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3. Climate and Nature of Great Britain


CIVILIZATIA
The climate in Great Britain is generally mild and temperate due
to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The south-western winds
1. United Kingdom carry the warmth and moisture into Britain. The climate in Britain
is usually described as cool, temperate and humid.
The official name of the country we usually call England and British people say: "Other countries have a climate, in England
occasionally Great Britain is the United Kingdom of Great Britain we have weather."
and Northern Ireland. The U. K. is situated on the group of islands The weather in Britain changes very quickly. One day may be fine
lying just off the mainland of northwestern Europe. The British and the next day may be wet. The morning may be warm and the
Isles include Great Britain proper, Ireland and a number of evening may be cool. Therefore it is natural for the people to use
smaller islands. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and the comparison "as changeable as the weather" of a person who
Wales. The southern part of Ireland is the Republic of Eire. often changes his mood or opinion about something. The
Great Britain is separated from the continent by the English weather is the favorite topic of conversation in Britain.
Channel, the narrower part of which is called the Strait of Dover. Rainfall is more or less even throughout the year. In the
The British Isles are surrounded by the shallow waters of the Irish mountains there is heavier rainfall then in the plains of the south
Sea and the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Channel and east. The driest period is from March to June and the wettest
and the Atlantic Ocean. months are from October to January. The average range of
Britain is comparatively small, but there is hardly a country, in temperature (from winter to summer) is from 1 5 to 23 degrees
the world where such a variety of scenery can be found. There above zero. During a normal summer the temperature
are wild desolate mountains in the northern Highlands of sometimes rises above 30 degrees in the south. Winter
Scotland - the home of the deer and the eagle. The Pennine temperatures below 1 0 degrees are rare. It seldom snows
Range in northern England and the Cambrian Mountains in heavily in winter, the frost is rare. January and February are
Wales are much lower. In the extreme south of England are the usually the coldest months, July and August the warmest. Still
famous chalk hills, some of which form the Dover Cliffs. The the wind may bring winter cold in spring or summer days.
southern and south-eastern parts of the island lie in varied Sometimes it brings the whirlwinds or hurricanes. Droughts are
lowlands. rare.
The rivers of the region are short and of no great importance as So, we may say that the British climate has three main features:
waterways. The longest of them is the "Father of London", the it is mild, humid and changeable. That means that it is never too
Thames, which is a little over 200 miles. Britain's principal ports hot or too cold. Winters are extremely mild. Snow may come but
are London, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, and Glasgow. it melts quickly. In winter the cold is humid cold, not the dry one.
Thanks to climatic conditions, Britain in truth looks like one great This humid and mild climate is good for plants. The trees and
well-ordered park with its old trees, green meadows and hedges. flowers begin to blossom early in spring.

2. London-capital of Great Britain 4. Customs and traditions in UK

The capital of Great Britain is London. It's political, economic and Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The English
commercial center of the country. Its population is about 8 are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people. They are
million. steady, easy-going and fond of sports. There are certain kinds of
London is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the behavior, manners and customs which are peculiar to England.
West End and the East End. Britain is a nation of animal lovers. In Britain pets can send
The heart of London is the City, its financial and business center. Christmas cards to their friends, birthday cards.
Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including Every Englishmen spends his weekend different: those who live
the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few in cities and towns like to go out of town. They may go to stay in
people live here, but over a million people come to the city to the country to admire the bright sun and fresh air where no
work. crowds of people, just silence and leisure are.
There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. There are some traditions concerning food. English cooking is
Perhaps the most striking of them in St. Paul's Cathedral, the heavy, substantial and plain. The Englishman likes a good
greatest of British churches. Another important monument of breakfast. To him a good breakfast means porridge with, fish,
London is The Tower of London which was used for many bacon and eggs, toast and marmalade, tea or coffee.
purposes: as a royal palace, an observatory, an arsenal, a state Tea is part of the prose of British life, as necessary as potatoes
prison and it is now a museum. For many visitors the principal and bread. Seven cups of it wake you up in the morning; 9 cups
attraction is the Crown Jewels, the finest precious stones of the will put you to sleep at night.
nation. Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of The English have a popular specialty known as fish and chips.
London. Westminster Abbey is a national shrine where the kings They are bought at special fish and chips shops.
and queens are crowned and famous people are buried. Across
the road from Westminster Abbey is the seat of the British 5. New Year's Day in UK
Parliament. The Clock Tower, which contains the hour-bell called
Big Ben, is known the world over. Buckingham Palace is the The celebration of New Year's Day varies according to the district.
official residence of the Queen. In the south of England, the festival of Christmas, lasting 12 days
Trafalgar Square is the geographical center of London. On the from December 25th, runs on well into the New Year. The
north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the decorations of colored streamers and holly, put up round the
National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum - the walls, and of course the fir-tree, with its candles or lights, are not
biggest museum in London. packed away until January 5th. On the evening of December
The West End is the richest and the most beautiful part of 31st, people gather in one another's homes, in clubs, in pubs, in
London. Only reach people live there. But in the same time The restaurants, and hotels, in dance halls and institutes, to "see the
East End is the poorest district of London. There are a lot of New Year in".
factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the On New Year's Day all English schoolchildren make New Year
buildings are unimpressive. This is the place of living of the resolutions. They make up lists of shortcomings which they
working class. So after all we can say that the UK is one of the intend to correct. The children, their mothers and fathers, and
most powerful countries with great culture and it would be very their friends laugh and have a good time when they read them.
exciting to visit it. The children promise to keep them.
In the north, and in Scotland, particularly, the Year known as
Hogmanay is very well kept up. The ceremonies are similar, but
they have an added called "first foot". This means opening your
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door to anyone who knocks it after midnight, and who will then world. It comprises the national museum of archaeology and
enter the house, carrying a piece of coal-or wood, or bread. The ethnography and the national library. The present building was
visitor is entertained with cakes and ale. built in 1852. It contains books and manuscripts: Greek, Roman,
Considerable quantities of good Scotch whiskey are consumed British and Oriental antiques. It has a department of
during these celebrations Ethnography. This collection is so vast that only a very small
percentage of it is on show to the public. There's also a
6. Places of interest department of prints and drawings. There're departments
devoted to maps, coins, medals and philately. Those who come
There are a lot of places of interest in London. They are all worth to the British museum can see a fascinating array of clocks and
seeing. On the north side of Trafalgar Square stands one of the watches.
world's greatest art galleries. The National Gallery represents all Cultural life of London would be impossible without the Royal
schools of Western painting from the Italian Primitives to the Albert hall, the Royal Festival hall, the National theatre and a
early 20th century. Portraits by Reynolds and Gainsborough can great number of museums: the Victoria and Albert museum, the
be seen here. Geological Museum, the Museum of Mankind, Natural history
Since the time of William the Conqueror the Tower of London has museum and others.
served as a fortress, a royal residence, treasury, mint and prison.
Here many people were imprisoned and beheaded. Now it's a 9. The houses of Parliament
museum.
St. Paul's Cathedral is the largest and the most magnificent The house of Parliament in London, known also as the Palace of
church of the city. The High Altar forms a memorial to those who Westminster is the place where members of Parliament (M.P.)
died in the two World Wars. gather to make laws. The members of each House meet in
The Victoria and Albert Museum represents the finest examples sessions which begin at the end of October and last for about
of the applied and decorative arts of all kinds. It has collections one hundred and sixty days. The sittings usually begin at 10
of furniture, jewellery, costumes, musical instruments and o'clock in the morning and end in the late afternoon; but if
metalwork. Parliament is discussing an important question sittings may go
The Barbican centre was opened by the Queen in 1982. It on till late at night. All the time Parliament is in session, a flag
includes a concert hall, the home of the London Symphony can be seen over the building, and when the House of Commons
Orchestra, two theatres, three cinemas and an art gallery. is still sitting after dark, there is a light over the face of Big Ben.
Piccadilly Circus is one of London's busiest road-junctions. It's The members of the House of Commons sit on two sides of the
always full of cars, people as there are many theatres, shops and hall. The Speaker is the chairperson at all the debates in the
restaurants there. The statue of Eros is in the middle of House of Commons, and it is duty to keep order. The Speaker is
Piccadilly. elected by all the members of the House of Commons. He
One of the beautiful things in London is Madame Tussaud's belongs to one of the political parties in Parliament, but he never
museum. It represents wax figures of the famous and infamous votes are equal he votes with the government.
people of the past and present. The Chamber of Horrors is of The chairperson of the House of Lords is Lord Chancellor. He sits
particular interest and also Company and the Royal Ballet. on the Woolsack, a large bag of wool covered with red cloth. If
shows that wool made England rich.
7. Press in Britain
10. Political system of United Kingdom
Probably in no other country are there such great differences the
various national daily newspapers- in the type of news they report Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. It means that there is
and the way they report it. a Queen (or King) and the Parliament. The Queen has almost no
On the one hand, there are the "quality" newspapers: The Times, power in the country. Her powers are limited by the Parliament.
The Independent, The Guardian, the Financial times and the Laws are made by the Parliament.
Daily Telegraph. These concern themselves, as far as possible, The Queen is only a formal ruler: she reigns but does not rule. In
with factual reports of major national and international events, fact everything that she does is done on the active of her
with the world of political and business and with the arts and ministers, who are responsible for the royal acts. Thus, most of
sport. her functions are symbolic. The Queen's residence in London is
On the one hand, there are the "populars" and "tabloids", so- Buckingham Palace.
called because of their smaller size. The tabloids- the most The British Parliament consists of two cambers: the House if
widely read of which are The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, the Lords and the House of Commons. There are more than 1000
Daily Mirror, The Sun and the Daily Star- concentrate on more members in the House of Lords. Many seats are hereditary.
emotive reporting of stories often featuring sex, violence, the The House of Commons has 635 members. They are elected by a
Royal Family, film and pop stars, and sport. It is often said that general election (secret ballot).
the popular press aims to entertain it's rather than inform them. The government is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the
In addition to the 12 national daily newspapers there are nine leader of the party that has won the election.
national papers which are published on Sundays. Most of the In Great Britain there are three main political parties: the
"Sundays" contain more reading matter than daily papers, and Conservatives, the Labour Party and the Liberals.
several of them also include "color supplements"- separate color
magazines which contain photographically-illustrated feature 11. Sightseeing London
articles.
The British are one of the biggest newspapers-reading nations in The Tower of London is the most famous of all the historical
the world. buildings in London. In the past the Tower of London served both
as a palace and as a state prison, but it is only a museum today.
8. Museums and Art Galleries of London Trafalgar Square is in the centre of the West End of London. On
the north side is the National Gallery; in the north-east corner is
London is very rich in museums and art galleries. If you are fond the National Portrait Gallery, and in the centre is Nelson's
of painting you'll go to the Tate Gallery. There are about 300 oils Column with the figure of the great seamen.
and 19000 watercolors and drawings. There are many works by Trafalgar Square is the place where mass meetings and
the English painter William Turner there. There are a lot of demonstrations for peace and for working people's rights take
paintings by the 16-th century English artists and paintings by place.
foreign artists of the 19-20-th centuries, such as Pablo Picasso's "Big Ben" is the name of the great bell which strikes the hour. It
