12. What kind of person is your father?	He is generous and full of joy, but very careless.
13. Why does he look exhausted?	He has a lot of work to do in his office. He often works very late.
14. What kind of person is your mother?	My mother is a woman of character, well-bread, tactful and fair. She is warm-hearted and at the same time practical, reserved and full of common sense.
15. Where does she work?	She doesn't work. She is a housewife and she does all the housework.
16. What do you do when you get together with your family?	We like to spend time together. In the evenings we watch TV, read books and newspapers, listen to music or just talk about the events of the day.
17. How do you get along with your parents?	We are all on friendly terms. So, we are the family and we get along fine.

11. Translate the sentences from Russian into English and compare them with the given ones. Work in pairs.

1. Я студент первого курса естественно-технического факультета.	I am a first year student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
2. Я сдал вступительные экзамены успешно.	I passed entry exams successfully.
3. Моя специализация – водоснабжение и водоотведение/ инженерная защита/ промышленное и гражданское строительство.	My specialized field is Water Supply and Water Diversion / Environmental Engineering/ Civil Construction.
4. Я хотел стать инженером и продолжить карьеру моего отца.	I wanted to be an engineer and to continue my father's career.
5. Эта профессия гарантирует хороший жизненный уровень.	This profession guarantees good living conditions.
6. Я смогу применить мои навыки и знания на практике.	I will be able to apply my skills and knowledge on practice.
7. Я сделал правильный выбор.	I made the right choice.
8. Я делаю все возможное, чтобы получить много знаний.	I do my best to get as much knowledge as I can.
9. Я учусь не лучше всех в группе.	I am not at the top of the group with my study.
10. Я очень трудолюбивый и привык все делать хорошо.	I am a very hard worker and I used to doing everything well.
11. Мои любимые предметы – химия и математика.	My favorite subjects are chemistry and mathematics.
12. Я увлекаюсь чтением.	I am fond of reading.
13. Я регулярно хожу в библиотеку, где я провожу много времени.	I am a regular visitor of the library where I spend a lot of time.
14. Я занимаюсь спортом.	I go in for sports as well.
15. Он работает инженером на водоочистительном заводе.	He works as an engineer at a water treatment plant.
16. У него много работы в офисе.	He has a lot of work to do in his office.
17. Он часто работает допоздна.	He often works very late.
18. Моя мама помогает моему брату воспитывать его сыновей.	My mother helps my brother to bring up his sons.
19. Я помогаю ей по дому, хотя у меня мало времени.	I help her about the house, though I am always short of time.
20. Нам нравится проводить время вместе.	We like to spend time together.
21. По вечерам мы смотрим ТВ, читаем книги и газеты, слушаем музыку или просто обсуждаем различные события.	In the evenings we watch TV, read books and newspapers, listen to music or just talk about the events of the day.
22. Мы – семья и хорошо ладим.	We are the family and we get along fine.

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

1. Как тебя зовут?	What is your name?
2. Сколько тебе лет?	How old are you?
3. Где ты учишься?	Where do you study?
4. На каком курсе ты учишься?	What year student are you?
5. Какой твой любимый предмет?	What is your favorite subject?
6. Чем ты увлекаешься?	What are you fond of?
7. Чем ты интересуешься?	What are you interested in?
8. Какой твой любимый вид спорта?	What is your favorite sport?
9. Чем занимается твой отец?	What does your father do?
10. Чем занимается твоя мама?	What does your mother do for living?
11. У тебя есть увлечение?	Have you got a hobby?
12. Твой брат учится или работает?	Does your brother study or work?
13. Как ты ладишь с семьей?	How do you get along with your family?

13. Look through the text again and make a list of key words to speak about:

– your father;

– your mother;

– your sister/ brother;

– yourself.

14. Ask your friend about his/ her

– father;

– mother;

– sister or brother, using key words.

15. Make up a story about yourself, using the list of key words. Try to use as many words and word combinations from the text as possible.

Unit 2

My friend's family

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

differ	to look exhausted
even-tempered	to allow
calm	marvelous
to be busy	disadvantage

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

to have much in common	иметь много общего
attitude	внимание
to coincide	совпадать
to joke	шутить
to have a good sense of humor	иметь хорошее чувство юмора
hard-working	трудолюбивый
to be late (for)	опаздывать
to be in good shape	быть в хорошей форме
by the way	кстати
as a matter of fact	фактически
to look terrific	выглядеть потрясающе

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

to be very pleasant in manner and appearance	in spite of
to loose one's temper	despite
to do one's study	to manage
to keep fit by physical exercises	to wash up
to work for	persistent
talkative

