Некоммерческое акционерное общество

АЛМАТИНСКИЙ ИНСТИТУТ ЭНЕРГЕТИКИ И  СВЯЗИ

          

Кафедра Иностранных языков

 

 

 

АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК

Методические указания для развития умений чтения текстов страноведческого характера 

(для всех специальностей)

 

 

Алматы 2009

СОСТАВИТЕЛЬ: Райымқұл З.Ә. Английский язык. Методические указания для развития умений чтения  текстов страноведческого характера для  всех специальностей. – Алматы: АИЭС, 2009. – 36с.

  

Данные методические указания предназначены для всех специальностей. Методические указания содержат тексты страноведческого характера. Методические указания можно использовать на занятиях и для самостоятельной работы студентов.

  

            1 The History of Canada

 

            Canada's history is an exciting story of development of a vast wilderness into a great nation. Most experts believe that the first people who lived on this land came from Asia about 15000 years ago. They came over a land bridge that once connected Asia and North America. Their descendants are known today as Indians. The ancestors of the Eskimos came to Alaska after them probably about 5000 years ago.

          In 1497, John Cabot, an Italian navigator in the service of England, found rich fishing grounds off Canada's south-east coast. His discovery led to the European exploration of Canada. France set up a colony in eastern Canada in the early 1600's. Great Britain gained control of the country in 1763, and thousands of British emigrants came to Canada. In 1867, the French and English-speaking Canadians helped to create a united colony called the Dominion of Canada. Two groups worked together to settle the country and to develop its great mineral deposits and other natural resources.

         Canada gained its independence from Britain in 1931. During the middle of 20th century, hard-working Canadians turned their country into an economic giant. Today Canada is a leading producer of wheat, oats, and barley. Canada also ranks among the world's top manufacturing countries, and it is a major producer of electric power.

         Throughout its history, Canada has often been troubled by lack of unity among its people. French Canadians, most of who live in the province of Quebec, have struggled to preserve their own culture. They have long been angered by Canadian policies based on British traditions. Many of them support a movement to make Quebec a separate nation. People in Canada are nine other provinces also frequently favor local needs over national interests.

 

Vocabulary

 

wilderness – пустыня

land bridge – перешеек

descendant – потомок

ancestor – предок

navigator – мореплаватель

fishing grounds – рыбные места

to set up – основать

Dominion of Canada – доминион Канада

to settle – заселить

mineral deposits – залежи полезных ископаемых

to turn into – превратить

wheat – пшеница

oats – овес

 

3

 1.1 Questions

 

1. Who were the first people live in Canada?

2. How did they come to Canada?

3. What countries took part in exploration of Canada?

4. Is Canada a developed country now?

5. When did Canada gain it’s independence?

6. What problems does Canada face today?

 

 

 

 1.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Most experts believe that the first people who lived on this land came from Asia about 1500 years ago.

2. Canada gained its independence from Britain in 1931.

3. Great Britain gained control of the country in 1763, and hundreds of British emigrants came to Canada.

4. In 1497, John Kennedy, an Italian navigator in the service of England, found rich fishing grounds off Canada's east coast.

5. Today Canada is a leading producer of wheat, oats, and barley.  

6. French Canadians, most of who live in the province of Quebec, have struggled to preserve their own culture.

  

           2 Christmas in Australia

        

 Most Australians have been dreaming of a white Christmas for centuries. But the traditional European Christmas is just a myth of Australians. Santa’s wearing thick woolen clothes don't fit with Australia's thirty-degree heat. Thankfully things are changing fast. Now they have their own Christmas, Australian style.

         Australia is a country which is largely made up of desert and sandy beaches. For the first settlers, two hundred years ago, a plate of corned meat and a mug of Billy tea might have been the best Christmas dinner available. As a new nation developed and grew richer, people tried to recreate the kind of Christmas that they used to have in Europe.

         Christmas in Australia happens in the summer. However, we tried our best to deny the reality of a summer. However, we tried our best to deny the reality of a summer Christmas. In the class-room, children learned songs like Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells. Up until recently, the only Christmas cards published portrayed white winter Christmases.

 

All this was a bit ridiculous in a country where 80 per cent of the land has never witnessed a snowflake, even in winter.

         However, the last ten years have witnessed some big changes in the Australian lifestyle. Many Australians now believe that the country should break its connections with Britain and the British Queen.

         Now Australians see themselves as inhabitants of the Asia Pacific region. So now Christmas has got an Australian identity.

         It's rare to find a flake of snow on Christmas cards these days. Now the publishers print Christmas cards with native Australian animals and landscape scenes of the Australian bush.

         On Christmas day you'll find a large percentage of kids on the beach playing with their new surfboards, building sandcastles rather than snowmen. Indeed one of the most typical Australian Christmas presents is a beach towel.

         It's not only with food and gifts that Australian Christmases differ from European ones. Because of the weather, the atmosphere of Christmas is different.

         Instead of being a serious time where most families are indoors, Australians are usually outdoors in shorts and T-shirts, taking a cold six-pack of beer to a friend's barbecue. There are loads of summer festivals with people celebrating Christmas in carnival style.

         What is unique though is something that most Australians are starting to dream of. That is a Christmas of sunshine, surf and sand. Although too many Europeans this seems strange, to many Australians it's now the only Christmas worth dreaming of. 

 

Vocabulary

 

myth – миф

desert – пустыня

recreate – развлекаться

portray – изображать, рисовать

snowflake – снежинка

to dream of – мечтать о

sandy beaches – песчаные пляжи

mug - кружка

identity - личность

rare - редкий

landscape sceneживописный пейзаж

surfboardдоска для сёрфинга 

beach towelпляжное полотенце

 

2.1 Questions

 

1. What have most Australians been dreaming of for centuries?

2. Who doesn’t fit with Australia’s thirty – degree heat?

3. What did people try to recreate?

4. What did Christmas cards portray up until recently?

5. What do the publishers print Christmas cards with?

6. What is one of the most typical Australian Christmas presents?

7. What do Australians do on Christmas day?

 

 

2.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Most Australians have been dreaming of a white Christmas for centuries.

2. Australia is a country which is largely made up of desert and sandy beaches.

3. Christmas in Australia happens in the autumn.

4. For the first settlers, two hundred years ago, a plate of corned meat and a mug of Billy tea might have been the worst Christmas dinner available.

5. Now Australians see themselves as inhabitants of the Asia Pacific region.

6. it’s rare to find a flake of snow on Christmas cards these days.   

 

          3 New Zealand Way of Life

     

New Zealand has a high standard of living. New Zealanders eat more butter and meat per person than do the people of any other country. The government's medical program provides excellent health care. About 70% of New Zealand people own their houses. Almost every family has a car.

