РАССМОТРЕНО

Протокол заседания

Предметной комиссии

Иностранных языков

от ____________№__________

Председатель комиссии

_________________Л. М. Семибратняя

_________________2004г.

Автор _____________Л.Н. Стряпухина

Преподаватель иностранного языка

Рецензент ______________О.Е. Колупаева

Преподаватель иностранного языка

Пояснительная записка.

Данная методическая разработка предназначена для использования преподавателями и студентами средних специальных учебных заведений при выполнении внеаудиторной работы. В разработке представлены варианты текстов различной тематики. Тексты сопровождаются серией лексико-грамматических упражнений целью которых является активизация лексического материала имеющегося в текстах.

Основная цель данной методической разработки - научить студентов средних специальных учебных заведений читать и понимать литературу на английском языке , по деловому английскому языку, развивать навыки, аннотирования и реферирования. Все грамматические и лексические задания, текстовой материал социально-бытовую, страноведческую направленность. Тексты всех вариантов IV, V контрольных работ заимствованы из оригинальных англоязычных первоисточников. Трудные для перевода фразы приведены в сносках после текста с переводом и необходимыми комментариями. При подборе лексического и текстового материала учитывались актуальность, новизна и иерархия современных реалий английского языка.

Texts for Reading

Text I

In 1920, after some thirty-nine years of problems with disease, high costs, and politics, the Panama Canal was officially opened, finally linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by allowing ships to pass through the fifty-mile canal zone instead of travelling some seven thousand miles around Cape Horn. It takes a ship approximately eight hours to complete the trip through the canal and costs an average of fifteen thousand dollars, one-tenth of what it would cost an average ship to round the Horn. More than fifteen thousand ships pass through its locks each year.

The French initiated the project but sold their rights to the United States. The latter will control it until the end of the twentieth century when Panama takes over its duties.

1. Who currently controls the Panama Canal?

(A) France

(B) United States

© Panama

(D) Canal Zone

2. In approximately what year will a different government take control of the Panama Canal?

(A) 2000

(В) 2100

(С) 3001

(D) 2999

3 On the average, how much would it cost a ship to travel around Cape Horn?

(A) $1,500

(В) $15,000

(С) $150,000

(D) $1,500,000

4. In what year was construction probably begun on the canal?

(A) 1881

(В) 1920

(С) 1939

(D) 1999

5. What did you learn from this reading?

(A) This is a costly project which should be reevaluated.

(B) Despite all the problems involved, the project is beneficial.

(C) Many captains prefer to sail around Cape Horn because it is less expensive.

(D) Due to all the problems, three governments have had to control the canal over the years.

Text 2

In 776 ВС the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honour the Greeks' chief god, Zeus. The Greeks emphasised physical fitness and strength in their education of youth. Therefore, contests in running, jumping, discus and javelin throwing, boxing, and horse and chariot racing were held in individual cities, and the winners competed every four years at Mount Olympus. Winners were greatly honoured by having olive wreaths placed on their heads and having poems sung about their deeds. Originally these were held as games of friendship, and any wars in progress were halted to allow the games to take place.

The Greeks attached so much importance to these games that they calculated years in four-year cycles called "Olympiads" dating from 776 В. С.

1. Which of the following is not true?

(A) Winners placed olive wreaths on their own heads.

(B) The games were held in Greece every four years.

(C) Battles were interrupted to participate in the games.

(D) Poems glorified the winners in song.

2. Why were the Olympic Games held?

(A) to stop wars

(B) to honour Zeus

© to crown the best athletes

(D) to sign songs about the athletes

3. Approximately how many years ago did these games originate?

(A) 776 years

(B) 2,205 years

© 2,277 years

(D) 2,760 years

4. Which of the following contests was not mentioned?

(A) discus throwing

(B) boxing

© skating

(D) running

5. What conclusion can we draw about the ancient Greeks?

(A) They liked to fight.

(B) They were very athletic.

(C) They liked a lot of ceremony.

(D) They couldn't count, so they used «Olympiads» for dates.

Text 3

Italy enjoyed developed and specialized civilization from about 264 ВС until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD Important contributions were made in art, science, education, religion, and architecture. Remains of Roman aqueducts and amphitheatres can still be seen in various parts of Africa and Europe today. Probably the most lasting of the Roman heritage to the world can be found in laws based on Roman legal principles as found in England, Latin America, and the United States, as well as the Roman alphabet which forms the basis of many languages among which are English, Spanish and German.

