Text A. Let’s get acquainted

1. Read the text. To understand it better consult active vocabulary:

First of all, I’d like to tell you about myself and my family. I am Maksym Marchenko. Maksym is my first name and Marchenko is my surname. I am 17. In June I left school and became a student of the National University of Water Management and Natural Resources Use. I am a full-time first-year student of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer-Integrated Systems.

I can’t say that my family is large. I live with my parents and younger brother in Rivne. It’s a small provincial town in the west of Ukraine. Though I live with my parents I don’t see them very often. My Mum works for advertising agency. I think her job is much more interesting than my Dad’s. I get on very well with her, but sometimes she worries too much. My father is a bit of a workaholic. He works for a big company as a human resource manager. He works late hours, even weekends. He’s nice but when I go out he wants me to be back by 10 o’clock. My brother Mykola is a bit weirdie. He is 15. He spends most of his time on his skateboard. He has a bunch of friends who are all crazy about it. They spend hours practising. He is fond of computer games.

As for me I’ve just spent my second week at the University. I have been finding my way around the University and becoming accustomed to the curricula set for us for this academic year. My life has completely changed. I’m a lark by nature and used to live according to the saying “early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. But now my usual daily rhythm is changing. Slowly but surely I’m becoming an owl. Not so long ago I did things more efficiently in the morning but now I can hardly wake up. I’m always hurrying. Not to be late for the first class I take a route taxi, though I live not far from the University. After classes I walk home enjoying fresh air. It usually takes me only 20-25 minutes. At home after a short rest I do my homework. Usually I have a lot of work to do. Totally exhausted I go to bed late at night.

I have always been interested in information technologies. I’m used to regarding the computer as a great scientific achievement of our time. We can use computers for so many things – chat on line, send emails, find information for our studies, find information about entertainment and travel, listen to or download music, shop, read about our interests, and certainly practise our English. Teens are more and more ready to learn English on the streets of cyberspace from their pen pals (friends) on the Internet. I’m not an exception! I also have a pen pal. His name is Mike Nilson. He is from the USA, from Boston. Mike is a second-year student of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I can chat online with my friend thousand of kilometers away. We have much in common. At least we both like computers, mathematics, reading and music. I received an email from him yesterday where he asked to write about my University. It goes without saying I shall send him email as soon as I’m free.

Active Vocabulary

2. Learn the following words and word-combinations to comprehend the text:

full-time student	студент стаціонару
first-year student	першокурсник
advertising agency	рекламна агенція
to get on	жити в згоді
human resource manager	менеджер з персоналу
weirdie	дивак
to be fond of …	захоплюватися чимось
lark	жайворонок
according to …	згідно з …
saying	прислів’я
slowly but surely	повільно, але впевнено
owl	сова
it usually takes me …	це зазвичай забирає
exhausted	виснажений
to mention	згадувати
teens	вік від 13 до 19 (включно)
pen pal	товариш по листуванню
exception	виняток
to have much in common	мати багато спільного
at least	принаймні
it goes without saying	певна річ

 

3. Are these statements true or false? If they are false, say why. Use the following phrases:

I can’t agree to this statement because…

Just the contrary…

I think …

To my mind …

 

1. Maksym Marchenko is a school boy.

2. He is going to become a student next year.

3. He is fond of computers.

4. Maksym’s Dad works for advertising agency.

5. His Mum is a bit of a workaholic.

6. She works for a big company as a human resource manager.

7. Maksym has got a younger brother.

8. Mykola spends hours practising English.

9. Maksym is living according to the saying “early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”.

10. He always walk to the University.

11. To improve his English Maksym always tries to watch CNN news.

12. Maksym has some pen pals.

13. He has much in common with his pen pal.

4. Study the text and answer the following questions:

1. How old is Maksym Marchenko?

2. Does he study or work?

3. Where does he study?

4. Where does his family live?

5. Is Maksym’s family large?

6. Who is the youngest in the family?

7. Whose job is more interesting?

8. What is Maksym’s father?

9. What is Maksym’s mother?

10. Why does he consider his brother a bit wierdie?

11. How long has Maksym been studying at University?

12. Is he living according to the saying “early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” now?

13. Why is he becoming an owl?

14. What is Maksym’s attitude to the computer?

15. What are the advantages of the computer?

16. How is he improving his English?

17. What is his pen pal’s name?

18. Where does Mike Nilson study?

19. What did Mike ask Maksym to do?

 

 

Text B. National University of Water Management and Nature Resources Use

Pre-text Exercises

1. Read the names of the faculties. Give Ukrainian equivalents:

Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer-integrated Systems;

Civil Engineering and Architecture Faculty;

Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resources Use;

Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship;

Faculty of Management;

Faculty of Water Management;

Hydrotechnical and Hydropower Engineering Faculty;

Faculty of Land Management and Geoinformation;

Mechanical and Heatpower Engineering Faculty.

