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EACH COUNTRY TAKES PRIDE IN ITS OWN ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS. WHAT MAKES YOU PROUD OF YOUR COUNTRY?

Our country is great, and I'm very proud of it. Russia is famous for its outstanding people - scientists, writers, poets, travellers and explorers. Russia is a stable and democratic society. Its citizens have many freedoms, among them the freedom of speech, religion and the press, Russia is a member of the United Nations. Russia is one of the largest trading countries. It has a lot of energy resources and exports oil and natural gas. Russia has for centuries encouraged research and innovation and it has a lot of achievements throughout the twentieth century, Nobel prizes for science, literature and peace have been won by Russian citizens. In the fields of art, media and sports, Russia enjoys an international reputation. Russia has nuclear weapons, a strong army and remains a widely-respected country.

For ages mankind was dreaming of travelling in the space. The science itself came later. K. E Tslolkovsky, the great Russian scientist, is the father of the theory of interplanetary travels. His words that "mankind will not remain on the Earth forever" came true. On 4 October 1957 the Soviet Union launched the world's first satellite "Sputnik". This word, "sputnik", immediately began to be used in all languages. The first cosmonaut on the Earth to fly into space, Yuri Gagarin, was from Russia, and he made his flight around the Earth on 12 April 1961 that lasted 1 hour 48 minutes. Years will pass, people will conquer the Universe and make landings on other planets, but mankind will always remember Yury Gagarin as the first to pave the way to the stars.

Russia is also famous for its ancient churches, cathedrals, and towns. Moscow, the capital of Russia, is famous for its monuments to outstanding people, churches, galleries, theatres, squares and streets

The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It's my favourite place in Moscow. It is our history, and I'd like to tell you some facts about the buildings on it. St Basil's Cathedral was built in 1551-15G1 after the victory over the Kazan Kingdom. It's a magnificent Cathedral, with eight churches placed around the tallest ninth one. There is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky in front of the Cathedral, It was built in 1818 and it was the first statue put up In Moscow. Minin and Pozharsky were heroes of the people's struggle in the war against Poland in 1612. You can see Lobnoye Mesto near the Cathedral. It was erected in the 16 century; the tsar's orders were read from it, also it was used as a place for execution. The tallest tower of the Kremlin Is the Spasskaya Tower. It's also on Red Square. It's one of the symbols of Moscow, because the Kremlin clock, made in the 16th century, is on It, The clock strikes on the hour, half-hour and quarter of an hour. The Lenin Mausoleum is in the centre of the square. It was at first made of wood; and in 1930 it was rebuilt, and made of stone, brick, marble and granite. The State History Museum was opened in 1883. It has a rich collection of documents, drawings, pictures, and materials about the country's past and Russia's great people. The State Department Store (GUM) is one of the largest department stores in the country. It is an impressive building with a glass roof.

Of course the most ancient part of Moscow is the Kremlin. Nowadays the Kremlin centre looks truly magnificent, with its many-domed cathedrals in Cathedral Square and with its Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon.

A very interesting place in Moscow is the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The original cathedral was erected by order of Emperor Alexander as a token of the Russian people's gratitude to God for the deliverance of Russia from Napoleon's invasion in 1812. In 1931 it was demolished by order of Josef Stalin. In 1995 Moscow's Mayor Yury Luzhkov and the world-famous musician Mstislav Rostropovich laid the first stone in the foundation of the new Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Today you can admire this Cathedral in the centre of Moscow.

People in Russia keep their old traditions and are very proud of them. They celebrate religious holidays such as Easter, Christmas, and Maslenitsa. They eat traditional food for Maslenitsa such as pancakes with honey, caviar or sour cream; they colour eggs; bake kulich cakes; make a paskha out of cottage cheese for Easter. Many Russians are religious people. The main church in Russia is the Orthodox Church, but there are other religions too. The Orthodox Church has survived during hard times, and now we speak about a rebirth of religion in our country.

Russian people are open-hearted, hospitable, and friendly. They like to invite guests to their homes and cities; they like to give traditional souvenirs to their foreign friends such as matryoshka dolls, beautifully painted mugs, plate and spoons from the village of Khokhloma, Palekh boxes, art books, badges and etc.

We are proud of our famous and talented poets and writers such as Alexander Pushkin, Michael Lermontov and many others. We are proud of our famous composer Peter Tchaikovsky and one of our famous artists, Isaak Levitan. We can see his paintings and the paintings of other outstanding Russian artists, such as Repin, Vasnetsov, Shishkin, Surikov, Benua, Korovin, etc., in the Tretyakov Gallery. It is one of the most famous and well-known picture galleries in our country and in the world. It is situated in the centre of Moscow and is named after its founder Pavel Tretyakov. He began to collect Russian paintings in 1856. He was a famous patron of arts. In 1892 Tretyakov donated his collection to Moscow.

Russia is proud of its famous sportsmen who win a lot of gold, silver and bronze medals in different International sports competitions.