1. During how many centuries did Italy enjoy an advanced civilization?

(A) 3

(B) 4

© 6

(D) 8

2. Which of the following is considered to be the most enduring heritage of the Romans?

(A) art

(B) science

© law

(D) education

3. Where can we still find evidence of Roman architecture today?

(A) Latin America

(B) Africa

© Germany

(D) United States.

4. All of the following are true except

(A) Roman law was so advanced that other nations adopted Roman legal principles.

(B) some Roman-built structures are still standing

(C) Roman superiority began to decline in the fourth century AD

(D) the ancient Romans were talented in many area

5. Which of the following languages is not given as using the Roman alphabet?

(A) English,

(B) German,

© Russian,

(D) Spanish

Text 4

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821, and emigrated to New York City when she was ten years old One day she decided that she wanted to become a doctor. That was nearly impossible for a woman in the middle of the nineteenth century. After writing many letters seeking admission to medical schools, she was finally accepted by a doctor in Philadelphia. She was so determined that she taught school and gave music lessons to earn money for her tuition.

In 1849, after graduation from medical school, she decided to further her education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon, but a serious eye infection forced her to abandon the idea.

Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to start her own practice because she was a woman. By 1857 Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, alone with another female doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women and children. Besides being the first female physician and founding her own hospital, she also established the first medical school for women.

1. Why couldn't Elizabeth Blackwell realize her dream of becoming a surgeon?

(A) She couldn't get admitted to medical school.

(B) She decided to further her education m Paris.

(C) A serious eye infection halted her quest.

(D) It was difficult for her to start a practice in the United States.

2. What main obstacle almost destroyed Elizabeth's chances for becoming a doctor?

(A) She was a woman.

(B) She wrote too many letters.

(C) She couldn't graduate from medical school.

(D) She couldn't establish her hospital.

3. How many years elapsed between her graduation from medical school and the opening of her hospital?

(A) 8

(B)10

© 19

(D)36

4. All of the following are «firsts» m the life of Elizabeth Blackwell, except

(A) she became the first female physician

(B) she was the first woman surgeon

(C) she and several other women founded the first hospital for women and children

(D) she established the first medical school for women

Text 5

A recent investigation by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey shows that strange animal behaviour might help predict future earthquakes. Investigators found such occurrences in a ten-kilometre radius of the epicentre of a fairly recent quake. Some birds screeched and flew about wildly; dogs yelped and ran around uncontrollably.

Scientists believe that animals can perceive these environmental changes as early as several days before the mishap

In 1976 after observing animal behaviour, the Chinese were able to pi edict a devastating quake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of other people and thus keep the death toll at a lower level.

1. What prediction may be made by observing animal behaviour?

(A) an impending earthquake

(B) the number of people who will die

(C) the ten-kilometre radius of the epicentre

(D) environmental changes

2. Why can animals perceive these changes when humans cannot?

(A) Animals are smarter than humans.

(B) Animals have certain instincts that humans don't possess.

(C) By running around the house, they can feel the vibration.

(D) Humans don't know where to look.

3. Which of the following is not true?

(A) Some animals may be able to sense an approaching earthquake.

(B) By observing animals behaviour scientists perhaps can predict earthquakes.

(C) The Chinese have successfully predicted an earthquake and saved many lives.

(D) All birds and dogs in a ten-kilometre radius of the epicentre went wild before the quake.

4. In this passage, the word evacuate most nearly means

(A) remove

(B) exile

© destroy

(D) emaciate

5. If scientists can accurately predict earthquakes, there will be

(A) fewer animals crazy

(B) a lower death rate

(C) fewer people evacuated

(D) fever environmental changes

Text 6

As far back as 700 ВС, man has talked about children being cared for wolves. Romulus and Remus, the legendary twin founders of Rome, were purported to have been cared for by wolves. It is believed that when a she-wolf loses her litter, she seeks a human child to take its place.

This seemingly preposterous idea did not become credible until the late nineteenth century when a French doctor actually found a naked ten-year-old boy wandering in the woods. He did not walk erect, could not speak intelligibly, nor could he relate to people. He only growled and stared at them. Finally the doctor won the boy's confidence and began to work with him. After many long years of devoted and patient instruction, the doctor was able to get the boy to clothe and feed himself, recognize and utter a number of words, as well as write letters and form words.

