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Unit I: MY FAMILY
TEXT A
Vocabulary
good-looking- , to go in for smth- -
slim- opinion-
experienced- , upbringing-
to take care of smb- - broad-shouldered - she is good at cooking to play the guitar- she is clever with her hands- to repair -, to tidy -, twins-
pensioner- to run the house -
to take to pieces- to knit -
to manage -, , accountant -
wheels and screws - scientist -
to fix -, vacuum cleaner - nursery school - washing machine- osmonaut - fridge -
in pieces- views on smth-
fair-haired- even-tempered -
to have much in common- horror film-
and what not- ,
to be fond of smth- -o
to be deeply attached to smb- -
to be in good mood -
to get on well - ,
to take after- , -
soap opera- ,
to be handy with smth - -, -
MY FAMILY
I am Alex Sidorov. Alex is my first name and Sidorov is my surname. I am seventeen years old. I want to tell you a few words about my family. My family is large. Ive got a mother, a father, a sister, a brother and a grandmother. We are six in the family.
My mother is a teacher of biology. She works in a college. She likes her profession. She is a good-looking woman with brown hair and green eyes. She is forty-four but she looks much younger. She is tall and slim.
My father is a computer programmer. He is very experienced. He is a broad-shouldered, tall man with fair hair and grey eyes. He is forty-six. My father often sings and when we are at home and have some free time, I play the guitar and we sing together. My father knows all about new radio sets and likes to repair old ones. He is also handy with many things. When he was small, he liked to take everything to pieces. My grandmother told me a story that once my father tried to repair their kitchen clock. He managed to put all the wheels and screws back again but the clock did not work. They had to give it to a repairman. But that happened a long time ago. Now he can fix almost everything: a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a fridge and what not. Hes got a few shelves where he keeps everything he needs. On the table theres always a radio in pieces.
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My parents have been married for twenty-six years. They have much in common, but they have different views on music, books and films. For example, my father likes horror films and my mother likes soap operas. My father is fond of tennis. My mother isnt interested in sports. But my parents have the same opinion about my education and upbringing.
My parents are hard-working people. My mother keeps house and takes care of me and my father. She is very good at cooking and she is very clever with her hands. She is very practical. My father and I try to help her with the housework. I wash the dishes, go shopping and tidy our flat.
My grandmother is a pensioner. She lives with us and helps to run the house. She is fond of knitting.
My sister Helen is twenty-five. She is married and has a family of her own. She works as an accountant for a small business company. Her husband is a scientist. Theyve got twins: a daughter and a son. They go to a nursery school.
My brother Boris is eleven. He is a school-boy. He wants to become a doctor but he is not sure yet. Three months ago he dreamed of being a cosmonaut.
I think I take after my father. Im tall, fair-haired and even-tempered. I always try to be in good mood. I am a first year student. This year I have entered Samara University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. I am interested in general engineering subjects. I like maths, chemistry, computer engineering, physics.
Weve got a lot of relatives. We are deeply attached to each other and we get on very well.
Exercise I
Answer the questions:
1.What is your first name? What is your surname?
2.How old are you?
3.When is your birthday?
4.Is your family large? How many are you in the family?
5.Have you got any brothers or sisters?
6.What are your parents? Where do they work?
7.How long have your parents been married?
8.Do they have much in common?
9.Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
10.What sort of things do you do together?
11.Do you go out with your parents?
12.Who runs the house in your family?
13.What are your household duties?
14.What is your fathers hobby?
15.Can you describe your mother?
Exercise II
Read the dialogue and translate it:
-Hello, Ann!
-Hello, Kate! Havent seen you for ages! Meet my fellow student Lena.
-How do you do! Glad to meet you, Lena. Are you from St.Petersburg?
-No, Im from Moscow. My family lives there too.
-Do you live in the hall of residence or rent a room?
-Neither. I live at my sisters. She has a nice three-room flat not far from the center of the city.
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-You are lucky. Is your sister married?
-Oh, yes. She is married and has a daughter already.
-What is her husband?
-He is a manager.
-And is your sister also a manager?
-Oh, no, she is a teacher of English.
-Do your like St.Petersburg, Kate?
-Yes, I do. All members of my family live in St.Petersburg.
-And is your family large?
-Rather. We are five: my parents, a grandmother, my younger brother and me.
-Does your grandmother work?
-No, she is a retired pensioner. She is in her late sixties. But she does a lot of housework.
-Is your brother still at school?
-Yes, he is. He is leaving school this year. He is seventeen.
-What is he going to be?
-His dream is to be an actor. He is a great theatre-lover.
Exercise III
You want to know something about your groupmates. Think of the questions you would like to ask them (their family, native town, favorite subjects at school and at the institute, hobbies, sports, TV, cinema, books, friends, future plans, etc.) Make up a dialogue in pairs.
