Text B: MY WEEK DAYS
A person's schedule depends on his or her type of activity, and is organized accordingly. It is rather flexible, and can be changed any time, if necessary. I will try to give you a snapshot of a typical day in my life as a University student.
The shrill ringing of an alarm-clock wakes me up at half past 6. I do not jump out of bed, but daydream for about 5 minutes more. Then I do jump out, and keep jumping, pushing up, sitting up, and generally warming up for about 20 minutes. Then a quick shower, and a very light breakfast I just can't make myself eat much in the morning. So, it's a soft-boiled egg, a toast, and a cup of tea or coffee. Then off to the University. I take a bus, it's a 5 minutes' ride, and I arrive in time to have a chat with my group-mates before classes begin. It's the usual routine of classes and breaks, the lessons are over at 1 or 2.30 p.m., depending on the number of classes. Sometimes I stay at the University till 4 or even 5 p.m. for some optional classes or something extra-curriculum. After classes I walk home with a friend talking and having a breath of fresh air for half an hour.
Then I go home, and it's dinner, if I may call it so. My folks are both at work, so left to my own devices I have what I manage to find in the fridge. Then I fool around for an hour or so, browsing in some magazine or a book, or listening to some quiet music.
After that I'm ready for the most important part of my day, my work actually. I study, I dig up information, I solve tasks, find answers to questions, do my homework. By 8 p.m. I feel tired. Fortunately, by that time folks have arrived, and we eat. That is the only proper meal of the day for me, and the only time to talk with my parents. Then an hour or more of study, some TV, and by 12 p.m. I'm in bed. Sometimes I have to stay up late, if I have some difficult tasks to solve.
So this is it, in a nutshell. Not very eventful, but it's a working day, isn't it?
Notes:
flexible -
accordingly- ,
snapshot - ()
shrill ,
to daydream
I do jump out
to push up -
to sit up -
soft-boiled egg
to have a chat -
optional class ,
extra-curriculum
to have a breath of fresh air
folks ,
left to my own devices
to fool around ,
to browse
to dig up -
in a nutshell ,
Text A: MY DAY OFF
Most people in our country work five days a week but students and pupils work six days. They have only one day off. It is Sunday.
I like this day very much. You needn't hurry anywhere and you may go wherever you like after your week's work.This day I wake up later than usual. But sometimes I don't get up till 9 or 10 o'clock. I read morning newspapers or listen to music.
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As soon as I get up I air the room, make my bed and do morning exercises. Then I have breakfast, clean the dishes and wash up. Two more hours for getting ready with my homework and I am free.
I meet my friends andwe discuss our plans together. We may go to the cinema or theatre, to museums and parks. Last Sunday we went to the Botanical Garden. There were many beds of spring flowers there: red, yellow and blue. People in light clothes were walking along the paths. The air was fresh and clean. Itwas very pleasant to spend time there.
In fine weatherwe also like to be out of town. We find a nice place somewhere in the forest or on the bank of the river. We lie in the sun, play different games and swim. In winter my friends and I often go to the skating-rink. Skating is my favourite kind of sport, but I like to ski too.
When the weather is bad my friends come to my place. We listen to music or go to the cinema. We like psychological and fantasy films, thrillers and comedies. On the way home we usually discuss the films we've seen.
In the evening all the members of our family get together. We have our supper, make plans for tomorrow, watch TV or read books. Reading is my hobby. Sometimes we receive guests at our place or go for a walk. I enjoy my days off very much.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
day off to go wherever you like
week-end later than usual
hobby to air the room
to enjoy smb's days off to go to the country
to make plans to go for a walk
to spend time to listen to music
to discuss smth to play games
to have a rest to lie in the sun
to work 5 days a week to come to smb's place
to have one day off to receive guests
I. Answer the questions:
1. Which day of the week do you like best and why?
2. What time do you get up on Sundays?
3. What do you do in the morning?
4. How do you usually spend your days off?
5. How did you spend your last day off?
6. What are the best places around Kursk?
7. Do you often go to the country on your days off?
8. Do you go in for sports on Sundays?
9. Do you often go to see your friends?
10. How often do you spend your week-ends with your parents?
11. With whom do you prefer to spend your days off: with your friends or with your parents?
12. Are you theatre-goers?
13. What do you like best, cinema or theatre?
14. Are you fond of music?
15. What is your hobby?
16. How do you usually spend your evenings on your days off?
17. Do you like to receive guests on Sundays?
18. How do you plan to spend your next Sunday?
Text B: HOW I SPEND MY FREE TIME
Unfortunately I have not much free time this year that is why I have done my best to spend it wisely. As you know, there are a lot of opportunities of spending free time. When I have some free time I can choose any of them. But when the weather is fine, it is better to go for a walk.