1. The French doctor found the boy

(A) wondering in the woods

(B) at his doorstep

© growling at him

(D) speaking intelligibly

2. In this passage, the word litter most nearly means

(A) garbage

(B) master

© offspring

(D) hair

3. The doctor was able to work with the boy because

(A) the boy was highly intelligent

(B) the boy trusted him

(C) the boy liked to dress up

(D) the boy was dedicated and patient

4. Which of the following statements is not true?

(A) She-wolves have been said to substitute human children for their lost litters.

(B) Examples of wolves' caring for human children can be found only in the nineteenth century.

(C) The French doctor succeeded in domesticating the boy somewhat.

(D) The young boy never was able to speak perfectly.

5. In this passage, the word preposterous most nearly means

(A) dedicated

(B) scientific

(C) wonderful

(D) absurd

Text 7

In an effort to produce the largest, fastest, and most luxurious ship afloat, the British built the Titanic. It was so superior to anything else on the seas that it was dubbed «unsinkable». So sure of this were the owners that they provided lifeboats for only 950 of its possible 3,500 passengers.

Many passengers were abroad the night it rammed an iceberg, only two days at sea and more than halfway between England and the New York destination. Because the luxury liner was travelling so fast, it was impossible to avoid the ghostly looking iceberg. An unextinguished fire also contributed to the ship's submersion. Panic increased the number of casualties as people jumped into the icy water or fought to be among the few to board the life boats. Four hours after the mishap, another ship, the Carpathia, rescued the survivors - less than a third of those originally aboard.

The infamous Titanic enjoyed only two days of sailing glory on its maiden voyage in 1912 before plunging into 12,000 feet of water near the coast of Newfoundland, where it lies today.

1. Which of the following is not true?

(A) Only a third of those aboard perished.

(B) The Carpathia rescued the survivors.

(C) The Titanic sank near Newfoundland.

(D) The Titanic was the fastest ship afloat in 1912.

2. Which of the following did not contribute to the large death toll?

(A) panic

(B) fire

© speed

(D) Carpathia

3. How many days was the Titanic at sea before sinking?

(A) 2

(B) 4

© 6

(D) 12

4. The word unextinguished means most nearly the same as

(A) indestructible

(В) uncontrollable

(С) undiscovered

(D) unquenched

Text 8

After inventing dynamite, Swedish-born Alfred Nobel became a very rich man. However, he foresaw its universally destructive power too late. Nobel preferred not to be remembered as the inventor of dynamite, so in 1895, just two weeks before his death, he created a fund to be used for awarding prizes to people who had made worthwhile contributions to mankind. Originally there were five awards: literature, physics, chemistry, medicine and peace. Economics was added in 1968, just sixty-seven years after the first awards ceremony.

Nobel's original legacy of nine million dollars was invested, and the interest on this sum is used for the awards which vary from $ 30,000 to $ 125,000.

Every year on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, the awards (gold medal, illuminated diploma, and money) are presented to the winners. Sometimes politics plays an important role in the judges' decisions. Americans have won numerous science awards, but relatively few literature prized.

No awards were presented from 1940 to 1942 at the beginning of World War II. Some people have won two prizes, but this is rare; others have shared their prizes.

1. When did the first award ceremony take place?

(A) 1895

(B) 1901

© 1962

(D) 1986

2. Why was the Nobel prize established?

(A) to recognize worthwhile contributions to humanity

(B) to resolve political differences

(C) to honour the inventor of dynamite

(D) to spend money

3. In which area have Americans received the most awards?

(A) literature

(B) peace

© economics

(D) science

4. Which of the following statements is not true?

(A) Awards vary in monetary value.

(B) Ceremony are held on December 10 to commemorate Nobel's invention.

(C) Politics can play an important role in selecting the winners.

(D) A few individuals have won two awards.

5. In how many fields are prizes bestowed?

(A) 2

(B) 5

© 6

(D) 10

Text 9

Ever since humans have inhabited the earth, they have made use of various forms of communication. Generally, this expression of thoughts and feelings has been in the form of oral speech. When there is a language barrier, communication is accomplished through sign language in which motions stand for letters, words, and ideas. Tourists, the deaf, and the mute have had to resort to this form of expression. Many of these symbols of whole words are very picturesque and exact and can be used internationally; spelling, however, cannot.

Body language transmits ideas or thoughts by certain actions, either intentionally or unintentionally. A wink can be a way of flirting or indicating that the party is only joking. A nod signifies approval, while shaking the head indicates a negative reaction.

