Task 9. Practise reading the following dialogues. Then memorize and recite them in class.

- Excuse me, can you tell me the time? There is something wrong with my watch.

- Certainly. It's ten to nine by my watch.

- Your watch is right, isn't it?

- I am not quite sure. It may be two minutes fast.

- I see. Thank you.

***

- Come and see me tonight.

- I'm afraid I can't. I have a lot of things to do. But if it is urgent, I'll come.

- Oh, no. You may come any time you like.

***

- Excuse me, can I see Mr. Brown?

- Sorry, you can't. He is out for lunch. But he will be back very soon.

- May I wait for him here?

- Certainly. Will you take a seat, please?

***

- Hallo, Bob! How are you?

- Not so well, I'm afraid. I have a bad cold. It's a pity I won't be able to attend the lecture tomorrow. I have to stay at home.

- You needn't worry. You may have my notes.

- Oh, thank you very much.

 

Task 10. Express the following in English. Mind the modal verbs.

1. Вы можете и должны хорошо знать историю нашей страны.

2. Вы умеете кататься на коньках? – Нет.

3. Я не мог прийти, т.к. был занят.

4. не может быть, чтобы он написал такое письмо!

5. Мне нужно приходить сюда завтра?

6. Вы не должны опаздывать на занятия. Вы обязаны приходить вовремя.

7. нам пришлось долго ждать.

8. Вчера мне не нужно было идти в университет, поэтому мне не пришлось рано вставать.

9. Что делает Ник? – Он, наверное, смотрит телевизор.

10. Дети, наш концерт окончился. Вы можете идти домой.

11. Поезд должен прибыть через пять минут.

12. Тетя Поли больна. Вам бы следовало ее навестить.

 

Comprehension

Task 11. Answer the following questions using the information from the text “My Home University”:

1. How old is Tambov State University?

2. How many students study at Tambov State University?

3. How many majors does Tambov State University provide?

4. What subdivisions of Tambov State University can you recall?

5. What International programs does Tambov State University collaborate with?

6. What scientific degrees do the majority of the lecturers of Tambov State University have?

7. What Honoured Scientists of Russian Federation being your lecturers do you know?

 

Task 12.. Choose the most appropriate bit of information from the text “My Home University” for the following sentences:

1. TSU was founded on the basis of…

A. Tambov State Pedagogical Institute

B. Tambov State Institute of Culture and Tambov Music High School

C. Tambov State Pedagogical Institute and Tambov State Institute of Culture.

 

2. TSU is a … University.

A. pedagogical

B. classical

C. open.

 

3. All the Institutes and Academies of TSU have necessary facilities and modern equipment for …

A. study

B. scientific research

C. study and research.

 

4. Each term at the university is followed by …

A. stipend

B. a course paper

C. a session period.

 

5. Academic year lasts …

A. from September to January

B. from September to June

C. from September to May.

 

Task 13. Put T (true), F (false) or D (debatable) in the table:

 

Statement	T	F	D
1. Tambov State Pedagogical Institute is the basis of TSU.
2. TSU provides only training highly skilled specialists in humanities and natural sciences.
3. TSU offers many opportunities for graduates to study at a higher level - full-time and part-time.
4. TSU participates in many international programs.
5. There is no library at the University.
6. Many students live in rented rooms as there is no university hostels.
7. In buffets it is possible to have a bite.
8. The academic staff of the University consists of doctors of sciences.
9. All University hostels are very convenient and comfortable for living.
10. Full-time students study five days a week.

 

Task 14. Look at the text “My Home University” and think out the headlines for each paragraph. Make up a plan of the text.

 

Task 15. Make up a summary of the text “My Home University”.

 

Task 16. Using a plan of the text make up a topic “I am a student of Tambov State University”.

Additional reading

Task 17. Render the following text into Russian:

Open University

The Open University (OU) is the UK's distance learning university and has an open entry policy, i.e. students' previous academic achievements are not taken into account for entry to most undergraduate courses. It was established in 1969; and the first students started in January 1971. The majority of students are based in the UK, but its courses can be studied anywhere in the world. The administration is based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, but has regional centres in each of its thirteen regions around the UK. It also has offices in other European countries. The university awards undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates.

People from all walks of life and all ages take advantage of the OU; for most courses there are no entry requirements other than the ability to study at an appropriate level, though most postgraduate courses require evidence of previous study or equivalent life experience.

Approximately 70 percent of students are in full-time employment, often working towards a first (or additional) degree or qualification to progress or change their career, with over 50,000 being sponsored by their employer. The University is also popular with those who cannot physically attend a traditional university because they are disabled, abroad, in prison, serving in the armed forces, or looking after family members. About 10,000 OU students have disabilities.

