Write down and translate the following vocabulary notes and sentences. Learn the vocabulary notes by heart.
Contents
Topic: My visit card …………………………………4
Topic: My working day ……………………………..7
Topic: My favourite sportsman…………………….10
Topic: Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sport. ………………………………………….13
Topic: The Russian Federation. Sport in Russia…..18
Topic: Omsk ………………………………………29
Topic: Great Britain. Sport in Great Britain………..31
Topic: The Olympic Games………………………...69
Topic: Sport and society……………………………76
Topic: My visit card
Write down and translate the following vocabulary notes and sentences. Learn the vocabulary notes by heart.
1. name
second name
surname
full name
Ex.: His name is Aleksandr. His second name is Aleksandrovich. His surname is Aleksandrov. So, his full name is Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Aleksandrov.
2.to be 18 (19, 20) years old; to be 18, 19, 20.
Ex.:My sister is 19 years old. I am 18. My mother is 45 years old.
3.to be born in
Ex.:Sam is an Englishman but he was born in Russia. I was born in London. They were born in France. Where were you born?
4.good-looking
Ex.:Mark’s girlfriend is a very good-looking young person. Good-looking persons are usually successful.
5.slim
Ex.:My sister always keeps to diets and goes to sport clubs, that is why she is very slim.
6.to train
Ex.: Sportsmen must train regularly. You should train hard to have good physical fitness.
7. to keep one’s health
Ex.: Proper meals and sport keep our health.
8. experienced
Ex.: My aunt has worked at school during 25 years, so she is very experienced in pedagogy.
9. to be two/four years older/younger than …
Ex.: Ann is four years older than my brother. Sam is two years younger than Mark.
10. to be the first/second/third/fourth/fifth year student
Ex.: This young man is the second year student of the Siberian State University of physical culture and sport. She is the third year student of the Medical Academy.
11. to have much in common
Ex.: My sister and me have much in common.
12. to decide
Ex.: She decided not to come to his birthday. When will you decide what to do?
13. to enter
Ex.: Frank entered the Classical University last year. I am going to enter the Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sport this year.
14. to graduate from
Ex.: She graduated from the Technical University last year. Next year my best friend will graduate from the Medical Academy.
15. merited
Ex.: John’s brother is a merited artist of Russia. I would like to become a merited master of sport.
16. to go in for sport/to do sport(s)/to take up sport
Ex.: Many people nowadays go in for sport. It is popular to do sport. What kind of sport do you take up? I take up gymnastics.
17. application
Ex.: People usually write an application when they want to leave their work.
18. entrance examinations
Ex.: My entrance examinations were difficult enough.
19. to admit
Ex.: He says he admits my work. I don’t admit call.
20. coach (trainer)
Ex.: A coach plays a very important role in a sportsman’s career.
21. competition
Ex.: Shooting competition will take place in the middle of July.
22. to take part in
Ex.: Mike often takes part in different conferences.
23. higher education
Ex.: You need a higher education for finding good and well-paid work today.
2. Fill in the gaps choosing the words from the following list: entered, have much in common, boast, admitted, couch, name, boast, higher education, graduated from, decided, good-looking, entrance exams, experienced, was born, trains, application, competition, slim.
1. He says that his … is Mark. 2. Everybody likes her, she is a very kind and … person. 3. Sam … the University with honour. 4. Although they are brothers, they don’t … 5. Kate … the Service Institute last year. 6. I need an … person for such a kind of work. 7. … means to be healthy and strong. 8. Some small children like to … 9. My elder brother is a sportsman, so he … every day. 10. They say that there are almost no … people in America nowadays. 11. I wrote an … before entering the University. 12. Most of the sportsmen can not train without a … 13. At present time … is very prestigious. 14. Swimming … will take place in the middle of July.
15. Jane says that her … were rather difficult. 16. I … not to discuss this question again. 17. George … in New York. 18. The jury … the last effort of the athlete.
Read and translate the text.
My visit card
My name is Ivan. My second name is Ivanovich. My surname is Ivanov. So, my full name is Ivan Ivanovich Ivanov. I am 17 years old. I was born in 1991, in the Russian city of Omsk. My family is rather small. I have a mother, a father and a sister. My mother is a teacher of biology. She works at a college. She likes her profession very much. She is a good-looking, slim woman with brown hair and green eyes. When my mother has free time she goes to sport club to train herself. She says that sport keeps our health.
My father is a computer programmer. He is very talented and experienced in this field. He is a broad-shouldered tall man with dark hair and blue eyes. His hobby is playing guitar. My sister is two years older than me. She is a third-year student of the Medical Academy. She dreams to become a children’s doctor. She is very interested in learning foreign languages. At present time she is learning French and Italian. She says they have much in common.
I started school at the age of 6 and I finished it at the age of 17. After finishing school I decided to enter the Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sport. My choice is not sudden: I have always wanted to study here. My uncle is a merited master of sport. He graduated from this university with honour. His specialization is swimming.
I began to go in for sport early. During all my childhood I attended swimming pool where I trained hard. Besides, my uncle taught me to train properly. Now, I don’t mean to boast, I am a very good swimmer. I am a candidate to the Master of sports. Before entering the Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sport I wrote an application. Then I had to pass my entrance examinations and then I was admitted! Now I am a first year student and my specialization is swimming. After graduating from the university I would like to become a very good coach. I am planning to do sport all my future life and I wish my children to take it up. I have already taken part in a lot of swimming competitions where I took the first, second and third places. Now my aim is to get higher education and to become a good specialist in my field.
4. Answer the following questions:
1) What is the name of the speaker?
2) How old is he?
3) When and where was he born?
4) Is his family small?
5) Who lives with Ivan?
