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EEK 81 .2Aurr923
M67

Unit 1. THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

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Higher Education in the Republic of Belarus.
The Economy of the Republic of Belarus

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Unit 2. THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

69
The Russian Federation Today: General Outlook
91
Higher Education in the Russian Federation
108
The Economy of the Russian Federation.
Unit 3. THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN
............124
|RELAND.....
124
The United Kingdom Today: General Outlook
145
Higher Education in the United Kingdom
163
The Economy of the United Kingdom
184
Unit 4. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA..
.....184
The United States of America Today: General Outlook
.............208
Higher Education in the United States of America
The Economy of the United States of America ..................... ..................226
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253
256
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The Russian Federation Today: General Outlook
Higher Education in the Russian Federation
The Economy of the Russian Federation

261
261

Unit 3
The United Kingdom Today: General Outlook
Higher Education in the United Kingdom
The Economy of the United Kingdom

267
267

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265

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273
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The Republic of Belafus Today: General Outlook

Higher Education in the Republic of Belarus
The Economy of the Republic of Belarus

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I-he Economy of the United States of America

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H3yqarcu{Hx H nperroAaroulnx arruuficrcHI sssrrc.
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auuuficxol'ty t3blKy 14. Aaer ytrauruMcff Bo3Mo)KHocrs nponecrn cpab-

unrelsHslft

aHaJrH3 HeKoropr,rx crpaHoBeAr{ecKux

reMe MoxHo Hafrrn

lry6pzre "It's interesting to knowl,. 3a rencrou

pearuit, $arcroe

Hvtfl, a raKxe coBpeMeHHono gKoHoMHqecKoro cocrotHltt Pecrry6nr,rru Belapycr, Poccnficxofi @e4eparlnn 14 llByx ns Frafl6oree pa3Br4Trrx

("optional Reading"). flocle4oeareJrbHoe BbrnoJrHeHHe

ynpaxHeHufi
n saaaauit KDKAoto DTa[a no3Bonr,rr yqarqurnlcr csoprralapo"ur"

aHrJroroBoprrrlnx crpaH Mrrpa - CoeqrHennoro Kopolescrsa BerHrco6puravuu ra Cerepnofi Vpnawpuu N CoeAuueHrrsrx LUraroe Ar\ae-

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ToqHbrx, cr4creMarhqecKHx, o'r'Bcr{a}ourH x coBpeMeH nu ru rpe6onauurnl gHaunfi o reorpa$nu, oco6eHnoc'rrx HcTopnqecKoro pa3Burnq,
[oJrHTHqecKoIo c'rpor H nocJreAHhx TeHAeHqr4gx pa3Br4Tr4fl 3KOHOMHK

11

AyHapoAHbrx gKoHoMuqecKHX orHouresufi ("Economy").

4

yn'eH*fl

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pa.n'rrHbrx Br{Aax pe.reeofi Ae.flTenbHOCr.,.3arauux

yIIpzDKHeHUf HMeIor ruIIoqI4, qro lro3BoJIfier

l,rcnoJrb3osars uoco6ne
AJrr ay4nropuofi, TaK u AJu caMocro.srelsHofi pa6oru.

r(aK

flpegraraeurle s noco6nu TeKcrbr orJnsarorc.fl

mrconofi arry_
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e Heo6xoAr4MOCT'
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r yrny6reHurc gsanufi no aHr-

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TeMarrzr{ecKr,r
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- 3a1aHv$t npo6leuHol-o xapaKTepa, HarrpaB_
rrcuHsre Ha pa3BHTHe HenoAroroueHHOft peqfl
cryAeHTOB H Cnoco6.,rByfoll{fie upocBneH,ro HX TBopr{ecrnx cnoco6socrefi.
Kponae roro,
rraxglrfi pa3Aen BKJIrOqaer TeKCTbr
An, AononHlrrenbHoto qreHHfl

o6qecreeHHo-nonnTHqecxofi xnsHh, cncreMbr Bbrcurero o6pa:ora-

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coBepueHcrBoBaHhe yrueHrfi H lraBbrKoB ycrHofi peqh, yMeHHil aecrN
6ece4y r,r Bbrpaxarb co6creeHHoe MHeHHe, $opvraponaHue HaBbrKoB
o6qeHuq e porenoft ilFpe, a raKxe 3aKpenneHr4e H aKTHBrr3aIIHq reKcnqecKoro MaTepuana no H3yqaeMbrM TeMaM.
flpe4craueHHrlfi s noco6n n Marepxan crpyKTypHo pacnpe4elen
qerbrpeM
pzuAenaM: "The Republic of BelarLls", "The Russian
rto
Federation", "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland", 'lThe United States of America". KaxAsrfi pa3Aen BKrloqaer
TpH OCHOBHbTX TeKCTa Am H3yqaloqero qTeHI,rt, paCCMaTpI,IBarcqI4e
ynoMrH)irble crpaHrr c ror{Ku 3peHn.fl r,rx Hcropr,rH, reorpa$nn, o6ulecrBeHHo-nolurnqecxofi )Kr,r3Hlr ("General Outlook"), cncreMbr BbIcurero o6pasoBaHnq ("Higher Education"), a raKxe Iix coBpeMeH

rcc KoJrbKo

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co

The Republic of Belarus Today: General Outlook

f,D Pre-Reading

Activitiet

Task I. study the vocabutary notes that will help you to understand
the text better:
accountable (a-dj)

o6qgaHHrtfi orql'ITblBarbcq, orBercreeuHrtft, no4-

orqerHuil
adopt (v) - nphHnMarb
advocate (v) - noqAep)Kl{Barb' 3aqnqarb
ally (n) - colo3HnK, cropoHHl'lK
anthem (n) - runan
appoint (v) - Ha:Havaru
approximately (adv) - npn6rnsxrerbHo
ascendancy (n) - uacrr, BJIHflHHe' rocnoAcrBo
at the expense - 3a cqer
auspicious (adj) - 6raronPnrrHufi
ballot (n) - noJlocoBaHre
bicameral (adj) - 4aYxnanarustfi
bilateral (adj) - 4eYcroPouuufi
bill (n) - 3aKoHonpoeKr
birch (adj) - 6ePesoesrfi
chamber (n) - narara
checks and balances - (cAepxffa H fiporllBoBecbl)
collapse (n) - rcpyueHlle, KPax
Commander-in-Chief (n) - uarnoxotuangyroqufi
comprise (v) - cogepxarb, Blclllorlarb, 3arurroqars e ce6e
confine (n) - rpaHulra, rPeAeJI
coniferous (adj) - xeofiHrtfi
consent (n) - couaclle
constitute (v) - cocraelrrl
constitutional amendment - nonpanKa K KoHcrI4TyqHl'I
6

ntinn

ity

(n

HenpepbrBHocrb, Hepa3pbrB Hocrb, rleJrocrHocrh

sontribute (v) - nnocnrb BKJraq, coAeftcrsosars, cnoco6crBoBarb

crrrrently (adv) - Tenepb, B Hacrorrqee BpeMq
tlcclare (v) - npoeo3rrarrrarb
rlcvastate (v) - onycrouarb, ptBoprrb
domestic policy - BFD/TpeHHrr rroJrtrrnKa
clect (v) - ns6npars (rorocoaaHneu)
clectoral suffrage - z:6nparelbHoe npaBo
cnact a decree - r,BAarb yKa3
cnsure (v) - o6ecneqilBarb, rapaHTr,rpoBarb
ontire (adj) - qelsrfi, aecr
ospouse (v)

- no4gep)KuBarb

(r.raero)

cxecute (v) - ocyuecrBJlrrb, Bbr[orH.flTb

cxecutive (n) - racnonHrnreJrbHar BnacTb
oxercise authority - ocyqecrBnrrb npaBneHae

lbreign policy

BHeurHrfl noJrr4ruKa

lbrest nature reserve

rryqa

liagrant (adj) - apouarntrfi, 6laroyxaroulufi

lulfilment (n) - eurnolHeHHe, lacnorHeHr4e
gain recognition - nonyrrnTr npr,r3HaHue
guideline (n) - o6rqrail Kypc, HanpaBJreHHe, renepanbHa.r lr4Httfl,
habitation (n) - upoxr.rBaHr.re
heritage (n) - nacle4crBo, HacJreAne
human trafficking

- roproBn{ nroAbMH

impeachment trial - rporleAypa r{Mrrur{MeHra

i nr p I ementati on (n
) - uc rroJr HeH he, ocyulecrBJre Hr,re, peanv3a\r4fl
in a framework - e paMKax, B rrpeAenax

integrity (n) - qenocrHocrb

intermediation (n) - nocpeAHnrrecrBo
irrternal (adj) - nnyrpeHHuft
iudicial (adj) - cyAe6Hufi
jrrdiciary (n) - cyae6Har Brracrb
lrrndlocked (adj) - He lrMerculnfi stxola x rvroprc
lcgaiy (n) - Haene4crBo, HacJleAr,re
lcgal and physical persons - rcplrAuqecrcue u SueuuecKlre
cg i slative (adj ) - 3aKoHoAarelsnufi
legislature (n) - sarcouoAareJrbHaq BJracrb
I

JrHrIa

I lrritcd

Nations Organisation - C)praHusaqur O6r,e4rzHeHHbrx Haqr,rfi

World Bank - BcevnpHsrfi 6aHrc

maintain (v) - no44epll(HBarb, coxpaHrrb

marshy (adj) - 6olorncrrtfi
moderately (adv) - YMePeHHo
negotiate (v) - aecru repenoBopbt
personif (v) - oruuerBopcrb
prevention (n) - nPeaorBpauleHue
pursue a policy

