Английский для развития навыков устной речи

Ю. В. КОРЖЕНЕВИЧ

 

 

SPOKEN ENGLISH

Part I

Английский ДЛЯ РАЗВИТИЯ НАВЫКОВ УСТНОЙ РЕЧИ

Часть I

Учебный практикум для студентов специальностей ”Биология (по направлениям)“, ”Садово-парковый дизайн“, ”Промышленное рыбоводство“ дневной и заочной формы обучения.

 

Пинск

ПолесГУ

УДК 076.5

ББК 81.2Англ

К66

Р е ц е н з е н т ы:

 

 

У т в е р ж д е н о

научно-методическим советом ПолесГУ

 

Корженевич, Ю.В.

К66 Spoken english: практикум для студентов специальностей ”Биология (по направлениям)“, ”Садово-парковый дизайн“, ”Промышленное рыбоводство“ дневной и заочной формы обучения.

 

/ Ю.В. Корженевич. – Пинск: ПолесГУ, 2012. – с.59

 

ISBN 978-985-516-071-8

 

 

Пособие направлено на развитие навыков устной речи по темам ”About You“, ”My Family“, ”English as a World Language“, ”My University Life“, ”Places around My Town“, ”Each Man Is a Creator of a Temple Called Human Body“ and ”At the Doctor’s“.

 

УДК 076.5

ББК 81.2Англ

 

 

ISBN 978-985-516-071-8 © Полесский государственный

университет, 2012

ВВЕДЕНИЕ

Цель данного практикума - помочь обучающимся совершенствовать навыки чтения и устной речи, а также расширить словарный запас по заданным темам.

Пособие направлено на формирование коммуникативных умений и навыков. Оно состоит из семи тематических разделов, каждый из которых соответствует определенной теме.

Каждый раздел включает в себя учебные тексты, раскрывающие основные теоретические вопросы по теме, подлежащие усвоению. Для активизации и усвоения изученного материала представлены разнообразные лексические и речевые упражнения, а также творческие задания, направленные на развитие навыков устной речи. Во второй части практикума собраны диалоги по заданным темам.

Все изучаемые темы соответствуют учебной программе по английскому языку для студентов специальностей ”Биология (по направлениям)“, ”Садово-парковый дизайн“, ”Промышленное рыбоводство“.

Большинство заданий имеют коммуникативную направленность.

 

Part I

Unit 1

ABOUT YOU

 

Appearance and Character

 

Topical Vocabulary

 

appearance

attractive

beautiful

handsome

ugly

plain

height

tall

short

medium height

weight and build

thin

medium-build

fat

hair

straight

curly

wavy

long

short

medium-length

eyes

face

chin

nose

lips

forehead

body

head

ears

mouth

character

kind

honest

reliable

humorous

hard-working

lazy

sociable

aggressive

modest

intelligent

внешность

привлекательный

красивый

красивый (о мужчине)

уродливый

обыкновенный, простой

рост

высокий

низкий

среднего роста

вес и телосложение

худой

среднего телосложения

полный

волосы

прямые

кучерявые

волнистые

длинные

короткие

средней длины

глаза

лицо

подбородок

нос

губы

лоб

тело

голова

уши

рот

характер

добрый

честный

надежный

забавный, смешной

трудолюбивый

ленивый

общительный

агрессивный

скромный

умный

 

Consult the dictionary and translate the following words and word combinations:

Appearance

well-dressed, casually dressed, poorly dressed

neat

dishevelled

good-looking

unattractive

pretty, cute, nice ЛАЛКА

Weight and Build

quite thin, slim / slender

overweight

muscular, athletic

Chin

protruding, split, double, pointed

Nose

aquiline, hooked, straight, upturned

Lips

thin, plump, thick, heart-shaped

Forehead

wrinkled, narrow, balding, high

Human body

body and soul, flesh and blood, skin and bones

Head

skull, brain, face,

temples, eyebrows, eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth, lips, chin

eye, eyelid, eyelashes, eye socket / orbit, eyeball, pupil, iris, retina, lens, optic nerve

bridge of the nose, nostrils, sinuses

jaws, teeth, gums, tongue, tip of the tongue, hard palate, soft palate, uvula

tooth, teeth

ear, earlobe, middle ear, eardrum

Body

body, neck, chest, stomach, back, buttocks, arms, hands, legs, feet

skeleton, bone, bone marrow, spine, collarbone, breastbone, rib, pelvis

joint, tendon, ligament, muscle

neck, Adam's apple, nape of the neck, throat, pharynx, larynx, vocal cords

torso, trunk, chest, breast, nipple, diaphragm, abdomen, navel

Limbs

upper limbs, arm, shoulder, armpit, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand

hand, palm, fingers, thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, fingernail

