Who do you think these myths are about? Do you think these myths are true?

They drink tea every day at five o’clock.

They enjoy bullfighting.

They are very keen on fast food.

They eat pasta every day.

They keep bears as pets.

Pronunciation and vocabulary

Practise saying the names of the countries. Complete the chart with nationalities and languages. Listen and check.

Country	Nationality	Language
The United Kingdom	The British	English
Spain
Japan
Brazil
Italy

Reading and vocabulary

2.1 Read the article. What does it say about national stereotypes?

Are we typical? The English are cold and reserved, Brazilians are lively and fun-loving, and the Japanese are shy and hardworking – this is what people usually think about these nationalities. How much truth is there in national stereotypes? Two scientists, Robert McCrae and Antonio Terraciano, investigated the subject, and the result was surprising.

The scientists tested people of 49 different nationalities. Then, they interviewed them and asked them to describe a typical member of their society. The analysis showed that the stereotype was very different from the reality. For example, Italians and Russians think of themselves as sociable and open, but the tests show they are more reserved. The Spanish see themselves lazy, but in fact they are very hardworking. The English are the most open-minded nationality, which is very far from the stereotype! The tests also showed that all nationalities don’t have many differences. In fact, we have a lot in common!

2.2 In the text, find the words describing character.

2.3 Complete the sentences with the personality adjectives.

hardworking open-minded lazy reserved sociable hospitable shy fun-loving practical reliable talkative organized moody

a.______ people who are open and enjoy the company of other people

b.______ people who are happy one minute and sad the next minute

c.______ people who like chatting

d.______ people who like to work

e.______ people who don’t like to show their feelings

f.______ people who can be self-disciplined

g.______ people who don’t like to work

h.______ people who like visitors

i.______ people who are not confident in themselves

j.______ people who know how to spend their money

k.______ people you can trust or believe

l.______ people who love parties

m.______ people who are open to new ideas

2.4 What kind of person are you? Describe yourself in three words. Are you a typical representative of your nationality?

Speaking and vocabulary

3.1 Match the geographical words from the box with their definitions. Listen and repeat.

island population scenery climate beach mountain volcano desert glacier border river lake taiga coastline canal

a.an area of water surrounded by land

b.a very dry place where there is very little rain

c.the dividing line between countries

d.an area of land surrounded by water

e.all the people living in a country

f.the type of weather characteristic for a particular area

g.a man-made river

h.a stream of water flowing into another stream or a sea

i.a view, natural features of an area

j.the line where sea and land meet

k.the type of forest where conifer trees mostly grow

l.a large mass of ice

m.a large landform usually higher than the surrounding areas

n.an opening in the planet’s crust which allows magma go to the surface

o.a part of a coastline where you can go sunbathing

3.2 What do you know about New Zealand? Can you answer the questions?

a.Which is the nearest country: Australia or the Philippines?

b.How many islands are there?

c.Which country is as big as New Zealand?

d.How large is the population?

e.What are the two official languages?

f.What film made New Zealand popular for tourists?

g.Which part of New Zealand has a colder climate?

h.What kind of scenery can you find there?

3.3 Listen and check. Which words from 3.1 can you hear? Listen again and check.

3.4 Speak about New Zealand. Use the phrases from the box.

It’s in the south / north / east / west of… It’s the highest / biggest / nearest … It’s famous for … It’s a good place for… People think that… It has fantastic…

3.5 How well do you know your country? Make questions, then listen, check and repeat. Answer the questions.

Climate What’s / cold / place? What’s / hot / place?

Geography What’s / high / mountain? What’s / long / river? What’s / big / city?

Tourism What’s / beautiful / city? What’s /popular place for tourists? Why? What’s / good / time of the year to visit? What’s / bad / time to visit? Why? What’s / good / way to travel round the country? What’s / dangerous / region? Why?

Grammar

4.1 Complete the chart with the forms of adjectives.

adjective	comparative	superlative
cold	colder	coldest
high
hot	hotter
dangerous
dry		driest
windy
good	better
bad		worst

4.2 Complete the sentences with a form of an adjective.

a.Driving is (dangerous) than flying.

b.This is the (famous) building in the city.

c.Chinese is one of the (difficult) languages to learn.

d.Canada is (big) than Brazil.

e.This is the (populated) region of the country.

f.French wine is (good) than English wine.

g.It’s the (hot) place in the world.

h.Buses are (cheap) than trains.

