Life in Big Cities. Problems of Megapolises

 

Modern urbanization, as we all know, is a very recent thing. Although the first cities arose some 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, the kind of metropolis or megapolis which we now accept as “normal” is a good deal less than a hundred years old.

Kingsley Davis, one of the best known students of the subject, said a few years ago: “Urbanized societies, in which a majority of the people live crowded together in towns and cities, represent a new and fundamental step in man’s social evolution. Clearly, the word as a whole is not fully urbanized, but it soon will be”. Frankly speaking, this spine-chilling prediction doesn’t arouse any positive emotions. At present seventy percent of the citizens of the United States, and comparable proportions in other industrial countries, live in cities occupying little over one percent of the total land space. This astonishing phenomenon became possible thanks to the tremendous development of modern science and engineering. People of the 21st century enjoy conveniences and comforts unimaginable some hundreds years ago. But every stick has two ends and modern civilization along with great conveniences and comforts gave birth to no less great problems that mankind confronts nowadays. And they are felt most acutely in megapolises.

The greatest of them is all kinds of pollution: land, air, water, noise. Where many people live together, there is always a problem of litter. Litter is garbage on the ground or in the street. About one third of the litter is packaging, that’s why some companies have begun to use a lesser quantity of packaging and replace plastic with paper. How long do you think litter lasts? A traffic ticket decays for about 1 month, a wool sock — 1 year, tin cans decay approximately for 100 years, plastic bottles — 500 years and glass containers — never.

Another source of pollution is industrial enterprises and traffic. The results of their activities poison the land, air and water. The consequences are as follows: we eat unhealthy food, breathe the air that contains dozens of toxic substances, drink bad water. The level of noise in big cities exceeds the norm several times. All this results in elimination of healthy biological habitat and no wonder that the health of our contemporaries leaves much to be desired despite the excellent medicine we have.

The car is a token of our civilization. We can’t imagine our lives without it, can we? But do you remember the story of Frankenstein, the professor, who created a monster that eventually led to his own destruction? It can so happen that mass-produced car, which was born in the early part of the twentieth century, is set to strangle us in the twenty-first! The car has had an awful impact on modern life. Lives in cities have become miserable because of traffic jams, noise, car exhaust and numerous accidents. The car pollutes environment while being produced, it endangers nature while being used and even the utilization of old cars threatens our health. And furthermore the deposits of oil resources are not boundless. What will happen to all these vehicles on our roads and streets when oil and coal supplies exhaust? So time has come to think of new types of engines and propellants to replace the now existing.

Another great threat for megapolises is global warming. Most big cities such as New-York, Tokyo, London, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco are located near ocean coastlines. In case the level of the ocean waters rises five or more meters they will disappear under the waters.

The people, who now inhabit the Earth, should think better before using all the ephemeral goods that our civilization provides us with. A life-style which puts primary emphasis on increasing the consumption of goods and services creates innumerable problems of pollution, tends to ruin the environment, hence the humanity itself. It would be wise to give the problems the humanity faces calm forethought, to put the main emphasis on the creation of permanent goods, that is to say, lasting improvements of the environment, excellent tools and equipment, health of soil, plants, animals and people, work opportunities which can be genuinely enjoyed, beautiful villages, towns and cities. Such a life-style would not require an economic system which, like today’s, would arouse insolvable problems. But it would make people really happy.

 

 

III. Answer the following questions.

 

1) How old are megapolises?

2) How many people in industrial countries live in big cities?

3) What made the existence of megapolises possible?

4) What are the problems which megapolises face?

5) How old do tin cans decay?

6) What phenomena further the destruction of man’s habitat?

7) What impact does the car have on modern cities?

8) Why is it high time to think of new types of cars?

9) What does global warming threaten megapolises with?

10) What way out of the established situation is suggested in the text?

