Рецензент доцент Т. С. Ежова.

Институт лингвистики

Кафедра иностранных языков

 

 

Методические указания

по самостоятельной работе студентов

(английский язык)

 

Для студентов очной формы обучения

Всех специальностей

 

 

Екатеринбург 2003

 

 

Методические указания по самостоятельной работе

студентов (английский язык)/ Рос.гос.проф.-пед.ун-т

Екатеринбург, 2003.

С.

Составители: асс. Т. В. Балакаева, ст. преп. А. В. Иванов.

 

Рецензент доцент Т. С. Ежова.

Методические указания по английскому языку предназначены для студентов очной формы обучения всех специальностей. Они содержат тексты по изучаемым темам, необходимую для усвоения лексику, вопросы к текстам, а также упражнения на закрепление учебного материала.

Одобрены на заседании кафедры иностранных языков

Протокол № 5 от 30 января 2003.

 

Зав. кафедрой Ю. А. Стуликова

Рекомендованы к печати методической комиссией Института лингвистики. Протокол № 6 от 10 февраля 2003

Председатель

Методической комиссии ИнЛин Т.А. Знаменская

© Российский государственный профессионально-педагогический университет, 2003

UNIT 1

Topic: My family, daily routine and interests

Text. My family, daily routine and interests

Let me tell you a few words about my family, the way I live and the things I like to do most of all. Well, my name is.... I’m... years old. My family is not big. There are four persons: my parents, my brother and me.

My father is a businessman. His name is.... He is forty-five years old. He is a clever man, optimistic and has a good sense of humor. When he is free he prefers to read or watch TV.

My mother is two years his senior. She works at school. My mother’s name

is.... She is very kind-hearted and beautiful. She runs the house in our family. We like the way she cooks. In the evening she often knits while watching TV.

My younger brother... looks very much like my father. He is very cheerful and easy-going. He is only 5 years my junior. We are on good terms with each other.

This summer I entered the Russian State Vocational Pedagogical University. I decided to take law studies. At present I live in a hostel/rent a small room/still live with my parents and I’m very busy during the day. My working day begins early. I have to wake up at 7 o’clock as my studies start at 8. My breakfast is usually light, as I don’t have time to do it myself. As a rule I go to the university by trolley-bus, but if the weather is more or less good I go on foot. It takes me 15 minutes to get there. We have three or four periods a day. At 12 we have a dinner break. My friends and I either go to the canteen or have rest. Our classes are over at three and I go home. At home I have supper and read up for my lectures or seminars. I have lots of friends and we spend free time together.

As for me I have different interests. I enjoy reading. Read mostly fiction and magazines. I’m fond of thrillers, detectives and humorous stories by modern writers. I can’t imagine my life without music. It helps me to relax, forget the problems of every day life. According to my mood music may be either underground club or instrumental and classic.

Go to the cinema from time to time. More often I watch video at home in a cozy chair. Watch mostly actions, comedies and thrillers, adore cartoons and it makes no difference if they are of foreign or native production.

 

The words and phrases to remember:

to prefer to do smth. – предпочитать

to be... years smb’s junior/senior – быть младше/старше

to run the house/firm – вести хозяйство/управлять фирмой

to look like, to take after – походить

to be on good/bad terms with – быть в хороших/плохих отношениях

to enter the university – поступить в университет

to decide – решить

to take computer (law, maths, psychology) studies – заняться изучением

to live in a hostel – жить в общежитии

to rent a room – снимать комнату

the way smb. do smth – как кто-то делает что-то

to read up for – готовиться к

either... or... – или... или

to enjoy doing smth. – нравиться делать что-то

to imagine – представлять

to adore – обожать

 

Ex. 2. Speak about your family, your daily routine and interests.

Say how many persons there are in your family.

Tell where you live, what your native city is.

Try to describe the members of your family (name, age, occupation and a few words about the character and relations between the members of your family).

Make a description of your daily routine.

Tell a few words about interests (TV, video, music, reading, computer, sport).

 

UNIT 2

Topic: Great Britain

 

Text 2. State organization

Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy. But the real power is concentrated in the hands of the banks and rich private owners. They control the land, industry, finance, trade and mass media.