4.3 Listen to the dialogue between Sarah and Daniel. Choose the correct answer.

a.Sarah has been to Venice.

b.Sarah has been to New York.

Listen and repeat. Copy the rhythm.

Write down the conversation.

Act out a similar conversation about the places you have been to.

4.4 Talk to the people in the class. Find a person who…

a.has been to another continent

b.has been to an opera

c.has been to a big sport event

d.has been to a big rock / pop concert

e.has ever sung karaoke in a bar

f.has ever spoken English with a person from another country

g.has ever been to a spa

h.has ever ridden a horse

i.has ever jumped with a parachute

j.has never smoked

k.has never been outside this city

l.has never heard of Christian Ronaldo

m.has never played basketball

Work in small groups. Sum up the information you have collected. Tell the class what you know.

4.5 Listen to five people talking about something they have/haven’t done so far. What period of time is each of them talking about?

a.all his life / this week

b.this week / this year

c.all his life / this month

d.today / this year

e.this year / all her life

Now, say what exactly they have / haven’t done so far.

4.6 Listen to ten questions and write down your answers.

Look at your answers and try to remember what the questions were. Practise asking and answering them with a partner.

Reading

5.1 Read the text about Russian traditions and match the traditions with the events.

Which of these traditions are more common and which are less common?

1. This is the biggest and most favourite celebration for Russians. It is the belief that the way you celebrate this event shows how your year will be, so Russians prepare the best meals and celebrate in style. Duck or goose, stuffed carp, and a jellied meat called 'holodets' are among the common most dishes, as are small pies/pastries filled with cabbage, apple, meat, or a range of other fillings. On the morning of January 1, people usually don’t cook and eat the leftovers. 2. The main tradition at this time is the painting of hard-boiled eggs. Red is the predominant colour, as it signifies new life. Russians exchange eggs and kind wishes for the celebration. 3. It is tradition for the father to plant a tree, wishing the child to grow up strong and healthy just like the tree. 4. The husband must carry his wife over the threshold in his arms. It is a very old custom and began because people thought that a new wife would be wanted by evil spirits, and thus the husband should hold her tightly and protect her from them. 5. Before departing on a long trip, Russian people often sit in silence for a few minutes, praying for good luck and fortune during the journey. 6. At the beginning of spring, as the weather warms, and the days become brighter, children and young adults often play outside. They play different Russian games, they play with the snow, and often fall in love. At this time, Russians also celebrate pancake because a pancake is round like the sun, and it symbolises the new life beginning in springtime. 7. It is a custom for the certain person to organize a celebration, and this includes paying for dinner if it takes place in a restaurant. The celebration can sometimes go on for more than one day. A playful form of congratulations to the person in question is to pull their ears for the number of years they are! It is a playful joke, but it means that we wish them a long and happy life.

a.Maslenitsa

b.a birthday party

c.a newborn baby

d.New Year

e.travelling

f.Easter

g.wedding

5.2 Can you guess the meaning of the highlighted words from the context? Check the meaning with a dictionary.

Speaking

6.1 Choose a tradition from 5.1 and add some details to the description. Tell the class about it.

6.2 In pairs or small groups. Think of three or four customs and traditions in other countries. Find the details and make a presentation.

Note! You can speak about rare traditions which are not widely known outside the countries.

Writing

Have you ever heard about Seven Wonders Of Russia? The project was launched by the TV channel Russia, the newspaper Izvestiya, and Radio Mayak in 2007.

Look at the photos. Can you say what these objects are and where they are located?

In pairs. You are a travel agency and you are making a promotional website for your new tour around Russia. Choose an object from this project and write a presentation about it.

Include the following information for foreign tourists:

a.Where is it?

b.What is the best way to get there?

c.What is interesting about it?

d.What is the history of this place?

e.Are there any limitations or safety precautions?

OVER TO YOU:

1. Can you describe a country you have visited / want to visit?

2. Can you describe traditions and celebrations in some country?

3. Can you describe the region you live in?

Module 9

FIT FOR FUN

Do the quiz with a partner. Ask and answer the questions.

How energetic are you? … get up as soon as you wake up? … slow getting ready in the morning? … walk or go by bus? How often … run upstairs? … often sleepy after lunch? … active or tired in the evening? How often … stay up late or all night?

Pronunciation

Write the words in two columns according to the vowels in them. Listen and check.