 

IV. Match the two parts of the sentences.

 

1) The word as a whole is not fully urbanized…

2) This horrifying prediction doesn’t arouse…

3) Modern civilization gave birth…

4) One third of the litter…

5) The level of noise in big cities exceeds…

6) Lives in cities have become miserable because of…

7) The supplies of oil are not…

8) It would be wise to pay the greatest attention to…

 

a) …any positive emotions.

b) …to great ecological problems.

c) …the norm several times.

d) …but it soon will be.

e) …the aeration of permanent goods.

f) …boundless.

g) …traffic jams.

h) …is packaging.

 

V. Choose the correct option according to the text to complete the sentences.

 

1) Modern urbanization is a very … thing.

a) fast b) good c) recent d) unpleasant

 

2) The phenomenon of megapolises became possible … the development of science and engineering.

a) due to b) despite c) thank d) because

 

3) People of the 21st century enjoy comforts … some hundreds years ago.

a) possible b) unimaginable c) attractive d) desirable

 

4) Litter is … on the ground or in the street.

a) paper b) packets c) dirt d) garbage

 

5) Some companies have begun to … plastic with paper.

a) replace b) use c) produce d) utilize

 

6) Another … of pollution is traffic.

a) problem b) source c) solution d) supply

 

7) We breathe the air that contains a lot of toxic …

a) matters b) things c) substances d) elements

 

8) The level of noise in megapolises … the norm several times.

a) exceed b) prevails c) extends d) exceeds

 

9) We can’t imagine our lives … cars.

a) with b) in c) without d) out

 

10) The mass-produced car is set to … us in the 21st century.

a) string b) startle c) strive d) strangle

 

11) The car … environment on every stage of its existence.

a) enriches b) pollutes c) threatens d) decays

 

12) Gasoline vehicles will stop running when the supplies of oil …

a) exhaust b) exhausts c) limit d) discover

 

13) People use … goods that the civilization provides them with.

a) comfortable b) ephemeral c) high quality d) expensive

 

14) … problems of pollution tend to ruin the environment.

a) Innumerable b) horrible c) important d) incurable

 

15) Excellent tools and equipment, health of soil, plants, animals and people are … goods.

a) persistent b) permanent c) ephemeral d) necessary

СОГЛАСОВАНИЕ ВРЕМЕН

(SEQUENCE OF TENSES)

 

1. Если сказуемое главного предложения выражено глаголом в настоящем или будущем времени, то сказуемое придаточного предложения может стоять в любом времени, которое требуется по смыслу. Например:

 

	he studies English.		что изучает английский язык.
He says	he will study Englich.	Он говорит,	что будет изучать английский язык.
	he has studied Englich.		что изучал английский язык.

 

2. Если сказуемое главного предложения стоит в прошедшем времени, то сказуемое придаточного предложения должно стоять в одном из прошедших времен. Выбор конкретной видо-временной формы определяется тем, происходит ли действие в придаточном предложении одновременно с главным, предшествует ему, либо будет происходить в будущем. Например:

 

	he worked (was working)	работает.
He said (that)	he had worked (had been working)	работал.
	he would work (would be working)	будет работать.

 

В ряде случаев правило согласования времен не соблюдается:

1. В придаточных дополнительных предложениях, которые выражают общеизвестный факт или истину.

 

Не said that the 22nd of December is the shortest day of the year.

 

2. В придаточных дополнительных предложениях, сказуемое которых выражено глаголом в сослагательном наклонении.

 

It was demanded that the work be improved.

 

3. Модальные глаголы must, should и ought употребляются в придаточном предложении независимо от того, в каком времени стоит глагол-сказуемое главного предложения.

 

Не says (said) that I ought to write her a letter.

I told her that she should consult a doctor.

The teacher told us that we must learn this rule.

 

 

ПРЯМАЯ И КОСВЕННАЯ РЕЧЬ

(DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH)

 

Содержание ранее высказанного сообщения можно передать прямой речью (от лица говорящего) или косвенной речью (от лица передающего). Например: She said: “I can speak two foreign languages” (прямая речь). She said that she could speak two foreign languages (косвенная речь).