In the law the Queen is the Head of the state. In fact she reigns but doesn’t rule. Her power is limited by the Parliament. It is the supreme legislative authority in the United Kingdom. It consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. They have different principles, they do different work and meet very rarely. The House of Commons is elected but the House of Lords is based on the hereditary principle.

The Prime Minister is the head of the Government. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the Party that has majority in Parliament. He has the right to choose the ministers and form the Cabinet. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet represent the executive body. They are responsible for directing the national policy of the United Kingdom.

 

Word and phrases to remember:

to reign – царствовать

to rule – править

to elect – выбирать

to be based on – основываться на

to be responsible for – отвечать за

a constitutional monarchy – конституционная монархия

a supreme authority – верховная власть

a hereditary principle – принцип наследования

a legislative power – законодательная власть

an executive power – исполнительная власть

 

Answer the questions:

1. Is Great Britain a constitutional monarchy?

2. Who in law is the Head of the State?

3. Does the real power belong to the Queen?

4. What is Parliament?

5. Who is the Head of the Government?

6. What is he responsible for?

Text 3. The people

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The English are considered to be very conservative people, easy-going and fond of sports. They have lots of traditions that go centuries back.

The English are a nation of stay at homes. They traditionally like to live in small houses. Usually there is a small garden with lovely flower beds. The love of gardens is deep-rooted in the British people. Another tradition is sitting at a fireplace, which is found in every home. They sit round the fire and watch the dancing flame.

Pubs are also an important part of British life. Pubs sell food and beer and people relax, meet friends, talk and listen to good music there.

British people have always been known for their love of sports. The most popular games are golf, cricket and football. Everybody knows the names of the best players and teams. All kinds of racing come next: horseracing, dog racing, car and boat racings. It is legal to place bets. In English schools sport is an important part of the system of education. They strongly care about their young generation.

 

The words and phrases to remember:

to consider – считать

to go centuries back – уходить далеко в прошлое

to place a bet – делать ставки

a deep-rooted tradition – традиция с глубокими корнями

 

Answer the questions:

1. What are the characteristic traits of the English?

2. What do they love most of all?

3. Where do they like to spend their free time?

 

UNIT 3

Topic: London

 

Text 2. Parks of London

There are more than 80 parks in London and you may walk for hours from one to another. One of the biggest is Hyde Park. In the sixteenth century King Henry VIII hunted wild animals there. Today Hyde Park is the place for all sorts of national parades and mass meetings. In Speaker’s Corner you can listen to people giving their points of view on all kinds of subjects. Hyde Park is very popular with Londoners. They like to spend their free time there. In summer they enjoy bathing or boating at the Lido, an artificial lake running the whole length of the park.

Kensington Gardens is a favorite playground of children. Children and adults enjoy sailing model boats on the Round Pond here.

The Royal Botanic Gardens is probably the largest botanic garden in the world. Almost all the exotic plants and flowers can be found here. Richmond Park is famous for a herd of deer. In St. James’s Park one can admire a beautiful lake and pelicans. And the London Zoo can boast a fascinating collection of different animals, birds and reptiles.

 

Words and phrases to remember:

to give one’s point of view on smth. – высказывать свое мнение

to be famous for – быть знаменитым чем-либо

to admire – восхищаться

a fascinating collection – захватывающая коллекция

 

Answer the questions:

1. How many parks are there in London?

2. What is the biggest park?

3. What is it famous for?

4. How do the people like to spend their free time there?

5. What other parks would you like to visit? Why?

 

Ex. 2. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Гайд Парк знаменит озером Лидо. Это искусственное озеро, проходящее

по всей длине парка.

2. Я хочу выразить свою точку зрения по поводу этой идеи.

3. Мы восхищались красотой природы.

4. Она рассказала нам захватывающую историю о своей поездке.