lower limbs, leg, hip, thigh, knee, kneecap, calf, shin, ankle, foot

foot, feet, sole, heel, toes, big toe, little toe, toenail

Age

young, old, middle-aged, in her thirties, about forty

Character

strong, weak

terrible, bad-tempered

dependable, dishonest

reasonable / sensible

unreasonable, argumentative

mature, immature

sensitive, insensitive

attentive, alert

perceptive, observant, insightful

thoughtful, considerate

amusing, funny

boring

independent, ambitious, tough,

disciplined, organized, careful, accurate, neat

formal, official

informal, relaxed, casual

pushy, self-confident

humble, shy

moody, melancholic

stubborn, obstinate

self-centred, egoistical, haughty

self-conscious

outgoing, friendly

unfriendly, hostile

economical, thrifty, strange, odd, weird, eccentric, crazy

Mind

sharp, keen, bright, quick, agile, wise, clever

broad-minded, narrow-minded

foolish, stupid, dull

 

Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1

Look at the students of your group and say:

1) who has the following type of hair

a) straight, long, short, curly, wavy

b) fair, dark, blonde, black, brown, grey

 

2) whose constitution can be characterized as

a) short, tall, of medium height

b) slim, plump, very thin

 

3) who has: plump cheeks, cheeks with dimples; round face, expressive eyes

Exercise 2

Look at the following words used to describe people’s character. Make two columns of 1) what you think are bad characteristics; 2) what you think are good characteristics.

tolerant

generous

sympathetic

irresponsible

unsociable

cruel

ambitious

intelligent

sly

patient

silly

even-tempered

thrifty

sincere

greedy

shrewd

rude

ill-mannered

Exercise 3

How would you describe a person who:

...likes to talk with other people?

...hates to communicate?

...looks on the bright side of things?

...looks on the black side of things?

...gives his or her last to other people?

...never lends you money?

...has a high opinion of himself or herself?

...easily flies into a rage?

...never loses his or her temper?

...tell the truth to others?

...cheats other people?

...is practical in approach to life?

...is dreamy in approach to life?

...never praises himself or herself?

 

CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE

Appearances are deceptive. It is common truth; practically everyone has met at least someone whose character and appearance differ radically.

When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be strong-willed and brave. One thinks: A model to follow! How often a good-looking individual turns out to be petty, weak-willed or even cowardly. Then one thinks: A mediocrity!

At the same time everyone knows that a lot of great people were of a poor build: short and fragile. It did not stop them from displaying intelligence and courage. Ingenuity does not depend on one’s complexion or constitution. Plump or fat people create an impression of generous and kind personalities. Strangely enough, but sometimes they may be thrifty or even greedy. One usually thinks: A scrooge!

On the other hand, thin or slim nervous ladies often tend to be lavish. They like to buy and never think twice when they pay. One thinks: I would call her open-handed and mother would call her a spendthrift. Yes, mothers are always stricter in judgments.

Has it ever happened to you to come to an important office and see an important boss? You immediately evaluate his looks: round-faced, small narrow eyes, dimples on the cheeks and an upturned nose. What a kind-hearted person! A simpleton! You tell the boss of your troubles and expect immediate help. But the boss appears to be rude, harsh and willful. You never get your help and think: A stone heart and an iron fist.

When someone sees a delicately built pretty blonde with curly hair, blue eyes, a straight nose and a high forehead, one is inclined to think that the beauty is intelligent and nice. It may be disappointing to think later: What a stupid, capricious, impolite bore!

On the contrary, when one sees a skinny brunette with ugly irregular features — a hooked nose, pointed chin, close-set eyes and thin lips, strange thoughts come into one’s head, because it is the image of evil people — cruel and cunning. It may be a relief some time later to find her a clever, gentle and good-mannered lady and think: What charm! A heart of gold!

Another general misconception lies in the fact that children are always expected to resemble their parents. And parents like it when children take after them. Relatives like to compare moles, the shape of noses, etc. The greatest compliment is: They are as like as two peas. The greatest disappointment is to find nothing in common. We want to deny people their exclusiveness; we don’t want to admit that nature has selected other options from an enormous genetic fund developed over generations. Why do we like our copies? Who knows!

Nature likes to play tricks on us. But don’t you think it is a present on the part of nature? Life becomes not a boring routine, but a brilliant kaleidoscope of characters and appearances which often clash.

Exercise 1

Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

внешность обманчива; модель для подражания; слабого телосложения; проявлять ум и храбрость; зависеть от телосложения; быть щедрым, расточительным; простак; скряга; посредственность; добряк; быть похожим на родителей; быть похожими, как две капли воды.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1. Appearances are….

2. When one sees a tall, broad-shouldered youth, one expects him to be….

3. Ingenuity does not depend on one’s….

4. Plump or fat people create an impression of….

5. Another general misconception lies in the fact that….

6. Relatives like to compare….

7. The greatest compliment is: ….

8. Nature likes….

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Do you agree that appearances are deceptive? Tell your classmates about your own experience.