         Most New Zealanders live in single family houses with a small vegetable garden. In the larger cities, some people live in high rise apartment buildings. Almost in every New Zealand home there are refrigerators, wash machines, and other modern electrical appliances. But air conditioning and central heating are rare because the weather rarely becomes extremely hot or extremely cold. In summer, New Zealanders prefer to keep windows open. In winter, fireplaces or electric heater keep the homes warm.

         Although about four fifths of New Zealand's population lives in urban areas, cities are uncrowned. Traffic jams seldom occur, even in downtown areas. Large cities have excellent restaurants, milk bars, theaters, concert halls, and other places of entertainment. City life in New Zealand tends to be rather quiet. However it is changing in larger cities, where international tourism is developing rapidly.

          

Near a fifth of New Zealand's people live n rural areas - in some of them, small settlements are linked by good roads.

But in other areas, ranchers nearest neighbors may live kilometers away. Some ranchers live almost in isolation. Nevertheless, most farms and ranches have electricity. Many farm families run their farms with little no hired help.

  

Vocabulary

 

health care – здравоохранение

own - владеть

single family – на одну семью

vegetable – garden – огород

high-rise apartment building – многоэтажный жилой дом

electrical appliances – бытовая техника

air conditioning – кондиционирование

central heating – центральное отопление

fireplace – камин

electric heater – электрический обогреватель

urban – городской

traffic jams – пробки на дорогах

downtown – центр города

rural – сельскохозяйственный 

 

3.1 Questions

 

1. Who pays for health care in New Zealand?

2. How many New Zealanders own their houses?

3. Where do the most New Zealanders live?

4. Are central heating and air conditioning popular in New Zealand? Why?

5. How do New Zealand farmers live?   

 

3.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Most New Zealanders live in single family houses with a small vegetable garden.

2. In every New Zealand home there are refrigerators, wash machines, and other modern electrical appliances.

3. City life in New Zealand tends to be very noisy.

4. About 90% of New Zealand people own their houses.

5. Traffic jams seldom occur, even in downtown areas.  

7

6. New Zealand has a high standard of living.   

 

          4 Great Britain

        

The full name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

         The United Kingdom is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and a great number of small islands. Their total area is over 244 000 sq. km.

         The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast of Great Britain is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

         Northern Ireland occupies one third of the island of Ireland. It borders on the Irish Republic in the south.

         The island of Great Britain consists of three main parts: England (the southern and middle part of the island), Wales (a mountainous peninsula in the West) and Scotland (the northern part of the island).

         There are no high mountains in Great Britain. In the north the Cheviots separate England from Scotland, the Pennies stretch down North England along its middle, the Cambrian Mountains occupy the greater part of British mountains. There is very little flat country except in the region known as East Anglia.

          Most of the rivers flow into the North Sea. The Thames is the deepest and the longest of the British rivers. Some of the British greatest ports are situated in the estuaries of the Thames, Mersey, Trent, Tyne, Clyde and Bristol Avon.

         Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources; it has some deposits of coal and iron ore and vast deposits of oil and gas that were discovered in the North Sea.

         The warm currents of the Atlantic Ocean influence the climate of Great Britain. Winters are not severely cold and summer is rarely hot.

         The population of the United Kingdom is over 58 million people. The main nationalities are: English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish. In Great Britain there are a lot of immigrants from former British Asian and African colonies.

         Great Britain is a highly industrialized country. New industries have been developed in the last three decades. The main industrial centers are London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow and Bristol.

         The capital of the country is London. The United Kingdom is a parliamentary monarchy. 

 

Vocabulary

 

to separate – разделять

The English Channel – Ла-Манш

to be washed by  - омываться

to border on – граничить с

mountainous peninsula – гористый полуостров

to stretch – простираться

estuary – устье реки

deposits – залежи

iron ore – железная руда

to discover – обнаруживать

monarchy – монархия 

 

4.1 Questions

 

1.Where is the United Kingdom situated?

2. What Islands do the British Isles consist of?

3. What ocean and seas are the British Isles washed by?

4. How many parts does the Island of Great Britain consist of and what are they called?

5. What country does Northern Ireland border on?

6. What sea do most of the rivers flow into?

7. What city is the capital of the U.K.?

8. What kind of state is Great Britain?

  

4.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. The United Kingdom is situated on the British Isles.

2. The island of Great Britain consists of three main parts: England (the southern and middle part of the island), Wales (a mountainous peninsula in the West) and Scotland (the northern part of the island).

3. There are many high mountains in Great Britain.

4. The Thames is the deepest and the shortest of the British rivers.

5. Great Britain is not very rich in mineral resources; it has some deposits of coal and iron ore and vast deposits of oil and gas that were discovered in the North Sea.

6. The population of the United Kingdom is over 58 million people.

  

4.3 Express in one word the following meanings

 

1. A piece of land that is surrounded by water.

2. A substance that has been left on a surface or has developed in the ground as the result of a natural or chemical process.

3. Rock or earth from which metal can be obtained.

4. A common hard grey metal.

5. Having a temperature that is fairly high, between cool and hot.  

 

          5 Places of Interest in Great Britain

        

Britain is rich in its historic places which link the present with the past.

 The oldest part of London is Led Hill, where the city is originated. About a mile west of it there is Westminster Palace, where the king lived and the Parliament met, and there is also Westminster Abbey, the coronation church.

          Liverpool, the "city of ships", is England's second greatest port, ranking after London. The most interesting sight in the Liverpool is the docks. They occupy a river frontage of seven miles. The University of Liverpool, established in 1903, is noted for its School of Tropical Medicine. And in the music world Liverpool is a well-known name, for it's the home town of "The Beatles".

         Stratford-on-Avon lies 93 miles north-west of London Shakespeare was born here in 1564, and here he died in 1616.

         Cambridge and Oxford Universities are famous centers of learning.

         Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument, presumably built by Druids, members of an order of priests in ancient Britain. Tint gel Castle is King Arthur's reputed birthplace. Canterbury Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Church of England.

         The British Museum is the largest and richest museum in the world. It was founded in 1753 and contains one of the world's richest collections of antiquities. The Egyptian Galleries contain human and animal mummies. Some parts of Athens' Parthenon are in the Greek section.

         Madam Tissue’s Museum is an exhibition of hundreds of life-size wax models of famous people of yesterday and today. The collection was started by Madam Tissue, a French modeler in wax, in the 18 century. Here you can meet Marilyn Monroe, Elton John, Picasso, the Royal Family, the Beatles and many others: writers, movie stars, singers, politicians, sportsmen, etc. 