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After classes together with my friends we like to walk along the streets of our town enjoying the beauty of the city's architecture. Sometimes during my leisure time I read books, listen to my favourite music, or call up my friends inviting them to a café or a park. I can say that there are a lot of ways of spending free time. It is very nice to have some free time and do what is really pleasant.
I always envy those people, who have two days off. So you may guess, I have the only day off Sunday. On Sunday, I don't have to hurry anywhere, thats why, I get up at nine or ten o'clock. I am not an early riser. I make my bed, wash myself and go to the kitchen. In the kitchen the table has already been laid and I always have something tasty on Sunday: fried potatoes, meat salad or my favourite apple pies.
If the weather is sunny, I usually dont stay indoors, I go to see my friends. But sometimes the day is rainy and gloomy. I prefer to be in watching TV, listening to music, reading books, speaking over the phone or just lying on the sofa idling away the time. Some of my friends can watch all TV-programmes from morning till night, but I think its rather boring, and I always feel sorry for those TV-addicts. It's much more interesting to play a game of chess with my grandfather or help my mother about the house and argue with my father about the latest events at home and abroad.
Every Sunday, when I go to bed, I think that the day has flashed past and the next week will bring new problems and their solution.
OUR STUDIES
Text A: KURSK STATE UNIVERSITY.
I am a first-year-student of Kursk State University. This institution of higher education was established in 1934. There were only two faculties in it: the faculty of History and that of the Russian language. Many skillful and experienced professors and lecturers worked there. They gave their knowledge and enthusiasm to lay the foundation for the future University. In 1994 our institute got the status of a University. In 2001 it got the qualification of a State University of an academic type.
Our University is in the center of the town. It is in Radishev Street which is near Red Square, the central square of the town. The University takes up 5 buildings. There are a lot of classrooms, laboratories and workshops there. All the rooms are large and light. The laboratories are equipped with modern instruments and apparatus. We spend a great deal of time there making experiments and calculations.
The head of the University is the Principal. He has some Vice-Principals. They are in charge of tuition, research work, public and social activities of our University. There is a library and a reading-hall there. The library is rich in books. The reading-hall is rather comfortable for individual studies. There are many shelves with books, magazines and newspapers on them. We often come to the reading-hall to read up before lectures and seminars. As a rule we have 3 or 4 lectures and seminars a day.
We study various subjects: Mathematics, Physics, History, Psychology, English and others. Usually we have English classes twice a week. Our University has many faculties. At the head of each faculty there is the Dean. He usually has an assistant a Vice-Dean. The students take an active part in the public life of the University. Many students attend scientific circles. It is interesting and useful for students to work in them.
The academic year is divided into 2 terms which run from the 1st of September to the beginning of January and from the beginning of February to the end of June. It is very interesting to study at the University but it is not so easy. We realize that our future profession is very responsible, we must know and be able to do many things. I like my future profession and want to become a skilled teacher.
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ACTIVE VOCABULARY
to be a first-year student the Principal /a Vice-Principal
Kursk State University to be in charge of tuition
institution of higher edu- research work
cation public and social activities
to be established to be rich in smth.
faculty to read up before lectures
skillful and experienced various subjects
professors and lecturers the Dean/ a Vice-Dean
to give one's knowledge to take an active part in smth.
and enthusiasm to attend scientific circles
to lay the foundation to be divided intoterms
to get the status of... future profession
the central square to be responsible
to take up 5 buildings to be able
to be equipped with a skilled teacher
modern instruments and
apparatus
to spend a great deal of time
making experiments and calculations
the head of the University
I. Read and translate text B:
Text B: OUR UNIVERSITY
Our University is one of the largest and oldest institutions of higher education in our country. There are about 18,000 students at the University. At present the University has the following faculties: Physics and Mathematics, Pedagogy and Psychology, Natural Geography, Biology and Chemistry, Philology and Journalism, Foreign Languages, Special Needs Pedagogy, Vocational Training and History, Social Service and Tourism, Software Development and Administration of Information Systems and several others. The University has post-graduate courses in Pedagogy, Psychology, History, Philology, Mathematics and Physics.
