English proverbs and sayings

1. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

2. A new broom sweeps clean.

3. Business is business.

4. Everything is good in its season.

5. East or West, home is best.

6. Better late than never.

7. Manners make the man.

8. He laughs best who laughs last.

9. Honesty is the best policy.

10. A little pot is soon hot.

11. To cut a long story short …

12. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

13. The proof of the pudding is in its eating.

14. Well begun is half done.

15. It’s early bird that catches the worm.

16. Out of sight, out of mind.

17. No pains, no gains.

18. Haste makes waste.

19. As you sow, so you will mow.

20. Joy and sorrow are as near as today and tomorrow.

21. Where there’s will, there’s a way.

22. Wealth is nothing without health.

23. Birds of a feather flock together.

24. A creaking door hangs long.

25. Every man has his hobby horse.

26. Don’t count chicken before they are hatched.

27. Be just before you are generous.

28. Neither rhyme, nor reason.

29. Eat at pleasure, drink with measure.

30. The game is not worth the candle.

 

 

POEMS

Weather

When the weather is wet

We must not fret, –

When the weather is cold,

We must not scold.

When the weather is warm

We must not storm, –

But, be thankful together

Whatever the weather.

 

The twelve months

By Christina Rossetti

 

January with cold is set,

February is chill and wet.

March wind often rages,

In April weather changes.

Pretty flowers come in May,

Sunny June brings longest day.

In hot July the skies are clear,

Then August with corn is here.

For fruit September opens the way,

October sweeps the leaves away.

Next enters grey November

And, lastly, snowy December.

 

* * *

Thirty days have September,

April, June and November,

All the rest have thirty-one;

February has twenty-eight alone,

Excepting leap-year, that’s the time

When February’s days are twenty-nine.

The invitation

By P.B. Shelly

Away, away from men and towns,

To the wild woods and the downs –

To the silent wilderness

Where the soul need not repress

Its music lest it should not find

An echo in another mind,

While the touch of Nature’s mind,

While the touch of Nature’s art

Harmonizes heart to heart.

 

Around the world

In India you wear a sari,

You wear sandals in safari,

You wear wooden shoes in Holland

And purple leather shoes in Poland.

A brown windmill moves its hands

And farmers feed their sheep and lambs.

You wear a parka in Lapland,

Where winter seems to have no end.

A round igloo is so white

And sparkling in the polar night.

 

The questionnaire “ABOUT MYSELF”

Full name:

My age:

My birthplace:

The school I studied at:

Favourite subjects:

My family:

My friends:

Hobby (favourite occupation):

Likings (dislikings):

 

Some useful expressions

Let me introduce myself (Let me tell you about myself = I’d like to tell you about myself …)

I’m ….

My (first, second) name is ….

I was born at (in) ….

I studied at school № ….

My favourite subjects were (are) ….

My family consists of ….

We are three (four, five …) in a family: a father, a mother, a sister, a brother and myself (= I have …).

I’ve got many friends: ….

In my free time I’m fond of listening to music (watching TV, playing the guitar, reading books, studying, going shopping, going fishing, going hiking, dancing, sewing …)

Most of all I (dis)like Ving smth.

That’s all what I can tell you about myself.

 

MY FAMILY

Let me introduce myself. My name is Jackie. My full name is Jackie Rose. I am twenty-one and am in the 4^th year of the French and Russian department at Aberdeen University. I live on a farm in the North of Scotland in an area which attracts many tourists because of its beauty – the Scottish Highlands. It is a mountainous region with many lakes and can be very bleak in the winter. That is why the population is fairly small. Agriculture is the main occupation. My father is a farmer.

During the term-time I live in a university flat with five other girls and quite often go home at week-ends since it is only a hundred miles away.

My mother is a housewife and is always busy looking after the house – the garden and various animals. She is 50 and my father is 51. They both came from quite large families (my mother is one of six children and my father is one of four) so my two sisters, my brother and myself have many aunts, uncles and cousins. My mother’s parents are still alive, but we very rarely see them because they live on a small Scottish island quite far away.

