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НОВОСИБИРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ АГРАРНЫЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ

НОВОСИБИРСКИЙ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННЫЙ АГРАРНЫЙ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ

AROUND THE ENGLISH SPEAKING WORLD

Методические указании no английскому языку.

Часть I

Новосибирск 2004

Кафедра иностранных языков

" Around the English speaking world" Методические указания по английского языка /Новосиб. гос аграр уни - т; Сост: Г. В. Титова, Е. Ю. Плешивцева, Н. В. Константинова. Новосибирск, 2002.

Рецензент: старший преподаватель О. В. Подоксенова

Данные методические указания предназначены для студентов института заочного обучения и повышения квалификации.

Целью данных указаний является совершенствование навыков устной речи на основе текстов страноведческого характера.

Для активизации изучаемого материала после каждого текста предусмотрены лексико-грамматические упражнения и задания.

Утверждены и рекомендованы к изданию методической комиссией факультета государственного и муниципального управления (протокол № 1 от 19 декабря 2003 г).

© Новосибирский государственный аграрный университет, 2004

LESSON 1

GOLDEN JUBILEE: 50 YEARS ON THE THRONE

Once upon a time, exactly 50 years ago, a beautiful young princess became queen. To mark this event the British government has declared 2002 to be the Golden Jubilee Year.

The celebrations to honour Elizabeth II's 50 years on the throne started in April and will continue throughout the rest of the year, but the most important and spectacular ceremonies took place at the beginning of June.

Many people say that the monarchy is no longer popular. Many sceptics had predicted that people would be interested only in the World Cup and all summer planned ceremonies and street parties would leave them indifferent. Even weather forecasters had predicted rain on the Queen's parade. They were all wrong.

The sun came out and so did millions of people, singing and dancing in the streets. It was an astonishing show of love for the Queen, which proved that respect for the Royals is stronger than ever.

The Golden Jubilee weekend began on Saturday evening with the first concert ever held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. The Royal family and 12, 000 people who had been lucky to get the tickets were enjoying classical music. About 40, 000 people watched the concert broadcast on huge screens around the gates and in nearby parks.

At the end of the concert the whole audience stood and turned towards the Queen to sing GOD SAVE THE QUEEN:

God save our gracious Queen,

Long live our noble Queen……

The Queen spent the next day at Windsor where she attended          a church service and a Jubilee street party. To spread the Jubilee spirit around the nation Princess Ann and her husband attended a service Ayr in Scotland, and prince Charles and his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, went to St Mary's Church in Swansea, Wales.

William and Harry had hoped to watch Britain's game with Sweden at the World Cup, but they had to go to church instead. They were rather disappointed, but still after the service they were all smiles when they greeted over 3000 people who were waiting outside the church. William discovered that he was even more popular than England's football captain David Beckham. " We love you more than Becks”, screamed girls in the crowd.

Monday's biggest event was the huge “Party at the Palace”, a pop concert staged in the Queen's back garden at Buckingham Palace.

More than 12, 000 people watched it in the garden and about          15 million people in the UK and 200 million people all over the world watched it on television. This event can be called the greatest show of the century. After the concert Queen Elizabeth II led the Royal family on the stage to thank the performers. Charles gave a short speech. He began by addressing the Queen as " Your Majesty-Mummy", which brought more applause from the audience. Then he continued: " We are here tonight because we feel proud of you. Proud and grateful for everything you have done for this country and the Commonwealth over 50 years.... You have defended our laws and given us cause to shout a heartfelt GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. "

Immediately after the concert a breathtaking firework display began. A waterfall of fire cascaded down the walls of Buckingham Palace. In 15 minutes more than 2 tons of fire works were used. The display was followed by a spectacular laser show.

ACTIVE WORDS

EXERCISES

Ex l. Give English equivalents to the following:

Ex. 2 Give two forms (Past Simple, Past Participle ) of the following verbs in writing, translate them into Russian:

to hold, to become, to take place, to leave, to be, to begin, to stand,

to sing, to spend, to go, to lead, to give, to bring, to do.

Ex. 3 Translate into English in writing:

1. 50 лет назад симпатичная, молодая принцесса стала королевой.

2. Британское правительство объявило 2002 Золотым Юбилейным Годом.

3. Самые важные церемонии произошли в начале июня.

4. Это было удивительное шоу.

5. Первый юбилейный концерт прошел в субботу.

6. Королевская семья и 12 тысяч людей наслаждались классической музыкой.