 

Text 3. Museums of London

There are many quite different museums in London. The British Museum is the most famous in the world. Its library contains about six million books. The reference section has 30 thousand volumes on open shelves. The museum has a priceless collection of rare books, manuscripts, books printed in the XV century and the earliest editions of Shakespeare. There is a wonderful art gallery. It possesses a unique collection of sculpture, ceramics and paintings from ancient time up today. The most outstanding departments there are: the Assyrian, the Egyptian, the Greek and Roman Antiquities.

One of the newest museums is the Museum of London. Its aim is to show the history of London from the founding by Romans to nowadays.

In South Kensington there are several large museums. The Victoria and Albert Museum with a magnificent collection of fine and applied arts also includes Constable’s masterpieces, which are worth seeing.

The Natural History Museum contains plants, animals and minerals. The Hall of Human Biology tells the visitors everything about their body.

Exhibits in the Science Museum display the discovery and development of such inventions as the steam engine, photography, glass-making and atomic physics. There is a gallery where children can experiment with working models.

The Museum of British Transport tells the story of public transport in Britain.

Realism of figures and accuracy of costumes made the Wax Museum of Madame Tussaud quite famous. You may see here life-size wax portraits of kings, queens, statesmen, well-known writers, singers and even notorious criminals.

 

Words and phrases to remember:

to contain – содержать, состоять

to possess – обладать, располагать

to display – выставлять

to be worth seeing – быть достойным внимания

a reference book – справочник

a rare book – редкая книга

a priceless collection – бесценная коллекция

a unique exhibit – уникальная выставка

a magnificent masterpiece – великолепный шедевр

a discovery – открытие

an invention – изобретение

an accuracy, accurate – точность, точный

a notorious criminal – знаменитый преступник

 

Answer the questions:

1. What is the most famous museum in London?

2. What do the visitors can see there?

3. What are the largest museums in South Kensington?

4. What do these museums display in their halls?

5. What is the Wax Museum of Madam Tussaud famous for?

6. What museum would you like to visit, if you were in London?

 

Ex. 3. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Сигаретный дым содержит много вредных веществ.

2. Он обладал огромной коллекцией редких книг.

3. Музей представил бесценную выставку картин, на которые стоит

посмотреть.

4. Уникальная выставка великолепных шедевров искусства была открыта

вчера.

5. Ученые сделали важное открытие.

6. Изобретение телефона изменило мир.

7. Он дал точное описание преступника.

8. В музее Мадам Тюссо можно увидеть восковые фигуры известных

преступников.

 

Text 4. Places of interest

The historic buildings of London represent a rich variety of types, styles and periods than anywhere else in the world. Its great monuments, medieval castles and abbeys, palaces and bridges are famous throughout the world.

Westminster Abbey is one of the most distinguished of all buildings in London. It was first mentioned in the documents of the tenth century. Originally it was a church but nothing of it remained today. The present-day building was made in the gothic style. For nearly a century all the kings and queens have been crowned here. Many of them are buried there too. There are many statues, monuments and tombs here.

The Palace of Westminster was built by Edward the Confessor in about 1050 and was used as a royal residence. But in 1547 it became the meeting place for Parliament. The fire of 1834 destroyed most of the original building. The new building was created in the gothic style. The clock tower, called Big Ben, is well known to everybody. Its clock is said to be the most accurate in the world.

The Tower Bridge is a characteristic part of the London cityscape. It was built in the early nineteenth century. The bridge is 240 meters long with two massive towers in neo-gothic style and it has a mechanism that is still remarkable today. It can raise and lower the bridge in about two minutes. The Tower Bridge takes its name from the Tower of London that stands near it.

The Tower of London plays an important role in the history of the city. This outstanding castle has been a palace, prison, mint, treasury and observatory. Nowadays the Tower is a museum housing the National Collection of Armour and the Crown Jewels and Royal Regalia. The Tower is still guarded by the Yeomen, who wear the traditional sixteenth century uniform.

One of the finest Renaissance cathedrals in Europe is St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was built in 1710. The architect was Sir Christopher Wren. The church can boast of some superb carving, frescoes and drawings. The famous Whispering Gallery is a masterpiece of acoustics.

Buckingham Palace is the Royal residence. The house is comparatively new and is built in the neoclassical style. Its luxurious interior and gardens are not open to the public. But here you can see one of the most colorful ceremonies in London, the Changing of the Guard.