paintings. There are many interesting sculptures there of Henry is in the clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament.
Moor's Westminster Abbey is the historic building in London to which
The British Museum is the largest and richest of its kind in the every visitor sooner or later goes. Many of Great Britain's famous
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men are buried in Westminster Abbey. large groups: non-political organizations; youth organizations
Piccadilly Circus is a square in the central part of London. associated with political parties; youth organizations controlled
London's best-known theatres and cinemas and most famous by religious bodies.
restaurants are on Piccadilly Circus. Hyde Park is the largest park The two largest non-political youth organizations are the
in the West End of London. In the 19th century it became a associations of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides.
popular place for public meetings. The Scout movement was intended for boys from 11 to 14, but in
The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world. 1916 Baden Powell introduced a program for younger people. He
It consists of the National Library and Museum of History, called them Wolf Cubs. They had special uniforms; badges, a
Archaeology, Art and Ethnography. special training system and the motto "Do your best!" There are
some other non-political organizations: the Combined Cadet
12. Some facts about London Force, Sea Cadet Corps, the Woodcraft Folk, the Youth Hostels
Association, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs,
London has been home of many famous Englishmen. Some were and Greenpeace.
born there. Some lived there all their lives. Others lived in London Youth Organization Greenpeace deals with most urgent
only for a short time but all gave something to this great city ecological problems. It protests against nuclear weapon tests,
One of the first names of importance is that of Geoffrey Chaucer, sea and soil pollution, etc. Sport clubs are characteristic youth
the poet. He lived most of his life in London. He knew the courts organizations in the UK. They unite people who are interested in
of King Richard II d King Henry IV. His most famous work, 'The baseball, football, golf, etc. Religious young organizations and
Canterbury Tales", opens at the Tabard Inn, in Southward. groups aim at helping to elderly people or working in hospitals.
William Shakespeare also lived in London. He lived there for Many of these organizations have done and still are doing useful
more than twenty years. He acted at the Globe Theatre and wrote work in providing leisure facilities for young English people.
his plays in London. But London's famous men are not only
writers. Sir Christopher Wren, the architect, spent most of his life 15. Vegetation and wildlife
in London. He designed many beautiful churches, including St.
Paul's Cathedral. He also designed palaces and fine houses. Britain was originally a land of vast forests. Mainly oak and
Music is represented by a very interesting figure. This is George beech in the Lowlands and pine and birch In the Highlands, with
Frederick Handel. He came to London from Hanover in 1710After great stretches of marshland and smaller areas of moors.
some success and some failure he at last became famous. This Extensive forests remain in eastern and northern Scotland and in
happened when he composed "The Messiah". "Judas south-eastern and western England. Oak, elm, ash, and beech
Maccabeus" and 'The Music for the Royal Fireworks" Like are the commonest trees in England, while Scotland has much
Chaucer and many other great artists. Handel is buried in pine and birch.
Westminster Abbey. The fauna or animal life of Britain is much like that of north-
Another famous London figure is one of England's greatest western Europe, to which it was once joined. Many larger
seamen. Admiral Lord Nelson. He has a very special memorial in mammals such as bear, wolf have been hunted to extinction,
Trafalgar Square. Equally famous is the general who led the army others are now protected by law. There are many foxes. Otters
at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. This was the Duke of are common along rivers and streams, and seals live along much
Wellington. His house stands at Hyde Park Comer. It is of the coast. Hedgehogs, hares, rabbits, rats and mice are
sometimes known as Number One, London. Like numerous. Deer live in some of the forests in the Highlands of
Admiral Nelson, the Duke of Wellington is buried in St. Paul's Scotland and England.
Cathedral. Some 230 kinds of birds live in Britain, and another 200 are
regular visitors, many are songbirds. The most numerous are
13. Stratford-upon-Avon blackbirds, sparrow and starling. Robin Redbreast is the national
bird of Britain. The number of ducks, geese and other water fowl
Stratford-upon-Avon lies at the very heart of England. It attracts has diminished during recent years.
people not only by its history and connection with William
Shakespeare, but also by its wonderful nature and typical English 16. Holidays in Great Britain
character.
Stratford stands on the river Avon and is one of the oldest English are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them.
market towns. It has still preserved its own character and English people celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December. It's
atmosphere, as you will not see modern buildings there. The the season of good will. It's the most beautiful time of the year -
houses are small and lots of them are very old. Some of them the time of love, joy and hopes.
date back to Shakespeare's time. There are some traditions on New Year's Day. One of them is the
Here you can visit Shakespeare's birthplace (it is a museum old First Footing. The first man to come into the house is very
now), Anna Hathaway's cottage the foundations of the New important. The Englishmen believe that he brings luck.
Place, where Shakespeare lived when he retired and died in Another best-loved holiday is St.Valentine's Day on the 14th of
1616. Just round the corner there is Grammar school that February - the holiday of love and affection, the day of sending
Shakespeare used to attend. and giving presents to those you love.
Here in Stratford there is Holy Trinity Church where William In England, Easter is a church holiday. A custom is decorating
Shakespeare was buried. Thousands of people from all parts of eggs for children. Halloween is the day or evening before all
England and foreign visitors come here on Shakespeare's Saint's Day. Children dress up in Halloween costumes and masks
birthday (23rd April) to pay tribute to the great poet. over their faces.
Among other sights connected with the name of Shakespeare According to the Act of Parliament of 1871 there are 4 bank
there is an interesting monument with the statue of the great holidays Easter Monday, whit-Monday, Des 26th -Boxing Day.
poet on top and with characters from his plays round it. And, of Other public holiday are Good Friday, May Day, Also there is a
course, you should visit the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a red- Pancake Day, April's Fool Day, Mother's Day.
brick building standing on the banks of the Avon. The Royal
Shakespeare Company, which is one of the best known and 17. Educational system in Great Britain
largest theatre companies in the world, regularly performs here
and in the Barbican Centre in London. The educational system of Great Britain is extremely complex
and bewildering. It is very difficult to generalize about particular
14. Youth organizations in Great Britain types of schools as schools differ from one to the other.
Primary education takes place in infant schools for pupil's ages
Youth and youth movement have become important factors in from 5 to 7 years old and junior schools (from 8 to 11 years).
the life of the country. There are about 60 youth organizations in Some areas have different systems in which middle schools
Great Britain. All youth organizations can be divided into three replace junior schools and take pupils ages from 9 to 11 years.
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Secondary education has been available in Britain since 1944. It service element, it now also embraces the principles of
is compulsory up to the age of 16, and pupils can stay at school competition and choice: the BBC (British Broadcasting
voluntarily up to three years longer. Corporation), which broadcasts television and radio programs;
At the age of 16 pupils take school-leaving examinations in the ITC (Independent Television Commission), which licenses and
several subjects at the Ordinary level. This examination could regulates commercial television services, including cable and
also be taken by candidates at a further education satellite services; the Radio Authority, which licenses and
establishment. This exam was called the General Certificate of regulates commercial radio services, including cable and
Education (GCE). Pupils of comprehensive school had taken the satellite;
examination called the Certificate of Secondary Education either The three bodies work to broad requirements and objectives
with or instead of the GCE. A GCE of Advanced ("A") level was defined and endorsed by Parliament, but are otherwise
taken two years after the Ordinary level exam. independent in their daily conduct of business.
The private sector is running parallel to the state system of Cable services are delivered through underground cables and are
education. There are over 2500 fee-charging independent paid for subscription. Cable franchises have been granted
schools in GB. Most private schools are single-sex until the age of covering areas comprising 83 per cent of all homes and nearly
16. all urban areas in Britain. In mid - 1999 there were about 12.1
There are over 90 universities in GB. They are divided into three million homes able to receive such services, and 3 million
types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh subscribing homes. Digital technology is being introduced which
Universities), in the 19th century universities, such as London will support up to 500 television channels. Cable also has the
and Manchester universities, and the new universities. capacity for computer - based interactive services, such as home
Full courses of study offer the degree of Bachelor of Art or shopping and email. Satellite television and cable services are
Science. Most degree courses at universities last three years, funded mainly by subscription income.
language courses 4 years. Medicine and dentistry courses are Television viewing is by far Britain's most popular leisure
longer (5-7 years). pastime: over 97 per cent of households have at least one TV set.
Most students live away from home, in flats of halls of residence. British television productions are sold world – wide.
There are not only universities in Britain but also colleges.
Colleges offer courses in teacher training, courses in technology 20. European Union
and some professions connected with medicine.
The establishment of the EU intended to work toward common
18. Buckingham Palace goals of European countries.
The EU was established after 2nd World War. France officially
Buckingham palace is the official London residence of Her undertook the establishment of the EU proposing to create "the
Majesty The Queen and as such is one of the best known and first concrete foundation of a European federation". On May 9,
most potent symbols of the British monarchy. Yet it has been a 1950 the EU was created and initially six European countries
royal residence for only just over two hundred and thirty years joint to the EU: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxemburg, and
and a palace for much less; and its name, known the world over, the Netherlands. Then other countries joint to the EU and today
is owed not to a monarch but to an English Duke.JM the number of the member countries is 27. The requirements for
Buckingham House was built for John, first Duke of Buckingham, the countries willing to become member of EU are the following:
between 1702 and 1705. It was sold to the Crown in 1762. Member countries must be a stable democracy, respecting
Although King George III modernized and enlarged the house human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of minorities;
considerable, the transformations that give the building its Member countries must have a functioning market economy;
present palatial character were carried out for King George IY by The EU has such a structure that there are 5 institutions and
Nash, by Edward Blore for King William IY and Queen Victoria in each of them is responsible for a respective objective:
the end, and by James Pennethoooorne. European Parliament - The main functions of this institution is to
In the reign of King Edward Yll, much of the present white and exercise the issues related to the legislation, implementing
gold decoration was substituted for the richly colored 19th foreign and security policy, monitor the budget.
century schemes of Nash and Blare; and in the 1920s, Queen Council of the European Union - This is the most influential
Mary used the firm of White Alum to redecorate a number of institution in decision making process. The main function of this
rooms. institution is to exercise the issues related to the legislation, to
The rooms open to visitors are used principally for official suggest and monitor the international agreements,
entertainment .These include Receptions and State Banquets, implementing foreign and security policy.
and it is on such occasions, when the rooms are filled with European Commission - It is mainly responsible for creating the
flowers and thronged with formally dressed guests and liveried initial outline of legislation, implementing the legislation to
servants, that the Palace is seen at its most splendid and assure that law is property applied, and representing the EU in
imposing. But of course the Palace is also far more than just the international scope and signing trade and cooperation
London home of the Royal Family and a place of lavish agreements.
entertainment. It has become the administrative centre of the Court of Justice -checks whether laws are in the accordance with
monarchy where, among a multitude of engagements, Her the justice or not
Majesty receives foreign Heads of State, Commonwealth leaders Court of Auditors - Its major function is to check whether all the
and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and conducts Union's revenues and expenditures are going in a regular
Investitures, and where the majority of the Royal Household, manner, according to the EU budget.
consisting of six main Departments and a staff of about three Today EU became driving force into the international market for
hundred people, has their offices. member countries. Such kind of economic communities are
needed to increase today's economic growth and make countries
19. Media in Great Britain better off.

