People who travel to another country take more than just their luggage. They take their own ideas, their own way of thinking and their own lifestyle as well.

Exercise 1. Read the interviews of people from different countries. Name the typical features of the Americans they mention.

- Toughness? Toughness comes from the sense of individual freedom - the first value and belief of Americans.

- Self-reliance and moral value? Self-reliance and moral value are supposed to be obligatory to a true American and most Americans believe that individuals must rely on themselves; otherwise they risk losing their freedom. True Americans must come to both financial and emotional independence from their parents by the age of 18 or 21. So, self-reliance and moral value are supposed to be obligatory to a true American.

- Confident and optimistic? Americans are confident and optimistic; they believe competition and desire to win are healthy and desirable. In spite of the fact that society cannot consist only of "winners", the Americans are confident and optimistic and believe competition and desire to win are healthy and desirable.

- Inventive and optimistic? The fact that Americans are inventive and optimistic proceeds from a "can-do" spirit of earlier settlers who had to be inventive experimenters and had come to believe that every problem has a solution.

- Changes? Yes, Americans are very changeable and love changes. Americans love changes and call it "the spirit of adventure". They change homes and jobs, friends and cars, and call it "the spirit of adventure".

- Sociable? It is easy to communicate with Americans because they are very sociable. Some people believe it is ill-mannered to be sociable and to ask so many questions as Americans do.

Exercise 2. Provide the English equivalents to the following Russian words and word combinations.

Жесткость (выносливость), общительный, плохие манеры, дух приключений, изменчивый, изобретательный, конкуренция, желание победить, победитель, экспериментаторы, дух всемогущего, обязательный, способность положиться на себя, моральные ценности, эмоциональная и финансовая независимость.

Exercise 3. Provide synonyms for the following words.

Exercise 4. There are certain stereotypes about every nation. What stereotypes do Germans, French people and Englishmen have? Some of them can be positive, some - negative, and others - neutral.

1. Americans? You can easily spot them abroad by their toughness. It comes from their sense of individual freedom - their first value and belief. Americans realize, however, that individuals must rely on themselves; otherwise they risk losing their freedom. They must come to both financial and emotional independence from their parents as early as possible, usually by the age of 18 or 21. So, self-reliance and moral value are supposed to be obligatory to a true American. It designates the ability of succeeding on one's own. "Pull yourself up by the bootstraps" is their saying as well as "Life is what you make of it" and "Actions speak louder than words"

(German)

2. Typical Americans? I think they are very confident and optimistic. 60% of the Americans believe competition and desire to win are healthy and desirable. So you can hardly see a person wishing to look incapable or "a looser". But you shouldn't think that their optimistic look is but make believe. In spite of the fact that society cannot consist only of "winners", the Americans are very optimistic. This trait proceeded from a "can-do" spirit of earlier settlers who had to be inventive and had come to believe that every problem has a solution: a difficult problem can be solved immediately - an impossible one may take a little longer. This "can-do" spirit was for all that strengthened by natural abundance and unmeasured territory.

(French)

3. What is typical to true Americans? Perhaps, their changeable way of life. They love changes, they call it "the spirit of adventure"; they like to "move away", to change homes and jobs, friends and cars. They seem to be constantly pulling down old and often quite beautiful houses or throwing away things merely because they are old. Besides, Americans are very sociable and boastful. If you communicate with them, they will inquire where you have come from, what your job is, how you like America and how long you are staying in the US and so on. I think it is ill-mannered to ask so many questions.

(English)

Exercise 5. Travellers to the USA all over the world noticed different characteristics about the American character. Read the viewpoints and copy out the features typical of them. Write them down into three columns.

Exercise 6. Read the interviews about the American character and compare the views. Answer the given questions and fill in the table.

• How do the Germans visualize the Americans?

• What do the French think about the Americans?

• How do the British describe the Americans?

Exercise 7. Use the views and make a general description of the American character. Add some features, which you think, are not mentioned. Share your viewpoint with the group. Use the scheme.

First of all, Americans are believed to be...

Besides, Americans are considered to ...

More than that, Americans are announced to...

In conclusion it should be mentioned that Americans are reported to...

LESSON 7. WILL THE NEXT CENTURY BE CALLED AMERICAN?

Several decades ago America used to be one of the leading countries. There were the opinions that America ruled the world. And still there are those who believe that the next century will also be called American. Are you of the same opinion?

Exercise 1. Read the poem, single out the main idea and comment on it.