@
{i

npoBoAHTb nonl{Tl'lKy

urban area - ropoAcKafl reppnlopnfl

vote of confidence - BoryM AoBePHfl

O lask ll. Mind the following proper nouns:

States)

- cHf,

coApyrxecrno

HesaeucHMux focyAaPcra

collective Security Treaty organisation - opraHn3alllle AoloBopa o

KoJIJIeKTHBHoft 6esonacHocrn

Council of the Republic - Coeer Pecny6rr'mu

Eurasian Economic Community - Enpa:nficKoe sKoHoMuqecKoe co-

o6uecrso
General Public Prosecutor - feHepansHuft nporypop
House of Representatives - flalara npe4crannrenefi
International Monetary Fund - MexAyHapoAuslft ealrcrnr,rft Qon4
National Assembly - HaquoHaruHoe Co6paune
Non-Al i gned Movement - r{enxeHl4e HenpncoeAllHeHnfl
organisation for Security and cooperation in Europe - opraHnsaqur
no 6esonacHocru H corpyAHnqecrBy B Eepone
State Control Committee - Kot'lwrgr rocyAapcrBeHHolo KoHTporq
Supreme Court - BePxonHstfi cYA

fask lll. Go through the text and check

y.our understanding by do-

ing the tasks that fotliw:

respectively (adv) - coorBercrBeHHo

revival (n) - eo:poNgeHlae
si gn ifi cant (adj ) - 3HaqlrreJlbHrtfi , eaxnrtfi , cyulecrneHnufi
state body - rocyAapcrseHustfi opraH
supervision (n) - ynpaaJleHue, KoHTpoJIb, na6nrcAeHue
term of office - cpoK nolnotuoqrlfi
thorou gh fare (n) - rpaHc rl o prHafl MarH crpzlrlb
tract (n) - noJloca, YqacroK

cIS (Commonwealth of Independent

Reading and Comprehension Activities

Belarus is an ancient Slavonic country situated in the centre of

lrurope. The territory of the Republic of Belarus covers 207,600
square kilometres, stretching 650 kilometres from west to east and
.5(>0 kilometres from north to south and bordering on Russia in the
rrorth-east and east, on Ukraine in the south, on Poland in the west and
on Lithuania and Latvia in the north-west. The most important cities
lre Minsk, the capital, Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Mogilev and Vitebsk.
'l'hey are not only administrative, but also industrial and
cultural centrcs of the six territorial regions of Belarus.
The country is populated by approximately l0 million people.
lithnic Belarusians constitute 81.2% of the total population. Tlre next
lalgest ethnic groups are the Russians (11.4%), the Poles (3.9%o), and
tlre Ukrainians (2.4%). Belarus' two official languages are Belarusian
irnd Russian, spoken at home by 36.7% and 62.8%o of the Belarusians,
rcspectively. More than 70o/o of Belarus' population resides in the
rrrban'areas surrounding Minsk and other regional centres.
Belarus is landlocked, relatively flat and contains large tracts of
rnarshy land. The country is,rich in water resources. There are more
than 10,000 lakes in Belarus and the river network comprises about
,10,800 rivers and streams. The longest rivers are the Dnieper, the
Western Dvina, the Nieman, the Bug and the Prypyat. The biggest
lirke is Naroch. Almost a third of the country is a coniferous and birch
lirrestland. Due to a great number of lakes and forests the Belarusian
pcople call their count{y 'blue-eyed' or 'a country of blue lakes and
'l'he endless woodlands, deep rivers and lakes, vast
l,,r'oen forests'.
l'iclds and meadows of fragrant grass have always been an enjoyable
right for residents and visitors. Belarus possesses such valuable naturrl complexes as the national parks Belavezhskaya Forest Nature Re-

Reserve' Bereserve and Braslav Lakes, Nalibokskaya Forest Nature

plane characThe
zina reserve, the lakes Natoch, Svityaz and others'
developed
ter of the territory, the moderately continerrtal climate, the
condihydrographic system and the forest reserves create auspicious
indusbuilding
agriculture,
ti,ons ior-habitation of people, managing
trial enterprises and thoroughfares.
The ctuntry,s advantageous geographical position at the crossing
turned
of roads going from east to west and from north to south often
invasions
wars'
disadvantage. B'elarus wbs the arena of many

and interaction of bodies of state power, maintains the intermediation

among.the bodies of state power. Under the Constitution, the Presidcnt is elected directly by the people of the Republic of Belarus for a
term of office of five years by universal, free, equal,-direct electoral
suffrage and by secret ballot.
State power in the Republic is exercised on the principle of division of powers between the legislature, executive and judiciary. State
bodies, within the confines of their powers, are independent: they cooperate among themselves acting on the principle of checks and ba-

devasand aggressions. The territory and its nation were especially

of its
third
a
about
lost
Belarus
tated in world war II, during which
rethe
But
population and more than half of its economic resources.
pulti" managed to recover in the post-war years - it restored its cities
and rebuilt its economY.

lances.

into a

The Parliament of the Republio of Belarus declared tlre sovereigntyofthecountryon2TJulylgg0,andfollowingthecollapse

of the Soviet Union, Belarus declared its independence on 25 August

1994, the Re1991. According to tlre Constitution, adopted in March

rule
public of Belarus is a unitary democratic social state based on the
over
authority
absolute
of lu*, which exercises supreme control and

foreign
its entire territory, and puisues an independent internal and
policy. currentlythe Republic pf Belarus is a sovereign independent
flag and
state with its own goveinment, constitution, state emblem'
"We,
Belaanthem. The nationi anthem of the Republic of Belarus is

'

of
constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the rights and liberties
nation, thei
man and citizen. The Piesident personifies the unity of the
qnd fnreiqn.
+L^
foreig4
and
^f
the
domestic
'l^mpctin
implementation of thg main guidelines of
inter'
and
poii"y, represents the State in the relations with other states
l"ai"""r organizations. The President provides the protection of thq
terri'
sovereigntyof the Republic of Belarus, its national security and
torial integrity, ensures its political and economic stability, continuity
10

The country's supreme legislative authority is the National Assembly, however the President may enact decrees that are executed
the same way as laws. The National Assembly is a bicameral Parliament comprising the ll0-seat House of Representatives (the lower
house) and the 64-seat Council ofthe Republic (the upper house). lhe
I'louse of Representatives has the power to appoint the Prime Minister, make constitutional amendments, call for a vote of confidence on
the Prime Minister, and make suggestions on foreign and domestic
policy. The Council of the Republic has the power to select various
government officials; conduct an impeachment trial of the President,
and accept or reject the bills passed by the House of Representatives.
llach chamber has the ability to veto any law passed by local officials
if it is contrary to the Constitution of Belarus.
Executive power in the Republic of Belarus is exercised by the
Government - the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus the central body of state administration. The Government in its activity is accountable to the President and responsible to Parliament. The
head of the Council is the Prime Minister, appointed by the President
with the consent of the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister
nranages the activities of the Government and informs the President
orr its basic guidelines and on all.the most important decisions.
The judicial power in the Republic is performed by the Supreme
('ourt and specialized courts such as the Constitutional Court, which
tlcals with specific issues related to constitutional and business law.
I lrc judges of national courts are appointed by the President and conlirrled by the Council of the Republic. Supervision of the exact and
11

unifoffn execution of laws by all bodies of state management, local

councils and other legal and physical persons is carried out by the
General Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Belarus.
control over the fulfilment of the republican budget, the utilization of state property, the execution of parliamentary acts, regulating
the relations with state property, economic, financial and tax rela-

llrc l6tl'to the 18th century is considered the golden age of Belarusian
culture. The l8th and 19'l'centurieswere a time of Polish and Russian
cultural ascendancy. The revival of Belarusian culture began only in
llrc late 1980s. At present the Ministry of Culture finances events
promoting Belarusian arts and culture both inside and outside the
country. The Belarusian Government sponsors various cultural festivals like the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, which showcases Belarusian performers, artists, writers, musicians, and actors. Several state
lrolidays, for example, Victory Day and Independence Day, draw big
crowds and often include displays such as fireworks and military pa-

nic expression, and a market.economy. The Belarusian Social Democratic Assembly advocates an independent Belarus, which does not

rades.

Belarus and Russia have been close trading partners and diplornatic allies since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Since 1996, BelarLrs has been negotiating with Russia to uniff into a single state called
tlre Union of Russia and Belarus. Belarus has trade agreements with
scveral European Union member states as well as with its neighbours

l,ithuania, Poland and Lafvia. Bilateral relations with the United

vate propertY, and peaceful relations

parties include the Communist Party
ocratic Party of Belarus, the Liberal D
the All-Belarusian Party of Popular Unity a
Party of Labour and Justice, the Agrarian
arusian Ecological Party, etc. All in all in 2

in 1921 became an impoftant step in the development

In 1929 the Academy of Sciences of Belarus
soience.
of Belarusian
was founded. The achievements of Belarusian scientists in the fields
State University

12

States are based on intellectual property protection, prevention ofhurnan trafficking and technology crime, and disaster relief. Belarus has

recently increased its cooperation with China, India, Venezuela, the

United Arab Emirates, the Republic of South Africa and Syria. In addition to the CIS, Belarus has membership in the Eurasian Economic
Community and tbe Collective Security Treaty Organisation. Belarus
interacts with the major international institutions such as the United
Nations Organisation, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation
in Europe, Non-Alignment Movement, World Bank, International
Monetary Fund, etc.
The Republic of Belarus owns a valuable potential of natural, architectural and ethnic resources, rich cultural and historical heritage,
lavourable geographical position on tourist routes connecting Western
lrurope, Russia, Scandinavia and Asia. International economic and
cultural activity of Belarus today is becoming more and more intensive. [t contributes to the world peace, friendship and cooperation
irlrong nations.