The media play a central role in Britain's daily life, informing and 21. Role of the USA in the world politics
educating, questioning and challenging - and of course -
entertaining. In recent years the availability of more radio It is impossible to discuss a future role of the United States of
frequencies, together with satellite, cable and microwave America in the world without understanding the global processes
transmissions, has already made a greater number of local, that have been taken place in the world over the last several
national and international services possible. The transition from years. September 11, without doubt, was a break point event in
analogue to digital transmission technology is now expanding these processes. First, it showed people a danger of an
this capacity enormously. Broadcasting in Britain has international terrorism. Second, the event brought about a
traditionally been based on the principle that it is a public service confrontation between two different viewpoints on the
accountable to people. While retaining the essential public development of world politics. On the one hand, politicians from
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many countries believe that any active actions to preserve world 23. Scotland
order must be organized only by United Nations. On the other
hand, the United States is pushing forward its aggressive Scotland is administrative division of the kingdom of Great
unilateral policy that is based only on Washington's Britain, occupying the northern third of the island of Great
understanding of the current international situation. Britain. As a geopolitical entity Scotland includes 186 nearby
This US strategy was clearly demonstrated in Iraq. Now, after two islands, a majority of which are contained in three groups—
and a half years of the war, the question must be asked if this namely, the Hebrides, also known as the Western Islands,
policy achieved its goals. Did it bring a peace and stabilization in situated off the western coast; the Orkney Islands, situated off
the post Sad am country? Yes, the military operation itself was a the northeastern coast; and the Shetland Islands, situated
success. Despite the military successes, this strategy did not northeast of the Orkney Islands. The largest of the other islands
produce desirable results. The USA cannot stabilize the situation, is the Island of Arran. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland as well
and the Iraqis continue to organize attacks against the US and as a major industrial area and seaport
coalition forces. Notable among the lakes, which are especially numerous in the
It is possible that the USA will not be able to continue its central and northern regions, are Loch Lomond (the largest),
unilateral policy anymore because it goes against objective Loch Ness, Loch Tay, and Loch Katrina. The longest river of
processes in the world economy and international relations. The Scotland is the Tay; the Clyde, however, is the principal
political regimes in European countries are very close to navigational stream, site of the port of Glasgow.
American, so any military confrontations are very unlikely at this Like the climate of the rest of Great Britain, that of Scotland is
point. But an economical competition would be intense. It could subject to the moderating influences of the surrounding seas The
be said that the other war, between the euro and the dollar, is most common species of trees indigenous to Scotland are oak
already on, and the dollar is loosing so far. and conifers—chiefly fir, pine, and larch.
There is another potential threat to the USA. Only a few years The only large indigenous mammal in Scotland is the deer. Both
ago, a dollar was almost equivalent to gold. People and the red deer and the roe deer are found, but the red deer, whose
businesses all over the world tried to keep their savings in habitat is the Highlands, is by far the more abundant of the two
dollars. Now, when a dollar is getting cheaper, many try to get rid species. Other indigenous mammals are the hare, rabbit, otter,
of it and buy euros. What would happen if all this dollar cash ermine, pine marten, and wildcat. Game birds include grouse,
came back to the USA? India, Japan, and Russia will probably blackcock, ptarmigan, and waterfowl.
also try to make their influence on the world politics comparable Both agriculture and industry are important in the economy of
with their economical potential. Scotland. The chief exports are petroleum and natural gas and
One thing is clear, however, the future of the country directly manufactured goods, especially burlap, clothing, machinery,
depends on today's policy. textiles, and whiskey.
The chief imports are food and iron
22. Geographical position of USA The most populous city in Scotland is Glasgow. Other important
industrial cities are Dundee and Aberdeen.
The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the Scotland is governed as an integral part of Great Britain. It is
world (after Russia, Canada and China). It occupies the southern represented by 72 members in the House of Commons and by
part of North America and stretches from the Pacific to the 16 Scottish peers in the House of Lord.
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 24. Olympic Games
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 The Olympic Games have a very long history. They began in 777
with Russia. BC in Greece and took place every four years for nearly twelve
The USA is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, a centuries at Olympia. They included many different kinds of
special federal area where the capital of the country, sports: running, boxing, wrestling, etc. All the cities in Greece
Washington, is situated. The population of the country is about sent their best athletes to Olympia to compete in the Games. For
250 million. the period of the Games all the wars stopped. So the Olympic
The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera Games became the symbol of peace and friendship.
and the Sierra Nevada. The highest peak is Mount McKinley, In 394 AD the Games were abolished and were not renewed until
which is located in Alaska. many centuries later.
America's largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio In 1894, a Frenchman, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, addressed all
Grande and the Columbia. The Great Lakes on the border with the sports governing bodies and pointed out the significance of
Canada are the largest and deepest in the USA. sports and its educational value.
The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are Two years later the first modern Olympic Games took place. Of
in the north. The climate of Alaska is arctic. The climate of the course, the competitions were held in Greece to symbolize the
central part is continental. The south has subtropical climate. Hot continuation of the centuries-old tradition. In 1896 the
winds blowing from the Gulf of Mexico often bring typhoons. The International Olympic Committee was set up. It is the central
USA is a highly developed industrial country. It is the world's policymaking body of the Olympic movement. It is formed by the
leading producer of copper and oil and the world's second representatives of all countries which take part in the Olympic
producer of iron ore and coal. Among the most important Games.
manufacturing industries are aircraft, cars, textiles, radio and The International Olympic Committee decides upon the
television sets, armaments, furniture and paper. programmed of the games, the number of the participants and
The largest cities are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, the city host for the Games.
Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco and others. Over one hundred and fifty countries are represented in the
The United States is a federal union of 50 states, each of which International Olympic Committee now. Besides, each country has
has its own government. The seat of the central (federal) its National Olympic Committee.
government is Washington, DC. According to the US Constitution Summer and Winter Games are held separately. There are
the powers of the government are divided into 3 branches: the always several cities wishing to host the Games. The most
executive, headed by the President, the legislative, exercised by suitable is selected by the International Committee. After that
the Congress, and the juridical. The Congress consists of the the city of the Games starts preparations for the competitions,
Senate and the House of Representatives. There are two main constructs new sports facilities, stadiums, hotels, press centers.
political parties in the USA: the Republican and the Democratic. Thousands of athletes, journalists and guests come to the
Games, and it takes great efforts to arrange everything.
There is always an interesting cultural programmer of concerts,
exhibitions, festivals, etc., for each Games. The next summer
games will be held in Beijing, Republic of China.
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25. Holidays in USA 27. Theatres in Great Britain

