CULTURE TRADITIONS IN BRITAIN
If you are invited to dinner at someone's home, you should take some flowers or a box of chocolates. If you are invited to an informal party, it is quite common to take a bottle of wine or even a few bottles of beer. At English parties men should wear a suit and tie. If you wish to bring a friend along, that's fine, but it is polite to ask first. You are not expected to turn up with very expensive presents. People in Britain are generally quite careful about time. When you are invited to someone's house, you should either arrive on time or no later than fifteen minutes after the time arranged. If in doubt, give your hosts a ring. You should be careful about overstaying your welcome. Look out for signs of tiredness in your hosts. You can say, "Well, I think it's time we are going."
Usually in Britain they introduce people by their first name or their first name and surname together. Most people use first names at informal parties. It is usual to shake hands with men and to kiss women on the cheek when you are introduced to them. Do not embrace, however, on this first encounter and do not stand too close to the other person. As you are introduced to someone, you say, "How do you do?" or "Pleased to meet you." You need not wait to be introduced — just introduce yourself.
You can "break the ice" with strangers by talking about the weather: "Shame about the weather." "Is it still raining?" or "Bit chilly today, don't you think?" When you have broken the ice like this, you can then go on to ask the person other questions.
Another good topic for conversation is work. However, people do not like talking about politics except in a general way, and you should avoid asking them what political party they vote for. When you first meet someone, it is also not appropriate to ask about their age or how much they weigh.
A pub is where you drink beer or other alcoholic drinks, but light refreshments are also available. Pubs serve drinks at fixed times and generally accept last orders at about 11 p.m. It maybe difficult to get a drink after this time. At lunch time and sometimes in the evening food is served. If you order more than three pints of beer, the food is free of charge, so drink as much as you can and then ask (politely) for your free meal. People may pay for their own drinks or take it in turns to buy a "round", in other words, to pay for the whole group.
Notes
1. to turn up – появляться
2. either…or – или…или
3. in doubt – в сомнении
4. encounter – встреча
5. shame – досада
6. refreshments – еда; питье
7. free of charge - бесплатно
Вариант 10
GREETINGS
The purpose of greetings in all languages is the same: to establish contact with another person and to show friendliness.
It is very important to use the correct form of greeting. Do you know, for example, that "Good day" is not exactly the same as "Добрый день?" It is not an arrival greeting, as in other languages. "Good day" is used when leaving, but even then not very often.
"Hello" is the universal form of greeting. It is acceptable in any situation except after a very formal introduction. A friendly "Hello" said with a smile is warm and informal. "Hello" followed by a name is even friendlier and more personal.
"Hi" is a greeting for people who already know one another. "Hi" is an abbreviation of "hiya", which in turn is a corruption of "How are you?" It should never be used in any formal situation.
To people you do not know very well, you may say "Good morning" (until lunch time), "Good afternoon" (until 5-6 pm) and "Good evening" (after 6 pm).
To neighbours, colleagues and other people whom you see regularly, you may say "Morning", "Afternoon", "Evening".
As a greeting people often say "How are you?" Since this widely used phrase implies no sincere interest in an answer, the best response is either "Fine, thank you" or "Very well, thank you".
"How do you do?" is said after formal introductions. You say this without expecting any answer but "How do you do?"
Notes
1. сorruption – искажение
2. but – кроме
FEAR
"Are you a man or a mouse?" When people ask this question they want to know if you think you are a brave person or a coward. But you will never really know the answer to that question until you are tested in real life. Some people think they are brave, but when they come face to face with real danger, they act like cowards. Other people think of themselves as cowardly, but when they meet danger, act like heroes.
Lenny Skutnik had always thought of himself as a nervous person. He got worried before examinations. He worried about his job and his health. All he wanted in life was to be safe and healthy. Then, on 5th January, 1982, a plane crashed into the Potomac River in Washington. Lenny went to the river to see what was happening. Then he saw a woman in the ice-cold water. Suddenly Lenny did not feel afraid. He kept very calm and did a very courageous thing. He jumped into the river, swam to the woman and kept her head above the water. Seventy-eight people died that day. Thanks to Lenny Skutnik, it was not seventy-nine.