6) What is his mother’s profession? Does she like it?
7) Can you describe the appearance of Ivan’s mother?
8) What does his mother do when she has free time?
9) What does she think about sport?
10) What is Ivan’s father profession?
11) Can you describe the appearance of Ivan’s father?
12) What is his hobby?
13) Is Ivan’s sister younger than he?
14) Is she a student? Where does she study?
15) Who would she like to be?
16) What is she interested in?
17) What languages does she study?
18) What did Ivan decide to do after school?
19) What is Ivan’s uncle?
20) What did Ivan do during his childhood?
21) Is Ivan’s uncle a good coach for him?
22) What did Ivan do before entering the University?
23) What is his specialization?
24) Who would he like to be?
25) What is Ivan’s aim?
5. Now answer these questions to be ready to speak about your visit card:
1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. When and where were you born?
4. Where do you live?
5. Do have a family? (Enumerate the members of your family).
6. What do you do?
7. Do you have a hobby?
8. Do you have a lot of friends?
9. What do you like to do when you have free time?
10. Do you have a dream? What is it?
Topic: My Working Day
Fill in the gaps with the necessary vocabulary notes: support, an early bird, get up, leave, comb her hair, gets tired, value, alarm-clock, make her bed, don’t have breakfast, combine, live far from, canteen, feel better, lunch-time, well-bred.
1. I am an …, so I easily … in the mornings. 2. As I … my university I get there by bus or taxi. 3. Jason … after his trainings. 4. We … home at about 8 o’clock in the morning. 5. Mary is too small to … herself. 6. Some people … in the morning at all. 7. I can get up without my … 8. After taking a cold shower I … 9. It is very difficult for Lora to … : it is too long. 10. I … my friendship with my best friend. 11. This man is very tactful and … Everybody respects him. 12. The food in our … is not very expensive and quite good. 13. A true friend will always … you when you have some trouble. 14. It is rather difficult to … both work and study. 15. My … usually lasts for 30 minutes.
My Working Day
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday my alarm-clock wakes me up early in the morning (at 7 o’clock) and my working day begins. I am not an early bird, I would rather say that I am a night owl that is why it is very difficult for me to get up. So I stay in bed for 10 or 15 minutes more, get up, make my bed, switch on the radio and do my morning exercises. I feel much better after my daily dozen. Then I go to the bathroom, take a cold shower, clean my teeth, comb my hair and go to the kitchen to have my breakfast. Usually I make breakfast myself. I don’t eat much in the morning. For breakfast I usually have a cup of strong coffee and a sandwich. Then I get dressed and leave my house.
I study in the Siberian State University of Physical Culture and Sport. I am a first year student and my specialization is gymnastics. As I live far from my university I usually get there by bus or taxi (if I am very late). It takes me about 30 or 40 minutes. Our lessons begin at 9. During our lessons we sometimes have a short 5-minutes break. Frankly speaking, it helps us to relax. At about 12 o’clock we have lunch-time. There is a big nice canteen in our university where most of our students and teachers have lunch. After lunch our lessons go on again. Sometimes we have 4 or 5 lessons a day. We usually have lectures, seminars and physical training lessons, of course.
After my study I usually get very tired. I come home at about 6 or 7 o’clock in the evening and have supper. Then I have a short rest and do my homework. As I go in for gymnastics professionally, I train 5 times a week: on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Sometimes it is very difficult for me to combine my study with my trainings, but I have to: sport is my life.
I usually have free time on Saturday evening and Sunday. I have a lot of friends and I try to spend my free time with them. My friends are well-bred and friendly, ready to help and support in a difficult situation so I value them all.
I usually go to bed at 11 o’clock in the evening. I fall asleep very fast and so my working day is over.
4. Answer the following questions:
1. What time do you usually wake up?
2. Do you wake up yourself or with the help of your alarm-clock?
3. Do you do your daily dozen in the morning?
4. Speak about other things you do in the morning (First I …, then I … and…).
5. Do you always have breakfast in the morning?
6. Do you prepare your breakfast yourself?
7. Do you live far from your university?
8. How do you usually get to your university?
9. How many lessons a day do you usually have?
10. Do you go in for some sport? How many times a week do you train? Do you have a coach or do you train yourself? Do you get tired after your trainings? Is it difficult for you to combine trainings and study?
11. What do you do when you have free time?
12. What time do you go to bed?
5. Are you an early bird 
or a night owl 
?
Do the questionnaire to find it out!
1. When I get up in the morning …
a) I am always happy and I have a lot of energy.
b) I am sometimes happy and sometimes I am not.
c) I am never happy and I don’t have energy.
2. At the weekend …
a) I always wake up before 9 a.m.
b) I sometimes wake up before 9 a.m. and sometimes sleep till noon.
c) I hardly ever wake up before 9 a.m.
3. When there’s a good film on TV late at night…
a) I often watch the beginning but I never see the end.
b) I may record it and go to bed or may watch it.
c) I always watch it to the end.
4. When I go to the party …
a) I never stay to the end.
b) I sometimes stay to the end and sometimes I don’t.
c) I always stay to the end.
5. When I see friends at the weekend …
a) I hardly ever see them before 9 p.m.
b) I sometimes have coffee with them in the morning.
c) I usually see them in the afternoon.
6. When a friend phones me before 8 a.m. …
a) I am always happy to talk to him/her.
b) I am sometimes happy to talk to him/her.
c) I never answer the phone at such time.
If you have the majority of “a” answers it means that you are a typical early bird.
The majority of “b” answers shows that you are neither an early bird, nor a night owl. Your regimen is not stable and you should change it to avoid problems with your health. And the majority of “c” answers means that you are a night owl.