“I, too”

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

Tomorrow,

I’ll sit at the table

When company comes

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed –

I, too, am America.

Langston Huges

Exercise 2. Read the article, state the central ideas claimed in it and comment on them. Do these ideas coincide with those implied in the poem?

“The Second American Century”

Henry Grunwald, the author of the article “The Second American Century”, shares his thoughts about the achievements and failures of America and poses an important question: “Will the next century again be American?” He asks us to look around America, to observe the filth and decay, the homeless sleeping in the streets, the haze of drugs, the racial hate, the crime and the fear and to consider the sense of breaking. This contrast bears a lot of questions. Is this still a country that can lead? A country that can give others its ideals of freedom and justice, its formula for creating wealth, its generosity? Was the American Century always an illusion? And, if it was real, is it over?

It is nearly 50 years since Henry Luce published his essay “The American Century”. The XX century, wrote Luce, must be, “to a significant degree, an American Century”. This assumption was often questioned, ridiculed and even attacked. When the US emerged as a nuclear power, when communism spread across the map, when the US was defeated in Vietnam, many people decided that it could not really be the American Century.

On the other hand, Americans possess some tremendous assets that allow them to occupy the leading position in the world. Due to their bright mind they have achieved a great success in technology. They have pioneered the move from the industrial to the information society. They have invented jet planes and computers. They have built and used the atom bomb changing the calculus of war and peace. Moreover, they have proved capitalism to be a vital and successful system. Above all, they have helped defeat two great enemies of freedom – Nazism and Communism.

But still there are widespread announcements of the end of the American Century. Declinism has become a growth industry, the US has Japan and the European Community as serious trade rivals. Besides, the US has changed into a debtor nation; it has revealed great shortcomings of education. All this is accompanied by a new isolationism, known as an economic isolationism.

Some people hope there can be will be a second American Century if Americans want it. It should be admitted Americans have the capacity for renewal. They were able to reform their society after the cruelties of 19 century. America is more open to newcomers than any other country in the world. Immigration has always been a source of boundless fresh energy and enthusiasm. America possesses a special instrument of change and reform – the civic crusade. It represents an extraordinary American capacity to change perceptions and habits.

For these reasons America has claimed for the leadership in the world in XXI century.

Exercise 3. Make sure you know how to pronounce the given words correctly. Consult your dictionary where necessary. Read out the sentences with these words and translate them.

achievement failure filth decay

illusion assumption to ridicule to defeat

tremendous asset calculus vital

rival debtor renewal boundless

crusade extraordinary perception technology

Exercise 4. Match the beginning of the word combination with its ending. Translate the situations to practise the usage of the given word combinations in your speech.

to pose the leading position

haze crusade

to bear degree

to a significant announcements

shortcomings of a question

trade power

debtor isolationism

capacity for of drugs

economic a lot of questions

civic education

nuclear rivals

widespread nation

to occupy renewal

1. Проводя научные исследования необходимо правильно сформулировать вопрос для того, чтобы получить необходимые результаты.

2. Алкоголь, наркотический туман часто являются атрибутами лёгкой жизни современной молодёжи.

3. В настоящее время учёные поднимают много вопросов, касающихся будущего нашей планеты.

4. Хорошие отметки на экзаменах, в значительной степени, являются результатом тяжёлой работы.

5. Недостаток образования нации может сказаться на уровне её благосостояния.

6. Торговые конкуренты и экономический изоляционизм могут превратить страну в нацию должников.

7. Нельзя не признать, что некоторые страны имеют способность к обновлению.

8. Гражданские кампании, призывающие решать некоторые социальные вопросы, могут привлечь внимание общественности к наиболее актуальным проблемам.

9. Державы, обладающие ядерной мощью, зачастую могут позволить себе диктовать условия остальному миру.

10. Многие страны Западной Европы занимают лидирующие позиции по вопросам развития экономики и туризма.

11. Широко распространённые заявления Америки о своём превосходстве приводят её к непониманию с некоторыми странами и становятся причиной неприязни на международной арене.

Exercise 5. Find 16 verbs taken from the article. Make up your own examples with them to illustrate their usage.

to p - - - to o - - - - - - to b - - - to l - - -

to e - - - - - to s - - - - - to d - - - - - to p - - - - - -

to a - - - - to o - - - - - to i - - - - - to p - - - -

to r - - - - - to a - - - - to c - - - - to p - - - - - -

Exercise 6. Find in the article the information to answer the following questions:

1. What are the basic achievements and failures of the USA according to Henry Grunwald?

2. What’s Henry Luce’s viewpoint on the XX century?

3. Which assets allow Americans to occupy the leading positions in the world?

4. What makes people think that America has already lost its leading positions?

5. What can help America hold its leadership?

Exercise 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the fact that the XXI century can be called American? Why? Complete the sentences to stand your ground.