Unlike other universities, where students register for a programme, at the OU students register separately for individual modules (which may be 10, 15, 20, 30 or 60 CATs points), and are known as 'courses' in the OU context. These courses may then be linked into degree programmes. The students' union is the Open University Students Association, usually abbreviated to OUSA.

The OU uses a variety of methods for distance learning, including written and audio materials, the Internet, disc-based software and television programmes on DVD. Course-based television broadcasts by the BBC, which started on 3 January 1971, ceased on 15 December 2006. Materials are composed of originally-authored work by in-house and external academic contributors, and from third-party materials licensed for use by OU students. For most courses, students are supported by tutors ("Associate Lecturers") who provide feedback on their work and are generally available to them at face-to-face tutorials, by telephone, and/or on the Internet. A number of short courses worth ten points are now available that do not have an assigned tutor but offer an online conferencing service (Internet Forum) where help and advice is offered through conferencing "Moderators".

Unit III. My working day. My week-end.

Lesson 5. My working day.

 

Pre-reading

 

Task 1. Think over, choose and explain your variant.

1. What do you think the daily routine gives us?

A. we can manage to do everything we plan to do

B. we try to avoid a fuss in our life

C. we aim to keep a healthy life-style

2. What does the daily routine consists of?

A. rational nutrition and hygiene

B. work and relaxation

C. both variants

3. What parts do we usually divide our days into?

A. a.m. and p.m.

B. home and work

C. morning, day and evening

 

Task 2. While reading decide whether it is useful when one has the daily routine to follow or not. Try to compare your own working day with the example given below.

 

Task 3. Read the following text:

My working day

On weekdays the alarm-clock wakes me up at 7.00 and my working day begins. I’m not an early riser, that’s why it’s very difficult for me to get out of bed. I switch on my CD record-player and do my morning Tasks. Then I go to the bathroom, take a warm shower and clean my teeth. After that I go to my bedroom to get dressed and comb my hair.

Usually my mother makes breakfast for me. But when she is away on business or just doesn’t have to get up early, I make breakfast myself. I usually don’t eat much in the morning – just a sandwich or two and drink a cup of milk or tea. While having breakfast, I watch the latest news on television. Then I take my learning tools (pencils, Task-books, text-books) and go to the University.

As a rule I leave the house at 8.00 and come to the university at half past eight, so it takes me about 30 minutes to get there by bus. Sometimes when the weather is fine and I have enough time I walk to the university. But when I am late for the first lesson my father drives me to the doors of our university building on the way to his work.

I have from 3 to 5 lectures and seminars in different subjects every time, depending on day. For example at the lessons of English we read and retell the texts, write Tasks, dictations or compositions. Usually I don't miss my classes because I want to pass my examinations successfully.

At twelve o'clock we have a big interval for lunch. That's my favourite time. That is the time to share the latest news with my friends. I prefer not to go to the canteen and often have lunch in a small cafe not too far from the university. At half past twelve we have to be back to our classes. We also have breaks of 10 minutes between the lessons. From time to time I have to stay at the university till late because I go to the library to get ready for my practical classes or to write a report.

After the lessons I come back home at about three or four o'clock where I have my dinner, wash up, rest a little and then do my homework. Sometimes I help my mother about the house if she needs my help. I sweep the floor, dust the furniture and clean the carpets with the vacuum-cleaner. Sometimes she asks me to go shopping or to help her in the kitchen. After it I have free time and start thinking about my ways of spending the rest of the day. If the weather is good I go for a walk with my friends or visit my grandparents who live nearby and if the weather is not good I stay at home and do some work and interesting things on computer.

In the evening I have supper with my family. I like such evenings very much because all of us get together after work and study and have the opportunity to talk and to discuss our family affairs. Late evening I like to play computer games or chat with my friends over the Internet. I may go to bed very late. But I always remember the proverb: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

That is my common working day and so by the end of the week I get very tired. All I can do on weekends is to sleep till eleven o’clock, watch television and listen to music. In the evenings I go to the cinema or to the club.

Vocabulary

Task 4. A. Find the English equivalents of the following Russian words and combinations:

- рано просыпаться/"ранняя пташка", вставать с постели, принимать душ, готовить завтрак, учебные принадлежности, занимать/отнимать (времени), опаздывать, пропускать занятия, выдержать экзамен, возвращаться, время от времени, подготовиться, свободное время, жить по соседству, собираться/встречаться, уставать.