Do you agree with the conclusion? Do you think it is possible to become a night owl if you are an early bird and visa versa? Do you want to change your regimen?
6. Read the following situations then choose one of them and role-play it:
1)You are a night owl. Yesterday you went to bed at 2 o’clock. And today, in the early Sunday morning your friend is phoning you to invite you for a run. Refuse your friend but be tactful with him/her.
2) You are an early bird. You are at a birthday party of your best friend. He/She wants you to stay for the whole night but you know that if you stay you will feel bad tomorrow. Refuse your friend but don’t hurt him/her.
Irina Chaschina
There are many outstanding sportsmen all over the world. I have got a favourite sportswoman: it is Irina Chaschina, the famous Russian gymnast. Irina Chacshina was born on the 24th of April in 1982 in the Russian city of Omsk. She began her sport career at the age of 6 under supervision of Arais Elena Nikolaevna in Omsk. Her grandfather, a great sport-lover, first brought her to training. Only a day before Irina watched gymnastics world championship which made a deep impression on her. She realized at once that she wants to take this kind of sport up. Her grandfather supported this decision, besides, sport was a very good idea for a plump young girl. Irina’s mother, a teacher of musical school, wanted her daughter to devote herself to music. Moreover, the parents wished Irina to learn to swim. So, that was her crazy lifestyle: music – swimming pool – gymnasium.
In the 7th form she had to choose and it was gymnastics that Irina began to go in for. It is rather interesting, that in the beginning Irina was offered to do sport gymnastics but the girl rejected this idea and declared that she would gladly take up calisthenics. That time Irina was far from being slim and flexible. In other words, she was not in a sports form but she trained hard and gradually got success.
Four years later the famous merited coach of Russia – Vera Efremovna Shtelbaums began to train Irina. The girl gained her first victory at the championship in Omsk, when she was 8 years old. At 12 she joined the combined team of Russia and began to train in Moscow from time to time. Being a junior Irina took the first place at a very prestigious tournament – the Unity of Independent States Spartakiada and won twice the championship among girls. Then she won bronze at the championship of Russia and took the third place at the championship of Europe. Since august 1999 Irina trained under supervision of Irina Aleksandrovna Winer and became the world champion in Osaka.
The season of 2001 became the most successful for Irina. She won the multi-discipline event at the 7th world games in Japan, won gold medals at the championship of Europe in the exercises with a hoop and a skipping-rope. She also took the first place at the international tournament in France, won gold at the world championship in Spain in the exercises with a hoop and silver in all other kinds of exercises. Irina believes her best compositions the exercises with a hoop and maces. “They are the most difficult, that’s why they are interesting!”, - says Irina.
Irina’s fans often mark her seriousness and the fact that she hardly ever smiles while performing. In fact Irina is a very kind and responsive person. “In my usual life I like to laugh when it is really very funny, especially if interesting people surround me”, - she says.
Everybody knows that the geography of gymnastics tournaments is quite vast. Irina Chaschina has visited a lot of countries but she likes Japan best of all, though its way of life seems a bit complicated and unusual to her. Irina reads a lot, adores going to the cinema. She always dreams of having a dog but her strict regimen doesn’t allow her to do it yet. To those who just do their first steps in gymnastics Irina advises not only to train the body but also the brains. “In calisthenics you should have intellect”, - she says.
There was one unpleasant thing that happened to Irina and one more famous Russian gymnast – Alina Kabaeva. Being the leaders of the world calisthenics in 2001 they were caught taking a strong diuretic. As a result they were both disqualified for two years, so they had no right to take part in competitions. The second year of disqualification was conditional, so, the sportswomen were allowed to participate in official tournaments but they were constantly under the strictest control.
Irina Chaschina is considered to be a great sportswoman. Some people even call her the queen of calisthenics. Her performances are always interesting to watch as they are full of elegance, grace and boundless talent.
3. Answer the following questions:
1. When and where was Irina Chaschina born?
2. What kind of sport does Irina go in for?
3. When did Irina begin her sport career?
4. Who was Chaschina’s first coach?
5. Who first brought Irina to training?
6. When did the girl realize that she wants to go in for gymnastics?
7. Was gymnastics her only occupation?
8. Was Irina Chaschina in a good sport form when she decided to do calisthenics?
9. What was the name of Irina’s second coach?
10. When did the gymnast gain her first victory?
11. What other sport achievements does Chaschina have?
12. Who was Irina’s third coach?
13. The season of what year became the most successful for Chaschina? Why?
14. What compositions does Irina believe the best ones in her exercises? Explain why.
15. What is her favourite country?
16. What does Irina like to do in her free time?
17. What does she advise to beginners in gymnastics?
18. What unpleasant thing once happened to the famous gymnast?
19. What was the punishment for taking diuretic?
20. What Chaschina’s performances are like? Do you agree with it?
Say if the given below statements are true or false. If the statement is correct, you should say “It’s true” or “I agree”. If the statement is not correct you should say “It’s false” or “I disagree” and correct it.
1. Irina Chaschina was born on the 24th of April in 1983 in the Russian city of Tomsk.
2. Irina’s grandfather was a great sport lover and wanted her to take up figure skating.
3. Irina Chaschina never wanted to go in for sports gymnastics.
4. Vera Efremovna Shtelbaums was the girl’s second coach.
5. The season of 1999 became the most successful for the sportswoman.
6. Irina doesn’t like exercises with maces.
7. Chaschina always smiles while performing but in her usual life she is very serious.
8. Irina believes that the most important thing in Calisthenics is a good sport form.
9. Irina Chaschina was once disqualified for 2 years.
10. The performances of Irina Chaschina are elegant and graceful.
5. Translate the following sentences into English using the active vocabulary of the lesson:
1. Чемпионаты по художественной гимнастике всегда интересно смотреть.
