The author says that pupils are ready to use e-books and the project is not expensive. Find this extract and read it aloud
The author says what makes librarians unhappy. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. Who was the first to introduce book-crossing in our country?
4. Why is book-crossing becoming more and more popular in Belarus?
№ 2
1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
E-BOOKS
Электронные книги
There is no doubt that classical paper textbooks' days are numbered. With this in mind, the Education Ministry's initiative is welcome, giving the opportunity to experiment with electronic tablet devices for educational purposes. Initially, pupils at the Belarusian State University's Lyceum will be the first to receive their own personal e-books, loaded with digital copies of ordinary school textbooks and additional materials for independent work.
In fact, Sakrament IT — a High-Tech Park resident has already developed prototypes of such textbooks in the Republic, as part of a UNESCO project. E-books initially prepared for those with sight problems use software that can voice any text, describing diagrams and tables. This can be offered as an additional option for children with full sight. Listening to teaching materials can be very useful and is a good use of travel time.
"Technically and intellectually schoolchildren are ready to work with multimedia textbooks. Our research shows that they enjoy working in this way and learn better using software," explains the director of Sakrament IT, Valery Yegorov. "As regards the cost to the state budget, we believe that each schoolchild will use their own phone or mobile computer device to download our textbooks. Only families on low incomes will need computers bought for them."
Yegorov agrees that reading texts on small smartphone screens is problematic but listening is possible. On coming home, or at school, a child can download a text to their computer, viewing it on a large screen. Moreover, it's possible to buy second hand computers cheaply. With this in mind, it seems likely that the education system will accept the proposal.
Calculations show that the project will fully cover its costs in the first year of operation; moreover, a $6 million profit is expected. Sakrament IT is now planning to develop multimedia textbooks for higher educational establishments, having found that almost 90 percent of students are ready to buy such devices.
The author says that pupils are ready to use e-books and the project is not expensive. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. Who will be the first to get e-books?
4. Why do they expect that this project will be successful?
№ 3
1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
WONDERFUL WORLD OF DOLLS
Several years ago, a local crafts centre in the village of Strcnki in Rogachev district began to collect ancient stories on how, why and for whom dolls were made. In fact, some were created to protect homes, health, beauty, wealth and luck.
"Protecting dolls had magical significance for our ancestors, serving as mediators between people and the other world," explains Anastasia Povarich, a junior research officer at Gomel's Rumyantsev-Paskevich Park and Palace Ensemble, where the dolls are being exhibited now "Childhood began with dolls, which accompanied people throughout their life."
Most were made by women, who created dolls from early childhood by twisting, bending and tying, without needles or scissors. Each doll was created without a definite face, to avoid evil settling within it, and could be made from natural materials such as twigs, straw, grass or flowers. Children's toys were treated with respect, since they were thought to possess magic powers and to encourage positive energy, bringing a good harvest, wealth and happy marriages. If children spent enough time playing with dolls, there would be enough money in the house while, if children were careless with dolls, troubles might occur.
As a girl grew older, she received a 'Zhelannitsa' doll, which would make dreams come true if a bead* or ribbon was attached. The doll — the performer of the sacred wish was hidden in a secret place. When a young girl was due to marry, a 'Desyatiruchka' doll (assistant with ten hands) was placed in her trunk*, to assist in household routines.
People couldn't do without dolls in their household. All the dolls were honoured in everyday life and during holidays. It was customary for children to make dolls to give as gifts to adults, in this way, children were taught to be thankful. It was also believed that, when making such dolls, children gave part of their soul to them, learning to be tender and kind.
A bead – бусина, бисерина, a ribbon – лента, ленточка, sacred – священный, святой, a trunk – дорожный сундук
2. The author explains why children's toys had to be treated with respect. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What dolls did a girl get?
4. Why did dolls play such an important role in the life of Belarusian people?
№ 4
1. Read the article and say in 2—3 sentences what it is about.
CAN CHEATING BE STOPPED?
More and more students at school and university are using the internet to cheat* in their coursework. In Britain, about 25 % of students copy material from the internet when they write their homework. In the USA there is a similar problem. One report showed that about 54 % of students copy from the internet when they prepare for the lessons.
Of course, students rightly use the internet to help them research a topic when they are doing coursework or writing an essay. But some of them also copy and include material from the internet into their own essays without indicating that they are using someone else's work. For example, a student who has to write an essay on Shakespeare can find lots of different essays on particular plays and themes in Shakespeare and copy one of them. So they no longer have to read books in libraries, take notes and plan their own essay.
The internet has certainly helped students to avoid the hard work of writing an original essay, but it is not the only reason why cheating is increasing. In recent years, students' attitudes to school and university have changed. In the past, students had a more idealistic attitude towards a university education. University broadened their minds. Nowadays, a lot of students are more practical in their attitude. They are only interested in passing the exams. They want a degree only to help them get a good job.
Teachers and examiners want to stop cheating in school and university, but they do not agree about how to solve the problem. Some teachers think a student's final grade shouldn't depend on his/her coursework. They think that it is better to have traditional (time-limited) written exams that are held in an examination room. Another way to stop cheating is to have an oral exam at the end of the course. If students cannot answer questions about their coursework, this could indicate that they have cheated. At the same time, the oral exam would give the examiner a better idea of students' real knowledge of the subject.