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

5. Read and translate the text using a dictionary.

***

Let me introduce my friend Vladimir, a first year student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Murmansk State Technical University. His specialized field is mining. He is 17. We have much in common: the same interests and attitude to life. Very often our opinions coincide, sometimes they differ. But we never quarrel; there is mutual understanding between us. He is very pleasant in manner and appearance. He is even-tempered, calm and frank. He is persistent, but sometimes he looses his temper and becomes either angry or sad. He likes to laugh and to joke. He has a good sense of humor. He is clever and hard-working. Vladimir does his study well though he says that sometimes study makes him tired. He goes out to disco or he plays computer games quite often, and as a result he doesn't go to bed until late at night or rather early in the morning. So, he doesn't always listen to lectures in class (he goes to sleep there). In spite of this fact he always comes on time because he doesn't like to be a minute late for his lessons. He is not a great sportsman but he is always in good shape and if he doesn't have time to go to a gym, he keeps fit by physical exercises.

His family is not very large. He has a father, a mother and a teenage sister called Ann. They live in a three room flat in the center of the city.

His father is a professional painter; he works for a design company. He is always early for work. He has a lot of work to do in his office. He is busy almost every day. He often works late. Sometimes when he comes home he looks exhausted and the only thing he wants is to watch TV without doing anything. By the way he is fond of watching football matches. If there is something of this kind on, the whole family has nothing to do but watch it. He hasn't got a particular hobby as he doesn't have enough time. It is untrue to say that he doesn't help his wife about the house, from time to time he goes shopping or washes up, not more. As a matter of fact he makes a reasonable amount of money.

His mother is a teacher of music and plays the piano well. She is very energetic and talkative. She always has a lot of work to do about the house and at school. Despite it she always looks terrific. I don't know when she finds time. Every day she is at work. After work she hunts around shops for high quality goods, then she cooks because she doesn't allow anybody to do it, but frankly speaking nobody wants to spend evenings in the kitchen; besides, everybody likes her meals. Of course she is a marvelous cook. Her only disadvantage is that she spends money like water, but who doesn't like to do it?

As for his sister, she is always busy at school. She does her study well. She manages to find time to have a get-together with her friends, to help mother with washing up, cleaning the flat and doing her home work. She is as good as gold.

His grandparents don't live with them. As they are old-age pensioners they prefer to live in a village. Vladimir is always very glad to see them.

As you can understand they are very different but they are a family.

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

иметь много общего; внимание; совпадать; отличаться; иметь приятную внешность и хорошие манеры; уравновешенный человек; спокойный; выходить из себя; шутить; трудолюбивый; опаздывать; быть в хорошей форме; быть занятым; выглядеть измученным; слушать лекции; позволять; недостаток; ссориться; взаимопонимание; хорошо учиться; ходить на дискотеки; ложиться спать; поддерживать форму физическими упражнениями; сестра-подросток; уходить на работу рано; увлекаться; ходить по магазинам; по правде говоря; великолепный повар; предпочитать.

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

1. His specialized field is (горное дело).

2. We have (много общего): the same interests and (отношение) to life.

3. Very often (наши мнения совпадают), sometimes they (отличаются).

4. Sometimes he looses his temper and becomes (или) angry (или) sad.

5. He likes (смеяться и шутить).

6. Vladimir (хорошо учится) though he says that sometimes study makes him tired.

7. (Hесмотря на это) he always comes on time and he doesn't like (опаздывать на занятия).

8. He is not a great sportsman but he is always (в хорошей форме) and if he doesn't have time to go to a gym, he keeps fit by physical exercises.

9. They live (в трехкомнатной квартире) in the center of the city.

10. Sometimes when his father comes home he (выглядит измученным) and (единственное, что он хочет) is to watch TV without doing anything.

11. By the way, he (увлекается) watching football matches.

12. (Фактически) he makes a reasonable amount of money.

13. His mother always has a lot of work (по дому) and at school. Despite it she always looks terrific.

14. After work she (бегает по магазинам) for high quality goods, then she cooks because she (не позволяет) anybody to do it, but (откровенно говоря) nobody wants to spend evenings in the kitchen besides everybody likes her meals.

15. (Ее единственный недостаток) is that she spends money like water, but who doesn't like to do it?

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

1. Let me introduce my friend Vladimir…

2. We have much in common: the same…

3. Very often our opinions…, sometimes they…

4. He is very pleasant…

5. He is persistent, but sometimes he looses his temper and becomes…

6. Vladimir does his study well though…

7. …to disco or he plays computer games quite often, and as a result he doesn't get to bed…

8. In spite of this fact he is generally… and he doesn't like to be…

9. He is not a great sportsman but he is always in good shape and if he doesn't have time to go to a gym, he…

10. His father is a professional painter; he works for...

11. He is always early…

12. He often…

13. He hasn't got a particular hobby as he doesn't…

14. It is untrue to say that he doesn't help his wife about the house, from time to time he…

15. His mother is…

16. She always has a lot of work to do…

17. Her only disadvantage is…

18. As for his sister, she is always…

19. She manages to…, ...

20. As you can understand they are very different but...

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:

To express your disagreement use such expressions as:

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. Vladimir is a second year student of Polytechnic Faculty of the Murmansk State Technical University.