13-

the power of Rzecz Pospolita), there is an interesting version of its origin. Mensk originates from the word 'menyat' (to
change), which allows to make a conclusion about intensive trade
activities there since ancient times.
Minsk has been the nation's capital since 1919, and 4t present it
is home to [,741,400 of Belarus' residents.
There are about 0.88 males per female in Belarus. The average
life expectancy is 63 years for males and 74.9 years for females.
Belarus has a negative population growth rate. In 2007 Belarus'
population declined by 0.41% and its fertility rate was l.22,well
below the replacement rate.
According to Article l6 of the Constitution, Belarus has no official religion, although the primary religion in the country is Russian Orthodox' While the freedom of worship is granted in the
same afticle, religious organisations tlrat are deemed harmful to
the government or social order of the country can be prohibited.
Belarus is the only nation in Europe that retains the death penalty
for ceftain crimes during times of peace and war.
Belarus lras four World Heritage Sites: the Mir Castle Complex,
the Nesvizh Castle, the Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve
(shared with Foland), and the Struve Geodetic Arc (shared with
runder

It's interesting to know .''

The literal translation of Belarus is 'white Russia" after the
,Belaya Rus',. The 'white' may refer to the beauty of
cient term
thebirchforestsortothesnowthatblanketstheeartheveryyear.
Another explanation is that in ancient times the word 'whitg'
meant free, in the sense of free from conquering invaders'
Belarus was named 'Byelorussia' until 1991, when the Supreme
soviet of th'e Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic decreed by
law that the new independent republic should be called 'Belarus'
in Russian and in all other language transcriptions of its name'
Until the 20tl century, the Belarusians lacked the opportunity to
create a distinctive national identity, since the lands of modernday Belarus belonged to several countries, including the Principuiity of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire and t6e Soviet
Union.
as
Belarus is twice as small as France, Spain, Sweden' It is twice
and
lreland
as
large
as
large as Greece and Bulgaria; three times
thJCzech Republic; five times as large as Estonia and Denmark'
ranks
Belarus o""upi., some 2%o of the territory of Europe and
an-

./
,/
./
./

85tl'in area in the world.

The Belarusians account for l.5Yo of the population of Europe
in
and the country ranks 86tl' among the countries of the world
population.
bn 3l May 2008 a memorial sign was put up in the city of Polotsk, Vitebsk region to mark the geographical centre of Europe'
The relief of the territory bears the witness of the Ice Age' namethouly the Valday's Glacier' which shaped the landscape l4-18
sand years ago'

unFor the first time Minsk wa6 mentioned in chronicles in 1067

Nethe
of
battle
the
with
der the name of Mensk in connection
for its
miga River during which it was completely destroyed' As
acquired
original name - Mensk (the current name 'Minsk' was
lands
onl*y in the late l Ttl' century as a result of transferring the

nine other countries).

The Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve is home to the European bison (or wisent), a relative of the American buffalo. This
creature is often depicted in prehistoric wall paintings found all
over Europe. It survives only in the reserve.
In 1945 Belarus was one of the 50 member countries that formed
the United Nations Organisation to promote peace and international cooperation and security.
In December l99l Belarus was one of the three Slavic republics
of the former USSR to set up the Commonwealth of Independent
States with the purpose of economic, financial and monetary cooperation. The headquarters of the CIS is in Minsk.
Almost two thirds (61.5%) of the Belarusians do not support any
political party.

15

14

6.
7.

1g TasR IV. Consutt a dictionary to fill in.the missrng pafts of speech in

the table below:
Noun

Verb

Adiective

tl.
9,

suDervlstng
constitute

10. supreme and unrestricted power,.as of a state.

declaration
Drevent

C lask Vt.

Check your understanding of the text by marking these

statements as True or False. Provide evidence from the text to support
your answers:

sovernrnenl
indeoendent
nreside

l.

lesislature
authorize

Task v. scan the text and find the words which correspond to these:
definitions. comptete the puzzle and'frnd a key wod in the entre boxes:

&

2.

More than 80% of the population is native Belarusians, with siz-

3.

able miriorities of the Russians, the Ukrainians and the Poles.

Approximately l+V" of the country's territory is foiested.

4.
5.
(r.

7.
8.

3.

4.
5.
16

The Republic of Belarus as a sovereign country was formed in

1.990, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
A nat,ional Constitution was adopted in Maich 1994 in which the
functions of the Prime Minister were given to the President.
According to the Constitution,:the Republic of Belarus is a presidential republic, governed by the President and the National Assembly.

Alexander Lukashenko has been tlre President of Belarus since

1992.

The unicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Republic and the House of Representatives.
9. The Council of Ministers is the legislative branch of state power,
and is appointed by the President of Belarus.
10. Control over the constitutional compliance of nermative acts in
the country is fulfilled by the Supreme Court.

l0
2.

'fhe geographical position of Belarus is tactic, Iinking Western

Europe with the Russian Federation.

unlon

l.

relating to the administration ofjustice

the system or body of fundamental principles according to which
a nation or state is constituted and governed
to assiln officially, as for a position,,responsibility, etc.
an addition, alteration, or improvement to a document

O lask Vll. Read the text more carefully and complete the suggested

affecting or undertaken by two parties; mutual

to talk (with others) to achieve an agreement

statements:

reakdown

)s

ice of selecting a representative'of, a,course ol

the options to a vote of all qualified personq '
a renewed use, acceptance of, or interest i4 past customs, styles'

etc'

l. The
2. The
I. Stat

realized through ...

17

.1. I low many countries does Belarus

a.4
c.6
b.5
d.7

l.

1.
give extensive answers to the
Task Vttt. Read the text again and

fotlowing questions:

l.
2.

of the words 'Belarus' and

What do you know about the origin
'Minsk'?
of the world in area
How does Belarus rank among the countries

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

and PoPulation?
Belarus change from a rural
Is Belarus an urban nation? Why did
nation to an urban nation?
for life and economic activiIs the territory oin"tu'us favourable
ties? WhY? WhY not?
World War II?
What losses did the country suffer during

8.
9.

Why does Belarus have two official

executive and judicial
What are tlr" .ount'V;' *pt"*" legislative'
authorities?
Parliament? What
What is the official name of the Belaru6ian
languages?

chambers does it consist ofl

the head of
President at the moment? Who is
Who is tt
"ou"if's
"
the Government nowadaYs?
isi country of well-developed science, cul-

10. Is it true that Belarus

ture and education?

&TaskX.Checkhowweltyouknowyourcountrybychoosingthe
below:
correct Variatnt from the alternatives

l.

of Belarus?
What is the territory' of the Republic

a. 2O7,600 km2
b. 206,700km2

t'-20t'700

d'

km2

206,E00km2

5.

border on?

Belarus has the longest common border with ...

a. Poland
c. Russia

b. Ukraine
The geographical centre of
a. Puhovichi district
b. Smolevichi district
The geographicalcentre of

d. Lithuania
Belarus is situated in ...
c. Dzerzhinski district
d. Molodechno district

a. Vitebsk
b. Polotsk

c. Novopolotsk

Europe is situated in ...

d. Glubokoe

Which is the second largest city in Belarus in terms of its population?

a. Gomel
c. Vitebsk

b. Grodno

d. Brest

Which of the combinations 'the city

the river on which it

stands' is erroneous?
a. Minsk - the Svisloch c. Grodno - the Neman
b. Mogilev - the Sozh d. Vitebsk - the Berezina

Minsk's 950t1' anniversary will be celebrated in .. .

a. 2012
c.2017
b. 2022
d.2027
(). The highest peak (345m) in Belarus is the hill ...
a. Lisaya
c. Mayak
b. Dzerzhinskaya
d. Zamkovaya
10. The longest river flowing within the territory of Belarus is ...
a. the Berezina
c. the Prypyat
b. the Dnieper
d. the Neman
I I . The deepest lake in Belarus is ...
a. the Dolgoe
c. the Svityaz
b. the Naroch
d. the Glubokoe
I 2. The largest lake in Belarus is ...

a.
b.

the Osveiskoe
the Dolgoe

c. the Naroch
d. the Seliava
19

18

of nature conserval3 Which of the regions ranks first in the number

tion territories?
c. Brest
a. Minsk
d. Grodno
b. Vitebsk

water-storage reservoir

Soligorsk water-storage reservoir

d. Vileika water-storage reservoir
16. The oldest national park in Belarus is "'
a. Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve
b. Nalibokskaya Forest Nature Reserve
c. Braslav national Park

c.

biosPhere reserve
of beavers'
. . . was created for protection

d. Berezina

17

a. Nalibokskaya Forest Nature Reserve

b. Belovezhskaya Forest Nature Reserve

c. Berezina biosPhere reserve

d. Braslav national Park

18. How many health resorts are there in Belarus?

a.4
b.

c'3
d'6

skiresort?
19. Which of these sports complexes is not a
c' Raubichi
a. Silichi
d' Staiki
b. Logoisk
20. Which climate is characteristic of Belarus?
a. moderately continental c' c'ontinental
b. acutely continental d' maritime
favourWhich pu,t otthe country is considered to be relatively

21.

able in terms of ecologY?

a. central
b. northern

a. 20o/o
b. 15%

c.25Yo

d.30%
2l What is the state system of the Republic of Belarus?

a. a constitutional monarchy
b. a parliamentary republic
c. a federal iepublic
d. a presidential republic

tory of Belarus.
a. Minsk Sea

b. Zaslavl

... of B"turu.' territory is contaminated with radioactive substances.