2. Заниматься спортом регулярно (regularly) значит соблюдать (follow) определенный режим и образ жизни.
3. Будучи юниором, Ирина Чащина заняла первое место на очень престижном турнире – Спартакиаде СНГ.
4. В художественной гимнастике много упражнений: с обручем, мячом, скакалкой, булавами.
5. Спортсмены тяжело переживают (suffer greatly from) дисквалификацию.
6. Ирина Чащина тренировалась под руководством трех заслуженных тренеров.
7. В 12 лет Ирина Чащина вошла в сборную команду России.
8. Ирина Чащина принимала участие в многочисленных соревнованиях.
9. Фанаты всегда поддерживают любимых спортсменов или команды.
10. Выступление этой гимнастки произвело на меня сильное впечатление.
Make up your own three statements; use the information from the text. One of your statements should be false. Read them to the students. Their task is to say which of your statements is false and correct it.
7. Translate the sentences from Russian into English.
1) Сибирский Государственный Университет Физической Культуры и Спорта – большой образовательный, научный и спортивный центр.
2) Его выпускников можно встретить на Урале, на Дальнем Востоке, в городах и селах Европейской части России.
3) Они работают в средних школах и техникумах, в спортивных клубах, в спортивных командах и в спортивных организациях.
4) Первый Институт Физической Культуры был основан в сибирском городе Томске в 1920.
5) Но из-за экономических и политических трудностей просуществовал только 3 года.
6) Но такая огромная территория страны как Сибирь нуждалась в образовательном учреждении, которое бы осуществляло подготовку квалифицированных специалистов в области физической культуры и спорта.
7) В 30-40е годы технические средние школы физической культуры были открыты в Красноярске, Новосибирске, Иркутске, Омске.
8) В 1950 году Институт Физической Культуры был основан в Омске.
9) Первый набор студентов составил 100 молодых людей и девушек.
10) Штат насчитывал 10-15 преподавателей.
11) Университет имел одно единственное здание, расположенное на улице Ленина.
12) В 1994 году университет был переименован в Сибирскую Государственную Академию Физической Культуры и спорта.
13) Университет возглавляет ректор.
14) В 2002 Сибирская Государственная Академия Физической Культуры и Спорта получила статус университета.
15) Университет осуществляет подготовку специалистов в области физической культуры и спорта для огромной территории Сибири и Дальнего Востока, присваивая квалификацию тренера или школьного учителя физической культуры и степень бакалавра или специалиста в области физической культуры и спорта.
16) Студенты имеют хорошие помещения для учебы, тренировок, восстановления и отдыха.
17) Имеются 5 учебных корпусов, компьютерные залы, библиотеки.
18) Студенты имеют все необходимые спортивные сооружения.
19) Студенты могут выбрать очную или заочную форму обучения.
20) Осуществляется подготовка студентов на пяти факультетах (назовите факультеты).
21) Каждый факультет возглавляет декан.
22) Имеется более 20 теоретических и спортивных кафедр в университете.
23) Университет осуществляет послевузовскую подготовку в магистратуре, аспирантуре, докторантуре и Институте Повышения Квалификации для преподавателей и тренеров.
24) В университете есть совет для защиты кандидатских и докторских диссертаций.
25) Студенты и выпускники защищают честь университета на спортивных аренах.
8. Supplementary tasks.
1. Retell the text from your point of view as a student. What other advantages and disadvantages of the university can you add?
2. Say what achievements the university has as the centre of sports life in our city. Outline the perspectives.
3. Make the advertisement of the university. Say what attracts you and invite others to enter the university.
4. Imagine that you are a reporter. Make a piece of reporting about Siberian State University of Physical Culture and sport. Say as much as you can about the university.
Sport in Russia
Glossary
Geographical Outline: stretch over, a vast expanse of, cover twice the territory of, in the north/south/west/east, border on, wash, be washed by seas and oceans, conjoined, take up, rolling uplands, the relief is scattered with lakes and swamps, northern/southern/eastern/western, the river basins are cut by valleys and ravines, boundary, separate smth from smth, the highest peak, reach, range from…to…, merge, be bounded by smth, mountain chains, peninsula, island, flow in, become the cradle, extensive, lowland, highland, rank, be inhabited by, majority, be unequally distributed, the bulk of the people, be insufficiently populated, rapid, uninhabitable, climate, mild, harsh, limit smth, arable land, flora, fauna, latitudinal, tundra, moss, taiga, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, mixed forest, steppe, deposits of mineral resources, coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminium, tin, develop rapidly, be determined by smth, heavy industry, light industry, chemical industry, highly-developed.
Political Structure: be set up, the Constitution, sovereign, the head, be headed by, be elected by, a four-year term, the President, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, make treaties, enforce laws, appoint, the prime minister, override, dissolve, the parliament, the government, branch of power, consist of, legislative, executive, judicial, be vested in the Federal Assembly, the Council of Federation, the State Duma, popular vote, chamber, chairman, a bill, approve smth, sign smth, belong to smb, be represented by smb/smth, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme court, regional courts, state symbol, symbolize smth, three-colored flag, hymn, the national coat of arms, a two-headed eagle.
II. Fill in the gaps using the essential vocabulary:
Russia … for some 17,000 million square kilometers. Our country … of the USA. It … China, Korea …, Norway and Finland …. Russia … 3 oceans and numerous …. The distance between the most northern and most southern points … … 3,500 … 4,000 km. The country has about 3,000,000 …, the longest one is the Volga. The Baikal is not only the deepest … but also the world’s greatest freshwater reservoir. The Urals … the European part of Russia … the Asian part. There are several … such as the Caucasus and the Altai. The … are the … of Communism (7495 m), the … of Pobeda (7439 m) and Lenin … (7134 m). Mountains greatly influence … of Russia. Forests and plains … most of Russia’s territory. The country is rich in many …, especially in coal, natural gas, and ores. The current … of Russia is about 150 million people. Russia as a state is a … …. The … of the state is the President who controls all the three … ….