To all the lovers of arts it’s recommended to visit the National Gallery. It exhibits all schools of European painting from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century.

 

Word and phrases to remember:

to represent – представлять

to be mentioned in the documents – упоминаться

to remain - оставаться

to crown the king, to be crowned - короновать

to bury the dead, to be buried – похоронить

to destroy the original building – разрушить первоначальное здание

to create a new building – возвести новое здание

to guard the residence, to be guarded by – охранять

to wear a uniform – носить

a rich variety – богатое разнообразие

a castle – замок

a palace – дворец

a mansion – особняк

a bridge – мост

a tower – башня

a cathedral – собор

a mint – монетный двор

a treasury – сокровищница

a tomb – могила

distinguished, remarkable, outstanding, superb – замечательный, восхитительный

 

Answer the questions:

1. Why is London so popular among the tourists?

2. What is the oldest building in London?

3. What can you say about this building?

4. What is the meeting place for Parliament?

5. What is situated not far from Westminster Palace?

6. What is the most characteristic feature of London’s cityscape? Say a few

words about it.

7. What is so peculiar about the Tower of London?

8. When was St. Paul’s Cathedral built?

9. What is it famous for?

10. Where does the Queen live?

11. What can you see in the National Gallery?

 

Ex. 4. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Новые звезды будут представлять команду на Олимпийских Играх.

2. Они не упомянули об этом факте.

3. Лондон остается одним из красивейших городов мира.

4. Этот выдающийся дворец был создан в 18 веке.

5. Его превосходный особняк охранялся тремя огромными собаками.

6. Он любит носить темные очки.

7. В нашей стране богатое разнообразие диких животных.

8. Этот собор был построен выдающимся архитектором.

9. Мост через реку был сломан.

10. Ибица – самое замечательное место на земле.

 

UNIT 4

UNIT 5

UNIT 6

Text 1. Russia

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. The country is situated in Eastern Europe, Northern and Central Asia. It occupies over 17 million square km.

Our land is washed by 12 seas, most of which are the seas of three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific. In the south and in the west the country borders on fourteen countries. It also has a sea border with the USA.

There is hardly a country in the world where such a great variety of flora and fauna can be found as in our country. Our country has numerous forests, plains and steppes, taiga and tundra, highlands and deserts. There are over two thousand rivers in our country. Our land is rich in various lakes with the deepest lake in the world, the Baikal.

There are 11 time zones. The climate conditions are rather different: from arctic and moderate to continental and subtropical. Our country is one of the richest in natural resources countries in the world. There is oil, natural gas, coal, different ores, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other minerals.

The Russian Federation is a multinational state. It comprises many national districts, several autonomous republics and regions. The population of the country is over 140 million people. The official language is Russian. Our country is a constitutional republic headed by the President. Moscow is the capital of our Motherland.

 

Words and phrases to remember:

to occupy – занимать

to comprise – состоять

to be headed by – возглавляться

 

Answer the questions:

1. What is the total area of the Russian Federation?

2. What can you say about its geographical position?

3. What can you say about our flora and fauna?

4. What is the climate in Russia?

5. What natural resources can be found in Russia?

 

Text 3. Ekaterinburg

Ekaterinburg is not old. It was founded in 1723 by Vasily Tatishchev by the order of Peter the Great. Over the course of its history, it has proven to be a special and even unique city. From the very beginning it has been the center of mining and metallurgy and the first plant which rose on the bank of the Iset river, by the standards of those days, was one of the best not only in Russia but also in Europe.

Ekaterinburg has a unique mixture of different architectural, historical and cultural rarities. More than 60 monuments of history and culture are situated in the city and 40 of them are considered to be national because of their significance. That is way Ekaterinburg can be given the status of Russia’s most historical city.

The 18^th century Ekaterinburg was a wooden city and unfortunately very few buildings have survived. The city’s stone buildings appeared during the second half of the 18^th century. Mostly these were administrative buildings. In the early 19^th century a new architectural style – classicism – influenced Ekaterinburg landscapes. The Palace on Voznesenskaya Hill, with its luxurious park, is the most famous example of this style.