So, I'm very proud of my country, my native city and the people who brought a lot of fame to my country. And I invite everyone, who has never been to my country, to visit it, and to see its achievements with their own eyes.

Questions:

1. What do you know about K.E. Tsiolkovsky?

2. Who was the first to fly into space?

3. What famous Russian scientists, writers, poets, artists do you know?

4. What is your favourite place in Moscow and why?

5. What do you know about Red Square?

6. What do you know about the Kremlin?

7. Have you ever been to the Tretyakov Gallery? Who are your favourite artists?

8. What religious holidays do people celebrate in Russia?

9. What is the traditional food for Maslenitsa and Easter?

10. Why are you proud of your country?

EVERY COUNTRY IS SPECIAL. WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND, WHEN YOU THINK OF THE UK AND ITS PEOPLE?

The British Isles is the name for a collection of about 4000 islands, including Great Britain and Ireland. Great Britain, known as Britain or GB, is the name for the largest of the Islands in the British Isles. It includes England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom or UK is a political term that includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. All of these countries are represented in Parliament in London, and the abbreviation UK is used on most official documents produced by Parliament. Everybody from the UK is British, but be careful: only people from England are English. People from Wales think of themselves as Welsh; people from Scotland as Scottish; people from Northern Ireland as either British or Irish.

Britain is split into counties. The word county describes an area with its own local government. County councils are elected to run things, such as education, housing, town planning, and rubbish disposal. They look after things like roads, libraries and swimming pools.

The British flag, known as the Union Jack, is a combination of three flags: the Saint Andrew's cross, the Saint Patrick's cross and the Saint George's cross.

The Saint Patrick's cross is the former flag of Ireland. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He was born about AD 390. He converted the Irish to Christianity. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated on 17 March. The symbol of Northern Ireland is a shamrock and a red hand.

The Saint George's cross is the English flag. Saint George is the patron saint of England. He was a soldier famous for saving the Princess Cleolinda from being eaten by a dragon. Saint George's Day is celebrated on 23 April. The symbol of England is a red rose.

The Saint Andrew's cross is the Scottish flag. Saint Andrew, a fisherman, was one of the 12 apostles who followed Jesus Christ. Paintings of Saint Andrew often show him being crucified on an X-shaped cross. Saint Andrew's Day is celebrated on 30 November. He is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia. The symbol of Scotland is a thistle.

The Welsh flag shows a dragon. Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, converted Wales to Christianity and established the Welsh church. Paintings of Saint David show him with a dove on his shoulder. Saint David's Day is celebrated on 1 March. The symbol of Wales is a daffodil or leek.

London is the capital city of England and the UK. It is a place where the invading Romans first crossed the River Thames. They built a city and called it Londinium. This original site of London is now called the City of London. London manages in a unique way to reflect the past and, at the same time, to live a life of a modern city. The saying "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life" means that you can't be bored in London. There are hundreds of historic buildings, galleries and museums in London.

As for me, I'm fond of history and I've read a lot about English kings and queens. I'd like to visit all places In London which are connected with Royal London, such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London, And I'd like to visit places which are not In London, such as Windsor Castle, the Queen's house in Greenwich, the Palace of Holyrood house in Edinburgh and other places in the UK which are connected with the Crown. The UK is famous for its castles such as Edinburgh Castle and Leeds Castle and others, and I'd like to see them with my own eyes. Another place that is worth seeing is Madam Tussaud's Museum of Waxworks. This museum consists of several halls with wax Images of outstanding political characters, poets and writers, world-famous film stars and musicians. Then I'd like to see one of the wonders of the world - the famous Stonehenge. Every year thousands of young people go to Stonehenge to take part in the midsummer Druid festival. I wish I were there.

In the House of Lords, the Chancellor sits on a sack of wool. This tradition comes from old times when sheep wool made England rich and powerful. In the House of Commons there are two rows of benches: one row is for the government and the other one is for opposition. There is a red line in the carpet in front of each "front bench". The person who is speaking Is not allowed to step across it. It is also a tradition from old days, when that division prevented the two parties from fighting during the debates. Even the Legislation of the country is traditional. It includes many laws that haven't been changed for centuries. Other traditional features of Great Britain are the numerous clubs that unite people of various interests; and the pubs, the local beer halls, where Englishmen like to spend their time talking, discussing traditional matters: politics, sports, and weather, over a glass of beer. The British have a reputation of being conservative, for having established values without questioning their validity. They drive on the left side of the road and use double-decker buses. They stick to their own measurement system and continue to measure distances in miles and yards (not in kilometres and metres). They buy cheese in pounds and ounces, milk in pints, petrol in gallons.

