High Technologies (GPS navigation)

Global Positioning System

Global Positioning System

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is an elaborate system that uses a number of satellites in orbit to provide our location here on Earth. The system was designed by the United States Department of Defense and originally designated for military applications. It helped US forces stage operations in Operation Desert Storm. Its usage was later extended to civilians.

Вопросы к темам для учащихся, сдающих экзамен повторно.

 Вопросы к темам для сдающих экзамен повторно.

Topic # 1

1. The world of professions is enormous and various, isn't it? What do you think are the most important jobs?

2. What prospects can jobs offer?

 3. Jobs can be attractive and not attractive. Give examples of both.

4. Who can influence your choice of a future career? What jobs attract you personally? Why?

5.The only reason to take a job is to earn money. Do you agree? Prove your idea.

Topic # 2

1. Choosing a career isn't easy, is it?  Express your opinion.

2. What career would you like to choose? Why?

3. Who can influence your choice of a future career? Why?

Topic # 3  

1. What traits of character do different jobs require? Name some popular occupations.

 2. Where can you get a special training for a future job?

3. What are the most prestigious occupations nowadays? What qualities make them such?

4. Are  you creative, accurate  and diligent enough to choose a well-paid, respected  job? Explain your  choice of a future occupation.

Topic # 4

1. People say, the  world of jobs and occupations is enormous. Do you agree? 

 2. What qualities can make jobs attractive?  Name some popular occupations.

 3. We live at the age  of science and technology. 

What qualities are necessary to get a good job? Prove your point of view.

4. What prospects can different jobs offer?

Topic # 5

1. They say so many countries, so many customs. Do educational systems differ, too?

 2. What types of school do children go to nowadays? (Mention both countries)

3.  What subjects do children learn in nursery schools in Britain and in Russia? Is there any difference in the curriculum?

4. Can you describe the secondary education in Britain and in Russia? Is it compulsory in both countries? What subjects are taught there?

5. What is the schooling age in different countries? What are the types of schools? Do they take children according to their abilities? What choice of subjects do they offer?

Topic # 6

1. What school can serve an educational model to your mind?

2. Choose the most important features of a good school.

3. What is the choice of subjects your school teach?

 4.  Is teaching here up-to-date and comprehensive?

5. What features can your school boast of?

6. What education does your school provide? 

7. What extra-curricular activities should a modern school provide?

 8. Can you describe the ideal school discipline and atmosphere?

Topic # 7 

1. What school do you study in? Is it a big school? Is it state or independent? Does anybody pay fee for your education?

2. Choose some important features to characterize your school (building, equipment, education).Are you proud of the school you study in?

3. What core subjects and options are taught there? Does your school specialize in certain subjects?

Topic # 8 

1. So many people, so many opinions. Wearing a school uniform is really a point of discussion, isn't it?

 2.  Some people say wearing a school uniform disciplines and makes pupils concentrated and well-organized. What's your opinion?

3. The others disagree. They think wearing a uniform prevents from expressing the individuality. Can you prove it?

Topic # 9 (A) (Money) 

1. They say, life in the modern world is unthinkable without money. What does money mean for people? What does money mean for you? (functions)

2. Why did money appear? What things were used as money equivalents? How long have people been using money? Very often people save money in the bank. Can you name some bank services? (Услуги банка)

Topic # 9 (B) 

1. What do people spend money on?

 2. How much pocket money have you got?

 3. Some people strongly believe money makes happiness. Others say money is the roof of all evil. Which idea do you keep?

Topic # 10 

1. They say shops are ideal places to spend your money. What's your opinion? Bring arguments.

2. Who goes shopping in your family? How often do you do the shopping? What kinds  of shops do you visit?

3. To do the shopping isn't easy, is it? Did you choose a big shopping centre or a small corner shop for your last shopping day?

Topic # 11

1. What types of shops can one find in a city? What goods do they sell? What services are available at a big department store?

2. Why do people of different age groups go to different kinds of shops?

3. What types of shops do you and your family go to? What services do you prefer and why?

Topic # 12

1. Why does the world of fashion attract people of different age groups?

2. What jobs and occupations are in great demand in the world of fashion? Is it really prestigious to be a fashion designer and a model nowadays? Why?

3. Do you attend or watch fashion shows on TV? What makes people buy new and fashionable clothes? Is it important for you to look stylish? Why?

Topic # 13

1. Science plays a great role in the life of society, doesn't it?

2. What branches of science can you name?

3. Which of the centuries, in your opinion, saw the greatest inventions and discoveries?

Topic # 14

1. What discoveries in the history of mankind do you regard as breakthroughs? 2. What inventions in the history of mankind do you regard as the most important?