 

Vocabulary

 

church – церковь

frontage – фасад

prehistoric – доисторический

order – орден

priest – священник

Canterbury Cathedral Archbishop – архиепископ Кентерберийский

antiquity – антиквариат, древность

west – запад     

coronationкоронация 

 

5.1 Questions

 

1. What is the oldest part of London?

2. What is Westminster Palace?

3. What is called “city of ships”?

4. Why is Stratford – on – Avon famous?

5. What are the famous centers of leaning?

6. what is Stonehenge?

7. Who is the head of Church of England? What is his seat?

8. What is the largest and the richest museum in the world? What unique collections does it contain?

  

5.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Britain is rich in its historic places which link the present with the past.

2. Liverpool, the "city of ships", is England's second greatest port, ranking after London.

3. Cambridge and Oxford Universities are famous centers of learning.

4. The oldest part of London is Red Hill, where the city is originated.

5. The University of Liverpool, established in 1916, is noted for its School of Tropical Economy. 

6. The British Museum is the shortest and poorest museum in the world.

     

          6 Australia

    

Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent. It is the sixth large country  and the smallest continent. Australia lies between the South Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It is situated about 11 000 km southwest of North America and about 8 200 km southeast of mainland Asia. The name of the country comes from Latin word "australis" which mean southern.

 

The country's official name is Commonwealth of Australia.

         The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states. Australia has six states - New South Wales, Queen's land, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Each state has its government. Australia has two territories - the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The capital of the country is Canberra. Australia is a constitutional monarchy like Great Britain. The nation is administered under written constitution. The British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is also queen of Australia and country's head of state. But the queen has little power in the Australian government. She server mainly as a symbol of long historical tie between Great Britain and Australia.  Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations which is an association formed by Britain and some of its former colonies.

       Australia is one of the world’s developed countries. Australia has modern factories, highly productive mines and farms, and busy cities. It is the world's leading producer of wool and bauxite (the ore from which aluminum is made). It also produces and exports large amounts of other minerals and farm goods. Income from the export enables Australians to have high standard of living. The most important trading partners of Australia are Japan and the United States. 

  

Vocabulary

 

To lie - находиться

To be situated - быть расположенным

Mainland - материк

Commonwealth of Australia - Австралийский Союз

State - штат

Commonwealth of Nations - Британское Содружество наций

Income - доход

Standard of living - уровень жизни

tie – связь

capital – столица

government – правительство

  

6.1 Questions

 

1. Where does the Australia lie?

2. What is the official name of the country?

3. What is the capital of the country?

4. Who is the country’s head of state?

5. Is there a written constitution in Australia?

6. What are the main products of Australia?

7. What states are the most important trade partners of Australia?

 

 

6.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent.

2. It is the third large country and the smallest continent.

3. Australia has six states - New South Wales, Queen's land, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

4. The capital of the country is Canberra.

5. Australia isn’t a constitutional monarchy like Great Britain.

6. It is situated about 13 000 km southwest of North America and about 1 200 km southeast of mainland Asia.

  

6.3 Express in one word the following meanings

 

1. The main part of a country or continent, not including the islands around it.

2. The money you receive regularly as payment for yourwork or as interest on investments.

3. The laws or rules of a country or organization.

4. The female ruler of a country.

5. A large building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured or put together in large quantities (by machine). 

 

          7 New Zealand

 

         Zealand is an island country in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1 600 km southeast of Australia and about 10 500 km southwest of California. New Zealand belongs to a large island group called Polynesia. The country is situated on two main islands - the North Island and the South Island - and several dozen smaller islands. Most of the smaller islands are hundreds of kilometers from the main ones.

         Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and Auckland is the largest city. English is the official language of New Zealand and is spoken throughout the country. Many native people speak their own language, Maori, in addition to English.

         The country once belonged to the British Empire. Today it is an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations, an association of Britain and a number of its former colonies.

         New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. The British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, is the monarch of New Zealand. She appoints a governor general to represent her, but the governor general has little power.

The legislation prime minister and Cabinet run the national government.

         Britain gave New Zealand a constitution in 1852, when it was a British colony. But through the years the New Zealand legislature has changed almost all its provision. Today, the nation has no written constitution.

         The first people who settled in New Zealand were a brown-skinned people called Maoris. They came from Polynesian islands located northeast of New Zealand. The country was discovered by Europeans in 1642, but they did not start to settle in the islands until the late 1700's. Today, most New Zealanders are descendants of the early European settlers. Maoris make up about 12% of the country's population.

         New Zealand has one of the highest standards of living in the world. For many years, the economy of the country dependent largely on agriculture. Today agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries are all important to the economy. New Zealand economy depends on trade with many countries - Australia, Britain, Japan and the United States.  

 

Vocabulary

 

Is situated - расположена

Dozen - дюжина

The Commonwealth of Nations - Британское содружество

The United Kingdom - Соединенное Королевство

To appoint - назначать

Governor general - генерал-губернатор

To represent - представлять

Legislation - законодательная власть

Provision - положение

Brown-skinned – темнокожий

To settle - селиться

Descendant - потомок

Settler - поселенец

To make up - составлять

Population - население

Standard of living - уровень жизни

Agriculture - сельское хозяйство 

 

7.1 Questions

 

1. Where is New Zealand situated?

2. What city is the capital of New Zealand?

3. What languages do people in New Zealand speak?

4. What is the official language in New Zealand?

5. Who is New Zealand’s head of state?

6. Who runs the national government?

7. Who were the first people to live in New Zealand?

8. What are the main industries of the country?    

 

7.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. New Zealand belongs to a large island group called Polynesia.

2. It lies about 1 200 km southeast of Australia and about 7 500 km southwest of California.

3. The first people who settled in New Zealand were a brown-skinned people called Maoris.

4. Maoris make up about 50% of the country's population.

5. The country was discovered by Europeans in 1642, but they did not start to settle in the islands until the late 1700's.

6. Auckland is the capital of New Zealand and Wellington is the largest city. 

 

7.3 Express in one word the following meanings

 

1. Connected with the place where you were born

2. A group of countries that is governed by one country.

3. Control or influence over other people.

4. A country or all the people in a country.

5. To find or learn smth that nobody knew or had found before.

 

         8 Canada

          

Canada is the second largest country in the world. Only Russia has a greater land area. Canada is situated n North America. Canada is slightly larger than the United States, but has only about a tenth as many people. About 28 million people live in Canada. About 80% of the population lives within 320 km of the southern border. Much of the rest of Canada is uninhabited or thinly populated because of severe natural conditions.

         Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 2 territories. Canada is an independent nation. But according to the Constitution Act of 1982 British Monarch,  

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is recognized as Queen of Canada.

This symbolizes the country's strong ties to Britain. Canada was ruled by Britain completely until 1867, when Canada gained control of its domestic affairs. Britain governed Canada's foreign affairs until 1931, when Canada gained full independence. Canada's people are varied. About 57% of all Canadians have some English ancestry and about 32% have some French ancestry. Both English and French are official languages of the country. French Canadians, most of who live in the provinces of Quebec, have kept the language and customs of their ancestors. Other large ethnic groups are German, Irish and Scottish people. Native people - American Indians and Eskimos - make up about 2% of the country's population. 77% of Canada's people live in cities or towns. Toronto and Montreal are the largest urban areas. Ottawa is the capital of the country.

         Today, maintaining a sense of community is one of the major problems in Canada because of differences among the provinces and territories. Many Canadians in western and eastern parts of the country feel that the federal government does not pay enough attention to their problems. 80% of Quebec's populations are French Canadians. Many of them believe that their province should receive a special recognition in the Canadian constitution. 

 

Vocabulary

 

Population - население

Land area - площадь

Border - граница

Uninhabited - незаселённый

Thinly populated - слабозаселенный

Severe - суровый

Natural conditions - природные условия

Federation - федерация

Independent - независимый

Constitution Act - конституционный акт

British Monarch - английская королева

The United Kingdom - Соединённое Королевство

To recognize - признавать

Ties - связи

To rule – править

 

 

8.1Questions

 

1. Where is Canada situated?

2. How many people live in Canada?

3. Where do most Canadians live?

4. Who is the head of state in Canada?

5. When did Canada gain its independence?

6. What are the official languages in Canada?

7. What people live in Canada?

8. What is the main problem facing Canada today?  

 

 8.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Canada is the second largest country in the world.   

2. Canada is much larger than the United States, but has only about a tenth as many people.

3. But according to the Constitution Act of 1982 British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is recognized as Queen of Canada.

4. About 32% of all Canadians have some English ancestry and about 57% have some French ancestry.

5. Both English and French are official languages of the country.

6. Toronto is the capital of the country.    

 

8.3 Express in one word the following meanings

 

1. A line that divides two countries, etc; the land close to this line.

2. Very bad; causing unpleasant results or feelings.

3. To have the power over a country, etc.

4. A question that you must solve by thinking about it.

5. A large natural stream of water that flows across country. 

 

          9 The USA

        

The United States of America is the fourth largest 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 nine and a half million square kilometers. The USA borders on Canada in the north and on Mexico in the south. It also has a sea-boarder with Russia.

         The USA is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, a special federal area where the capital of the country, Washington, is situated.

 

The population of the country is about 250 million.

         If we look at the map of the USA, we can see lowland and mountains. The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada. The highest peak is Mount McKinley which is located in Alaska.

         America's largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio Grande and the Columbia. The Great Lakes on the border with Canada are the largest and deepest in the USA.

         The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are in the north. The climate of Alaska is arctic. The climate of the central part is continental. The south has a subtropical climate. Hot winds blowing from the Gulf of Mexico often bring typhoons. The climate along the Pacific coast is much warmer than that of the Atlantic coast.

         The USA is a highly developed industrial country. It is the worlds leading producer of copper and oil and the world's second producer of iron ore and coal. Among the most important manufacturing industries are aircraft, cars, textiles, radio and television sets, armament, furniture and paper.

         Though mainly European and African in origin, Americans are made up from nearly all races and-nations, including Chinese and Native Americans.

         The largest cities are: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, Washington and others.

         The United States is a federal union of 50 states, each of which has its own government. The seat of the central (federal) government is Washington, DC. According to the US Constitution the powers of the government are divided into 3 branches: the executive, headed by the President, the legislative, exercised by the Congress, and he judicial. The Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

      There are two main political parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic.

 

 Vocabulary

 

to occupy – занимать

southern – южный

total area – общая площадь

sea-border – морская граница

lowlands – низменность, долина, низина

copper – медь

iron ore – железная руда

coal – каменный уголь

manufacturing – промышленный

aircraft – самолеты, самолетостроение

armament – вооружение 

origin – происхождение

powers – полномочия

the executive – исполнительная власть

the legislative – законодательная власть

the judicial – судебная власть

 

 

 9.1 Questions

 

1. Where is the USA situated?

2. What’s the total area of the country?

3. What countries does the USA border on?

4. How many states does the USA consist of?

5. What can you say about the climate of the country?

6. What does the USA produce?

7. How many chambers does the Congress of the USA consist of?

8. What are the main political parties in the USA?   

 

 

9.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada and China).

2. The population of the country is about 50 million.

3. The USA is a developing industrial country.

4. It is the worlds leading producer of gold and silver and the world's second producer of copper and oil.

5. The United States is a federal union of 50 states, each of which has its own government.

6. There are two main political parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic.

 

 

9.3 Express in one word the following meanings

 

1. A drawing or plan of the surface of the earth that shows countries, rivers, mountains, roads, etc.

2. The normal weather conditions of a particular region.

3. Air that is moving across the surface of the earth.

4. A common reddish-brown metal.    

5. The country where you were born or that your parents came from or to which you feel you belong.

    

          10 The History of Kazakhstan

 

         The history of the Kazakh land began with the appearance of the human race in the Stone Age. The ancient nomadic tribes called "saki" inhabited steppes of Kazakhstan in the first millennium B.C. They had high level of material culture, the developed trades and the production of iron and bronze weapons and the developed fine arts ("beast style"). Another big ancient tribe of that time was "usuni". These two tribes had the most considerable influence upon the formation of the ancient Turkic nomadic tribes.

         In A.D. the VI-IX centuries some Turkic states - khanates (among them West-Turkic khaganate, Turgesh, Kharluc khaganates) appeared on the territory of Kazakhstan. In the X century when the Turkic tribes invaded the capital of Kharluc khaganate Balacagun, the state of Karakhanids (940-1212) the first Muslim Turkic state was formed. At that period there were a lot of Flourishing cities (Otrar, Suzak, Sauran, Djent and others.) with a high level of culture, developed trade and the handicrafts on the territory of Kazakhstan.

          The Mongol invasion into the Central Asia led by Chingizkhan started at the beginning of the XIII century.

         In 1218 Chingizkhan conquered Semirechie and started the siege of Otrar which did not surrender to him. After six months of defense Otrar surrendered and Chingizkhan ordered his warriors to annihilate all the population of the city. At last in the forties of the XII century Kazakh lands were included in the Gold Horde.

