1. What does a typical America or Canadian usually eat?
2. What's wrong with the typical North American diet?
3. How are people changing their eating habits?
4. What food will we eat in the future?
Food Personalities
People express their personalities in their clothes, their cars and their homes. Because we might choose certain foods to "tell" people something about us, our diets can also be an expression of our personalities. For example, some people eat mainly gourmet food, such as caviar and lobster, and they eat only in expensive restaurants (never in cafeterias or snack bars). They might want to "tell" the world that they know about the "better things in life".
Human beings can eat many different kinds of food, but some people choose not to eat meat. Vegetarians often have more in common than just their diet. Their personalities might be similar, too. For example, vegetarians in the United States may be creative people and they might not enjoy competitive sports or jobs. They worry about the health of the world and they probably don't believe in war.
Some people eat mostly "fast food." One study shows that many fast-food eaters have a lot in common with one another, but they are very different from vegetarians.
They are competitive and good at business. They are also usually in a hurry. Many fast-food eaters might not agree with this description of their personalities, but it is a common picture of them.
Some people also believe that people of the same astrological sign have the same food personalities.
Arians (born under the sign of Aries, between March 21 and April 19) usually like spicy food, with a lot of onions and pepper. People with the sign of Taurus (April 20 to May 20) prefer healthful fruit and vegetables, but they often eat too much.
Sagittarians (November 22 to December 21) like ethnic food from many different countries. Aquarians (January 20 to February 18) can eat as much meat and fish as they want, but sugar and cholesterol are sometimes problems for them.
Task 2. Circle the letter of one main idea of the reading:
A. The typical North American diet now includes food from many different countries.
B. For health reasons more people are also buying more raw vegetables.
C. "Junk food" in the future is not going to be "Junk" at all.
D. North Americans are becoming more interested in good health, and nutrition is an important part of health.
Task 3. True or false:
A. All North Americans eat only fast food, convenience food, and junk food with a lot of sugar, salt and fat. ___________________
B. People today are becoming more interested in good nutrition and more healthful cooking methods._________________
C. Food from other countries is not very popular with North Americans. ______________
D. In the future people will probably continue to eat more healthful food. ______________
Task 4. Find the answers to the following questions and put them down:
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1. What food are North Americans eating more for better nutrition?
2. What food are they eating less?
3. Why do people cook vegetables quickly in very little water?
4. What ethnic food do Americans often eat?
5. How will convenience food change in the future?
6. Why will junk food be more healthful?
Task 5. Discuss the following in class with your friends:
1. What was your idea of the typical American diet before you've read the text (before your visit to the States)? Have your ideas changed?
2. What do you think about these kinds of food: fast, convenience, junk? Do we have them in Russia?
3. Can you give more reasons for changes in American diet?
4. What ethnic food do Americans often eat? Do you sometimes eat it? If so, what? If not, why not?
5. What kinds of food do you most often eat? Are you trying any new food?
What's your idea of the typical Russian diet?
6. Are we changing our eating habits? If so, how then?
Personal Stories
Task 1.
Read the text and tell the main ideas. Express your opinion of the main ideas. Say some words about your eating style.
Ask your friends questions about their eating styles. Draw you conclusions.
Say to what extent your eating style / your friends' eating styles differs from a typical American eating style.
My Diet
I try to stay healthy, so I almost never eat junk food, and I don't usually go to fast-food places. I read a lot of articles in magazines about health, and I'm taking a nutrition course at the local college. But I have a problem. I worry too much about health. I know poor nutrition causes sickness. When my professor gives a lecture about vitamin C, I feel that I need more of it in my diet. I begin to eat lots of oranges. Then she gives a lecture on cholesterol, and I worry that I have too much of it in my diet. I don't want to have a heart attack, so I eat no eggs, butter, or cream and almost no red meat. Then I read about the importance of fiber, and I worry again. Maybe I don't have enough of it in my diet. So I start to eat lots of cereal, whole wheat bread, and so on.
I can't relax when I worry about my health. Then I get depressed. Unfortunately, depression has a powerful effect on me. When I feel depressed, I also feel a strong need to eat junk food. I get some cola, a big bag of potato chips, a hot.
Speak on the following situations:
1. Lunch time: you are in the US. You are not feeling too well. It's nearly lunch time, but you don't want very much to eat. You think a sandwich and a drink is enough, your partner is going to eat a sandwich and offers to bring something for you. Find out what you can get and choose something you like. Where can your friend get it?
2. A good dinner. You are visiting Washington on business. You have plenty of money. Your partner is another visitor to the same conference. Find out if your friend can come.
3. You are in the US. Your partner is visiting your office on business. She/he doesn't know the town. It's nearly lunch time, you'll have to come back to finish your business after lunch. Suggest lunch to your partner. Find out where she/ he would like to go.