When you are in a very dangeroussituation and feel afraid, the body automatically produces a chemical in the blood. This chemical is called adrenalin. With adrenalin in the blood system, you actually feel stronger and are ready to fight or run away. However, when you are absolutely terrified, the body can produce too much adrenalin. When this happens, the muscles become very hard and you find that you cannot move at all. You are then paralysed with fear. That is why, when we are very frightened, we sometimes say that we are 'petrified'. This word comes from the Greek word 'petros' which means 'stone'. We are so frightened we have become like stone.
Notes
be petrified — оцепенеть
FAMOUS PEOPLE
Each country is proud of its famous people, and Russia is among them. There are a lot of Russian famous writers, poets and musicians. A. Pushkin is the most important Russian writer and poet of all the time. He is like Shakespeare in England. He provided the standards for Russian arts and literature in the 19th century. In 1823 Pushkin began writing his masterpiece Eugene Onegin. It became his linguistic and literar standard. It is a commentary on the life of the early 19th-century Russia. Pushkin also wrote a lot of other poems and created masterpieces in drama and prose. All Russian people know Pushkin. Galleries and museums were named after him. In the centre of Moscow there is a monument to Pushkin built by famous Russia-architect Opekunshin in 1880. Pushkin's memorial museums in different cities attract many visitors.
One of the other famous poets and writers in Russia was M. Lermontov. He won fame as a poet after his poem on Pushkin`s death had been published. Lermontov's poems Demon, Mtsyri, his great novel A Hero of Our Time and his play Masquerade are masterpieces of Russian literature.
Russian famous musicians and composers such as Serge Rachmaninov and Peter Tchaikovsky are recognized all over the world. Tchaikovsky composed a lot of symphonies and created beautiful music for operas and ballets. His famous operas Eugene Onegin, Ioianta and his famous ballets The Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty are masterpieces. His memorial museum was opened in 1894 in Klin not far from Moscow. And the International Tchaikovsky Music Competition started in 1958 in Moscow.
S. Rachmaninov was an outstanding Russian composer and pianist. He became famous with audience around the world for his piano performances.
Great Britain is also proud of its famous people. One of its famous writers A. Conan Doyle invented Sherlock Holmes, one of the famous characters and detectives. Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Scotland. He was a doctor. In 1882 he moved to England to set up a practice. One of the doctors he worked for was the model for Dr. Watson. Conan Doyle's medical knowledge was a great help in his detective stories. He started the fashion of the detective stories. And nowadays there are few people who don't like detective stories. We know a lot about Sherlock Holmes. We even know his address — 221 " B" Baker Street in London. When Conan Doyle began to get tired of writing detective stories, he "killed" Holmes in one of his stories. But the public didn't like it. Conan Doyle had to write another story in which Holmes came back.
In the history of the United States there are a lot of famous names. There are many people that have influenced life in America, and each of them is well-known in a certain field of activity.
To many people the name of Walt Disney means the world of funny cartoons. He developed the family-entertainment park Disneyland in California, the place to return to the world of childhood.
Many outstanding writers lived and worked in America. For example, Jack London who went to Alaska to find gold. Instead, he found ideas for his stories there. He is best-known for his books The Call of the Wild and Martin Eden.
Mark Twain (the real name is Samuel Clemens) wrote his masterpiece The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Because of his sense of humour and the style with which he wrote, his books are considered to mark the beginning of modern American literature. O'Henry is a well known American short-story writer. Ernest Hemingway was one of the Hollywood's favourite authors. The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms made him famous. Another famous novelist is Theodore Driser. He wrote such novels as Sister Carrie, Financier, Titanic. Ray Bradbury is the author of many imaginative science-fiction stories and novels.
Many talented people played their role in shaping America-life and culture. The whole world knows the names of great inventors, because their inventions, such as a car, aeroplane, electric lamp and telephone, have changed our life significantly: Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Bell and many others.
Edison believed that only work could bring success. So did the greatest American architect Frank Lloyd Write. He made an important contribution to the modern movement in architecture. He designed homes which were less crowded and had more space.
We can't imagine America without the name of M. Jackson. Elvis Presley is known as a king of rock-and-roll. He brought together the musical sounds of the blacks in America and of country people.
Louis Armstrong was the first jazz soloist who received world-wide recognition. He was a singer and a wonderful trumpet player.