2. Do you think it is worth judging by appearances? Give your reasons.

3. What impression do plump and fat people usually make?

4. What kind of people is usually considered to be cruel and cunning?

5. What is more important for you: people’s character or appearance?

 

 

APPLYING FOR A JOB

In different countries different conventions apply to the process of job application and interviews. In most parts of the world, it is common to submit a typed CV (curriculum vitae — British English) or resume (American English). This contains all the unchanging information about you: your education, background and work experience. This usually accompanies a letter of application, which in some countries has to be handwritten not typed. A supplementary information sheet containing information relevant to this particular job may also be required though this is not used in come countries.

Many companies expect all your personal information to be entered on a standard application form. Unfortunately, no two application forms are alike and filling in each one may present unexpected difficulties. Some personnel departments believe that the CV and application letter give a better impression of a candidate.

 

THE CURRICULUM VITAE

An excellent CV may help you get the job of your dreams and a poor CV may mean a lost opportunity.

Since this is the first piece of information a company will receive about you, it is critically important that your CV be well-written.

It should be presented at the beginning of any interview that you have with a company. Ideally, CV should not be longer than one page.

The contents of a CV can be roughly categorized as: 1) PERSONAL INFORMATION (address and telephone number), 2) JOB OBJECTIVE, 3) EDUCATION, 4) EXPERIENCE, 5) SKILLS, 6) EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, 7) REFERENCES.

The resume begins with PERSONAL INFORMATION, name, address, telephone number centered at the top page.

After your address, a statement of intent or JOB OBJECTIVE should be written. This objective should be well thought out from the very beginning since it will influence how you will write the rest of the resume. It should not be too general, e.g: ”To obtain a managerial position in a Western company.“

Think about your job search and career goals carefully, write them down in a way that shows you have given this much thought.

For example: ”Objective: To obtain a position in telecommunication that will allow me to use my knowledge of engineering and take advantage of my desire to work in sales.“

Notice that your desire to have a well-paid job is not included in this statement. A focus on money in your résumé’s first sentence will not make the best impression anywhere in the world, not just in Russia.

After the statement of intent, describe your EDUCATION.

List the universities, institutes and colleges you have attended in reverse chronological order.

Any studying you have done abroad should be included and courses that you have taken that are relevant.

If you graduated with honors, you should definitely include this. A ”red diploma“ can be called ”graduated with high honors“ in English. Do not include your high school.

Your working EXPERIENCE is the next section. List your experience starting with your most recent place of employment and work backwards.

Spell out the exact dates of employment, your position, and the name of the company you worked for.

Provide information about your responsibilities, emphasizing important activities by listing the most relevant to your objective. Do not use complete sentences! List your responsibilities in short statements that do not include the words ”my“ or ”I“.

Following experience, you should list your special SKILLS.

These include your language skills, computer abilities, and any other talent that relates to your statement of intent.

When describing your language abilities, it is best to be honest about assessing your level, ”Fluent English“, ”native Russian“, ”intermediate German“, and ”beginning French“ are all ways to describe your language abilities.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES should be included in the next section. Student or professional organizations you belong to, travel, sports and hobbies should be listed here.

Do not list ”reading“ or ”writing“ as an activity. It is assumed most people with a higher education do these things regularly.

The last section of your resume is the REFERENCE section. List at least two people, not related to you, who can describe your qualification for the job.

Their names, titles, places of work, and telephone numbers should be included. If you do not have space on your resume for this, write ”Available upon request.” “You will then be expected to give this information to a prospective employer if it is requested.

The style and format of a resume are extremely important. Your resume must be typed, preferably on a computer in order to format it most effectively. A neat and well-written resume with no spelling mistakes will give an employer the impression that you are accurate and take care of details.

A resume will not get you a job. An interview with a company will get a job. In order to have the opportunity of interviewing with a company you should send your resume with a cover letter.

Exercise 1

Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

устраиваться на работу; краткая автобиография; дополнительная информация; личные данные; бланк (форма заявления); получить должность; опыт работы; навыки; рекомендации.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1.In different countries different conventions apply to the process of …

2. CV contains all the unchanging information about you:…

3. An excellent CV may help you …

4. The contents of a CV can be roughly categorized as: …

5. When describing your language abilities, it is best to…

6. In order to have the opportunity of interviewing with a company you should…

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. What information should your CV contain?

2. How long should your CV be?

3. What are the main parts of CV?

 

Writing

Write a CV.

My Future Profession

Biotechnologists are researchers who use microscopic analysis and laboratory experiments to collect and analyze biological, microbiological, and biochemical data. They examine blood and tissue for signs of disease or viruses, and test the effects of different medicines on bacteria. Biotechnologists have made many discoveries that have led to improved human health. They can also work in forensics laboratories identifying and comparing materials such as blood, body fluids and hair.