The Federal Assembly … the Council of … and the State ... exercises … The executive power … to the government which …. by the prime minister. The … is represented by the …, … and regional courts. Today the state Russian … is three colored. The national coat of arms is … It is the most ancient … of our country.
III. Write O for oceans, S for seas, R for rivers, L for lakes, I for islands, P for peninsulas, Rg for regions:
1._the Ladoga 2._the Kara 3._the Far East 4._the Atlantic 5._the Bering 6._the Altai
7._the Azov 8._the Urals 9._the Chukchi 10._the Yenisey 11._the Pacific 12._the Don
13._the Central Siberian Plateau 14._the White 15._the Amur 16._the Baikal 17._the Ob
18._the Sakhalin 19._the Baltic 20._the Caspian 21._the Arctic 22._the Barents
23._the Volga 24._the Kuril 25._the Laptev 26._the Russian Plain 27._the Okhotsk
28._the Kamchatka 29._the Black 30._the East-Siberian 31._the West Siberian Plain
32._the Japanese 33._the Caucasus
Text A
Geographical outline
Russia stretches over a vast expanse of eastern Europe and northern Asia. It is the world’s largest country. Russia covers almost twice the territory of either the United States or China. In the west Russia borders on Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland through Kaliningrad province. In the south our country borders on Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, and North Korea.
Russia is washed by twelve seas and three oceans. It confronts the Baltic Sea in the west. The Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas wash Russia in the south. The Arctic Ocean and conjoined seas such as the White, Barents, Kara, Laptev, East-Siberian Seas are in the north. The Pacific Ocean and conjoined seas including the Bering, Okhotsk, and Japanese Seas wash Russia in the east.
Russia’s main regions are the Russian (or East European) Plain, the Ural Mountains, the West Siberian Plain, the Central Siberian Plateau, and the Far East.
The Russian Plain takes up the European part of Russia. There are low, rolling uplands and broad rivers there. In the north the relief of the plain is scattered with lakes and swamps. In the southern part of the plain the river basins are cut by valleys and ravines. In the south, the Russian Plain is edged by the Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian seas. The Urals form the eastern boundary of the Russian Plain. It is held that the Urals separate Europe from Asia. The Urals stretch for about 2,100 km from north to south. The highest peak, Mount Narodnaya, reaches 1,895 m, and other mountain tops range from 900 to 1,500 m. The West Siberian Plain merges in the east with the Central Siberian Plateau. The easternmost part of Russia is bounded by various mountain chains. The Far East of Russia includes the Kamchatka and Chukchi peninsulas and the Kuril and Sakhalin Islands.
The most important rivers in the European part of Russia are the Don and the Volga. The Volga River, which flows in the Caspian Sea, is of great historic, economic, and cultural importance to Russia. It has become the cradle of such ancient Russian cities as Vladimir, Tver, Yaroslavl, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod. In the West Siberia the greatest rivers are the Ob and Yenisey. They flow along the most extensive lowland in the world. The Yenisey flows into the Kara Sea.
In Russia there are about 3,000,000 beautiful lakes. The Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. Other important lakes are the Ladoga Lake and Onega Lake.
Russia rinks sixth in the world in the size of its population. The great majority of the population of Russia are Russians. Russia is inhabited by sixty other nationalities. The population of Russia is unequally distributed. The bulk of the people live in the European part of the country.
There are various types of climate on the territory of Russia. Continental climate, with cold winters and mild or warm summers prevails. The harshness of the Russian climate limits the amount of arable land to about one-seventh of the total area.
Different latitudinal climatic regimes are mirrored in Russia’s flora. A treeless tundra with mosses and grasses extends along the entire Arctic coast. In the south it gives way to taiga. This coniferous forest growing on swampy ground covers more than half of the country. In European Russia, towards the south the taiga is replaced by a zone of mixed coniferous and deciduous forest which in the south transfers into mixed forest-steppe and finally into the almost treeless, grass-covered steppe.
Russia has the richest deposits of mineral resources in the world. It is one of the world’s biggest producers of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as of iron, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminium, and tin.
The development of the Russian economy is determined by its natural resources. Russia’s heavy industries are well-developed. They produce much of the nation’s steel and most of its heavy machinery, such as steam boilers, grain-harvesting combines, automobiles, locomotives, and machine tools. Russia’s chemical industry is also well-developed. Light industry is not so highly-developed and centers mainly on the production of textiles.
Task 1. Find answers to the following questions in the text:
1. Where is Russia situated?
2. What is Russia washed by?
3. What are Russia’s main regions?
4. What can you tell about each region?
5. What are the most important rivers in Russia?
6. What is the deepest lake in Russia?
7. What can you say about the population of Russia?
8. What types of climate are there on the territory of Russia?
9. Is Russia’s flora rich?
10. What can you say about Russia’s natural resources?
11. Is Russia’s industry well-developed?
Task 2.Try to define the key notes of the text after answering the questions and write a summary.
Task 3. Speak about Russia according to the following plan:
1. Russia’s physical features.
2. Climate.
3. Population.
4. Flora.
5. Industry.
Read and translate text B.
Text B
Political system of Russia
The Russian Federation was set up by the Constitution of 1993. After its destruction the Soviet Union was broken up into independent Russia and 14 other new, sovereign nations.
