Практическая часть экзамена по английскому языку в 7 классе для школ с углубленным изучением языка

Практическая часть экзамена по английскому языку в 7 б классе группа Фокиной М.А.

Card 1

I. Topic: Environment and Ecology

Questions:

1 What does the word environment mean?

2 Is it important to solve environmental problems?

3 What are the most serious environmental problems?

4 What poisons and kills sea animals?

5 Can poisoned fish be eaten by people?

6 Who lives in rivers and oceans?

7 Why are the rivers dangerous?

8 Why are big cities polluted?

9 What protects people from radiation?

10 Why do people all over the world speak so much about ecology?

II. The Ant and the Chrysalis

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

Environment and Ecology

The word environment means simply what is around us. Some people live in a town environment; for others, their environment is the countryside.

Nowadays people understand how important it is to solve the environment problems that endanger people's lives. The most serious environmental problems are: pollution in its many forms (water pollution, air pollution, nuclear pollution), noise from cars, buses, planes, etc., destruction of wildlife and countryside beauty, shortage of natural resources (metals, different kinds of fuel), the growth of population.

There is no ocean or sea, which is not used as a dump. Many seas are used for dumping industrial and nuclear waste. This poisons and kills fish and sea animals. "Nuclear-poisoned" fish can be eaten by people.

Many rivers and lakes are poisoned too. Fish and reptiles can't live in them. There is not enough oxygen in the water. In such places all the birds leave their habitats and many plants die. If people drink this water they can die too. It happens so because factories produce a lot of waste and pour it into rivers. So they poison water.

Most of the pollution in big cities comes from cars and buses. More and more often people are told not to be in direct sunlight, because ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer. Normally the ozone layer in the atmosphere protects us from such radiation, but if there are holes in the ozone layer ultraviolet radiation can get to the earth. Many scientists think that these holes are the result of air pollution.

Both clean air and clean water are necessary for our health. If people want to survive they must solve these problems quickly. Man is beginning to understand that his environment is not just his own town or country, but the whole earth. That's why people all over the world think and speak so much about ecology.

The Ant and the Chrysalis

(Aesop's Fable)

An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came

across a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The

Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant,

who then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiable

animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours!

While I can run very fast, at my pleasure, and, if I wish,

climb the tallest tree, you lie here in your shell, with

power only to move your tail." The Chrysalis

heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days later,

when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained.

Wondering what had happened of its contents, he felt himself suddenly

shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly.

"Here I am," said the Butterfly, "your pitiable friend! Boast

now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to

listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along

and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the

Ant forever.

"Appearances are deceptive."

Vocabulary:

chrysalis ['krɪs(ə)lɪs] - куколка насекомых

nimbly ['nɪmblɪ] - легко

pitiable ['pɪtɪəbl] - жалкий

disdainfully [dɪs'deɪnf(ə)lɪ], [-fulɪ] - с презрением

appearances are often deceptive [фразеологический оборот] наружность часто

обманчивa

Card 2

I. Topic: Great Britain

Questions:

1. What is the official name of Great Britain?

2. What countries make Great Britain?

3. What are the two largest islands in the British Isles?

4. How are the British Isles separated from the European continent?

5. What is the capital of the UK?

6. What are the capitols of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

7. What other cities in Great Britain can you name?

8. What is the highest mountain in Great Britain?

9. What rivers do you know in Great Britain?

10. What is the area of Great Britain?

11. What is the population of Great Britain?

12. What can you say about the climate of the UK?

13. What is the political system of the UK?

14. What does the UK produce and export?

15. What are the two main political parties in the UK?

II. The Eagle and the Fox

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the story?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and above five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244 000 square kilometers. The United Kingdom is made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast respectively.

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. The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The north of Scotland is mountainous and is called Highlands, while the south, which has beautiful valleys and plains, is called Lowlands. The north and west of England are mountainous, but all the rest - east, center and southeast - is a vast plain. Mountains are not very high. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain. (1343)

There are a lot of rivers in GB, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.