The Things They Do:

· Collect samples and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses;

· Perform or assist in scientific experiments;

· Set up and maintain laboratory equipment;

· Analyze research information and prepare reports;

Duties may be related to a number of developing specialties in the field of biotechnology, including forensic sciences, genetic engineering and human cell culture.

Working Conditions:

Biotechnologists often work in sterile laboratories within research teams and alongside scientists. A great deal of time is spent working alone, over a microscope and/or working in front of computers. The work requires tremendous attention to detail and intense concentration.

Most Biotechnologists Work In:

· Government agencies;

· Food, chemical and drug manufacturing companies;

· Biotechnology companies;

· Health research facilities and natural resource companies;

· Universities;

· Pharmaceutical companies;

To follow biotechnology as a preferred profession, you must have a sound grounding in science from the early school days. You must have keen interest in various branches of science not just for the sake of study or for obtaining good grades. Rather, you must have a keen perception to understand scientific applications and even keep pace with the latest news from the scientific world.

Important traits for getting into this domain are a high degree of intelligence and a general aptitude for science and scientific applications.

Since biotechnology is redefining the boundaries of science, to become a part of such an innovative field you must posses an inherent attitude of originality and imagination. Other skills that will sail you through a successful and a fulfilling career in this path-breaking area are perseverance, immense patience, analytical proficiency, ability to work for long hours and team spirit.

Biotechnology assimilates in itself a number of disciplines. Further, there is a great demand for biotechnical experts in countless industries and sectors. The following are applications where biotechnological techniques are used extensively:

· Agriculture

· Animal Husbandry

· Environment Conservation

· Genetic Engineering

· Health Care

· Medicine

· Industrial Research and Development

Career opportunities for students in biotechnology abound. Those specializing in different sub-disciplines of this field can easily find jobs in both private and government sector undertakings. If you have acquired a post-graduate degree in biotechnology then you can easily find a suitable position in a number of industries.

Major recruiters include industries engaged in processing and developing agricultural and biological products, bio-processing industries, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. There are ample opportunities in industries producing healthcare products, textile industry, cosmetics and organisations engaged in different types of industrial research and development.

These days a growing number of qualified biotechnical professionals are engaged by different industries for environment protection activities and for the safe disposal of hazardous materials.

Exercise 1

Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

исследователи; собирать и анализировать сведения; собирать образцы; проводить биохимические тесты; проводить научные эксперименты; готовить отчеты; широкие возможности; деятельность по защите окружающей среды.

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1.Biotechnologists are researchers who…

2. Biotechnologists often work in…

3. The work requires…

4. Most biotechnologists work in…

5. To follow biotechnology as a preferred profession, you must…

6. Major recruiters include industries engaged in…

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Who are biologists?

2. What do they do?

3. What can you tell about working condition of biologists?

4. Where are biotechnological techniques used extensively?

5. What are the career opportunities for students in biotechnology?

 

Discussion

Do yon agree or not? Comment on the following statements.

1. A good name is better than riches.

2. A little body often harbours a great soul.

3. A word is enough to the wise.

4. All that glitters is not gold.

5. Handsome is as handsome does.

6. He that is full of himself is very empty.

7. You cannot judge a tree by its bark.

Role-play

A Formal Gathering

Setting: A formal gathering in a grand villa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Situation: The Rich family invites a lot of people to their villa to the engagement of their son and the daughter of the Wealthy family. The guests hardly know each other. They entertain themselves by discussing the appearance and character of the people they see around. The host and the hostess circulate and hear what different people say about each other.

Characters:

Card I—II — Christopher and Christine, the fiancés.

Card III—IV — Mr. and Mrs. Rych, the owners of the villa.

Card V—VI — Mr. and Mrs. Wealthy, Christine’s parents.

Card VII—VIII — Franklin and Frances, newly-weds. Franklin is Christopher’s cousin. He owns a textile factory and is often away from home.

Card IX—X — Patricia and Flotilla — two middle-aged single women. They are Christine’s aunts. They never married because they could not find a good match.

Card XI—XII — Stephen and Stephanie, a married couple. Stephen is a distant relative to the Rich family.

Card XIII—XIV — Clement and Clementine, a married couple. Clement is a distant relative to the Wealthy family.