The U.S. has no national holidays. Legal holidays - days on which One peculiarity of the theatres in Great Britain is a follows: there
banks, schools, or other public institutions and most places of are two kinds of seats, which can be booked an advanced (book
business are closed. able), and unbootable once have no numbers and the spectators
Memorial Day is a legal holiday, observed annually on the last occupy them on the principal: first come - first served. And
Monday in May in most of the United ancient time's plays were acted inside churches and later on the
Independence Day is an annual holiday commemorating the market places. The first theatre in England "The Backfires" build
formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration in 1576, and "The Globe" build in 1599, which is closely
of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the connected with William Shakespeare. Speaking about our times
signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the we should first of all mention "The English National theatre",
Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official "The Royal Shakespeare Company" and "Covent Garden". The
anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in first "Covent Garden theatre" was built in 1732. It was burnt
all states and territories of the U.S. down in 1808 and rebuilds exactly a year after. It opened in
The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades September 1809, with Shakespeare's "Macbeth". Since the
and pageants and public speeches. middle of the last century "Covent Garden" became exclusively
Thanksgiving Day, a legal holiday in the U.S., was first celebrated devoted to opera.
in early colonial times in New England. President Abraham Now "Covent Garden" in busier than ever, it is one of the few well-
Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving, and since then each known opera houses open for 11 months of the year and it
president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, generally employs over 600 people both of the Opera company and the
designating the fourth Thursday of November as a holiday. Royal Ballet.
New Year's Day is the first day of the year, January 1 in the Theatres are very much the same in London as anywhere else;
Gregorian calendar. the chief theatres, music halls and cinemas are in the West End.
Christmas is an annual festival, held on December 25, to If you are staying in London for a few days, you'll have no
celebrate the Nativity, or birth of Christ. The Christmas tree, an difficulty whatever in finding somewhere to spend an enjoyable
evergreen trimmed with lights and other decorations, is derived evening. You'll find opera, ballet, comedy, drama, revue, musical
from the so-called paradise tree, symbolizing Eden. comedy and variety. The best seats at theatres are those in the
Saint Valentine's Day, a holiday honoring lovers, is celebrated on stalls, the circle and the upper circle. Then comes the pit, and the
February 14. There is a custom of sending greeting cards or gifts last of all the gallery where the seats are cheapest. Boxes, of
to express affection. St. Valentine has traditionally been regarded course, are the most expensive.
as the patron saint of lovers. At the West End theatres you can see most of the famous
English actors and actresses. As a rule, the plays are
26. Washington magnificently staged - costumes, dresses, scenery, everything
being done of the most lavish scale.
Washington is the capital city of the United States. It is located
on the north bank of the Potomac River. It was called after 28. Famous people of America
George Washington, the first President of the USA, Washington is
one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in the United States. There are many outstanding people in United States. America
It has little industry, and only one million people. One reason produced statesmen, thinkers, explorers, musicians, writers,
Washington looks different from other cities is that no building in scientists and other people who are well known around the
the city may be more than 40 meters tall. There are no world.
skyscrapers, because they would hide the city's many Samuel Langhorne Clemens, is known to most people as Mark
monuments from view. One can easily find a park, a square or an Twain.
open area there. The most impressive and the best-known ones While he worked as a reporter he began to sign his articles "Mark
are the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Twain". From then on Clemens used Mark Twain as his pen-
The heart of Washington is the Capitol, which is connected with name.
the White House by Pennsylvania Avenue. It dominates the city While he spent his summers on his farm, he wrote "The
of Washington. All the tourists begin sightseeing from the Capitol Adventures of Tom Sawyer", published in 1876.
and see the Senate Chamber, the Hall of Representatives, the "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", "Tom Sawyer" and
Statuary Hall and some others. "Huckleberry Finn" are among the most popular books ever
The Washington Monument, the tallest stone structure in the published in the United States. Among Mark Twain's other books
USA, is in the Potomac River. It was opened to the public in are "Joan of Arc", "Life on the Mississippi".
1888. It is 555 feet tall, is called the "Pencil" because of its Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United
shape. It is three blocks south of the White House. There is an States.
elevator, which will carry you to 500-foot level observation Lincoln became president in 1860. In 1861, there was a war
windows. The Lincoln Memorial is in the west of the Washington between the North and the South of the United States. The
Monument. It is designed like a Greek temple. The dominant people in the South wanted a separate government from the
figure is the realistic figure of Abraham Lincoln seated in the United States. The North wanted the United States to stay
centre of the open temple. The Jefferson Memorial is worth seen, together as one country. Lincoln was the leader of the North.
too. It is situated south of the Washington monument near the The North won the Civil War. The war ended on April 9, 1865. Six
Potomac River. The Library of Congress contains millions of days later, President Lincoln and his wife went to the theatre.
books and manuscripts. The Washington Cathedral is on Inside the theatre, a man went behind the president and shot
Massachusetts Avenue, and the Arlington National Cemetery is him in the head. The man's name was John Wilkes Booth. He
outside the city limits just across the Potomac River near the was a supporter of the South. Lincoln died the next morning.
Pentagon in Virginia. The famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Ernest Hemingway is one of the greatest 20th-century American
is visited by millions of people every year. writers. He was a brilliant writer of stories and novels. His most
Washington is the place where mass demonstrations take place successful novels are the following: For Whom The Bells Tolls,
against unemployment and racism, for democracy and civil The Old Man and the Sea and others He was awarded the Nobel
rights. Prize for literature in 1954.
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29. Education in USA
31. Political system of USA
The general pattern of education in the USA is an eight-year
elementary school, followed by a four-year high school. The nation's capital, Washington, D.C., is the capital of a federal
There are eight years of elementary schooling. The elementary union of 50 states. Therefore, in 1789, they adopted a new
school is followed by four years of secondary school, or high Constitution establishing a federal union under a strong central
school. Often the last two years of elementary and the first years government.
of secondary school are combined into a junior high school. Under the Constitution, the federal government is divided into
Admission to the American high school is automatic on three branches, each chosen in a different manner, each able to
completion of the elementary school. During the four-year high check and balance the others.
school program the student studies four or five major subjects The Executive Branch is headed by the President, who, together
per year, and classes in each of these subjects meet for an hour with the Vice President, is chosen in nationwide elections every
a day, five days a week. In addition, the student usually has four years. The elective process for a U.S. President is unique.
classes in physical education, music, and art several times a The presidential candidate needs 270 electoral votes to be
week. If he fails a course, he repeats only that course and not the elected; if no candidate has a majority, the House of
work of the entire year. Students must complete a certain Representatives make the decision. Any natural-born American
number of courses in order to receive a diploma, or a certificate who is 35 years old or older may be elected to this office. The
of graduation. President proposes bills to Congress, enforces federal laws,
Usually there is no admission examination required by a state serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and, with the
university for those who have finished high school within the approval of the Senate makes treaties and appoints federal
state. Sometimes a certain pattern of high school studies is judges, ambassadors and other members of the Executive
necessary, however, and some state universities require a certain Departments
scholastic average, or average of high school grades. The Vice President, elected from the same political party as the
It usually takes four years to meet the requirements for a President, acts as chairman of the Senate, and in the event of
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. A Master of Arts the death or disability of the President, assumes the Presidency
or Master of Science degree may be obtained in one or two for the balance of his term.
additional years. The highest academic degree is the ! Doctor of The Legislative Branch is made up of two houses: the Senate and
Philosophy. It may take any number of years to complete the the House of Representatives. Each state elects two members of
original research work necessary to obtain this degree. the 100-member Senate; a Senator's term of office is six years
In general, higher education in the USA may be divided into two The Judicial Branch is made up of Federal District Courts (at least
broad fields: liberal arts and professional. Each of these fields one in every state), 11 Federal Courts of Appeals and, at the top,
may be further subdivided into undergraduate and graduate the Supreme Court. Federal judges are appointed by the
levels. The liberal arts program, on the undergraduate level, may President with the approval of the Senate; to minimize political
be a two-year junior college course, or a four-year course leading influences, their appointments are for life. Federal courts decide
to a degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. The four- cases involving federal law, conflicts between states or between
year course is usually subdivided into a lower division (which may citizens of different states. Every American citizen is allowed to
be called the junior college), consisting of the two first years, and vote from the age of 18.
the upper division, which is the last two years. The first two years
continue the general education and specialization begins in the 32. Science in 20th century
third year.
The 20th century began slowly, to the ticking of grandfather
30. Fast Food of America clocks and the stately rhythms of progress. Thanks to science,
Have you ever enjoyed a hamburger, sitting on a lawn? May be industry and moral philosophy, mankind's steps had at last been
you're against all these hot dogs and cheeseburgers, because it's guided up the right path. The century of steam was about to give
a junk food. Anyway, it is always interesting to find out way to the century of oil and electricity. Charles Darwin's theory
something about the origin and history of such trifles, which of evolution, only 41 years old in 1900, proposed a scientific
make our life more comfortable. They really make life more basis for the notion that progress was gradual but inevitable,
pleasant, especially outdoors, don't they? determined by natural law.
Pop Corn- It's impossible to imagine American takeaway food or And everybody thought that the development would continue in
snacks without popcorn. Clear as a day, it is made from corn. But the small steps that had marked the progress of the 19th
what about the first part of the word "pop". Actually, when you century. Inventions like the railroad or the telegraph or the
put a kernel of corn on a fire, the water inside makes the corn typewriter had enabled people to get on with their ordinary lives
explode. This makes a "pop" noise. That is why we call it popcorn. a little more conveniently.
But in 1945 a new machine was invented that changed the No one could have guessed then that, in the century just
history of the product. The electric machine enabled to pop corn beginning, new ideas would burst upon the world with a force
outside the home. And soon movies started selling popcorn to and frequency that would turn this stately march of progress into
make more money. The famous American habit of eating a long distance, free-for-all sprint. Thrust into this race, the
popcorn at the movies is well-known. Many people like to put salt children of the 20th century would witness more change in their
or melted butter in their popcorn, some peeper to have it without. daily existence and environment than anyone else who had ever
Either way Americans love their popcorn walked the planet. Assassinations in Sarajevo in 1914 lit a spark
Coca Cola- Coca-Cola The world famous fresh drink Coca-Cola that set off an unprecedented explosion of destruction and
first was an all-purpose medicine, made in 1886 by a druggist death. The Great War did more than devastate a generation of
from Atlanta, who made a brown syrup by mixing coca leaves Europeans. It set the tone - the political, moral and intellectual
and cola nuts. The syrup wasn't a success and then another temper - for much that followed.
druggist, Jacobs, had an idea of selling Coca-Cola as a soda Before long the Great War received a new name - World War I.
fountain drink. He mixed the syrup with soda water. Soon The roaring 1920s and the Depression years of the 1930s proved
everyone was going to soda fountains and asking for Coca-Cola. to be merely a prelude to World War II. Largely hidden during
And the World War II helped to make Coca-Cola popular outside that war was an awful truth that called into question progress
America, when the Coca-Cola Company sent bottles of the drink and the notion of human nature itself.
to US soldiers fighting in Europe. It became so popular with the But civilization was not crushed by the two great wars, and the
soldiers that the US Army asked the company to start ten ruins provided the stimulus to build a way of life again. To a
factories in Europe. It's a curious thing but of 1903 coca leaves degree previously unheard of and perhaps unimaginable, the
were no longer used in the drink. The exact ingredients and the citizens of the 20th century felt free to reinvent themselves. In
quantities are not known - the Coca-Cola Company keeps its that task they were assisted by two profound developments -
recipe a secret. psychoanalysis and the Bomb.
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33. Sports in USA are professional in England. Many traditional sporting contests
take place in England, for example, cricket. It is played from May
Americans pay much attention to physical fitness. Many sports till September.
and sporting activities are popular in the USA. People participate Football, it has got a long history. Football was played by the
in swimming, skating, squash and badminton, tennis, whole village teams in the middle ages in England. Now football
marathons, track-and-field, bowing, archery, skiing, skating etc. is the most popular game in Britain. It is a team game. There are
But the five major American sports are hockey, volleyball, some amateur teams but most of the teams are professional
baseball, football and basketball. Basketball and volleyball have ones in England. Professional football is a big business. Football
been invented in America. is played at schools too.
There is a large choice of sports in America. This can be Rugby is a popular game in England. There are many amateur
explained by the size and variety of the country. Another reason rugby teams in this country. It is a game that is played between
of the popularity of sports is the people's love of competition of two teams of players using an oval ball that can be handled or
any kind. One more reason is that Americans use sports kicked. The captain of the team must be the oldest or best
activities for teaching socials values, such as teamwork and player.
sportsmanship. All this explains why Americans have traditionally There are some tennis clubs in England, but if you play there it is
done well in many kinds of sports. necessary to pay money for it. Englishmen like playing tennis but
Some Americans like active games and others like quite games. many of them prefer to watch this game. Wimbledon it is the
I think that quite games, as golf and crocket, intend for rich elite centre of lawn tennis.
people. Most popular games in the USA are hockey, American Englishmen pay much attention to swimming, rowing and
football, baseball, basketball. walking. Usually the Oxford—Cambridge Boat Race takes place at
Opportunities for keeping fit and playing sports are numerous. the end of March or at the beginning of April. It is an interesting
Jogging is extremely popular, perhaps because it is the cheapest contest between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It is
and most accessible sport. Aerobic exercise and training with usually held on the Thames River. The first such race was held in
weight-lifting machines are two activities which more and more 1820. There were a lot of people watching this race. There are
men and women are pursuing. Books, videos, and fitness- some racing competitions in England. They are motor-car racing,
conscious movie stars that play up the glamour of fitness have dog-racing, donkey-racing, boat-racing, horse-racing. All kinds of
heightened enthusiasm for these exercises and have promoted racings are popular in England. It is interesting to see the egg-
the muscular, healthy body as the American beauty ideal and-spoon race. The runner, who takes part in this competition,
American sports are becoming more competitive and more must carry an egg in a spoon. It is not allowed to drop the egg.
profit-oriented. As a result, playing to win is emphasized more There are such competitions as putting the weight, tossing the
than playing for fun. The obsession with winning causes some caber and others. The English are great lovers of sports.
people to wonder whether sports in America should be such
serious business. 36. History of Great Britain