I approve of the fact that the XXI century can be called American, because …

Ø they can give others its ideals of freedom and justice

Ø they can give others its formula for creating wealth

Ø …

I support the ideathat this century can be called American, because …

Ø they possess a nuclear power

Ø they have achieved a great success in technology

Ø …

I agree to the fact that the XXI century can be called American, because …

Ø they have pioneered the move from the industrial to the information society

Ø they have invented many things

Ø …

I back up the idea that this century can be called American, because …

Ø they have proved capitalism to be a vital and successful system

Ø they have the capacity for renewal

Ø …

I disapprove of the fact that the XXI century can be called American, because …

ü of the racial hate, the crime and the fear

ü …

I condemn the fact that this century can be called American because …

ü there’s declinism in its industry

ü the US has Japan and the European Community as serious trade rivals

ü …

I object to the idea that the XXI century can be called American, because …

ü there can be revealed great shortcomings of education

ü …

LESSON 8. THE BRITISH CHARACTER? YES, THE BRITISH CHARACTER!

Exercise 1.Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The national character of the British has been differently described. Look at the table below and say what qualities of the British are pointed out.

What do most people think about the British? Did they change their opinion after they had visited Britain?

Exercise 2. Travellers to Britain from all over the world noticed different characteristics of the English character. Study the table "The British" and say if most British people are really like these described in the table:

1) What are British people considered to be?

2) What surprises travellers to Britain most of all?

3) What is typical of the British?

4) What would the real British people never do?

5) How is the British order displayed?

6) What can't the British imagine their lives without?

The British? What are they like?

1. British people are considered to be ...

• polite

• modest

• prudent

• careful

• realistic

• practical

• reserved

• snobbish

• aloof

• hypocritical

• unsociable

• conservative

• superior

• haughty

2. Real British people never ...

• talk very much to strangers

• show many emotions

• talk about personal

• display feelings, even in dangerous or tragic situations

• dispute loudly in the street

• boast

• shake hands at the meeting

• yell in the street

• make love in public

3. Travellers to Britain from all over the world say that the British

• have strange traffic rules

• have heavy / substantial plain cooking

• always talk about the weather

• always stand in a line at a bus stop or in a post

• are not very friendly

4. British people like order in everything. They always have ...

• lawns closely cropped

• trees neatly pruned

• flower beds primly cultivated

• seats in a cinema carefully assigned

• drinks carefully measured

5. It is typical of the British to ...

• love familiar things

• wait for their turn in the queue

• keep their traditions

• have feeling for privacy

• do everything carefully & sensibly, without risk

• talk about the weather

• be infatuated with common sense

• be not mislead by romantic delusions

• remain good-tempered & cheerful under difficulties

• divide into social groups

6. It is a well-known fact that the British have the devotion to …

• animals

• gardening

• pubs

• tea with milk

• sport

• houses

• nature

• traditions

Exercise 4. What new facts about the British have you learned? Read out the character traits of the British people which impressed you most all.

Exercise 5. You have probably ideas about what British people are like. Does your image of the British differ from that described in the table? Which characteristics do you find true / untrue?

They say that the British …, but I think that …

The British are considered …, but I suppose them …

The British never …, but I should say that …

Travellers to Britain from all over the world say …, though I strongly for/ against the fact that…

British people like order in everything. They always have… , and I dis/agree to the idea that …

It’s typical of the British …, nevertheless I believe …

To sum it up I should say that my image of the British doesn’t/ differ from that described in the table.

Exercise 6. Here is what people in different countries think about the British. Read the young people's opinions of the British character and compare your list of characteristics with theirs.

Ann: What do I think of the British? They are cold, reserved, rather haughty people, who don't yell in the streets, don't make love in public, change their governments as often as they change their underclothes or have revolutions. They are steady, easy-going and fond of sport. One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behaviour and practically no loud disputing in the street. People don't rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stop in a quiet and orderly manner.

Kate: British people? Frankly speaking, I really value some of their character traits. They are naturally polite and are never tired in saying "Thank you", "Beg your pardon". If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Englishmen don't like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech. Sometimes they conceal their knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner's language. Besides, English people are reserved. They don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.