WRITING

Write an essay on one of the following topics:

1. My Self-Portrait.

2. What Kind of People Do You Get On with Best?

3. Looking through a Family Album.

 

 

Unit 2

Family Life

Family and Relatives

Topical Vocabulary

aunt

brother

cousin

daughter

father

grandchild

granddaughter

grandson

grandfather, grandpapa

grandpa

grandmother, grandmamma

grandma

grandparent (s)

great-grandchild

husband

ex-husband

in-laws

father-in-law

mother-in-law

son-in-law

mother

niece

nephew

parents

sister

son

step-father

step-daughter

step-son

twin

twin-brother

twin-sister

uncle

widow (woman)

widower (man)

wife

ex-wife

 

тетя; тетка

брат

двоюродный брат, двоюродная сестра

дочь

отец

внук; внучка

внучка

внук

дедушка

дедушка (ласкательное)

бабушка

бабушка (ласкательное)

дед и бабка

правнук; правнучка

муж

бывший муж

родители жены/мужа

свекор, тесть

свекровь, теща

зять (муж дочери)

мать

племянница

племянник

родители

сестра

сын

отчим

падчерица

приемный сын

близнецы

брат-близнец

сестра-близнец

дядя

вдова

вдовец

жена

бывшая жена

 

Consult the dictionary and translate the following words and word combinations:

Family

spouse

child, children

sibling

grandfather, grandmother, grandparents

great-grandfather, great-grandmother; great-grandchild

half-brother, half-sister

adopted son, adopted daughter, adopted child

foster family; foster father, foster mother, foster parents; foster son, foster daughter, foster child

Relatives

uncle, aunt; nephew, niece

cousin, first cousin, second cousin

my family, my relatives, my folks, my kin

Relatives by marriage

in-laws; father-in-law, mother-in-law; son-in-law, daughter-in-law

brother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, sisters-in-law

Age groups

child, baby, infant; teenager, adolescent; adult, grownup

young man, young woman; old man, old woman

Other related words

pregnancy, birth

child care, kindergarten, day-care centre, babysitter

illness, sickness, disease

death, funeral, burial, cemetery, grave

Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1

Choose one of the names in the family tree below and say how the person is related to other people. Note that the pictures of marriage partners are connected with wedding rings.

►Pattern: William Luke is Leon Luke’s son, Philip Smith’s nephew and Laura White’s grandson

Exercise 2

Make up your family tree and speak about your family.

Exercise 3

Work in pairs and talk. Imagine that:

a) you are speaking with a distant relative trying to find out what relation you are to one another;

b) you show your family album to your friend and answer all his or her questions.

 

 

Family as the key social structure

There are many different views on family life. Some people say they cannot do without the support and love of their families. Many others say it is the source of most of their problems. Yet it is difficult to give the definition of a ”normal“ family.

What exactly is a family? Broadly speaking the family is a group of people related by blood or law, living together and joined by marriage for a common purpose.

Sociologists divide families into two general types: the nuclear family and the extended family. In highly developed industrial countries, especially in their large cities, the nuclear family is regarded as normal. Most people think of it as consisting of two parents and two-children. But even this type is changing; there are a lot of families with one child only, which means that the nuclear family is shrinking year by year.

The variety of family types exiting at present also includes unmarried couples living together, two-person childless families, single-parent homes which are becoming steadily more common.

I believe that everything has beginning in the family. Family is important for every person because it gives you a feeling of having understanding. In happy families parents are honest with their children. At weekends they have breakfast together. They broadly smile and look cheerful. In a friendly family people are gentle, respectful and loving.

At wedding ceremonies couples are sure that they will have and hold each other from this day forward. Marriage is a very responsible decision. Common interests, mutual respect are no less important than love. Children need to know that their parents love them and they also love each other.

I suppose the saying is true that small children create small problems while the big ones bring big problems. The older we grow, the more patient our parents should be with us.

Every generation is different from the previous one. Parent’s judgments on many things are sensible and reasonable, but at the same time I suppose that children have the right to make their own mistakes and to overcome their own hardships.

I want to admit that/sociologists think that the family reflects all the processes of modern society and, like any social phenomenon, it keeps changing.

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

поддержка; уменьшаться; нуклеарная семья; расширенная семья; неженатые пары; бездетная семья; неполная семья; ответственное решение; общие интересы; свадебная церемония; поколение; преодолевать трудности.

 

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1. Some people say they can not do without ….

2. The family is a group of people ……

3. Sociologists divide families into two general types: ….

4. The variety of family types existing at present also includes …..

5. Family is important for every person because …

6. At wedding ceremonies couples are sure that ….

7. The older we grow…

8. Sociologists think that the family ….

 

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Is it easy to give the definition of a ”normal“ family? Why?

2. What is a family?

3. What are two general types of the family? Can you name any other types of families?

4. Why is family important for every person?

5. Can you describe a happy family?

6. People should think everything over before they get married, shouldn’t they?

7. Is it easy for people of different generations to live together? Why?

8. Will any new types of families appear in the future?

 

Family: Perspectives

Household and/ or Family?

A household is any single person or group of people who make up the people at a common residence and who share facilities or have a meal a day in that place. They may or may not be a family. They allow a label for when there is no family resident.

It is important to realize that some people live in destitution, without a home, living on the streets and in poverty, moving from shelter to shelter. They often seek an address in order to improve chances of getting work. They may need help from social services and other agencies.

There are four main types of families:

Nuclear family.

This is limited to two generations of a mother, father and child or children. It is what people often imagine a family to be, but it is often not the reality.

Extended family.