4. Find a suitable place to eat for each situation in the USA:
You expect to talk business over lunch, so you want somewhere small and quiet. You're rather hungry.
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Your partner is a very important guest and might become a big client of your company. You would like to please and impress your partner. The company will pay for the lunch anyway, and you've been told it doesn't matter how much it costs, providing your partner is pleased.
Your partner:
You want to talk business over lunch, so you would prefer something small and quiet. You don't like eating big meals at lunch time.
You really don't want anything more than a sandwich and a drink.
5. Ask your American friend about his/her favorite breakfast and dinner dishes. In turn describe your favourite dishes.
6. You are in the US out to dinner with an important guest, who you want to wine and dine properly. What would you say to the head waiter and what would you suggest your guest to order?
7. Exchange opinions with your friends about each other's eating habits. Express your opinions about it. If necessary give some helpful advice how to make it healthier. Do you think your friends' eating styles differ from Americans' ones?
8. Arrange a discussion on typical American and Russian diets. State advantages and disadvantages of each. Find out which diet your friends would prefer to follow, if they have any stereotypes about American diet.
9. Living to eat or eating to live? Which one do you support? Discuss it with your friends and find arguments for and against each part of the statement.
10. Exchange opinions about the difference in men's and women's attitude to food and dieting. Is it different in the States and in your country? Compare the differences and make your conclusions.
11. Poll your friends and find out what they think about the following.
What is healthy food for you?
What is your opinion of dieting?
How many of your friends (classmates) have rational meals (regular meals)?
Are you much of a cook? Cooking what dishes are you particularly good at?
What would you prefer: to buy a new thing to wear or to have a couple of good meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables?
Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, what sort of sweet do you favor?
To what extent are you a vegetarian?
Do you economize on food?
How often do you think about what you are eating?
12. An American friend of yours has come to Russia. Ask him questions about his dislikes and likes in food. Share some information about Russian food with him. As he is a first time visitor to Russia give him some tips of advice on getting something to eat in Russia.
13. Compare dinner parties in Russia and America. Say how different they are, what they have in common (how different the table setting is, who serves the guests in each country: the hosts or they do it themselves). What is polite to do at a formal dinner party and what is not? How can you help your guests feel comfortable? What are some secrets of a successful dinner party? Do you think you are a good host/hostess?
14. Cultural differences at dinner party. What are the customs for entertaining guests at dinner in the US / Russia? Explain the difference to the class.
Part V
PLACES OF INTEREST
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Places of Interest in Russia / Moscow
The majestic Kremlin serves as the focal point and authoritative symbol of the historic city of Moscow. Established in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, the city flourished as a trading centre, effectively defended by the Kremlin's fortified walls. Despite numerous attacks and occupation by invading Mongols, Moscow continued to thrive and consolidate its sovereignty, emerging as the center of the influential Russian Orthodox Church in 1326.
In the late 15th century, Moscow became the capital of Russia, a status it retained until Tsar Peter I, known as Peter the Great, moved the centre of power to St Petersburg in 1712. The raging fire of 1812 that drove Napoleon out of Moscow in defeat also destroyed much of the city, although its rebuilding was rapid. Industrialization and the advent of the railway brought prosperity and an ever-increasing population to Moscow. With the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1918, the city again was named the capital.
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Moscow is the cultural and political centre of Russia. The imposing walls of the Kremlin that enclose centuries-old cathedrals, museums, and administrative buildings dominate Red Square in the heart of the city. The rest of Moscow spreads in a series of concentric circles reaching into the suburbs, where rows of high-rise apartment buildings constructed since the 1950s commonly fail to meet the enormous demand for housing.
Moscow remains one of the great cities of the world. Its stately architecture, including the multicoloured onion-shaped domes of the Cathedral of St Basil, as well as the renowned Bolshoi Ballet, the lively Arbat Street, and the elegance of its underground metro system contribute to Moscow's international reputation.
Grand Kremlin Palace
The River Moskva flows past the gilded domes of the 15th-century Uspensky Cathedral and the imposing Grand Kremlin Palace, which is the youngest of the numerous buildings and churches enclosed by Moscow's medieval fortress walls. Originally constructed in 1156 and refortified many times to ward off attacks by the Mongols, the Kremlin is today the seat of the Russian government.
Arbat Street in Moscow
Narrow 19th-century Arbat Street has long been a gathering place for writers and artists in the Russian capital city of Moscow. Located west of the Kremlin, the pedestrian avenue is lined with shops and restaurants. During Communist rule, intellectuals who disagreed with the government found refuge along the Arbat.