TEXT B
THE AMERICAN FAMILY
Belonging to a family is one bond almost everyone in the world shares, but family patterns vary from country to country. The United States has many different types of families. While most American families are traditional, comprising a father, mother and one or more children, 22.5 percent of all American families in 2001 were headed by one parent, usually a woman. In a few families in the United States, there are no children. These childless couples may believe that they would not make good parents; they may want freedom from the responsibilities of child-rearing; or, perhaps they are not physically able to have children. Other families in the United States have one adult who is a stepparent. A stepmother or stepfather is a person who joins a family by marrying a father or mother.
Americans tolerate and accept these different types of families. In the United States, people have the right to privacy and Americans do not believe in telling other Americans what type of family group they must belong to. They respect each other's choices regarding family groups.
Families are very important to Americans. One sign that this is true is that Americans show great concern about the family as an institution. Many Americans believe there are too many divorces. They worry that teenagers are not obeying their parents. They are concerned about whether working women can properly care for their children.
Families give Americans a sense of belonging and a sense of tradition. Families give Americans strength and purpose.
Families serve many functions. They provide a setting in which children can be born and reared. Families help educate their members. Parents teach their children values - what they think is important. They teach their children daily skills, such as how to ride a bicycle. They also teach them common practices and customs, such as respect for elders and celebrating holidays. The most important job for a family is to give emotional support and security.
Exercise I
Answer the following questions:
1. What types of families are there in the USA?
2. What is the attitude of Americans to the types of family groups?
3. Why is a family important to Americans?
4. Why do some couples prefer to be childless?
5. What sense do families give to Americans?
6. What functions do families serve?
7. What is the most important job for a family?
Exercise II
Put all types of questions to the text.
Exercise III
Give Russian equivalents to the following word combinations:
Family patterns, childless couples, responsibility of child-rearing, stepparent, the right to privacy, a sense of tradition, to earn money, emotional, support and security, family groups, to obey the parents, daily skills, good relationship, to teach daily skills, respect for elders, emotional support, concern about the family as an institution.
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Exercise IV
Give English equivalents to the following word combinations:
, , , , , , , , , , , , .
Exercise V
Make up your own topic ABOUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.
UNIT II: OUR UNIVERSITY
TEXT A
Vocabulary
highly-qualified - tutorials
state supported - to attend -
to dmit (into) - post-graduate courses -
to study (at) - faculty - to provide - to offer -
elements of machines - leisure -
town planning - to acquire -
well-equipped science and engineering
to depend (upon) supervision -
course of study examination period -
particular - to make up - curriculum variety of ,
intense - dormitory -
academic year grant -
general engineering subjects
strength of materials
computer engineering
to meet requirements ()
water supply and sewerage
research -
SAMARA UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
There are many higher educational establishments in Samara. The University of Architecture and Civil Engineering is one of them. It trains highly-qualified specialists for the construction and service industries.
The University was founded in 1930. Its a state supported institution. This means the tuition is free.
To be admitted into the University applicants are to pass entrance examinations. Students are able to study at full-time or extra-mural departments.
The University is a federal organization comprising Institutes: Institute of Ecology and Engineering Life Support Systems, Institute of Economics and Management, Institute of Architecture and Design, Construction Institute, Institute of Pre-Higher Education.
There are ten faculties at the University: Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Design, Faculty of Industrial and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Construction Engineering, Faculty of Transport and Town Development, Faculty of Engineering Life Support Systems, Faculty of Engineering Economics, Faculty of Information Systems and Technologies, Correspondence Engineering Faculty and Correspondence Faculty of Economics.
The University provides training in specialties such as civil engineering, heating, ventilation and gas, water supply and sewerage, power construction, town planning, building materials, production of precast units, etc.
The University has a big library, many classrooms, well-equipped labs, a big computer center, an assembly hall and a canteen.
The course of studies lasts 5 6 years depending upon the particular faculty or department requirements.
The higher education curriculum is very intense and students have to work hard to meet its requirements. The academic year in Russias higher educational institutions begins on the first of September and is divided into two semesters. During this time students attend lectures, seminars and tutorials in many different subjects. The first- and second- year students study general engineering subjects such as maths, physics, chemistry, mechanics, strength of materials, elements of machines, drawing, computer engineering, a foreign language as well as a number of other subjects.
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Specialization begins in the third year with further subjects available. The students acquire not only theoretical knowledge of construction science and engineering but also obtain production experience. They do practical work under the supervision of specialists. At the end of each semester students obtain credits and take exams. Those who do well receive grants. On graduating from the University our students receive a special higher-school certificate.
