Раздел IV Тексты для самостоятельного чтения

Текст 1

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Some years ago “UNESCO” reported English to be the world language, as it is spoken all over the world. Nowadays it is especially important to know English as thousands of books, newspapers and magazines are printed in English. It is the language of business, science, trade and culture. Many people all over the world learn English, because they need it for their work, others travel abroad a lot. About 70% of world's mail and telephone calls are in English. People, who know English can speak to the people from other countries, read foreign authors in the original and make their outlook wider. English is spoken by more that 400 million people. It is the most widespread language on Earth, besides Chinese. English is known as the official language of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the United States of America, of Australia and New Zealand. It is used as one of the official languages in Canada, the Republic of South Africa and the Irish Republic. Many people from different parts of India and Africa speak English as a second language. Almost all Europeans study and use English as a foreign language. In the 80s – 90s English became very popular in our country due to the Perestroika. Nowadays it is studied at schools, colleges, universities and sometimes even at nursery schools. It isn't easy to learn a foreign language. It is rather a slow and long process that takes much time and you have to summon up patience.

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Текст 2

PRESENTING A COMPANY What makes a good presentation? Without exception, all good presentations have one thing in common, enthusiasm, both for their subject and for the business of presenting it. The best public speakers always make what they say sound as if it really matters. They know if it matters to them, it will matter to the audience. Many different things contribute to the success of presentation: new and unusual content, a clear structure, the imaginative use of visual aids, the ability to make people laugh and think and, of course, enthusiasm. Here is a sample of the company presentation: “Good-morning, ladies and gentlemen. Let me introduce myself. My name is Edward Green. I am a sales manager of the “Aqua” company. Welcome to our company that produces and sells delightful soft drinks. Wherever you go, you have an opportunity to buy our blue and yellow bottles or tins. Our company is independent. It was founded in 1987. Speaking of our head office, it is situated in Toronto, because it’s one of the Canadian business centers. But don’t think my colleagues work within one office. We have two plants, fifteen branches and two hundred warehouses in the country. It allows buying our products without waiting. Fifteen thousand employees are taking care of our potential clients at the moment. Our main clients are usual people. What do they need? They want a healthy and refreshing drink of the best quality. It’s our general task. Our Director, Mr. Smith, is permanently anxious about it. According to the statistic, we have achieved impressive results. Our annual sales are nine hundred million dollars and the profit for this year is four hundred and eighty-two million dollars. Constant development is our feature. The annual growth is thirty percent and we are pleased at it. What’s everything based on? I’m sure on our philosophy, clear for anyone who is employed by “Aqua”. You know our motto is “Never stop at what has been achieved”.”

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Текст 3

STEVEN’S JOB

I – Interviewer S – Steven I: What sort of hours do you work, Steve? S: Well, I have to work very long hours, about eleven hours a day. I: What time do you start? S: I work nine till three, then I start again at five thirty and work until eleven. Six days a week. I: And do you have to work at the weekend? S: Oh, yes. That’s our busiest time. I get Wednesday off. I: What are some of the things you have to do, and some of the things you don’t have to do? S: Er… I don’t have to do the washing-up, so that’s good. I have to wear white, and everything in the kitchen has to be totally clean. I: What’s hard about the job? S: You’re standing up all the time. When we’re busy, people get angry and shout, but that’s normal. I: How did you learn the profession? S: Well, I did a two-year course at college. In the first year we had to learn the basics, and then we had to take exams. I: Was it easy to find a job? S: I wrote to about six hotels, and one of them gave me my first job, so I didn’t have to wait too long. I: And what are the secrets of being good at your job? S: Attention to detail. You have to love it. I: And what are your plans for the future? S: I want to have my own place. When the time’s right.

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