7. Более чем 40 тысяч человек наблюдали трансляцию концерта на огромном экране в парке.

8. Королева провела день в городе Суонси.

9.   Принц Чарлз и его сыновья ездили в церковь Святой Марии в Уэльсе.

10. Они наделись посмотреть чемпионат мира по футболу, но были вынуждены поехать в церковь.

11. После концерта королева поблагодарила зрителей.

12. После концерта начался потрясающий фейерверк.

Ex. 4 Answer the following questions:

1. When did a young princess become queen?

2. Who declared 2002 to be the Golden Jubilee Year?

3. When did the most important ceremonies take place?

4. What have many sceptics predicted?

5. Were weather forecasters right or wrong in their predictions?

6. What did the show prove?

7. How many people enjoyed the first concert in Buckingham Palace?

8. What did the people sing?

9. Where did the Queen, her son and grandsons go?

10. What did William discover?

11. Who did the Queen thank after the concert?

12. What did Charles say?

13. What began after the concert?

Ex. 5 Put a general question and special questions to the following sentences:

1. The celebrations started in Great Britain in April in 2002.

2. The celebrations will continue throughout the rest of the year.

3. Spectacular ceremonies took place in June.

4. The monarchy is popular in the U. K.

5. Sceptics and weather forecasters were wrong.

6. Millions of people sang and danced in the streets.

7. 40, 000 people watched the concert broadcast around the gates and in nearby parks.

8. The Queen attended a church service.

9. The Queen's grandsons went to the church in Swansea.

10. Over 3000 people greeted William near the church.

11. Immediately after the concert a breathtaking firework display began.

LESSON 2

HOW TO BECOME A US PRESIDENT

American politicians say the way they elect president is one of the most open and democratic processes in the world. In some countries, the elections race takes just a few weeks, but in the United States, it Usually takes more than a year. " the road to the White House is a long road, " says George W. Bush.

THE RULES

According to the US Constitution, a president, must be elected every four years. To become a US president, you must....

• Be 35 or older.

• Be a US citizen born in the USA.

• Have lived in the USA at least 14 years.

You can only serve two terms. This means you can only be president twice. This became law in 1951.

Many Americans think that when they cast their ballot, they are voting for their chosen candidate. In fact, they are selecting electors. The US president is not chosen by a direct vote of the people. He is elected by the 538 electors that make up what is called the Electoral College. The Electoral College refers to the total number of " electoral votes' from all the states. Altogether, there are 538 electoral votes and a candidate must win at least 270 of them to win the presidency.

STEP 1: GET YOURSELF NOMINATED!

The first step on the long road to the White House is primaries and caucuses.

Voters all over the country go to the polls to help each political party decide on a single candidate.

STEP 3: THE CAMPAIGN

TV, radio, and print advertisements are EVERYWHERE! The candidates travel up and down the country, giving speeches and appearing on TV.

A lot of celebrities usually take part in the campaign. They sing songs, make speeches and make telephone calls asking people to vote for their candidate.

The election campaign is a costly thing.

STEP 4: GREAT DEBATES

The candidates face each other in national debates. They have to answer difficult questions - about taxes, education, foreign policy.. Did they answer all this questions? Did they make good points? Did they look smart?

STEP 5: THE ELECTION DAY

The election is always held on Tuesdays - the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. People in every state vote their choice for the new president.

STEP 6: MOVING -IN DAY!

On Inauguration Day, which is always held on January 20, Americans finally call the winner " Mr. President. "

There is usually a parade and the new president usually makes a speech about his plans for the US.

From now on the new president will live in the beautiful White House and earn $200, 000 a year.

Of course, his life isn't easy. The president has a lot of responsibilities and he must work very hard - in less than four years the race will start again.

EXERCISES

Ex. 1 Give English equivalents to the following:

а) политик, процесс, кандидат, выбирать, прямой, партия, печатать, речь, кампания, дебаты, политика, инаугурация, парад, платформа

б) путь, мир, гонка, дорога, в соответствии (с), служить, становиться, гражданин, дважды, закон, избирательный бюллетень, страна, решать, собираться вместе, создавать, реклама, произносить, речь, образование, внешняя политика, штат, победитель, зарабатывать, обязанность.

Ex. 2 Write the forms (Past Simple, Past Participle) of the following irregular verbs:

Ex. 3 Translate into Russian:

1. In the United States the election race usually takes more than a year.

2. To become a US president you must be a US citizen born in the USA.

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt became president in 1933 and was still president when he died in 1945.