22. More than

c' southern
d' eastern

24 When do the Belarusians celebrate Independence Day?

a. 15
c.3 July

March

b. 9 May

d. 7 November
According to the Constitution the President of Belarus is elected
for ...
a. a four-year term
c. a six-year term
b. a five-year term
d. a two-year ternl
2(r. Parliament is the supreme ... body in Belarus.
a. legislative
c. judicial
b. executive
d. governing
27. In Belarus there are... elected members of the House of Representatives.

a.

64

b.110

c.164
d. 90

The number of Representatives which each region sends to the

House of Representatives depends ...
a. on its territory
b. on its industrial development
c. on its population
d. on the wish of the voters
The country has had two official languages, Belarusian and Russian, since the referendum in ...
a. 1994
c.1996
b. 1995
d. 1992
10. What is the official religion in the Republic of Belarus?
a. Catholicism
c. Protestantism
b. Orthodoxy
d. there's no official religion

28

2'l
20

td'

@TaskX.Trytogiveanadequatetranslationofthefollowingsen-

fences;

1.

Be.rrapycr

- crpaHa c yHnKanbnofi ucropuefi

u 6orarslvt KyJlbryp-

HblM HacJIeAI4eM.

Corlacno Koucrnryuuu, Pecrry6lrxa Eenapycr'

2.

yHI'ITapHat

What are the most typical features of the Belarusian national cha-

croqreJlbHo OcyulecrBncer BHyTpeHHIOIO

position of Belarus.
If you were a guide, what places of interest in Belarus would you
show the tourists? Which of them can give a visitor a good idea of
the historic past of the country?
lf you were asked to send one thing representing your country to
an international exhibition, what would you choose? Why?
What future would you forecast for the Republic of Belarus?

H BHeUTHIOIO

nonl'nl{KY'

qenrp

Belapyct't'
nbl pacnoJlo)I(eH uMeHHo Ha reppl4Topnn

6.

Share your opinions on the following:

racter?
Speak about the advantages and disadvantages

rpynuefi,urnfi
cToJrnqa coBpeMeHHofi Benapyu',r,
o6uecrsa'
gKoHoM[r{ecrcofi , rylrrypnofi H coqualsHofi x(Il3HH
Eepoflo nocleAHHM pacqeraM yqeHblx' reorpa$r'ruecrnfi uenrp

5.

Xl.

AeptBa', KOTOpaf caMOAeMOKpaTHt{ecKa,I COUl',IiuIbHO-[paBOBag

3. Mnucr 4.

Task

Follow-up Activities

ocyuecrBJrflerct
Hs6pauue AerlyraroB flalarrt npeAcraBnTelefi
us6upareluHoro npaBa
Ha ocHoBe sceo6ulero, paBHol'o' npqMolo
npn tafi uotrl roJlocoBaHul,t'
c Poccuefi' coEelapycs HaxoAl'lrct B coro3Hblx orHouleHl'Iflx
TpyAHlrqaer

MHOII4MII MexAyHapoAHbIMl'I opraHH3auHtMld'

cnsgu noqrH c 160
AHrIJIoMarHqecKI'Ie H ToproBble

co

nogepxuBaer

crpaHaMH Ml'Ipa'

EnpA:3C' Co7. Eelapycs qBrlflercq qrIeHoM OOH' CHf' OAKE' n Bcemnpnoro

rocyAapcrBa Poccnn r'r Benapycn' MBo
ro3Horo
6aHxa.
8.

Belapycs rax erponefi croCrparern.recxofi uelsto Pecrry6nuxr'r

Colore rryro rocyAapcrBa flBrcerct qJIeHcrBo n Enponeftcrcov
3KoHoMI{qecKInx
TeM BbInoJIHeHHt craHAapTHbIX norhrHqecKux'
H r.rHcrllryqnoHaJlbHbrx rpe6onaHIafi '

9.

Hecuorpr Ha To, vro Benapycb

eAItHcrBeHHat crpaHa n Eepo-

ecrb 3HaqureJlbHrtfi noreHuune, rAe Her HH Mopfl' Hl4 rop, Y Hee

u NtA pa3BlrTllt ceJlbcKofo rypl'I3Ma'

yBo3tr Aorraofi
10. Typr,rcru, nocernBulue Eelapycb'

6orarlte

gne-

flo-

o xpacore
qarJleHnq o6 osepe Hapovs H Eerosexcrofi nyue'
3aMMt'tpcKoro
JroqKoro Co$uficxoro co6opa, cpeAHeBeKonoro
H Kynbrypbl'
Ka, MHoflIx ApyfHx naMtrHl4Kax HCTOpI4H

ofthe geographical

Optional Reading

A Brief History of Belarus

The region that is now modern-day Belarus was first settled by

Slavic tribes in the 6'r' century. East-Slavic tribes of Krivichi, Dregovichi and Radimichi were the Belarusian people's ancestors. They
scttled around the Polota (a Western Dvina tributary) and were later
rramed Polotchane. By the Stl' to gtl' century they had formed several
slate formations, such as the Principalities of Pinsk, Turov, Polotsk,
Slutsk and Minsk. In the mid-9tl' century they all came under the suzelaiuty of Kievan Rus, the first East Slavic State. During the l0tl'-l2tl'
ccnturies some of the major principalities actually became independcrrl. and were being ruled by local dynasties.
From the middle of the l3tl'century the Belarusian lands belonged
lo the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1386 the Grand Duchy of Lithuarriir and the Kingdom of Poland were joined in a personal union
tlrlough a marriage of their rulers. This union eventually resr.rlted in
llrc fbrmation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Rzecz Po',1rolita), created in 1569. The state system of the Grand Ducl-ry of
23

22

lion buildings, while causing human losses estimated between two

rlrd three million. After the war ended in 1945, Byelorussia was
nnrong the founding countries of the United Nations Charter and began rebuilding the Soviet Republic. During this time, Joseph Stalin
irnplemented a policy of Sovietisation to isolate the Byelorussian SSR
liom Western influences. The official use of the Byelorussian lanpiuage and other cultural aspects were limited by Moscow. After Stalirr died in 1953, his successor Nikita Khrushchev continued that pro-

it had no constituits own' the finanof

boundaries, it had no armed forces

f;il"J, ho*eu"r, to turn into

il;,;" ;""

a fully_fledged state:

cial system and other athibutes of

Soon afterwards, the BPR fell und
and the Red Army and became a

';

'

either'
heviks
Soviet

Union.onthelJanuarylglg,theByelorussianSovietSocialistic
and economic
Republic (the BSSR) was formed, in which political
parties
Non-communist
life was under contri of the central authority.

functions were
and organisations were banned, and the administrative
After Russian occupation
'
-^.- party machinery'
perforired by the
pvrrvrrllvs

L*

"J

r---J

u,rd' northern Liihuania,

it

,i
r:d_.__:T,1tjwas merged into the Lithuanian'

ByelorussianSovietSocialistRepublic.TheByelorussianlandswere
Polish-Soviet wai
then split between Poland and the soviets after the
ended

ln lg2l,

andthe recreated Byelorussian SSR became a founding

memberoftheUnionofSovietSocialistRepublicsinlg22.Thefinal
unificationoftheByelorussianlandswithinitsmodernbordQrstook
placeinlg3g,whentheethnicallyByelorussianlandsthatwerepart:
ofinterwarPolandwereannexedbytheUSSRand.attachedtothe

--

SoViet

Byelorussia-

NuriC"rmany invaded the SovietUnion in 1941. Byelorussiawas

in Nazi
langq
the fr"ra." iili"Viet Republic in the war and remained
the cities i'r'
of
most
destroyed
Germany
until 1944. During that time,
in" ,"puUtl" ,85o/f, of the republic's industry, and more than one mi
24

gram. When the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began pushing

lhrough his reform plan, the Byelorussian people delivered a petition
Io him in December 1986 explaining the loss of their culture. Since
llrcn the revival of Byelorussian culture has began.
On the disintegration of the USSR, on 27 July 1990, Byelorussia
proclaimed its sovereignty by issuing the Declaration of State Sovcreignty of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Political
r:hange in Byelorussia came about only after the August l99l coup
rl'ctat in Moscow. Following the coup's collapse and declarations of
irrdependence by Estonia, Latvia, and Ukraine, Byelorussia declared
its own independence on 25 August by giving its Declaration of Sovoreignty the status of a constitutional document. ln September 1991,
prcssed by the small but vocal democratic opposition, the Parliament
clranged the state's name from the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic to the Republic of Belarus. On 8 December, Belarus joined
Itussia and Ukraine in signing the Minsk Agreement to form the
('ommonwealth of Independent States, which formally put an end to
tlrc Soviet Union. On 2l December, Belarus signefl the Alma Ata
l)cclaration, which expanded the CIS membership from the original
[hree signatories of the Minsk Agreement to eleven states.
The national Constitution went into'effect in March 1994, in
which the functions of the Prime Minister were given to the President.
'l'wo-round elections for the presidency in June and July 1994 resulted
Itr Alexander Lukashenko becoming the President of the Republic of
Bolarus. The four-question referendum was held on l5 May 1995.
'l lre populace voted 'yes' on all four questions: Russian as an official
Irrrrguage, the return of a Soviet-era red and green flag, economic integrttion with Russia, and presidential power to dissolve the Supreme
Soviet. A. Lukashenko was re-elected President in 2001 and in 2006.
25

ThelonghistorytaughttheBelarusianstoovercomedifficulties.
experience makes
Today they"are optimistlc because their historical
lan,t**'.u." it "y wiit do their best to preserve their unique culture,
revive industry and agriculture'
guage and

licity of today's stage of development of international relations,

pragmatic economic estimates determined the decision taken by Belarrrs to choose multidimensional foreign policy, which implies constnrctive work at all directions.

