II. Complete the sentences using the text
1. When we speak about the U.K. ...
2. English is the official language but ...
3. The highest mountain is ...
4. The longest rivers are ...
5. The U.K. is a major supplier of ...
6. The biggest industrial centres are ...
7. The legislative power belongs to ...
8. The executive power is exercised by ...
9. British never show their ...
10. British seem to remain ...
London
London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom situated on the Thames river, the largest city in Britain and one of the largest cities in the world.
From the earliest times the Romans, the Saxons, the Danes and the Normans settled there in turn. London is one of the world’s largest ports. Historical and geographical circumstances have turned London into one of the world’s most important commercial and cultural centers.
London survived the Plague, which killed nearly 70.000 people, and the Great Fire which followed. Little damage occurred during World War I, but World War II brought tremendous destruction to the city: a great number of buildings of historic value were laid in ruins. Yet much was spared, including the Tower, St.Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey which remain the major tourist attractions of the city.
More than 8 million people live in London and its suburbs. It is a city of great contrasts. Its western part (the West End) is the richest part of the town with its cosy mansions, beautiful avenues, shops, restaurants and hotels. The East End is the district inhabited by the workers and the poor. Industry is chiefly found in that part of the city grey with soot and smoke.
The heart of London is the City -its commercial and business center. It is the oldest part of the town with the Tower of London that comes first among the historic buildings of the city.
The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conquerer. It was used as a fortress, a palace and a prison. Now it is a museum of armour.
A twenty minutes’ walk from the Tower will take you to another historic building-St.Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built by a famous English architect Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723). St.Paul’s Cathedral with its huge dome and rows of columns is considered to be a fine specimen of Renaissance architecture. In one of its towers hangs one of the largest bells in the world, Great Paul, weighing about 17.5 tons. Nelson and other great men of England are buried in the Cathedral.
Not far away, in Westminster, another important part of London where most of the Government buildings are situated is Westminster Abbey. Many outstanding English statesmen, painters and poets are buried here.
Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, the seat of the British Parliament. Its two graceful towers stand high above the city. The higher of the two contains the largest clock in the country and the famous bell Big Ben that strikes every quarter of the hour.
If now we walk along Whitehall, which is not at all a hall, but just a street where the chief government offices are to be found, we’ll soon come to Trafalgar Square. It was so named in memory of the victory at the battle of Trafalgar, where on October 21, 1805 the English fleet under Nelson’s command defeated the combined fleet of France and Spain. The victory was won at the cost of Nelson’s life. In the middle of Trafalgar Square stands Nelson’s monument - a tall column with a figure of Nelson on its top. The column is guarded by four bronze lions.
The fine building facing the square is the National Gallery and adjoining it (but just round the corner) is the Portrait Gallery.
Not far away is the British Museum- the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of different things (ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures etc.) The British Museum is famous for its library- one of the richest in the world.
You cannot leave the city without visiting one more place of interest - Hyde Park, which is the largest in London. When you are walking along its shady avenues, sitting on the grass, admiring its beautiful flower beds or watching swans and ducks floating on the ponds, it seems almost unbelievable that all around there is a large city with its heavy traffic and smoke.
Vocabulary
United Kingdom – Объединенное Королевство
Romans – римляне
Saxons – саксы
Danes – датчане
Normans – норманны
settle – селиться, обосновываться
prosperity – процветание
the Plague [pleIg] – великая чума
The Tower [tauq] – лондонский Тауэр
Westminster Abbey [‚westmInstq ′xbI] – Вестминстерское Аббатство
Sir Christopher Wren [sq:′kristqpq′ren] – Сэр Кристофер Рен
Westminster Palace – Вестминстерский Дворец
tremendous destruction – огромное разрушение
British Parliament – БританскийПарламент
Big Ben bell – колокол Биг Бен
Caesar [si:zq] – Цезарь
Trafalgar Square [trq′fxlgq′skweq] – Тарфальгарская площадь
British Museum – Британский музей
Hyde Park [haId pa:k] – Гайд парк
were laid in ruins – лежали в руинах
to defeat – разбить, победить
Vocabulary Notes
curious piece of life – любопытная часть жизни
to take a sightseeing tour – побывать на экскурсии
a double – decker bus – двухэтажный автобус
cosy mansions – удобные особняки
gray with soot and smoke – серый от сажи и дыма
the French and Spanish fleets – франко-испанский флот
are buried – похоронены
Answer the questions:
1. Give the main points of London’s history.
2. What made London one of the biggest ports in the world?
3. Can we say that London is an ancient city and at the same time a modern one?
4. What is the population of London?
5. Why is London considered to be a city of great contrasts?Where are rich mansions, hotels and restaurants to be found in London?