4. The Electoral College isn't the usual kind of college with students and professors.

5. Americans have to choose from the list of candidates made by the party.

6. The party delegates create their party platforms.

7. George W. Bush spent $90 million on the election campaign.

8. The United States has two main political parties: The Democrats (the Donkey) and the Republicans (the Elephant).

9. The candidates answer questions about taxes, education, foreign policy, etc.

10. The president earns $200, 000 a year.

Ex. 4. Translate into English in writing:

1. В соответствии с Конституцией Соединённых Штатов, президент должен выбираться каждые четыре года.

2. В США избиратели выбирают кандидата из списка (list) кандидатов.

3. По всей стране избиратели идут на избирательные пункты.

4. Партийные делегаты выбирают своих кандидатов в президенты.

5. Кандидаты ездят по всей стране, произносят речи, выступают по телевидению.

6. Кандидаты должны ответить на сложные (трудные) вопросы.

7. Республиканцы обычно встречаются в Филадельфии.

8. Выборы всегда проводятся в первый вторник ноября.

9. Он четко выражает свою позицию.

10. Наконец, американцы называют победителя «Мистер Президент».

Ex. 5 Answer the following questions in writing (see the text):

1. How long does the election race in the United States last?

2. How often must a president be elected according to the US Constitution?

3 Do the Americans directly vote for their chosen candidate?

4 By whom is the US president elected?

5 What is the first step on the long road to the White House?

6 What do the party delegates gather for?

7 What do the candidates do during the campaign?

8 Is the election campaign a costly thing? Why?

9 What questions have to answer the candidates during great debates?

10 When is the election held?

I1 When is the inauguration held?

12 Where will the new president live?

13 How much money will he earn?

14 Is the president's life easy?

Ex. 6. Put general and special questions to the following sentences in writing:

1. The election race in the USA takes more than a year.

2. This became law in 1951.

3. Americans are selecting electors.

4. Voters go to the polls all over the country.

5. The democrats meet in Loa Angeles.

6. George Bush spent $90 million on the election campaign.

7. The election campaign is a costly thing.

8. The president must work very hard.

9. In four years the race will start again.

10. The president lives in the White House in Washington.

ACTIVE WORDS

PEOPLE, PLACES, CUSTOMS AND CULTURE

LESSON 3

WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING QUEEN?

Being Queen is a really busy job. Elizabeth II gets up early and starts work at 9 a. m. on the dot. She begins the day by looking through the newspapers. Then she reads letters from the public (she gets more than 1000 each week), and tells her staff how she would like them to be answered. The Queen has daily meetings with her Private Secretary who helps her to go through her paperwork, and lots of meetings with ambassadors, new judges, and bishops.

In the afternoon Elizabeth II often goes out on the public engagements - she gets thousands of invitations each year. She opens new hospitals, bridges and factories.

Being Queen is not a 9 to 5 job, and Elizabeth II has to work from early in the morning until late at night. And people watch her all the time.

Of course, she has some free time, and some private life, but less than most people. She has 4 children - Charles, Andrew, Edward and Anne. Although unfortunately, the children don't always bring their crowned mother happiness. This is especially true of Price Charles, who as the heir to the throne, gets smudged by the press more often than the others.

Her Majesty remains not only a symbol of the United Kingdom, but also the richest woman in the world. Her personal property is worth           14 billion dollars. And from her savings she earns a mere matter of       7, 9 million pounds per annum. She earns a bit more from bank percentages, valuable papers, leased land etc. Having such wealth, Her Majesty can allow herself a little weakness - having everything, down to the smallest hairbrush, made out of pure gold.

But she can permit herself other things too- such as preferring bacon and eggs to milk pudding. Also, the Queen has trouble putting p with tobacco smoke, banquets and long-winded speeches.

In her spare time Elizabeth II enjoys horse racing, fishing, and walking in the country side. She also enjoys photography and likes taking photos on her travels. In 50 years the Queen has been on 251 official visits to 128 different countries.