 3. Describe one of the greatest inventions.

Topic # 15

1. What is virtual reality?

2. What does virtual reality allow users to do?

3. What in virtual technologies may turn out to be dangerous?

Topic # 16

1. What are the global problems scientific minds are working at?

2. Why is it important to use alternative sources of energy?

3. Should space exploration be paid special attention to? Why?

Topic # 17

1. What kinds of trip do people enjoy nowadays?

 2. What countries do they visit? '

3. What baggage do they take?

4. What is the traveler's code of conduct?

Topic # 18

1. Canada is in many ways like Russia, isn't it?

2. What makes our countries alike?

3. How are Canada and Russia different?

Topic # 19

1. What is "the mass media"?

2. What sources of information do people prefer nowadays?

3. Which of the ways of getting information do you use daily? Why?

Topic # 20

1. What kind of information can one find in a paper?

2. What is the difference between British quality papers and tabloids? Can you name some of them?

3. In what way do British quality papers differ from most Russian papers? 

Topic # 18 A Lot of People Think That Canada Is in Many Ways Like Russia. Say What Makes Our Countries Alike and Different.

Topic # 18 Canada Is in Many Ways Like Russia. Say What Makes Our Countries Alike and Different.

Ottawa

Canadian beaver 

waterfalls 

hockey players 

St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow 

badger

chamomile

brown bear

Siberian forest

    Well, Canada and Russia are similar in many ways. Both Canada and Russia occupy a large territory. Canada occupies a major northern part of North America. It borders the United States in the south and the US state of Alaska to the northwest. Canada is the second largest country in the world, after Russia. While Canada lies in  the Western Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere, Russia is in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres. Russia is located in north Asia and the eastern Europe. Russia is in two continents - Asia and Europe. It is the biggest country in the world.

     While Canada has a population of about 35 million, Russia is inhabited by 143 million people.

    Canada has a dual cultural heritage and both French and English are official languages. Other groups of population are Germans, Italians, Ukrainians, Scandinavians, Poles, the Dutch and Eskimo (Inuits). Unlike Canada, Russia has got one official language, that is Russian, as 81% of the people are Russians. But there are such groups of population, as Tatars, Ukrainians and many others. 

     Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with its own capital city. French Canadians are mostly concentrated in the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick. Ottawa, the country's capital, and the largest city of Canada Toronto are situated in the province of Ontario.

     Unlike Canada, Russia is subdivided into 85 federal subjects. It comprises 46 oblasts (provinces), 22 republics, 9 krais, 4 autonomous okrugs, 1 autonomous oblast, 3 federal cities: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Sevastopol. Federal subjects are grouped into 9 federal districts. Our Kemerovo oblast is part of the Siberian federal district.

    As for Canadian flora and fauna, they are really diverse. The most common representatives of fauna are bison, badger, beaver, bobcat, lynx, caribou, coyote, grizzly bears, moose, porcupine, raccoon, skunk and walrus. The flora is represented by spruce, Balsam Fir, Larch, pine, aspen, and poplar. The maple leaf is one of the symbols of Canada. 

    The flora and fauna of Russia are also diverse. Small animal species, like arctic foxes, lemmings and white hares, as well as reindeer, are found in the tundra zone. In the taiga one can find moose, bears, lynx, reindeer, sable, hazel-grouse, owls, and woodpeckers. The brown bear is a popular symbol of Russia. Russia's flora is varied.

    As for the political system of the Russian Federation, it is a federal multi-party republic with a bicameral legislative body - the Federal Assembly that is made up of two houses: the Federation council and the State Duma. Russia's head of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister.

    Unlike Russia, Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Elizabeth II, Queen of England, is also Canada's queen and sovereign of a number of realms. The queen is the head of state, and is represented in Canada by the governor-general. The Parliament of Canada consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons.  

    Canada is rich in natural resources:gas, oil, coal, gold, copper, iron ore, nickel, uranium, zinc, along with wood and water. Like Canada, Russia can also be proud of its natural resources. There can be found oil, natural gas, metals, and timber.

    The climate of Canada can be compared with that of Russia. As the territory of Canada is comparatively smaller, the types of climate in Canada are fewer. The southern areas have a moderate climate when in the north the climate is characterized by long, cold winters and cool summer months. The enormous  size of Russia results in the dominance of the humid continental climate in most parts of the country. However, the coastal part of Krasnodar Krai on the Black Sea (Sochi), has a humid subtropical climate.

   The largest cities of Canada are Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa. The largest cities of Russia are Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Omsk, Volgograd. Kemerovo takes the 30th place in the rank list.

     Both countries have got their public and non-public holidays. 

