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UNIT VIII. United States of America. The USA. Read the text and say why the USA is considered to be the country of Great differences.
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Quiz
1. What is Westminster Palace?
2. Which is the highest building in London?
3. What is the national symbol of Wales?
4. What is Westminster Abbey?
5. Where does the ceremony of the Keys take place?
6. What is the largest city of Northern Ireland?
7. What currency is used in the U. K.?
8. What is a Boxing Day?
9. What is the highest mountain in Great Britain?
10. Who designed the present building of St. Paul's Cathedral?
11. What is the common name of the British police officer?
12. Which palace is identified as the home of the Royal Family?
13. What is the major language spoken in Ireland?
14. In which part of the U. K. can you find the most beautiful valleys?
15. What is the City?
16. What holiday is celebrated on the 31st of October?
17. Why the members of the House of Lords are not elected by the people?
18. Where is Speakers’ Corner situated?
19. At what museum are wax figures exhibited?
20. Who is considered to the future king of Britain?
UNIT VIII
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Words and phrases for the topic:
a state – штат
a district – район, округ
a race – раса
a service – услуга
independence – независимость
a banner – знамя
a star – звезда
a stripe – полоска
an eagle – орел
a motto – девиз
an anthem – гимн
to discover – открывать
a waterfall – водопад
liberty – свобода
Text I
The USA
Read the text and say why the USA is considered to be the country of great differences.
The United States of America were founded on July 4th, 1776. Since 1783 when the War of Independence ended in favor of the colonists the USA has steadily increased its power and the original thirteen states have now grown to fifty.
The name America comes from amalric or emmerich, an old-German word spread through Europe by the Goths, and softened in Latin to Americus and in Italian to Amerigo. It was first applied to Brazil.
The USA is the 4th largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada and China). It is situated in central North America and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. It borders on Canada, Mexica. It also includes Alaska and Hawaii. The total area of the country is 9, 4 million square kilometers. As it is a very large country, it has several different climatic regions. The coldest regions are in the north and north-east. The south has a subtropical climate. The population of the USA is more than 236 million people. Most of the people live in towns.
The USA is a federal republic. The capital of the country Washington is situated in the District of Columbia.
The population of the country is about 260 million people. They are the people of all races and nationalities in the world. With only about 5 % of the world’s population and about 6% of its land area, the USA produces around 25% of the world’s industrial products, agricultural goods and services. It’s the world’s leader in biochemical and genetic engineering, aerospace research and development, communications, computer and information services and similar high-technology fields.
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The USA is a country of great differences. The differences are partly a result of the geography. One cannot generalize about the weather, the landscape, or even the way of living because the nation occupies nearly half of a continent. High mountains and the flattest of prairies, tropical heat and arctic cold, fertile valleys and deserts can be found in the country. There is a variety of natural resources. All sorts of products are raised, and there are industries of every kind. Some of the most densely and most sparsely populated areas of the world are found in the United States.
I. Give Russian equivalents of the following:
1. the War of Independence
2. different climatic regions
3. people of all races and nationalities
4. industries of every kind
5. to end in favor
6. the Pacific Ocean
7. aerospace research and development
II. What’s the English for:
1. расширить власть
2. распространиться по Европе
3. сельхозпродукты
4. густонаселенные территории
5. морская граница
6. округ Колумбия
7. происходить
III. Match two parts of the sentences in 2 columns:
1. The War of Independence a) have now grown to fifty.
2. Most of the people b) it has several different climatic regions.
3. The original thirteen states c) ended in favor of the colonists.
4. The USA produces around 25% d) live in towns.
5. People of all nationalities e) a sea-border with Russia in the West.
6. The USA has f) live in the country.
7. As it is a very large country g) of the world’s industrial products.
IV. Finish the following sentences using appropriate words and word combinations:
1. The United States of America … on July 4th, 1776.
2. The name America … from an old-German word.
3. The country is situated in … and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
4. The United States … Alaska and Hawaii.
5. The … regions are in the north and north-east.
6. The country occupies nearly half of a ….
7. All sorts of products are … by industries of the USA.
8. The … of the country Washington is situated in the District of Columbia.
V. Answer the following questions:
1. When were the USA founded?
2. How many states are there in America?
3. What does the country border on?
4. What is the area of the USA?
5. How many people live in the USA?
6. What kind of climate is in the USA?
7. What industries are highly developed in the country?
8. Why is America known as the country of great differences?
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9. Is the country rich in mineral resources?
10. What is the capital of the USA?
VI. Look through the third passage again and prove that the USA is one of the largest countries in the world. Don’t forget to use the following words and phrases: the 4th largest country, is situated, to stretch, to border on, the total area, square kilometers, different climatic regions.
VII. Look through the fifth passage and prove that the USA is really a highly developed country: Don’t forget to use the following words and phrases: to produce, the world’s industrial products, agricultural goods, service, industry, engineering, high-tech technologies.
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