Many churches and chapels made the city’s panorama very beautiful and picturesque. In the beginning of the 20^th century there were about 50 churches, of which only 6 still stand today.

The Soviet period brought new trends to Ekaterinburg’s architecture. New tendencies in the development of world architecture have also affected the city. The most famous buildings of that period include the Urals Polytechnical Institute, the Railroad Administrative Building and the Philharmony.

The city’s history is full of events. Many expeditions to Siberia, Central Asia and Far East passed through Ekaterinburg. The city was visited by Russian tzars and members of their families. Here occurred the most awful tragedy – the assassination of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and all his family members – which took place in the basement of Ipatiev’s house on July 16, 1918. New Memorial Church will be built there soon.

Today Ekaterinburg is a large, lively city. It is not only the administrative center of the Urals, but also a great cultural center with a population of about 1.3 million people. Its banks, companies and enterprises do business with many countries of the world. Few other cities in the Urals have so many theatres, museums and art galleries or can offer such a wide variety of places of public entertainment.

 

Words and phrases to remember:

significance – значение, важность

to survive – сохраняться, выживать

to influence – влиять

a trend – направление

to occur – происходить

awful – ужасный

to offer – предлагать

 

Answer the questions:

1. When was the city founded? Who was its founder?

2. Why is the city considered to be the most historical in Russia?

3. What can you say about the city of the 18^th and 19^th century?

4. What were the changes in the 20^th century?

5. What can you say about Ekaterinburg of today?

6. Is Ekaterinburg your native city?

7. Do you like it?

8. Where do you like to spend your free time?

9. What places do you like most?

 

Ex. 1. Translate from Russian into English.

1. В начале века появились новые направления в архитектуре.

2. Никто не выжил в этой ужасной катастрофе.

3. Мы можем предложить вам большой выбор туристических поездок.

4. Телевидение оказывает (букв. имеет) огромное влияние на людей.

5. Важность этого открытия очень велика.

 

Ex. 2. Be ready to speak about Russia, its capital and Ekaterinburg.

 

 

UNIT 7

Литература

1. Орловская И. В., Самсонова А.С.. Учебник английского языка для студентов технических университетов и вузов. М.: Изд-во МГТУ им. Н. Э. Баумана, 2000.

 

2. Коваленко П. И. Английский для психологов. Ростов-н/Д: Феникс, 2000.

 

3. Ежова Т. С. Учебно-методическое пособие по английскому языку. Екатеринбург: Изд-во УГТУ-УПИ, 1998.

 

4. Филатов А. В. Курс страноведения. Екатеринбург: Изд-во Урал. гос. пед. ун-та, 1996.

 

 

Методические указания по самостоятельной работе студентов

(английский язык)

Для студентов всех специальностей

 

Подписано в печать 27.02.2003. Формат 60´84/16. Бумага для множ. аппаратов. Печать плоская. Усл. печ. л. 1,6. Уч.-изд. л.1,7. Тираж 3000 экз. Заказ № 120.

Российский государственный профессионально-педагогический университет. Екатеринбург, ул. Машиностроителей, 11.[H1]

Ризограф РГППУ. Екатеринбург, ул. Машиностроителей, 11.

 

[H1]

Институт лингвистики

Кафедра иностранных языков

 

 

Методические указания

по самостоятельной работе студентов

(английский язык)

 

Для студентов очной формы обучения

Всех специальностей

 

 

Екатеринбург 2003

 

 

Методические указания по самостоятельной работе

студентов (английский язык)/ Рос.гос.проф.-пед.ун-т

Екатеринбург, 2003.

С.

Составители: асс. Т. В. Балакаева, ст. преп. А. В. Иванов.

 

Рецензент доцент Т. С. Ежова.

Методические указания по английскому языку предназначены для студентов очной формы обучения всех специальностей. Они содержат тексты по изучаемым темам, необходимую для усвоения лексику, вопросы к текстам, а также упражнения на закрепление учебного материала.

Одобрены на заседании кафедры иностранных языков