В косвенной речи также соблюдается правило согласования времен. При обращении утвердительных предложений из прямой речи в косвенную производятся следующие изменения:

1) Косвенная речь вводится союзом that, который часто опускается.

2) Глагол to say, после которого следует дополнение, заменяется глаголом to tell.

3) Личные и притяжательные местоимения заменяются но смыслу.

4) Времена глаголов в придаточном предложении изменяются согласно правилам согласования времен.

5) Указательные местоимения и наречия времени и места заменяются другими словами:

 

this	that
these	those
now	then
today	that day
tomorrow	the next day
the day after tomorrow	two days later
yesterday	the day before
the day before yesterday	two days before
ago	before
next year	the next year, the following year
here	there

 

Общие вопросы вводятся союзами if, whether, имеющими значение частицы «ли». В придаточных предложениях соблюдается порядок слов утвердительного предложения.

 

Не asked me: “Do you play the piano?”	Он спросил меня: «Вы играете на пианино?»
Не asked me if I played the piano.	Он спросил меня, играю ли я на пианино.

 

Специальные вопросы вводятся тем же вопросительным словом, с которого начинается прямая речь. Соблюдается порядок слов утвердительного предложения.

 

Не asked me: “When did you send the telegram?”	Он спросил меня: «Когда ты отослал телеграмму?»
Не asked me when I had sent the telegram.	Он спросил меня, когда я отослал телеграмму.

 

Для передачи побуждений в косвенной речи употребляются простые предложения с инфинитивом с частицей to. Если прямая речь выражает приказание, то глагол to say заменяется глаголом to tell (велеть) или to order (приказывать). Если прямая речь выражает просьбу, глагол to say заменяется глаголом to ask (просить).

 

She said to him: “Come here at nine”.	Она сказала ему: «Приходи сюда в 9 часов».
She told him to come there at nine.	Она велела ему приходить в 9 часов.
I said to her: “Please, give me that book”.	Я сказал ей: «Дай мне, пожалуйста эту книгу».
I asked her to give me that book.	Я попросил ее дать мне эту книгу.

 

EXERCISES

 

Exercise 1. Open the brackets using the rules of the Sequence of Tenses.

 

1. She said that she (to know) English a little. 2. We know that they (to come) to visit us next week. 3. They were sure that the play (to be) a success. 4. I said that I (to leave) that morning. 5. They said that they (to see) that film a week before. 6. We didn’t know that you (to wait) for us so long. 7. He said that he (to finish) his course paper the next month. 8. He said that he (not to consult) the lawyer yet. 9. The passengers were afraid that the train (not to arrive) on time. 10. We were told that we (to catch) the train if we (to hurry).

 

Exercise 2. Convert into indirect speech.

 

1. “Is Jack coming tonight for dinner?” asked Doris.

2. “Has Michael arrived yet?” asked Nigel.

3. “The taxi is waiting”, said the porter.

4. “Maria always come home for dinner”, said Mr. Collins.

5. “I shall miss you when you leave for Paris”, said Alice to Meg.

6. “What’s the time? My watch has stopped”, said he.

7. “Have you anything to declare?” asked the customs officer.

8. “Step aside, please”, asked Albert.

9. “Don’t bother, I can find this book myself”, said Maurice.

10. “How did you find me?” said Nelly.

Exercise 3. Convert into direct speech.

1. She told him that her parents would come next week.

2. She said that he was ill and tired.

3. Monica said that Maurice was in the garden.

4. She asked him whether he had heard the news.

5. Becky asked Mike to come and see her next week.

6. She asked him if he would come back that day.

7. They said that they had not expected him that day.

8. She said that she was writing a new novel then.

9. Nick realized that it was not his day.

10. George asked her not to interfere with his work.

 

Exercise 4. Find the mistake and correct it.

