Text 1
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
BOOKS IN NEVER-ENDING MOTION
Librarians arc saddened by the fact that young people tend only to borrow reference books rather than reading fiction for pleasure. Perhaps it’s unfashionable to read these days. However, a new trend is developing, with literary lovers leaving their books in public places, to be picked up and ‘borrowed’ by others.
The Belarusian National Technical University was the first to support the idea in our country. Several years ago, the Director of its scientific library, Alexey Skalaban, passed an internship* in Sweden. At the airport, he saw a huge glass case of books, which he learnt were available for anyone to read. It was a great idea. The question was only where such books might be kept in Minsk.
«Initially, we created a shelf in the reading hall of the University’s scientific library. Later, we installed a case in the main building. It’s available to everyone,» explains Mr. Skalaban. «We want to encourage young people to read. Book-crossing is an easy way to do this.» Alexey is looking at a website devoted to book-crossing. «Look, we’ve set free almost 700 books,» he admits with pride. On the day I visited, I saw only two books in the case. The inside cover has a plate stating that it is part of the book-crossing programme, alongside a registration number showing who donated the book and when.
Library staff, students and even residents of neighbouring houses bring books. Additionally, publishing houses have donated some editions. Every year, more such ‘safe’ places are found. Not long ago, a Minsk night club installed a shelf of books. While some people dance, others gather by the shelves of books, magazines and discs. «We’ve subscribed to several magazines, while books are brought in by our guests, staff and musicians. This is how our collection grows,» says Yan Busel, who co-owns the club.
Book-crossing is gaining popularity, with safe shelves found in many libraries, as well as cafes and educational establishments. No doubt, it’s a great way to attract visitors.
an internship – интернатура, стажировка
2. The author says what makes librarians unhappy. Find this extract and read it
aloud.
3. Who was the first to introduce book-crossing in our country?
4. Why is book-crossing becoming more and more popular in Belarus?
Text 2
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
E-BOOKS
There is no doubt that classical paper textbooks’ days are numbered. With this in mind, the Education Ministry’s initiative is welcome, giving the opportunity to experiment with electronic tablet devices for educational purposes. Initially, pupils at the Belarusian State University’s Lyceum will be the first to receive their own personal e-books, loaded with digital copies of ordinary school textbooks and additional materials for independent work.
In fact, Sakrament IT — a High-Tech Park resident has already developed prototypes of such textbooks in the Republic, as part of a UNESCO project. E-books initially prepared for those with sight problems use software that can voice any text, describing diagrams and tables. This can be offered as an additional option for children with full sight. Listening to teaching materials can be very useful and is a good use of travel time.
«Technically and intellectually schoolchildren are ready to work with multimedia textbooks. Our research shows that they enjoy working in this way and learn better using software,» explains the director of Sakrament IT, Valery Yegorov. «As regards the cost to the state budget, we believe that each schoolchild will use their own phone or mobile computer device to download our textbooks. Only families on low incomes will need computers bought for them.»
Yegorov agrees that reading texts on small smartphone screens is problematic but listening is possible. On coming home, or at school, a child can download a text to their computer, viewing it on a large screen. Moreover, it’s possible to buy second hand computers cheaply. With this in mind, it seems likely that the education system will accept the proposal.
Calculations show that the project will fully cover its costs in the first year of operation; moreover, a $6 million profit is expected. Sakrament IT is
now planning to develop multimedia textbooks for higher educational establishments, having found that almost 90 percent of students are ready to buy such devices.
2. The author says that pupils are ready to use e-books and the project is not
expensive. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. Who will be the first to get e-books?
4. Why do they expect that this project will be successful?
Text 3
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
WONDERFUL WORLD OF DOLLS
Several years ago, a local crafts centre in the village of Strenki in Rogachev district began to collect ancient stories on how, why and for whom dolls were made. In fact, some were created to protect homes, health, beauty, wealth and luck.
«Protecting dolls had magical significance for our ancestors, serving as mediators between people and the other world,» explains Anastasia Povarich, a junior research officer at Gomel’s Rumyantsev-Paskevich Park and Palace Ensemble, where the dolls are being exhibited now. «Childhood began with dolls, which accompanied people throughout their life.»
Most were made by women, who created dolls from early childhood by twisting, bending and tying, without needles or scissors. Each doll was created without a definite face, to avoid evil settling within it, and could be made from natural materials such as twigs, straw, grass or flowers.