34. The USA court system The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a
country of great history rich in important events and entertaining
The courts are the overseers of the law. They administer it, they legends connected with them. It's not enough to write several
resolve disputes under it, and they ensure that it is and remains volumes to tell the full history of the country.
equal to and impartial for everyone. That's why we'll try to answer the question where the British
In the United States each state is served by the separate court come from and who they are. After 800 BC the Celts arrived from
systems, state and federal. Both systems are organized into Central Europe and opened up a new important page of the
three basic levels of courts-trial courts, courts of appeal and High British history. The name «Britain» comes from the name of a
Court or Supreme Court. Celtic tribe known as the Britons. Their influence was greatest in
Trial courts bear the main burden in the administration of justice. Wales, Scotland and Ireland, as they were driven to these parts
Cases begin there and most instances are finally resolved there. by the invaders who followed them. That's why these parts of
The trial courts in each state include: common pleas courts, Britain are very different from England in language, customs and
which have general civil and criminal jurisdiction and smaller in traditions. However quite soon it was attacked by Germanic
importance municipal courts, country courts and mayor's courts tribes: People began to call the new land of the Angles and
The main job of courts of appeal is to review cases appealed Saxons England. Wales, Cornwall, the northern part of Britain and
from trial courts to determine if the law was correctly interpreted Ireland remained unconquered and preserved Celtic culture. An
or applied. important event which contributed to the unification of the
The Supreme Court of each state is primarily a_ court of appeal country was the adoption of Christianity in England in 664. In the
and the court of last resort. 9th century the Danes attacked England. It was Alfred who
The federal court structure is similar to the structure of the state defeated the Danes making them sign a peace agreement.
court system. The trial courts in the federal system are the United The last of the invaders to come to Britain were the Normans
States District Courts. The United States courts of appeal are from France. The French language became the official language
intermediate courts of appeal between the district courts and the of the ruling class for the next three centuries. This explains the
United States Supreme Court. great number of French words in English.
The USA Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation and the However the final unification of Scotland and England took place
court of last resort. It consists of a chief justice and eight in 1707 when both sides agreed to form a single parliament in
associate justices, all of whom are appointed for life by the London for Great Britain, although Scotland continued to keep its
President with the Advice and Consent of the Senate. The duty of own system of law, education and have an independent church.
the Supreme Court is to decide whether laws passed by Congress Ireland was England's first colony, but even now there are
agree with the Constitution. The great legal issues facing the problems there connected with religion. Recently, there have
Supreme Court at present are Government involvement with been many waves of immigration into Britain. Now
religion, abortion and privacy rights, and race and sex Britain is a multinational society, which benefits from the
discrimination. influence of different people and cultures.

35. Sports in Great Britain 37. William Shakespeare

National sports in Great Britain... It is a very interesting question, The last half of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries
because many kinds of sport have taken the origin in England. are known as the golden age of English literature. It was the time
The Englishmen love sports, they are called sports-lovers in spite of the English Renaissance, and sometimes it is even called "the
of the fact that some of them neither play games nor even watch age of Shakespeare". William Shakespeare, the greatest and
them. They only like to speak about sports. Some kinds of sport most famous of English writers, and probably the greatest
120
playwright who has ever lived, was born on the 23d of April, In 1973, Patrick White was awarded the Nobel Prize in
1564, in Stratford-on-Avon. In sprite of his fame we know very Literature, the only Australian to have achieved this; he is
little about his life. At the age of six he was sent to school, but recognized as one of the great English-language writers of the
had to leave it at the age of 13. His father, John Shakespeare, 20th century. Australian English is a major variety of the
was a glove-maker, and when he fell into debt, William had to language; its grammar and spelling are largely based on those of
help him .When Shakespeare was twenty-one, he went to British English, overlaid with a rich vernacular of unique lexical
London. We don't know why he left Stratford-on-Avon. There is a items and phrases, some of which have found their way into
story that Shakespeare's first job in London was holding rich Standard English. Sport plays an important part in Australian
men's horses at the theatre door. But nobody can be sure that culture, assisted by a climate that favors outdoor activities;
this story is true. Later, Shakespeare became an actor and a 23.5% Australians over the age of 1 5 regularly participate in
member of a very successful acting company. It's highly probable organized sporting activities. At an international level, Australia
that The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet and some other has particularly strong teams in cricket, hockey, netball, rugby
plays by Shakespeare were performed for the first time on this league, rugby union, and performs well in cycling, rowing and
stage. Shakespeare's experience as an actor helped him greatly swimming. Nationally, other popular sports include Australian
in the writing of his plays. His knowledge of stage and his rules football, horse racing, football (soccer) and motor .acing.
poetical genius made his plays the most wonderful ones ever Australia has participated in every summer Olympic Games of
written. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays: 10 tragedies (such as the modern era, and every Commonwealth Games. Australia
Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, Macbeth), 17 comedies (such as As hosted the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne and the 2000
You Like It, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing), 10 historical Summer Olympics in Sydney, and has ranked among the top five
plays (such as Henry 4, Richard 3). He also left 7 books of poems medal-takers since 2000Televised sport is popular; some of the
and sonnets. Most of Shakespeare's plays were not published in highest rating television programs include the summer Olympic
his lifetime. Games and the grand finals of local and international football
So some of them may have been lost in the fire when the "Globe" (various codes) competitions.
burned down in 1613. Shakespeare spent the last years of his
life at Stratford, where he died in 1616. He was buried in the 40. Edinburgh
church of Stratford. A monument was erected to the memory of
the great playwright in the Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of the most
beautiful cities in Europe. It has been the capital of Scotland
38. New York since 1437 and is the seat of the Scottish Parliament. It lies on
seven hills and goes down on those hills to the sea. The highest
New York City is the capital of USA It is the most populous city in hill is three hundred meters above the sea. From the street in the
the United States. For more than a century, it has been one of the centre of the city you can see ships coming to Edinburgh from
world's leading business, financial and cultural centers and its different countries of the world.
influence in politics, education, entertainment, sports, media, Many great men have lived and worked in this beautiful city.
fashion and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the Robert Burns, the great Scottish poet published his first book of
major global cities. As the home of the United Nations, the city is poems in Edinburgh. There is a monument to him in the city.
a hub for international diplomacy. Residents of the city are Walter Scott, the father of the historical novel in the world
known as New Yorkers. literature, was borne in Edinburgh. The monument to Walter
New York has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Scott is in the main street of the city.
Staten Island and the Bronx. The Bronx is famous for a zoo, Robert Louis Stevenson, a famous English writer, was born and
which is situated there. lived in Edinburgh. He loved the city and wrote about it his best
Manhattan is the center of New York City. Near 1 million people novels.
live here, but over than 5 million come here to work from all Edinburgh is well-known for the annual Edinburgh Festival, a
parts of the city every day. The main street, Broadway, is also collection of official and independent festivals held annually over
here. And there are a lot of other famous streets which known about four weeks from early August. The number of visitors
nationwide. Wall Street is famous for finance. Madison Avenue attracted to Edinburgh for the Festival, is roughly equal to the
means advertising, and Fifth Avenue is famous for world-class settled population of the city. The most famous of these events
shopping. There is a famous crossing Times Square. It famous are the Edinburgh Fringe (the largest performing arts festival in
for Theatre district, there are more than thirty theaters there, and the world), the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh
every evening they play their plays. Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. In
Most of New York's skyscrapers are located on the island of fact the city is one of the most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities in
Manhattan. There are such buildings as Art Deco Chrysler Europe and is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places
Building and there were twin towers of the World Trade Center. to live in the world. This is a city that knows how to be both
One of the famous building in the world is the Statue of Liberty. It ancient and modern. And a fantastic place to live.
was built in 1886. It was a present from the people of France. It
represents America's symbol of freedom!
In 2005, nearly 170 languages were spoken in the city and 36
percent of its population was born outside the United States.
New York is also known as "The City that Never Sleeps," not least
because its subway system operates around the clock and
because many neighborhoods in Manhattan, such as Times
Square, are busy at all hours.

39. Australian culture.

Since 1788, the primary basis of Australian culture has been


Anglo-Celtic, although distinctive Australian features had been
evolving from the environment and indigenous culture. Over the
past 50 years, Australian culture has been strongly influenced by
American popular culture (particularly television and cinema),
large-scale immigration from non-English-speaking countries,
and Australia's Asian neighbors. The vigor and originality of the
arts in Australia — literature, cinema, opera, music, painting,
theatre, dance, and crafts — have achieved international
recognition.
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CREATIVITATEA 3. A question of taste. Fashion

