T e x t B: KURSK – OUR NATIVE TOWN
Kursk is one of the ancient Russian towns. It is situated in a picturesque spot just in the heart of the Central Black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation. It is very important for our country because it lies at the crossroads of different main lines and high ways.
Kursk is a town with a rich historical past, which is connected with the history of the Russian state. Referring to the results of the archaeological excavations historians assume that Kursk was founded as a fortress of the Kiev Princedom in the reign of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich approximately in 982-983 on the bank of the Tuskar river, at the place where the small river Kur falls into it. It explains the name of the city – "Kursk-on-the-Tuskar",
For the first time Kursk was mentioned in the Pechyor Paterikon one of the most famous written monuments of the ancient Church, compiled by the monk-chronicler Nestor in 1094. We can read some lines about the valour of Kursk dwellers in the world-famous old Russian poem "The Song of Igor's Campain" written by an unknown author in a high-patriotic note.
Nowadays Kursk is a big industrial and cultural centre of the Russian Federation. Its population is more than 441 thousand people, the territory is about 18 thousand hectares. The town and its suburb are situated in the forest-steppe zone with a warm moderate-humid climate.
The main branches of industry in Kursk are metal-working, machine building, chemical and light industries. There are more than 90 enterprises in Kursk. A great number of joint-ventures have been registered and successfully work on the territory of Kursk.
There are 20 secondary professional schools, 14 colleges, 3 universities and an academy there. You can have a good opportunity to rest and widen your cultural outlook in Kursk at the regional drama theatre named after Pushkin, at the puppet theatre and the theatre of young spectators "Rovesnik", in the Houses and Palaces of Culture and the House of Knowledge, in the City palace for schoolchildren and in the cinemas, clubs, video salons, libraries, museums, picture gallery, picture pavilions, the planetarium and philharmonic society.
Let's hope that thanks to industry and diligence of our townsmen Kursk will become more comfortable and beautiful. It is a tribute for our rich thousand-year-old history. It is necessary for living and future generation
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
ancient an unknown author
to be situated, in a high-patriotic note
in a picturesque spot suburbs
in the heart of in the forest-steppe zone
the Central Black Soil Zone with a warm moderate-humid climate
the Russian Federation the main branches of industry
to be very important metal-working, machine building
at the crossroads of chemical and light industries
main lines and high ways an enterprise
with a rich historical past a great number of joint-ventures
to be connected with to be registered
the history of the Russian state to have a good opportunity
referring to the results of cultural outlook
archaeological excavations the regional drama theatre
historians the puppet theatre
to assume theatre of young spectators
to be founded as a fortress the picture gallery
the Kiev Princedom picture pavilions
in the reign of the planetarium
approximately in philharmonic society
on the bank of thanks to industry and diligence of
to be mentioned in townsmen
in the Pechyor Patericon a tribute for
to be compiled by a rich thousand-year-old history
the monk-chronicler living and future generations
the valour of Kursk dwellers
in the world-famous poem
to be written by
III. Questions to the text:
1. Where is Kursk situated?
2. What role does it play in the life of our country?
3. When and where was it founded?
4. Is there any explanation to the town's name?
5. When and where was it first mentioned?
6. Where can we find the lines about the valour of Kursk dwellers?
7. What is it nowadays?
8. What is its population about?
9. What territory does it occupy?
10. What are the main branches of industry in Kursk?
11. How many enterprises are there?
12. What can you say about the educational institutions of Kursk?
13. What places of interest can you visit here?
14. Do you like your native town?
Text C: IN THE VERY HEART OF RUSSIA
Kursk is situated in the very heart of Russia. It is a big cultural and industrial regional centre in the Russian Federation. It supports a population of more than 1.2 million people.
Emerged in the XI century, even earlier than Moscow, and being a frontier settlement, Kursk, for many centuries fought to repel enemy invasions. Kursk, for many centuries has been a spiritual centre for the Russian Orthodox Church. Korennaya Holy Mother hermitage is famous for the miraculous discovery of the icon “Sky-sign” in 1297. Today, this icon is the main symbol of the American Orthodox Church. Kursk is adorned with several striking historical and spiritual monuments. A masterpiece of architecture – Sergievo-Kazanskiy Cathedral is linked to one of the most respected saints in Russia, Seraphim Sarovskiy, who was born in Kursk.
Not only Kursk, but also dozens of small towns composing the territory of the Kursk region, possess both signs of their majestic past and their sophisticated present. They are famous throughout Russia for their folk arts and crafts, their parks and mansions (“Marino”, “Mokva”), being the birthplaces of several Russian writers, poets and musicians.
The natural environment of the Kursk region is uniquely beautiful and diverse. The famous reputation of “Streletskaya Steppe” (The Central Black Soil Region State Biospherical Reserve) is justified, since it protects wild virgin grassland and rare black soils, which have never been touched by a plough, as well as a wealth of flora and fauna native to the region. The songs of Kursk nightingales have become the symbol of the Russian soul.
Text A: GREAT BRITAIN
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands: Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244,000 square kilometers.
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales and does not include Northern Ireland. But in everyday speech "Great Britain" is used to mean the United Kingdom. The capital of the UK is London.
The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.
The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands, while the south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called the Lowlands. The north and west of England are mountainous, but all the rest – east, centre and south-east – is a vast plain. Mountains are not very high. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain (1343 m).
There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.
The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate of the British Isles. It is mild the whole year round.
The UK is one of the world's smaller countries. Its population is over 57 million. About 80% of the population is urban.