Children’s toys were treated with respect, since they were thought to possess magic powers and to encourage positive energy, bringing a good harvest, wealth and happy marriages. If children spent enough time playing with dolls, there would be enough money in the house while, if children were careless with dolls, troubles might occur.
As a girl grew older, she received a ‘Zhelannitsa’ doll, which would make dreams come true if a bead* or ribbon* was attached. The doll — the performer of the sacred* wish was hidden in a secret place. When a young girl was due to marry, a ‘Desyatiruchka’ doll (assistant with ten hands) was placed in her trunk*, to assist in household routines.
People couldn’t do without dolls in their household. All the dolls were honoured in everyday life and during holidays. It was customary for children to make dolls to give as gifts to adults, in this way, children were taught to be thankful. It was also believed that, when making such dolls, children gave part of their soul to them, learning to be tender and kind.
a bead [bi:d] бусина, бисерина
a ribbon — лента, ленточка
sacred [‘seikrid] — священный; святой
a trunk — дорожный сундук
2. The author explains why children’s toys had to be treated with respect. Find
this extract and read it aloud.
3. What dolls did a girl get?
4. Why did dolls play such an important role in the life of Belarusian people?
Text 4
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
CAN CHEATING BE STOPPED?
More and more students at school and university are using the internet to cheat*in their coursework. In Britain, about 25 % of students copy material from the internet when they write their homework. In the USA there is a similar problem. One report showed that about 54 % of students copy from the internet when they prepare for the lessons.
Of course, students rightly use the internet to help them research a topic when they are doing coursework or writing an essay. But some of them also copy and include material from the internet into their own essays without indicating that they are using someone else’s work. For example, a student who has to write an essay on Shakespeare can find lots of different essays on particular plays and themes in Shakespeare and copy one of them. So they no longer have to read books in libraries, take notes and plan their own essay.
The internet has certainly helped students to avoid the hard work of writing an original essay, but it is not the only reason why cheating is increasing. In recent years, students’ attitudes to school and university have changed. In the past, students had a more idealistic attitude towards a university education. University broadened their minds. Nowadays, a lot of students are more practical in their attitude. They are only interested in passing the exams. They want a degree only to help them get a good job.
Teachers and examiners want to stop cheating in school and university, but they do not agree about how to solve the problem. Some teachers think a student’s final grade shouldn’t depend on his/her coursework. They think that it is better to have traditional (time-limited) written exams that are held in an examination room.
Another way to stop cheating is to have an oral exam at the end of the course. If students cannot answer questions about their coursework, this could indicate that they have cheated. At the same time, the oral exam would give the examiner a better idea of students’ real knowledge of the subject.
cheat — обманывать, списывать
2. Is cheating becoming a problem in the USA and Britain? Read aloud the extract
which says about it.
3. How do students cheat using the internet?
4. Why do students cheat?
Text 5
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
FRIENDSHIP IN THE MODERN WORLD
People often say that our modern way of life, with its individualism and fast speed, has made the world a lonely place. So many of us live and work surrounded by people, but it is hard to find true friendship. The faces we see each day are like pictures in a gallery; the talk that we hear is just sound. Perhaps this is why the websites like ‘Facebook’, ‘Contacts’ are so popular these days. They allow people to communicate and even become close without meeting up. It seems that many people’s idea of friendship has changed nowadays. But what is friendship?
Aristotle was the first western philosopher to discuss friendship in a detailed way. He said that people who chose to live alone were either like animals or gods. He probably meant that it is natural to want friends. Certainly, people who choose to live without friends are frequently regarded as having problems. We either pity them or else we view them as strange.
Aristotle also said that there are three different categories of friends. In the first category, we are friends with people because of some advantage that the friendship gives us. In other words, the friendship has a practical value. Friends in this category would include bosses at work or some of our colleagues.
Aristotle’s second category of friendship is based on the idea of pleasure. Friends in this category enjoy doing things together and they have a lot of interests in common.
The third category of friendship is the highest form of friendship. In this category, people are friends on a deeper level. The friendship does not depend on anything other than the friends themselves. The relationship is so close that it seems that one soul belongs to two bodies, Aristotle said.
Aristotle also said that close friends must have eaten salt together. In other words, they must have shared some of life’s good and bad experiences. Most people today would probably agree that these arc a fundamental part of true friendship.