At the

same time, objective limitation

roriources makes

The Role of Belarus in Protecting Peace

make
The first five years of the 21't century did not
c
nuclear
global
of
more peaceful and stable' The threat
terrorism'
was replaced by new challenges: international
of mass ussLru"drug trafhcking, and proliferation of weapons
failed to ease tensions
"rl,o",
tion. The emersence Ji unipolar world not only
ations, but also brought about new hotbeds of
in in,"
vely affected fates of many nations' Afehall
nl"i.,
il;" the centre oi Atug trafficking' Iraq continues to remain the
source of instability of the entire region'
All these features of the mo lern world development-acquired
seriously influer
,uroount impoftance for the Republic of Belarus'
depe"qt
largely
which
ii. for"ign policy, the effectiveness of
:1
objecti
nationat
;";;;; "i"orrfr".ion between world trends and un9.eJ::1"j::
p"*lUilities at the international arena' .Even
pragmatism and
""0
{emoc
,iunJ"r, far from being favourable, peaceful
clrnerstones of Beld
politicbl
nuin
."
lE"n
have
approach
ratic
-O
rus' international strategY.
in I
ort-State Sovereignty adopted in Belarus
The

Declaration
proclamation of economic
signified a new Period of i
its na.tural right to be indeP
at strengtnenrlrB rrl
nation, conduct its own foreign policy, almed
cooperat
inclusion in pan-European processes' fostering

f"nd"""",

with neighbouring countries and world powers'

of Belarus'.its forei
Because of the complicated historical path

pori"v*"'formedthroughasynthesisofhistoricaltraditionsw
iu" ,"guta for fundamJtltatty new approaches rela'"d.:o,dtu:

Belarusia
uo,h in Belarus and in the world. The mentality of
spec
paftners'
and
friends
for
looking
;;;il;h; had always been

"nung"J

of Belarus' foreign policy

it necessary to concentrate them on the most impor-

llnt directions - this is a common practice in the world. Strategic

goals of Belarus at the international arena are safeguarding the sovcreignty of the nation, protecting interests of the citizens, preserving
rruclear-free status.
The main goals of Belarus in the field of foreign policy are as folIows:

promotion of a favourable foreign policy environment for improving well-being of the citizens of
- integration of Belarus on an equal basis in the world political,
economic, scientific, educational, culfural and communication areas;
- promotion of a stable, just and democratic world order based on
the principles of international law;
- building good-neighbour relations with neighbouring countries;
- protection of rights and interests of Belarusian citizens abroad;
- promotion of national, cultural and other rights of ethnic Belarusians residing abroad;
- strengthening of intemational security, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, disarmament and arms control;
- expansion of international cooperation in environmental, informational and humanitarian fields;
. attraction of external intellectual resources for the purpose of
educational, scientific and cultural development of Belarus;
participation in international cooperation in the field of encouragement and promotion of human rights.
The Republic of Belarus has established diplomatic relations with
153 states. Diplomatic infrastructure has been developed abroad. Curlently, 5l diplomatic missions in 45 countries worldwide represent
llclarus, including 43 embassies, 3 permanent missions to internalional organizations, and 7 consulates general. 3l embassies of foreign
27

I trade mission' 13 consular

countries, 3 branches of embassies,
grganizations function in Belarus.
offices, r2 missions of i'ternational
organizations are
Sl nrirrio"t of foreign countries rnd international
accred ited to Belarus concurrently'
d relaThe priorities of the foreign pol
d ecotions with Russia, panicipati'on in
global
nomic processes, contribution to str
s'
security, work in i ntern ati onal organization
Belarusproceedsfromtheconvictiontlratworldorderoftl.rel.t

joi
intern
n only
international
respect
mutual
all its subjects,

century shou
rnacy of UN

on

and nations.

on the Pri-

e sYstem
equalitY

of
of

us coopera-

Press-Rel'

in the Russian Federation

of the Entbassy of the Republic of Belarus

Environmental Protection in Belarus

one
' The relationship between man and nature has become

of t

today' Ecology stands at t

most acute problems facing the mankind
Unfortunately' Bel
crossroads of politics, ,"iei"e and economics'
modern society today'
is running all icological hazards facing any
resources and their p
iil [uestion oithe rational use of water impoftance'
Streams'
tection from pollution becomes of primary

vcrs and lakes are poisoned with industrial waste, clremical and sewirge discharge. As a result some rivers and lakes are so badly contamirrated that the water is unfit for bathing. Modern technologies based
orr water recycling or low water consumption are some of today's answers to the question of water pollution.

Another issue is soil contamination. The primary soil pollutants

irrc feftilizers, pesticides and herbicides, when used in unreasonable
tluantities. Soils, containing harmful chemicals lose their natural fertility and agricultulal products produced on such soils are a real threat
lo consumers' health. Moreover, radioactive contamination of a considerable part of the country's territory after the nuclear accident at
tlrc Chernobyl power plant in 1986 seriously aggravated the ecological situation in Belarus and made 23Yo of the Belarusian territory unsuitable for habitation and agricultural activity. The problem of the
(:ousequences of that explosion is still one of the most pressing.
It's no secret that Belarus lacks space in which to discard garbage,
irnd the current rnethods of its disposing are endangering the environrrrcnt, putting hectares of land out of useful circulation. Finding an
ccologically safe solution to the problem of waste disposal is one of
tlrc headaches of modern civilization. Reduction of wastes and recyr:ling could possibly put an end to this problem.
The ecological situation in Belarus remains grave. That's why at
llrc present stage the key priorities of the government policy of the
l{opublic of Belarus are ameliorating the system of nature exploitation
rrrrd preserving the environment. The ultimate objective of this policy
is to maintain ecologically safe conditions for habitation of people, to
plrtect and use rationally the natural resources ofthe country not only
lirr the sake of the present but also for the future generations. To
rrchieve this goal, a system of state management for environmental
luotection in the industrial sphere with gradual transition to conservirrg resources, low waste and non-waste technologies, improvement of
r.'r v ironmental legislation, are required.
The integrated approach to the solution of the existing problems
rrrcludes measures directed at preserving and strengthening the ecohrliical security of the country. The basis of environmental legislation
rs lrrid by the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On environmental proIcclion". State contrcil in this field is carried out by the Ministry of
r

Natural Resources and Environme

Belarus. The perspectives are the i
sphere of industry; ensuring
and reduction in wastes and
sion of the network of enterPrises
processing; th
Being a

ments in the
has ample opportunity to protect an

-'
Higher Education in the Republic of

E^r--..^
Belarus

I
l

@
Task I. The words
e text. Learn their

in

Pre-Reading Activities

the list betow are essentia!

for

understanding

pronunciation:
accessible (adj) - 4ocrynHutfi
ii"n''g

and

accommodation (n) - rloMeureHne' xI'IJIbe

qacrb
account (v) - cocrarntrb onpeAereHHylo
admission (n) - npraen'r (e yve6noe saee4eHre)

allowance (n) - aenexsoe noco6ue' cruneHAllt

annually (adv) - exeroAHo
applicant (n) - xauaraAar' rIpereHAeHT' concKareJlb

1,,

erlnform (v) - cooraercrBoBarb

urcdit (n) - 3aqer
c'rrrriculum (n) - rcypc o6y,reHnr; yve6Hrrft nnaH, nporpaMMa
rlcmand (n) - cnpoc
rlisposal (n) - pacnopfl)r(eHHe, npaBo pacnoprxarbc.s
tlistinguish (v) - paslravarb, pacno3HaBarb
crninently (adv) - a srlcrueft creneHr,r, ucKrroqHTelrHo, oco6euuo
cncourage (v) - noourprrb, no.unepxHBarb
cngage (v) - saHuuarscr
crrhancement (n) - MoAepHH3aqHr, coBeprreHcrBoBaHHe
cnsure (v) - rapanrnpoBarl, o6ecneqranars
cntitle (v) - 4aaarr flpaBo
cntrance exam - BcrynureJlbuufi sxsaverr
crrtrant (n) - a6nrypueHT, nocryraloulufi (n yve6Hoe taaegeHne)
crrvisage (v) - npelycMarpnBarb
cxternal studies - 3aoqHoe o6yveHue
lcc (n) - (AeHexusrfi) nsuoc, nJrarex
lirr own account - ga co6crseuusrfi cqer

lirll-time student

cryAeHT orrHoro orAeneHat

gilied (adj) - oAapeHHblfi, cnoco6nnfi, raraH'uururfi

graduate (n) - eslnycKHr,rK yHr4Bepcnrera
graduation project - AHnJroMHtrfi npoercr
Frant (v) - rpeAocraBnrrb
lrostel (n) - cryAeHqecroe o6ruexnrue
Iturnanities (n) - ryr',raHHTapHbre HayKu
irr irccordance with - corracyqcb c, B coorBercrBr4n c

of- oreercreeHHrrfr ga
oompliance
Itr
with - B coorBercrBar,t c
irr concordance with - B coorBercrBr,rur c
irrclination (n) - cxnoHHocrs
itrlcrnal (adj) - nHyrpeHHr.rfi
lrrcspective of- HesaencHMo or
Itr charge

available (adj) - 4ocrynustft

cocraBrqrb
average (v) - e cpeAHeM paBHflTbct'
award (v) - nPucY)KAarb
by corresPondence - 3aoqHo
carry out (v) - erruonHflTb' ocyulecrBJltrb

competition (n) - copenuoBaHne, KoHKypc

competitive (adj) - copeBHoBarersHrtil' KoHKypcHbrn
Gaii - o6Rgarerssstfi
"o-pul.ory
concern (n) - ra6ora
confirmation (n) - noArBep)KAeHI4e
30

(v)-4enarr Heo6xo4nrusru, Hens6exHo

niche (n)- Huura, $aArexauee Mecro
ttcccssitate

nonrinal scholarship

uhligatory (adj)