This is where generations are added on to the nuclear family. It can be extended horizontally to brothers and sisters or cousins. It can be extended vertically to include a grandparent or more, with three or even four generations.

Lone parent family.

Here there is one parent only and his or her children.

Reconstituted family.

Here we have social parents (raising the children) who may not be the biological parents for all or some of the children. There are a high number of reconstituted families due to separations, divorces and adoptions of children.

What do families do?

Families carry out important roles of providing physical (actual), emotional and economic support.

According to functionalists, the family plays a very important positive role in raising the next generation.

• Families reproduce and raise the next generation. Not only do they carry out this rather obvious point, but they show how to do it. They pass on and display a model of rearing children, through (often) a monogamous sexual relationship and techniques of child rearing. This model is passed on to the next generation and is seen as the way to do child rearing by others in society.

• Families nurture children into the values and norms of society. They transmit the culture of society and how to conform. It is said that family is the essential bedrock of society: if families are in harmony then society will be in harmony. This is called primary socialization because it is a crucial, early and continuing part of socialization for the child.

• Families give emotional and psychological support. They are safe places (when they work properly). One expects comfort, sympathy and support from other family members regarding the stresses of going to school, college and work, and through all the difficulties of ill health and life crises.

• Families offer structures of economic support. This can be physical support, such as shelter and food, but also allows for economic development, such as families offering each other work or money for businesses, as well as support for when times are hard.

 

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

Семейство (домочадцы); жить в нищете; приемная семья; развод; усыновление; производить на свет; показывать пример воспитания детей; приобщать к ценностям и нормам поведения в обществе; основа (фундамент) общества.

 

Exercise 2

Complete the sentences:

1.A household is any single person or group of people who …

2. Families carry out important roles of providing …

3. A nuclear family is limited to …

4. An extended familyis …

5. Families pass on and display a model of …

 

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Is there any difference between a household and a family?

2. What main types of families can you name?

3. What are the main functions of the family?

4. What kind of support do families give?

 

FAMILY LIFE

Marriage is a thing which only a rare person in his or her life avoids. True bachelors and spinsters make up only a small percent of the population; most single people are alone but not lonely.

Millions of others get married because of the fun of family life. And it is fun, if one takes it with a sense of humour.

There’s a lot of fun in falling in love with someone and chasing the prospective fiancee, which means dating and going out with the candidate. All the relatives (parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, stepmothers and stepfathers and all in-laws) meanwhile have the fun of criticizing your choice and giving advice. The trick here is not to listen to them but propose to your bride-to-be and somehow get her to accept your proposal. Then you may arrange the engagement and fix the day of the wedding.

What fun it is to get all those things, whose names start with the word wedding — dress, rings, cars, flowers, cakes, etc.! It’s great fun to pay for them.

It’s fun for the bride and the groom to escape from the guests and go on a honeymoon trip, especially if it is a wedding present from the parents. The guests remain with the fun of gossiping whether you married for love or for money.

Its fun to return back home with the idea that the person you are married to is somewhat different from the one you knew. But there is no time to think about it because you are newly-weds and you expect a baby.

There is no better fun for a husband than taking his wife to a maternity home alone and bringing her back with the twins or triplets.

And this is where the greatest fun starts: washing the new-born’s nappies and passing away sleepless nights, earning money to keep the family, taking children to kindergarten and later to school. By all means it’s fun to attend parent’s meetings and to learn that your children take after you and don’t do well at school.

The bigger your children grow, the more they resemble you outwardly and the less they display likeness with you inwardly. And you start grumbling at them and discussing with your old friends the problem of the generation gap; what fun!

And when at last you and your grey-haired spouse start thinking that your family life has calmed down, you haven’t divorced but preserved your union, the climax of your fun bursts out!

One of your dearest offsprings brings a long-legged blonde to your house and says that he wants to marry. And you think: Why do people ever get married?

 

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

Замужество; настоящий холостяк; незамужняя женщина; выйти замуж; влюбиться; искать будущую невесту; сделать предложение; назначить дату свадьбы; поехать в свадебное путешествие; выйти замуж по расчету; молодожены; ждать ребенка; отвезти жену в роддом; стирать пеленки новорожденных; проводить бессонные ночи; напоминать кого-либо внешне; проблема отцов и детей.

 

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences:

1. … is a thing which only a rare person in his or her life avoids.

2. There’s a lot of fun in …with someone and chasing the prospective…

3. All the relatives … have the fun of criticizing your choice and giving advice.

4. The trick here is not to listen to them but propose to your … and somehow get her to accept your …

5. It’s fun for the … and the … to escape from the guests and go on a honeymoon trip.

6. There is no better fun for a … than taking his wife to a … alone and bringing her back with the … or ….

7. The bigger your children grow, the more they resemble you … and the less they display likeness with you …

8. One of your dearest … brings a long-legged blonde to your house and says that he wants to …

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Can people avoid marriage?

