XI. Письменно переведите 5, 6, 7 и 8 абзацы текста. Темы для обсуждения на зачете

COMPUTERS

Modern society can not imagine its life without com­puter. Everything people do in the modern world is con­trolled by computers. The reason of it is that computers have much better memories. They can store much informa­tion. So they are more efficient than people. But it does not mean that computers will take the place of human beings in everything.

The first calculating machine was invented by Charles Babbage. He was a professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. Due to that fact we have nowadays our clever friend - a computer.

People mostly consider computers to be connected only with science. It is not so. Computers help us in our everyday activity, they help pupils and students to study different subjects and translate foreign texts, they even entertain us during our leisure.

But there exist disadvantages concerning the use of com­puters. Among the most important ones we should mention poor health and eyestrain. Besides, some people do not com­municate with each other because they live in artificial world of computers.

Questions:

1) Can modern society imagine its life without computer? Give your reasons.

2) Who was the father of the first calculating machine?

3) How do computers help us in our life?

4) Name some disadvantages of using a computer.

WHY DO WE LEARN ENGLISH?

Though there are almost three thousand languages in the world, many of us think that it is necessary to learn English. They say that English is the most universal lan­guage. First of all, it is the official language in over forty countries. Nowadays this language has become an interna­tional one, because it is the most used language in interna­tional business, science and medicine. Almost 400 million people speak English as a native language.

Then, we can see the tendency when in the countries where English is not the first language, a number of English words are used. Moreover, many words are borrowed more from English than from other languages. For example, hun­dreds of words borrowed from English can be found now in our everyday speech such as jeans, O.K., baseball, Internet, computer. Some words are used just as they are. Others are changed to make them more like the native language, easier to say and remember.

English is everywhere: on signs, clothes, soft drinks and many other goods. But despite of the popularity of the English words and phrases, they are not always welcome. Some people think that the use of English words is dangerous for the purity of their native language. And it's true, because many young people prefer to use foreign words, it doesn't matter for them whether they are from normal style or from slang or even from vulgar style. This realty clutters up the lan­guage. That is why some countries try to eliminate English as their official language in order to save their native lan­guage.

Some language experts think that many languages are disappearing. In some parts of the world only a few people can speak their native language. For example, in Scotland there are only a few areas where people speak Gaelic, that is the native Scottish language. In some countries English is used together with their native languages.

What is English for us, who learn it? We must under­stand the importance of English as it is the international language. With the help of it we can easily read English and American literature in the original, develop friendship with foreigners, communicate with people while travelling; there are a lot of films in English and we can understand them without any help. Now we often buy the clothes that is im­ported from other countries. Knowing English we can read something about the size of this or that thing, what it is made of, what we can do with it and so on-One more important thing that we must remember is:

English would help us in our future profession. The busi­nessmen all over the world speak English, only English is used in their negotiations. Most firms, companies that deal with foreign clients take the people who can speak En­glish.

There was an attempt to introduce an artificial language like Esperanto. They wanted Esperanto to become an inter­national language, but this attempt has failed.

Now it is certain that English is the language of busi­ness, diplomacy, international relations and communication between people from different countries. Most educated people speak English rather fluently.

Questions:

1) Why is it necessary to learn English?

2) What tendency can we see nowadays?

3) Why do we make the foreign words more like the native lan­guage?

4) Where can we see English?

5) Why is it dangerous to use English words for the purity of our native language?

6) How do the young people clutter up the language?

7) Why are many languages disappearing now?

8) What can you do with the help of English?

9) How can English help in your future profession?

10) Why has the attempt to introduce an Esperanto failed?

ECOLOGY

About two hundred years ago people lived in harmony with nature, because industry was not much developed. But progress does not come to a standstill. Considerable ad­vances were made by people in different areas of science. However, there exists the dark side of the picture. Now in­dustrially developed states can not ignore the problem of en­vironmental protection. The ecocide is increasing constantly. The contradictions between man and nature are dramatic. The main aim in the policy of environmental protection is development of technology to control atmospheric and wa­ter pollution, the study of man's influence on climate, bio­logical and genetic consequences of pollution, protection of rare and vanishing plants and animals and protection na­ture as a whole.

The land pollution results from the use of chemicals and pesticides. Many countries try to achieve clearer air. Total emissions and average concentration of harmful substances in the air can be reduced by installation of special equip­ment. The destruction of the ozone layer is also a very im­portant problem. Industry is to be eco-friendly by all means.

