Travelling & Transport

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel either on business or for pleasure to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns.

         To travel across the world you’ll need a passport, a visa and a health insurance by all means. It is considered useful to buy a travel guide or a map. Many people take cameras with them to take pictures of the places they’ve been to.

         There are various means of travelling: by bicycle, motorcycle, car, bus, train, plane, ship, on foot. Each means of travelling has its advantages and disadvantages. It goes without saying that travelling by air or by sea is the most interesting, exciting and comfortable. But it is very expensive, not many people can afford it.

         Before you get on board the plane you have your luggage registered. It is weighed and labelled. When the flight is announced the passengers are invited to board the plane and take their seats. The armchairs are very cosy and they are equipped with safety belts which must be fastened during taking off or landing. The stewardess gives you all the information about the flight and helps you if you need it.

         Railway transport is one of the cheapest ways of travelling. But such journeys take a lot of time because trains stop at many stations. If you go to a distant place a compartment car in a fast train is quite suitable.

         Many people admit that travelling by car is very comfortable. You can stop when and where you want. But you should be able to repair your car if it breaks down.

 

British Traditions & Customs

Traditions make a nation special. Some of them are forgotten, but many are still living though people may not remember their origins. The British always remember their traditions and observe them even if they are old-fashioned. Guy Fawkes Day is a good example of that. It is associated with a conspiracy to destroy the English Houses of Parliament. It happened in the beginning of the XVII century. The British never forget it and burn a guy made of old clothes each year on the 5^th of November. Children let off fireworks and make bonfires. It is a very noisy custom!

         The British celebrate Christmas widely. It is a family holiday for which a special dinner is prepared with the traditional roast turkey and puddings. On the other hand, New Year is often not celebrated at all. Some people ignore it and just go to bed. Others arrange parties.         Another British celebration – St. Valentine’s Day – has become as popular all over the world as it is in Great Britain. Valentine is believed to be a Christian priest who helped lovers. On the 14^th of February he was killed, and this day is observed as a day for sweethearts. People send colourful cards called valentines to those whom they love. The cards are often heart-shaped or have hearts painted on them.

         Hallowe’en is one of the oldest holidays with origins going back thousands of years. It was associated with the beginning of winter darkness. On the eve of All Hallows, the 31^st of October, adults hold special parties and listen to tales of ghosts, goblins and witches. The younger generation dresses up and goes from house to house asking "trick or treat” and receiving sweets and fruit.

         All those customs have deep roots and are loved by the British

 Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands – Great Britain and Ireland – and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 244 thousand square kilometres. Great Britain consists of England, Scotland and Wales, Ireland consists of Northern Ireland and the Irish republic, which is an independent state.

         The British Isles are separated from the continent by the North Sea and the English Channel. The western coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

         The surface of the British Isles varies very much. It is mainly low-lying valleys and forests, but there are mountains in Scotland and Wales, deep lakes in Scotland. There are many rivers in Great Britain but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river, while the Thames is the busiest.

         The climate of Great Britain is mild. Summers are cool and rainy. Snow is rare and it does not lie on the ground for long.

         The UK is a monarchy but the powers of the king (now Queen Elizabeth II) are limited. The country is ruled by the government with Prime Minister at its head. The British Parliament consists of two houses: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The members of the House of Lords are not elected by the population. The members of the House of Commons are elected for a period of five years.

 

 

About Myself

My name is … I am a student of the seventh form in the theoretic lycee. My height is … My eyes are … My hair is … My favourite clothes are … When I want to look smart I like to wear …

         I am known to be serious, prudent and considerate. I am well-mannered. I was taught to make way for other people and greet the people I know politely. I get on well with my friends and classmates.

         When I have spare time I like to … I think … is very exciting. I can always choose some interesting activities for me and my friends.

         I go in for … I have been going in for … for five years already.

         There are … people in my family including me. I have …

         We have a pet. It is a …

         I live in Bendery. It is a small city in contrast to some other cities situated in this area, but it’s a nice place to live. The way of life is quite gentle here. When people come to my town it makes a good impression on them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sports

Sport is very popular in Great Britain. Many kinds of sports have their origins in England. The English are considered to be great lovers of sport. British teams set new records and win many medals at the Olympic Games.

         Football, or soccer, is believed to be the most popular game in Britain. It has been played for hundred of years and has a long history. It was played by whole villages in the Middle Ages. The modern game was introduced to other countries by British soldiers, seamen and businessmen. One of the main competitions of the football season is the FA Cup. It has been held every May at the famous Wembley Stadium since the middle of the XIX century.

         Rugby is a form of football which was started in 1823. It was invented by a pupil of Rugby School called William Webb Ellis. Now it is played all over Britain. There is the standard game called Rugby Union and another form of the game, Rugby League. They have slightly different rules.

         Cricket is England’s national game. Not many Scots, Irish or Welsh play it. Its rules are difficult and complicated. Some games go on for five days. It is very popular at schools, colleges and universities.

         Golf is the Scottish national game. It was originated in the XV century.