Bnerrb ga

co6oft

nMenHafl crr.neHAlfn

o6csaremHHfi
31

obtain (v) - norYuars

option (n) - naPaaHr
pattern oi ownership - Sopva co6crseHHocrpt
perception (n) - eocnPvt*Tfie
personnel (n) - nepcoHzIJI' KaApbl

[-Fl

c fask lll. Read the text and check your understanding by doing the
lasks fhaf follow:

nocJl eAU nrloM Hoe o6yueun e

iotigtuo uuie train in g noAroroBr'IteruH st fi $ aryl srer

ir"p"u*to.y d epartm ent nepnuuuutfi
irimury (udj) - repBoHaqzilsttltil'
:anPeuraru
(v)
prohibit
public policy - rocyAapcrBeHHafl no;IrlrnKa
and Management - o6ecreveHlae'
Quality Assurance, Control
Tponb h yIIpaBneHI4e KaqecrBOM
KaKoe-n' Mecro
rank (v) - KorllpoBarbcq,3aHnMarb

reduction (n) - corcPauleHne

regardless of - Hegasucl4Mo or

render assistance - oKa3blBarb noMoxrb

staff(n) - nepcoHan, KaAPbI

BATb

tax credit

HuLIIoroBas

Jlbrora

tui
tui

Hoe o6YveHne

un
workshop (n)

ceunHaP, cHMno3rryM

and word
@ Taskll. Guess the meaning of these words
text:
the
you
read
checking your guesses as
rules of enrolment
top prioritY
h

gher educational establi shment

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
subordinate

32

at budget cost
entrance score

teaching staff
state-run comPanies

Reading and Comprehension Activities

Scientific and intellectual potential is the major wealth of the Reof Belarus. Therefore, development and enhancement of the
rrltional education system is the top priority of the public policy. As
provided by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the country
guarantees its citizens the right to universal secondary education and
ercates conditions for further professional education. The state assures that secondary specialized and higher education is accessible to
t'vcrybody according to their abilities. In compliance with the Constilulion and the Act on Education, every citizen of the country has a
tiglrt to receive tuition-free education.
Belarus tries to preserve the democratic character of education,
lxrying much attention to common human values, developing indelrcrrdent critical thinking instead of simple perception of information.
I'lrc main principles of the educational system in Belarus are the priulily of human values, national culture as the basis of education, hurrr:rrrism, sense of ecological purpose, scientific basis, democracy,
srrpport of gifted students, and so on. The country is looking for the
wrys to develop innovative education in order to improve specialist
It'rrirring and raise their competitive ability as Belarus gets integrated
irrlo the global economy.
'llre system of higher education in Belarus as the basic source for
itrcroase in intellectual, cultural, scientific and personnel potential,
irrvolves 53 higher educational establishments, of which 43 are state
l\vrrod (28 universities, 8 academies, I institute, 5 higher colleges, I
Itil',lrcr school) and l0 are private. ln 2007-2008 there were 413,658
alrrtlcnts in the country getting higher education in 320 areas of knowIt'rl1',c, which lets the national economy fully meet its needs in the spetirrlists. Annually, about 3,000 students from over 70 world countries
(('lriua, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Poland, Jordan,India) study in
llrc l{opublic. 425 students account for 10,000 residents of Belarus
pLrblic

KOH.

I hr

rro0

33

(est. 2008). This ratio is among the highest in Europe. For every thousand people engaged in the national economy there are 331 specialists
with higher and secondary specialized education.
Higher education is available both on free and paid basis. The lat
ter option is for those who failed to win the entrance competition. The
paying students can make use of tax credit system. The state prohibits
the increase of the places for paying students at the cost of reduction
of budget places. This policy is the major guarantor of the
lity of all levels of education to all groups of population. On
whole, the volume of budget spending on education is fixed at 10Yo
national income.
Belarusian education is ranked among the best ones, and the

rusian specialists are much in demand in the world. Therefore

our citizens and foreign students wish to study in the higher ed
tional institutions of the Republic. In the system of higher educati
of Belarus a broad network of educational establishments was sh
Four major types can be distinguished: University, A
Institute, and Higher College. University carries out fundamental
search in natural sciences, humanities and other sciences. Univers
is the centre of developing education, science and culture. It trai
specialists at all levels of higher education over a wide range of fi
of study. Academy trains specialists at all levels in one field of
and carries out applied and fundamental research, mainly in
branch of science or engineering. Institute trains specialists, as a ru
at the first level of higher education in a variety of specialities of
field of study. Higher College trains specialists at the first level of
or several specialities. Universities, academies as well as institutes
classified as higher educational establishments of university type
provide a two-level system of higher education with academic
of Bachelor and Master. The oldest higher educational institutions
the country are the Belarusian Agricultural Academy; the Belarusi

Mogilev and Vitebsk State Universities; the Belarusian Nati

Technical University; Vitebsk Veterinary Medicine Academy.
Higher educational establishments are headed by Rectors.
rectors are in charge of academic and scientific work. Every insti
tion has several departments specializing in various fields of

;rrrtl occupies

I,r'all

its particurar niche in training of highry quarified

staff

branches of national economy. Regardless o?putt"*

of ownerr;lrip all higher educational establishments
are subordinate to the Mi_
rristry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.
The rules of enrorment to the institutions of higher
education

provirlc for unified conditions for admission. But

it is not that easy to
lrccome a student. Great demand < n higher
education red to substanlial entrance competition irrespective oiforn, of studies
or speciarity.
'llrcrefore,
only the very best can rtudy at budget cost. To
obt"in fr""
t'tlucation at state institutions a person has to
successfuily pass the
c()rrpulsory centrarized testing in two or three
admission ii."rptinrr.
Applicants can
on their own or join u f."pu*a.y
r[rparlment and
efore trying to enter a'f,igi". eAu_
r.'rrlional establi
ts who passed the entrance exams
srrccessfully but did not get the necessary
entrance score have the opD.rtunity to study for their own account. As regards tuition payment,
rrrriversit5r education does not significantry
exceed education services
costs and stays within $2500 for the most prestigious
specialities.
Three forms of rearning are avairabre at Beiarusian
trigner educali.'al establishments: fuil-time, evening and by
Fuil"orr".poni"nce.
lirrre learning is the most widespread and in
the greatest demand with
l/i of the students. Less than lyo of students ir.
ro* of
lcrrrning and over 35yo of students learn by
"u"ning
correspondenJ".
co.,"rD'rrdence and evening fonns of rearning are good
a
opportunity for
l)crsons with financial, age, physical and other limitations. External
slrrdies represent another form of receiving
higher education. It is
lrirscd on the independent study of subjects
rro* th" regular curriculrrr' credits and examinations are taien without obrlgatory attenrl;rrrce of classes. This form of rearning
is for person, *iIn selondary
.rlrrcation, who cannot study fuil-ti." o, reave
their workprace. Di;rl.'as are granted to externar students on a regurar basis. Acombinaliorr of various forms of learning is accepted,
di_
virlrral curricula. The efficiency of any foim
of
by
t'nrinently qualified teaching staff inctuding a I
di_
r|rlcs and doctors ofscience, associate professors
and professors.
35

seience
Specialists are educated on the basis of the modern
integration of
technology -aohievements, in conditions of close
activities of
creative
and
practical
i"u"t ing"process with scientific,
withiri
create
institutions
,students and teacherr. rfigl,., educational
laboratort
with research institutes,
their structures ot ur"

"orn-bit

"d

ing.unO-production .,and investigation enterpri ses'

i, workshops, other enterprises and organisation
prog16ry
in line Jith the rypg of speciaiists trainin',g. curricula and
oJ
national
the
tut" lnto *"ouni both specific features of
edr;1
world's
the
it,i".;a,rirrtion andtneceSsity of its integfation into

i-ruin

O-"-:1i1.,:

Ytl"-

and
t25-35Vo,

tific

curricutumstructureincludes.itudybfdiscipliire
scier
o^'ial-Pnnnnmic type
-Jf- 25-35Yo''' ofi :general
i.
disciplines"
speciql
of
i5-45yo,

- 10-15%"*^^-.r'":"l^^+,,-o.

optn'
^-^l-,
sem
Higi.,". education in Belarus does ncit only mean'lectures,

in internt
nu.. un-d exams. In addition, Belafusial students participate
pr1
exchange
studerit
tional scientific conferences and competitions,
t"
grams. Belarusian ,"n , take firdt pi1*t at competitt:":.
T:tl
of tl
matics, economy and prograrnming' However' organisation
educationalproc9SSi'"bttt'"onlyconcer'nofthehigherschool.
' Social siate policy in the sphere ofhigher education envisages i
provided wi
nancial support of students: non-resident students are
institutions I
accommodation at hostels, advanced students of state
granted soc
are
ceive monthly'allowance, some groups of students
for the nQn
allowance. The most gifted young people can also apply
plesident Fund on Social support:
nal scholarship from"a ,p."iul
cit"a pupils and Students. universities place at studentst freew-cd
creative
posal spons facilities and library funds, encourage their
and render assistance in conducting leisure

activities'

ii

Sincelgg4thecountryhasbeenireformingthenationalsysterx
in the fielc
higher education basing on thq principles of state policy
UNESCO,
ed-ucation and international classification adopted by
introduced,in'Bo
was
?0a2,atwo-stage system of higher education
to five yg
rus. The first-stage university education usually lasts four
a
and after that a student takes state examinations and defends

tion project. Those who have successfully completed their studies

36

ccive a Diploma of Higher Education and in accordance witli attestation results they may be given a Bachelor's degree. Graduates both
li'om state and private universities are granted state diplomas of highcr education. A more stringent selection and much more advanced
sccond-stage curriculum (for obtaining a Master's degree) allow perlbctly educated intellectual elite of the country to be formed. After
university graduation young specialists have the possibility to get a
postgraduate education. Here training of the scientific personnel with
highest qualifications is conducted with grahting scientific degrees of
Carrdidate of Science and Doctor of Science.
Graduates of state educational establishments are provided with
lhc first workplace in concordance with the tabour leglslation of the
Itcpublic of Belarus. ln 2007 the head of state gave an instruction. to
straighten out the system of primaryjob assignment to university graduates taking into consideration the demand for specialists. At present
university graduates can be given jobs both at state-run and privateowned companies. In the 2006-2007 academic year 94Yo of students,
whose education was funded by the state budget, and 988 students out
ol'7,980 ones, who paid for their education, were assigned jobs by the
g<lvernment.