My elder sister Margaret is almost twenty and works for my father in his office as a secretary. It is a well-paid job and she is very efficient but she does not really enjoy it because she works indoors all day. At heart she is a lover of outdoor life and would prefer to work with horses. Last year she trained to be a riding instructress but realized it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a job and since she had already done a year’s secretarial course when she left school at 17, she decided to work for my father.

Jane, my other sister, is seventeen and in her final year at school. Up to the last year she went to a boarding school in Aberdeen but decided to come home and spend her last year in Inverness at the local comprehensive school because she has so many animals to look after. She owns two of our four cats, has two sheep and also keeps several ducks. As can be seen Jane is very interested in farming and she wants to study agriculture at the university next year. It is perhaps not a very wise choice, since it is extremely difficult for girls to find jobs as farm managers.

The youngest member of the family is William, who is 16. He is at a boarding school near Perth, about 150 miles away and comes home once a term and at holidays. Choosing a career is no problem for him – he has always wanted to be a farmer and to take over business from my father. He is tall and strong for his age and works on the farm every holiday.

As can be seen, all my family (except for me) is very involved in farming. It isn’t surprising since both my father’s father and my mother’s father and their fathers before them were also farmers ­– it is a family tradition. Our family is slightly larger than average (apparently the average number of children in British families is 2). But since the age difference between the children is small we all get on very well with each other and with our parents. All in all, we’re a very happy family.

 

Vocabulary exercises:

I. Read the following words correctly:

To introduce, university, mountainous, agriculture, efficient, comprehensive, Jackie Rose, Aberdeen, Scotland, Scottish Highlands, Margaret, Jane, William, Inverness, Perth.

II. Translate the text into Russian orally paying attention to the words and word combinations in bold type. Copy them out into your copy book with their transcription and translation.

III. Give the English equivalents to the following Russian words and expressions:

Учиться на первом курсе, в течение семестра, привлекать туристов своей красотой, довольно малочисленное население, хорошо оплачиваемая работа, сельское хозяйство, основное занятие на ферме, ухаживать за животными, присматривать за домом, работать секретарем, семейная традиция.

IV. Translate the following sentences into Russian:

1. My cousin lives in a small village. His parents are involved in agriculture. Since the area is scarcely populated there is no secondary school in the village and the boy goes to a boarding school 30 km. away. He comes home at week-ends and during holidays. He is in his final year at school. As he is interested in farming he wants to study agriculture at the Academy next year.

2. Robert Burns, a famous Scottish poet, comes from a very large family.

3. Choosing a career was no problem for Helen. She has always wanted to be a teacher. Her mother works as an elementary school teacher and her father is a teacher of Mathematics. It is a family tradition.

4. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to find a job for the young people in Great Britain.

5. Schoolchildren of small village schools keep various animals and look after them. They also help their parents to work on the farm.

6. My grandmother is a housewife. During the whole day she is busy looking after the house and my younger sister. They get on very well with each other.

V. Find the synonyms:

1) attractive, university, average, small, efficient, fairly, career;

2) college, ordinary, rather, business-like, profession, little, beautiful.

VI. What is the opposite of:

Large, slightly, far, small, tall, rarely, strong, many, older, indoors, happy, often, well-paid.

VII. Combine the following words into sentences. Translate them into Russian:

1. introduce, name, myself, Jane, let, my, is, me.

2. university, the, am, in, at, the, the 2^nd, I.

3. alive, are, grandparents, my, still, see, rarely, them, we, but, because, they, away, quite, live, far.

4. sister, my, elder, as, works, teacher, a.

5. efficient, very, is, enjoys, her, she, work, and, she.

6. Britain, to find, it, difficult, job, in, a, is.

7. went, school, he, last, primary, up to, the, a, year, to.