American centre of movie industry — Hollywood has produced a galaxy of brilliant actors and actresses: M. Monro, E. Tailor. M. Duglas, B. Streisand, S. Stallone, L. DiCaprio, J. Roberts and others.
Everybody knows the name of Neil Armstrong — the first man on the Moon.
Among the most famous people, that are greatly honoured by their compatriots, are well-known statesmen G. Washington. A. Lincoln and B. Franklin.
Notes
1. are considered - считается
2. imaginative - художественный
3. science-fiction – научная фантастика
4. compatriot - соотечественник
Вариант 11
FEAR
"Are you a man or a mouse?" When people ask this question they want to know if you think you are a brave person or a coward. But you will never really know the answer to that question until you are tested in real life. Some people think they are brave, but when they come face to face with real danger, they act like cowards. Other people think of themselves as cowardly, but when they meet danger, act like heroes.
Lenny Skutnik had always thought of himself as a nervous person. He got worried before examinations. He worried about his job and his health. All he wanted in life was to be safe and healthy. Then, on 5th January, 1982, a plane crashed into the Potomac River in Washington. Lenny went to the river to see what was happening. Then he saw a woman in the ice-cold water. Suddenly Lenny did not feel afraid. He kept very calm and did a very courageous thing. He jumped into the river, swam to the woman and kept her head above the water. Seventy-eight people died that day. Thanks to Lenny Skutnik, it was not seventy-nine.
When you are in a very dangeroussituation and feel afraid, the body automatically produces a chemical in the blood. This chemical is called adrenalin. With adrenalin in the blood system, you actually feel stronger and are ready to fight or run away. However, when you are absolutely terrified, the body can produce too much adrenalin. When this happens, the muscles become very hard and you find that you cannot move at all. You are then paralysed with fear. That is why, when we are very frightened, we sometimes say that we are 'petrified'. This word comes from the Greek word 'petros' which means 'stone'. We are so frightened we have become like stone.
Notes
be petrified — оцепенеть
A SHORT HISTORY OF HAIR
Over thousands of years some very odd things have been done to hair. Here are some of them.
It's strange to think of tough soldiers having their hair curled, but that's what the Persians did over 2000 years ago. The curls were made by twisting the hair round hot rods. Their thick beards and moustaches were curled too.
In about 1150, during the Norman period, women grew hair as long as they could. They spent hours having their hair done in plaits. They wrapped their hair in ribbons and stuffed the ends into metal cases.
In the seventeenth century men and women wore wigs. Wigs could be made from animal hair, someone else's hair or even one's own hair. By 1780, women's wigs had become enormous. They were padded out with pillows, decorated with feathers, ribbons and jewels. It took so long to have the wigs styled that they were worn for a month, and women had a scratching stick to use when they itched beneath the wig.
In the 1940s a blond film star called Veronica Lake started a craze for wearing long hair hanging over one eye. This caused trouble in factories where thousands of women were working for the first time. Women would catch their hair in the machines.
Nowadays people prefer to have different hairstyles. They usually choose if this or that hairstyle suits them. Men and women both have long and short hair.
There are some young people who have incredible hairstyles. They are punks. Today they are part of London's tourist scene.
In American English the word punk is often used to describe someone who is immoral and worthless. In Britain the word was borrowed to describe a new group of people who first appeared in the early 1970s. They were mixture of art students, hippies and followers of fashion who rejected conventional styles of dress. They were fans of loud, fast and violent tuneless music, which tried to shock with violent lyrics, and their hair and clothing did the same.
In the days before hair gel they used everything to make their hair stiff. Sugar, toothpaste, washing-up liquid, butter, oil, glue were all used. The clothes were also "DIY"(do it yourself) and punks spent hours tearing their jeans and jackets and creating the punk look with safety pins, studs, paper clips and everything they could find.
By 1977 punk music was at the top of the hit parade and the punk "look" was high fashion. Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes produced a collection of clothing based on the punk look, and you could have your hair done in punk styles in hairdressers all over Britain.
Today's haircuts are far more exaggerated and colourful than anything that existed during the early punk era. These haircuts have been created for American cameras, and punk rockers are one of the few youth movements to have sold themselves in this way. The original violent movement, which changed the way many people looked and felt, is a thing of the past.
