Cultural places Astana and London
Astana’s look and atmosphere indicate an aspiration of Kazakhstan to the future. The Kazakhstan young capital is very modern and bright.
Center of the city is decorated with such Astana sights as the Bayterek monument and Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, which were built under the project of the well-known modern architecture Norman Foster. The Ak Orda Presidential Palace can be seen on excursions, while the whole Kazakhstan in miniature on the area of 2ha can be seen in the Atameken ethno-memorial complex. Duman hanshatyr Asia park recreational complex is an interesting place of rest and entertainment. Along with shops, cinema theaters, park amusements and cafés, there are also Museum of Miniatures and seaquarium, home of more than 2,000 sea animals, brought there from different corners of the planet. We invite sports fans to visit the super-modern Astana-Arena stadium, which admits 30,000 spectators. it is also pleasant to take a walk in the Astana center. The city is decorated with decorative sculptures, original fountains and installations in spirit of modernity, which add special charm and individuality to Kazakhstan’s capital.
Hyde Park-It's the London's largest and most fashionable park. It was once a royal hunting forest. There are restaurants and bars at each end of the Serpentine lake. Hire a boat. Number 10, Downing Street has been the home of the British Prime Minister since 1735. The Houses of Parliament-Its official name is the Palace of Westminster. Most of the building was built in 1840 after the fire of 1834 destroyed the old palace. At the north end of the building, by Westminster Bridge, there is the famous clock tower, Big Ben. In fact Big Ben is really the name of the bell in the tower, not of the clock.
The Tower of London-It's the London's oldest building. Since it was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, this castle has been a Royal palace, a prison, a place of execution, a zoo, the Royal Mint, and an observatory. Today it's a museum and houses the Crown Jewels. There is a gift shop.
The Natural Museum-It's situated in Kensington and is one of London's greatest museums. There is a huge collection of animals and plants, including a quarter of a million butterflies, a blue whale and the famous dinosaur skeletons. There is a cafeteria, a gift shop, and a book shop.
Madame Tussauds, Morylebone Road-The famous Waxworks Museum has the models of famous people from pop stars to prime ministers, displays of battles and a Chamber of Horror. The Royal Observatory, Greenwich-it is situated 10 miles outside London on a hill above the River Thames. The Observatory contains telescopes and displays about astronomy, including Halley's Comet and Black Holes. There is a video theatre and a souvenir shop. Picnic in Greenwich Park. You can take a river boat to Greenwich from Westminster Bridge
21. The educational system in Kazakhstan is conducted in two languages - Kazakh and Russian and consists of several levels of state and private educational establishments: infant schools, elementary (or primary) schools, comprehensive schools, colleges and academies. Children start school at the age of 6 and finish at 17. As a rule a child attends the school, located in the neighborhood. However, in big cities there are so-called special schools, offering more in depth studies of the major European languages (English, French, German) or the advanced courses in physics and mathematics and children, attending one of this may have to commute from home.
The first stage of education in Kazakhstan is elementary (or primary) school for grades one through four. The second is secondary school for middle grades from five through nine. Upon graduation from secondary school students are given the choice of either continuing to attend the same school (high school -senior grades 10-11) or entering a vocational or technical school. Both of these schools are meant to provide one, along with the certificate of secondary education with a number of useful skills (e.g. those of an electrician, technical or computer operators.) Having completed one's secondary education, one can either become a part of work force or go on college (institution of higher learning-Institute).To be admitted to the institute one has to pass a series of written tests ENT. Students may get free-of-charge higher education in the higher educational institution and the limited number of the state grants is given each academic year on a competitive basis.The Bolashak Programme (the Bolashak International Scholarship) is a scholarship which is awarded to high-performing students from Kazakhstan to study overseas all-expenses paid, provided that they return to Kazakhstan to work for at least five years after graduation. Since its implementation in 1993, more than 10,000 students have been awarded the scholarship. Most of these students travel to study in the United States, but also elsewhere around the world
23. The British Education System.All state schools in Britain are free, and schools provide their pupils with books and equipment for their studies. Nine million children attend 35.000 schools in Britain. Education is compulsory from 5 till 16 years. Parents can choose to send their children to a nursery school or a pre-school playgroup to prepare them for the start of compulsory education. Children start primary school at 5 and continue until they are 11. Most children are taught together, boys and girls in the same class. At 11 most pupils go to secondary schools called comprehensives which accept a wide range of children from all backgrounds and religious and ethnic groups. Ninety per cent of secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales are co-educational. At 16 pupils take a national exam called «G.C.S.E.» (General Certificate of Secondary Education) and then they can leave school if they wish. This is the end of compulsory education.Some 16-year-olds continue their studies in the sixth form at school or at a sixth form college. The sixth form prepares pupils for a national exam called «A» level (advanced level) at IS. Yon-need «A» level to enter a university.Other 16-year-olds choose to go to a college of further education to study for more practical (vocational) diplomas relating to the world of work, such as hairdressing, typing or mechanics.Universities and colleges of higher education accept students with «A» levels from 18. Students study for a degree which takes on average three years of full-time study. The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals. The Rhodes Trust focuses on four criteria which are used in the selection of Scholars:literary and scholastic attainments. the energy to use ones¹s talents to the full, for example through achievement in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involvedtruth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship. moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.In short, Rhodes Scholarship selection committees seek young women and men of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
Transport system in KZ
People use various means of communication to get from one place to another.
In the old days people had to travel several days, weeks and months to get to the place they needed. They either went on foot, on horseback or by boats and ships. Then trains, trams, cars, buses, airplanes, underground and other means appeared.Many people like to travel by air as it is the fastest way of travelling. A lot of people like to travel by train because they can look at passing villages, forests and fields through windows. Some people like to travel by car. There they can go as slowly or as fast as they like. They can stop when and where they want. In big cities, there are express buses, they go faster than ordinary buses. Now buses have wifi, fan and all the amenities. It's good.
Transportation by rail in Kazakhstan is very important. Kazakhstan Railways provide 68% of all cargo and passenger traffic to over 57% of the country. 15,333 km in common carrier service, excluding industrial lines.Kazakhstan Temir Zholy is the national railway company.There is a small 8.56 km metro system in Almaty. A second and third metro lines are planned in the future.There is still a tram system which opened in 1937. However, with the metro construction, 8 of the 10 lines were closed and now there are only 2 lines. They total 23 km.The Astana Metro system is under construction. There are 2 tram lines in Temirtau. The motorways network in Kazakhstan is rather underdeveloped. Kazakhstan has a total of 97 airports. Kazakhstan is the largest airline «Air Astana», which has mastered the routes in Kazakhstan,