 

1. I wonder what does he do all day long.

2. I’d like to know where are they.

3. We were told that our parents will be coming back on Saturday.

4. The customers officer asked Dan if he has got anything to declare.

5. He asked me whether I would go back there next year.

6. She asked them what colour were they going to paint the living room.

7. I don’t know why they had not kept their promise to take us with them.

8. He said he thought it is rather silly idea.

9. They asked him who he wants.

10. Can you tell me if there is a café near here?

 

Exercise 5. Translate the sentences into Russian.

 

1. I knew she went to bed early. 2. I remembered that he didn’t like opera. 3. He said that many good actors would star in that film. 4. I understood that he had missed the train. 5. She was angry. She said she had been waiting for me for half an hour. 6. My mother said that I could go to Moscow for a week. 7. Yesterday he called me and asked whether I wanted to go to the cinema. 8. When I saw her I understood that she was upset by something. 9. He said that he would join us as soon as he passed his exams. 10. He said that he had no car.

 

Exercise 6. Use the verbs in brackets in the appropriate tense-forms.

 

1. I was sure that the children (play) in the garden. 2. I thought that they (not to see) this film yet. 3. I thought that you (graduate from) the University. 4. He said that he (like) to buy a house. 5. The porter knew that the train (be) late. 6. I said that I (buy) the ticket later. 7. She said she (want) to go to the South. 8. I didn’t know you (be) at home. 9. I wondered if he (leave) school. 10. I was surprised she didn’t know the news. I was sure her husband (tell) her everything. 11. She couldn’t get into the flat. She said she (lose) her key. 12. I learnt that he (not come) yet.

 

Exercise 7. Translate into English.

 

1. Она подумала, что опоздала на поезд. 2. Я был уверен, что она позвонит мне. 3. Я знал, что переведу статью без словаря. 4. Он сказал, что может легко перевести эти статьи. 5. Она сказала, что устает вечером. 6. Я не знал, что у вас есть много книг по истории Беларуси. 7. Студенты сказали, что готовятся сейчас к семинару. 8. Он говорил, что хочет изучать два иностранных языка. 9. Я думал, что вы уже слышали об этой поездке. 10. Она не знала, что мы провели отпуск в деревне.

 

Тест 1

Выберите правильный вариант ответа.

 

1. Don’t worry about her. She … by her friends as soon as she arrives.

a) be met c) is met

b) was met d) will be met

 

2. By the end of the year a large par of Africa … by the brave explorer.

a) had been explored c) was explored

b) are explored d) was been explored

 

3. Whom these exercises …?

a) will be shown c) had been shown

b) was shown d) have been shown

 

4. The way … us by the little boy.

a) was shown c) was being shown

b) is shown d) is being shown

 

5. The table … by 8 p.m.

a) had been laid c) is being laid

b) was laid d) has been laid

 

6. The letters … now.

a) are being answered c) are answered

b) were being answered d) were answered

 

7. English articles … every day.

a) are translated c) were translated

b) was translated d) have been translated

 

8. The child … dressed now.

a) is being dressed c) has been dressed

b) is dressed d) will have been dressed

 

9. Many pictures … by the fire.

a) were destroyed c) are destroyed

b) had been destroyed d) are being destroyed

10. The doctor … for.

a) was sent c) will have been sent

b) has been sent d) is being sent

 

11. The new house … in our street.

a) was built c) is being built

b) had been built d) has been built

 

12. My friend … to come to the party.

a) is asked c)was asked

b) had been asked d) will be asked

 

13. An interesting book … to me.

a) were given c) will have been given

b) is given d) was given

 

14. Ice-cream … by the man round the corner.

a) was sold c) is sold

b) will have been sold d) is being sold

 

15. Honey … from the flowers by bees.

a) are gathered c) is being gathered

b) was gathered d) is gathered

Тест 2

1. She said that she _________ keen on drawing.

 

a) was c) has been

b) is d) were

 

2. I _____ her that I ______ time to play the piano.

 

a) told, have no c) told, did not have

b) tells, did not have d) told to, had not have

 