 

2. Read the names of the specialities. Give Ukrainian equivalents:

Hydrotechnical Construction; Hydromelioration; Automobile Engineering; Hoisting Transport, Building and Land Reclamation Machines and Equipment; Mineral Mining Engineering; Logistics and Transport Management; Accounting and Audit; Finance; Management of Organization; Applied Mathematics; Human Resources Management and Economics of Labour; Ecology and Environmental Engineering; Land Management and Cadastre; Agrochemistry and Soil Science; Civil Engineering; Technology of Production of Building Constructions and Elements; Aerodrome and Highway Engineering; Heat and Gas supply and Ventilation; Town Planning and Development; Water Supply and Water Disposal; Automated Control of Technological Processes; Water Bioresources and Aquaculture; Architecture of Structures; Economics of Production; Heatpower Engineering; Geoinformation Systems and Technologies; Hydropower engineering.

 

3. Look through the email and answer the following questions:

1. What university is the letter about?

2. Is the history of the university described?

3. Are the faculties and specialities mentioned?

4. Are students’ everyday activities described?

5. Is the university campus described?

 

4. Read the email. To understand it better consult active vocabulary:

Date: Thu., 19 Sept. 2012 21:42:37

From: Maksym Marchenko<[e-mail]>

To: Mike Nilson <[e-mail]>

Subject: National University of Water Management and Nature Resources Use

Dear Mike,

Well, this is my third week at the University. Our group has already visited the University Museum. It gave me the idea of its history, structure, teaching staff, and students’ life. Let me tell you about my impressions.

The history of the University began in the year 1922, with the foundation of its forerunner Hydromeliorative technical school. Five years later it became a school of higher learning known as Kyiv Hydromeliorative Institute. In 1959 it was moved to the city of Rivne and granted the status of All-Republican Institute. In December 1995 the Institute was reorganized into the State Academy. In 1998 the Academy acquired the status of a University, with the title Rivne State Technical University. In 2004 the University was granted the highest status and now its title is the National University of Water Management and Natural Resources Use.

The University has become one of the leading scientific, educational and technological centres of Ukraine. It trains engineers and research workers for different branches of national economy. It is considered to be Alma-Mater for almost 50,000 specialists who work in Ukraine and abroad. The University enjoys national and international reputation for the contribution in scientific research and training of skilled specialists.

The University currently enrolls more than 15,000 day-time and correspondence students. They study at nine faculties:

Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Computer-integrated Systems;

Civil Engineering and Architecture Faculty;

Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resources Use;

Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship;

Faculty of Management;

Faculty of Water Management;

Hydrotechnical and Hydropower Engineering Faculty;

Faculty of Land Management and Geoinformation;

Mechanical and Heatpower Engineering Faculty.

A modular system of academic programmes has been introduced, following the example of the world's leading technological universities. In addition to engineering degrees in various specialisms, these programmes lead to the degree of Bachelor and Master. It takes four years to complete a course leading to the degree of Bachelor, five years to gain the degree of Engineer (Specialist) and Master. Students may specialize in 28 areas: Hydrotechnical Construction; Hydromelioration; Geoinformation Systems and Technologies; Automobile Engineering; Hoisting Transport, Building, Road and Land Reclamation Machines and Equipment; Mineral Mining Engineering; Equipment of Chemical Production and Building Materials; Heat Power Engineering; Logistics and Transport Management; Accounting and Audit; Management; Applied Mathematics; Management of Labour Resources; Ecology; Land Management and Cadastre; Agrochemistry and Soil Science; Civil Engineering; Technology of Production of Building Constructions and Elements; Aerodrome and Highway Engineering; Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation; Town Planning and Development; Water Supply and Water Disposal; Automated Control of Technological Processes; Water Bioresources and Aquaculture; Architecture of Structures.