6. Where is industry chiefly found in London?
7. What is the City?
8. What building is considered to be one of the oldest in London?
9. What are the chief places of interest in London?
10. What is "Great Paul"? Is this bell the largest in the world?
11. In what district of London are most of the Government buildings situated?
12. What does the building of the British Parliament face?
13. What is Big Ben?
14. Why is Trafalgar Square called “Trafalgar”?
15. In whose memory was the monument in the middle of Trafalgar Square set up?
16. What is the British Museum like?
17. Which park is the largest in London?
SELF CHECK
Ex. 1. Use the prepositions in brackets (of, on, in, from, with, by, to, across, about, at, under, with, without), read and translate the sentences.
1. London is the capital ... England and ... the United Kingdom situated ... the Thames river.
2. It is the largest city ... the world.
3. ... the earliest times the Romans, the Saxons, the Danes and the Normans settled there ... turn.
4. The existence ... London depended ... its water-born trade which still makes London one ... the word’s largest ports.
5. Historical and geographical circumstances have turned London ... one ... the word’s most important commercial and cultural centres.
6. The World War II brought tremendous distruction to the city: a great number ... buildings ... historic value were laid ... ruins.
7. One ... the best ways to acquaint yourself ... the city when you first arrive is to take a sightseeing tour ... a double – decker bus.
8. It is a city ... great contrasts.
9. The East End is the district inhabited ... the workers and the poor.
10. The Tower of London was founded ... Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt ... William the Conquerer.
11. A 20 minutes ... walk ... the Tower will take you ... another historic building – St. Paul’s Cathedral.
12. In one ... the towers hangs one ... the largest bells ... the world, Great Paul, weighing 17.5 tons.
13. Nelson and other great men ... England are buried ... the Cathedral.
14. Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, the seat ... the British Parliament.
15. Its two graceful towers stand high ... the city.
16. Trafalgar Square was named ... memory ... the victory ... the battle ... Trafalgar, where ... October 21, 1805 the English feet ... Nelson’s command defeated the combined fleet ... France and Spain.
17. ... the middle ... the square stands Nelson’s monument – a tall column ... a figure ... Nelson ... its top.
18. You cannot leave the city ... visiting one more place ... interest – Hyde Park, which is the largest ... London.
My Future Profession
Finishing school is the beginning of an independent life for school-leavers. Many roads are open to us. Of course, it is not easy to make the right choice of a job. As for me I chose my specialization according to my interests. I have been interested in biology since my childhood. My mother is a biologist and I know how interesting her work is.
To be a good biologist I think you should have investigating, analyzing skills; you should be good at recognizing elements, relationships, structures; you should be able to systematize and organize material obtained.
Botanist
I suppose biology on the whole and botany in particular are perspective for me. I believe I possess the majority of the skills required to be a botanist.
Botany is the science that deals with plants. It is divided into several subordinate sciences, such as:
systematic botany, which deals with classification of plants according to their relationship;
morphology, which deals with functions of plant organs;
plant geography which deals with distribution of plants;
genetics, which deals with inheritance and variation;
applied botany, which includes agriculture, horticulture, forestry, pharmacognocy, bacteriology, plant pathology, etc.
Botany is a very dynamic and developing science. A lot of questions still remain uncertain.
So I hope I have some possibilities to find my own way and to contribute to the developing of this incredibly interesting science.
Ecologist
Since ancient times people lived in harmony with environment. But with the development of civilization man’s interference in nature began to increase. The pollution of air and the world’s ocean, destruction of the ozone layer, disappearance of some species of animals, birds, plants is a sign of ecological crisis.
That is the reason why I chose the profession of an ecologist. In my opinion this job is socially important. Ecologists have to solve a lot of problems that still exist in our republic. For example, the by-products of the large Belarusian enterprises pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we grow grain.
Ecologists must do their best to prevent terrible catastrophes such as Chernobyl tragedy.
The profession of an ecologist gives a lot of opportunities to help people in trouble.
I personally think that this profession is the most important and perspective. To satisfy my ambition I entered the Biology Faculty of the Belarussian State University and hope to be useful for my country.
Biochemist
While choosing my future profession I took a lot of factors into consideration: salary, job-satisfaction, prestige, opportunities to travel, etc. As for me, the most important criterion is job-satisfaction, that’s why I have chosen the profession of a biochemist. My uncle occupies this profession. He told me a lot about biochemistry. As fas as I know biochemistry is one of the youngest branches of biology. It is a young branch of chemistry too.
Biochemistry may be defined as the chemistry of living organisms, from the most primitive to very complicated ones.
The research in biochemistry may be considered in three aspects. The first is a study of the composition of organisms. It is the essence of static biochemistry.
The second aspect deals with all the complex transformations in living organisms. This is research in dynamic biochemistry.
