Text 1 Are you proud of being Belarusian?
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I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
I am Belarusian because my parents who gave me life and brought me up are Belarusian. And what if I were born in a different country on a different continent? In my opinion, a sense of pride in your country, a sense of belonging to a particular nation develops in a person with time. Therefore at my age, by the way I am 18, I can say quite positively, that I am proud to live in Belarus.
The real treasure of Belarus is its wonderful nature. The country has hundreds of wild forests, rolling hills, green valleys, sweetscented meadows and golden fields. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the only place where you can meet mighty European bison in the wild. Belarus is also famous for its clear lakes and ribbonlike rivers, that’s why it’s called a blueeyed one. The resorts of lakes Naroch and Braslav are open all year round and let tourists experience the unforgettable peaceful atmosphere.
I am proud of the rich heroic history of my country and its people. Although for many centuries we were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the PolishLithuanian Commonwelth and then the Russian Empire, we have managed to stay united and haven’t lost our uniqueness. Many foreigners admit that our people are extremely sociable, hospitable, and generous and we are welcoming with visitors. We are also described as resourceful and peaceful. When socializing, Belarusians are open, warmhearted, funloving, humorous and outgoing in spite of all the difficulties they face in their life.
Of course I’m proud of our national holidays and traditions, especially those which are deeprooted and typical of our nation such as Kalyady, Maslenitsa, Dazhynki. They are unique and make us stand out. Besides, they are of particular interest for tourists because they reflect our culture.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that I’m proud of my country and its people. Each time I go abroad I tell foreigners about our great past and achievements. Each time I leave the country I want to come back again, because I miss it. If I could draw I would start drawing pictures with its beautiful landscapes; if I could write I would write lyric poems about it. Belarus is the place my heart will always belong to!
2. When did the author understand that he/she is proud of being Belarusian? Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What makes the author be proud of his/her Motherland?
4. What would the author do if he/she were a creative person?
I am Belarusian because my parents who gave me life and brought me up are Belarusian. And what if I were born in a different country on a different continent? In my opinion, a sense of pride in your country, a sense of belonging to a particular nation develops in a person with time. Therefore at my age, by the way I am 18, I can say quite positively, that I am proud to live in Belarus.
The real treasure of Belarus is its wonderful nature. The country has hundreds of wild forests, rolling hills, green valleys, sweetscented meadows and golden fields. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the only place where you can meet mighty European bison in the wild. Belarus is also famous for its clear lakes and ribbonlike rivers, that’s why it’s called a blueeyed one. The resorts of lakes Naroch and Braslav are open all year round and let tourists experience the unforgettable peaceful atmosphere.
I am proud of the rich heroic history of my country and its people. Although for many centuries we were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the PolishLithuanian Commonwelth and then the Russian Empire, we have managed to stay united and haven’t lost our uniqueness. Many foreigners admit that our people are extremely sociable, hospitable, and generous and we are welcoming with visitors. We are also described as resourceful and peaceful. When socializing, Belarusians are open, warmhearted, funloving, humorous and outgoing in spite of all the difficulties they face in their life.
Of course I’m proud of our national holidays and traditions, especially those which are deeprooted and typical of our nation such as Kalyady, Maslenitsa, Dazhynki. They are unique and make us stand out. Besides, they are of particular interest for tourists because they reflect our culture.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that I’m proud of my country and its people. Each time I go abroad I tell foreigners about our great past and achievements. Each time I leave the country I want to come back again, because I miss it. If I could draw I would start drawing pictures with its beautiful landscapes; if I could write I would write lyric poems about it. Belarus is the place my heart will always belong to!
2. When did the author understand that he/she is proud of being Belarusian? Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What makes the author be proud of his/her Motherland?
4. What would the author do if he/she were a creative person?
II. Listen to the story about a girl and answer the questions below. (31)
1. Why was Whitney worried about going to college?
2. How did she find a friend?
3. What lesson did Whitney learn?
1. Why was Whitney worried about going to college?
2. How did she find a friend?
3. What lesson did Whitney learn?
script
There was a time when Whitney didn’t have a lot of friends. She was a bit shy and reserved and kept herself to herself.
When it came time to go to college, Whitney was quite nervous. She was going to share a room with someone she didn’t know, with a complete stranger, and live far from her parents. And she had no idea how she was going to make friends in this situation.
The first week of classes changed Whitney’s life forever. In her English class, she was asked to say some words about herself. So she told everyone some facts about her life and her studies. The final question for each student was always the same: “What is your goal* for this class?” Whitney said that her goal was to make just one good friend.
While most of the students sat in silence, one student came to Whitney and held out his hand and introduced himself. He asked if she would be his friend. The whole room was silent — all eyes focused on Whitney. She smiled and gave her hand to the boy. A friendship was formed. It was a friendship that lasted all through college. It was a friendship that brought two people together in marriage.