English people are famous for their habit of politeness. It is considered polite to give up one's seat to a woman who is standing, to open a door for her, carry things for her, and so on. Most British people expect the person in front of them to hold the door open for them. People think you are rude, if you don't do this. English people are very reserved. This means that they don't talk much to strangers, and don't show much emotion. A reserved person never tells you anything about himself. But the people of the North and West of Britain are much less reserved than those of the South and East. Most British people queue when they are waiting for a bus or waiting to be served in a shop. But during the rush hour, when a bus or train arrives, people often push forward to make sure they get on. This is called jumping the queue. British people keep their old traditions and are very proud of them. They are famous for their sense of humour. English people show great love for animals. And, of course, English people are fond of sports. Many continentals think life is a game; the English think cricket is a game. To many Englishmen cricket is both a game and a standard of behaviour. When they consider something unfair, they say "That isn't cricket".

The traditional love of English people for tea is well known. They like to drink tea with milk. They have their five-o'clock tea not only at home or in offices, but also in tea-rooms and tea-shops, which can be found in every town.

A nation is born from its land, its history, its art, its traditions and its institutions. These things work together to make people what they are. But above all, a nation is made up of people, and although there are things they all share, all of those people are different. We can say there is still a "British nation," and one of the most characteristic features of Englishmen are their traditions, which they respect, and which they have kept for centuries. The traditions don't only accumulate the experience and wisdom of many generations, but they bring some stability into the rapidly changing world.

Questions:

1. What is Great Britain?

2. What is the UK?

3. What does the word county mean?

4. What do you know about the Union Jack?

5. What do you know about the patron saints in the UK?

6. What do you know about the symbols of the UK?

7. What places In the UK attract tourists?

8. What places in the UK would you like to visit and why?

9. What are the most common stereotypes about the UK people?

10. What makes a nation?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LONDON? IF YOU FOUND YOURSELF IN LONDON WHAT YOU LIKE TO VISIT FIRST? WHY?

Modern London is not one city that has steadily become larger through the centuries; It is a number of cities, towns, and villages that have, during the past centuries, grown together to make one vast urban area. London is situated upon both banks of the River Thames, it is the largest city in Britain and one of the largest in the world. Its population is about 7 million people.

London dominates the life of Britain. It is the chief port of the country and the most important commercial, manufacturing and cultural centre. There is little heavy industry in London, but there is a wide range of light industry in Greater London.

London consists of three parts: the City of London, the West End and the East End. The City extends over an area of about 2,6 square kilometres in the heart of London. About half a million people work in the City but less than 6,000 live here. It is the financial centre of the UK with many banks, offices and Stock Exchange. But the City is also a market for goods of almost every kind, from all parts of the world.

The West End can be called the centre of London. Here are the historical palaces as well as the famous parks Hyde Park with its Speaker's Corner is also here. Among other parks are Kensington Gardens, St. James's Park. In the West End there is Buckingham Palace, which is the Queen's residence, and the Palace of Westminster which is the seat of Parliament.

The best-known streets here are Whitehall with important Government offices, Downing Street, the London residence of Prime Minister and the place where the Cabinet meets. Fleet Street where most newspapers have their offices, Harley Street where the highest paid doctors live, and some others. Trafalgar Square is so-named in commemoration of Nelson's great victory. In the middle stands the famous Nelson Column with the statue of Nelson 170 feet high so as to allow him a view of the sea. The column stands in the geographical centre of the city.

One of the "musts" for the sightseer are the Houses of Parliament, facing the Thames, on one side, and Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey, on the other. The House of Commons sits to the side of the Clock Tower (Big Ben), the House of Lords - to the Victoria Tower side, Westminster Abbey is the crowning and burial place of British monarchs. It has its world famed Poet's Corner with memorials to Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, the Brontes sisters, Tennyson, Longfellow, Wordsworth, Burns, Dickens, Thackeray, Hardy, Kipling and other leading writers. Only a few however, are actually buried there.

Here too is that touching symbol of a nation's grief, The Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The name "West End" came to be associated with wealth, luxury, and goods of high quality. It is the area of the largest department stores, cinemas and hotels. There are about 40 theatres, several concert halls, many museums including the British Museum, and the best art galleries. It is in the West End where the University of London is centred with Bloomsbury as London's student quarter. The Port of London is to the east of the City. Here today are kilometres and kilometres of docks, and the great industrial areas that depend upon shipping. This is the East End of London, unattractive in appearance, but very important to the country's commerce.

In recent times London has grown so large, that the Government has decided that it must spread no farther. It is now surrounded by a "green belt" - a belt of agricultural and wooded land on which new buildings may be put only with the permission of the planning authorities.

Questions:

1. Where is London situated?

2. Is London the largest city in Britain?

3. What is its population?

4. What is the role of London in the life of Britain?

5. What parts does London consist of?

6. What can the West End be called? What places of interest are situated in the West End?

7. What are the best known streets?

8. What is the most famous park in London?

9. What is Downing Street known for?

10. What is the name "West End" associated with?

11. Why is Trafalgar Square so-named?

12. Where were British monarchs crowned?

13. London is a big cultural centre, isn't it?

14. Why is Buckingham Palace so interesting for tourists?

15. What is the financial centre of Great Britain?

16. Is the East End of London attractive in appearance?

17. Who lives there?

18. What famous museums would you like to visit In London?

19. What is the symbol of London and Great Britain?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? WHAT CAN YOU SEE ON THE AMERICAN FLAG? WHAT DO THESE SYMBOLS MEAN?