The University has an Evening Department as well as an Extramural Department where thousands of people can get higher education. All the necessary facilities are provided for our students. Most part of tuition is free of charge, but there is also an extra-budget admittance of students on the commercial base. All the students getting well at their studies and exams receive stipends.
The University is staffed by highly qualified teachers. Among them there are some academicians and professors, Doctors of Science and a lot of Candidates of Science. They are always ready to give all sorts of assistance to the students.
The students of the University have excellent conditions for study. Our University has a good library with thousands of volumes on a wide range of subjects including fiction and current periodicals. The University provides excellent facilities for research work on a wide range. The laboratories are equipped with up-to-date devices and apparatus. The students have their own Student Science Society. A lot of them carry out research work and take an active part in scientific conferences which are held at the University every year.
The University has some old and modern buildings. The latest nine-storied building which appeared several years ago houses the faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology and that of Special Needs Pedagogy. Our University has spacious reading rooms and lecture halls, concert halls and gymnasiums.
The students have every opportunity to develop their abilities, gifts and talents. The University has a wide variety of amateur groups (drama, music, sport). They are very popular with the students. Every year hundreds of students graduate from our University and begin to work at different educational institutions of our country.
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ACTIVE VOCABULARY
to have a post-graduate course a wide range of subjects
Extramural Department including fiction and current peri-
to get higher education odicals
necessary facilities to provide excellent facilities for
to provide smth for smb research work
to be free of charge up-to- date devices
an extra-budget admittance Student Scientific Society
students on commercial base to carry out research work
to receive stipends scientific conferences
to be staffed by to house smb/smth
highly qualified teachers spacious
a list of scientific works to have every opportunity
to their credit to develop one's abilities
academician a wide variety of amateur groups
Doctor of Science to be popular with
Candidate of Science to graduate from the University
to give assistance to smb
to have excellent conditions
II. Answer the questions. Compose a story about your University:
1. How many institutions of higher education are there in Kursk?
2. When was the University founded?
3. What faculties has the University?
4. What specialists does the University train?
5. Do the students take an active part in the public life of the University?
6. Have the students wide opportunities to develop their abilities, gifts and talents?
7. Do many students go in for sports?
8. What sport teams has the University?
9. Are the students of the University fond of playing volleyball, football and tennis?
10. What games are popular with the students?
11. How often are scientific conferences held at the University?
12. When does the academic year begin in our country?
13. When do students take examinations?
14. When do applicants take entrance examinations?
15. When do the students have their vacations?
16. How long does the first term last?
17. When does the second term begin?
18. How long does it last?
19. Where is your University situated?
20. How long does it take you to get to the University?
21. What is your favourite subject?
22. What subjects do you study at the University?
23. What faculty do you study at?
24. Who is the head of the faculty? of the University?
25. Are you getting well with your studies at the University?
26. Do you get a scholarship?
Text C: THE OLDEST BUT YOUNG AT HEART
Kursk State University is one of the leading Universities in the Central Black-Soil region. It was founded in 1934, but the history of the university dates back to the 18th century when Tsarina Catherine II ordered the establishment of a school for young noblewomen. In 1902 it was transformed into the Mariinskaya Grammar School for Girls and then into a Teacher Training Institute in 1934. The impressive ancient University building, situated at the corner of Radishev and Kirov Streets in the centre of Kursk, is a national monument. For years a high spirit of teaching and studentship has existed within these halls.
Today, the University is the leading science and education center in the Kursk region, and offers a diverse set of specialities, modern educational technologies and various forms of vocational training.