2. Read aloud the extract which says about the changes in the modern society.
3. What do people think about people who have no friends?
4. What does Aristotle say about the three types of friendship?
Text 6
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
ACCORDING TO LAWS OF HOSPITALITY
Braslav is among the most popular destinations for Belarusians and foreigners. Now, a state programme is being developed to raise the attractiveness of the region to tourists, turning the district centre (home to 10,000) into a modern European city.
The local tourist industry is to enter a whole new level. At present, there are five tourist bases and two hotels — situated in Braslav and near the town. New facilities are going to be very comfortable. Drivyaty tourist base within the Braslav Lakes National Park, which occupies 70,000 hectares, is among the most modern and popular destinations. It’s soon to be expanded, with new hotels, a spa centre, a cafe and an indoor aqua park.
In the early 16lh century, Duchess Yelena, who was married to Grand Duke Alexander (who ruled over Lithuania and Russia) and actually owned Braslav, founded a monastery on the site. Fragments of this ancient settlement will be restored as part of the Braslav district’s tourism development programme.
The ancient Belarusian town has many interesting sporting traditions, including an international fishing contest, which has been gathering hundreds of fishermen from Belarus, Russia and Latvia for the past few years. Sports lovers and those who enjoy the outdoor life are sure to be delighted by the town’s new rowing channel, ski-roller track and ski slope, in addition to a sports complex with an ice rink.
The local cinema is to be fully modernised, with new halls opened, while an entertainment complex will be built, offering billiards and bowling. A new shopping centre, with a cafe for children, is also planned, alongside a lake-river museum, with an aquarium.
This wonderful resort town should please tourists with its modernised infrastructure and Braslav district could soon become an international tourist destination. One potential investor is to start construction of a new sanatorium very soon.
State programmes for regional development are already working in the Polesie and Naroch Lake areas.
2. The author tells us about sporting traditions that exist in Braslav. Find this
extract and read it aloud.
3. What new things will tourists see in Braslav?
4. Why will it be interesting to visit this Belarusian town?
Text 7
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
MAKE THE DREAM COME TRUE!
Many people who are fed up with living in overcrowded and polluted cities dream of moving to the country and having their own small farm, or smallholding*.
The Telegraph newspaper published a report about families who had attempted to make that dream come true. One couple, Ed and Sally Budd, bought a small farm a few months ago. It consisted of a house in need of some repair and a plot of land. Ed and Sally are planning to restore the house and they have already begun growing vegetables. They’ve also got a few cows and sheep. Both Ed and Sally work in London and only visit their smallholding at weekends. Fortunately, a local farmer looks after their animals during the week in return for keeping his own animals on their land.
So far Ed and Sally are enthusiastic and they aren’t at all afraid of all the hard work that they still have to do. Sally told the newspaper: «Eventually, we want to live all year round on our smallholding. We want our children to grow up here and to be able to play in the woods.»
Of course, some people are very enthusiastic at the beginning, but they soon start making mistakes. The Telegraph describes the experience of two people, Liz Sharkland and Gerry Toms, who had a rather bad start. «We began in completely the wrong way,» says Liz. «We saw an advertisement in the paper for this beautiful old farmhouse. We came up to see it and loved it immediately. It was July and the weather was very hot. We bought the place and moved in late autumn. Then it began to rain.» The fields turned into mud and Liz and Gerry found that it was not suitable for keeping animals.
Gradually, however, Liz and Gerry started to make progress. They learned a lot from simply living on the smallholding. Then Liz attended a smallholding course and studied for a Higher National Diploma in countryside management. Liz has now gained enough experience to be able to offer expert advice to other people who want to start a smallholding.
Living close to nature can be very rewarding*, but making a success of it requires — a lot of hard work.
a smallholding — небольшой земельный участок
rewarding — стоящий, полезный
2. Read aloud the extract where Sally says why they want to live in the country.
3. What does the newspaper report say about Ed and Sally?
4. What mistake did Liz and Gerry make?
Text 8
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
HOW TO BECOME A WINNER
All sports people are under a lot of pressure to win. They also experience powerful emotions. When they win or do well, they feel excited and extremely happy. But when things go badly, they feel depressed and anxious. This is why athletes have to be mentally strong. In the past, athletes only trained to get physically fit. Today, professional sportsmen learn to control their mind too.
England rugby player Johnny Wilkinson played brilliantly at the Rugby World Cup in 2003. But after that things started to go wrong. He was injured a lot and he wasn’t playing so well. He told The Times: «I couldn’t control my emotions. Things were going wrong and I couldn’t do anything about the situation. The problem was that I couldn’t control my mind. If I wanted to feel better, I knew I had to learn how to control it.»