Fashion is something we deal with everyday. Even people, who


1. Problems of the youth say they don't care what they wear, choose clothes every
morning that say a lot about them and how they feel that day.
Youth is the time when a person is trying to find his place in the However, we definitely get fashion ideas from music clips,
world videos, books and television. Movies also have a big impact on
One of the problems is a generation gap. Every generation is what people wear. For example it is known that more sunglasses
unique in its experience. It has its own ideals and a system of were sold in America after the movie Man in Black.
values concerning every aspect of human life. Adults always Depending on their attitude towards clothes and fashion, people
complain that the young are not what they were. These words are can be divided in three groups: fashion slaves, spending all their
repeated from generation to generation. The young know what money on the latest clothes even if they don't look good in them;
they want. They prefer to make their own mistakes rather than to fashion fans, who enjoy wearing modern clothes but not
listen to the warnings of the adults. The past exists to help the obsessed by them; people that just do not care the way they
young to avoid unnecessary blurs. But they do want to have look;
them. The young want to live their own life. They want to Of course there are big companies that do not allow people to
overcome their own difficulties without turning back. come at work in what they want, they have to respect the dress
Unfortunately the life of the young is frequently determined by code, registered in the policy of each big company. According to
the adults. The adults start the war but the young die in it. And the dress code, an employee is not allowed to wear certain items
the solution to this problem is that both the young and adults of clothing to work.
should be tolerant and patient to each other. For example, men are supposed to wear ties and business suits,
Another problem of the youth is the relationship of the young and nobody is allowed to wear jeans, except on Fridays. Women's
people with their friends and beloved. clothes are not supposed to be skintight, too short and too open.
The problem of love is very important for the young. It is All of the shirts are supposed to have collars. Clothes also can't
regrettable, but the young are not always ready to have stable be too bright, the colors should correspond to the corporate
relations. For a happy family life two people must understand colors - dark blue and white.
and respect each other. It should be said that the young have
other problems as well. They are concerned with education, 4. Love means different things to different people
money, employment, hobby, spending their free time,
communication, and the like. And of course one of the most The subject of love is one that has inspired poets, writers, those
urgent problems is the accommodations problem. Few young lucky in love and those who have been passed over by
people in our country have their own apartments. In the main Cupid...Love has been defined as wise, silly, profound, bitter,
they share the apartments with their parents even after getting funny...It seems as if each and one of us has a different
married. understanding of love, or at least the attitude to love varies
In general all the problems of the youth are linked with the greatly from person to person.. It may be a surprising revelation
present rather then with the past or future. to some of us, because love has traditionally been considered to
be something that unites people( at least that's what I've been
2. City life-advantages and disadvantages of living in taught).And yet, there's no use denying the fact that love has as
cities many definitions as there are human beings on this planet. And
it doesn't necessarily mean that love no longer unites people. It
Every now and then we ask ourselves whether it's better to live in just means that love has different dimensions, different sides
a city our in a countryside. that reflect our understanding of life.
City life has its advantages and disadvantages. First of all, it is But personally, I can't let myself be cynical about love. Maybe I'm
easier to find work in the city than in the country, besides, too young and inexperienced, but I believe it's a great feeling.
salaries are much higher and one has a larger variety of jobs to Some say that love is the true meaning of our life, that love is all
pick from. Moreover, cities are the centers of culture and social it's cracked up to be.
life. Living in a city one has all sorts of museums, theatres, They also say that "love is the master key that opens the gates of
exhibitions, movie theatres, pubs, restaurants at their command. happiness". I can't but agree. Love is something that makes us
Therefore there are a lot more free time facilities than in rural tender, and affectionate, and caring...It's when another person's
areas. needs become more important than yours and you don't see it as
Cities are also centers of education. Many young people move to a burden. It's when you do your best to make each other's lives
cities because there are more opportunities for continuing their somewhat easier in this troublesome world...
education there. Usually country's largest and best universities Love is a feeling that makes you stronger and helps you get
are located in big cities. through a crisis. It's something I can't imagine my life without.
Another advantage it better living conditions. In the city people
live in more modern houses which need less work doing to them. 5. Books in our lives
That saves a great part of their time and effort. Among the
disadvantages there are crime, pollution, high prices, enormous Despite the increase in TV watching and the developing of World
traffic jams and overcrowded streets and subway and of course Wide Web, reading is still very important. So I don't think books
the threat of the present - terrorism. From the point of view of need to be rescued. Reading both entertains and educates
ecology cities are not the best place to live in. Garbage and people. Books help us to discover new things and explore new
sewage are two major problems of cities as well as air and water ideas.
pollution. The book is the surest way to bring nations together. It gives us
Besides it's not safe in terms of crime. For example, it is an insight not only into the past, but also into the future. The
dangerous in big cities to walk back home late in the evening. book is a faithful and undemanding friend: it can be put aside
One can either get robbed of their purse, jewelry or mobile phone and taken up again at any moment. Reading is the perfect way
or even get attacked, for example. One has to watch out for to relax and spend your free time. Books portray life in its
pickpockets even in the daylight. Of course city life has a lot of richness, so they develop reader's imagination and arouse
advantages and disadvantages, but if you get tired of social life, curiosity, admiration. Sometimes they even can help to solve
it is always a great pleasure to go to a country side with a difficult problems of life.
beautiful and green view The atmosphere of rural life is also I become very keen on literature early in life. This probably
great as when you get there it seems that time goes by slowly happened because we had a very good and widely read library in
and there is no need to hurry. home. Books stirred my imagination, expanded the boundaries
of the familiar world and filled my life with great expectations of
joy and happiness
120
I'm fond of reading and I've read a lot of books of different 8. Role of woman in society
genres. And certainly I have my favorite book. It is the story by
Agatha Christie - "The murder of Roger Ackroyd". Some critics The ongoing changes in social, political and economic spheres of
say that Agatha Christie introduced a novelty in this work, the country entails not only the raise of women's role in society,
because the murder is a storyteller. In the "The murder of Roger in addition they are accompanied by breaking of stereotypes to
Ackroyd" the main characters and environment are typical for treat human beings by sex that had been shaping through
1920th in England. The action takes place in a country house. decades. Free economic relations and temcsatvrato.of.aU.sj^xejcea.at
The author shows us its owner with his habits, relatives and Ivte,cw&te$ftbasis, eventual equal social rights for any human being
neighbors. All this is presented vividly and brightly. One of the regardless of six-foot both of men and women.
main heroes of the book Hercules Poirot gets over a lot of 'From a tegar potnr of view, a man ancf a woman r'n our country
problems before catching a murder. are equal. However, in practice, there are no real mechanisms of
Excitement, suspense, horror, revenge, and extraordinary talent, women's rights fulfillment as well as for their active participation
astounding calmness of Hercules Poirot fill this book. "The in social life.
murder of Roger Ackroyd" has made a great impression on me. Housework, chores and raising children are generally considered
And nowadays it makes really unforgettable impressive reading. to belong to a woman's domain. Despite the fact that birthrates
in the country have been falling, children are obstacles in the
6. Things I dislike in my school labor market. It is understandable that women decide to defer
having children later or do not have children at all. Along with
I like my school very much because I have spent the best years of that, there is a lack of knowledge about modem contraception
my short life there. But in spite of it I dislike the whole system of and a correspondingly large number of abortions. However, the
education. number of women taking part in the country's political, economic
What concerns my school the pupils are not free in their choice and civic life shows that women are restricted in the spheres of
of the subjects. And they are forced to study the subjects they are politics and government. Women's salaries are on average lower
not interested in and it takes them too much time to learn the than men's, and women are likewise far more likely to fall victim
subjects unnecessary for their future life. They could spend this to violence and unemployment
time working on the subjects which will be needed for their So, the main goals are protection of women's rights and
future profession. elimination of discrimination in society; widening women's
Besides, every day we have two breaks of 1 0 minutes and two participation in policy decision-making processes on the local,
breaks of 1 5 minutes at school. But 1 5 minutes is not enough regional and national levels; support for cooperation between
to have a lunch for the pupils. They are always in a hurry eating women's organizations on the national and international arenas;
their lunch. It causes diseases connected with stomach. It should widening access to international resources and experience of
be mention that our lessons start at 8 o'clock. But the pupils women's organizations on an international level.
have to come to school ten minutes to 8 to do morning exercises.
I think there is not necessary to do them because on the one 9. It is science that does us good or does it bring disaster?
hand some pupils do such exercises at home every morning and
on the other hand it is not comfortable to do exercises in our To answer the question whether science does us good or does it
school clothes. bring disaster isn't a simple task. We should take into
I think too many pupils study in every class. Most of them sit far consideration many facts. On the one hand a lot of outstanding
from the blackboard. And sometimes they can't discoveries made the life of the people more comfortable and
Keep your wrists in a natural, unforced, straight position. pleasant. Without scientific discoveries and inventions no
progress would be possible. Thanks to
7. A Child Recent evidence has shown that heavy and even moderate
drinking during pregnancy can cause serious damage to the
A child is the charming, creature. He is the sense, of QUI life. We unborn child: physical or mental retardation, or both; a rare but
cannot imagine our being without him and therefore we guard severe expression of this damage is known as fetal alcohol
him by day and by night. But who knows what vices can be grown syndrome.
up in this innocent soul. It's possible him to be a great misfortune
or even a disaster. 10. Homelessness
There a lot of such experience
No, I'm not talking about the children becoming criminals but Homelessness is a huge problem in the whole world. In poor
about the "normal" children making life with them completely countries, so called "third world countries" you can meet
intolerable. They bother, disturb, shout, cry, run around you don't homeless people on every corner. That's why government of
giving even a minute for rest. Their curiosity and plays could "third world counties" tries to solve this problem by building more
cause the terrible consequences. homes and shelters.
The electricity often attracts children. They like to shove fingers Ministry of Health encountered with many strange diseases
into the socket, to cut the wires, to shake the lustres, to twist the caused by unsanitary conditions of living. Homeless people eat
electrical lamps, etc. "Daddy, Show me how computer works", - from dirty waste, drink from not clean creeks or even puddles.
said the son shoving by screwdriver into the system block. "What Huge wave of sickness grabbed streets of India, Nigeria, Nepal,
have you done? It costs a small fortune", - cried poor daddy Somali and many, many other "third world countries"
looking at the black clouds of smoke rising above the system Unfortunately diseases and viruses is not only problem caused by
block. "He is just a child", -explains mother her son's behavior. homelessness. Statistic shows that level of crimes is much
Everything starting by deodorants and finishing by the video's higher in those countries and cities where the major issue is
remote control presents a danger in children's hands. It seems homelessness. So homeless people don't have places to work,
for them that everything what they see is the toys and of course government pays not enough money for living. Charities and
want to play. donations also to not enough to live a good life, that's why
But the "toys" sometimes could be by no means harmless. For homeless people go the wrong way to get some money for living.
example, mentioned above deodorant can explode in the fire or People steel money from those who's richer than they are.
just in the strong sun and cause the severe injures. By paper, by Sometimes robberies end up with serious injuries or even
simple paper a child can cut his soft flesh and cause the homicide. Crime is another problem caused by homelessness
hemorrhage. Because of that we have to protect them from and homeless people.
theirs own curiosity. Government has all power to help homeless people and solve the
Prevent a misfortune! That should be our device. problem with homelessness. Government doesn't have to make
After all a Woman and a Child are only for which is worthy to live. more charities for homeless people, but it should make more
activities, which involves homeless people themselves. Build
more houses and shelters or even temporary places of living, it'll
120
help to solve the issue with living place. It is for sure that civil 13. Role of woman in society
volunteers will help with money and many other activities.
I don't know. But problem of homelessness must be solved! The ongoing changes in social, political and economic spheres of
People must not loose their conscience and help their brothers the country entails not only the raise of women's role in society,
and sisters on the streets. in addition they are accompanied by breaking of stereotypes to
treat human beings by sex that had been shaping through
11. Computers and Health decades. Free economic relations and democratization of all
spheres of life create the basis for eventual equal social rights for
Within the past two years, substantial media attention has been any human being regardless of six-foot both of men and women.
directed at potential adverse health effects of long-term 'From a legal point of view, a man and a woman in our country
computer use. People that spend most of the time working at are equal. However, in practice, there are no real mechanisms of
computers should pay attention at the following factors: women's rights fulfillment as well as for their active participation
Light and glare- Eyestrain, headaches, and impaired vision are in social life.
often a product of improper illumination resulting in glare, which Housework, chores and raising children are generally considered
is light within the field of vision that is brighter than other objects to belong to a woman's domain. Despite the fact that birthrates
to which the eyes are adapted. in the country have been falling, children are obstacles in the
A NIOSH study recommends 200-500 lux for general office work; labor market. It is understandable that women decide to defer
other sources suggest 500-700 lux for light characters on dark having children later or do not have children at all. Along with
monitors and somewhat more for dark-on-light. If documents are that, there is a lack of knowledge about modern contraception
not sufficiently illuminated, desk lights are recommended in and a correspondingly large number of abortions. However, the
preference to ceiling lights, which increase reflections from video number of women taking part in the country's political, economic
screens and civic life shows that women are restricted in the spheres of
Breaks and exercises- Working in the same position for too long politics and government. Women's salaries are on average lower
causes tension buildup and is thought to increase the risk of than men's, and women are likewise far more likely to fall victim
repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. to violence and unemployment
Remedies include changing postures frequently, performing So, the main goals are protection of women's rights and
other work interspersed with computing (some studies elimination of discrimination in society; widening women's
recommend a 1 0 - 1 5 minute break from the keyboard every participation in policy decision-making processes on the local,
hour), and doing exercises such as tightening and releasing fists regional and national levels; support for cooperation between
and rotating arms and hands to increase circulation. women's organizations on the national and international arenas;
In summary we may say that we hear a lot about hazards widening access to international resources and experience of
associated with working with computers, and learn from women's organizations on an international level.
experience that long hours at the keyboard can bring on
eyestrain and various aches and pains. Fortunately, there are 14. It is science that does us good or does it bring disaster?
measures that really do work:
Use the minimum force necessary to press the keys. To answer the question whether science does us good or does it
Vary your tasks during the day to avoid sitting in one position for bring disaster isn't a simple task. We should take into
several hours or performing the same hand motions without consideration many facts. On the one hand a lot of outstanding
interruption. discoveries made the life of the people more comfortable and
Take periodic breaks. Keep your wrists in a natural, unforced, pleasant. Without scientific discoveries and inventions no
straight position. progress would be possible. Thanks to discovery of electricity we
can listen to the radio, watch TV, see films, people learned how
12. A Child to produce steel and metal alloys -now we use railways and
airplanes.
A child is the charming creature. He is the sense of our life. We Development of chemistry led to new synthetic fibers and people
cannot imagine our being without him and therefore we guard got more clothing and food. People learned to use scientific
him by day and by night. But who knows what vices can be grown achievements in curing incurable earlier diseases.
up in this innocent soul. It's possible him to be a great misfortune But on the other hand such outstanding discoveries of the 20th
or even a disaster. century as atom fission led to creation of the weapons of mass
There a lot of such experience destruction. We should say that science has a potential for both
No, I'm not talking about the children becoming criminals but good and evil.
about the "normal" children making life with them completely Alfred Nobel invented a new explosive (dynamite) to improve the
intolerable. They bother, disturb, shout, cry, run around you don't peacetime industries of road building, but saw it used as a
giving even a minute for rest. Their curiosity and plays could weapon of war to kill and injure his fellow men.
cause the terrible consequences. His greatest wish, however, was to see an end to wars, and thus
The electricity often attracts children. They like to shove fingers between nations, and he spent much time and money working
into the socket, to cut the wires, to shake the lustres, to twist the for this cause, until his death in 1896. His famous will in which
electrical lamps, etc. "Daddy, Show me how computer works", - he left money to provide prizes for outstanding discoveries in
said the son shoving by screwdriver into the system block. "What Physics, Chemistry, Physiology, Medicine, Literature and Peace,
have you done? It costs a small fortune", - cried poor daddy is a memorial to his interests and ideals.
looking at the black clouds of smoke rising above the system Medical men use laser to cure and investigate diseases and the
block. "He is just a child", -explains mother her son's behavior. same time laser can be used for destruction.
Everything starting by deodorants and finishing by the video's Achievements of biology and chemistry are also used to cause
remote control presents a danger in children's hands. It seems damage to people.
for them that everything what they see is the toys and of course All this shows that science can take good forms and evil forms.
want to play. What form does it take depends on the way people work with
But the "toys" sometimes could be by no means harmless. For science. It is impossible to stop progress, to stop people to
example, mentioned above deodorant can explode in the fire or investigate and explore the world. But people should care it
just in the strong sun and cause the severe injures. By paper, by wouldn't be led in wrong direction.
simple paper a child can cut his soft flesh and cause the
hemorrhage. Because of that we have to protect them from
theirs own curiosity.
Prevent a misfortune! That should be our device.
After all a Woman and a Child are only for which is worthy to live.
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15. Global Warming demand great erudition on the part of the readers, some
entertain, amuse us giving pleasure and delight. We can hardly
"Global warming" has been introduced by the scientific read some books and stories for laughing and some dramas and
community and the media as the term that encompasses all romances for tears.
potential changes in climate that result from higher average Books arouse different emotions in us; they penetrate deep into
global temperatures. Hundreds of scientists from many different our souls and hearts. We love and suffer, feel sympathy or
countries are working to understand global warming and have indignation, cry or laugh, struggle and reach success together
come to a consensus on several important aspects. In general, with the characters of the books. Books have a great impact on
Global warming will produce far more profound climatic changes our characters. We are influenced by good examples, they add to
than simply a rise in global temperature. molding of our characters and forming our moral values. Books
An analysis of temperature records shows that the Earth was give food for our mind and warmth for our soul. We should love
warmed an average of 0.5°C over the past 100 years. books as they are the sources of knowledge and can make us
For the past 1 5 0 years, though, the atmospheric concentrations strong, intelligent, and well educated.
of these gases, particularly carbon dioxide, nave been rising. As a There are different kinds of books, which appeal to different
result, more heat is being trapped than previously, which in turn kinds of readers. They are science-fiction and fantasy stories,
is causing the global temperature to rise. Climate scientists have detective and spy stories, tales and fairytales, books about
linked the increased levels of heat-trapping gases in the animals and nature, adventure books and Dooks about travels,
atmosphere to human activities, in particular the burning of humorous stories, historical dramas, Diographies and
fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas for heating and electricity; autobiographies, essays. It's so nice to read ooems which
gasoline for transportation), deforestation, cattle ranching, and gradually are unfolding and revealing their rich inner self, as one
rice "'arming. reads them again and over again.
As the Earth's climate is the result of extremely complex Readers can be divided into some groups. The most popular
interactions, scientists still cannot predict the exact impact on group is people who read fantastic stories. Another not so
the earth's climate of these rising levels of heat-trapping gases popular, but a very interesting group is people who prefer
over the next century. The current best estimate is that f carbon romantic and detective stories. And the last group is people who
dioxide concentrations double over preindustrial levels, according like to read non-fiction literature. There are many other small
to the scientific possible scenarios, an atmospheric doubling of groups, but those three is bigger than others.
carbon dioxide could occur as early as 2050.
18. Smoking
16. Advantages and disadvantages of TV and
Advertisements Smoking is a big social issue in many countries nowadays widely
discussed in newspapers, radio and TV-shows.
We talk to various people from different countries about their The practice of smoking tobacco originated among Native
attitudes about TV and advertisement. Does TV educate or Americans in eastern North America, where tobacco is native. It
stimulate? Or it is a drug or tranquilizer used to control the was adopted by many Europeans following the colonization of
population. TV is a very expensive medium and many countries the Americas.
don't have the technology and the money to make their own According to the World Health Organization, it is most common
television programs. The result is that most countries are in East Asia, where as many as two-thirds of all adult males
dependent on TV of Britain and America. How do people usually smoke tobacco. Because of concern over the health effects of
answer the question: "What are you going to do tonight?" or tobacco smoking, the practice has rapidly declined in recent
"What are you going to do at the weekend?" In other words how years in the United States, Canada and Western Europe.
do people spend their free time? However, statistics show that at least a quarter of people even in
Some 20 or 30 years ago the usual answers used to be "We are these regions continue to smoke, and there is no indication
going to the theatre" or "We are going to the party" or "We are smoking will go away completely.
having some friends round". Now you are very often hearing "We Tobacco may be smoked in several forms, the most common
are going to stay at home and watch the television". being the cigarette, the cigar, and the pipe. Cigarette smoking is
Modern TV offers viewers several programs on different the most common. Pipes and cigars are less common, and some
channels. In addition to regular newscasts you see plays and stereotype these as exclusively for men. The hookah or water
films, operas and ballets and watch all kinds of contests, quizzes pipe is used in the Middle East.
and sporting events. You can also get a lot of useful information Medical research has found that smoking is a major contributing
of the educational channels. In the conclusion we may say, TV factor towards many human health problems, especially lung
most definitely plays a very important part in people's life, but is cancer, heart attack, and other disorders. Smoking is not
this a good thing or a bad one? Don't we go out less often, and supported by many people in the world, for the most part by the
then we used to? Don't we read less? non-smokers.
What are the functions of advertisements? The first one to In addition, in many countries some jurisdictions impose
mention is to inform. restrictions on where smoking is allowed. Several European
The second function is to sell. The products are shown from the countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Italy,
best point of view and the potential buyer, on having entered the Spain and Scotland have legislated against smoking in public
store, unconsciously chooses the advertised products. One buys places, often including bars and restaurants.
this washing powder or this chewing gum, because the colorful Still, many people continue smoking. People start smoking for
TV commercials convince him of the best qualities of the product. different reasons. Some say they smoke in order to relax, rest
Thus despite our dissatisfaction when being bombarded by all and distract from their daily stress. I think that most of the
the advertisers' information we must admit that they do perform minors smoke in order to be like everybody else, to be cool and
a useful service to society, and advertisements the same as TV become a grown up.
are an essential part of our everyday life. I am very tolerant towards smokers as long as they don't smoke
in my presence and it's of no harm to me. Of course it's very
17. Books harmful for them, but it's their own life and their own choice.