Whitney learned the power of asking for what she wanted, being honest and taking action.
When it came time to go to college, Whitney was quite nervous. She was going to share a room with someone she didn’t know, with a complete stranger, and live far from her parents. And she had no idea how she was going to make friends in this situation.
The first week of classes changed Whitney’s life forever. In her English class, she was asked to say some words about herself. So she told everyone some facts about her life and her studies. The final question for each student was always the same: “What is your goal* for this class?” Whitney said that her goal was to make just one good friend.
While most of the students sat in silence, one student came to Whitney and held out his hand and introduced himself. He asked if she would be his friend. The whole room was silent — all eyes focused on Whitney. She smiled and gave her hand to the boy. A friendship was formed. It was a friendship that lasted all through college. It was a friendship that brought two people together in marriage.
Whitney learned the power of asking for what she wanted, being honest and taking action.
1. Tell me about the house/flat you live in?
2. Do you like cleaning the house/flat? Why/ Why not?
3. Ask me what my flat looks like.
4. Your friend wants to rent a flat. Give him/her some advice on how to do it.
5. What does your ideal flat/house look like?
2. Do you like cleaning the house/flat? Why/ Why not?
3. Ask me what my flat looks like.
4. Your friend wants to rent a flat. Give him/her some advice on how to do it.
5. What does your ideal flat/house look like?
POSSIBLE RESPONSE
1) We have a nice flat in a new block of flats. Our flat is on the fourth floor. It has all modern conveniences: central heating, gas, electricity, cold and hot running water, and a lift. There are three rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a hall in our flat. All of them are well-decorated and furnished. My apartment is not big but there is enough space for my four-member family. My family spend most of our time in the living room. We’d like to sit around a set of comfortable sofa there and chat with each other about the whole day. That's the happiest time of the day for all of us.
But it is no doubt that I like my bedroom, because it offers me a privacy space. My room is the place where I feel safe and relaxed. It’s small but nice and comfortable. There isn’t much furniture in my room, just the things I really need. There is a bed, a wardrobe, a desk with a computer. There are some shelves on the walls where I keep different stuff like books, perfume, jewellery, soft toys. There are some posters and photos on the wall. My room is very dear to my heart. I usually go there when I want to be on my own. I can shut the door and tell everyone in my household not to bother me. I think my room is a great place to chill out after school. To be honest, my flat is a great place for all of us and our relatives, neighbours and true friends.
2) I should admit I hate cleaning. I find it an annoying, horrible, boring and thankless job. (I am not a fan of cleaning, but I enjoy keeping my things in order.)
3) Do you live in a house or in a flat?
Do you rent or own it?
How many rooms have you got?
How often do you do repairs, renovations?
Have you got a balcony?
Have you got your own room?
How many rooms are there in your flat?
Which is your favourite room in your home? Why?
Do you have all modern facilities and appliances in your flat?
Would you like to move to the house?
4) I'd recommend him to think over what he wants and what it will cost him. He should realize what's important to him. It will help him to make a decision based on his own needs.
5) It will be a medium-sized villa situated in an open area near the sea which I deeply love. It'll have a a fully-equiped kitchen, four spacious rooms, a bathroom, a hall, and a big back yard with a big swimming pool. Its interior will be based on three important factors: comfort, light and warmth. I’d like to arrange everything in the house according to my taste.
But it is no doubt that I like my bedroom, because it offers me a privacy space. My room is the place where I feel safe and relaxed. It’s small but nice and comfortable. There isn’t much furniture in my room, just the things I really need. There is a bed, a wardrobe, a desk with a computer. There are some shelves on the walls where I keep different stuff like books, perfume, jewellery, soft toys. There are some posters and photos on the wall. My room is very dear to my heart. I usually go there when I want to be on my own. I can shut the door and tell everyone in my household not to bother me. I think my room is a great place to chill out after school. To be honest, my flat is a great place for all of us and our relatives, neighbours and true friends.
2) I should admit I hate cleaning. I find it an annoying, horrible, boring and thankless job. (I am not a fan of cleaning, but I enjoy keeping my things in order.)
3) Do you live in a house or in a flat?
Do you rent or own it?
How many rooms have you got?
How often do you do repairs, renovations?
Have you got a balcony?
Have you got your own room?
How many rooms are there in your flat?
Which is your favourite room in your home? Why?
Do you have all modern facilities and appliances in your flat?
Would you like to move to the house?
4) I'd recommend him to think over what he wants and what it will cost him. He should realize what's important to him. It will help him to make a decision based on his own needs.
5) It will be a medium-sized villa situated in an open area near the sea which I deeply love. It'll have a a fully-equiped kitchen, four spacious rooms, a bathroom, a hall, and a big back yard with a big swimming pool. Its interior will be based on three important factors: comfort, light and warmth. I’d like to arrange everything in the house according to my taste.