         The restoration of the farms economy and the reconstruction of the cities began in the XII-XIV centuries.

         The preconditions for the formation of Kazakh nationality out of the different Turkic tribes had appeared by the XV century. At the end of the XV century Kazakh Khanate was formed. It consisted of three juzes - the Older, the Middle and the Younger.

         In the XVII-XIX centuries Kazakh juzes gradually became a part of the Russian Empire. In the XIX century Kazakh people led by great Kazakh khans and batyrs (Abylai, Kabanbai, Abulkhair and others) won the victory over the Djungar khanate.

          After the October Revolution in 1917 Kazakhstan was called Kaz.ASSR, and in 1936 entered the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) as Kaz.SSR.

         The soviet period (1922-1991) in the history of Kazakhstan was not simple. The considerable industrial and educational growth was combined with the political repressions and loss of distinctive culture.

In 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union and after gaining the    independence a new period in history of Kazakhstan, as a democratic state started.

 

 Vocabulary

 

nomadic tribes – кочевые племена

weapons – оружия

flourishing cities – процветающие города

handicrafts -искусство

invasion – вторжение

surrender - сдаться

annihilate - уничтожить

the restoration – реставрация

collapse – падение

democratic state – демократическое государство

 

  

10.1 Questions

 

1. When did the history of the Kazakh land begin?

2. How did the ancient nomadic tribes call?

3. When did some Turkic states appear on the territory of Kazakhstan?

4. What did happen in the x cen0tury?

5. What Flourishing cities of that period can you name?

6. When did Chingizkhan conquer Semirechie and start the siege of Otrar?

7. When was Kazakh Khanate formed?

8. What do you know about Kazakh three Juzes?

9.   In what century Kazakh juses become a part of the Russian Empire?

10. What events the considerable industrial and educational growth were combined with? 

 

10. 2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. The ancient nomadic tribes called "saki" inhabited steppes of Kazakhstan in the first millennium B.C.   

2. In B.C. the V-VII centuries some Turkic states - khanates (among them West-Turkic khaganate, Turgesh, Kharluc khaganates) appeared on the territory of Kazakhstan. 

3. The Mongol invasion into the Central Asia led by Chingizkhan started at the beginning of the XIII century.

4. At last in the forties of the XII century Kazakh lands were included in the Gold Horde.

5. In the VII-X centuries Kazakh juzes gradually became a part of the Russian Empire.

6. At the beginning of the XV century Kazakh Khanate was formed.

 

          11 The History of Great Britain

    

The History of Great Britain dates back to the Stone Age, a period of culture when weapons and tools were made of stone.

         The inhabitants of the British Isles probably came from the Iberian (Spanish) peninsula. It's hard to say anything about these people as not much was found by archaeologists.

         One of the mysterious monuments of prehistoric Britain is the so-called "Stonehenge" - a circular structure formed by big slabs 8,5 meters high, weighing 7 tons each. Some scientists believe it was a place of worship, others - a sort of an ancient capital or even an astronomical observatory.

         In the 7-th century Before Christ (B.C.) the country was invaded by the Celts who came from Europe. People of one of the Celtic tribes were called Britons, so they gave this name to the new homeland.

         They were good warriors and proved it when they repulsed a 10-thousand Roman army with Julius Caesar at the head. It was in 55 B.C.

         Only a century later, in 43 A.D. (Anno Domini) the Romans actually occupied Britain and it was one of the provinces of the provinces of the Roman Empire up to 410. The Romans built towns with streets, markets and shops. Their houses had central heating; the baths were decorated with columns and fine statues.

         When the Romans left, the Germanic tribes started raiding Britain but already by the 5-th century A.D. the Saxons, Angles and Jutes had occupied the country. These wild tribes destroyed the beautiful towns, buildings and roads. They preferred to settle in small villages. The Anglo-Saxons established a number of kingdom. Later the dialect of the Angles became predominant and the new name of England was given to the whole country.

         In the 6-th century England accepted Christianity and a lot of monasteries and churches were built, places of learning and education.

         During the 8-9-th centuries England fought against new raiders, called Vikings (Scandinavian peoples - Danes and Norwegians), and England could get rid of them only in the 10-th century.

         In 1066 William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that he was promised the English throne by his cousin-the English King-long before his death. As he couldn't settle the question peacefully, he conquered the country and was named William the Conqueror.

         During the middle Ages ten different kings ruled England with the help of the barons. Four kings were murdered and three came to the throne by violence. In the 14-th century a terrible plague, the Black Death, killed one-third of the population. At that time Englishmen suffered a lot from wars: with France and within the county (struggle for the throne, the Wars of the Roses).

         In the 16-th century Britain was ruled by the members of the powerful Tudor Family. Henry the 8-th is known as a pitiless tyrant who murdered his friends, advisors, wives. His daughter Mary was called, Bloody Queen Mary.

She is a symbol of cruelty who ordered to burn hundreds of Protestants. Another Henry's daughter who ruled Britain 45 years was Elizabeth I, one of the best-loved English monarchs. Her reign was glorious and England became a flourishing country.

         The 17-th century introduced a new family of rules - the Stuarts. It was the age of a bitter struggle between Parliament and the Stuarts. Parliament finally won and everybody understood that the kings in Britain lost their absolute power.

         The 18-19-th centuries are known as the Georgian period, because the four kings who ruled Britain were all named George.

          During this period Britain became the most important manufacturing country and the most powerful empire in the world. Gradually the British Empire started losing its colonies but remained a highly developed industrial country. At present it a parliamentary monarchy. The hereditary principle on which the monarchy is founded is strictly observed.

         Queen Elizabeth II is not just the sovereign of the United Kingdom; she is also the Head of the Commonwealth. Although her active role in politics is minimal she is a symbol of an impartial head of the state. 

 

Vocabulary

 

tools – инструменты

the inhabitants – жители

slabs – плиты

worship – поклонение

predominant – преобладающий

columns - колонны

violence – насилие, сила

a pitiless tyrant – безжалостный тиран

protestants – протестанты

glorious – славный

reign – царствование

hereditary – наследственный

 

11.1 Questions

1. When was the country invaded by the Celts?

2. How was one of the mysterious monuments of prehistoric Britain called?

3. When did the Romans occupy Britain?

4. What tribes started raiding Britain, when the Romans left?

5. What did happen in the 5-th century?

6. In what century did England accept Christianity?

7. What new raiders did England fight against during the 8 – 10 centuries?

8. What can you say about the queen Elizabeth I? 

9. When did Britain become the most important manufacturing country and

the most powerful empire in the world?  