The UK is one of the world's smallest countries. The population of the country is over 87 million and about 80% of it is urban. The UK is highly developed industrial country. It's known as one of world's largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. The UK is constitutional monarchy. In law, the Head of State is the Queen, but in practice, the Queen reigns, but does not rule. The country is ruled by the elected government with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

There are three main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour, the Conservative and the Liberal parties. The Liberal party is the ruling party nowadays.

The Eagle and the Fox

(Aesop's Fable)

An Eagle and a Fox formed a friendship and decided to

live near each other. The Eagle built her nest in the branches

of a tall tree, while the Fox crept into the underwood and there

produced her young. Not long after they had agreed upon this

plan, the Eagle, being in want of provision for her young ones,

flew down while the Fox was out, caught one of the little

cubs, and fed herself and her chicks. The Fox on her return,

discovered what had happened, but was less grieved for the death

of her young than for her inability to avenge them. A just

retribution, however, quickly fell upon the Eagle. While

hunting near an altar, on which some villagers were sacrificing

a goat, she suddenly caught a piece of meat, and carried it,

along with a burning fur, to her nest. A strong breeze soon

blew into a flame, and the helpless eaglets

were roasted in their nest and dropped down dead at

the bottom of the tree. There, in the sight of the Eagle, the

Fox ate them all.

Vocabulary:

creep [kriːp] (crept) - ползать

grieve [griːv] - глубоко печалиться

retribution [ˌretrɪ'bjuːʃ(ə)n] - воздаяние, возмездие, кара, наказание, расплата

sacrifice ['sækrɪfaɪs] - приносить что-л. в жертву чему-л.

roast [rəust] - жариться

Card 3

I. Topic: The USA

Questions:

1. What is the geographical position of the USA?

2. What is the total area of the USA?

3. What is the population of the USA?

4. What is the climate of the USA?

5. What can you say about the relief of the USA?

6. What is the capital of the USA?

7. What are the largest cities?

8. What do you know about the flag of the USA?

9. What is the emblem of the USA?

10. What do you know about the political system of the USA?

11. What do you know about the history of the USA?

II. The Farmer and the Stork

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the story?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

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 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 lowlands 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 of the country is continental. The south has 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 leading producer of copper and oil and the worlds second producer of iron ore and coal. On the industrial enterprises of the country they produce aircrafts, cars, textiles, radio and television sets, weapon, furniture, and paper.

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

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

The United States is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, each of which has its own government. The seat of the central (federal) government is Washington, D. C. According to the Constitution of the USA, the powers of the government are divided into 3 branches: the executive, headed by the President, the legislative, exercised by the Congress, and the juridical. 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.

The Farmer and the Stork

(Aesop's Fable)

A Farmer placed nets on his new fields and caught a

number of Cranes, which came to pick up his seeds. With them he

caught a Stork that had lost his leg in the net and was

earnestly asking the Farmer to save his life. "Pray save

me, Master," he said, "and let me go free this once. My broken

leg should excite your pity. Besides, I am no Crane, I am a

Stork, a bird of excellent character; and see how I love and

work for my father and mother. Look too, at my feathers--

they are not the least like those of a Crane." The Farmer

laughed aloud and said, "It may be all as you say, I only know

this: I have taken you with these robbers, the Cranes, and you

must die in their company."

Birds of a feather flock together.

Vocabulary:

stork [stɔːk] - аист

crane [kreɪn] - журавль, цапля

earnestly ['ɜːnɪstlɪ] - настоятельно, убедительно

feather ['feðə] - перо

birds of a feather flock together [идиома] рыбак рыбака видит издалека

Card 4

I. Topic: Christmas

Questions:

1. When is Christmas celebrated by Orthodox Church?

2. Who congratulates the nation with this holiday?

3. Where do people stand a huge fir tree from Norway?

4. What do little children hang up on Christmas Eve?

5. What do people send to their friends?

6. When do young people visit church?

7. What do people eat for dessert?

8. What else do people do on Christmas?

9. When is Boxing Day celebrated?

10. What colours are the stores decorated?

II. The Fox and the Goat

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

Christmas

Christmas is a great religious holiday. Orthodox Church celebrates it on January 7. And Catholic Church celebrates it on December 25 as the birth of Christ.