Under the Constitution of 1993 Russia is a Presidential Republic. It is headed by the President who is elected for a four-year term. The President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he makes treaties, and enforces laws, appoints the prime minister, cabinet members, and key judges. The President can override and in some cases dissolve the national parliament, the bicameral Federal Assembly.
The government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Each of them is checked and balanced by the President. The legislative power is vested in the Federal Assembly. It consists of the Council of Federation (upper house) and the State Duma (low house). The members of the State Duma are elected by popular vote for a four-year period. The Council of Federation is not elected. It is formed of the heads of the regions. Each Chamber is headed by the Chairman. Legislature is initiated in the State Duma. But to become a law a bill must be approved by the Lower and Upper Houses and signed by the President. The executive power belongs to the Government. The judicial branch is represented by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and regional courts.
Today the state Russian flag is three colored. It has three horizontal stripes: white, blue and red. The white stripe symbolizes the earth, the blue one stand for the sky, and the red one signifies liberty. It was the first state symbol to replace the former symbols in 1991. The hymn of Russia is created by Alexandrov and Mikhalkov. Now the national coat of arms is a two-headed eagle. It is the most ancient symbol of Russia.
Russian is the official, but not the only language which people speak in the country. Members of more than 60 other ethnic groups who live in Russia speak their own languages. The people of the Altaic group speak mainly Turkic, and Mongolian languages. The members of the Uralic group speak Uralic languages. The representatives of the Caucasus group speak various languages of the North Caucasus region of Russia. The people of Paleosiberian groups speak variety of languages of far-eastern Siberia.
Task 1. Find answers to the following questions in the text:
1. When was the RF set up?
2. Who is the head of the RF?
3. What are the branches of the Russian government?
4. What are Russia’s state symbols?
5. What is the official language of the RF?
Sport in Russia
Sport in Russia has always been popular. Perhaps more then a half of Russians have tried some kind of sport in their childhood. So which sports are better developed in Russia? Russia, as a rule, has good results in classical kinds of sport. This is in some ways connected with the period of Soviet Union when big attention was paid to physical education of the youth. But the lessons of Soviet school didn’t go without any influence. Quite often foreign sportsmen, lead by Russian trainers, appear on world level competitions. Also often you can see Russian sportsmen fighting of medals for other countries. There are many jokes about it. For example when you watch international competitions you hear that the trainers and the sportsmen easily understand each other because they all speak Russian.
In modern kinds of sport Russians lag behind their contenders a little. We can refer here curling, springboard jumping etc. Frankly speaking some Russians still can't see these activities as serious kinds of sport. But the situation has been changing nowadays. Actually, a healthy way of life is again coming into fashion in Russia today. That is why people have started to take an interest in sport. Even those who perceived it only as something that they could watch on TV, now come to gyms and swimming pools. That is why Russians are beginning to open to new kinds of sport. Let’s hope that this will reflect in results of different level competitions.
Tennis has a large popularity. Some people connect that with the fact that this sport was a hobby of Russian ex-president Boris Yeltsin. Today Russian tennis players are famous all over the world. Sharapova, Kurnikova, Kafelnikov, Miskina are only the best known Russian tennis players. They play wonderfully at Wimbledon and other competitions.
Ice-hockey is another one successful sport in the country. The Russian team takes worthy places in competitions. The traditions of Soviet school are kept here too. Though, unfortunately it isn’t as strong as in the past. In USSR there was a period when hockey team won 9 world championships in a row. Furthermore, there are only 2 hockey players which became championship winners 10 times. These are Russian sportsmen Alexander Rogulin and of course Vladislav Tretyak. Nowadays there are also good players in Russian hockey. Another sport which is widespread in the country is football. There are many amateurs of this game in Russia.
And of course the favorite sport of many women is figure skating. This is a very beautiful show. And here Russia is still the leader. Though it had very worthy rivals in the last years. For example Chinese sportsmen who to my mind have good perspective. But don’t forget about Russian figure skaters. Today they are favorites at any competition. Besides, figure skating is quickly getting popularity in the country. New ice rinks are opened, parents take their children to sport schools. Actually many kinds of sport are popular in Russia. Both on a professional level and on an amateur one. Ski sport and volleyball are good examples here.
We should say some words about Russian supporters. Here we can call it a kind of sport too. The sense of empathy is inherent to Russians. The team spirit lives in them. Russians prepare for going and supporting their favorite team in advance. They buy flags which sometimes achieve great sizes. On the scarves, caps and etc. – everywhere it’ll be possible to see the colours of Russian flag. When you watch the competitions of the international level on TV then you’ll here through the voice of commentator the tribunes shouting “Rossya! Rossya!”. And no matter where the match takes places in Russia or in 1000 km from it you’ll anyway hear this. Russians are ready to overcome big distance to see the performance of their favourite sportsmen.
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Tasks:
1. Give English equivalents for:
откровенно говоря, здоровый образ жизни, уделять большое внимание физическому воспитанию молодежи, популярность, бороться за медали, готовиться заранее, шутка, международные состязания, командный дух, входить в моду, появляться на соревнованиях мирового уровня, иметь хорошие результаты в классических видах спорта,
в наше время, любитель, влияние, соблюдать традиции, проходить, преодолевать большие расстояния, воспринимать, занимать достойные места, набирать популярность, кричать, отставать от предшественников, подряд, красивое зрелище, деятельность, возглавлять, успешный, интересоваться чем-либо, отражаться, выступление, знаменитый, болельщик, к сожалению, открываться чему-либо, широкораспространенный, чувство сопереживания, соперник, к тому же.
Getting about town
Read and translate the following text:
If only stones could speak!
