The United States of America. The USA is a vast country, its territory is 9.3 million square kilometres
The USA is a vast country, its territory is 9.3 million square kilometres. It is situated in North America and is washed by the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. The population of America is 300 million people. It is made up of immigrants and their children from nearly every country of the world.
The economy of the US is free enterprise. It has one of the strongest economies in the world. The USA is the world leader in space technologies, electronics, computer hardware and software. One fifth of the world’s cars are produced in the United States.
As for agriculture it is on a very high level of development too. The country produces more than 52 per cent of the world’s corn, and also much wheat, cotton and tobacco. Grain, vegetables and fruit are grown here too.
The USA is a federal union of 50 states. The supreme law of the country is the US Constitution. The head of the state is the President.
Washington, the capital of the United States, is in the District of Columbia (D.C.). This special district, named after Christopher Columbus, is not in any state because it is the home of the federal government. In and around Washington, D.C., there are many memorials to honour important people in the American history, like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and to soldiers who died in wars. 18 million tourists from all over the world come to visit these places every year.
9.1 Compare Bashkortostan and the USA and finish the sentences:
1) Bashkortostan is located in the Ural Mountains in Russia and the USA … .
2) The USA consists of 50 states and Bashkortostan … .
3) The monuments to Salavat Yulayev and to Peoples’ Friendship are the most popular in Ufa and in Washington … .
4) In the USA the legislative body is the Congress and in Bashkortostan … .
5) The population of America is 300 million people and the population of Bashkortostan … .
6) The native inhabitants of Bashkortostan are Bashkirs and in America … .
7) Farmers of the USA grow corn, cotton and tobacco and farmers of Bashkortostan … .
8) The capital of Bashkortostan Ufa is situated in Ufimski District of the Republic and Washington, D.C. … .
9) In Washington streets are lettered and numbered and in Ufa … .
10) Traditional occupations of Indians were maize growing, hunting and fishing; traditional occupations of Bashkirs
11) Aslikul and Kandrikul are the most famous lakes in Bashkortostan and in America … .
12) The biggest city of Bashkortostan is its capital Ufa and in the USA …
9.2 Translate the sentences about Bashkortostan and the USA:
1) Природные богатства США включают нефть, природный газ и железную руду.
2) Много национальностей населяют Америку.
3) Что касается сельского хозяйства, Башкортостан один из лидеров среди сельскохозяйственных регионов России.
4) В республике Башкортостан нефтепереработка и химическая промышленность хорошо развиты.
5) Столица США это город Вашингтон, а самый большой город это Нью-Йорк.
6) Уфа это большой промышленный город, оживленный и днем и ночью.
7) Улицы Уфы имеют имена знаменитых людей.
8) США занимают обширную территорию и омываются двумя океанами.
9) Фермеры Башкортостана не выращивают табак и хлопок.
10) Во фруктовых садах штата Вирджиния фермеры выращивают яблоки, груши, сливу и вишню.
11) Улицы Вашингтона обозначены номерами и буквами.
12) Природа Башкортостана красивая и привлекает людей со всей страны.
Dialogues
- Could you do me a favour?
- Yes, what is it?
- I must make a small report, just a few sentences, about the capital of the USA. It will be tomorrow.
- Let’s start then. The capital was named after the first president of the USA George Washington. He himself selected the place for the town.
- Why are there always the letters D.C. after the name of the city?
- The city isn’t in any state. It is in its own district. A hundred square miles were taken from the states of Maryland and Virginia. It was called the district of Columbia (D.C.)
- Is the city well planned?
- Yes, it is. The city is divided into four sections: NW(north-west), NE(north-east), SW(south-west), and SE(south-east).Numbered streets run north to south: First Street, Second Street. Lettered streets such as A-street, B-street run east to west.
- Great! I have never heard of it. And what’s the heart of Washington?
- The Capitol. All tourists begin sightseeing in Washington from the Capitol. It consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- What about monuments?
- The Washington Monument which is 555 feet tall is called “Pencil” because of its shape. There is an elevator which carries tourists to 500 foot level observation windows. There are some other monuments to presidents of the USA: Lincoln memorial, Jefferson memorial.
- I think this information will be enough. You were so helpful. Thanks a lot.
- Don’t mention it. You are welcome any time.
* * *
- Before we began to study America at our English lessons, I always thought that the capital of the USA is New York. Это один из самых больших городов мира.
- Нью Йорк очень важен для страны. It has been the gateway to the United States for many immigrants. Do you know its nickname?
- A monster?
- Да, очень большие города иногда называют монстрами. But I meant “The Big Apple”. The Big Apple has become a symbol for America’s largest city.
- Our teacher said, that New York is also called “the city that never sleeps” because it is alive at all hour of the day and night.
- Ты знаешь, каково население этого города?
- Да. Около десяти миллионов человек. И он состоит из пяти частей или районов: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. И он расположен на реке Hudson.
- You are clever. You know much.
- Thank you. We both are very clever.
Questions
1.What is the geographical location of the USA?
2.How many states constitute the USA?
3.What are the main branches of industry there?
4.What agricultural products do American farmers produce?
5. Who is the head of the state?
6.Where is the capital of the USA situated?
7.What are the sights of Washington, D.C.?
My Future Work
1.What is your future work?
2.What is your speciality?
3.How much time will it take you to get this profession?
4.What subjects do you study?
5.What subjects do you think are the most necessary for your future work?
6.What are your favourite subjects?
7.What subjects are the easiest(most difficult) for you?
8.Where can graduates of your department work?
9.Where would you like to work?
10.Are you a sociable person? Do you think it will be easy for you to work in a new collective of people?
11.Are you a persistent and hard working person? Will you be able to work effectively?
12.Do you think your work will be well paid?
13.Do you think your work will be interesting?
14.Will you work indoors or outdoors?
15.Will you get a profession that somebody in your family has already got?
16.Can you continue studies to get a degree after graduation from the university?
17.Is there a post-graduate course at our University?
18.Do you know that post-graduate course lasts three years after which a post graduate defends a dissertation?
19.Do you know that after a post graduate defends a dissertation he/she gets the degree of a Candidate of Sciences?
20.Where can a Candidate of Sciences work?