Text 7. Teenagers in Great Britain

Vocabulary

birth rate — рождаемость

baby boom — взлет рождаемости

recovery — восстановление

luxuries— роскошь

wage — зарплата

leisure time — свободное время

taste— вкус

hairstyle — прическа

to appear — появляться

latest— самый последний

to provide — снабжать,обеспе­чивать

adolescent — подросток

amongst— среди

to respond — отвечать

demand— требование

magazine — журнал

consumer— потребитель

to cause — вызывать

to enter — входить

to rise — подниматься

fame— слава

phenomenon— явление

to contribute— способствовать

confidence— уверенность

gradually— постепенно

belief— вера

lifestyle— стиль жизни

to look back on with nostalgia — оглянуться на прошлые годыс ностальгией

After the war Britain's birth rate was the highest it had been since 1880. By 1959 there were over four million single persons between the ages of 13 to 25, because of this baby boom. Gradually these young people started to enjoy special status. The post-war economic recovery meant that people had more money to spend on luxuries and there were lots of jobs for young people. The young and single usually lived at home and could spend their wages on enjoyment. The working week was shorter than ever before, so there was more leisure time for all.

Young British teens in the 50s looked to America for taste in fashion, hairstyles and music. Record shops, coffee bars and melody bars appeared in towns. Dance halls full of young people in the latest American-style fashions provided exciting new places for the young to meet. These adolescents started to dress differently from their parents and even invented their own slang expressions to use amongst friends.

By the late 50s the fashion and music industries had responded to the new teenage demand for records, transistor radios, fashionable clothes, posters of their idols and magazines about young people. Teenagers were important consumers with money to spend. One of the London designers, Mary Quant, is famous for inventing the mini-skirt, which caused a scandal at the time.

In 1962 the record "Love Me Do" by an unknown group called "The Beatles" entered the American-dominated British record charts. It was the start of an important era for British music, and many groups followed the success of "The Beatles".

The new heroes of the teenagers in Britain in the 60s were often ordinary working-class youngsters who rose to fame as pop stars, fashion designers, photographers, writers or models. This phenomenon contributed to the confidence of British youth, and gradually teenagers began to develop their belief in the right to choose their own clothes, lifestyle and attitudes towards politics, religion and sex. In 1939 the concept of the teenager did not exist in Britain culture, but by 1959 teenagers had become an important part of the society. It comes as no surprise that the late 50s and the early 60s are remembered in Britain as important years for older generation, to look back on with nostalgia

Answer the following questions:

1. What happened in Britain after the war? 2. Where did young British teens look to for taste in fashion, hairstyles and music? 3. Why were teenagers important consumers in the late 1950s? 4. What group started an important era for British music? 5. What do you know about "The Beatles"? 6. What other popular groups in Britain do you know? 7. What do you know about modem teens in Britain? 8. What countries do Russian teens look to for taste in fashion, hairstyle and music?

Text 8. Russian and American Teens

Vocabulary

therefore — поэтому

advantage— преимущество

disadvantage— недостаток

to share — делиться

spoilt— испорченный

lonely — одинокий

responsibility— ответственность

chores— дела по дому

to mow the lawn — косить газон

to take out the garbage — выносить мусор

cruel — жестокий

independence— независимость

choice— выбор

amount— количество

to hang out — болтаться

distinctive feature — отличитель­ная черта

to combine — сочетать

Americans— Обратите внимание: названия национальностей мо­гут употребляться как с опре­деленным артиклем, так и без артикля

part-time job — работа не на полный день

to gain — приобретать

to deliver newspapers — разно­сить газеты

baby-sitter — приходящая няня

camp counsellor — воспитатель, вожатый в лагере

to win — выигрывать

extracurricular activity — вне­классные занятия

track and field — легкая атлетика

religion— религия

ordinary — обычный

to spend — тратить

to earn — зарабатывать

It is widely known fact that America and Russia are different countries with different cultures, and therefore can be compared.

The first thing to be discussed is the family. The number of children in a family is discussed. There are certain advantages and disadvantages of being an only child. The advantages are: an only child has his or her own room, doesn't have to share things, he or she is always the centre of attention. The disadvantage is that аn only child is spoilt and lonely.