In 1620 thirty-five people, separatists from the Church of England, came to the Eastern Coast of North America on board of the ship called "May Flower". They came from England (from Plymouth) in search of new better life. These people are called Pilgrim Fathers. They settled in America and founded there the first permanent settlement New England. The name of New England was given to the area of the Eastern Coast of North America (now it is Massachusetts). Millions of Europeans from different countries of Europe came later into this area. They assimilated and became Americans.

So the USA began as the nation of the 13^th states, because European settlers occupied 13 colonies along the Atlantic Coast.

A century or even more later these 13 British colonies decided that they could no longer live under the British crown. They revolted and started the war for independence. The war for independence resulted in adoption the Declaration of Independence. It was adopted in 1776 on the 4^th of July in Philadelphia. This day is considered to be the birth of American nation, it is called the Independence Day (the national holiday of the USA). The hall of the Congress House where the Declaration was read is called Independence Hall. The bell that announced the reading of the Declaration is called Liberty Bell.

After proclaiming their independence the countries were named states. There were 13 original states. The committee which was to work out the Declaration of Independence was headed by Thomas Jefferson, the outstanding man of that time, later the third President of the USA.

The development of the USA was hindered by the Civil War between the Northern and the Southern states in 1860-s. The war was over in 1865 and since that time the USA has become more and more important, more and more powerful.

Today there are 50 states in the USA. Most of them were added much later by means of driving out the Indians from the coast who were the first settlers of the continent. The names of these states are of different origin. Some of them are of Indian origin (Illinois - 'brave man' etc.). Some states have nicknames such as the Golden State (California), the Silver Shore (Nevada) etc.

The Union Jack is the nickname of the American flag. There are 13 red and white stripes on the American flag which means 13 original states, and 50 stars which stand for the number of states today.

The population of the USA is about two hundred and thirty-five million. The USA is the country of immigrants, that is why the culture, the religions, the traditions of the Americans are diverse. There are many big cities in the USA such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia etc. The United States of America became the world leading country in the beginning of the 20^th century.

Questions:

1. Why did people from England come to America on board of the ship called "May Flower"?

2. What number of states the USA consist originally?

3. Why did colonies revolt and start the war of independence?

4. What is the Declaration of Independence?

5. Where and when was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

6. What day is considered to be the birth of the American nation?

7. When did the Civil War take place?

8. What can you say about the origin of the American states?

9. What is the nickname of the American flag?

10. What is the population of the USA?

11. The USA is the country of immigrants, isn't it?

12. Did the USA become the world leading country in the 20^th century?

PEOPLE HAVE VARIOUS READING PREFERENCES. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO READ? WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE WRITER?

I think that we can't live without books. There are a lot of different kinds of books in the world, for example, thrillers, historical novels, science fiction, adventure books and others. Most of them are with us during all our life. Boys all over the world like reading adventure, thrillers and horror stories, whereas girls prefer romances, historical novels and poetry. Encyclopaedias, reference books and dictionaries help students to do well at university.

All the members of my family like reading very much. My father often reads newspapers and magazines. He thinks that it is the only way to be in the know of everything. And my mother is keen on reading romances and modern novels. For her they are more interesting than boring historical novels. She agrees with Anatole France that "history books which contain no lies are extremely dull". But she wouldn't mind reading about the life of well-known people.

I enjoy reading very much. Most of all I like reading detective stories, because they have interesting story lines and unusual endings. Characters that conduct investigations particularly captivate me.

I never believed there really were books that you couldn't put down. I changed my opinion when I started to read The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, an English writer. The book was written in the 19th century. It's a very good detective story, with a bit of romance thrown in it. The book is basically about mistaken identity. The main character in the story is a young artist who goes up to the north of England to instruct two young ladies. And he falls in love with Miss Fairlie, who looks very like the woman in white. Finally they turn out to be identical twins. The author brilliantly describes the adventures, love and fears of his heroes. He really brings the characters to life. A good writer knows how to keep you reading the book. In The Woman in White the reader's interest is caught from the very first page and there is suspense till the very end! This is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone.

But my favourite writer is Agatha Christie. She is possibly the world's most famous detective storywriter. She wrote 79 novels and several plays. Her books are translated into 103 foreign languages. Many of her novels and short stories have been filmed. Her sales outnumber those of Shakespeare, but her life was often lonely and unhappy,

She was born in 1890 in Devon. She didn't go to school, but was educated at home by her mother During World War I, while she was working in a hospital dispensary, she learned about chemicals and poisons, which proved very useful to her in her later career. She wrote her first detective novel, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles", in 1920. In it she introduced Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective, who appeared in many subsequent novels. Her other main detective was an elderly spinster called Miss Marple. Miss Marple doesn't look like a detective at all. This old lady always uses her instinct and knowledge of human nature to investigate crimes.