2. His specialized field is Water Supply and Water Diversion.

3. They have much in common: the same interests and attitude to life. Their opinions never coincide.

4. He is very pleasant in manner and appearance.

5. He doesn't like to laugh and to joke.

6. Vladimir does his study well and he says that his study never makes him tired.

7. He doesn't go out to disco, and as a result he goes to bed early in the evening.

8. He is a great sportsman and he is always in good shape.

9. His father is an engineer; he works at a water treatment plant.

10. He has got a particular hobby as he has enough time.

11. It is true to say that he doesn't help his wife about the house.

12. His mother is a teacher of English.

13. She is not energetic and talkative.

14. After work she watches TV without doing anything.

15. Everybody likes her meals.

16. As for his sister, she doesn't go to school.

17. She manages to find time to have a get-together with her friends, but she doesn't have time to help mother with washing up and cleaning the flat.

18. His grandparents live with them.

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

1. What year student is Vladimir? Where does he study?	He is a first year student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Murmansk State Technical University.
2.What is his specialized field?	His specialized field is mining.
3. Why do they never quarrel?	They never quarrel, because there is mutual understanding between them.
4. Vladimir is a nice chap, isn't he?	Yes, he is. He is very pleasant in manner and appearance. He is even-tempered, calm and frank.
5. What kind of person is he?	He is clever and hard-working.
6. How does he do his study?	Vladimir does his study well though he says that sometimes his study makes him tired.
7. What does he sometimes do at night?	He goes out to disco or he plays computer games quite often.
8. Why doesn't he listen to lectures in class?	He doesn't go to bed until late at night or rather early in the morning. And as a result he doesn't always listen to lectures in class (he goes to sleep there).
9. What does he never do?	He is never late for his lessons.
10. He is a sporty person, isn't he?	He is not a great sportsman but he is always in good shape and if he doesn't have time to go to a gym, he keeps fit by physical exercises.
11. What members does his family consist of?	He has a father, a mother and a teenage sister called Ann.
12. What does his father do?	His father is a professional painter; he works for a design company.
13. Why does his father look exhausted?	Sometimes when he comes home he looks exhausted because he is busy almost every day. He is always early for work. He has a lot of work to do in his office. He often works late.
14. What does he like to do after work?	After work he likes to watch TV without doing anything.
15. Why hasn't he got a particular hobby?	He hasn't got a particular hobby as he doesn't have enough time.
16. How does he help his wife?	From time to time he goes shopping or washes up, not more.
17. Is his mother a housewife?	No, his mother is a teacher of music.
18. What kind of person is she?	She is very energetic and talkative.
19. What can Vladimir's mother do well?	She is a marvelous cook. She plays the piano well.
20. What is her disadvantage?	Her only disadvantage is that she spends money like water.
21. How does Anna help her mother?	She helps her mother with washing up and cleaning the flat.

11. Translate the sentences from Russian into English and then compare them with the given ones. Work in pairs.

1. У нас много общего.	We have much in common.
2. У нее приятная внешность.	She is very pleasant in appearance.
3. Мы никогда не ругаемся.	We never quarrel.
4. Она любит смеяться и шутить.	She likes to laugh and to joke.
5. У нас хорошее чувство юмора.	We have a good sense of humor.
6. Анна умная и трудолюбивая.	Anna is clever and hard-working.
7. Владимир хорошо учится.	Vladimir does his study well.
8. Он не всегда слушает лекции.	He doesn't always listen to lectures in class.
9. Oни поддерживают форму физическими упражнениями.	They keep fit by physical exercises.
10. Я ухожу на работу рано.	I am always early for work.
11. У Лены много работы в офисе.	Helen has a lot of work to do in her office.
12. Он не занят каждый день.	He isn't busy every day.
13. Мой муж часто работает допоздна.	My husband often works late.
14. Несмотря на то, что она работает много, она всегда выглядит потрясающе.	Despite the fact she works hard she always looks terrific.
15. Она не тратит деньги очень быстро.	She doesn't spend money like water.

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. У вас много общего?	Do you have much in common?
2. Почему он иногда выходит из себя?	Why does he sometimes lose his temper?
3. Почему вы выглядите измученным?	Why do you look exhausted?
4. Как он поддерживает форму?	How does he keep fit?
5. Ему нравится шутить?	Does he like joking?
6. Как она готовит?	How does she cook?
7. Как вы ухитряетесь выглядеть потрясающе?	How do you manage to look terrific?
8. В чем ее недостаток?	What is her disadvantage?
9. Почему он работает допоздна?	Why does he work late?
10. Что она делает по дому?	What does she do about the house?