Read and translate the text in writing.

THE CHERNOBYL TRAGEDY

1) The explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine (take place) in 1986.

2) It (make) 23 % of the Belarusian territory unsuitable for living and agriculture.

3) Today we know that the Chernobyl catastrophe (have) a tragic effect on all spheres of life in Belarus.

4) The flora and the fauna of the republic (damage).

5) But the most dramatic is that Chernobyl tragedy (have) disastrous consequences on the health of the whole generations.

6) Since then for more than 30 years, the immune system of thouthands of people (destroy) by radioactive contamination leading to cancer and death.

7) In Belarus a complex program of environmental protection under the name “Ecology” (direct) at improving ecological situation in the republic.

Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense form:

1. takes place; has taken place; took place; takes place

2. makes; made; has been made; has made

3. has; had; is having; has had

4. damaged; are damaged; have been damaged; were damaged

5. have; has; has had; had

6. destroyed; was destroyed; has destroyed; has been destroyed

7. directs; is being directed; is directed; has been directed

 

Ask your partner and answer questions about:

1. the date the Chernobyl accident took place

2. the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster

3. the tragic influence of radioactive contamination on the people’s health

4. the name of the Belarusian ecological program

5. the aim of the environmental activity of the “Ecology” program

TEXT 2. NATIONAL ECONOMY OF BELARUS

VOCABULARY PRACTICE

 

1. Study the active vocabulary from the text:

science [`saiəns] – наука

advanced –продвинутый, передовой

economy – экономика, хозяйство

industry – промышленность

manufacture – производство, производить

enterprise –предприятие

goods –товары

requirements – потребности

agriculture – сельское хозяйство

naturе – природа

resources –ресурсы

reserves = supplies = deposits – запасы, залежи, месторождения

potassium salt – калийная соль

peat – торф

fertilizer –удобрение

equipment – оборудование

currency –валюта

2. Find the English equivalents for the following:

1. промышленное предприятие 2. промышленные товары 3. удовлетворять потребности 4. самодостаточный 5. запасы природных ископаемых 6. международное сотрудничество 7. передовая наука и технология 8. торговые отношения 9. пищевые продукты 10. обувные товары

a. advanced science and technology b. international cooperation c. trade relations d. natural resources reserves e. self-sufficient f. meet the requirements g. industrial enterprise h. manufactured goods i. footwear j. foodstuffs

3. Learn the meanings of the following words and use them in the sentences below:

econom y (n) – экономика как хозяйство

economic s (n) – экономика как наука

econom ic (adj) – экономический, рентабельный

economic al (adj) –экономный, бережливый

 

4. Match the words (1-7) with their definitions (a-g):

1. ex`port (v)	a. economically independent
2. im`port (v)	b. send goods to other countries for sale
3. self-sufficient	c. buy goods from abroad
4. economy(n)	d. science on economy
5. economics(n)	e. economic system
6. economic(adj)	f. money-saving, saving time, energy, words, etc.
7. economical(adj)	g. money-making, profit-making, productive

5. Master the pronunciation and translate international words:

Noun - Adjective	Verb - Noun
1. `science – scien`tific 2. e`conomy – eco`nomic / eco`nomical 3. `industry – in`dustrial 4. `nation – `national / inter`national 5. `nature – `natural 6. `culture – `cultural 7.,agri`culture –,agri`cultural 8. tech`nology – techno`logical 9. `chemistry – `chemical [kemikəl]	1. e`quip – e`quipment 2. re`quire – re`quirement 3. pro`duce – pro`duction 4. coope`rate – coope`ration 5. im`port – `import 6. ex`port – `export

READING PRACTICE

Read the text, pay special attention to the active vocabulary:

National economy of Belarus is based on advanced science, technology and international cooperation.

Natural resources of Belarus are not very rich. The country has small reserves of natural gas, coal and oil. But Belarus possesses one of the world's largest reserves of mineral waters, potassium salts and peat. About one-third of the republic is covered in forests.

Industry holds the leading position in the republic’s economy. Industrial enterprises of heavy and light industries produce a wide range of manufactured goods: from heavy machinery to footwear and foodstuffs. Minsk has over 250 plants of heavy industries and specialized factories of light, radio-engineering, microbiological and medical industries.

Agriculture of Belarus meets the requirements of the population in food. The republic is self-sufficient in milk, meat and vegetables.

Trade relations with a number of foreign countries are being actively developed. Belarus exports transport equipment, refrigerators, TV- sets, chemicals, potassium salts, fertilizers, wood and textiles. Legendary tractors “Belarus” and “MAZ” trucks, dairy and flax production is popular abroad. Fuel is imported from Russia, the most important trading partner of Belarus.

Belarus banking system consists of the National Bank and a number of commercial banks. Since 1994, the republic has introduced its own currency - the Belarusian ruble.

 

COMPREHENTION PRACTICE

1. Answer the questions:

1. Is Belarus rich in mineral resources?

2. Which branch holds the leading position in the republic’s economy?

3. What do the main heavy and light industries produce?

4. In what agricultural products is the republic self-sufficient?

5. What Belarusian production is popular abroad?

6. What does Belarus import?

7. Since when has Belarus had its own currency?

 

SPEECH PRACTICE

1. Complete the sentences to make a short review of the topic:

1. The Republic of Belarus is situated …

2. It borders on …

3. The territory of Belarus is …

4. The population of Belarus today is …

5. Two official languages spoken in the Republic are …

6. The landscape of the country is flat, because …

7. Belarus is called “blue-eyed” because …

8. In Belarus there are about 3.000 … and over 10,000 …

9. The flora and the fauna of Belarus are …

10. Belarus is proud of its …

11. The climate in the republic is …

12. National economy of Belarus is based on…

13. The country has small reserves of…

14. But Belarus is rich in …

15. Industry holds …

16. Industrial enterprises of heavy and light industries produce …

17. Agriculture of Belarus meets …

18. The republic is self-sufficient in …

19. Trade relations with foregn countries …

20. Belarus exports …

 

PRESENTATION

Speak on the topic:”Geopolitical Outline of Belarus”

- its geographical position, borders, territory, population, relief, rivers, lakes, climate;

- its economy (natural resources, industry, agriculture, trade and banking system).

UNIT 2

THE STATE SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS_____