The Moscow Diary
Moscow is the capital of Russia. The date of its foundation is the year 1147. Moscow began to rise in the 14th century. Under Ivan III the Great, in the mid- fifteenth century, Moscow became the principal city of the state of Muskovy. Nowadays Moscow is the largest city of Russia. It is a political, administrative, economic, industrial, educational and cultural city of the country.
Today Moscow is bubbling over with hospitality as never before. All you need to enjoy Moscow to the full is a sense of adventure, an appreciation of Russian history and several pairs of comfortable shoes! They say “Better to see once, than to hear much”. Well said, isn’t it? If you want to have a full idea what Moscow is today, go and see the city yourself!
So welcome to Moscow, its seat of government, its cathedrals, its entertainment, its monuments and above all its people.
The bustling capital city of Moscow lies in the Moscow River Basin, steeped in history and flowing with life. Moscow is a vast city. Famous buildings, offices, banks, department stores, markets, high-rise blocks, elegant squares, concert halls and parks are all part of Moscow. Different areas of the city have their own special character. It may take you a lot of time to get a better overall picture. But if you made up your mind to do the sights of the city, the best place to start is the Kremlin – the centre of the city: here we feel the pulse of Russian history. Its redbrick walls and towers were erected at the end of the 15th century. If only stones could speak! The former Senate building, the Kremlin Great Palace, and the modern Palace of Congresses are located within the walls of the Kremlin. The white bell tower of Ivan III the Great, the Armory Museum, and the Arsenal are grouped around Cathedral Square. The Kremlin contains several cathedrals designed by Italian architects in a style combining Renaissance details with Russian architectural tradition. A majestic sight!
An unforgettable day that includes Red Square walk! It is the ceremonial centre of the capital. The State Historical Museum closes off the northern end of the square. It is the main museum of the State history. A real highlight of Red Square is the Church of the Intercession, or Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed – a really unique creation! It was built for Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible from 1554 to 1560 by the architects Barma and Postnik. The Cathedral is the final expression of pure Russian architectural fantasy in which Byzantine elements detached from their original meaning, were multiplied in unbelievable extravagance. Without any doubt Red Square is a chance to walk through the history of Russia!
There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The State Tretyakov Gallery is the greatest museum of Russian art, one of the world’s leading museums. It was founded in 1856 by P.M. Tretyakov as a private collection but in 1892 was granted to the State. After1917 numerous private collections were added to create this wonderful museum. The main departments are the Russian icon-painting, fine arts of the 18-19 centuries, sculpture, drawings, Soviet art.
The Museum of Fine Arts named after Pushkin is the second (after the Hermitage) in Russia by its collection of antiques of Egypt, ancient world, Oriental art and Western Europe.
Moscow is also a city of theatres. There are more than 30 theatres, popular with both Moscovites and tourists. The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, Mali Theatre and Moscow Art Theatre are world-known. The Bolshoi Theatre was founded in 1776. It is famous for its vocal and ballet schools.
It is possible to trace successive epochs of the growth of Moscow by the Boulevard Ring and the Garden Ring – both following the line of former fortifications – the Moscow Little Ring Railway, and the Moscow Ring Road. They facilitate suburban commuter traffic. Beyond the Garden Ring is a middle zone dominated by 18th-19th-century developments; many factories, railway stations, and freight yards are located there. Since 1960 extensive urban renewal has occurred, producing neighborhoods of high-rise apartment buildings.
If I were you I would stop for a moment to think over what you have seen. Rome wasn’t built in a day; Moscow can’t be seen in a day. Hope to see you here again some day!
II. Wordshop. Translate and transcribe:
a.bubble over with hospitality (with jokes, stories); to enjoy to the full; a bustling city (area, child, woman, man); steeped in history (in fog, in study, in mystery, in heritage); high-rise blocks (buildings, towers, column); to do sights; to date back hundred of years, months; to date back to 1554; a really unique creation (book, novel, history); a highlight of the district (book, match, concert).
b. Match these Russian word combinations with those from the previous exercise:
неистощимый на гостеприимство (шутки, рассказы);
получить полное удовольствие;
суматошный город (деловой район; непоседливый ребенок);
богатый историей (окутанный туманом, погруженный в работу, окутанный тайной, богатый наследием);
многоэтажки (высокие здания, высокая башня, высокая колона);
осматривать достопримечательности;
насчитывать сотни лет (годы, месяцы, датироваться 1554 годом);
если бы камни могли говорить;
поистине уникальное сооружение;
великолепный вид;
гвоздь программы (острый момент матча, гвоздь концерта, «фишка»);
c. Learn to pronounce and spell properly:
cathedral, entertainment, bustling, incredible, medieval, unique, sightseer.
III. Restore the text with these questions to help:
1. What can you tell us about Moscow?
2. What does Moscow attract tourist with?
3. How can you enjoy Moscow to the full?
4. What is the best way to get an idea of Moscow?
5. What kind of city is Moscow?
6. Where does the bustling capital city lie?
7. What is the best place to start sightseeing?
8. If stones could speak what would they tell us about?
9. What is Red Square famous for?
10. Who is the author of the unique creation in Red Square?
11. What can you say about Moscow museums and galleries?
12. What is the Museum of Fine Arts famous for?
13. Why is Moscow considered to be a city of theatres?
14. Where is the growth of Moscow evident?
15. What is located beyond the Garden Ring?
V. Discourse.
a. Make up a plan of your trip about Moscow. Suggest places of interest you’d like to have a glimpse of and give your reasons.
Prompts: I suggest going
I wish I saw
I’d rather see (further see the models in the dialogue “Sightseeing”)
b.You come back from Moscow. The party of friends wants to know what you saw and learned there.
c.An English student came to your University. He/she is eager to know as much as possible about the Russian capital. What would you tell him/her about?