VIII. Fill in the blanks with the necessary prepositions:

I am … the first year … the university. I have an elder brother and a younger sister. My sister Ann is … her final year … school. My brother works … an engineer … a farm. The area he lives … is only 50 km. away so he often comes to visit us … week-ends. He is married. His wife is always busy looking … the house and children. My grandparents live not far … them … the country. My cousin Peter is interested … farm-life and wants to study agriculture … the university … next year.

IX. Translate into English:

1. Нас было двое.

2. Сегодня у нас будет английский?

3. Дача моих дедушки и бабушки находится в 20 км от Москвы.

4. Зимний день очень короткий.

5. По воскресеньям мы все на даче. Это наша семейная традиция.

6. Мне восемнадцать лет, и я на первом курсе института.

7. Завтра у нас две лекции и семинар.

8. Сейчас 8 часов, у нас нет времени.

9. Отец моего отца тоже жил на ферме.

10. Прошлой зимой в Санкт-Петербурге почти не было снега.

11. Книга – на полке.

12. Это у них семейная традиция, да?

13. У нас с сестрой отдельные комнаты. Комната сестры очень просторная и светлая, так как в ней два окна.

14. Здесь только две ошибки, а не три.

15. У меня есть дедушка и бабушка – родители моей матери.

16. В этом шкафу только словари.

17. В комнате был стол, четыре стула и книжный шкаф.

18. Спросите его об этом.

19. Не разговаривайте так громко.

X. Translate into English:

1. Позвольте мне представиться. Меня зовут Николай.

2. Мне 18 лет. Я родился в Березниках и сейчас живу в Соликамске.

3. Я учусь на втором курсе в филиале Пермского государственного национального исследовательского университета.

4. Я не женат.

5. Моя семья маленькая, так как я – единственный ребенок в семье.

6. Я жил с родителями, когда учился в школе.

7. Моя мама – доктор. Мой отец – водитель.

8. Я очень общителен. У меня много друзей.

9. Мне нравятся веселая компания и вечеринки.

10. У меня есть чувство юмора. Мне нравятся шутки.

11. Я воспитан, и у меня хорошие манеры.

12. Я не люблю, когда люди лгут.

13. Мне не нравятся грубые, эгоистичные и глупые люди.

14. Я люблю слушать современную музыку.

15. Я увлекаюсь плаваньем и бегом, а зимой люблю кататься на лыжах и коньках, но у меня не так много времени для занятий спортом.

16. Иногда я трачу час или два на просмотр интересного фильма или программы новостей.

17. Вечером я часто читаю газеты или книги.

18. Мой любимый писатель – Пушкин.

XI. Answer the questions:

1. Where does Jackie Rose live?

2. Why does this area attract many tourists?

3. Jackie is in the 1^st year at Aberdeen University, isn’t she?

4. Where does she live during the term-time?

5. Does she often go home? How often?

6. What is her mother?

7. What is her father?

8. What is her elder sister?

9. What is her younger sister?

10. What is her brother?

11. What does her mother look after?

12. How old are her parents? Did they both come from quite large families?

13. Do they see their grandparents often or rarely? Why?

14. Does Margaret enjoy her work as a secretary? Why?

15. Why did Jane come home and decide to spend her last year at the local comprehensive school?

16. What is she interested in? What does she want to study at the University?

17. What career has William chosen? Is he at the boarding school in Aberdeen or near Perth?

18. What is the whole family involved in? Is it surprising?

19. Do the children of the Roses’ family get on well with each other and with their parents?

20. What is the average number of children in British families?

XII. Fill in the blanks and make up a story about your family (not less than 15 sentences). You can bring a photograph of your family:

1. My name is …. I am … (years old). I was born on … in ….

2. We are … in the family. I live with ….

3. My father’s name is …. He is … (years old). He is a … and he works ….

4. My mother’s name is …. She is … years old. She is a ….

5. I have a (younger/elder sister/brother). He/she is ….

6. We live in a …. There are … rooms in our flat: …. We have all modern conveniences: ….

7. I have my duties about the house. I must …, …, … and …. I always help my … about the house.

8. I studied at school number ….My favourite subjects at school were …, … and ….

9. Now I’m a first year student at ….

10. We have many subjects at …. My favourite subjects are ….

11. I enjoy watching TV. My favourite programmes are ….

12. I like to listen to modern music. I’m fond of listening to …. My favourite composer is ….

13. I like reading. I am fond of reading ….

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Though there are almost three thousand languages in the world, English is the most universal. It is the official language in over forty countries. We use English in international business, science and medicine. About 400 million people speak English as a mother tongue (700 million speak Chinese, 200 million speak Russian and 100 million speak German).

Even in the countries where English is not the first language, a number of English words are used. Words from no other language are borrowed more often than from English. Hundreds of words borrowed from English can be found in other languages such as soda, hotel, golf, tennis, jeans, OK, baseball and others. Many words are used as they are. Others are changed to make them more like native language, easier to say and remember.

English is everywhere. It is on signs, clothing, soft drinks and other goods around the world. In spite of their popularity, the English words and phrases are not always welcome. Some people think that the use of the English words is dangerous for the purity of their native language. But it goes without saying that English is still an international language. Some people believe that business would ruin more smoothly if everyone spoke the same language.

Languages have changed and disappeared throughout the history. This change is inevitable. But English words will continue to pop up everywhere, whether some people like it or not. English nowadays is the language of business, diplomacy and international relations. Most educated people speak English fluently. In most schools children start to learn English just from the first grade.

Join the people who want to speak English perfectly and you will gain a great advantage over others.

 

Vocabulary exercises:

I. Pronounce correctly:

Though, thousand, diplomacy, medicine, Chinese, advantage, an official language, international, German, science, a foreigner, inevitable, hotel, business, signs, an accent, to read, first, clothing, popularity, dangerous, advantage.

II. What is the Russian for?

To speak English as a mother tongue, a language teacher, to get a good working knowledge of a language, to be good at pronunciation, to speak English fluently and perfectly, to be borrowed, to be a language expert, to make a mistake, to learn a language, aspects of English (phonetics, lexicology, grammar).

III. Translate into Russian paying attention to the new words and expressions:

1. There are many words in Russian which are borrowed from the English language.

2. You’ll gain a great advantage if you are good at English.

3. Some people don’t want to lose the purity of their native language.

4. Linguistic schools have got all teaching aids: good libraries, language laboratories and listening centres.

5. It goes without saying that English is an official language and is used everywhere: in business, science and medicine.

6. A lot of English courses are glad to welcome you and give good knowledge of English.

7. Nowadays you can choose different language courses: they can be either for adults or for children.

IV. Make up 5 own sentences in English using new words and word combinations.

V. Fill in the blanks with a suitable word, expression or word combination: fluently, teaching aids, is used, are borrowed, in spite of, laboratories, popular, courses, a great advantage, popularity, listening.

1. The English language is very ….

2. … many textbooks in English, it is not easy to find a good one. A lot of new words … from English.

3. English … everywhere. Its … is obvious.

4. If you can speak English well, you gain … over others.

5. Our department of foreign languages has various …: language … and … centres.

6. Do you go to any English …?

7. Can you speak English …?

VI. Paraphrase the following sentences using new words and expressions from Vocabulary Notes:

1. Our language centre uses various teaching facilities.

2. Some people are sure that English is doing more harm than good to the Russian language.

3. My friend is in better situation: he can speak English well.

4. These English lessons are for adults.

5. Many medicine terms are taken from the English language.

VII. Translate inti English:

1. Английский – официальный язык во многих странах мира.

2. Английский язык используется везде: в бизнесе, науке, медицине.

3. Если вы пользуетесь лингафонным кабинетом и другими средствами обучения, вы будете говорить по-английски бегло.