Peter: What is typical of the British? The British are a nation of stay-at-homes. There is no place like home, they say. And when the man is not working, he withdraws from the world to the company of his wife and children and busies himself with the affairs of the home. Many Englishmen help their wives at home in many ways. They clean the windows on Saturday afternoon; they often wash up the dishes after supper in the evening. "The Englishman's home is his castle" is a saying known all over the world. It is true that English people prefer small houses, built to house one family, perhaps with a small garden.

Exercise 7. Say whom these words belong to according to the opinions.

• Englishmen don't like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech.

• The British don't rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stop in a quiet and orderly manner.

• Many Englishmen help their wives at home in many ways.

• English people prefer small houses, built to house one family, perhaps with a small garden.

• One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes.

• The British don't like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations.

Exercise 8. Look through the opinions once again and say if:

a) Kate considers that the British are very polite;

b) Peter believes that for an Englishman there is no place like home;

c) Kate thinks that the British are reserved and unemotional;

d) Ann considers that the British people are cold and reserved.

Exercise 9. Explain why the British are considered to be …

· cold

· helpful

· reserved

· unboastful

· a nation of stay-at-home

· unemotional

· disciplined

Do you share the idea stated above? Why?

Exercise 10. Study an essay and analyze it taking into account the suggested scheme. Answer the questions.

1. Are there all the three parts: introduction, the body, the conclusion?

2. Are there enough examples?

3. What can be changed in the text?

Thesis (a quotation, a poem, a piece of a song, etc.) or introduction

Arguments (facts from books, films, examples from your or sb’s life) or the body

Thesis (summing up the facts and ideas) or the conclusion

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The French are supposed to be amorous, jolly, fond of champagne; the Germans dull, formal, efficient, fond of military uniforms and parades; the American boastful, energetic, gregarious and vulgar. The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people who do not yell in the street, make love in public or change their governments as often as they change their underclothes. They are steady, easy-going, and fond of sport.

There are, however, certain kinds of behaviour manners and customs, which are peculiar to England.

The English are a nation of stay-at-homes (couch potatoes). There is no place like home, they say. And when a man is not working, he withdraws from the world to the company of his wife and children and busies himself with the affairs of the home. "The Englishman's home is his castle", is a saying known all over the world; and it is no true that English people prefer small houses, built to house one family, perhaps with a small garden.

The fire is the focus of the English home. What do other nations sit round? The answer is they don't. They go out to cafes or sit round the cocktail bar. For the English it is the open fire, the toasting fork and the ceremony of English tea. The English are among the most amiable people in the world; they can also be ruthless. They have a genius for compromise on others with surprising efficiency. They are generous in small matters but more cautious in big ones.

English people are slow to adopt rational reforms. They suffer inconvenience from adhering to old ways, because they don't want the trouble of adapting themselves to new.

Exercise 11. Transcribe the given words and practise reading them in sentences from the article.

reputation; castle; champagne; focus; parade; ceremony; to yell; genius; custom; efficiency; peculiar; rational; affair; to adhere

Exercise 12. Give the Russian equivalents for the following words

Amorous, efficient, gregarious, haughty, couch potato, toasting fork, amiable, ruthless, cautious

Exercise 13. Give the English equivalents for the following words

Весёлый, военная форма, хвастливый, вульгарный, иметь репутацию, постоянный, манеры поведения, разместить одну семью

Exercise 14. Find in the article prepositions for the following verbs and restore the situations they were used in.

to withdraw … sth to busy sb … sth

to sit … sth to go … … somewhere

to compromise … sb to adopt … sth

Exercise 15. What is your opinion of the British? What is a typical Englishman for you? Write an essay-exemplification.

Exercise 16. Sum up everything you’ve learned about the British. Complete the word web.

LESSON 9. RUSSIANS. HOW DO FOREIGNERS SEE THEM?

Would you like to know what people from other countries think of Russians?

Exercise 1. Read about the Russian character and write what points are made about Russian people. Tick the ones you agree with (A), Disagree with (D) or feel true for you personally (T). Use the verbs: think, suppose, consider believe, say, know, expect to support your viewpoint.

THE RUSSIAN CHARACTER

"Russia is still a huge ethnic and social melting pot."

"Russians are fond of small things, of intimacy and coziness, but they may suddenly get bored and throw them aside like a toy."

"They can be surprisingly frank and also very secretive."

"They yearn for open spaces, yet they like things that are hidden and mysterious."

"There is much to be said of Russia as a land of contrasts."