In America the idea of responsibility is very popular. Children have to do chores around the house, such as washing up, shopping, mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage. But some Russian parents find it cruel to have their children work.

Another strong American value is independence.

There are certain differences in school life in America and in Russia. In America you can choose your own classes. But in America students don't have as much homework as in Russia. So, American schools differ from Russian schools in student choices and amount of homework.

American students like hanging out with their friends. They do sports in their free time. Most American students combine doing homework and relaxing.

Another distinctive feature of Americans is that most American high school students have a job, usually a part-time job. Thus they gain experience and make some money. More American students work. Some jobs of American students are: delivering newspapers, baby-sitting, working as a camp counsellor, or in a cafe, etc. Maybe this is what makes them so independent from their parents at such a young age. It isn't always easy to keep a job and still do well in school. But American children learn early that you have to work hard to win. Winning is a part of the American way of life.

Extracurricular activities are basketball, football, baseball, track and field, sometimes chess, drama, riding, music, etc.

Then in American schools there are classes on religion. About 40% of Americans go to church every week.

Most American children are full of energy and confidence, ready to go out and make their own way in the world.

A serious problem is taking drugs, but the truth is that fewer and fewer young Americans are trying them.

Typical American teenagers are in fact very ordinary. They think their teachers make them work too hard, they love their parents but sure they don't understand anything. They think that their friendships are the most important things in their lives. "America," wrote Emerson, the nineteenth-century writer, "is a country of young men." That's not quite true anymore. The population is growing older. Fewer and fewer babies are being born, and baby-food factories are closing down. America does not belong to young people anymore in the way it did only twenty years ago. Young people today have to fight harder to get the kinds of jobs and homes they want. Maybe that is why young Americans are more serious now than they used to.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is different in the cultures of the USA and Russia? 2. What are advantages and disadvantages of having one child? 3. Do you have brothers or sisters? 4. What do American teens usually do at home? 5. What are your chores? 6. What is different in school life in America and in Russia? 7. What do you usually do in your free time? 8. Do you combine school with a part-time job? Why? 9. What are extracurricular activities in American schools? 10. What are your extracurricular activities?

DIALOGUES

1.

— Would you like to go to the cinema?

— Of course, I do. But now I don't have enough pocket money. When I was younger, I used to spend most of my pocket money о crisps and sweets, and then a couple of years ago I got a bike. So now I spend a lot on accessories and spare parts. The last ones were rather expensive, that's why I don't have money now.

— And my Dad and Mum set up a bank account for me and they deposit some money into it every week. I get extra on my birthday and at Christmas. Basically, I want to save as much money as I can for later. I'd like to study foreign languages at university and will probably be spending time abroad as part of the course, so I think I'm going to need the money later.

— And as for me, I get extra money for lunch and bus fares. Now I'm saving up to get a new bike because the one I've got is already a bit small for me.

— So, it's a pity. We are both saving our pocket money and can't go to the cinema. I'll call you next week. Bye-bye.

— OK. See you later.

2.

— How do you usually spend your pocket money, Andrew?

— I spend a bit of time in fast-food restaurants. I also like music and a lot of money goes on CDs. I go to the cinema quite often but that doesn't cost much. And you?

— I don't get much pocket money, but 1 have a part-time job. I work in a supermarket, stacking boxes and crates. I do it on Saturdays. So I can afford to pay for guitar lessons myself. And I feel independent because I can decide for myself what to spend it on.

— Do you buy clothes yourself?

— I find going shopping pretty boring. So my Mum gets most of my clothes for me.

— And I buy a lot of clothes myself. And Mum says I waste a lot of money because I get sick of wearing them. Fashion changes all the time, doesn't it?

— Sure. That's why I am not keen on fashion. I love collecting things. Now I've got a collection of stamps, but sometimes I spend money buying old ones from friends. But they have to be in good condition to be really worth anything.

— Oh, it's very interesting. I'd like to see your collection.

— OK. Come to see me at 6 pm tomorrow. Bye.

— Bye-bye.

UNIT 9. SPORT. HEALTH.