Transition to the mass higher education necessitated a more strict

control over the quality of providing educational sgrvices. Regardless
rul' the pattern of ownership, all higher institutions of ,education are
subject to accreditation procedure, which takes place every five years.
Accreditation is aimed at the confirmation of the-adequate level of the
qrrality and contents of undergraduate. and postgraduate training,
which should meet the requirements of the established educational
slarrdards. Accreditation entitles the educatiohal establishment in
rprcstion to issue a standard cdrtificate of education of the correspondirrg level. Quality Assurance, Control and lVlanagement in higher eduerrlion is provided by the President; the Ministry of Education, the
l)cpaftment of Quality Control, and the Rectors' Council on the basis
ol' lhe National Educational Standards.
Belarus continues to reform its system of higher education with
llrc: aim of creating an independent, qualitatively new national higher
37

and ensuring each citischool, conforming to international standards

zentherighttothehigh-qualityeducationinaccordancewiththeir
progress with respect to imabilities and inclination"s. The work is in

re-

proving the infrastructure, mult

sources, reviewing the structur"
content in compliance with the n
velopment of the

its
de-

societY'

which are close in mear,,nn

Task tV, Find the words in the text
the following:

. institution of higher education

2. candidate for admission (2)
3. a list of courses of studY (l)
4. to promise (3)
5. grant(2)
6. mandatory (2)
7. dormitory (1)
8. workforce (3)
9. to be given (7)
I

(4)

'l'lre Belarusian system of (I) ... education includes educational

rrrrrl research institutions ihat use unified standards and rules in the
l)rl)cesses of teaching, management, assessment and research. Higher
etlrrcation is provided (2) ... prfulic and (3) ... accredited higher edue:rlional institutions. Education in public institutions is (4) ... of
t lrirrge for students who passed the entrance competition. ln private
t'stablishments, all students pay tuition (5) .... Higher education is
rrrrcler the supervision of the Ministry of (6) ..., which is responsible
(/) ... the accreditation and licensing of higher educational institutiorrs and developing and applying the State Educational Statrdards.
Al present, the implementation of the (8) ...-level system of higher
crlrrcation is underway, which implies obtaining a Bachelor's degree
rrlicr 4 years of (9) ... and a (/0) ... degree after one additional year
lirllowing the first degree.

a Task Vll. Agree or disagree with these statements about the text.
(;ive arguments to suppott your viewpoint:
I

10. in conformity with (6)

on the left with

Task V. Connect each word from the column
the text and saY
prop", *oras from'the column on the right' Skim
'ih'"t ronn"ction these collocations are mentioned:
a. a monthlY allowance
1. win
b. the world's educational sPace
2. study
3. receive

4. carry out
5. defend
6. grant
?. provide with
8. correspond to
f . integrate into
10. raise

Task V/. See if you can guess the misging words to fit the context of

llrc text:

c. fundamental research
d. the iirst workPlaces
e. a scientific degree
f. at budget cost
g. a competitive abilitY

h. a graduation Project
i. international standards

j.

the competition

l{

Belarusian universities, academies, institutes and higher colleges

can be either state-owned or privately owned.
'l'he Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus supervises
only public higher educational establishments of the country.

Belarus operates a dual examination system, with l7-year-old

tuniversity entrants forced to take school leaving exams followed
by university entrance tests.
'l-here is a quota placed on the number of students admitted to
turriversities and that's why there is always a competition.
Specialization disciplines constitute a major portion of disciplines
in the curriculum structure.
Students ofstate institutions ofhigher education are granted scholarships depending on their academic success.
I'uition fees do not significantly exceed education services costs.
lrinding a good job on speciality is not a problem for paying stutlcnts.
39

38

and awarded a
The higher school graduates are issued a diploma
Bachelor's or a Master's degree'
can enter a postgraduate'
10. After acquiring aMaster's biplotu one
Doctor's degree'
and
school and get a Candidate of Science's

g-

9.

In what way is the quality of higher education assured?

10. What are the reasons for the growing demand for higher education in the Republic of Belarus?

',f:h

according to the conTask Vtlt. Complete the fotlowing sentences

tents of the text:

1.

2.

&

Z.
3'
1.
5.
6.
7.

S.

ofBelarus

"'

PeoPle can

"

'

... trains specialists over nume

ity to award various academic degrees'
of higher education "'
T'he rules of admission to the institutions
with minimum reThose not successful at exams but complying
quirements may '..
by " '
The first-stage university education is completed
a stu'
establishment
educational
Ufon gruAultion from u t igt,.t
study and has author-

dent receives . -.

g.

All highereducational

establishments

re"public is reforming its system of education "

&

X.

Task

5.

H br

M ceKTopoM HaulroHan bHofi erco govurcn.

Be-rrapycs r4Meer ABycropoHHhe corraureHnt

B3aHMHoM nplr-

3HaHrrH Ar4nnoMoB co MHorr4MLr cTpaHaMr,r MHpa.

t{ro6sr [ocrynHTb B r-ocyAapcrBeHHoe Bbrcuree yue6Hoe 3aBeAeHHe, HyxHo ycflerrrHo npofirn o6csarersHoe ueHTpanr43oBaHHoe

TCCTI'IPOBAHHE fi O TPEM BCryN}ITENbHbIM IPEAMETAM.

'

essential
Answer the questions scanning the text for

B Eelapycr,r HacqnTbrBaercc 55 srrculr,rx yve6Hsrx saeeAeHfifi rocyAapcrBeHnofi u qacrsofi Qopuu co6creeHHocrr, Koropbre BeAyr noAroroBKy cryAeHToB rro 320 cneunarbHocrsM.
flepexo4 K MaccoBoMy BbrcueMy o6pa:oaaunlo nprBen K yxecroqeHHro Kourponr HaA KaqecrBoM npeAocraBJreHnr o6pasonaTeIbHLtX y0nyn
fnasa rocyAapcrBa A:u nopyqeHr4e ycnnurs cBq3b Mex,qy By3aMH
H rrpo Mbr rxneH

.1

6.

"'

io. itt"

l.

Task X- Translate into English:

/.

It.

Y.re6Hure [JraHbr rr flporpaMMbr yqr,rrbrBaror oco6eHnocrfi Hauuosalrrrofi chcreMbr Bbrcr.ltero o6pa:oaaHnr u neo6xoAHMocrb ee
HHTe rpauu H B M r,rpoBoe o6pa:onarelb H oe npocrpaHcrBo.
YHnrepcr4Ter roroBHT cfleqnuu]ncroB no pa3nl4qHbtM cnequirnbnocrflM, npoBoAr4T QyHgarrnenrarrbHbre H npnruIaAHbre HayqHble
uccneAoBaHur, roroBHT HayqHbre KaApr,r esrcurefi xaannQnxaqnu
qepe3 acrupaHrypy H AoKropaHrypy, qBJl'ercs ueHrpoM pa3BUrnl o6pasona*nfl, HayKu H Kynbrypbr.
f{syxcrynelluartafl cncreMa Bbrcrrrero o6paaonannfl npeAnonataer

noAroroBKy xaalnSuqapo BaHHbrx cneunanncroB Anr pezurbHoro

ceKTopa 3KoHoMHKH H corlniurbHofi c$eprr ua nepeofi cryfleHn, H
noAroroBKy K rrayqHo-HccneAoBarenscrcoft AetrerbHocrn Ha BTopofi

er education?
6.
7

Wh;i J.g*es can be obtained at an institution of higher

tioof Wn""t is a twolevel system of higher education?

Republic
What forms of tuition exisi in the higher school of the
Belarus?

8.

workp
Are all Belarusian graduates provided with their first

varucrepcrofi cry[eHn.

,
() llocle

oKor{qaHHc Kypca acnrpaHrypbr, HanhcaHnr H 3aurr,rrbr

llnccepTaqH h coHcKaTeIb fionyqaeT cTerreHb KaHAHAaTa HayK.

10. Bsrcoxoe KaqecrBo o6pa:oeaunq, xoporrne ycJroBur Anq npn3HarrHfl AlrrlJroMoa aa py6exoM, cra6ullrHarr noJnITI,IqecKafl curyaqut
/(enalor o6yveHue n Eenapycrz npHBJIeKareJrbHbrM He ronbKo Arq

6enopyccxlrx rpDKAaH.
41

40

Follow-uP Activities

Task Xl. Provide arguments from your life experience to prove or

disprove the following statements:

.
2.
3.
I

4.
5.

Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.

The money spent on brain is never speut in vain.
Going to university is likely to make you richer, healthier affd

scholars.

ching are thorough train_

Iedge, as well as making
skills and abilities. The
c approach to studies, making

happier.

The 'best' institution is the one that most clearly matches the
individual student's aspirations and abilities.
lt's a good idea to consider higher education as a serious option. lt can broaden your experience and mind as you encounter all types of ideas. people and activities.

fD-l Optional Reading

The Belarusian State Economic University
The Belarusian State Economic University was formed in 1992 on
the basis of the Belarusian State Institute of the National Economy
founded in 1933 as a department of the Belarusian State University.
Nowadays it is the leading higher educational establislment in Belarus training specialists in the spheres of economics, management,
marketing and law. More than 60,000 of the University graduates are
employed in all sectors of tlre national economy both in the country
and abroad.