Except for a living man there is nothing more wonderful than 19. The younger generation knows best
books. They teach us and open their hearts for us. We learn
many things by reading books. They make the world much larger Old people are always saying that the young are not what they
for us. They tell us how great and wonderful man is. Books were. The same comment is made from generation to generation
expand the boundaries of the familiar world for us. and it is always true. It has never been truer that it is today. The
Some books arouse our interest, delight, feelings of curiosity and young are better educated. They have more money to spend and
admiration, some make us think which is very important and enjoy their freedom. They grow up more quickly.
120
The old always assume that they know best from the simple I enjoy watching MTV. I also like NTV. I also like several foreigner
reason that they have been around a bit longer. They don't like to channels, especially Euro sport. And you know why! Cartoon
feel that their values are being questioned or threatened. And network is not bad, but I think that it's better for children - not for
this is precisely that the young are doing. They take leave to me.
doubt that the older generation has created the best of all I think that all teenagers of my age like to watch MTV or other
possible worlds. What they reject more than anything is entertainment channels. But I have to say that I like also the
conformity. channels that show news, I watch also in order to get informed
Office hours, for instance, are nothing more than enforced with all that is happening in my country but also abroad. I think
slavery. Would not people work better if they were given that adults usually like to watch more informational channels
complete freedom and responsibility? And what about clothing? rather than channels with cartoons or music...
Who said that all the men in the world should wear dull grey suits Usually adults like Euro news or BBC channels, which is one of
and short haircuts? If we turn our minds to more serious matters, the best information's channels in the whole world. The Bush
why have the older generation so often used violence to solve house is a headquarters of the BBC World Service. Form this
their problems? Why are they so unhappy and guilt-ridden in their building the BBC broadcasts radio programmers to the whole
personal lives, so obsessed with mean ambitious and the desire world. All news in the BBC are checked at least twice before it is
to amass more and more material possessions? Can anything be broadcasting. That's why the World Service is not always popular
right with the rat-race? Haven't the old lost touches with all that it with governments.
is important in life? Cause of our different tastes, sometimes my family has a
These are not questions the older generation can shrug off problem with choosing channels. Somebody thinks that TV is
lightly. Their record over the past forty years or so hasn't been bad, but I don't think so. I believe that in the future TV will be
exactly spotless. Traditionally the young have turned to their better and everyone will like it.
elders for guidance. Today the situation might be reversed. The
old- if they are prepared to admit it - could learn a thing or two 22. Medicines and health.
from their children.
One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is You have a sound mind in a solid body, as an Old Latin saying
not "sinful". Enjoyment is a principle one could apply to all goes. The English proverb "Sickness in the body brings sickness
aspects of life. It is surely not wrong to enjoy your work and enjoy to the mind, expresses the similar idea, but from the different
your leisure; to shed restricting inhibitions. It is surely not wrong point of view.
to life in the present rather than in the past or future. Physical exercises are good pastime. That is true that good
health is better than the best medicine. If you do early exercises
20. Childhood is certainly not the happiest time of your life you feel refreshed you have a good posture and that makes you
felled so pay attentions to the way you stand waken sit. Here
It's about time somebody exploded that hoary old might about some rules for good health.
childhood being the happiest period of your life. Childhood might Take long walks in the open air as often as you can.
certainly be fairly happy, but its greatest moments can't compare Keep your body clean.
with the sheer joy of being an adult. Who ever asked a six- year Keep your teeth clean.
old for an opinion? Children don't have opinions, or if they do Wear clean clothes.
nobody notice. Adults choose the clothes their children will wear, Sleep with your window open.
the books they will read and the friends they will play with. There is nothing more unpleasant than being taking ill. If you are
Mother and father are kindly but absolute dictators. running a temperature, have a splitting headache feel dizzy or
For all the nostalgic remarks you hear, which adult would cough you go and see a doctor or send for him at once. Certainly,
honestly change places with a child? Think of the years at school: he or she will prescribe some medicine which you can get made
the years living in constant fear of examinations and school up at chemists [drug-store] At chemist's shop you can get
report. Every movement you make, every thought you think is different kinds of medicines: pulls, tablets, ointments and many
observed by some critical adult who may draw other things. I remember one of my most serious illnesses. It was
unflattering conclusions about your character. Think of the four years ago.
curfews, the martial law, the times you had to go early to bed, do Illness started unexpectedly. Early in the morning I woke up and
as you were told, and eat disgusting stuff that was supposed to felt dizzy and feverish. I had a splitting headache and terrible
be good for you. Remember how "gentle" pressure was applied cough. My nose was running. I was sneezing all the time. I could
with remarks like "if you don't do as I say, I will..." and a dire hardly recognize my own voice. Besides I was running a high
warning would follow. temperature. The doctor asked me to strip to the waist, then
What a relief it is to grow up. Suddenly you regain your balance; sounded my lungs, felt my pulse, examined the throat. I had
the worlds open up before you. You are free to choose; you have phenomena and I was to be taken to the hospital. I had to stay
your own place to live in and your own money to spend. You do for a month there and obliged to get a lot of penicillin injections.
not have to seek constant approval for everything you do. You are In the long run I recovered of course. But most of all I'm afraid of
no longer teased, punished or ridiculed by heartless adults visiting a dentist. Toothache can't be compared with anything
because you failed to come to some theoretical kind of standard. else. Extracting a tooth or having a tooth field is quite common
And if on occasion you are teased, you know how to deal with it. things but now painful.
You can simply tell other adults to go to hell: you are on yourself.
23. Nature protection
21. TV in my life
Computers project that between now and the year of 2030 we
TV is very important thing in our life. We can say that TV is our are going to have increase of the average temperature between
eyes because TV helps us to know more about the world, about 1,5—4,5 Degrees C. Sea levels would rise by several meters,
the others counties, about the events that happened in the world. flooding coastal areas and ruining vast tracts of farmland. Water
TV even helps you to know more about yourself. I like to watch TV contamination could lead to shortages of safe drinking water. It
very much. I can do that all day, that's why sometimes my looks like the end of civilization on the Earth. For hundreds of
mother makes me turn off TV. We have a lot of TV channels, they thousands of years the human race has thriven in Earth's
are: NTV, MTV, ORT, TVR1, TVM, PROTV and others. I also have environment. But now, at the end of the 20th century, we are at a
few KOSMOS TV's channels, for example: Cartoon network, crucial turning point. We have upset nature's sensitive
Discovery channel, TVE, and BBC. I like some of them and hate equilibrium releasing harmful substances into the air, polluting
others. So here are some words about the channels that I like. rivers and oceans with industrial waste and tearing up the
So, my favorite channel is MTV. MTV is a music channel. 24 hours countryside to accommodate our rubbish. These are the
a day of music, can you believe it? I like to listen music very consequences of the development of civilization. United Nations
much, and sometimes I even make myself the music, that is why Environment Program (UNEP) concentrates its activities on these
120
issues. Acid Measures are to be taken. We have only a few years just because it is Christmas. Usually we celebrate this holiday in
to attempt to turn things around. We must review our wasteful, a family circle but sometimes we invite our relatives and close
careless ways, we must consume less, recycle more, conserve friends to the party. Next morning after Christmas we all are
wildlife and nature, act according to the dictum «think locally, looking for the sweets which the Santa puts into the Christmas
think globally, act locally». stoking. I don't really believe in Santa but I believe that
To my mind, we are obliged to remove factories and plants from Christmas is a very unusual holiday when the wonders happen
cities, use modern technologies, redesign and modify purifying and all dreams may come true. My family strongly believes in
systems for cleaning and trapping harmful substances, protect rules and traditions. All my life is filled with traditions which have
and increase the greenery and broaden ecological education. been set by my grand-grand parents long ago. We have traditions
These are the main practical measures, which must he taken in in fashion, in food, in behavior and in all other aspects of life.
order to improve the ecological situation. Some progress has
been already made in this direction. 159 countries-members of 26. Ecological problems
the UNO have set up environmental protection agencies. They
hold conferences discussing ecological problems, set up The Earth is the only planet in the solar system where there is
environmental research centers and take practical urgent life. If you look down at the Earth from a plane you will see how
measures to avoid ecological catastrophe. wonderful our planet is. You will see blue seas and oceans, rivers
There are numerous public organizations such as Greenpeace and lakes, high snow-capped mountains, green forests and
that are doing much to preserve environment. The 5th of June is fields. But now the situation changed.
proclaimed the World Environmental Day by the UNO and is One of the most important pollution problems is the oceans.
celebrated every year. Many ships sail in the ocean water- fishing ships, some ships
carrying people, some carrying oil. If a ship loses some of the oil
24. Traveling. in the water, or waste from the ships in put into the ocean, the
water becomes dirty. Many sea birds die because of the polluted
Modern life is impossible without traveling. water. Many fish are dying in the sea, others are getting
Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays contaminated. Fishermen catch contaminated fish which may be
traveling. Such people are very fond of traveling and have the sold in markets, and people may get sick from eating them.
sense of adventure. They travel to see other continents and Another important problem is air pollution. Cars and factories
countries, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns. They pollute the air we use. Their fume also destroys the ozone layer
travel to enjoy picturesque places or just for a change of scene. which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. The
It's always interesting to discover new things, different ways of other problem is that our forests are dying from acid rains.
life, to meet different people, to try to different food, to listen to Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects
different musical rhythms. the balance of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the
People travel by boat, by train, by plane or on foot. climate and ecosystem in the world.
All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. What can be done to protect nature? I believe that environment
And people choose one according to their plans and destinations. disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education
If we are fond of traveling we see and learn a lot of things that and every person understands that the beauty of nature is
we can never see at home, though we may read about them in extremely fragile and people must obey the unwritten laws of
books and newspapers, or on TV. Traveling by air is more popular nature. Governments must be prepared to take action against
in our days than other ways of traveling. You can see many pollution. Air pollution could be reduced if plants and factories
continents and oceans, countries and rivers, cities and lakes. were made to fit effective filters on chimneys and car exhausts.
I enjoy staying at a hotel. It is more comfortable to stay there.
You can enjoy being alone, to take a hot shower, to sleep in 27. Hippie fashion
warm bed and many other advantages. Some people enjoy
camping in tents. Of course, the weather must be good for that. Today, the fashion world has once again discovered the
There is nothing worse than camping in rain. If you want to travel, wonderful styles from the '60s. We've come full circle and
first, you must look through some advertisement. Some people clothes are not the only part of hippie Dom to resurface for the
like to go on one place and spend their holidays there. The place new millennium. It's a symbol of the resurgence of hippie values
may be an interesting city, a picturesque village or some other in their culture.
attractive place. Others believe in seeing as much as possible in In the '60s, without warning, hippies turned fashion upside down
the time they have. and inside out. They brought a tsunami of new styles and colors
I think that our education becomes richer when you travel, meet into fashion like never before. From the Haight-Ashbury to
new people, because you can see new things which you never London to Katmandu, the hippies took fashion on an eye-popping
seen in your life before and besides by traveling and sightseeing psychedelic journey. Many new fashions emanated from San
we can get to know the world around us. Francisco and London to some extent. The fashion leaders were
the icons of our day. Rock 'n roll stars like Jimmy Hendrix and
25. My favorite holiday The Beatles appeared in public and on record albums in all sorts
of colorful costumes. The elements that went into the hippy
Every nation has its own customs and long-lived traditions. There wardrobe were only limited by their psychedelic imaginations.
is a great number of exciting events which are held in every Bellbottoms ruled the day, from striped, to blue jeans to
country throughout the year. Such events of national importance patchwork, to hip huggers, even leather pants were popular.
unite people, make them feel proud of their nation. Each family Women wore saris from India and sarongs from Bali and Java.
is like a little country with its own traditions. So we celebrate all Velvet, leather, batik, denim, Indian cotton and silk were all
holidays in a very special way and it keeps our family together in popular fabrics. Accessories included love beads, bandannas,
spirit. Our most favorite holiday is Christmas. We celebrate it on leather vests, jackets with frills, and granny glasses. Jewelry,
the 25th of December. Preparation for Christmas are always especially if made of silver from Mexico, India or Morocco was
pleasant: buying gifts, sending Christmas cards and decorating essential. The typical hippy vehicle was a VW bus or van or bug.
Christmas tree with small, bright-colored lights and small colored Small campers and even school buses were converted into living
glass ornaments. The cookies and cakes are very special not only space for one to a dozen people. These were often painted .Food
because of the cream but also because of their form and color. is an important part of every culture. Hippies developed their own
For example, they look like Christmas-trees, funny smiling faces, cuisine, a mishmash of Indian, American, Middle Eastern,
or teddy-bears. When the meal is ready the real Christmas comes Mexican, Italian and Asian with an emphasis on vegetarian.
with the big family dinner, gifts, candles, sweets and illumination. Hippies influenced not only clothes but a wide range of ideas and
In our family this dinner is very important, all the members attitudes thus changing society in the process.
should be present. I believe that on this day if you make a wish
staying next to the Christmas tree it will undoubtedly come true, 28. The philosophy should meet the challenge of the new
120
millennium.
The word "taste" has several meanings. One of them is a physical
Everyone lives his own life relying on some ideas, thoughts and sense of perception, as, for example, in "It tastes so sweet, try it!"
some beliefs. Some people call such ideas "philosophy" of life. Taste may also be defined as aesthetic feeling towards
Even if a person says that he doesn't live according to some rules something or understanding, for example "she developed a taste
or ideas, he defines himself as a follower of such "never-care" for music" - which means that she became fond of music.
philosophy. We often hear people say "this thing is tasteful or tasteless" or
Throughout the history people have got to know famous people, "this person has good taste" or "his taste is bad".
called philosophers, who "taught" people how to live. This means that all of us have some kind of a taste, which is
The main thing for people became choosing which "philosophy" determined by the way we were brought up, by the time when we
to follow. They missed one thing: the main thing was to choose were growing. It also depends on the culture we are living in, on
which philosophy was RIGHT. our age and on the people we are surrounded by. Moreover, it
Today we see many different people who live in different places, depends on the social class we belong to and even on our
in different cultures, belonging to different groups following profession.
different teachings. Each of such people believes that he follows People are so different and what we suppose is good for us, what
the right philosophy and those who live differently are wrong. seems beautiful and tasteful to us, may be just the contrary for
Very few of them try to understand others' philosophy of life. other people. Therefore it is said "Tastes differ".
Most of them try to criticize others' ideas, claiming that only Tastes differ even within one country. Each of us perhaps
theirs are true. remembers quarreling with one of our friends over what tastes
The philosophy should meet the challenge of the new better: fried potatoes or macaroni with meat, chocolate or ice-
millennium... cream, porridge or omelet
The new millennium is not so much different from the old one. Tastes differ even among people belonging to different sex.
People are still quarrelling, killing, lying and dying. People are Recently American medical journal Psychology and Behavior
still in need of the most essential thing to rely on: they are in published the results of a very interesting research. They used
need of LOVE, the only thing that will save the world. The the Web to survey 277 male and female participants in order to
philosophy must teach people to love each other. Not that love find out what kind of food they prefer. They found that women
that Sigmund Freud told us about, I'm talking about REAL LOVE, are more prone to eat comfort foods high in fat and sugar, such
when people don't even think about quarrelling, deceiving, killing as cakes and ice-cream. Men, on the other hand, are more likely
and envying just because they love each other. People today are to turn to soups, pasta and steaks.
not aware of that enormous lack of love in their hearts - they are It is obvious that every country and nation has its own taste and
too busy living their life full of hatred and rudeness. The way of thinking but to my opinion that makes each nation special
philosophy should meet the challenge of the new millennium... and interesting in the meantime!
There should be at least one person to start living according to
"new" philosophy, one day he will be noticed and taken for 31. Learning foreign languages
example. Who is that person? It is necessary to learn foreign languages. That's why pupils have
got such subject as a foreign language at school. Everybody
29. Identity. I am who I am. knows his own language, but it is useful to know foreign
languages somebody said: "English is a language that came
Personal identity-it deals with questions about ourselves qua from nowhere to conquer the world..." These words are really
people (or persons). The most common question is what it takes true! The most important contribution was made by William
for us to persist from one time to another. What is necessary, Shakespeare. Shakespeare's influence on everyday English
and what is sufficient, for some past or future being to be you? speech is great, people all over the world quote Shakespeare.
But there are other questions of equal interest and importance. The English language arrived in Britain on the point of a sword.
Many are familiar thoughts that occur to everyone at some time: That is why there are so many loans in English language. Now I
What am I? When did I begin? What will happen to me when I would like to tell you about Standard English and Regional
die? Philosophical discussions of personal identity go right back accents. Received pronunciation is the form of British English
to the origin of the discipline, and most major figures have had pronunciation used by many educated people in every part of
something to say about it. Britain. It is thought of a standard form and is often used by the
There is no one problem of personal identity, but a range of BBC. It is also used in teaching English in many parts of the
loosely related problems. Discussions that go by the name of world. Accent is the sound of a person's pronunciation of the
personal identity are most often about questions like these: Who language. It shows where a person comes from and what class
am I? - We often speak of one's "personal identity" as what he or she belongs to. Cockney is the way of speaking English and
makes one the person one is. Your identity in this sense consists it is known as the London dialect. Rhyming slang is a way of
roughly of those attributes that make you unique as an individual speaking, ordinarily popular among cockneys in which a rhyming
and different from others. Or it is the way you see or define phrase, or a part of it, is substituted for a standard word. There is
yourself. Your individual psychological identity is a property that a standard form of the language and some dialects in our
you might have for a while and then lose. You could acquire a country too. To my mind, every country needs a standard form of
new identity, or perhaps carry on without one. the language because of the contact between people of this
Person hood- What is it to be a person? What is necessary, and country. But there are a lot of loanwords in every language
what is sufficient, for something to count as a person, as nowadays. Every day for example in advertisements we can hear
opposed to a non-person? What would it take for a chimpanzee and see new, incomprehensible, bad words, and they become
or a Martian or an electronic computer to be a person, if they widespread among the population. In conclusion I would like to
could ever be? say that now there are more than 60 countries that speak
What matters- What is the practical importance of facts about English as the dominant or official language. My purpose is to
our identity and persistence? Imagine that surgeons are going to show you why the English is a world language. The present day
put your brain into my head, and that neither of us has any world status of English is the result of two factors: the expansion
choice about this. Will the resulting person (who will think he is of British colonial power, which peaked towards the end of the
you) be responsible for my actions, or for yours? Or both? Or 19th century, and the emergence of the US as the leading
neither? economic power of the 20th century. English is the chief
That completes our survey. Though these questions are related, language of international business and academic conferences,
they are different, and it is important not to run them together. and the leading language of international tourism. English is the
What they have in common that makes them all questions about main language of popular music, advertising, home computers
personal identity is difficult to say. and video games. Most of the scientific, technological and
academic information in the world is expressed in English.
30. Tastes differ 32. Problems of unemployment
120
English is a West Germanic language originating in England, and
I think that the problem of youth employment is very actual and the first language for most people in Australia, Canada, the
must be solved as quickly as possible. They all go to institutes or Commonwealth Caribbean, Ireland, New Zealand, the United
universities and even academies, in order to get a degree and Kingdom and the United States of America (also commonly
serve to the society. The most serious problem is that of finding known as the Anglosphere. Modern English is sometimes
working places for such a great number of specialists. Every year described as the global lingua franca. English is the dominant
thousands of students graduate the high schools but uncertain of international language in communications, science, business,
their future, as very few of theme do find a good paid job with aviation, entertainment, radio and diplomacy.
good conditions .When students enter the high schools they all English is one of six official languages of the Nations. Over 309
want for sure to become good specialist and all want to work and million people speak English as their first language, as of 2005.
give the best from theme in order to help the society to become English today is probably the third largest language by number of
richer, better and that people be grateful to theme. But after native speakers, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. The
graduating and finding a job is very hard most of theme are very countries with the highest populations of native English speakers
disappointed and prefer to go abroad and work instead staying are, in descending order: United States, United Kingdom, Canada,
here. The Federal Government should do something about this Australia, Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand Countries such
problem. Creating those places for young people is the burning as Jamaica and Nigeria also have millions of native speakers of
question now. There must be a lot of new plants, factories, dialect continuums ranging from an English-based creole to a
hospitals and other enterprises to give jobs to all the graduates. more standard version of English. Of those nations where English
But there is one more problem when people who leave one or is spoken as a second language, India has the most such
institutions are not satisfied with the working conditions and speaker's .Following India is the People's Republic of China.
work as other specialists. As a result they have only their Because English is so widely spoken, it has often been referred to
diplomas but they do not work according to their professions. as a "global language", the lingua franca of the modern era.
And it is also very bad. But these students are glad to find a job While English is not an official language in most countries, it is
and work even if it has nothing to do with the specialty they learn currently the language most often taught as a second" language
five years for in our country young people are still a little around the world. Among non-English speaking countries, a large
suppressed, they have complexes but abroad the life is quite percentage of the population claimed to be able to converse in
different. Young people begin to work very early from the point of English in the Netherlands , Sweden , Denmark Luxembourg,
view of age, get more and more experience out of their work and Finland , Slovenia , Austria , Belgium , and Germany Norway and
have more possibilities to realize themselves. Iceland also have a large majority of competent English-
I think that our state has to give more attention to educational speakers. Books, magazines, and newspapers written in English
system and the employment system if we want to achieve better are available in many countries around the world.
results and get to be seen at international level. All this can be
achieved only with good specialists and professionals. 34. Highway to happiness