3. Jane answered that she _______ very early, so she ____ the news.

 

a) went to bed, hadn’t watched

b) had gone to bed, hadn’t watched

c) has gone to bed, hasn’t watched

d) had gone to bed, didn’t watch

 

4. Mary told me that she ________ to leave for London the next week.

 

a) is going c) were going

b) b) has gone d) was going

 

5. I replied that I _______her when I ______ back.

 

a) will phone, got

b) would phone, got

c) will have phoned, will have come

d) is to phone, get

 

6. Mary said that Paris ________ beautiful in spring.

 

a) is c) was

b) has been d) were

 

7. The teacher _____ a report on the Civil War.

 

a) told Jane to make c) told Jane make

b) tell to Jane to make d) told to Jane to make

 

8. Jane ______ a worry about her health.

 

a) ask to me not to c) asked me not to

b) asked to not d) asked not

 

9. I said that I _________ if I _______ time.

 

a) will go, have c) would go, have had

b) would go, had d) will go, had

 

10. Mary answered that she _______ wake up early in the morning when she was young.

 

a) did get used to c) gets used to

b) is getting used to d) used to

 

11. Jane told me ______ calm.

 

a) to stay c) to have stayed

b) stay d) staying

 

12. I am surprised to see you. Your mother said you _____ ill.

 

a) were c) has been

b) are d) had been

 

13. She said that Mary _____ into her flat because she ______ her key.

 

a) cannot get, lost c) couldn’t get, had lost

b) couldn’t get, has lost d) can’t get, was losing

 

14. Jane told everybody that she ______ a meeting ____.

 

a) had, tomorrow

b) was having, tomorrow

c) will have, the next day

d) was having, the next day

 

15. Mary told me that writing a test _____ her nervous.

 

a) is making c) will make

b) made d) make

 

16. He said that he ______ in America for two years.

 

a) lived c) had been living

b) had lived d) lives

 

17. They said that we ________ when Mary _______.

 

a) would leave, came c) will leave, came

b) would leave, comes d) would leave, had come

 

18. Jane told me that Africa _______ than America.

 

a) was nicer c) is being nicer

b) has been nicer d) is nicer

 

19. I told everyone that I _______ to the party at ten, but ______ as soon as possible.

 

a) couldn’t come, would arrive

b) can’t come, would arrive

c) couldn’t come, arrive

d) can’t come, will arrive

 

20. “How are your parents?” she asked. I answered that they ____ very well.

 

a) were c) have been

b) are d) were been

 

21. –The play is boring.

- Is it? I thought you said it _______ exciting!

 

a) is c) was

b) were d) had been

 

22. Mary told me that she _______ Helen in the park and that she ____ fine.

 

a) saw, had seemed c) had seen, seemed

b) had seen, had seemed d) has seen, was seeming

 

23. He said that his car ______ a few days before.

 

a) was stolen c) had been stolen

b) has been stolen d) is stolen

 

24. Jane told me that I _______ at her house if I ____ ever in Paris.

 

a) could stay, was c) can to stay, was

b) can stay, am d) could have stayed, was

 

25. Mary answered that she ______ the next month.

 

a) is married c) was marrying

b) was getting married d) is marrying

 

26. Ellie exclaimed that she _____ that car since her father gave it to her and that there had been no complaints.

 

a) had driven c) drove

b) had been driving d) was driving

 

27. Vie said that they knew only what was in the papers, that they ____ for a call or a telegram since they heard of the accident.

 

a) waited c) had waited

b) were waiting d) had been waiting

 

28. Norma said that the old car had broken when they _____ the bridge.

 

a) has crossed c) crossed

b) had been crossing d) were crossing

 

29. She said she couldn’t go in the water because she _____ her swimming suit.

 

a) had not brought c) hasn’t brought

b) didn’t bring d) will not bring

 

30. She said that my shoes were wet through and asked if I _____ all the way from the station in that rain.

 

a) has walked c) walking

b) had walked d) was walking