Other forms of non-linguistic language can be found in Braille (a system of raised dots read with the fingertips). Morse code, and smoke signals. Road maps and picture signs also guide, warn, and instruct people.

While verbalization is the most common form of language, other systems and techniques also express human thoughts and feelings.

1. Which of the following best summarizes this passage?

(A) When language is a barrier, people will find other forms of communication.

(B) Everybody uses only one form of communication.

(C) Non-linguistic language is invaluable to foreigners.

(D) Although other forms of communication exist, verbalization is the fastest.

2. Which of the following statements is not true?

(A) There are many forms of communication in existence today.

(B) Verbalization is die most common form of communication.

(C) The deaf and mute use an oral form of communication.

(D) Ideas and thoughts can be transmitted by body language.

3. Which form other than oral speech would be most commonly used among blind people?

(A) picture signs

(B) Braille

© body language

(D) signal flag

4 How many different forms of communication are mentioned here?

(A) 5

(B) 7

© 9

(D) 11

5. Sign language is said to be very picturesque and exact and can be used internationally except for

(A) spelling

(B) ideas

© whole words

(D) expressions

Text 10

Sequoyah was a young Cherokee Indian, son of a white trader and an Indian squaw. At an early age, he became fascinated by «the talking leaf», an expression that he used to describe the white man's written records. Although many believed this «talking leaf» to be a gift from the Great Spirit, Sequoyah refused to accept that theory. Like other Indians of the period, he was illiterate, but his determination to remedy the situation led to the invention of a unique 86-character alphabet based on the sound patterns that he heard.

His family and friends thought him mad, but while recuperating from a hunting accident, he diligently and independently set out to create a form of communication for his own people as well as for other Indians. In 1821, after twelve years of work, he had successfully developed a written language that would enable thousands of Indians to read and write.

Sequoyah's desire to preserve words and events for later generations has caused him to be remembered among the important inventors. The giant redwood trees of California, called «sequoias» in his honour, will further imprint his name in history.

1. What is the most important reasons that Sequoyah will be remembered?

(A) California redwoods were named in his honour.

(B) He was illiterate.

(C) He created a unique alphabet.

(D) He recovered from his madness and helped mankind.

2. How did Sequoyah's family react to his idea of developing his own «talking leaf»?

(A) They arranged for his hunting accident.

(B) They thought he was crazy.

(C) They decided to help him.

(D) They asked him to teach them to read and write.

3. What prompted Sequoyah to develop his alphabet?

(A) People were writing things about him that he couldn't read.

(B) He wanted to become famous.

(C) After his hunting accident, he needed something to keep him busy.

(D) He wanted the history of his people preserved for future generations.

4. The word «illiterate» means most nearly

(A) fierier

(B) poor

© abandoned

(D) unable to read or write

5. How would you describe Seguoyah?

A) determined

(B) mad

© backwards

(D) meek

6. Which of the following is not true?

(A) Sequoyah developed a form of writing with the help of the Cherokee tribe.

(B) Sequoyah was a very observant young man.

(C) Sequoyah spent twelve years developing his alphabet.

(D) Sequoyah was honoured by having some trees named after him.

Список литературы

Аракин В.Д. Английский язык.- М.;1990г.

Аракин В.Д. Англо-русский словарь.- М.;2000г

Галицинский Ю. Грамматика. Сборник упражнений для школьников и учащихся в вузах. -С. -П., 2001г.

Драгункин А. Универсальный учебник английского языка. -С.-П., 2001г.

Левенталь В. Английский язык: просто о сложном. -М., 1994г.

Матюшкина - Герке Т. Н. идр. Английский язык. - М., 1990г.

Маркус Уиллер Оксфордский русско-английский словарь. М., 2001г.

Энциклопедия для школьников и поступающих в вузы. - М., 2001г.

600 устных тем по английскому языку. - М., 2001г.

2770 упражнений и тестов по английскому языку для поступающих в вузы. -М., 2005г.

Содержание

Пояснительная записка 3

Text 1 4

Text 2 8

Text 3 15

Text 4 18

Text 5 22

Text 6 27

Text 7……………………………………………………………………..34

Text 8……………………………………………………………………..39

Text 9………………………………………………………………………44

Text10……………………………………………………………………..49

Список рекомендуемой литературы…………………………………..50