At 3 o'clock queen Elisabeth II makes a speech. She congratulates the nation with this holiday.

Every Xmas British people are sent a huge fir tree from Norway, which stands in Trafalgar Square, in the centre of London. Every house tries to have a Christmas-tree. The presents for relatives and close friends are placed under the tree. Little children hang up their stockings on Christmas Eve. They believe that when they are asleep, Santa Claus comes to visit them.

People also send cards or Christmas greetings to their friends. They wish their nearest and dearest «A Merry Christmas».

Christmas is a family holiday. Young people visit church in the evening and old people visit church in the morning. After church the whole family usually has a big Christmas dinner, they eat turkey, potatoes, vegetables and pudding for dessert.

December 26 is known as Boxing Day. The main idea of it is to share with less fortunate people. Christmas is also a time for charity work. People help the poor; organize Christmas dinners for the homeless. Gifts are also given to people who do a lot of work for other people, for example, the postman and milkman.

The air is filled with the sounds of Christmas carols, the stores are decorated in red and green, and dozens of Santa Clauses welcome the customers. The shops are very busy at Xmas. Xmas sales attract lots of customers. Everybody feels Xmas spirit.

The Fox and the Goat

A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could not find means to escape.

A thirsty Goat came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, asked if the water was

good. The cunning Fox said that the water was excellent there, and

encouraged him to jump down. The Goat was so thirsty that

jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox

informed him of the difficulty they were both in! She suggested a

scheme for their common escape. "If," said he, "you will place

your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up

your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards." The Goat

agreed and the Fox leaped upon his back. He safely reached the land

and ran away as fast as he could. When the Goat understood

that the fox had broken his promise, he turned around and cried out,

"You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head

as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down

before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to

dangers from which you had no means of escape."

Look before you leap.

Vocabulary:

escape [ɪs'keɪp] - избавление, спасение

forefeet ['fɔːfiːt] - передние лапы

leap [liːp] - прыгать, скакать; перепрыгивать, перескакивать

look before you leap [идиома] семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь

Card 5

I. Topic: Olympic Games

Questions:

1. What are the greatest international sports games?

2. When did the original Olympic Games begin?

3. What competitions were included in the Olympic Games in ancient Greece?

4. Who revived the Olympic Games?

5. Where were the first modern Olympic Games held?

6. Where were the first Winter Olympic Games held?

7. What is the Olympic emblem?

8. What does it symbolize?

9. What does the Olympic idea mean?

10. What do the Olympic Games popularize?

II. The Monkey and the Dolphin

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

The Olympic Games

The world's greatest international sports games are known as the Olympic Games, which are held every four years.

The original Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in 776 B.C. These games were part of a festival in honor of God Zeus at the place called Olympia. It was a great athletic festival, including competitions in wrestling, foot racing and chariot racing, rowing and others. The games were for men only. Greek women were forbidden not only to participate but also to watch the Olympics.

In 1894, a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens. Then they were resumed in London after the Second World War. Since then the Olympics are held every fourth year in different countries.

The ancient Greeks had no winter sports. Only in 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games were held in France. Now they are being held regularly.

And the 2014 Olympic Winter Games will be the first Winter Games in the Russian Federation in Sochi.

The Olympic emblem is five interlinked rings: blue, yellow, black, green and red. They symbolize 5 continents. Any national flag contains at least one of these colors.

The Olympic idea means friendship, fraternity and cooperation among the people of the world. The Olympic Movement proves that real peace can be achieved through sport.

To my mind, sport is all our life and our health. It makes us stronger and sturdy. To keep fit everybody should go in for sports. And the Olympic Games popularize sports and games.