He read lots of books to try to understand how to solve the problem. He found the answer in books. Wilkinson said: «The books tell us that reality changes depending on how we look at it. This made me understand that I was making my own problems. I could solve my problems if I looked at reality differently.»
In team sports such as football, it is important to create a team spirit. This can be very difficult because teams consist of people with different personalities. Professor Dave Collins is a sports psychologist. He says: «A team is like a monster with 11 heads. It’s not easy to get all the players think in the same way, to help one another and to work together. But when you see a team that works as a unit, everything happens naturally and easily.»
When there is a team spirit, the players help one another. They all take responsibility when things go badly. They do not blame individual players for mistakes. In this way, each player feels more confident and can concentrate better on the game.
Today, sports psychologists have an important job to do. They help athletes become mentally fit and develop a winning mentality. Having a winning mentality really can make a difference between winning and losing.
2. Read aloud the extract which says about the importance of being mentally
strong.
3. What does the article say about Johnny Wilkinson?
4.Why is it important to create a team spirit?
Text 9
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
ARE WE SHOPAHOLICS?
If you think you are not one of those people whose buying habits are influenced by advertisements, you are most probably mistaken. The latest survey made by The Consumers’* Federation shows what effect modern advertising techniques have on customers.
150 people were asked to answer questions in a short questionnaire just as they were leaving a Tesco supermarket after finishing their shopping. Only 15 % of the people agree they buy things because they’ve seen them advertised. More than 50 % insist they do not even watch commercials on television. However, over three quarters had no problems matching the most popular perfume brands with their advertising slogans.
Most people do not realise that advertising aims not only at making them buy a certain brand. It’s also all the techniques supermarkets use to make customers buy more than they have actually planned. The music, the smells, the arrangement of products, the reductions*, all have one goal — to get as much money as possible out of our pockets. 94 % of the people taking part in the survey said they buy between one and five things more than is really necessary, each time they visit a supermarket.
How to avoid spending too much? Here are a few tips: first of all, always make a shopping list and follow it, no matter what special offers you come across. Secondly, never go shopping on an empty stomach — you’ll buy tons of unnecessary food. If you really have to take children with you, agree in advance what one thing you’ll buy them and don’t change your mind later, when they get tired or excited. And, above all, limit the time spent in shops to an absolute minimum; don’t treat shopping as a leisure-time activity. Do we have any chance in the battle against the powerful advertising machine? I doubt it.
Most of us like spending time in supermarkets, even if we don’t realise it. It’s become one of our favourite pastimes, something like hunting combined with a family picnic.
a consumer – потребитель
a reduction — скидка
2. What are the results of the survey carried out by the Consumers’ Federation?
Read aloud the extract which says about it.
3. Which methods are used to attract buyers to the shops?
4. What does the article recommend to do not to become a shopaholic?
Text 10
- Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what is it about
OUR PARENTS AND OUR QUALITIES
An important new report says that a child’s chances of success in life depend on their parents. The way parents bring up their child builds up that child’s character. And having the right character is important for opportunities for future happiness.
According to the report, there are specific personal qualities that parents should work hard to develop in their children so that they can have a good start in life. One of these qualities is the ability to concentrate on a task and stay with it until it is finished. Another quality is the ability to see things from other people’s point of view and understand their needs and feelings. It is the main skill that allows individuals to communicate with each other effectively.
Self-discipline is another important quality. This is something that most children have difficulty learning. Young children often want their desires satisfied immediately. Children don’t easily accept ‘no’ for an answer and they will sometimes have a fight in order to get what they want. When this happens, the parents are under a lot of pressure. There is a strong desire to give the child what he or she wants. But according to the report, this is the wrong thing to do. The problem is that children will grow up believing that they can have everything they want immediately. This can lead to serious problems because they never learn to plan for the future and think in the long term. When they are adults, they may buy too many things because they can’t control how much money they spend. They may have poor health because they only eat or drink what they like instead of what is healthy.
For the best chances of success, then, children need to learn how to have self- discipline. They also need to be motivated to work hard at tasks and finish them. Of course, a child’s character is influenced by lots of different things. Some of these are beyond their or their parents’ control and can make a big difference to a child’s chances of success in life.
2. Why is self-discipline important? Read aloud the extract about it.
3. What can happen to adults if they can’t control themselves?
4. What other qualities should parents bring up in their children? Why?