4. Несмотря на мою занятость, я посещаю лингвистические курсы два раза в неделю.

5. В русском языке много слов, которые были заимствованы из английского языка, например: сода, теннис, аэропорт и другие.

6. Некоторые люди думают, что использование английского языка является опасным для чистоты русского языка.

VIII. Match the two parts of the sentences:

1. English is the official …

2. Today English is the language of …

3. If you want to speak English fluently, you can …

4. Words from no other language …

5. Hundreds of words borrowed from English …

6. In most schools children start …

7. Nowadays you can find English …

8. Some people believe that a great number of borrowings …

9. But, no doubt, English …

10. It goes without saying that business …

11. In spite of the popularity of the English words, they …

12. Join the people who want to learn English …

 

a. are borrowed more often than from English.

b. business, diplomacy and international relations.

c. to learn English from the first grade.

d. everywhere: on signs, clothing, soft drinks and other goods.

e. is still the international language.

f. are not always welcome.

g. join different English courses.

h. would run more smoothly if everyone spoke the same language.

i. can be found in other languages.

j. can be dangerous for the purity of the native language.

k. language in over forty countries.

l. and you will gain a great advantage over others.

IX. Complete the sentences:

1. The English courses have the most …, … and highly … teachers.

2. The foreign language courses have got the latest … …, such as language … and … centres.

3. You get the … in English families and hotels.

4. We offer: … English for adults, secretarial courses, … holidays courses for adults, … English courses for children.

5. You get a lively and … atmosphere for learning English.

X. Answer the following questions:

1. How many languages are there in the world?

2. What is the most important thing to learn in English?

3. Do you think it is possible to learn a foreign language perfectly?

4. Do you agree with the statement that English is everywhere?

5. How long does it take to get a good working knowledge of a language?

6. How important is it to speak correctly?

7. Do you think that musical people are good at learning pronunciation?

8. What is the best way to learn pronunciation (grammar, vocabulary)?

9. What is the most difficult (the easiest, the most interesting, the most boring) aspect of English for you? Why do you think so?

10. Can you think of anything in English that is not important to learn?

11. Why do some people think that English is dangerous for their native language?

12. What words which are borrowed from English can we find in Russian?

13. From what form do children start learning English?

14. Where can you study English besides schools?

15. Why are linguistic courses good for mastering fluent English?

16. Do you prefer British English, American English, or another kind of English? Why?

XI. Read the dialogue between the participants of the conference “English is around us” in parts and prepare your own dialogue on the topic:

Mr. Black: You insist on the idea to use English everywhere if possible: even to substitute some Russian words with English ones.

Mrs. Mock: Yes, you are right. English has become the most used language in the world. I’d like to point out that nowadays every educated person speaks English fluently. All respected companies employ people only with the English language knowledge.

Mr. Black: We’ve got a bit of problem here, you see. English is not our native language and we mustn’t drop down our own words. There are a lot of labels, advertisements, announcements which are given to us, the Russians, in English. What is the idea of it? I’m sorry to disagree with you but it’s ridiculous.

Mrs. Mock: Ridiculous? Not in the least. English is an international language. It is soft and beautiful. Besides this language helps us to be in the centre of the world’s activity …

Mr. Black: Look, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but English popularity is dangerous for the purity of the Russian language. I’m sure we even must eliminate English as the official language and save our native one.

Mrs. Mock: I have to say it, but we look at this problem from different points of view. We don’t share our thoughts on the question. That’s why our further conversation is out of the sense, isn’t it?

Mr. Black: Oh, all right. Let’s go to our colleagues and join them.

XII. Write a business letter (not less than 15 sentences) on one of the following topics (See Appendix 2):

1. The role of English in the modern world. Why learn English?

2. The problem of English words borrowed into Russian. Is it good or bad?

3. The problem of teaching English at schools. What school age is the most appropriate for starting English?

4. My experience in learning English.

5. How are you going to use English in your future work?