The Monkey and the Dolphin

A Sailor, bound on a long voyage, took with him a Monkey to amuse

him while on shipboard. As he sailed off the coast of Greece, a

violent storm arose in which the ship was wrecked and he, his

Monkey, and all the crew had to swim for their lives. A

Dolphin saw the Monkey fighting with the waves, and supposing

him to be a man (whom he is always said to be friend), came and

placed himself under him, to carry him on his back in safety to

the shore. When the Dolphin arrived with his passenger in sight of

land not far from Athens, he asked the Monkey if he were an

Athenian. The Monkey replied that he was, and that he was

from one of the most noble families in that city. The

Dolphin then asked if he knew the Piraeus (the famous harbor

of Athens). Supposing that a man was rich, the Monkey answered

that he knew him very well and that he was an close friend.

The Dolphin got angry at these falsehoods, dipped the Monkey

under the water and drowned him.

Vocabulary:

harbor ['hɑːbə] - гавань, порт

drown [draun] - топить

Card 6

I. Topic: Moscow

Questions:

1. When was Moscow founded?

2. When did Moscow become the capital of Russia?

3. Who moved the capital to St Petersburg?

4. Why did Moscow become the main target of Napoleon's attack?

5. When was the city destroyed by fire?

6. When did Moscow become the capital of Russia again?

7. Is Moscow one of the largest cities in Europe?

8. What is its total area?

9. What is the population of the city?

10. What do you think about the capital of Russia?

II. The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow's history.

Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the straggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon's attack. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.

Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 9 million.

The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass

(Aesop's Fable)

A Miller and his son were driving their Ass to a neighboring fair

to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a group of

women talking and laughing. "Look there," cried one of them, "have you ever seen

such fellows, to be walking along the road on foot when they might ride?' The old

man hearing this, quickly made his son ride the Ass, and

continued to walk along merrily by his side. Then they came

up to a group of old men. "There," said one of

them, "it proves what I was right. What respect is shown to

old age in these days? Do you see that young boy is riding while his

old father has to walk? Get down, you young fellow, and let

the old man rest." After this the old man got up himself.

In this manner they went far when they met a company of women and children:

"Why, you lazy old fellow," cried several tongues at once, "how

can you ride, while that poor little baby there can

hardly walk by the side of you?' The Miller

immediately took up his son behind him. They had now almost

reached the town. "Pray, honest friend," said a citizen, "is

that Ass your own?' "Yes," replied the old man. "O, one would

not have thought so," said the other, "by the way, you load him.

Why, you two fellows, don't carry your things yourself?"

"Anything to please you," said the old man; "we can

try." So, they took their things and the Ass on

their shoulders and carried him over a bridge near the entrance to the town.

This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at

it, till the Ass, fell into the river. Upon this, the old

man thought that trying to please everybody he had pleased

nobody and lost his Ass in the river.

Vocabulary:

pray! [preɪ] - пожалуйста! прошу вас!

load [ləud] - нагружать

Card 7

I. Topic: Moscow Sights

Questions:

1. Do you know where the heart of Moscow is?

2. Do you know the architecture symbol of our country?

3. What can you see on the territory of the kremlin?

4. What is the biggest cannon in the world?

5. Are there any beautiful places in Moscow?

6. How many museums are there in Moscow?

7. What are the largest museums in Moscow?

8. Do you know any famous Moscow theatres?

9. What can you say about education in Moscow?

10. Moscow is the center of the political life of the country, isn't it?

II. The Old Woman and the Physician

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

Moscow Sights

Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. The Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral (Vasily Blazheny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture.

The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There's a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn't want them to create another masterpiece.

There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city will become even more beautiful.

There are more than 100 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow include the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.

Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.

Moscow is a city of students. There are over 100 higher educational institutions in it. Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country.

The Old Woman and the Physician

(Aesop's Fable)

An Old Woman having lost the use of her eyes, called in a

Physician to heal them, and made an agreement with him:

that if he should heal her blindness, he should receive from her

a sum of money; but if her blindness remained, she should give him nothing.

This agreement being made, the Physician, time after time,

put his cream to her eyes, and on every visit took something away, stealing all her

property little by little. And when he had got all she had, he

healed her and demanded the promised payment. The Old Woman,

when she recovered her sight and saw none of her goods in her

house, would give him nothing. The Physician insisted on his

money, and as she still refused, summoned her before the Judge.