WORDS AND WORD COMBINATIONS

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. What are the English equivalents for (see the text):

работа, народ, штат служащих, ежедневно, ходить, общественное мероприятие, получать приглашение, свободное время, фотографировать, личная собственность, немного больше, иметь всё, вплоть до, мириться с чем-либо, с трудом, минута в минуту, приносить радость, банковские проценты, ценные бумаги, позволять себе что-либо

Ex. 2 Complete these sentences using the words and word combinations given in the brackets:

1. In the afternoon Elizabeth II often (to go out on public engagements).

2. Elizabeth II gets up early and (to begin the by looking through the newspapers).

3. Her Majesty (to have to work from early in the morning until late at night).

4. Of course, she (to have some free time).

5. She also enjoys photography and likes (to take photos on her travels).

6. The Queen can (to permit herself different things).

7. Her personal secretary (to inform the Queen about documents every morning).

Ex. 3. Say in what situations these words and word combinations are used in the text:

to get up, to look through the newspapers, daily meetings, public engagements, ambassadors, judges, thousands of invitations, free time, wealth, personal property, bank percentages, bacon, 4 children, to enjoy, official visits.

Ex. 4. Give an extensive answer to the following question: Why is being Queen a really busy job?

Ex. 5. Put a general and special questions to the following sentences:

1. Elizabeth II gets up early.

2. She reads letters from the public and tells her stuff how she would like them to be answered.

3. She gets more than 1000 letters each week.

4. The Queen has daily meetings with her Private Secretary.

5. He helps her to go through her paperwork.

6. Charles, Andrew, Edward and Anne are the Queen's children.

7. The Queen's personal property is worth 14 billion dollars.

8. She can allow herself a little weakness.

9. There is the ambivalent attitude of the Brits themselves towards their monarch..

10. The British people think that spending 172 thousand pounds per annum on maintaining the monarchy is perhaps a little expensive.

LESSON 4

ICE CREAM

Ice cream is an American tradition. George Washington spent $200 on ice cream during the summer of 1790. Thomas Jefferson brought a recipe for ice cream, made with egg yolks and an exotic spice called vanilla, back from France, and First Lady Dolley Madison served it often at the White House.

In 1846 a woman named Nancy Johnson invented - but didn't patent- an ice cream Freezer that made the making of ice cream at home practical, if not easy. A lot of ice, salt, and arduous hand cranking were required, plus a fair amount of patience while waiting for the ice cream to harden. Store-bought ice cream became available soon after. The treat was made even more convenient when it was first served in cones at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair.

Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry were the original options offered. Howard Johnson's upped the ante by advertising 28 flavors. Baskin-Robbins makes hundreds of flavors and has tried many others. Whatever their favorite flavor, Americans eat about 141/2 quarts of ice cream a year.

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Translate the text into Russian.

Ex. 2. Answer the following questions:

1.          How much money did George Washington spend on ice cream during one summer?

2. Who brought a recipe for ice cream back for France?

3. Who invented an ice cream freezer?

4.     What were the original options for ice cream?

5. How many flavors does Baskin -Robbins make?

6. Have you ever tried Baskin-Robbins ice cream?

7. How much ice cream do Americans eat a year?

8. Do you like ice cream?

Ex. 3. Give English equivalents to the following:

Рецепт мороженого, яичный желток, экзотическая приправа, становиться доступным, сделать более удобным, огромное терпение, подавать в стаканчиках, любимый вкус, первоначальные добавки, добавит к первоначальным добавкам, взбивать в ручную, в продаже в магазине.

LESSON 5

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

One of the most famous statues in the world stands on the island in New York Harbor. This statue is, of course, the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty is a woman who holds a torch up high. She symbolizes a welcome to a land of freedom. Visitors can go inside the statue. The statue is so large that as many as twelve people can stand inside the torch. Many more people can stand in other parts of the statue. The statue weighs 225 tons and is 301 feet tall.

 The statue of liberty was put up in 1886. It was a gift to the United States from the people of France. Over the years France and the United States had a special relationship. In 1776 France helped the American colonies gain independence from England. The French wanted to do something special for the U. S. centennial, its 100^th birthday.

Laboulaye was a well-known Frenchman who admired the U. S. One night at a dinner in his house, Laboulaye talked about the idea of a gift.

Among guests was the French sculpter Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi thought of a statue of liberty. He offered to design the statue.

Many people contributed in some way. The French people gave money for the statue. Americans designed and built the pedestal for the statue to stand on. The American people raised money to pay for the pedestal. The French engineer Alexander Eiffel, who was famous for his Eiffel Tower in Paris, figured out how to make the heavy statue stand.

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Translate the text into Russian.