         The English pay much attention to swimming, rowing, table tennis and lawn tennis. Tennis tournaments at Wimbledon are known all over the world.

 

 

Famous people of Great Britain

Agatha Christie is known all over the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have been translated into 103 foreign languages. She is the third best-selling author in the world (after Shakespeare and the Bible). Many of her novels and short stories have been filmed. The Mousetrap, her most famous play, is now the longest-running play in history. Agatha Christie was born at  Torquay , Devonshire. She was educated at home and took singing lessons in Paris. She began writing at the end of the First World War. Her, first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published in 1920. That was the first appearance of Hercule Poirot, who became one of the most popular private detectives since Sherlock Holmes. Agatha Christie became generally recognised in 1926, after the publishing of her novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. It's still considered her masterpiece. When Agatha Christie got tired of Hercule Poirot she invented Miss Marple, a deceptively mild old lady with her own method of investigation. Agatha Christie's success with millions of readers lies in her ability to combine clever plots with excellent character drawing, and a keen sense of humour with great powers of observation. Her plots always mislead the reader and keep him in suspense. He cannot guess who the criminal is. Fortunately, evil is always conquered in her novels. Agatha Christie's language is simple and good and it's pleasant to read her books in the original.

 

 

 

 

 

At the doctor's

If we have a splitting headache, have a clogged nose, cough, are running high temperature, we must go to the policlinic. First we come to the registry. The registry clerk on a duty asks our name, address, age and occupation .He writes out some slips because several specialists will examine us. Some of them will listen to our heart and lungs, some will check up our kidneys, liver, stomach, eyesight, and hearing. The others will make our blood analysis, take our blood pressure.

Our district doctor sees his patients in consulting room 4. A nurse gives us a thermometer to take our temperature. We must keep it under an armpit. Last time my temperature was 37,9 . The doctor asked what my trouble was. He offered to sit down in a chair. He felt my pulse. The doctor filled in my card and diagnosed the case as the flu.

The doctor wrote out a prescription for some medicine. He also advised me to put a hot water bottle to my feet, to have hot tea with raspberry jam. That would keep my fever down. The result of my blood analysis was normal. I followed the prescribed treatment to avoid complications. I began to take care of myself. Now I go in for sports because sports make me strong, healthy and cheerful. Every day I do my morning exercises and have a cold rubdown to prevent myself from catching cold. There is a good proverb: An apple a day keeps doctor away. That's why I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

 

 

 

 

 

Russian traditions

Almost every nation and country has a reputation of some kind. The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, easy-going and fond of sport.  "There is no place like home", they say. We know much about English traditions and customs but now I'd like to say a few words about the traditions of my native land, Russia.

First, about the Russian people. In my opinion, our main character traits which distinguish us from other people are Russian hospitality, our "open heart" and "golden hands". Wise Russian fairytales reflect this wisdom.

Our people are hardworking, patient, never losing hope for a better life. Russia is a talented nation. Russia gave the world the magnificent names of Pushkin and Lermontov, Chaikovsky and Repin, thousands of names of world famous poets, writers, composers, scientists. All of them are the pride of the nation because they elevate the beauty of our land and people.

Now we celebrate the forgotten holidays of the past, Troisa, Maslenitsa, and Easter.

Once again we sing Russian folk songs and chastushki, dance Barinya, spring round dances, perform khorovods, and ride in troikas.

Traditional Russian cooking is world-famous for such dishes as okroshka, shi, pelmeni and the beverage kvass.

 

 

 

Famous People of Russia

One of Russia's most celebrated poets of all times, Michael Lermontov was born in Moscow in the family of a nobleman. He spent his childhood and youth in Tarckany, in the province of Penza.

In 1830 Lermontov entered the Moscow University, but very soon he had to leave it. Then he entered St. Petersburg School of Cavalry Cadets. He finished it and served in the Hussar Regiment of the Imperial Guard.

In 1837 the poet was exiled to the Caucasus for his poem "Poets Death". In 1840 Lermontov was exiled to the Caucasus for the second time. He was provoked into personal quarrel with his schoolmate. The quarrel led to a duel. On July 15th, 1841 the poet was killed. He was not even 27 at that time.

Lermontov began writing when he was very young. One of his first writings to be published was his verse tale "Hadji Arbek".

But he won fame as a poet after his poem "Poets Death" was published. Lermontov's poems "Demon" "Mtsyri" his great novel "A Hero of Our Time" and his play "Masquerade" are masterpieces of Russian literature.

Whether he wrote poetry, drama or prose, the stamp of his genius was to be found on his works. Lermontov's influence as of a poet and a thinker on all Russian writes can't be overestimated.

 

 

Pushkin and Our Time

It would be a platitude to say that A. S. Pushkin is the greatest Russian poet. But I hope no one is challenging the view that he occupies an outstanding place in Russian literature and culture.

Every summer in June, thousands of people visit the Pskov land. They come here to the village of Mikhailovskoye to the wonderful festival of poetry, to see the places where he lived and worked.