More than 7000 full and part-time students study at the University's 16 departments. The talents of our staff are numerous. We have more than 500 tutors and researchers at the 49 University departments. More than 57 faculty members possess full doctorate degrees, and over 300 have Ph. D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees. Kursk State University provides scientific support to economic, technological and social research and projects in the region. The University has an important influence on the educational and demographic structure of the Kursk region, helping to preserve its social environment, history, folklore and local crafts. Various university scientific schools (psychological, educational, those of natural sciences and humanities) are famous both in Russia and abroad. Highly qualified specialists are trained through full and part-time graduate studies, Ph. D. programmes in 32 areas of specialization and doctoral studies in 7 areas of specialization.
The University is actively developing international relations. Links with more than 50 universities in Europe, the USA and Asia have been established. We are in close contact with foreign scientific and teaching organizations, embassies, as well as with international foundations and institutions. The University is currently participating in a cultural studies project in collaboration with its partner universities in Russia, the Ukraine, Germany, Great Britain and Austria. The international exchange programmes are very popular among our students.
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Today the University is comprised of six education buildings, over 100 natural science rooms for the humanities, an astronomical observatory, ten multimedia classrooms, a conference hall, a TV-centre, industrial training facilities, art studios, a library and reading halls, zoological, mineralogical and archeological museums, a biological and agricultural testing center, gymnasiums and many other facilities. The construction of the seventh building and a community center is currently under way. Additional facilities include three hostels and a student medical center.
OUR FACULTY
T e x t C: THE FACULTY OP PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS
The faculty of Physics and Mathematics trains specialists for different branches of industry and research laboratories, and teachers for secondary schools, technical secondary schools and universities. The faculty provides a broad engineering education. In the age of rapid scientific progress there is a growing demand for engineers with a thorough knowledge in their speciality and the ability to apply that knowledge to practical problems. Therefore, the number of students admitted to the faculty increases with every year. In the beginning all the students take the same courses. They study mechanics, electricity and magnetism, the History of Russia, a Foreign Language and some other subjects.
A proper understanding of physical sciences needs a good knowledge of Mathematics. Therefore, the faculty gives particular consideration to the teaching of Mathematics. All the students study mathematical analysis, analytical geometry, algebra and mathematical physics. Each of these subjects provides in itself a broad mathematical education and helps the future physicist to obtain a deeper insight into all physical phenomena. Later on specialization begins. The students spend a lot of time on more specialized theoretical and practical work in their chosen field. They read a lot to get new information about the extraordinary progress in all branches of physics. They work in well-equipped laboratories which provide excellent facilities for a wide range of research work. Here they gain much practical and useful experience in scientific research. The students of the faculty receive a thorough and comprehensive guidance for their future work from the academic staff. Among them are outstanding scientists who are well known not only in our country, but also abroad.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
to train specialists algebra
different branches of industry to help the future physicist
research laboratories to obtain a deeper insight into
secondary schools an insight into all physical phenomena
a broad engineering education to spend a lot of time on smth
in the age of rapid progress more specialized theoretical work
a growing demand for smb/smth in one's chosen field
with a thorough knowledge of to get new information
speciality / specialization extraordinary progress
ability to apply that knowledge in all branches of physics
to apply to practical problems- to provide excellent facilities
therefore for a wide range of research work
to admit to the faculty to gain experience
to increase with every year practical and useful experience
in the beginning to receive a guidance
to take a course thorough and comprehensive guidance
a proper understanding of smth. academic staff
physical sciences outstanding scientists
a good knowledge of mathematics
to give particular consideration
teaching of mathematics
mathematical analysis
analytical geometry
III. Answer the questions. Write down a topic about your faculty:
1. What faculty do you study at?
2. Are you a first-year student?
3. Is the demand for specialists of your type great in our country?
4. Why does the number of students increase with every year?
5. What subjects do you study in the first year?
6. Which is your favourite subject?
7. When will you take your examinations?
8. In what subjects will you have examinations?
9. What subjects do the students study in the second (third) year?
10. Which is the most interesting subject?
11. Have the students of your faculty favourable conditions for study?
12. Do many students live in the hostels of the University?
13. Are there many laboratories at your faculty?
14. Are they well-equipped?
15. How many times a week do you go to the library? laboratory? reading room, or to the dean's office?
16. How many students graduate from your faculty?
17. Are there many post-graduates at your faculty?
18. Under whose supervision do the post-graduates work?
Text B: THE FACULTY OF PEDAGOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY
Our faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology is quite new compared to the other ones of our University. It got its new name in 2004. Before that it was called the faculty of Primary Education and Upbringing. Nowadays the faculty prepares specialists in different disciplines. Thus we have the department of Psychology, that of the methods of primary education with the additional specialities of Foreign Languages and computer Science for primary schools.