In 1914 she married Archibald Christie, but the marriage was unhappy. It didn't last long, and they divorced in 1926. Agatha desperately wanted solitude and developed very bitter feelings towards the media because the newspapers had given her a hard time over her breakdown. She was determined never to let them enter her private life again and she buried herself in her work. On November 25, 1952 her play The Mousetrap opened in London. Today, over 50 years later, it is still running. It is the longest running show in the whole world. Agatha Christie died peacefully in 1976. People all over the world value this talented writer and consider her to be the Queen of Crime.

I don't mind reading adventure stories. I especially like to read about characters that go through dangers to complete their mission. I think it's more interesting than reading dull historical novels. I also like poetry.

I am sure that reading is an essential part of our life. Only in books can you find answers to all your questions. Books can tell us a lot about the modern world and ancient times. Besides, they can help us to explore new ideas and expand our outlook. I completely agree that "reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." What is more, books teach us to be kind and honest. While reading we learn how to solve our problems and to make people happy. And I think that reading is a perfect way to spend free time and not to feel bored. Books must be our friends during all our life.

Questions:

1. Is reading important to you? Why?

2. What kind of books do you like to read? Why?

3. What were your favourite childhood books?

4. What is your favourite book? Why is it worth reading?

5. What book are you reading now?

6. What famous British writers and poets do you know? Have you read any of their books/poems?

7. What Russian authors do you like?

8. Who is your favourite writer? Why?

9. Do you read books in English?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT LIFE OF A.S. PUSHKIN AND ABOUT HIS WORKS? WHY IS HE CALLED THE SUN OF RUSSIAN POETRY? WHAT PUSHKIN’S POEMS AND NOVELS ARE ESPECIALLY POPULAR?

It is extremely difficult to speak about Pushkin in Russia where everybody knows him so well. If I were to mention the most important facts about his life, I would say he was born into a wealthy aristocratic family in Moscow and educated in the Lyceum in Tsarskoye Selo, where his talent for poetry was noticed. After leaving school he worked for the government, but continued to write poetry. His poems angered the Tsar and Pushkin was banished to southern Russia. Here he started one of his greatest works, the novel Eugene Onegin, which portrayed current trends in Russian life and was called the encyclopaedia of the Russian life by Belinsky. The public read Pushkin's poems eagerly and his fame grew. The Tsar, recognizing his popularity, gave him a personal pardon, so Pushkin could return back to his beloved North. He settled in St. Petersburg, where his writing continued to be censored. Pushkin had many noble friends as well as plenty of mean enemies. One of them was Dantes, a French baron who admired Pushkin's wife and mortally wounded the great poet in a duel.

All our notions of poetry are connected first of all with Pushkin carted the Sun of Russian poetry. Foreigners may perhaps find it difficult to understand our attitude to Pushkin. It is very special. It could be called nation-wide adoration. Two centuries passed after his death, but the poet has not become one of those classical writers who are universally respected but rarely read.

Pushkin enters the life of every one of us in early childhood. We learn his tales by heart before we can even read. Their fascinating characters take firm root in our memories: Cat of Letters, Golden Fish, Tsar Saltan, Swan Princess, Prince Yelisei, Dead Princess and many others.

Later, in our youth, we begin to feel the magic attraction of his poems. They are so effortlessly light, so translucent. You get the feeling they are self-created. Then we discover with amazement a great number of changes and corrections on the poet's manuscripts, so many crossings out and additions, and we begin to understand that this perfection, this seeming ease and magnificent clarity are the result of painstaking work. As the years follow by, we get access to the immense wealth of the creation, and the poet enters our lives as an important companion.

Pushkin's poetry and prose embrace the whole world, and entire mankind. He wrote not only about Russia. He presented France in The Negro of Peter the Great, England in The Feast During the Plague, Spain in The Stone Guest, and Italy in Angelo. We are grateful to Pushkin for every line of his works, for his illustrious and proud life, for the foresight of his genius, for his talent in expressing the essence of people and their time in their most important features.

The name of Pushkin has become sacred and synonymous with love of one's native land, love for our mother tongue, and of the finest things we experience in life. Pushkin is alive, and part of the nation's life. His tragic end is as terrible to us today as it was to his contemporaries. The description of his last days burns our hearts as if it happened yesterday. We love his friends, we despise his enemies, and we hate his murderer. Our love and interest to Pushkin know no bounds.

Questions:

1. When and where was A.S. Pushkin born?

2. Where did he receive the education?

3. Who called the novel Eugene Onegin the encyclopaedia of the Russian life? Why?

4. Did he have many friends as well as plenty of enemies?

5. Why is it difficult for foreigners to understand our attitude to Pushkin?

6. The poet hasn't become one of those classical writers who are universally respected but rarely read, has he?

7. What fairy tales of Pushkin did you read in your childhood?

8. What other countries besides Russia were presented in his poetry and prose?

9. Has the name of Pushkin become sacred and synonymous with love of one's native land? Why?

10. When and how did he die?

11. What works of the poet do you like best of all and why?

ENGLISH LITERATURE IS KNOWN BY PLENTY OF BRILLIANT WRITERS AND POETS. WHICH OF THEM CAN YOU NAME? WHAT ARE THEIR MOST OUTSTANDING BOOKS?