Popular movements that try to protect nature are com­mon all over the world now. An international movement "Greenpeace" has achieved much success. There is the so-called ecotourism which is directed towards exotic natural environments, and especially intended to support conserva­tion efforts.

The industrial development has become so great now and the influence on the nature so harmful, that the prob­lem of protecting nature is becoming vital. The Earth is our home that is why we must take care of it, for ourselves and for the next generations. We must keep our environment clean. Otherwise life itself can soon come to end.

Questions:

1) Why did man live in harmony with nature?

2) What can you say about progress?

3) Why do we cannot ignore the problem of environmental pro­tection?

4) What is the main aim in the policy of environmental protec­tion?

5) From what does the land pollution results?

6) How can people reduce the concentration of harmful sub­stances in the air?

7) What do you know about popular movements that try to pro­tect nature?

8) How can mankind fight all sorts of pollution?

9) What is ecotourisrn?

10) Why is the problem of protecting nature so vital now?

11) What is your opinion about the environmental protection?

12) What can you say about the ecological situation in our coun­try?

HEALTH

There is a famous proverb "Health is above wealth". Nobody would deny the importance of its meaning. Because it is impossible to say the exact price of our health. What is more - it is invaluable. You can disagree with me and say that now there are many treatments, many effective medi­cines. It is much easier to recover with the help of them-

Then, you can appeal to private clinics for aid. The doc­tors would order you the latest treatments. Yes, very often this helps you to improve your health. But there are many cases when person falls ill with serious disease. No matter what medical methods, treatments and medicines he takes, this disease develops and sometimes leads to fatal outcome. In these moments people begin to understand that no money could buy good health. So, only your health and your good physical state have the real value in life.

It is safe to say that your health depends on your atti­tude to yourself. Healthy lifestyle, no smoking, no drinking - these are not empty words. If you keep these rules, it would be easier for you to be in good state, you would have strong heart, good lungs and robust appearance, that is not unimportant. It would he fine, if you go in for sport. This will bring you not only good health, but also good mood, friends and favourite hobby.

When you fall ill it is necessary to consult the doctor immediately. Very often we catch cold, and the chill is the most widespread disease. You don't feel up too much, sneeze and cough, your fever and clogged nose make itself felt con­stantly. It is better for you to be on sick leave during this period of time, as even simple chill can lead to some serious results. While being at home you should do the best to bring your temperature down, taking fever reducer; if you have a headache you should take some painkiller. If you feel weak or have dizziness you'd better to stay in bed for some time. And of course you mustn't meet your friend or someone from your relatives as they can catch the chill from you too. It is necessary to take a cure at once as you fee! bad, because it is easier to recover if you begin to treat yourself from the very beginning.

Questions:

1) Do you agree with the proverb "Health is above wealth"?

2) What is invaluable for you?

3) Do you appeal to private clinics?

4) What does healthy lifestyle give you?

5) What do you do when you fall ill?

SPARE TIME

No doubt, people are mostly hardworking. Parents earn money, bring up their children, and take care of them. Children get education. But when we are not at our usual work we used to rest or to do something we like.

Some people like to watch TV-set. Television helps us to relax after a hard day’s work. We can than cope better with the next day’s work. On the other hand, television is doing a lot harm, I think. We begin to forget how to occupy our spare time. Now all our free time is given to television.

Other people used to go in for sports, because sports help people to keep in good health. The most popular in our country are football, volley-ball, basket-ball, hockey, skiing and skating.

We used to go outside for our amusements to the theatres, cinemas. But I don’t go to the theatre very often, but always use every opportunity to see a new performance.

We often meet with our friends. I often think about what we discuss when we talk together with my friends. It is always interesting to know some news.

Most of all I like to read books. I prefer fiction and poetry. My favourite writers are S. Esenin, A. Akhmatova, A. Blok, M. Bulgakov. Besides I like to listen to classical music, my favourite composer is S. Prokofiev.

So people are very different and they different hobbies. Everybody can choose his hobby to his liking. But I think our free time should be used on useful yhings.

Questions:

1. Do people have enough time for leisure? Why?

2. What can you say about television’s role in our life?

3. What is your opinion about television?

4. Why do people go in for sport?

5. What are the most popular sports in our country?

6. Do you have friends? What do you discuss with them?

7. What is your hobby? Describe it.

8. Why time is very available thing? Do you value time?