The UK is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. One of the chief industries of the country is shipbuilding.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy. In law, the Head of State is the Queen. In practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule. The country is ruled by the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties. The Prime Minister is Gordon Brown.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
the British Isles to influence the climate
to consist of the whole year round
Great Britain urban
Ireland / Northern Ireland a highly developed industrial country
total area machinery, electronics,
to be made up of. textile, aircraft
respectively navigation equipment
to include shipbuilding
in everyday speech a constitutional monarchy
to be separated from... by... in law / in practice
the European continent the Head of State
the English Channel to reign// to rule/to be ruled by
to be washed by the elected government
the Atlantic Ocean with the Prime Minister at the head
the Irish Sea chambers: the House of Lords and
the surface of the British the House of Commons
Isles main political parties:
mountainous / the highest mountain the Labour, the Conservative
the Highlands / the Lowlands the Liberal
beautiful valleys and plains the ruling party
the Severn // Gulf Stream the Prime Minister
I. Answer the questions:
1. Where is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland situated?
2. What islands do the British Isles consist of?
3. What is their total area?
4. What countries is the United Kingdom made up?
5. What are their capitals?
6. What name is used to mean the United Kingdom?
7. What is the capital of the UK?
8. What are the British Isles separated from the European continent by?
9. What is the western coast of Great Britain washed by?
10.What do you know about the surface of the British Isles?
11.What is the highest mountain?
12.What can you say about the rivers of Great Britain?
13.What factors influence the climate of the British Isles?
14.What is its population?
15 What is it known as?
l6. Who is the Head of State in law and in practice?
17. What is the country ruled by?
18. What are the names of the British Parliament chambers?
19. What political parties are there in Great Britain?
20. Who is the Prime Minister?
Text B: LONDON
London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.
London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world. Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul's Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it is a museum.
Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London. Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, etc.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its big hour bell, known as "Big Ben".
Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen. The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.
Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson's victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson's Column stands in the middle of the square.
On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc., and is famous for its library.
The East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
political and economic the governmental part of London
commercial centre historic associations
financial centre to be crowned
geographical centre outstanding
traditionally to be buried
to be divided into across the road from
the City the Houses of Parliament
Westminster (Abbey, Palace) the seat of the British Parliament
the West End/the East End the Clock Tower
to belong to big hour bell
numerous banks Buckingham Palace
the Stock Exchange the official residence
the Old Bailey the symbol of wealth and luxury
within the City splendid houses
St Paul's Cathedral lovely gardens
the Tower of London belonging to wealthy people
to be founded Trafalgar Square
by Julius Caesar to be named in memory of
by William the Conqueror Admiral Nelson's victory
to be used as a fortress in the battle of Trafalgar
a royal palace in the middle of the square
prison on the north side of
II. Answer the questions to the text and try to retell it:
1. What is the capital of Great Britain?
2. What is its population?
3. What parts is it traditionally divided into?
4. What is the heart of London?
5. What state institutions are situated there?
6. Do any people live in the City?
7. What is the most striking ancient building within the City?
8. When was it built? Whom was it built by?
9. Whom was the Tower of London founded by?
10. When was it rebuilt and by whom?
11. What was it used as?
12. What is the governmental part of London?
13. What building has more historic associations than any other one?
14. What is it famous for?
15. Who is buried here?
16. What is Westminster Palace known for?
17. Where is the official residence of the Queen?
18. What can you say about the West End?
19. Can you compare it to the East End of London?
20. What is the geographical centre of London?
21. In memory of what event was it named?
22. Where are the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery
situated?
23. What do you know about the British Museum?
CONTENTS
Unit 1.
Text A: About myself……………………………………………………3
Text B: My biography……………………………………………………5
Unit 2.
Text A: My family……………………………………………………….6
Text B: About my family………………………………………………..8
Text C: British families………………………………………………….9
Text D: (a dialogue)……………………………………………………..9
Unit 3.
Text A: Hobby…………………………………………………………..10
Text B: Different hobbies……………………………………………….11
Unit 4.
Text A: My working day………………………………………………..13
Text B: My week day……………………………………………………14
Unit 5.
Text A: My day off……………………………………………………...15
Text B: How I spend my free time……………………………………...17
Unit 6. Our Studies.
Text A: Kursk state university…………………………………………..18
Text B: Our university…………………………………………………..19
Text C: The oldest but young at heart…………………………………..21
Unit 7.
Text A: The faculty of Physics and Mathematics………………………22
Text B: The faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology………………………24
Unit 8. Our Motherland………………………………………………….25
Text A: Russia…………………………………………………………...25
Text B: Kursk – our native town………………………………………...27
Text C: In the very heart of Russia……………………………………...29
Unit 9.
Text A: Great Britain……………………………………………………30
Text B: London………………………………………………………….32
References
400 тем по английскому языку для школьников, абитуриентов, студентов и преподавателей / Сост. Ю.В. Куриленко. – Москва: ЗАО «БАО-ПРЕСС», ООО «ИД РИПОЛ классик», 2006. – 608 с.
120 TOPICS. Сборник разговорных тем по английскому языку: Учебное пособие / А.П. Миньяр-Белоручева. – М.: Издательство «Экзамен», 2005. – 160 с.
И.В. Гребенкина. Сборник разговорных тем по английскому языку. – ТОО «КРИМИНАЛ – М». 1996. –46 с.
Хведченя Л.В., Хорень Р.В. Английский язык для поступающих в вузы. 4-е изд., доп., – Мн.: Выш. Шк., 1996. – 364 с.