Notes
1. rod – стержень
2. plait – коса
3. ribbon – лента
4. case – коробка
5. pad out – подкладывать
6. scratching stick – палочка для почесывания
7. itch – чесаться
8. craze – повальное увлечение
9. tuneless – без мелодии
10. safety pin – безопасная булавка
11. stud – кнопка
12. clip – скрепка
ANCIENT RUSSIAN CITIES
Nearly all Russian cities and towns have a lot of historic architectural monuments, such as Russian orthodox churches, cathedrals and monasteries. They are valuable symbols of ancient Russian culture. The most attractive city for foreign tourists is Moscow. There is a lot to see in the capital but the most important place to visit is the Kremlin.
Here visitors can admire beautiful cathedrals, built in the 15th century, visit the Faceted Palace and the Armoury, and get a fantastic view of the city from the top of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which is the composition centre of the entire Kremlin. There are quite a lot of other examples of ancient Russian architecture outside the Kremlin, such as St. Bazil's Cathedral, Novodevichy Convent and Pokrova Church in Fili.
Moscow's attraction for tourists is not only its historical sites but the fact that it's a modern city with hundreds of museums and galleries, theatres and restaurants. It's impossible to be bored in Moscow, but if you want to enjoy some fresh sightseeing impressions, you may visit two major towns of the "Golden Ring of Russia", Suzdal and Vladimir.
Upon your arrival in Suzdal you will find yourself in a fairy-tale world. The town has a kremlin, a convent, two monasteries, dozens of churches, dating from the 12th to the 18th centuries and a nearly 200-year-old shopping arcade with traditional iron signs outside the shops. There are no high buildings here. The city is like an extended village of wooden houses, with lace curtains and geraniums in the windows.
Vladimir attracts tourists by the severe architecture of its white stone cathedrals and churches. The most famous of them are Dormition Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Demetrius and Pokrova Church on the Nerl.
These two towns are like two islands of beauty in a sea of mediocrity. Yet, there are very few foreign visitors there. Why? They are scared off by the lack of comfortable hotels, coaches, good roads with road signs and well-trained guides. Besides, some of the architectural monuments have become ruined by time and really have to be renovated. But local authorities usually lack funds and it restricts the possibilities for developing tourism in these towns.
It is obvious that sustainable tourism could provide good profits for local residents, especially at the height of the tourist season. But to draw more tourists into Russian towns, we must provide good accommodation and eating facilities, build roads and parking places, develop outdoor activities and make these towns known to the public. If only Russian cities and towns could become popular tourist destinations, then they would really prosper and flourish.
Notes
1. Faceted Palace – Грановитая палата
2. Armoury – Оружейная палата
3. sightseeing – осмотр достопримечательностей
4. sonvent – женский монастырь
5. arcade - пассаж
6. severe - строгий
7. Dormition Cathedral – Успенский собор
8. mediocrity - заурядность
Вариант 12
GENERATION GAP
Sometimes our parents don't understand us. They don't understand some problems and things which are very important in teens life; for example, the lifestyles of young people, piercing, tattoos, drugs, sex, relationship with friends and teachers. So sometimes teens can't tell them about their private life. Some parents don't want to understand modern views, ideals and system of values.
Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with the present, and regard old times as better, always talking about "the good old days". The young people tend to think their times as the best. Teens look at the world with fresh eyes. Everything is new, interesting to them. Sometimes they cannot solve their everyday problems. But they want to cope with them by themselves. So adults shouldn't prevent them from making their own mistakes.
People are considered to become wiser with age. Sometimes it is true and sometimes it is not. I think that you can meet a wise man among the old as often as among the young. It is false that when old age wisdom has come, useless illusions have disappeared. Sometimes when teens talk to adults, a monologue is a preferred form of expressing adults` ideas in such talks. That's why some teens don't like to talk to adults.
Probably, that it's in people's nature to give advice. It seems to people that giving advice they can help somebody or put somebody on the right track. But if a person takes their advice and fails, he can blame an adult all of his life.
Parents have their own ideas and views that their children don't share and understand. They think that their children won't find their place in life. They often say that now teens are very difficult to socialize with and dumpy. But children should settle all problems peacefully because they are their parents. They brought them up with loving care. And if children come to their parents for advice and help, they will do their best and help children to cope with problems and difficulties.
Notes
1. are considered – считается
2. teens – подростки
3. dumpy – унылый
4. do their best – сделать все возможное