 

11. 2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. In the 5-th century Before Christ (B.C.) the country was invaded by the Celts who came from Europe.   

2. In the 10-th century England accepted Christianity and a lot of monasteries and churches were built, places of learning and education.

3. During the 9-11-th centuries England fought against new raiders, called Vikings (Scandinavian peoples - Danes and Norwegians), and England could get rid of them only in the 11-th century.

4. The 18-19-th centuries are known as the Georgian period, because the four kings who ruled Britain were all named George.

5. During this period Britain became the most important manufacturing country and the most powerful empire in the world.   

6. Queen Elizabeth II is not just the sovereign of the United Kingdom; she is also the Head of the Commonwealth.  

 

           12 The History of the USA

 

          Who were the first Americans? Specialists in history and geography say that they were the people who came to Alaska from Asia more than twelve thousand years ago. The climate in the Far North at that time was warm and there was dry land between Asia and Alaska. So they entered North America by crossing a kind of land bridge. The migration of people from Asia to America went on for thousand of years. Later the oceans covered this natural bridge with water. Today this place is called the Bering Strait.

         The men who came from the territory of present-day Siberia entered a new world in which there were no people. But the rivers were full of fish and there were many animals in the forests and on the plains, which they could use for food and clothing.

         From Alaska these first Americans traveled to the south. Some of them stayed in North America and traveled east to the Atlantic Ocean, to the Great Water, as they called it. Others went to Central and South America.

         The forest Indians lived in wigwams and made canoes which were used for hunting and fishing. Some canoes were very large; they could carry about one hundred people.        

The Indians, who lived on the Great Plains between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, hunted the buffalo.

         South west of the Rockies lived in the Apaches, the greatest fighters of all. They wore moccasins known very well to those who have read books about American Indians.

         The Hopi and - the Navaho were different from the Apaches. They were peaceful framers.

         After many centuries the North American Indians learned how to grow corn. Later some of the Indians of what is now south-western United States began to live in villages, in primitive houses. The Indians in the Ohio River region developed a high level of civilization. They have left many beautiful things made by their own hands.

         Many different cultures development in North America long before men from Europe came to America. There were many different tribes of American Indians, and each spoke its own language. There are about two hundred Indian languages in North America, each with its own grammar and vocabulary.

         American films about cowboys and Indians very often show the Indians as enemies of the white people. In fact the American Indians were attacked by the white men and their land was taken from them.

         The long and the difficult struggle of the American Indians continue to this day. They want to keep their traditions and their culture. So they have to fight for the main right of man the right to live.

         Here are some facts. There are only about eight hundred thousand Indians in the USA today. Specialists who know the history of the North American tribes say that there were about twelve million people living in the New World before Columbus came. More than half of the American Indians live in one hundred reservations situated in areas in which living conditions are very bad. They have no right to use the rivers and lakes. Indian children as a rule have no chance of receiving a good education.

 

Vocabulary

 

migration – миграция

covered – покрыт

wigwams - вигвамы

canoes - каноэ

buffalo – буйвол

moccasins -  мокасины 

farmers – фермеры

reservations -  оговорки

vocabularyзапас слов

south - юг

history - история

education - образование  

 

12.1 Answer the questions

 

1. Where did the American Indians come from?

2. What were natural conditions in North America when it was settled by people who came from Asia?

3. What was the cultural situation in North America before men from Europe came?

4. What is the history of the North America tribes?

5. How many Indians are there in the USA?

 

People from Europe began to settle in America many years ago. The first English colonists landed in the south of what is now the United States in the late sixteenth century. They called the place Virginia. But these people did not like living there and they went back to England. The first colonists who stayed in Virginia founded the settlement of Jamestown. In the 1620s and the 1630s leaders of religious groups from England established new colonies in what they called New England. These settlers came with their wives and children to make a new, better life for them.

Soon colonists from almost all the countries of Europe began, to make their homes in the New World. By 1790 after the War of Independence, four million colonists lived in the United States. Only half of them spoke the English language.

 

6. When did people begin to settle in America?

7. What did the leaders of religious groups from England do in the 1620s and the 1630s?

  

12. 2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Specialists in history and geography say that they were the people who came to Alaska from Asia more than twelve thousand years ago.

2. The migration of people from Asia to America went on for million of years. 

3. But the rivers were full of fish and there were many animals in the forests and on the plains, which they could use for food and clothing.

4. The Indians, who lived on the Great Plains between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, hunted the buffalo.

5. There are only about eight hundred thousand Indians in the USA today.

6. In the 1650s and the 1660s leaders of religious groups from England established new colonies in what they called New England.

         13 Some English Customs and Traditions

 

If you arrive in Great Britain you'll hear the word "tradition" everywhere. The English are said to be very conservative.

For example, in many houses of Great Britain they have fire places and though their bedrooms are awfully cold the English people don't want to have central heating because they don't want to have changes.

The traditional dress of the Yemen-Warders and the Horse Guards regiment has existed, since the twelfth century. This dress costs a lot of money and seems very funny nowadays but Englishmen stand for it because it's a tradition.

There are some traditions that are kept alive in the British Parliament. In the House of Lords there are two rows of benches for lords and a sack of wool for the Lord Chancellor to sit on. This is so because in the old times wool made England rich and powerful.

Parliament members are not allowed to enter the House with their hats on. If however a MP wishes to speak he puts on his hat. But they often come to sessions hatless and the one who wants to speak is given the hat that hangs on the wall near the Speaker's seat.

One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behavior, and practically no loud disputing in the street.

English people don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations. The English doesn't like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech.

Britain is a nation of animal lovers. Everybody knows that they have millions of dogs, cats and "exotic" pets, such as reptiles and amphibians. The love of gardens is also deep-rooted in the British people.

  

Vocabulary

 

tradition – традиция

conservative – консервативный

central heating – центральное отопление

row – ряд, грести

a sack of wool – мешок шерсти

powerful – могущественный

self-discipline – внутренняя дисциплина

courtesy – вежливость

dispute – спор

display – показать

amphibian – амфибия

 

13.1 Questions

 

1. Can you hear the “tradition” in Great Britain ?

2. What did they have in their bedrooms?

3. Are there any traditions in the British Parliament? 

4. Speak about their self-discipline?

5. Tell about  tell animal lovers? 

 

13. 2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. The English are said to be not very conservative.