In every country exist outstanding writers known for their masterpieces. England is not an exception. This country is rich by marvellous poets and writers known all over the world.

Walter Scott(1771 - 1832) was one of the most progressive figured of the romantic period. He achieved great popularity during his lifetime with his narrative poems and historical romances (novels in which the history of Scotland, England and Europe is occupied). W. Scott succeeded in recreating periods of history through accurate description and skillful characterization and was among the first writers who stressed the relationship of their characters to their environment.

Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh in the family of educated middle-class people. His father was a lawyer, but he belonged to an ancient Scottish family. When Scott was 18 months old he fell ill with a disease which left him lame for life. He began his education in a private school in Bristol port. Then he entered the second class in High School in Edinburgh. At the age of 17 his future was determined. His family wanted him to follow the father's profession. And Walter became a lawyer.

His first publication was a success. So he started to write. W. Scott is famous for the following works: Ivanhoe, The Monastery, Black Dwarf, Richard-the-Lion-Hearted and many others. W. Scott created a new genre in English literature, that is the historical novel. He composed novels on a single model. The story is focused on the life of certain characters, often lovers. And they are separated due to some reasons, and trying to come together they are usually involved in historical events and take part in them.

Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) was born in Landport (Portsmouth). When the family moved to London, Charles had to perform various jobs to earn some money for the family. When he was 16 years old he left school for good. But he enjoyed reading. He was influenced by such English writers as H. Fielding, T. Smollett and W. Shakespeare.

The literary heritage of Dickens is immense. He wrote 20 novels and many sketches, travel books and other non-fiction works. Among his works are: Sketches by Boz, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, The Adventures of Oliver Twist, Domby and Son, Great Expectations and others.

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811 - 1863) represented as Dickens the trend of critical realism. He was born in the prosperous middle-class family. When he was six he was sent to England to be educated there. Later he studied at Cambridge. While a student he spent much time drawing cartoons and writing verses.

His first notable book was The Book of Snob. For the first time he introduced a new hero - a snob. He depicted the whole gallery of snobs (the University snobs etc.).

His masterpiece is Vanity Fair. This novel has a subtitle: "A Novel without a Hero". It shows the author's intention to describe not separate individuals but English bourgeois society as a whole. Thackeray also revealed the laws governing English bourgeois society. His novels presented a broad picture of contemporary England: vanity, prejudices, corruption, hypocrisy, money-worship of the English aristocracy. In Thackeray's opinion there can be no hero in the society where the cult of money rules the world. The characters of the book are different but they have much in common - they are all victims of society. Thackeray compares his heroes with the puppets.

The novel Henry Esmond is notable for its democratically presentation of historical events. He satirized the representatives of political parties - Tories and Whigs.

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) is known as novelist, the author of beautiful fairy-tales, essays, criticism and plays. From the French decadence he absorbed the idea that art was superior to life, and that the first duty of an artist was to transform life into art (the doctrine "Art for Art's Sake). In 1878 O. Wilde won a prize at Oxford for his poem Roventa. In 1888 he wrote The Happy Prince and Other Tales.

The only novel of his was The Picture of Dorian Gray, where he expressed the decadent doctrine. Mainly this novel proved that he was a typical representative of the decadent at in English literature. But as for his plays (The Importance of Being Earnest, The Ideal Husband), they may be reckoned among realistic dramas in which he criticised the manners, the vices of the representatives of English aristocracy. O. Wilde and B. Show are known as the creators of social problematic native drama.

Questions:

1. Where and when was Walter Scott born?

2. Do his creative work belong to the romantic period?

3. What kind of genre in English literature did he create?

4. What works of W. Scott do you know?

5. Where and when was Charles Dickens born?

6. Name his works.

7. What trend in literature did W. Thackeray present?

8. What was his first notable book?

9. What did he depict in it?

10. What is Thackeray's masterpiece?

11. What is the main idea of this book?

12. Is there any hero in Vanity Fair? Why?

13. What can you say about O. Wilde?

14. From the French decadence O. Wilde absorbed the idea that art was superior to life, didn't he?

15. Have you read his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray?

16. Who is your favourite English writer? Why?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN LITERATURE? DOES IT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC FEATURES? SPEAK ABOUT LIFE AND WORKS OF YOUR FAVOURITE AMERICAN WRITER

American literature is now more than 300 years old. It is an independent literature and should not be considered as a branch of English literature, because it is written in the English language.