Most of the faculties have day-time as well as correspondence departments. The term of study for day-time students lasts 4, 5 or 6 years. The academic year runs from September till June and is divided into two terms: Autumn and Spring, and it has two vacations. During the term students have to attend lectures, classes and seminars. The study of theory is usually accompanied by practical training. At the end of each term our students take exams, tests and hand in yearly projects. At the end of training they defend their diploma projects. Advanced students may defend them in a foreign language.

Today, our University has a teaching and research staff ofover 700 professors, associate-professors, senior and junior lecturers, who offer many-sided and profound knowledge to their students. They are also engaged in research work. A lot of their inventions have been patented and introduced into production not only in Ukraine but abroad.

The University provides the requisite teaching, research and recreation facilities for its day-time students, postgraduates, lecturers and other staff. There are numerous spacious lecture theatres, laboratories, study rooms with up-to-date equipment, computer centres, design studios, etc.

The University campus is conveniently situated on two picturesque hills in the outskirts of Rivne. The location has the advantages of easy access to the railway and bus stations as well as to the main shopping centres, banks and cafes. The campus includes seven academic buildings; eight halls of residence, where suitable living accomodation is arranged; library and computing centres, which help students at every stage of their training; sport facilities, where students can enjoy the benefits of regular exercise. Full medical service is available in health centre.

The University offers an enormous range of arts activities. Anyone who enjoys singing and dancing can join the University choir, music, song and dance groups.

Our University, one of the prestige higher educational institutions in Ukraine, is highly rated by young people.

 

With best regards,

Maksym

P.S. I’d like you to write about your Institute:-)

Active Vocabulary

1. Learn the following words and word-combinations to comprehend the letter:

to be founded/foundation	заснувати /заснування
to grant the status	надати статус
to acquire the status	набути статусу
research workers	наукові співробітники
to consider	вважати
abroad	за кордоном
to enjoy reputation	мати репутацію
skilled specialist	кваліфікований спеціаліст
to enroll	нараховувати
day-time department	денне (стаціонарне) відділення
correspondence ~	заочне відділення
modular system	модульна система
to complete a course	завершити курс
to gain a degree	отримати ступінь
to last	тривати, продовжуватись
to run from... till...	тривати з... до...
to attend classes	відвідувати заняття
to be accompanied by	супроводжуватись
to take/pass exams	складати іспити
yearly project	курсова робота
staff	штат
associate-professor	доцент
profound	глибокий
to be engaged in...	займатися
to patent	запатентувати
requisite	відповідний
recreation	відпочинок
undergraduate	студент
graduate	випускник
postgraduate	аспірант
to graduate from	закінчувати університет
lecture theatre	лекційний зал
access	доступ
hall of residence	гуртожиток
to be available	бути доступним
to offer	пропонувати
choir	хор
prestige	престиж, престижний
to be highly rated	мати високий рейтинг
maturity	зрілість
to train specialists	готувати спеціалістів
term	семестр
dean’s office	деканат
to face the test	стояти перед випробуванням
forerunner	попередник
study building	навчальний корпус

 

2. Are these statements true or false? If they are false, say why. Use the following phrases:

I can’t agree to this statement because …

Just the contrary …

I think …

To my mind…

 

1. The National University of Water Management and Natural Resources Use is 70.

2. It was founded in Rivne.

3. It acquired the status of a university in 1998.

4. The University trains engineers and researchers.

5. The University currently enrolls more than 25.000 students.

6. There are eight faculties at the University.

7. The University graduates can gain the degree of Bachelor, Specialist and Master.

8. They can specialize in 32 areas.

9. At the end of every academic year students defend their diploma projects.

10. The University provides the requisite teaching, research and recreation facilities.

11. The campus is situated in the centre of the city.

12. The University is highly rated by young people.

3. Study the letter and answer the following questions:

1. When was the University founded?

2. When was it moved to the city ofRivne?

3. What status did the University acquire in 2004?

4. What specialists does the University train?

5. Why does the University enjoy national reputation?

6. How many students study here?

7. How many faculties are there at the University?

8. What degrees does the University offer?

9. When does the academic year begin and finish?

10. What do the students usually do during the term?

11. What is the teaching and research staff of the University?

12. Where is the campus situated?

13. What does the campus include?

14. What activities does the university offer?