Pushkin is always alive for us, he is the man we all know and love, the greatest of poets. Generations come and go, but Pushkin still remains. We are all grateful to Pushkin for each line of his works. Pushkin is not only a great poet for us. He is the perfect man combining brilliant talent with civil courage. His name is associated with our love for the Motherland, and the best in our life.

Hundreds of new concepts, hundreds of new words have appeared in the language in the years that have passed since his death, but not a single word of his poetry has become obsolete. Everything written by Pushkin continues to live. It has not become something of the past, it does not need any corrections and hardly needs commentary. His feelings and his views still correspond to our own feelings and views.

We admire the great world of Pushkin's poetry as a whole, each of us finding some special lines for ourselves, lines showing his sympathy and respect for his people. The reader cannot imagine his inner world without him. 

 

 

 

Parliament. The Palace of Westminster.

Britain is administered from the Palace of Westminster in London. This is also known as the Houses of Parliament. Parliament is made up of two chambers — the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The members of the House of Lords are not elected: they qualify to sit in the House because they are bishops of the Church of England, aristocrats who have inherited their seats from their fathers, people with titles. There has been talk of reform in this century because many Britons think that this system is undemocratic.

The House of Commons, by contrast, has 650 seats which are occupied by Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected by the British public. Each of the major political parties appoints a representative (candidate) to compete for each seat. There may be five or more parties, fighting for one seat, but only one person — the candidate who gets the greatest number of votes — can win.

Some parties win a lot of seats and some win very few, or none at all. The Queen, who is the Head of State, opens and closes Parliament. All new laws are debated (discussed) by MPs in the Commons, then debated in the Lords, and finally signed by the Queen.

All three are part of Parliament in Britain.

 

 

My Family

I am …

… is my name and … is my surname. I am … years old. I want to tell you a few words about my family. My family is not large. I have got mother, father and grandparents. My mother is a teacher of mathematics. She works in a school. She likes her profession. She is a good looking woman with fair hair. She is 34 but she looks much younger.

My father is computer-programmer. He is 38. My father often sings and when we are at home and have some free time I play the guitar and we sing together. He is also handy with many things. When he was small he liked to take everything to pieces. My grandmother told me a story that ones my father tried to repair their kitchen clock but without success. They had to give it to a repairman. But it happened a long time ago. Now he can fix almost everything.

My parents have been married for 12 years. They have much in common, but they have different views on music, books and films. For example my father likes horror films and my mother likes soap operas. My father is fond of tennis. My mother doesn’t go in for sports.

My parents are hard working people. My mother keeps house and takes care of my father and me. She is very good at cooking. My grandparents are pensioners. They don’t live with us. We often visit them, especially during my summer holidays.

 

 

 Shopping

 In the women's clothing department you can find dresses, costumes, blouses, skirts, coats, beautiful underwear and many other things. In the men's clothing department you can choose suits, trousers, overcoats, ties, etc. In the knitwear department one can buy sweaters, cardigans, short-sleeved and long-sleeved pullovers, woolen jackets. In the perfumery they sell face cream and powder, lipstick, lotions and shampoos.

 In a food supermarket we can also buy many different things at once: sausages, fish, sugar, macaroni, flour, cereals, and tea. At the butcher's there is a wide choice of meat and poultry. At the bakery you buy brown and white bread, rolls, and biscuits. Another shop we frequently go to is the greengrocery which is stocked by cabbage, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, beetroots, green peas and what not. Everything is sold here ready-weighed and packed. I like to go shopping with my family.

 

Earth in danger

People have lived on our planet for many years. They lived and live on different continents, in different countries. People depend on their planet, on the sun, on animals and plants around them. People must take care of Earth.

Our ecology becomes worse and worse with every new day. Many species of animals and birds are disappearing nowadays. People destruct wildlife, cut down trees to make furniture. They forget that people can’t live without trees and plants, because they fill air with oxygen. And, of course, great problems are population and animals’ destruction.

Pollution isn’t the only actual problem. Every day a big number of animals disappears. People kill animals for different aims: e.g. people hunt whales for their meat and oil, elephants for their tusks, crocodiles for their leather and so on. And also animals are used for medical experiments. Modern life is bad for animals, birds, fish. The air isn’t fresh and the water isn’t pure. They don’t have good meal and facilities for the life. You can find their names in the Red Book.

Of course, people can’t stay indifferent to these problems. There are a lot of special organizations, which try to save our nature. The most known are: The Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (The RSPCA), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Greenpeace.

We must save wild animals. And we must find the right way to save land, people and animals. We must take care of nature, because we are part of it.

 

 

 

 

Continents and countries

I think English is the most popular language nowadays. People speak English all over the world. English has become an international language in the 20th century. People use English as their native language in Great Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. These are English-Speaking countries. English is a little different in each of these countries. People speak American English in the USA and British English in Great Britain. For example, people live in flats in England but they live in apartments in America. They eat cookies and candies in the USA, but biscuits and sweets in Great Britain.

In my opinion, studying foreign languages is very important. It helps you to communicate and understand other cultures.