The aim of the third aspect is to elucidate the biological or physiological importance of chemical reactions in organisms. This is functional biochemistry.
Biochemistry is a quickly developing science. A profession of a biochemist is very specific and responsible. I am interested in structure, properties and conversion of amino acids.I hope to make my own contribution in the development of biochemistry.
Vocabulary
according to – в соответствии с
investigating skills – исследовательские способности
recognize – узнавать
analyze – анализировать
relationship – связь
be able – суметь, смочь
obtain – получать, добывать
on the whole – в целом
in particular – в частности
majority – большинство
require – требовать
deal with – иметь дело, рассматривать
distribution – распространение
inheritance – наследственность
horticulture – садоводство, огородничество
forestry – лесоводство
remain – оставаться
contribute – содействовать; делать вклад
incredibly – невероятно, потрясающе
ancient- древний
interference – вмешательство
increase – увеличивать
pollution – загрязнение
destruction – разрушение
layer – слой
disappearance – исчезновение
species – вид (биол.)
exist – существовать
enterprise – предприятие
prevent – предотвращать; не допускать
satisfy – удовлетворить
take into consideration – принять во внимание
salary – зарплата
define – определять
composition – состав; составная часть
essence – сущность
transformation – превращение, преобразование
elucidate – объяснить; пролить свет
conversion – превращение; переход
make contribution – сделать вклад
Answer the questions.
1. Why is finishing school important for school-leavers?
2. How did you choose your specialization?
3. What does it mean to be a good biologist?
4. How can you define the science of botany?
5. What subordinate sciences is botany divided into?
6. Why do you think botany is an incredibly interesting science?
7. Did people always live in harmony with environment?
8. What is a sign of ecological crisis?
9. Why is the profession of an ecologist socially important?
10. What ecological problems do people in Belarus have?
11. What did you do to satisfy your ambition?
12. What factors did you take into consideration while choosing a profession?
13. Why did you choose the profession of a biochemist?
14. What does biochemistry study?
15. How is research in biochemistry carried out?
16. Why is the profession of a biochemist specific?
17. What are you interested in?
18. Do you think your hopes will become true?
Ex. 1. Put the parts of the sentences in the right order.
1. easy of course, it is not, of a job, the right choice, to make
2. you should, I think, to be a biologist, investigating, have, analyzing skills; recognizing, you should, structures, relationships, be good at, elements; systematize, organize, obtained, material, you should, be able to
3. biology, botany, on the whole, in particular, I suppose, for me, perspective, and, are
4. in our republic, still exist, have to solve, Ecologists, a lot of problems that
5. to help people, gives, the profession of an ecologist, in trouble
6. prestige, salary, I took, job-satisfaction, a lot of factors, to travel, opportunities, into consideration
7. the most primitive, very complicated, from, to, ones, biochemistry, as, of, the chemistry, may be defined, living organisms
READING MATERIAL
T E X T A
Study the meaning and pronunciation of the words:
majority (n) [mq′GPrItI] – большинство
seed (n) [si:d] – семя
enclose (v) [In′klouz] – окружать, заключать
cone-bearing (a) [koun bFqriN] – шишконосный
pine (n) [paIn] - сосна
larch (n) [la:tS] – лиственница
alga (algae) (n) [′xlgq] [′xlGi:] – водоросль
fungus (fungi) (n) [fANgqs] [fANgaI] – гриб (грибы)
moss (n) [mPs] - мох
liverworts (n) [′lIvqwWts] – кустистые мхи
fern (n) [fWn] – папоротник
horsetail (n) [hO:steIl] – хвощ
seaweed (n) [′sI:wI:d] – морская водоросль
freshwater (a) [freSw′P:tq] – пресноводный
tissue (n) [tisju] – ткань
surrounding (a) [sq′raundIN] – окружающий
occur (v) [q′kq:] – встречаться, происходить
motile (a) [′moutil] - подвижный
Algae
There are two classes of Flowering Plants. In the great majority the seeds are enclosed within a fruit. The cone-bearing trees, on the other hand, such as the Pine and Larch, bear seeds that are not enclosed in a fruit-case.
The Non-flowering Plants are grouped in four classes: Algae, Fungi, Mosses and Liverworts, Ferns and Horsetails.
To the Algae belong all the seaweeds and simple freshwater plants. Although they range in structure none have the highly differentiated tissues of the higher plants. Generally speaking, Algae live in water and take food and air from the surrounding water. Many seaweeds are brown and some of the most beautiful are red, but in all chlorophyll is present, the green colour being merely masked. When a branch of Bladderwrack is boiled in fresh water the brown colouring matter is dissolved and the branch becomes bright green. Both asexual and sexual methods of reproduction occur in different members of the class; in the latter case the egg is fertilized by motile spermatozoids.