Literature not only reflects the particular period in which it is created. It always rests on the traditions of the country. Traditions mean the beliefs and the customs of the people. These traditions became the part of their life, and they are the starting point in the culture. Nor can the culture of the American nation be separated from Indian mythology and Negro folklore. This is a specific feature of American literature. Some Europeans who had come to America learned from the Indians their traditions. They appreciate such human values as their love for freedom, their self-respect, their contempt for wealth. The Indians contempted the qualities of white man. The Negroes contributed greatly to the development of arts. Negro songs and acting have become part of the American national music and drama. Negro folklore has given the American literature a specific colouring - a mixture of jocularity and sadness.

American literature owes its revolutionary traditions to the War for Independence and to the tradition of pioneering in the free lands of the West. This introduced the adventure feature so characteristic of American literature.

I can't say that I know American literature very well. Of course, I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by Mark Twain, Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, and some detective stories by Dick Francis and Asimov's science fiction novels. But my favourite American writer is Ernest Hemingway.

Ernest Hemingway was born in a Chicago suburb in 1899, where his father was a doctor. In high school the ath­letic youngster became a star of the football team. He also did some amateur boxing. Shortly after his gradu­ation the United States was plunged into World War I in Europe. He tried to enlist but was turned down be­cause of an eye injury he had suffered in the ring. Still he volunteered as a Red Cross ambulance driver and was attached to the Italian Army. He was wounded in the action, and that was the beginning of his lifetime fascination with violence, war, and the imminence of death.

Twenty years late he was in Spain, observing and tak­ing an active part in the revolution. In World War II, though he served in no official military capacity, the Unit­ed States government awarded him the Bronze Star for fighting in a guerilla band.

Between wars he managed to keep excitement in his life by involving himself in such dangerous pursuits as bullfighting and big-game hunting in the wilds of Africa. By sharing all these experiences with millions of readers, Hemingway became one of the most famous men in the entire world.

He was a writer by trade, and he wrote as he lived, with a powerful style devoid of tricks or flourish or elaborate syntax. His language is always terse and permeated with understatement. Out of his World War I experiences came A Farewell to Arms, his famous anti-war novel. His adventures in Spain produced the classic novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, and his brilliant treatise titled Death in the Afternoon is still regarded as a masterpiece on the ancient art of bullfighting. In 1952 he received the Pulitzer Prize for his fascinating story of a struggle between a man and a great fish. It was The Old Man and the Sea. Two years later he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature.

In 1961, when he knew he was dying of an incurable disease, the writer who seemed so preoccupied with man’s inevitable rendezvous with death took his own life. It was a sad, but fittingly violent final chapter to the career of one of the most important writers of the twentieth century.

Questions:

1. Is American literature a branch of English literature?

2. What does literature reflect?

3. Can the culture of the American nation be separated from Indian mythology and Negro folklore? Why/why not?

4. Do the Negroes contribute to the development of American literature?

5. Does American literature owe its revolutionary traditions to the War for the Independence and to the tradition of pioneering in the free lands of the West?

6. When and where was E. Hemingway born?

7. What kinds of sport was he fond of in the youth?

8. Hemingway took part in two wars and the revolution, didn't he? What namely?

9. How can you characterize Hemingway's style of writing?

10. Name his most outstanding novels.

11. What prize was he awarded for his books?

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR FREE TIME ACTIVITIES FOR BRITISH AND RUSSIAN YOUNG PEOPLE? WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU LIKE? WHY?

Britain has recent by been described as a "leisure society." This is because there are a great variety of leisure pursuits. Young people generally go out on Friday or Saturday nights to a disco, to a concert or to a pub. In recent years going out for a meal or getting a take-away meal have become popular too. During the past years there is a great increase in keeping fit and staying healthy. A lot of young people started running, jogging and going to different fitness clubs in their spare time. Aerobics classes and fitness clubs opened in every town, and the number of recreation centres greatly increased. Indoor pools, with their wave-making machines, water slides and tropical vegetation, have become very popular,

And the same is true in Russia. Young people go in for different kinds of sport. Sport helps them to feel as fit as a fiddle. In both countries there are special programmes for problem teenagers, such as a high-risk activities, for example they are taught to jump out of aeroplanes. But despite the increase in the number of young people participating in sport, the majority of them still prefer to be spectators. They prefer to be couch potatoes. Watching sports on TV is a popular leisure activity, as is going to football matches on Saturday. Cinemas have been redesigned with four or more screens, each showing a different film at the same time, and a lot of young people like going to the cinemas too.

The young generation is fond of communication. There are many available methods of communication nowadays, and the most popular one is computers. Many young people spend plenty of time working on computers. The Internet seems really good fun. You may send e-mails to friends from different countries and get their answers instantly. You even may talk to them. It is easy and quick. A lot of young people have mobile telephones, so they can always be contacted, if they keep their telephone switched on, at any time of the day or night, or send text messages.

A lot of young people in both countries are crazy about animals. They race them, train them and breed them. They like to hear stories about them on television programmes and they like reading books about them. Many young people have a pet animal. It could be a dog, a cat, a goldfish, a bird or a small furry animal like a hamster. Looking after and being kind to their pets is very important for young people. Why are they so interested in animals? Perhaps it's because they are rather shy in their heart of hearts. One of my friends says: "I can say anything I like to my dog, but she never thinks I'm silly."