Text 1. Sports in Russia

Vocabulary

to go in for — заниматься

skiing— лыжный спорт

figure skating — фигурное катание

wrestling— борьба

shooting — стрельба

to include — включать

diving— прыжки в воду

sailing — парусный спорт

rock climbing — скалолазание

potholing— спелеология

white-water rafting — рафтинг

minority— меньшинство

skilled— искусный

reindeer-sled racer — гонщик на оленях

archery— стрельба из лука

canoeing— гребля на каяках или байдарках

to divide — делить

amateur— любительский

to take part in — принимать участие в

competition— соревнование

to win — выигрывать

excellent— отличный

record-setter — рекордсмен

gym — спортивный зал

sports ground — спортивная площадка

to run — руководить

increase— увеличение, рост

to keep fit — поддерживать спортивную форму

to stay healthy — оставаться здоровым

jogging— бегать трусцой

spare time — свободное время

recreation centre — центр отдыха и развлечений

indoor pool — крытый бассейн

wave-making machines — устройства, создающие волны

water slides — водные горки

vegetation— растительность

to prevent from — препятствовать

despite— несмотря на

o participate — принимать участие

majority— большинство

spectator — зритель

to support — болеть

team— команда

It's very important for people to have some regular exercise. In Russia a lot of people go in for sports. We can say that Russia is a nation of sport-lovers. Many sports are popular in our country. They are football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, skiing, figure skating, wrestling, shooting and many others. All water sports are widely spread in our country, including swimming, diving, sailing and water skiing. Some people are fond of extreme sports such as rock climbing, potholing or white-water rafting.

Russia's ethnic minorities also have their own traditional forms of exercise. The Yakuts of central Siberia are skilled reindeer-sled racers. Archery is popular with the Buryats of eastern Siberia. On the Amur River in southeastern Russia canoeing is also a popular sport.

Sports in Russia have traditionally been divided into amateur and professional. That's why there are different sports club in the country. A lot of sportsmen take part in international competitions and win medals. A great number of sportsmen take part in the Olympic Games and show excellent results. Hundreds of athletes have become Olympic medalists and record-setters. The names of Irina Rodnina, Vyacheslav Fetisov, Evgenii Kafelnikov, Marat Safin are famous all over the world.

Sporting activities are a part of daily life in Russia. In every school there is a gym and a sports ground. Sport is an important subject at schools and universities. A lot of pupils are trained in sports schools which are run by the major sports clubs.

During the last years there was a great increase in keeping fit and staying healthy in Russia. A lot of people started jogging and going to fitness clubs in their spare time. Aerobics classes and fitness clubs were opened in every town, and the number of recreation centres greatly increased. Indoor pools, with their wave-making machines, water slides and tropical vegetation have become very popular in Russia. Doing sports prevents us from getting too fat and helps to stay healthy.

But despite the increase in the number of people participating in sports, the majority of them still prefer to be spectators. Thousands of people go to the stadiums to support their favourite teams and sportsmen. Most of the important competitions are televized and people enjoy watching sports programmes on TV. But certainly watching sports events and going in for sports are two different things.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why do people go in for sports? 2. What winter sports are popular in Russia? 3. What summer sports are popular in Russia? 4. What sports are practised among Russia's ethnic minorities? 5. What is the difference between amateur and professional sports? 6. Do you know any outstanding Russian sportsmen/women? 7. What other sports activities are popular in Russia? 8. Why is it necessary to have PE at schools and universities? 9. What sports facilities are there in your native town? 10. Do you go in for sports or do you watch sports events on TV?

Text 2. Sports in Britain

Vocabulary

hardly— едва, с трудом

to attract attention — привлекать внимание

amateur— любительский

to develop — развиваться

widely spread — широко распро­страненный

tournament— турнир, спортив­ное

race — гонка;

races — скачки, бега

event— событие

rowing — гребля, гребной спорт

conditions— условия

probably— вероятно

at least — по крайней мере

to devote — посвящать

The Englishmen are known to be great sports-lovers. One of the most popular British games is cricket, which foreigners can hardly understand. Cricket is played by two teams of 11 men. Players usually wear white clothes. Cricket is a very' slow game. Matches last from one to five days. It is played all over the country in summer. To many Englishmen cricket is both a game and a standard of behaviour. When they consider anything unfair, they say "That's not cricket."