2. The traditional dress of the Yemen-Warders and the Horse Guards regiment has existed, since the twelfth century.   

3. One of the most striking features of English life is the good education and kindness of people of all classes.

4. There are no traditions that are kept alive in the British Parliament.

5. The English like boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech.

6. Britain is a nation of animal lovers.  

 

          14 Kazakhstan

 

Kazakhstan is surrounded by Altai Mountains in the east, the Caspian Sea in the West, Tian-Shan Mountains in the South and Oral Mountain in the North. Kazakhstan covers an area of one million square miles (2,6 million square kilometers). The country stretches 1,056 miles (1700 km) from the North to the South and 1,864 miles (3000 km) from east to west. Kazakhstan is almost two times larger size of Alaska and as large as all western Europe.

          Kazakhstan has no outlets to the ocean. It touches the Caspian Sea in the west and Aral Sea in the South. Kazakhstan shares border with Russia in the North. In the East is China and in the South is the Central Asian Republics; Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzistan. Total population is about 17 million.

         The West Kazakhstan: Aktobe, Oral, Atyrau, Mangystau.

         The East: Semipalatinsk, Oskemen.

         The North: Kereky, Kostanai, Astana, Kokshetau, Torgay.

         The South: Shymkent, Taraz, Almaty, Kyzyl-Orda, Taldykorgan.

         The Central Kazakhstan: Karagandy, Zhezkazgan.

         The Capital is Astana. Major cities: Shymkent, Karaganda, Almaty, Zhezkazgan, Semey, Taraz, Kereky. It has 19 regions, 84 cities and 209 townships.

     

Major languages: KAZAKH and RUSSIAN. Major religion: ISLAM (Sunni Branch).

       Kazakhstan has been the member of the United Nations since 1992. There are more than 7 million 300 thousand Kazakh people in the world. About one million Kazakh people live outside their homeland.

       The biggest lake in Kazakhstan is the Balkash Lake. The Aral Sea is a salt-water lake that lies in the both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The major rivers are the Irtysh, the Sir Daria, the Ili and the Ural.  Kazakhstan's main economic activities take place in industry, textile, building materials, hydro electric energy, pipeline, martial mining, oil refining, dairy cattle, beefs cattle, herding, mixed crops, grain and so on. The capital of Kazakhstan is Astana. The first president of the republic is Nursyltan Nazarbaev.

     We like our country very much. 

 

Vocabulary

 

outlets – выходные отверстия

shares – доли

border - граница

lake – озеро

salt- water – морская вода

textile – ткань

hydroelectric energy – гидроэлектрическая энергия

martial mining – военное горное дело

oil refining - нефтеочиститель

mixed crops – смешанные урожаи 

 

14.1 Questions

 

1. What is Kazakhstan surrounded by in the east?

2. Where is Kazakhstan surrounded by the Caspian Sea?

3. What is the area of Kazakhstan?

4. What is the population of Kazakhstan?

5. What is the capital of Kazakhstan?

6. How many regions, cities and townships does Kazakhstan have?

7. What can you say about the lakes and the rivers of Kazakhstan?

8. What main economic activities in Kazakhstan do you know?

9. Who is the first president of the republic Kazakhstan?

 

14.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. Kazakhstan is surrounded by Altai Mountains in the east, the Caspian Sea in the West, Tian-Shan Mountains in the South and Oral Mountain in the North.

2. Kazakhstan has no outlets to the ocean.

3. The country stretches 1,056 miles (1700 km) from the North to the South and 1,864 miles (3000 km) from east to west.

4. The Capital is Almaty.

5. Total population is about 350 million.

6. The biggest lake in Kazakhstan is the Aral Lake. 

 

14.3 Express in one word the following meanings

 

1. A very high hill.

2. The salt water that covers large parts of the surface of the earth.

3. A number of people who live in a particular place.

4. A large and important town.

5. The system of sounds and writing that human beings use to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings.

  

          15 Traditions and Holidays in Kazakhstan

 

         Traditions and customs are observed by the countries which respect their history. A country without traditions seems to be a big tree without any roots. I think, every generation must know old-time-honored traditions. Kazakhs try to follow their traditions. In Kazakhstan as well as in any other country there are some strict rules of social and business behavior. Seniority is very important in our country. For example, when you meet a familiar person you should wait until a senior person offers his hand for shaking. The Kazakh just like the Japanese use both hands for shaking – it is a mark of respect. Young people especially from rural areas like to embrace each other when meeting to show their friendly feelings. People in Kazakhstan are very hospitable. The traditions of the Kazakh national hospitality is closely connected with warm attitude to the man. We can invite guests on any occasion including birthday, marriage, engagement, housewarming, getting a new job or a promotion, getting a new military rank, entering or graduating from the Institute. We serve rich and fat food, the most delicious and loved by anyone is besbarmak.

         Kazakhs love to celebrate holidays and special occasions. During these times, Kazakhs often dress in their traditional Kazak clothes.

Villages or city neighborhoods will set up yurts nearby where they host elaborate meals. Kazakhs will frequently go to visit friends and family, bearing gifts of flowers and candy Games, horseracing, singing contests and dancing are also part of the traditions associated with celebrations.

         The following public holidays are observed in Kazakhstan:      

January 1- 2 New Year

January 7 Russian Orthodox Christmas

March 8 International Women’s day

 March 22 Nauryz (first day of the Muslim New Year)

 May 1 Kazakhstan People’s Unity Day

 May 9 Victory Day

 August 30 Constitution Day

 October 25 Republic Day

 December 16 Independent Day

         Nauryz which means “new days,” is Kazakhstan’s biggest public holiday. People celebrate the coming of spring. It is the most ancient festivity of Oriented nations. In fact, it is a New Year’s Eve according to the ancient Oriented calendar. It has yet another name “Ulys Kuni” (“The first day of the New Year”) or “Ulystyn uly kuni” (“The great day of the people”). Kazakhs say that the more you are in celebrating the Nauryz holiday, the greater successwill attend you through the year. When the holiday comes, Kazakhs would put on festive clothes, pay visits to each other, exchange congratulations, best wishes of well-being and good luck in the coming year. Festivities are accompanied by universal merry-making, games, traditional horse-races, various amusements.

         Kurban Bayram is a religious holiday among Muslims; traditionally they choose the best ship and cook different tasty meals, during this holiday people visit each other, tables (dastarkhan) are full of food, everyone is welcome this day.      

 

Vocabulary

 

root - корень

old-time-honoured traditionsстаринные уважаемые традиции

business behavior – деловое отношение 

seniority - старшинство

shaking - пожатие

to embrace - обнимать

hospitable - гостеприимный

guests - гости

occasion – случай, повод

engagement - свидание 

housewarming - новоселье

oriented nations – восточные нации

festivities - торжества 

 

15.1 Questions

 

1. What the countries are traditions and customs observed by?

2. Do Kazakhs try to follow their traditions?

3. Is seniority very important in our country?

4. Are people in Kazakhstan very hospitable?

5. What food is the most delicious and loved by anyone in Kazakhstan?

6. What do Kazakhs love to celebrate?

7. How do Kazakh people spend their holidays?

8. What is the Nauryz holiday?

9. In what day does Kazakhstan celebrate its Independent Day?  

10. What holiday is Kurban Bayram?  

 

15.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. A country without traditions seems to be a big tree without any roots.