There are plenty of other kinds of activities, such as travelling, visiting historical places, babysitting, delivering newspapers, putting together jigsaw puzzles, reading, going to different museums, skateboarding, going fishing, hitchhiking, shopping, helping people in need, joining a computer club and others. We can say "So many people; so many kinds of activities."

Questions:

1. Why is there a great increase in fitness clubs?

2. Why do young people go in for sport?

3. What special programmes for problem teenagers do you know?

4. Are you a couch potato? Why?

5. Why is the young generation fond of communication?

6. What methods of communication do you know?

7. What method of communication do you prefer? Why?

8. Why can we say: "So many people; so many kinds of activities "

9. What kind of activity do you prefer? Why?

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE FOND OF DIFFERENT STYLE OF MUSIC. WHAT KINDS ARE POPULAR NOW? WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE? WHY?

Can you think of a day without music? We can hear music everywhere: in the streets and at home, over the radio and on TV, in the shops and in the parks. People all over the world are fond of music. They listen to music, they dance to music, they learn to play musical instruments.

But what is music? Specialists explain that music is not only a combination of pleasant sounds. It is an art that reflects life. There are a lot of different kinds of music. Some of them appeared long ago, and some are modern. For example, folk music appeared long ago, but is still alive. There are many local performers, choirs and folk groups in Russia; but perhaps the most famous singer is Nadezhda Babkina. Folk songs are very tuneful and pleasant to listen to. Classical music is often associated with the music of the past. However, this style also includes music being written now, and we may speak of modern classical music. Rap is modern musical style where the singer speaks or shouts the words in time to music with a steady beat. Such groups as Public Enemy or House of Pain are leaders in this style.

Great Britain has produced more popular music stars than any other country. Over the last 30 years rock and pop music have been very popular in Britain. The Beatles, with their style of singing, eloquent and exciting, is still one of the most popular groups. British groups often set new trends in music. New styles, groups and singers continue to appear. Some of the more resent pop groups are Dire Straits, Eurhythmics and Spice Girls. Many of the bans have been able o use the change in technology to develop their music. Computerised drum machines, synthesisers and other electronic instruments are now just as popular as the piano and electric guitars.

Tastes differ. So people’s musical interests range from pop to rock music, which are extremely popular nowadays, especially among young people, to classical music and opera.

My favourite style of music is pop music, because it is breathtaking and full of energy. When I listen to pop music it makes me remember happy times and forget the problems of everyday life. It helps me to relax when I’m tired, and entertains me when I’d like to have fun. My favourite group is Abba. It was founded in 1973 in Sweden. Abba’s cheerful tunes made hem international pop stars and one of the most successful groups of the seventies. Their most famous songs (“Waterloo”, “Money, money, money”, ‘Knowing me, Knowing you”, etc.) often topped European charts. Though the group doesn’t exist any more, it is still popular with people of all ages. I can’t but admire their style of singing. I find it fascinating and overwhelming. When I have free time I listen to their records, I also like having background music while I am working.

I don’t mind listening to dance music, especially when I go to disco clubs. This style of music is catchy and I like catchy tunes. It makes me more energetic.

It’s a pity that many young people like to listen only to modern music. As for me, I also enjoy listening to classical music. I find it tuneful and appealing. Classical music is always a complex of emotions. It gives me delight, pleasure and a sense of happiness. Some pieces of classical music are really wonderful. Not long ago I listened to the First Piano Concerto, composed by Tchaikovsky. The power of his music captivated me. The impression was overwhelming.

The music I hate is heavy metal. I find it noisy and dreadful. When I listen to this style of music it presents to my mind pictures of dark days. Though some young people are fond of this style of music, it is not to everyone’s taste. To my mind, music too loud can destroy our ears. I am indifferent to other styles of music. For example, I don’t mind listening to jazz. Improvisation is an important part of this style, that’s why a jazz song may sound a little different each time it is played. I think that jazz is a mixture of many different kinds of music, but I consider it a bit complicated. My parents prefer to listen to classical and “bard music”.

It goes without saying that music plays a very important role in people’s life. It reflects our moods and emotions. Music appeals to our hearts and transforms our feelings. It conquers our souls and enriches our minds. Besides, listening to music is the perfect way to spend free time and not to feel bored. You can hardly find a person who doesn’t like or need music, who never sings or dance. Music is beauty in sounds, it is our magic source of inspiration.

Questions:

1. What is your attitude to music?

2. How can music influence people?

3. What do you think about classical/rock/pop music/

4. What sort of music do you like?

5. What does music make you think of?

6. What music irritates you?

7. What famous British musicians/composers/singers/groups do you know?

8. What is your favourite musician/singer/group?

9. Where and when do you listen to music?

10. Do you like to listen to concerts? Why?