Another game which attracts the greatest attention is soccer. There are plenty of soccer clubs in every town. The Cup Final played in London is the main event of the football season. Rugby football is also very popular, but it is played mainly by amateurs. It's a kind of English football in which the players use their hands for carrying the ball. This game is played by teams of 15 men with an oval ball.

Golf began to develop in Scotland and now is widely spread all over Britain. A great number of people play and watch tennis. The most famous tennis tournament is the one in Wimbledon. Horse racing is also extremely popular in Great Britain. The racing season includes five races. The Derby is one of the most famous sporting events in the whole world. The English also like playing golf, baseball, basketball and bowling. Athletic sports such as running, jumping, rowing, swimming, boxing and gymnastics are practised at schools and colleges. The annual Oxford-Cambridge boat race on the river Thames attracts lots of people and is very popular. In Scotland where there arc good conditions for winter sports skiing is very popular.

Sport probably plays a more important part in people's lives in Britain than it does in most other countries. Millions of people take part in some kind of sport at least once a week. Many millions more are regular spectators and follow one or more sports. There are hours of televized sport each week. Every newspaper devotes several pages entirely to sport. Indeed, sport in one form or another is an essential part of daily life in Britain.

Answer the following questions:

1. What popular British sports do you know? 2. What sports were invented in the UK? 3. What sports are especially associated with Britain? 4. What do you know about cricket? 5. What kinds of racing are popular in Britain? 6. Why do many sports games have English names? 7. What famous sporting events in Britain do you know? 8. What are the most popular teenager's sports in the UK? 9. Do you know any outstanding British sportsmen/women? 10. Does sport play an important part in the life of British people? Can you prove it?

Text 3. Sports in America

Vocabulary

to derive — происходить

geld— поле

to score points — выигрывать.

goal-line — линия ворот

bat— бита

to invent — изобретать

to exist — существовать

wrestling— борьба

excessive— чрезмерный

network— сеть

to arrange — устраивать

to telecast — транслировать

event— событие

publication — публикация

to associate — ассоциироваться

coach — тренер

faculty— преподавательский состав

to compete — соревноваться

especially— особенно

to conduct — проводить

intense -интенсивный, силь­ный

excitement— волнение, возбуж­дение

to attract — привлекать

respectable— уважаемый

to jog — бегать трусцой

hunting— охотничий

to require — требовать, нуж­даться

to be worth — стоить

to cause — вызывать

to contribute — способствовать

Americans are very fond of sport. The most popular sports in the USA are football, which is played from April to October, baseball, played from September to December, basketball, played from October to April and ice hockey, played in most northern cities from October to March.

American football derives from the English game of rugby. It was started at Harvard University in 1870s. It is a game for the two teams of 11 men on the field. The object of the game is to have control of the ball and to score points by carrying it across the goal-line.

Baseball is a team game derived from the English game of cricket. It is played with a bat and a ball by two teams of 9 players each on a field with 4 bases. Baseball is the national game of the USA and it is very popular in Canada too.

Basketball is a game which nowadays is popular all over the world. It was invented in 1891. During the 1920s the first US league championship was organized. In the 1970s the American Championship was divided into two leagues: the ABA (American Basketball Association), which does not exist any longer, and the NBA (National Basketball Association).

There are a lot of activities which Americans take part in, such as golf, swimming, tennis, aerobics, wrestling, etc.

Americans' interest in sports seems excessive to many foreign? visitors. Television networks spend millions of dollars arranging to telecast sports events. Publications about sports are sold widely. In the US professional athletes can become national heroes.

Sports arc also associated with educational institutions. High schools have coaches as faculty members, and school team compete with each other.

Nowhere else in the world are sports associated with colleges and universities in the way they arc in the United States. College sports, especially football, are conducted in an atmosphere of intense excitement. Games between teams attract nationwide television audiences.

Sports play such an important role in American life that the sociology of sports, sports medicine and sports psychology have become respectable specializations.

Many Americans jog every day or play tennis two or three times a week. They go on ski trips and hunting expeditions that require weeks of planning and organizing. In the Americans' view, all these activities arc worth the discomfort they may cause because they contribute to health and physical fitness. That is probably why Americans are known as a healthy nation.