2. Kazakhs don’t love to celebrate holidays and special occasions

3. We serve rich and fat food, the most delicious and loved by anyone is besbarmak.

4. Nauryz which means “new days,” is Kazakhstan’s biggest public holiday.

5. Kurban Bayram is a public holiday.

6. Kazakhs say that the more you are in celebrating the Nauryz holiday, the greater success will attend you through the year. 

 

          16 Holidays in the USA

 

American Holidays are strikingly different in origin and show surprising similarities in the manner of their celebration. No matter what the holiday’s origin is, they all seem to be the same thing. A holiday has simply become, for most Americans, a day off from work, though some (for example, Thanksgiving and Christmas) retain some individuality.

The major holidays in the USA, are:

New Year’s Day, January, 1st:

People stay awake until after midnight on December 31st to watch the Old Year out and the New Year in. Many parties are given on this night.

Theatres, night clubs, restaurants are crowded.

Valentine’s Day, February, 14:

It is not a national holiday. Banks and offices do not close, but it is a happy little, festival in honor of St Valentine, patron of sweethearts and lovers. It is widely celebrated among people of an age by the exchange of “valentines”. A “valentine” may mean a special greeting card or a little present. The greeting card or often colored red, have red trimmings and pictures of hearts.

Washington’s Birthday, February, 22:

In Addition to commemorating the birth of the United states first President, it’s a great day for shoppers. The department stores of Washington, D.C., stated a national tradition of sales marked by unusual bargains.

Easter.

Easter is in memory of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It falls on the First full moon between March 22, and April, 25. The 40 days before Easter are called Lent. Just before Easter, schools and colleges usually close. The students have a week or ten days of spring vacation.

Memorial Day, May, 30.

It is a national holiday. Schools, banks and offices close for the day. On that day, Americans honor the servicemen who gave their lives in past wars. Schools, clubs and churches decorate the cemeteries. They put up the flags on the graves of the army, navy and airmen. They hold memorial services in churches, halls, parks and cemeteries.

Independence Day, July, 4:

On this day, in 1776, America signed the Declaration of independence. It is a national public holiday celebrated with fireworks and speeches praising “Americanism, democracy, free enterprise”.

Labor Day, the first Monday is September:

It is a holiday of recreation. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Vacation time is over. Resorts, camps and beaches close… Parents go to summer camps and their children back home.

Halloween, October, 31:

Halloween is the day or evening before All Saints’ Day. Halloween customs date back to a time when people believed in devils, ghosts. They thought that these evil spirits could do all kinds of damage to property. Some people tried to ward off witches by nailing a piece of iron, such as a horseshoe, over the door.

Now most people do not believe in evil spirits. On this day they just have a nice holiday. Children dress up as ghosts and witches and go out into the streets to beg.

Veterans Day:

The fighting in World War I ended on November, 11, 1918. The Germans signed an armistice with the Allies. For many years this holiday was called Armistice Day. Now it is called Veterans Day.

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November:

In the USA it is a national holiday.

It was first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrim Fathers after their first good harvest.

Thanksgiving is a family day, for it is customary for all members of the family to gather at the home of their parents. The family eats a large traditional dinner, usually with turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Christmas Day, December, 25:

It is usually a one-day official holiday, but it is preceded and followed by festive parties, and marked by special church services, gift-giving and feasting. Christmas is a family holiday. Schools and colleges close between Christmas and New Year’s Day. People stay at home and spend the time with their families. People send cards or Christmas greetings to family and friends away from home. Every family tries to have a Christmas tree, which is beautifully decorated. Santa Claus comes from the North Pole in his sleigh, dressed in red cap and jacket, entering the house from chimney. He is a merry and fat individual. He has gifts of whatever kind you may wish for – nothing is neither too fabulous nor too trial for him to provide. 

 

Vocabulary

 

origin - происхождение

similarities - сходства

celebration - празднование

a day off – выходной день

retain - удерживать

midnight - полночь

sweethearts - возлюбленные

exchange - обмен

trimmingsотделки, гарниры

bargains - сделки

airmen - летчики

devils - чёрты

ghosts - привидения

beg – очень просить 

 

16.1 Questions

 

1. What can you say about holidays in America?

2. Do you like holidays?

3. What do you do at holidays?

4. Have you any holidays in your family?

5. How do American people celebrate New Year’s Day?

6. In what day American people celebrate Halloween?

7. What can you say about Thanksgiving Day? 

 

16.2 Say the following statements true or false

 

1. American Holidays are strikingly different in origin and show surprising similarities in the manner of their celebration.

2. A holiday has simply become, for most Americans, a day off from work, though some (for example, Thanksgiving and Christmas) retain some individuality.

3. A “valentine” may mean a special greeting card or a little present.

4. Just before Easter, schools and colleges usually open.

5. Thanksgiving isn’t a family day, all members of the family spends this holiday individually.

6. Now most people believe in evil spirits.

 

Список литературы 

1. Бойко В., Жидких Н., Каверина В., Панина Е. 200 Тем английского языка. – Москва: ЗАО «БАО-ПРЕСС», 2002.

2. Sally Wehmeier. Oxford Word power Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 1998.

3. Назарбаева М.М. Назарбаева М.А. “Ағылшын тіліоқу құралы. Шымкент 2000.

4. Назарбаева Мариям М. Across the Globe. Ел тану. Шымкент – 1999.

 

Содержание 

1The History of Canada ……………………………………………...3

2 Christmas in Australia …………. .….. ……………………………4

3 New Zealand Way of life ………………………………………….6

4 Great Britain ………………………………………………… ........7

5 Places of Interest in Great Britain …………………………………9

6 Australia …………………………………………………………..10

7 New Zealand ……………………………………………………...12

8 Canada ………………………………………………………........14

9 The USA ………………………………………………………….15

10 The History of Kazakhstan ……………………………………...17

11 The History of Great Britain ……………….. …………………..19

12 The History of the USA ………………………………………….21

13 Some English Customs and Traditions ………………………….24

14 Kazakhstan ………………………………………………………25

15 Traditions and Holidays in Kazakhstan …………………………27

16 Holidays in the USA …………………………………………….29

Содержание ………………………………………………………..32