"Despite the flare-ups you may sometimes see, Russians are not easily excited or enraged. But when finally aroused, in love or angry, the effect is lasting."

"When you get to know a Russian well, you will often find that he thinks of himself as having not just one rodina (native land) but two — Russia as a whole and some little place of it where he was born. And he has a special word for a man from that particular place — zemlyak."

Exercise 2. Describe the Russian character using the table.

Russians. What are they like?

1. Russian people are…

• romantic

• highly passionate

• generous

• kind

• sensitive

• frank

• not easily excited

• passive

• emotional

• tolerant

• patient

• mysterious

• superstitious

2. It is typical of Russians …

• to shake hands at meeting

• to avoid talks about sex

• to use oaths in speech

• to blame fighting in public

• to take bribes

• to keep their traditions

3. In their free time they prefer …

• to watch soap operas

• to go fishing

• to pay visits (posidelki)

• to go to the bath-house

• to rest in the summer cottage (dacha)

4. Russian people value …

• money

• religion

• stylish clothes

• family

• friendship

• sense of humour

5. It is impossible to imagine Russians without …

• flare-ups

• posidelki

• spirits

• Russian winter

• traditions

6. To my mind Russians deserve only …

• admiration

• respect

• sympathy

• compassion

Exercise 3. Here is foreigner’s view on Russia. Read it and add some more peculiar traits of the Russian character. Which of them were already mentioned in the table above?

My mind was filled with contradictory thoughts and images when I recollected Russia. But a small incident cleared up everything.

One morning I was listening to some familiar chamber music with my husband, who had travelled with me. I understood that I was touched by it more deeply than in the past. I had the impression that I was hearing the music through my heart.

I found the explanation in the fact being in Russia and living among my Russian friends changed my perceptions of life and my attitude to the world around me. After my trip to Russia I had the impression that life in the US was reversed. While travelling I was often struck by the beauty of people’s souls and the kindness in their hearts. In spite of hard life in Russia the people were able to find forgiveness and joy in their hearts. Knowing the darker side of Russian life I was still dazzled by the people’s extraordinary generosity and self-sacrifice. I can give you a small example to illustrate it. My husband and I had reserved hotel rooms for our stays in Moscow not to be a burden for our friends during these tough economic times. But our friends insisted on our staying with them and leaving the hotel rooms. They moved out of their own rooms to give us the most comfortable place to be. There was never a hint that we were an inconvenience. What’s more, they made us feel that our presence was a cause for celebration.

To many Western people the more rational option would be to leave the guests in the hotel rooms if they could afford it. But to many Russian people it’s a question of being together, not of convenience. Even now, when “the time is money”, friends, “good people” are still cherished by Russians. It was the influence of many examples of kindness and generosity, of friendship and love, which caused my husband and me to hear the music differently when we returned home from Russia.

In New York there is no sense of connectedness, the competitive spirit, financial needs and ambitions come into the foreground. Some people say that isolation seems to be the disease of our time in the US. And human connectedness is part of its treatment.

Exercise 4. Make sure you know how to pronounce the given words. Read out and translate sentences with them.

contradictory cause

explanation rational

reserved connectedness

extraordinary isolation

inconvenience perception

Exercise 5. Look through the article and fill in the table with the appropriate equivalents.

Exercise 6. Find the prepositions for the given words, read out and translate the sentences with them.

to be filled ... sth to clear ... sth to be touched ... sth

to be struck ... sth ... spite ... sth to be dazzled ... sth

to insist ... sth to move ... ... sth to be cherished ... sb

Exercise 7. Russia is often described as a land of contrasts. How do you understand it and how, in your opinion, can it influence the Russian character? Prepare a monologue “Russia is a land of contrasts”.

The list of literature

1. Дубровин, М.И. Английские и русские пословицы и поговорки в иллюстрациях/ М.И. Дубровин – М.: Просвещение, 1995.

2. Занина, Е.Л. 95 устных тем по английскому языку/ Е.Л. Занина – М., 2003.

3. Корнеева, Е.А Практика английского языка: сборник упражнений по устной речи/ Е.А. Корнеева – СПб, 2003.

4. Лебединская, Б.Я. Английская грамматика в стихах: пособие по английскому языку/ Б.Я. Лебединская – М.: ООО «Издательство Астрель»: ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2000.

5. Пассов, Е.И. Английский язык. Новый путь. Лексика? Нет проблем./ Е.И. Пассов, Н.В. Новосельцева – М.: Ин. язык, 2000.

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