2. Why do people get married?

3. Who usually helps young people to make their choice?

4. How does the family life change with the appearance of children?

5. Do you agree that family life is real fun?

 

Discussion

Do yon agree or not? Comment on the following statements.

1. Everything has its beginning in the family.

2. Small children create small problems while the big ones bring big problems.

3. Every generation is different from the previous one.

4. Like father like son.

5. A good husband makes a good wife.

6. A tree is known by its fruit.

Role-Play

Writing

Write an essay on one of the following topics:

1. Teenage marriage

2. Leadership in the family.

3. Marriage contracts and romantic love.

4. Divorce and one-parent families.

5. A white wedding or no wedding?

 

 

Unit 3

English as a World Language

Topical Vocabulary

 

an official language

mother tongue/ native language

to be borrowed

dialect

standard English

vocabulary

pronunciation

an international language

international communication

English-speaking countries

to speak English fluently

to make up topics and dialogues

aspects of English

grammar

lexicology

phonetics

to be good at pronunciation

an accent

to make a mistake

to learn (learnt, learnt) a language

a foreigner

to travel abroad

the knowledge of languages

to communicate with people

to occupy a special place

to be used in various spheres of life

to have a command of a foreign language

 

официальный язык

родной язык

быть заимствованным

диалект

литературный английский

словарь, словарный состав

произношение

международный язык

международное общение

англо-говорящие страны

говорить по-английски бегло

составлять темы и диалоги

аспекты английского языка

грамматика

лексикология

фонетика

иметь хорошее произношение

акцент

сделать ошибку

учить язык

иностранец

путешествовать за границу

знание языков

общаться с людьми

занимать особое место

использоваться в различных сферах жизни

владеть иностранным языком

 

 

Consult the dictionary and translate the following words and word combinations:

 

the most used language

can't do without

all over the world

the language of progressive science and technology

to address international mail

to store computer texts

to get a good working knowledge of a language

a language teacher

computer-literate

the most widespread language on the earth

second language

native speakers

to learn professional vocabulary

to study English grammar

to take a lot of time and patience

 

Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1

Match the word combinations from two columns and translate them into Russian.

To have a command of

To be good at

To take a lot of

To make up

To be used in

To communicate with

time and patience

English

a foreign language

pronunciation

topics and dialogues

various spheres of life

 

Exercise 2

Translate into English:

англо-говорящие страны; родной язык; во всем мире; занимать особое место; быть заимствованным; международный язык; говорить бегло; делать ошибки; составлять темы и диалоги.

Exercise 3

Fill in the missing prepositions.

1. English is the most widespread language … the earth.

2. It is the language … progressive science and technology.

3. English is used … various spheres of life all … the world.

4. If you want to travel abroad and communicate … people, you should be good … pronunciation and speak English fluently.

5. During the English course students make … different topics and dialogues and study English grammar.

 

 

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

иностранный язык; общаться с людьми; развитие международных контактов; говорить бегло; самый распространенный язык; отнимать много времени и терпения; необходимость.

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences:

1. Some people learn languages because…

2. Every year thousands of people go from one country to another either…

3. English is very important for…

4. It is the official language of...

5. During the English course students …

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Why do people learn foreign languages?

2. Is English important for the development of international contacts? Why?

3. Where is English used?

4. Why is English called a world language?

5. How is English taught at universities?

6. Is it easy to learn a foreign language?

 

HOW TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

The importance of foreign language study is quite obvious. There are different ways to improve your command of a foreign language. First of all you should work hard every day. You are to work systematically.

Learning a foreign language is a hard job. But this hard work can nearly always bring success, when you do your best in learning the language.

First of all you are to have a desire to learn the language; otherwise you can't be successful. Learning a foreign language requires a lot of mental and physical activity. You should learn different aspects of the language - phonetics, grammar, vocabulary. Besides you should acquire habits and skills in hearing (listening comprehension), speaking, reading, and writing.

To master a foreign language means to learn and know how to ask questions and answer them on a topic, a text or a picture (orally and in writing); to make up a story on a picture, to speak about a topic; to understand tape recorded texts, dialogues, songs; to read aloud the text correctly and understand new texts based on the language material already learnt; to divide texts into logically connected units, entitle the units and retell the texts with the help of the titles used as a plan. The most important thing is to learn a foreign language as a means of com­munication and a means to acquire cultural background information. In order to know a foreign language well you are to work with a dictionary, reference literature, tape recorder, videos; you need to train your memory. To achieve this you are to learn by heart as many words, word combinations, colloquial phrases, dialogues and mini texts as you can.

To know a foreign language you are to learn grammar structures and substitute them with different proper words; to apply your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in talking, reading books, doing various exercises, that is to develop practical skills and habits.