The Old Woman, standing up in the Court, argued: "This man here

speaks the truth in what he says; for I did promise to give him a

sum of money if I should recover my sight: but if I continued

blind, I was to give him nothing. Now he says that I am

healed. I on the contrary insist that I am still blind; for when

I lost the use of my eyes, I saw in my house various chattels and

valuable goods: but now, though he swears, I am sure of my

blindness, I am not able to see a single thing in it."

Vocabulary:

physician [fɪ'zɪʃ(ə)n] - исцелитель, целитель

heal [hiːl] - вылечивать, исцелять

summon ['sʌmən] - to be summoned before a judge - быть вызванным в суд

chattel ['ʧæt(ə)l] - движимое имущество

Card 8

I. Topic: English as a World Language

Questions:

1. Can you imagine an educated person who doesn't know any foreign language?

2. Are foreign languages important nowadays?

3. Why do people learn foreign languages?

4. Where is English spoken as the mother tongue?

5. Where do people speak English?

6. How many official languages are there in the United Nations?

7. From which languages were many English words borrowed?

8. In which areas is English the major international languages?

9. Is English the language of literature and education?

10. Are there any idioms in the English language?

II. The Lion and the Mouse

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

English as a World Language

We live in the modern world and you can't imagine an educated person who doesn't know any foreign language. It is especially important nowadays. Some people learn languages because they need them in their work, others travel abroad.

English is spoken practically all over the world. It is spoken as the mother tongue in Great Britain, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A lot of people speak English in China, Japan, India, Africa and other countries. It is one of 6 official languages of the United Nations.

Many English words were borrowed from the language of Angles and Saxons. Hundreds of French words came into English. These French words didn't crowd out corresponding Anglo-Saxon words.

English is the major international language of communication in such areas as science, technology and business. It is the language of literature, education, modem music, and international tourism.

One should say that English is not an easy language to learn. There is a big problem of spelling, of the large number of exceptions to any rule. This language is very idiomatic and the prepositions are terrible. English is one of those languages which may seem easy in the beginning, but then the bridge between basic knowledge and mastery takes a long time to cross. But if you cross this bridge it will give you great satisfaction.

The Lion and the Mouse

(Aesop's Fable)

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up

and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge

paw upon him, and opened his big mouth to swallow him. "Pardon, O

King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall

never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you in return

some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the

Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let

him go. Sometime after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the

hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a

tree while they went in search of a waggon to carry him on. Just

then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad

plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away

the ropes that bound the King of the Animals. "Was I not right?"

said the little Mouse.

Little friends may prove great friends.

Vocabulary:

trap [træp] - капкан

plight [plaɪt] - состояние, положение

gnaw [nɔː] - грызть, глодать; прогрызать

Card 9

I. Topic: My Favourite Book

Questions:

1. Do you like reading?

2. When do you usually read books?

3. What kind of books do you prefer?

4. What is your favourite book?

5. Who is the author of the book?

6. What are the main characters of the book?

7. What is the book about?

8. Is this book worth reading?

II. The King's Son and the Painted Lion

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

My Favourite Book

My favourite book is "Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe. D. Defoe (1660-1731)was a great master of realistic detail. The novel "Robinson Crusoe" was written in 1719. The novel is praise to human labour and the triumph of man over nature. Defoe shows the development of his hero. At beginning of the story we see an unexperienced youth, a rather frivolous boy, who then becomes a strong-willed man.

Robinson Crusoe's most characteristic trait is his optimism. His guiding principle in life become "never say die" and "in trouble to be troubled is to have your troubles doubled' He had confidence in himself and in man. He believed it was within the power of man to overcome all difficulties. Crusoe was an enthusiastic worker and always hoped for the best.

Defoe is a writer of the Enlightenment. He teaches people how to live, he tries to teach what's good and what's bad.

His novel "Robinson Crusoe" is not only a work of fiction, an account of adventures, a biography and an educational pamphlet. It is a study of man, a great work showing man in relation to nature and civilization as well as in relation to labour and private property.

