I. Read the text about British and Russian way of life and compare it.

The past few years huge changes have taken place in the world, the UK was not immune to these momentous events and life in England is not very exciting, mostly a bit boring, because everything is so orderly, neat and controlled. In Russia people live another way.

Many nations find English people a little annoying with their fake politeness and pretence. English customer service is generally much better than the one you experience in Russia but behind the initial smile there is a cold veneer of distance and indifference and one gets the feeling of not real warm welcome.

The Russian people don’t smile unless they have a reason to smile, nobody in Russia makes you feel welcome with a smile.

When you arrive in the UK, you notice how there are fewer people on the streets. Everybody hides in their house, probably watching TV or playing on their computer. No surprise then, according to the press, that the majority of Brit’s are rather obese in comparison with the slimmer Russians and their bad drinking habits.

In Russia it could be -35c or +35c but the streets are always full of people just walking, going for shopping or for many other reasons and of course exercise in fresh air.

The British have a great sense of entitlement. They expect and demand every aspect of their life to be easy and perfect and they complain about the foreigners that come here and get their jobs, accepting minimum wage pay!

If you don’t want to work... No problem, the government will provide everything through a generous welfare system and it's no surprise then that the UK is the top destination for asylum seekers and economic immigrants from allover the world.

In Russia the benefits system is so poor that there is a stark choice, either work or starve.

Russian pensioners who sit in the street all day trying to sell a few flowers or vegetables do so without a single complaint. They need money so they have to do something, anything in order to survive. Despite the problems in Russia, it’s always amazing how well some "clever" people that know to work the system, do there.

Some of our Russian friends are in their 40′s and 50's, yet managed to buy themselves flats (for cash, no need for a mortgage), have new cars, go on holiday a few times a year and live comfortable lifestyles.

In comparison most people I know in the UK are heavily in debt and mostly rely on credit cards to pay the bills. A lot of Russian people inherited their flats from the Soviet times, so with their monthly or weekly income, only have to cover the utility bills, which of course are much smaller than in the UK, food and clothes. As a result they often have a great deal of disposable income once the bills are paid.

The UK doesn’t make anything anymore, most factories have closed and everything is made in China. Many offices and customer services industries are being relocated to Asia where costs are cheaper.

Some people say that manufacturing is doing well in the UK. Yes, the few industries that remain are indeed streamlined, successful and efficient, but take a look around your house. Where is your TV, laptop, router, printer, kettle, clothes and just about anything else made?

Yes, it’s all made in China.

It is sorry for the young Brits who leave University with hopes and dreams, only to end up stacking shelves in supermarkets or sit at home on unemployment benefit.

In the UK University fees raised sharply meaning many students will graduate £50 in debt, which is not the best way to start a career. It disadvantages not only the students but also the British economy. We should not penalise young people in this way, educations should be free, as it's in Scotland, which is part of the UK.

Unfortunately, for many British people, the economy and life is only getting worse.

In Russia the things are improving. Many people, driving new foreign modern cars, families buy new larger flats, salaries and pensions have increased and people’s lives becoming more comfortable.

Russian Way of Life

Russians like to pride themselves, their way of life is different from the rest of the world. This is reflected in religious views, philosophy and day-to-day life. Christmas is celebrated in January, according to the Russian orthodox tradition. Easter is also celebrated a week later for the same reason. This sets Russians apart, in their own view, and they sometimes like to think of themselves as the Third Way (as opposed to the West and the East).

Russians tend to be more philosophical and pensive, somewhat introspective; they’d rather think something over first then do it immediately, which may come off as laziness. They may not seem to be as rational and result-driven as the Western people but in the recent years a lot of schools of thought that came to Russia such as time management and Western business thought are changing that rapidly.

Russians love to ruminate and talk about things; older Russians are often seen on benches discussing world politics in communal back yards as if they are deciding the fate of the world. A typical day of a working Russian is going to work, stopping by the shop to get something to eat, having a drink with friends or enjoying a hobby such as sports, TV watching or playing cards.

Russians love partying and having fun, known around the world for their sense of humor. It is difficult to describe the Russian way of life because Russia is a country full of contrasts and people of different backgrounds and characters.

1. True or false:

1. Life in England is a bit boring.
2. Many nations find English people a little annoying.
3. The Russian people always smile without any reason.
4. The British have a great sense of entitlement.
5. In Russia the benefits system is on the highest level.
6. Some people in their 40’s and 50’s don’t have their flats or cars.
7. Most people in the UK are heavily in debt and rely on credit cards to pay bills.
8. Many customer services in the UK are relocated to Asia.
9. Many young Brits sit at home on unemployment benefit.
10. In Russia the things are improving.
11. In Russia the way of life is the same as in the rest of the world.
12. Russians love to ruminate and talk about things.
13. Russians prefer staying at home than going to parties or having fun.
14. Russia is the country full of contrasts and people of different characters.

2. Answer the questions:

1. What annoys in English people?
2. Why don’t the Russian people smile?
3. Are the streets in Russia always full of people?
4. Is the UK top destination for asylum seekers?
5. Why doesn’t the UK produce anything anymore?
6. Is the economy and life getting worse in Britain?
7. Where do most Russians discuss the world politics?
8. Why is it difficult to describe the Russian way of life?

3. Find the words in the text according to their definitions:

1. smth. uninteresting or monotonous;
2. a good behaviour or civility;
3. excessively fat or fleshy; corpulent;
4. a person who comes to a country in order to settle there;
5. a card issued by banks, enabling the holder to obtain services on credit;
6. the condition of being unemployed;
7. lack of care or interest; lack of importance;
8. to do smth. to receive a profit; a favour;
9. to make or become better in quality;
10. to think about smth. or meditate;

4. Find in the text the English equivalents of the following phrases:

1. немного скучный;
2. холодный внешний вид, напыщенность;
3. очень тучный человек, корпулентный;
4. ощущать своё право на что-либо;
5. хорошее социальное пособие/обеспечение;
6. беженец, просящий о предоставлении политического убежища;
7. надеяться (положиться) на кредитную карточку;
8. унаследованный от кого-либо;
9. располагаемый доход/чистый доход
10. пособие по безработице;
11. резкое повышение платы;
12. становиться хуже;
13. быть задумчивым;
14. размышлять о чём-либо;