The graduates with an inclination towards research work have the opportunity to continue their studies at post-graduate courses.
However, studies are not the only thing that makes up a students life. The University offers a variety of leisure facilities. The University has a big sports complex for those who go in for sports. Students from out of the city live in the dormitory or in privately rented accommodation. Most students find it interesting but difficult to study at the University, especially the first-year students as they do not know how to organize their work and time.
Exercise I
Answer the following questions using the vocabulary from the text.
1. What is the full name of the University you study at?
2. When was it founded?
3. How many faculties are there at the University? What are they?
4. What should one do to become a student?
5. Why do some people choose the extra-mural department?
6. What specialists does the University train?
7. What subjects do students study in the first and second years?
8. When does specialization begin?
9. Do all students pay for their tuition?
10. Most students get grants, dont they?
11. Where can students out of the city live?
12. Why have you chosen the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering?
13. What did you do to be admitted into the University?
14. Are you a full-time student?
15. How much do you pay for your tuition?
16. Do you receive a grant?
17.What faculty do you study at?
18.What qualification does the University award?
19. What do you plan to do when you graduate from the University?
20. What do you think your chances are in that field?
Exercise II
Give synonyms to the following words and word-combinations:
University, to train, construction, to study, to provide, auditorium, structural materials, to sit for examinations, to work hard, to begin, to acquire, scientific work, chance, canteen, to found, to graduate, work.
Exercise III
Give antonyms to the following words and word-combinations:
Full-time department, private, to be able to, to begin, to work, a foreign language, theoretical, at the end of, to pass ones exam, town.
Exercise IV
Translate from Russian into English:
1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. , ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
Exercise V
Read the dialogues and translate them:
Dialogue 1
A.: What faculty do you study at?
B.: At the faculty of Construction Engineering.
A.: What will your future profession be?
B.: Building Industry.
A.: Are you satisfied with your profession?
B.: Oh, yes, I am. I work in it now and soon Ill be a very good specialist.
Dialogue 2
A: You are a second-year student, arent you?
B: Yes, I am. But why are you asking me about it?
A: Because Ive missed the whole year and now want to attend lectures for second-year students.
B: We are going to have a lecture on Strength of Materials in a few minutes. Lets go with me. A: Is it the first lecture?
B: Yes, it is the very first lecture.
Dialogue 3
A: What lectures have you got today?
B: A lecture on maths and English practical classes.
A: What was our homework for today?
B: Three exercises in writing and the retelling of the text.
A: Will you give me the exercises to copy?
B: Certainly. I will. And what about the oral task?
A: Oh, I know the text perfectly well, but I havent done the written exercise.
Exercise VI
Speak on the topic Samara University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
TEXT B
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COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Higher education is given in colleges and universities. There are about 3000 institutions of higher education in the United States. Some of them are public, others are private. A public institution is owned and operated by a government. The cost of education in private institutions is paid by the students. Approximately 700 of all private institutions are controlled by religious groups.
More than 30% of young American adults attend college. Each college or university in the USA has its own requirements for admission. Most of them require students to take a standard entrance exam. In addition some colleges require a personal interview.
The most common college degree is a bachelor of arts, or a B.A. degree. This degree usually requires four years of study. During the first two years, a student often takes liberal arts courses to receive a general education. Liberal arts courses include the study of literature, languages and history. Then, in the last two years of college, a student focuses on major subjects, his or her specialization. Then the students may go on studying, and with a year or two of further study get a masters degree. After another year or two of research, they may get a still higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Higher education trains people to become teachers, engineers, dentists or do other professional work.
A university is larger than a college. The most well-known universities in the USA are Columbia and Michigan, Cornell, Nee York and Buffalo.
Tuition and living costs at a state university might be about 1000 dollars a year. Private universities are even more expensive.
Students are classified as freshmen (first-year students), sophomores (second-year students), and juniors (third-year students). All the students who have graduated from the senior class are called advanced students or graduate students. Some graduate students get grants or stipends, which cover the cost of their education.
Exercise I
Find the equivalents of the following Russian words and word combinations in the text:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
Exercise II
Arrange these words in suitable pairs
bachelor courses
higher for admission
attend students
private education
requirements interview
entrance exam
liberal arts studying
go on stipends
graduate college
get of arts
personal universities
Exercise III
Translate the words and word combinations in brackets using their equivalents from the text:
- There are about 3000 ( ) in the USA.
- The cost of education ( ) is paid by the students.
- Most colleges and universities require students to take a ( ).
- The most common college degree is ( ).During the first two years students take ( ) to receive a general education.
- In the last two years of college students ( ).
- Students graduate from the college with the degree of ( ).
- University students are classified as (, , ).
- Some graduate students get ( ).