Use the following: “It’s up to you, but I’d; it depends on your tastes, but I’d; but why not go; I don’t mind, though I think.”
VI. Role play these etudes.
1. You are in Moscow and having a talk of sights with your guide.
2. You are going sightseeing but it’s difficult to decide on a definite plan. Your Moscow friend gives you a hand in showing you around.
3. Your English friend wants to know more about Russian history and historical places. He has a good guide at his disposal – you.
4. Take part in the “Excursion about Moscow”.
Omsk is the city where I study
New words:
confluence – слияние рек
frontier – граница
to acquire – приобретать, получать
to contribute to – способствовать, вносить вклад
enterprise – предприятие
to accommodate – заселить
saline – соленое озеро
machine-tool – станок
Read and translate the text. Mind your pronunciation.
Omsk is the principal city and administrative center of Omsk region. It is situated in the center of Russia (2,555 km from Moscow) at the confluence of the rivers Irtysh and Om. Founded in 1716 as the fortress protecting Russian frontier in Siberia, Omsk acquired the town status in 1782. It had been the administrative center of Siberian Cossack Army until 1918. The construction of Trans-Siberian Railway in the late 19th century and the presence of the river port on the Irtysh contributed to the development of industrial production and commerce in Omsk. From June 1918 to November 1919 the town of Omsk was the residence of admiral A.V. Kolchak, the High Regent of Russia, who proclaimed Omsk the capital of Siberia.
During World War II (1939-1945) a lot of major industrial enterprises were evacuated from European part of Russia. It was the time when Omsk population nearly tripled. Present day Omsk is the home for about 1,200,000 citizens. 2,200,000 people live in Omsk region on the territory of 139,700 square kilometers (enough room to accommodate such countries as Austria, Belgium and Netherlands).
There are a lot of freshwater lakes and salines in Omsk region. In the south the prevailing is wooded steppe, in the north — dark-coniferous taiga. Oil is extracted in the northern part of the region.
The multinational population (more than 100 nationalities) of Omsk region consists mainly of Russians, Germans, Ukrainians, Kazakhs and Tatars.
The present day Omsk is one of the major industrial centers of Siberia. The most developed industries here are machine-building, machine-tools manufacture, electrical engineering and electronics, instrument-making, petrochemistry, woodworking and foodstuffs production. Space rockets, engines, agricultural machinery, oil and gas equipment, construction materials are also manufactured in Omsk.
30 higher educational institutions and branches are situated in Omsk. The most well-known of them on the national level are Omsk State Transport University, the University of Engineering, the State University, the Pedagogic University, the Road-Transport Academy, the University of Physical Culture, the Academy of Law and the Medical Academy. Omsk is by right called the city of youth and students. Actually, each of four citizens is a student.
The city of Omsk is a cultural and sports center of Siberia. Its history is connected with the names of F.M. Dostoyevsky, the great Russian writer; M.A. Vrubel, the famous artist. Omsk Symphony Orchestra and Omsk State Russian Folk Choir are very well-known both in Russia and abroad. Omsk Avangard, the ice hockey team, is 2004 Champion of Russia.
There are a lot of landmarks in the city — historical, cultural and architectural monuments, theaters, museums, concert halls, a circus, exhibitions, sports complexes, swimming-pools, night clubs, cafes and restaurants.
The people of Omsk are friendly and hospitable. You will always find a ready welcome in our Siberian land, the glorious city of Omsk!
II. Give full answers to the questions:
1. What kind of city is Omsk?
2. When was it founded?
3. What did the Trans-Siberian Railway and the river port on the Irtysh contribute to?
4. Who proclaimed Omsk the capital of Siberia?
5. Why did Omsk population once triple?
6. What is Omsk population today? Is it much?
7. What can you say about rivers or lakes in Omsk region? Are there any?
8. Why is Omsk considered to be a rich region?
9. What nationalities live on the territory of Omsk region?
10. Why is Omsk one of the main industrial centers of Siberia?
11. Can we call Omsk a scientific center? If we can, explain why.
12. Do you find that Omsk is a big cultural and sports centre?
13. If you had a foreign guest what places of interest would you show them? Why?
14. What sorts of people live in Omsk? Do you agree?
Topical vocabulary
1) the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии
2) to be situated on - быть расположенным на
3) consist of – состоять из
4) the total area – общая площадь
5) population – население
6) urban – городской
7) to be made up of – состоять из
8) to be separated from…..by – отделяться от
9) to be washed by – омываться
10) surface – поверхность
11) to vary – варьироваться, меняться
12) mountainous – гористый
13) a valley – долина
14) a plain – равнина
15) to influence something – оказывать влияние на
16) mild - умеренный
17) a highly developed industrial country – высокоразвитая промышленная страна
18) to produce something – производить что-либо
19) to export something – экспортировать что-либо
20) machinery – станки
21) electronics – электроника
22) textile – текстиль
23) a chief industry – ведущая отрасль промышленности
24) shipbuilding – судостроение
25) a constitutional monarchy – конституционная монархия
26) Head of the State – глава государства
27) cricket – крикет (английская национальная спортивная игра; отдаленно напоминает русскую лапту)
28) standard of behaviour – норма поведения
29) to attract attention – привлекать внимание
30) Association football – футбол, разг. soccer (по названию английской футбольной ассоциации, разработавшей правила современного футбола)
31) to support – поддерживать, болеть
32) football field – футбольное поле
33) fan – болельщик
34) professional – профессиональный
35) amateur – любительский
36) spectator sport – «зрительский» вид спорта, собирающий большое количество болельщиков
37) racing – бега (конские, собачьи и пр.)
38) boat-race – гр