The faculty trains specialists for different educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities). The faculty provides a broad pedagogical and psychological education. In the age of a rapid scientific progress there is a growing demand for the professionals with a deep knowledge in Psychology and Pedagogy as well, especially for primary schools.
Therefore, the number of students admitted to the faculty increases with every year. A proper understanding of some urgent pedagogical and psychological problems needs a good knowledge of the fundamental theoretical works and modern conceptions from this branch of Science. That's why the faculty gives particular consideration to teaching of general Psychology, Pedagogy, the Foundations of Professional Study, Anthropology and even to some adjacent disciplines such as Mathematics, History, Russian, English and others.
Some of the students can get a University degree of a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science. The majority of scholars are full-time students like me and the rest are part-time students. We hope to receive much practical and useful experience in order to become professionals in our speciality.
We are living in a rapidly changing, multinational and multicultural world. Barriers keep falling, people and cultures mix, but one thing remains basic and dear to my heart my Homeland, Russia. No one can deny that it is a great country in all senses of the word, with its area of 17.1 million square kilometers, and the population of 150 million people. It spans two parts of the world Europe and Asia, serving as a bridge between them. It is washed by the seas of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans.
The variety of climatic zones it covers is breathtaking, from the arctic wastes in the north down to the subtropics in the south. It has immense natural resources, such as coal, oil and gas, all kinds of mineral deposits, great forests and rivers, it has everything.
There are many branches of industry in Russia machine-building, steel production, chemical and electronic industries, and numerous others. Unfortunately, agriculture is in a rather poor state, and we have to import foodstuff; and even wheat. The potential of Russia and its people is great, and with reasonable economic mechanisms and laws the country will overcome the present difficulties, and will occupy the place it deserves in the world community.
The cultural heritage of Russia is rich and varied. The names of Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky are known all over the world. Russia's history like that of any other great country is full of glory and blood. Russia twice saved Europe from the Dark Age stopping the Tartars, and crushing the German fascists.
Russia is a multinational federal republic, and though there are some separatist tendencies, I believe all the problems can be resolved.
I am proud of my country, I love Russia, my Motherland, and will do the best I can to improve its economic and political situation.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
in a rapidly changing world numerous others
multinational and multicultural unfortunately
barriers keep falling agriculture
to mix to be in a rather poor state
to remain basic to import foodstuffs
dear to our hearts wheat
my Homeland the potential of Russia
to deny with reasonable economic mechanisms
in all senses of the word to overcome the present difficulties
with its area of... to occupy the place
the population of... the place it deserves
to span two parts of the world in the world community
Europe, Asia the cultural heritage of Russia
to serve as a bridge between to be known all over the world
the variety of climatic zones Russia's history
to cover like that of any other country
to be beautiful / breathtaking to be full of glory and blood
from the arctic wastes twice
in the north, in the south to save Europe from the Dark Age
down to the subtropics stopping the Tartars
to have immense natural resources crushing the German fascists
coal, oil, gas a multinational federal republic
all kinds of mineral deposits some separatist tendencies
branches of industry to be resolved (peacefully)
machine-building to be proud of
steel production Motherland
chemical and electronic to improve economic and political situation
I. Answer the questions:
1. What is your opinion about the time we live in?
2. What constantly remains dear to your heart?
3. Does your country belong to the Great Powers?
4. What is the total area of the country?
5. What is its population?
6. Where is Russia situated?
7. What seas and oceans is it washed by?
8. What is the climate like in Russia?
9. What mineral resources is it rich in?
10.What branches of Russian industry can you name?
11.What can you say about the state of agriculture in Russia?
12. How do you estimate the potential of Russia?
13. What's your opinion about the economic mechanisms and laws of the country?
14. What is the cultural heritage of Russia?
15. What do you know about Russia's history?
16. What was the role of our country with the regard to Europe?
17. Do you love your Motherland?
18. Are you proud of it?