St Basil's Cathedral on Red Square
Bright sun illuminates the whimsical spires and intricately carved onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow's most colourful landmark. Built in the 1550s to celebrate Ivan the Terrible's conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan Province, this extraordinary structure was originally known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin. Eight chapels, each with a distinct exterior, surround the central church. Now a museum, St Basil's is filled with frescoes, icons, and paintings.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and it was called so in his honour. The city is situated on the Neva River and has become the "window" to Europe. It was built by prominent European and Russian architects.
St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia from 1712 till 1918.
The Peter and Paul Fortress was built to protect the Neva banks from Swedish invasion. Later D. Trezzini, a famous Swiss architect, reconstructed the fortress. It became a prison. Now it is a museum. D. Trezzini erected the Peter and Paul Cathedral here, which is a masterpiece of architecture. Russian tsars were buried in it.
St. Petersburg is an industrial, cultural and scientific centre. There are over 80 museums, about 20 theatres, exhibitions, clubs, a university, colleges, institutes, schools, libraries and parks. The Pushkin Drama Theatre, the Bolshoi Gorky Drama Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet are pearls of the Russian art.
In St. Petersburg there are a lot of parks and gardens where the citizens can spend their free time.
The Summer Garden is the oldest and most fascinating park. Rare trees, bushes and flowers grow there. Beautiful marble statues made by Italian sculptors and a cast iron grille decorate the Summer Garden. There is a bronze monument to the prominent Russian fabulist Ivan Krylov (by sculptor Klodt) in the Summer Garden.
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The city is famous for its magnificent architectural ensembles of the 18-19 centuries.
In St. Petersburg tourists usually start sightseeing from Palace Square, the largest and most beautiful one. One cannot help admiring the ensemble in Palace Square: the Winter Palace (built by Rastrelli) was the residence of Russian tsars till the revolution.
The Hermitage, one of the oldest art museums in Russia, occupies the Winter Palace and four other buildings. There one can see masterpieces of the outstanding artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt, Velazques and other unique works of art.
The Russian museum is located in the Mikhailovsky Palace, designed by Rossi. Marvellous paintings of the famous Russian artists: Tropinin, Repin, Bryullov, Fedotov, Surikov, Serov, the works of sculptors: Rastrelli, Shubin, Antokolsky are exhibited here.
The streets and squares in St. Petersburg are very beautiful. Nevsky Prospect is the main street of the city, where there are amazing buildings, shops, hotels and the remarkable Kazan Cathedral (by Voronikhin) with a colonade and monuments to M. Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly. Here in the prospect one can see the magnificent building of the Admiralty (by Zakharov) and an ensemble of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Famous Russian writers, painters, composers and actors were buried in the Lavra.
The majestic palaces, cathedrals, churches and other buildings, built by famous architects, decorate St. Petersburg, such as: palaces of Stroganov, Menshikov, Anichkov, the Triumphal Arch and St. Isaaks Cathedral, erected by Montferrand. St. Isaaks Cathedral is one of the most beautiful cathedrals, from the observation place of which one can see the panorama of the city.
One cannot forget to mention the Smolny Institute and the Smolny nunnery, masterpieces of Rastrelli. Girls from aristocratic families studied and lived in the institute.
A lot of bridges cross the Neva, the Fontanka, the Moika and the canals, but the Anichkov Bridge is the most beautiful one.
St. Petersburg inspired many of our great poets, writers, painters, sculptors, composers and actors. Much of the life and work of Lermontov, Griboyedov, Pushkin, Belinsky, Glinka, Chaikovsky, Repin and Kramskoi was connected with the city.
Citizens, tourists and guests enjoy visiting the suburbs of St. Petersburg: Petergof, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, Lomonosov with their wonderful palaces, parks and fountains.
Task 1. Each country has various museums and art galleries. Read about Russia's best known museums. Fill in the necessary words.
| a house to house a collection to collect | an exhibition - an exhibit to exhibit a display to display |
The Russian museum
The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg is a world treasure _____ of Russian art. It _____ more than 300,000 items. The first state museum of Russian art _____ in the Mikhailovsky Palace in March 1898.
The _____ of Russian art is rich. Here there _____ tens of thousands of drawings and water-colours. The _____ of the Russian Museum include almost 9,000 works of paintings of famous Russian artists. The visitors to the Museum today can see the world famous _____ of Russian art in its _____ halls.
The Russian Museum also _____ sculptures and engravings (). The rich _____ of numerous items of Russian works of art _____ in its 120 rooms.
| house collection | painting sculpture | handicraft textiles | furniture culture | art |
The Hermitage
It's a treasure-_______ of world _______ and ________. It's one of the biggest ______ in the world that contains two million seven hundred thousand _______. It contains rich ________ of the art of all ages. Here are exhibited the _______ of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt and other masters; _________ by Michelangelo, Bernini, Falconet and others. There are also wonderful ______ of drawings, popular art, ______ work as _______, gold and silverware (), _____.