    Canada's public holidays are New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. There are both public and non-public holidays in Russia. Among them are New Year's Day, Orthodox Christmas, Easter, Victory Day, Old New Year, Maslenitsa, Ivan Kupala Day and others.

   I'd like to mention some recognizable symbols of Russia. One of them is the Matryoshka doll. Chamomile is the national flower, while birch is the national tree. The Russian bear is an animal symbol of Russia.

    As you can see both countries have got lots of interesting places to explore. Though Canada and Russia are far apart, I would recommend tourists to visit and enjoy both of them.

The New Words:

 1. occupy - занимать

 2.  comprise - включать в себя

3. badger - барсук

4. beaver - бобёр

5. bobcat - рыжая рысь

6. lynx - рысь

7. caribou - канадский олень

8. moose - американский лось

 9.  porcupine - дикобраз

10. raccoon - енот

11. skunk - скунс

12. walrus - морж

13. spruce - ель

14. Balsum Fir - бальзамическая пихта

15. Larch - лиственница

16. pine  - сосна

17. aspen - осина

18. poplar - тополь

19. maple - клён

20.  lemmings - ластоногие

21. reindeer - северный олень

22. sable - соболь

23. hazel-grouse - рябчик

24. realm - владение

25. dominance  - преобладание

26. humid - влажный

 27. Orthodox Christmas - православное Рождество

28. recognizable - узнаваемый

29. chamomile - ромашка

30. birch - берёза 

Topic # 19 The Role Of Mass Media In the Modern World. Express Your Opinion Of Different Sources Of Information In The Life Of Contemporary Teenagers.

Topic # 19 The Role of Mass Media in the Modern World. Express your opinion of Different Sources of Information in the Life of Contemporary Teenagers. 

The mass media is a collective name for newspapers and magazines, radio, television and the Internet. Newspapers and magazines are the oldest of mass media. The mass media play an important part in our lives. Newspapers, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in this world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. They also influence the way we see the world and shape our views. Of course, not all newspapers and TV programmes report the news objectively, but serious journalists and TV reporters try to be fair and provide us with reliable information.

It is true that the world today is full  of dramatic events and most news seem to be bad news. But people are not interested in ordinary events. That is why there are so many programmes and articles about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars, murders and robberies. Good news doesn't make headlines. Bad news does. The main source of information for millions of people is television. People like TV news because they can see everything with their own eyes. Still, many people prefer the radio. It's good to listen to in the car, or in the open air, when you do something about the house.

The Internet has recently become another important source of information. Its main advantage is that news appears on the screen as soon as things happen in real life and you don't have to wait for news time on TV. 

As for teenagers, most of them are not regular listeners to radio. They may occasionally tune in, but they do not try to listen to a programme specifically. The main reason teenagers listen to the radio is for music. Most teenagers watch television. Teenage boys watch more TV when it is the football season. No teenager regularly reads a newspaper, as most do not have the time and cannot be bothered to read pages and pages of text while they could watch the news summarized on the Internet or on TV.

Every teenager has some access to the Internet, be it at school or home. Home use is mainly used for fun (such as networking) while school (or library) use is for work. Outside of social networking, the Internet is used as a source of information for variety of topics. For searching the web, Google is the dominant figure, simply because it is well-known and easy to  use. Many teenagers use YouTube to watch videos and some use it as a music player by having a video with the music they want to listen to playing in the background.

But I'd like to mention cyber addiction which has become common with some teenagers. The Internet offers benefits in developing a teen's ability to grow with modern technology, helping them to get new knowledge and acquire other skills. However, using the Internet unsafely puts the teenagers at very high risk for many problems. When children spend more than enough or agreeable time online they tend to be cyber addicts. Cyber addiction can be just as harmful as addiction to drugs or drinking alcohol. I believe parents should talk to their children and agree on a list of rules that clearly say when to use the Internet, which sites they should visit and what safety measures they should follow.

New Words:

1. the mass media  - средства массовой информации

2.  shape our views - формируют наши взгляды

3. objectively - объективно, беспристрастно

4. fair - честный, объективный

5. provide - снабжать, обеспечивать

6. reliable - достоверный, надёжный

7. natural disasters - стихийные бедствия

8. crash - крушение

9. murder - убийство

10. robbery - ограбление

11. make headlines - попасть в заголовки

12. bother - причинять беспокойство

13. summeris/ze - суммировать

13. networking - сеть

 14. benefit  - преимущество

15. agreeable - приемлемое

16. cyber addict - кибер зависимый

17. addiction - зависимость

18. harmful - вредный

19. drugs  - наркотики

20. list - список

21. safety measures - меры безопасности