Ex. 2. Answer the following questions:

1. Where does the statue stand?

2. What does it symbolize?

3. How many people can stand inside the torch of the statue?

4. Whose gift was the statue?

5. Whose idea was it?

6. Who designed the statue?

Ex. 3. Give English equivalents to the following:

Статуя свободы, держать факел, страна свободы, внутри статуи, подарок от кого-либо, особые отношения, обрести независимость, проектировать, пьедестал, собрать деньги, производить расчеты.

LESSON 6

IN GOD WE TRUST

" In God We Trust" is the motto used on all U. S. currency. It first appeared on a bronze two-cent piece in 1864 in response to a swelling of religious sentiment during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury salmon P. Chase chose the now-familiar epithet over several others, including " God Our Trust" and " God and Our Country".

The words were briefly removed at the suggestion of President Theodore Roosevelt, who believed that putting god's name on a coin was a sacrilege. But in 1908 the motto was restored by an act of Congress. It wasn't until 1957 that the saying was first seen on paper currency. In the 1960s a whimsical takeoff began appearing in stores: " In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash. "

EXERCISES

Ex. l Read and translate the text.

Ex. 2 Answer the following questions:

1. What is the motto used on US currency?

2. When did it first appear?

3. Did President Theodore Roosevelt like the idea of putting God's name on a coin?

4. When was the motto restored?

5. When did it first appear on paper currency?

Ex. 3. Give English equivalents to the following:

Деньги США, двухпенсовая монета, религиозное чувство, знакомый, эпитет, по предложению президента, было кощунством, бумажные деньги, эксцентричное подражание (карикатура), расплачиваться наличными.

LESSON 7

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

No matter how you celebrate your birthday, the odds are that someone will sing " Happy Birthday to You. " A 1995 survey found that 71% of Americans hear that song on their birthdays. The melody, now in the public domain, was published in 1893 with the words " Good Morning to All, " written by sisters Mildred J. Hill, a church organist, and Patty S. Hill, a schoolteacher. The " Happy Birthday" lyrics written by the sisters were copyrighted in 1935. Until the copyright runs out in2010, royalties must be paid for using these words at public performances. Fortunately, no fees are owed for singing them at private parties.

EXERCISES

Ex. l. Read and translate the text.

Ex. 2. Give English equivalents to the following:

В государственной собственности, исследования показали, церковный органист, получить авторское право, истекать (о времени), в публичном исполнении, не взимается плата, частные вечеринки.

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the most popular song on birthday?

2. When was the melody published?

3. Who wrote the words?

4. When were the 'Happy Birthday' lyrics copyrighted?

5. When does the copyright run out?

6. Must royalties be paid for singing this song?

LESSON 8

HALLOWEEN

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to antiquity. In mid-autumn the Celts would don masks to scare away evil spirits. The Romans had a fall festival to celebrate harvest-time, hence our pumpkins and apple-bobbing. In the ninth century Pope Gregory IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day and October 31 a time of vigil, or " Hallowed Evening. " Today children love the day because they can dress up and go from house to house collecting candy. Children tell each other eerie ghost stories, and some families turn their homes into haunted houses. Horror movies abound on television.

In recent years Halloween has become a social, and even a community, event - with costume parties, parades, and window-decorating contests. And with the multimillion-dollar Halloween costume and gewgaw business flourishing, one could say that Halloween is a season in its own right.

EXERCISES

Ex. 1 Read and translate the text.

Ex. 2 Give English equivalents to the following:

Восходить к древности, середина осени, отпугивать злых духов, осенний праздник, День Всех Святых, канун праздника, жуткие истории о привидениях, фильмы ужасов, в последние годы, состязания по украшению окон, процветание бизнеса, можно сказать, по праву.

Ex. 3 Answer the following questions:

1. When is Halloween celebrated?

2. Who was the first to celebrate this festival?

3. Why do children love the day?

4. Do you like horror movies or ghost stories?

Theme B. The English - Speaking Countries

LESSON 9

GREAT BRITAIN

GEOGRAPHY

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 5 thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244, 000 sq. km. The UK is made up of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The North Sea and the English Channel separate the British Isles from the European continent. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

SCENERY

The surface of the British Isles varies very much. There is a dramatic contrast between " highland" and " lowland' Britain. Highland Britain consists of Scotland, most of Wales, the Pennines, the Lake District. The Lake District contains the beautiful lakes. Lowland Britain comprises southern and eastern England. Mountains are not very high. There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain but they are not very long.