You are to be active in a foreign language learning. Collecting stamps, post-cards where English is used, learning English songs, reading books, listening to tapes, translating, carrying on conversations on different topics and so on may increase your vocabulary and speaking practice. Try to test your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. In short, you are to master the language while reading, listening, writing and speaking. You need practical knowledge of the language. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Try to repeat everything while listening. Learn a foreign language through practice and you'll be successful.

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

совершенствовать уровень владения языком; приобретать навыки и умения; устно и письменно; работать со словарем и справочной литературой; тренировать память; учить наизусть слова и словосочетания; расширять словарный запас; проверять знания; делать ошибки.

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences:

1. Learning a foreign language is…

2. Learning a foreign language requires…

3. To master a foreign language means…

4. In order to know a foreign language well you are…

5. You are to master the language while…

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. What are theways of improving your command of a foreign language?

2. What should you do to be successful in foreign language learning?

3. What aspects of the language should you learn?

4. How can you develop your practical skills and habits?

 

English in My Future Career

Nowadays we can’t imagine a highly qualified specialist without any knowledge of a foreign language. Foreign languages are required in all spheres of our life. And the profession of biotechnologist is not an exception.

Biotechnology is a branch of science that is rapidly gaining significance and opportunities for youngsters who want to explore the new frontiers of science are immense. Modern biotechnology commonly utilizes genetic engineering, the modification of genetic material to achieve specific goals. People who are involved in this profession read a lot, make scientific discoveries, and have a lot of scientific publications. To be successful in this profession and to achieve greater progress, one needs to get international experience. That’s why if these specialists want to communicate with other scientists, to exchange ideas or to obtain an international experiment, first of all they have to improve their English.

Knowing English can make communication easier. English is official language in 53 countries, and it is one of the official languages in many important international organizations such as UN, EU and WTO. It is also one of the working languages at most international business and meetings.

If you want to know more about the world and modern technology, English is a great bridge. Most of books, magazines, newspapers and movies are in English. Going online, most of the world's stored information and web pages are in English. English is also the most commonly used language in the sciences. In 1997, the Science Citation Index reported that 95% of its articles were written in English, even though only half of them came from authors in English-speaking countries.

In a word, English is very important in our life and in our future career. Therefore, learning English is essential in today’s Global World. If a person wants to succeed in his chosen field he has to know English, so start to improve your English as soon as possible.

 

Exercise 1

Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

высококвалифицированный специалист; отрасль науки; генная инженерия; достигать особых целей; делать научные открытия; преуспевать в ч-л; совершенствовать свой английский.

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences:

1. We can’t imagine a highly qualified specialist without…

2. Foreign languages are required…

3. People who are involved in the profession of biotechnologist…

4. To be successful in this profession…

Exercise 3

Answer the questions:

1. Is English required inthe profession of biotechnologist?

2. What is Biotechnology?

3. What should biotechnologists do to be successful in their profession?

4. Where is English used?

5. Why is it necessary for biotechnologists to know the English language?

 

Discussion

Do yon agree or not? Comment on the following statements.

1. If we speak a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.

2. Practice makes perfect.

3. To have another language is to possess a second soul

4. A different language is a different vision of life.

5. Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.

6. There is no royal road to learning.

 

Role-play

Learning English

Setting: At the Conference

Situation: Discussion of the problem ”English at school: the process of teaching English and the best age for starting it“.

Characters:

Card I — Helen Sotnikova, aged 22, a language teacher, just graduated from the University. Very energetic, full of modern approaches for teaching English. She is sure that the best age for starting English is the age of the kindergarten. Exaggerates the role of English in modern society.

Card II — Anna Plavskaya, aged 49, teacher of English. Sticks to the idea that the most important things in teaching English are reading and writing.

She doesn't like the latest tendencies to teach English in primary school. Anna is sure that not everybody has the ability to learn a foreign language, that's why she pays her attention mostly to the advanced pupils.

Card III — Oleg Zubin, aged 36, a director of the English club. Interested more in money received from his students than in the quality of the knowledge given by his club. He is sure that the effective way to learn language is the accelerated courses (his programme is called ”English in Two Months“). Believes that English is worth paying money for.

Card IV — Andrey Izmailov, aged 40, teacher of English in the University. Tried many methods in teaching English. Believes that speaking is the main aspect of English; gives interesting lessons, full of discussions, problematic questions. Uses a lot of video and audiomaterial at the lesson, provokes students to speak and take part in different discussions. He is against accelerated courses and shares the idea of gradual material presenting. He thinks the best time for starting English in the form of games and plays is primary school.

Writing

Write an essay on one of the following topics:

1. The role of television in learning English.

2. Internet as a means of learning English.

3. Learning English… What for?

4. Success doesn't come to you…you go to it.

 

 

Unit 4

University. Student’s Life

University Life

Topical Vocabulary

assignment

curriculum

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

certificate

degree (to take one's ~)

department

diploma

dissertation

be good at smth.

do well

educate

education

educational system

enter a university