33. World of jobs Most of us want to be happy. But what is happiness? Is it


something that you feel at a fleeting moment or does it has to
It is certain the fact that every person since child dream to last a certain amount of time before it can officially be called
continue the studies and enter a good University, to graduate it "happiness"? While the thought of blazing through the sky after
and apply the knowledge accumulated. We spend great part of jumping out of a plane may spell utter bliss for some, others may
our lives at our jobs, so choosing a right career is one of the most shiver at the mere mention of it. What one person defines as
important decisions you will make in your life. Many students something that keeps them smiling may be just the thing that
finish high school and begin college without a clear idea of what makes another person miserable.
they want to do in future. Part of the problem is the size of the Experts say that happiness is an emotion, and just like any
job market itself. With so many kinds of jobs (2000) how can you emotion, it comes and goes. Also like any emotion, some people
tell which will interest you? Some of occupations are already simply seem to experience it more than others. It is even
overcrowded. In old industries there may be little need for new believed by some that everyone has a "happiness baseline." If
workers, while new and growing industries will offer jobs now and this is true, then no matter what happens in our life, we will
in the future. Therefore, it is extremely important to explore your always return to our original level of happiness after a certain
choice of occupations from every angle, collect as much amount of time.
information as you can. But above all you must evaluate yourself. Of course, there are many other things that can contribute to our
Find out where your interests and talents lie. First start with you, happiness other than those listed above. Although this may
make a list of your interests, talents and abilities. Most people come as a surprise to many, money does not account for much
have a lot of these, but at the beginning they are undeveloped when it comes to happiness. Once people accumulate wealth,
and may not seem outstanding. By concentrating on a few, or on they are not any more satisfied with their life than those who can
one you may surprise yourself at how good you can get. only afford to meet their most basic needs.
Unemployment especially hits poor and working class families In the search for happiness, we often look to others to make us
the hardest, not because this people are more likely to be happy. Then when we find ourselves anything less than pleased,
unemployed, but because they don't have financial resource to we play the blame game and hold them responsible for the
fall back on. Unemployment exists primarily for two reasons: first cause of our feelings. However, only we can be held accountable
- the existence of millions of unemployed people tends to present for our own happiness because only we have the power to
most of those working from asking for higher wages since they change the situation we are in.
can be replaced easily, second -in their search for profits, When it comes to achieving happiness, it's important not to
corporations are interested in finding the cheapest labor. The forget the small stuff. By concentrating too much on being
problem of unemployment is also connected with the economic happy, you may be missing out on the "little things" that are right
crisis in our country. And I think when this crisis comes to an end in front of you every day that can cause enjoyment. Simply
the problem of unemployment will not be so urgent. But on the appreciating the little things in life and learning to love, forgive,
other hand if you studied a lot during school and high school laugh, and live can lead to lifelong satisfaction. Now that we're
years then you will find a good, well paid job for sure as society armed with the map to happiness, we may be wondering where
need and will need always good specialists in every sphere of to start. As with anything, happiness does not magically appear
activity. overnight.

34. The importance of English language. 35. Importance of money in modern society.
120
37. The impact of migration on the society

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.' This is the first
commandment of God's 1 0 Commandments. In my opinion this Immigration is a highly sensitive political issue in all the Member
would be the hardest commandment to follow in a modern States of the European Union. Politicians and society in general
society that is so enamored with money. The power of a dollar is need to accept the fact that the majority of EU Member States
a leading concept in a modern society. Many organizations and have become immigration destinations. Large-scale migration
businesses in modern society revolve around money. It's almost will continue to have profound economic, political, social and
to the point where money can be seen as its own entity which cultural consequences within the EU. Migration has a profound
would place itself above God in many cases. Money is something impact on people's everyday life, but also strongly influences the
that everyone, atheists and religious leaders included, are able to economical and political arena more than ever before in the
see eye to eye on. The importance of money in today's society is modern era. Immigration will not only continue, but will also
rather large. Money finds itself everyone across society. I've increase inside the Union. Multidimensional consequences in the
personally seen many relationships go sour over disputes social economic, political and cultural area of receiving societies
involving money. Cash has the ability the transform even the best maximize the demand for effective and comprehensive policies
people into greedy savages. Modernity is a society that lusts on immigration and integration of migrants. The progressive
money. Money determines many things in society. People got establishment of a common EU framework for the integration of
through many years of schooling with the hope that they will migrants has therefore become a top priority. At official level, the
graduate making six figures. Money determines ones social successful integration of legally residing third-country nationals,
position in society. The more money you have the easier life is for and their descendants, is seen as a paramount goal for the
you. Those born in money seem to have to work less than those benefit of EU social cohesion and economic welfare, as well as
born without it. We turn on the television and wonder what the Lisbon Strategy. At present, the nature of integration
celebrities like Paris Hilton, and Nicole Ritchie do for a living. And programs and the type of integration measures that should be
the answer is nothing. They don't have to work because they provided are heavily being debated. Another key issue is whether
were lucky enough to be born with money. The thought of the such measures should be mandatory or not, and if non-
"easy life" ties hand in hand with the power of a dollar and compliance might lead to legal and financial consequences,
people in a modern society fight for that life. including a possible impact on the migrant's residential status.
So it is very difficult to live out the first commandment in a Migration is a sensitive subject among populations in general.
modern society. Money is too powerful of a tool for it not to Politicians should be very clear in explaining their ideas to the
diminish the morals and values of many Americans. It is held too wider public and the beneficial effects that immigration brings to
high in society. In a modern society, money is the equivalent to our societies. Migration has always remained a delicate topic.
the air we breathe. Everything depends on money. It's the one Especially in periods of economic recession migrants are an easy
thing the majority of society will agree they couldn't live without. scapegoat. They are often seen as 'those others invading our
Money is the god that many place above God. economies, looking for our jobs'. In the past, most migrants were
unskilled workers who took up rough poorly paid jobs which local
36. Man and Woman in the society workers refused to do. But this situation has been complicated
further by the increasing immigration of high-qualified people.
The relationship between man and woman in the society has People might see this as a threat to their own situation and
always been subject to a longstanding controversy, particularly in safety.
the society. It is the majority of the ordinary people that hold
wrong ideas about the role of both man and woman in the 38. Curriculum Vitae
society and those ideas are the cause of the imbalanced
relationship between man and woman in the society. IAVORSCHI ARINA
Women constitute half of the society and in some societies the 21.10.1990
proportion exceeds that percentage, as is the case in our Yemeni Ismail street 16/3 fl.14 Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Tel: (373)
society. Nevertheless, it is found even among the intellectuals 069112222, (373 22) 127911 E-mail: arina@yahoo.com
that some of them do not recognize her importance other than a STUDIES
housewife raising children and taking care of them and the 1996 Theoretical Lyceum " Dante Alighieri",
entire household. The family as the most important component Chisinau, Moldova
of the society, and the most significant establishment in it, the ABILITIES
major role in running it is upon the shoulders of the woman. And Languages: Romanian (native), Russian (fluently), English
the man is incapable to have the same patience and endurance (fluently), French (medium).
the woman entertains in running the affairs of the family. In Utilisation PC: MS Office, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Excel.
addition to that sacred role the woman also plays a recognized Personal experience:
role outside the family sphere as she proved to be successful Olympiad at Mathematics
teachers, doctors, engineers and in other areas of social English Language debates
development activities. She is the mother of the society and does Olympiad at English Language
more than one role; her job as a housewife and her role in the Preferences: Dancing, painting, canto
development of the society whereas man's role is mainly outside Hobby: Jogging, reading, swimming.
the family sphere. Future plans: Studying in an USA high school
Moreover ever the successes scored by man are imprints of Society problem: One of the most ardent problems of the society
women who help in their ideas and encourage them in the is unemployment. Most of the young people that graduate high
accomplishment of those successes. And thus in many cases she schools cannot apply the knowledge as the government cannot
is behind his success. Her great responsibility in providing stable assure a stable place of work. When the government will solve
and happy life inside the family is in itself an effective factor in this problem, our society will stop fighting against such problems
man's success. She is an indispensable energy possessing an as migration, poverty, corruption.
indispensable role. Ideal lyceum: Ideal place of study is the place where pupils go
Our glorious history has abundance of examples of great women with pleasure, where the labs are provided with the necessary
successful in various aspects of life; in politics, religion, tools. The teachers are pleasant and ready to give the best from
education and fighting beside their brother's men. their knowledge to the young generation. And of course where
The intelligentsia and sociologists have to do their hardest job in pupils do all possible to study and become good citizens ready to
enlightening the society about the mutual role played by both serve to the society.
men and women in building an advanced society where both
men and women are equal in importance and roles played in life.
39. Violence is a part of every child
120
food and living conditions.
Violence is a part of every child's life. Violence originates in many People are considered to be in absolute poverty if their incomes
places-self, family, peers, the community and the media-and are not sufficient to purchase very minimal goods and services.
violence affects children and youth at every age, even newborn. In these conditions the migration increases and a lot of people
Children and youth are witnesses and victims, and some become go abroad to earn money in order to assure the normal level of
perpetrators. All are affected, though not all are affected equally. life. And it is the Government's task to ensure good life and
Media Violence health conditions to the citizens. As long as we will be confronted
Most children are exposed to media violence at some level on a with these problems, we will have to fight against poverty,
daily basis through television, video games, or music diseases and migration.
Children in middle childhood watch more television and are
therefore, presumably, more exposed to television violence than
children who are younger or older.47 Rates of reported physical
abuse are about the same for children in middle childhood as for
younger children.
Domestic violence
Many children who live in household are often exposed to
domestic violence. Compared with children in other households,
children who have been exposed to domestic violence often
suffer from insomnia and have trouble with bed-wetting. They
also are more likely to experience difficulties in school and to
score lower on assessments of verbal, motor, and cognitive skills.
Also, they are more likely than other children to exhibit
aggressive and antisocial behaviour, to be depressed and
anxious, and to have slower cognitive development.
Violence at teenagers.
Many people believe that violence towards children reaches its
peak in the lives of teenagers. While this is true for some of the
more extreme forms of violence, other types of violence actually
begin to recede during the teenage years.
The risk of being a victim of sexual assault, aggravated assault,
and robbery also increases as teens get older.
In conclusion it can be said that most of the policy and data
collection related to violence in children's lives tends to focus on
a single type of violence (such as child abuse or media violence),
a particular social context (such as the family, school, or
neighbourhood), or a particular group (such as teens or inner-city
children).
But the main responsibility it lies of course on parents, the ones
that are the most indicated to take care and protect their
children and assure all good conditions in order to grow up good
and elevated citizens.

40. Health care in Republic of Moldova

According to the latest researches estimates, a person born in


the Republic of Moldova in 2003 can expect to live 67 years on
average: 71 years if female and 63 years if male. Life expectancy
in the country is about 1 1 years lower than the Europa average
of 79 years. However, despite being the second poorest county in
the European Region, the life expectancy estimate is 2-5 years
higher than similar estimates for a number of considerably richer
regional countries.
As the length of life increases, older people can respond with
lifestyle changes that can increase healthy years of life.
Correspondingly, health care systems need to shift towards more
geriatric care, the prevention and management of chronic
diseases and more formal long-term care. Since people are living
longer, measures to improve health and prevent disease need to
focus on people of working age.
Health outcomes of Republic of Moldova are influenced by
various factors that operate at individual, household and
community levels. Obvious factors are, for example, diet, health
behavior, access to clean water, sanitation and health services.
Education tends to enhance an individual's job opportunities. In
so doing, it can improve income, which in turn affects health
positively. Education can also give more access to knowledge
about healthy behavior and increase the tendency to seek
treatment when needed. A lower level of education - independent
of individual income - is correlated with the inability to cope with
stress, with depression and hostility and with adverse effects on
health.
There is an income gradient affecting health: the poor generally
suffer worse health and die younger than people with higher
incomes. For instance, the latter are better able to afford the
goods and services that contribute to health, for example, better

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