CLIMATE

The climate of Great Britain is mild, humid and changeable. The Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the weather on the British Isles/ The summers are cool and rainy; the winters are not very cold. This humid and rainy weather is good for plants.

POPULATION, NATIONALITIES AND LANGUAGES

The population of Great Britain is approximately 57 million. The UK is inhabited by the English, the Scots, the Welsh, and the Irish who constitute the British nation. The official language of the country is English. Besides standard literary English there are many regional and social dialects. The Scottish and Irish forms of Gaelic survive in some parts of Scotland and Ireland. Wales is officially bilingual, Welsh is spoken by about a fifth of its population.

GOVERNMENT

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. The Head of the State is a monarch. The monarchy is hereditary. Laws are made by Parliament which consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The present British monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. She succeeded to the throne in 1952. The Labour Party is the ruling party nowadays. The Prime Minister is Tony Blair.

CITIES

The capital of the UK is London. London is the world's 7^th biggest city. The capital of Wales is Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland is Cardiff and the capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast. The largest cities of Great Britain are: Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds.

REFERENCES

PLACE NAMES

QUESTIONS

1. Where is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland situated on?

2. How many countries make up the UK?

3. What can you say about the climate of Great Britain?

4. What cities of the country do you know?

5.   Who is the head of the state?

6. What does it mean < the Queen reigns, but does not rule>?

7. Have you been to an English-speaking country?

LESSON 10

THE USA

GEORGAPHY

The United States of America is the fourth country in the world (after Russia, Canada and China). It occupies the southern part of North America and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. It also includes Alaska in the north and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean The total area of the country is about 9, 4 million square kilometres. The USA borders on Canada in the north and on Mexico in the south.

STATES OF THE USA

The United States of America is a federal republic. The USA is made of 50 states and the District of Columbia. The latter is a part of Washington and it is a federal area governed by Congress. The American flag is known as " The Stars and Stripes". The 13 stripes represent the original number of states in 1776. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on the 4^th of July, 1776. It proclaimed the birth of a new independent state- the United States of America.

SCENERY

The USA is a country of great contrasts and similarities. We can see lowlands and mountains. The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, Cordillera and the sierra Nevada. America's largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri. The Great Lakes on the border with Canada are the largest and deepest in the USA.

CLIMATE

The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are in the north. The climate of Alaska is arctic.

THE PEOPLE

The population is 250 million, of which 81% are white,                12% African American, 2% Orientals (mainly Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino), 15 Native American and 4% of other races.

The US is one of the few countries in the world that has no 'official' national language. Major languages are American English and Spanish.

GOVERNMENT

The US is a federal union of 50 states, each of which has its own government, the seat of the central government is Washington, DC. According to the US Constitution the powers of the government are divided into 3 brunches: the executive, headed by the President, the legislative, exercised by the congress, and the juridical. The Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are two main parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic.

ECONOMY

The United States of America is a highly developed industrialized country. Shipbuilding, electronics, automobile industry, aircraft industry, space research are highly developed in the States. Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska is the richest farming region of America and it is known as the Corn Belt. The land is fertile and well watered. Farmers grow mostly corn and wheat there. Much livestock is also raised there.

AMERICAN CITIES

Over 75 % of the American population live in cities. There are many large and interesting cities in the USA.

One of them is Washington D. C. Washington D. C. , the capital of the united States of America, is situated on the Potomac River. Washington doesn't belong to a state. The city is named in honour of the first President George Washington.

Today New York is the largest city in the USA and one of the largest cities in the world with the population of 9 million people. It is a financial and advertising business centre.

Chicago with the population of more than three million is the second largest city in the USA. It deals in wheat and other grains, cattle meat processing and manufacturing.

Other big cities are Husten, an oil refining and NASA space research centre, New Orleans, a cotton industry, Los Angeles with Hollywood and many others

PLACE NAMES

QUESTIONS

1. What is the role of the USA in the world?

2. What is the structure of the country?

3. Does the USA have the variety of scenery and climate?

4. Where is the country situated on?

5. What cities of that country do you know?

6. Can you tell anything about industry and agriculture of the USA?

7. Have you ever been to America?

Составители: Титова Галина Васильевна

                 Плешивцева Елена Юрьевна

                  Константинова Наталья Васильевна

Методические указания по английскому языку

Редактор

Компьютерная верстка: Г. В. Титова, Н. В. Чернобровенко

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