The King's Son and the Painted Lion

(Aesop's Fable)

A King, whose only son was fond of military exercises, had a dream

in which he was warned that his son would be killed by a lion.

Afraid the dream should prove true, he built for his son a

pleasant palace and painted its walls for his amusement with all

kinds of life-sized animals, among which was the picture of a

lion. When the young Prince saw this, standing near the lion, he said:

"Oh, you are the most dangerous of animals! Through a lying dream of my

father's, which he saw in his sleep, I am here on your account

in this palace as if I had been a girl: what shall I now do to

you?' With these words he stretched out his hands toward a

thorn-tree, meaning to cut a stick from its branches so that he

might beat the lion. But one of the tree's prickles hurt his

finger and caused great pain and inflammation, so that the young

Prince fell down. A violent fever suddenly set in, from which

he died not many days later.

We had better bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them.

Vocabulary:

thorn [θɔːn] - колючее растение

prickle ['prɪkl] - шип (растения) ; колючка

inflammation [ˌɪnflə'meɪʃ(ə)n] - воспламенение

Card 10

I. Topic: My Favourite Movie

Questions:

1. Do you like to watch movies?

2. What kind of movies do you prefer?

3. Have you got a favourite movie?

4. Who is the director of this movie?

5. When was it shot?

6. Who are the main characters of the movie?

7. What is the movie about?

8. Did this movie make an impression on you?

9. Do you like to go to the cinema?

10. How often do you go to the cinema?

11. With whom do you go to the cinema?

II. The Hare With Many Friends

Questions:

1 What is the title of the text?

2 Who is the author of the text?

3 What can you say about the author of the text?

4 Who are the main characters of the story?

5 When does the action take place?

6 Where does the action take place?

7 What is the plot of the story?

8 What is the main idea of the text?

9 Do you like the story?

10 What do you think about the main characters?

My Favourite Movie

Usually we see films either in the cinema or on the TV. But from time to time I go to the cinema. My favourite film is "War and Peace". The script of the film was written by Sergey Bondar-chuk and W. Solowjew. The Leningrad (now Sankt Petersburg) ballet-dancer Ludmila Saweljiewa played the main part. She played this role wonderfully.

The other parts were played by A. Ktorov (old Bolkonsky), 0. Tabakov (Nikolai), I. Skobzeva (Helena). Borodino struggle, hunting, the first ball of Natasha made a great impression on me.

My favourite film is "The Fate of a Man". This film is excellent. It is difficult to find other words to describe it. It has enormous vigour and delicacy, it is full of purity and hope.

"...A man is caught in the storm of war and loses everything. Black clouds surround him, and -yet he finds strength to bear up with it all; he finds strength to adopt a child, a destitute, helpless creature..."

All the great events and the feelings aroused are depicted with taste, tact and restraint. Тo wish to draw attention particularly to the extraordinary performance of the boy.

Even if the film has no other merits, the child scenes, so subtle, profound and lifelike, so full of tragic vigour - these scenes alone would win Bondarchuk the reputation of a great director.

The Hare With Many Friends

(Aesop's Fable)

A Hare was very popular with the other animals who all asked

to be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds coming

and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends. So, she

went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds

on his back. But he declined, saying that he had important work

to do for his master. "He felt sure," he said, "that all her

other friends would come to her help." She then asked

the bull, and hoped that he would kill the hounds with his horns.

The bull replied: "I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with

a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you

want." The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some

harm if he took her upon it. The ram, he felt sure, was the

proper friend to help. So she went to the ram and told him

the case. The ram replied: "Another time, my dear friend. I do

not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been

known to eat sheep as well as hares." The Hare then asked, as a

last hope, the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help

her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself,

as so many older persons than himself had declined the task. By

this time the hounds were quite near, and the Hare took to her

heels and luckily escaped.

He that has many friends - has no friends.

Vocabulary:

hound [haund] - охотничья собака; гончая; борзая

escape [ɪs'keɪp] - спастись

decline [dɪ'klaɪn] - вежливо отказываться

ram [ræm] - баран

calf [kɑːf] - теленок