Answer the following questions:

1. Are Americans interested in sports? 2. What are the most popular sports in the USA? 3. What sports are especially associated with this country? 4. When are they played? 5. What other sports activities are popular in the USA? 6. Are there sports teams in American high schools? 7. What specializations have become respectable thanks to the development of sports? 8. Why do Americans spend so much time on sports activities? 9. Do you know any outstanding American sportsmen/women? 10. Why are Americans known as healthy nation?

Text 4. Olympic Games

Vocabulary

Olympic Games — Олимпийские игры

ancient — древний

to take place — происходить

several— несколько

to allow — разрешать

to compete — соревноваться

event— соревнование

footrace— состязание по ходьбе

nobleman— дворянин

to be held — проводиться

continuation— продолжение

team— команда

spectacular — зрелищный

to host the Olympic Games — принимать Олимпийские игры

Olympic flame — олимпийский огонь

later— позднее

wrestling— борьба

javelin— метание копья

discus— метание диска

to add — добавлять

to praise — хвалить

to honour — почитать, чествовать

to appear — появляться

coin— монета

emperor— император

to renew — возобновлять

to promote — способствовать

relay — эстафета

interlaced— переплетенный

to represent — представлять

background— фон

motto — девиз

to mean — означать

thrill— острое ощущение

impatient— нетерпеливый

to broadcast — транслировать

to support — поддерживать

to be proud of — гордиться

native— родной

The Olympic Games are an international sports festival that began in Ancient Greece 2,800 years ago. The original Greek games took place every fourth year for several hundred years.

Today's Olympic Games are very different from the first ones. Women couldn't play; they weren't even allowed to watch. Ancient athletes competed without any clothes on!

The early events were footraces. Later wrestling, javelin, discus, jumping and other events were added. Athletes became stars in those days too. The winners of the Games were highly praised and honoured for their results. There was no TV, but winners' images often appeared on coins or as statues after their victories. In 394 a Roman Emperor ended the ancient Olympics, and they weren't renewed until many centuries later.

In 1894 Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a young French nobleman, began working to bring the Olympics back to life. He hoped thaе the Games would help to promote peace among nations.

Two years later the first modem Olympics took place. Of course, they were held in Greece to symbolizethe continuation of the centuries-old tradition.

The Olympics have changed with the times. The first events for women were held in 1900. In 2000 in Sydney, for the first time, women competed in the same number of team sports as men. Many sports have been added. Beginning in 1926 Winter Olympics were included They were held in the same year as the Summer Games, but starting in 1994, the Winter Games are held two years after the Summer Games.

Russia joined the Olympic movement in 1952. Since then Soviet sportsmen have won a lot of gold, silver and bronze medals. Hundreds of athletes have become record-setters, a number of them more than once. In 1980 Moscow hosted the 22nd Olympic Games.

The opening and the closing of the Games are very spectacular ceremonies. One of the most famous Olympic traditions is the lighting of the Olympic flame. It is brought from Greece to the capital of the Games by relay. The Olympic flag has five coloured interlaced rings, representing the five parts of the world, on a white background. The motto of the Olympic Games is "Citius, Altius, Fortius" that means "Faster, Higher, Stronger".

The Olympic Games aren't just about winning. The real thrill is competing against the best players on earth. In the words of US sportsman Dot Richardson, "every athlete wants to face an opponent who's having the performance of a lifetime. That is when you truly find that you are the best."

Not only athletes usually wait for the Olympics, all sports fans are impatient too. When the Games begin, television broadcasts the ceremonies and the events to millions of people. They are able to support their favourite teams and sportsmen. And of course, they are proud when the sportsmen from their native country win bronze, silver or gold medals.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the history of the ancient Olympic Games? 2. How and when were the Olympic Games renewed? 3. When were the Winter Games introduced? 4. Arc Summer and Winter Games held separately? 5. What sports are included into the Olympic Games? 6. What is the most famous Olympic tradition? 7. What does the motto of the Olympic Games mean? 8. When did Russia join the Olympic movement? 9. What part does Russia play in the Olympic Games? 10. Where were the latest Summer and Winter Olympic Games held?