The Belarusian State Economic University has a well-developed

infrastructure which provides training and research within schools of
Management, Marketing, Law, Accounting and Economics, Finance
and Barrking, lnternational Economic Relations, Trade Management,
International Business Communications. In addition, the BSEU incorporates Higher School of Tourism, Higher Sclrool of Business and
Management, Consulting Centre for Commerce, a Specialized School
of Pre-university'Iraining, and a Specialized School of Psychological
42

'leaching updating.The
University has a Research centre, an
lrrtcrnational Relations Division, and a publishing
Centre.
university has more than 27,000 internal and external
.rlcrrtsT'he
stu_
and 1,300 facurty members. 47o/o ofthe teaching
stairtras aa_
virnced degrees and titres and many of
the University"p-[rror. ur"
noted
rrrrd

til:,

on an d effective m eth od s .r," r',Tro*t "lLi"lli,ff

r
t()norrors learning. Acquiring the most up+o-daie
Lchniques of
tcaching combined with doing scientific
researcrr on topicar issues of
t.co19mic development are made possibre due
to fruitiur contacts of
lhc.University with rerated educaiionar estabrishments,
business orlirrnisations, and enterprises including those beyond Belarus.
Tlre University provides a
crrl knowledge. Many subjects
lirndamental theoretical backgrou
1lllrance, banking, acconnting, s
;rrrd those that rnake students edu
rlevelop their world outlook (pol
t'c:onomic geography, world economy, foreign
languages).
The conditions for studies at the Univ-..ity -a.""agieeabre
to the
errrrent starrdards. Numerous research raboratories,
clnputer crassroorlrsJ autonrated pc-based training offices
for speciaiists in nra_
rrrgcnrent, finance, banking, and commerce
are at tlre students, disprsal' Lecture halls and tutorial rooms have
state-of-the-aft audio and
vidco facilities, slide projectors and other required
educationar techrrrlogies. The Internet, rocal computing network
and sateilite TV are
rviclely used in trre rearning p.o.".r. irre
University ribrary with its
'r1r:rcious reading halls is one of the best
suppried and equipied in the
t'orultly.
'flre tuition is free,
but about 70%o, basicaily those who failed to
['t'l the necessary score during their entrance exams, have to pay
for
irr

st ru

cti

TT:

43

"Higher education has to meet and to satis$ the needs of the developing Belarusian economy. The country needs highly qualified
specialists. The innovation economy demands innovation in education", said the Head of the Government, Sergey Sidorsky. The Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus,
Petr Prokopovich, stated that "we are going round in circles in this
llcld and are still living in our Soviet ancestry". Mr. Prokopovich
doubted the reasonability of decreasing the number of expefts to be
trained,in the sphere of banking, i.e. economists and finarlcfeqq. "Over

theirstudies.Manystudentsaregivenstatograntsandmostgethostel

(Jne-year lvrr\
graduation students crbtain a Bachelor of Arts degree'
Arts degree. A great
!.".r" i, required for the award of a Master of
in research and corrtiT::l^"it"""1i:
nurnber of graduatet
"ngoged
"t" t"ttiol
they pursue a Candidate of Sci:
where
iostgraduate

;;;i""

ence's and Doctor's degrees'

'

Tl-'
A lot of rictivity ;t B"i"t done outside the curriculyrn.3s ltll:
tourir
festivals,
students'
Students, Tutorial Board iJthe initiator of
become regular eveni
which
meetings
programs, sports
theatre' conce
"nO-uif,f"ii"s
in tte life oithe BSEU students' Going to the cinema'
the uni'
or dancing parties is also very popular' Time at
it"ffi
stay for a lonl
passes n"ry qii"t ty, but memories about it
versity"ftUt
time.
of education an
The University continues to upgrade the quality
ui-. ut high standards of contemporary university' able to meet thr
domestic and global economic development'

"r

"nuff"ng"Jof

The Minister of Education, Alexander Radkov, pointed to the "'insufficient financial resources that could be used to equip higher educational establishments, the latter have out-of-date laboratory equip
nterft (70o/o is obsolete) and only 52Yo of the needed space". Minister
lure employers.

l1

authortt
After reforming secondary education, the Belarusian
TF-9:*"I
took a closer look at the system of higher education'
B(
of
Ti-gFI
ffil;reviewed the oraft of the State Programme
20.15'
;i;D"""lopment for 2008-2010 and in perspective untiltrainingr T
*uin gout of the Programme is to irnprove the quality of
the.hil
;i;iid. In oider to aJhieve this goal it is important to equip
bi
technical
and
material
esiaUtisnments with modern
ss,
proce
"i""",i"""i
educational
io introd u"" state-of-the-art technolo gies into

to implement an irlnovative model of development'

,i

budget.

Radkov specifically indicated the lack of close relations with the fu-

Higher Education: Between Yesterday

and the DaY Before YesterdaY?

cal basis of highpr educational institutions as well as significant

slrortage of rooms in student dormitories. Today only 57Yo of students
liom other towns of Belarus live in student dorms, four dormitories
are undergoing capital repairs. He proposed to elaborate a system of
loans for higher educational establishments, which eould be used to
huild student dorms, with an interest rate to be paid out of the state

Around $2.5 billion is needed in order to realize the mentioned

rnillion using
cxtra-budgetary resources. In the course of the implementation of the
programme it is planned to increase the number of educational, scienlilic and experimental establishments from 24 in 20n8 up to 66 in
2015. There will be more afFrliated departments of institutions of
lrigher education: th'ere are 103 of them today and in 2015 there
slrould be296.It is planned thatthe leading enterprises and organisations will provide their premises for setting up laboratories and training classes for future specialists.
nbove Programme using the state budget and around $356

45

- 6strr npnvunofi, Bbl3blBarb, no6yN4arr

competitiveness (n) - KoHKypeHtocnoco6Hocrs
conrprise (v) - axnrcuarb, oxBarblBarb
ooncern (v) - 6ecnoKouTbct, ga6ort,trsctl
constituent (adj) - o6paryuqnfi, coctanrlrcuuft qacrb Ilenoro
construction (n) - crponreJlbcrBo
c()nsumer (n) - norpe6rTeJlb
contaminate (v) - :arPrrurrr
contribution (n) - cogeficrBue, BISIaA
clre (n) - rApo, cyrb, cylqHocrb
distribute (v) - pacnpeAentrb
tlomestic (adj) - sHyrpeuunfi; oreqecrBeuHslfi, uaxoAsurnficc

cause (v)

The Draft Programme was aPP

o
further develoPed in the course
should
said that the Programme
to
ther than general ones in order

/(cJrax cTpaHbl
tl Lr rabi I ity (n) -,qor roeer{Hocrb; cpox

will be returned within

to l0 years'

flti

tvtatn Website of Belarusian-European

shiP i
C o op ei ation and P ar tner

I7

SePtember 2008

Belarus
The Economy of the Republic of

Pre-Reading

below, make sure you know the

Task I. Before reading the text
wiig words and word combinati ns:
able-bod ied (a-dj )

rpy4ocnoco6Hsrfi

account for (v) - orBeqarb 3a

peKoMeHAalrun' oruvr)
adopt (v) - npI4HHMars (nlau'
amount to (v) - cocraBrqrb, PaBlrcrbct
crBytorqllH
appropriate (adj) - noAXoA'I
approximatelY (adv) - nPn6
Beurb
urti"l. (n) - npegrvrsr ropfoBnu'
attain (v) - AocrurHyrs, 4o6nrrcr
cattle breeding - cnoronoAcrBo
46

clyx6rt

tlwindle (v) - yueimuJarbct, coKpaularbct, npuxoAuTb B yraAoK

crlploy (v) - Hannrvrarb, rpeAocraBJltrb pa6ory
c ntcrpri se (n) - npouulrxneHHoe rlpeAfiputrl'Ie, npeA[pnHhMareJlbcr-

sian educational sYstem' The Min

nion that the financial inPut into

B npe-

Iro

cxtract (v) - 4o6rraarb, noJlyqarb

lirbric (n) - rKaH6, MarepHaJI
lcr-tilizer (n) - yao6penne
llax (n) - reH
lirrestry (n) - lecouoAcrBo, JIecHoe xossficreo
lircl (n) - ronJIHBo, t-oprcqee
( iDP (Gross Domestic Product)
- sarosrtft eHyrpeur'rrail npoAyKT
lrcritage (n) - Hacre4ue
lrousehold appliances - 6ttrosar rexHllKa
'
lrousehold plot - noAco6soe xogqftcreo
irrrpact (n)
i

II

rr p I

enarHNe

ement (v)

srlolHsTb, ocyuIecTBJIqTb, o6ecnequsarb

B 6I

nOJIHe-

r.ro

g in dustry - npr.r6opocrpoeHne
- arcquouepuuft
ioirrt venture - coBMecrHoe npeA[pnqrl,Ie
krritwear (n) - rpraxorol(, TpIlKorzDKHble u3Aeruc

r r

strument

m aki

ioirrt-stock (adj)

livcstock (n) - Aorvraurunfi cror

Iow-cost (adj) - HH3Ko larparHrtfi, ue.qoporofi

47

mach inery (n)

- rvraur nnocrpoeHne'

rrrrcvenly (adv)

arrntH Hoe o6oPY,4onauue

make (n) -v34eilve' rPoAYKuuc

make up (v) - cocraurrr
o6pa6arutnaloqaq ilpoMbIIlIJIeHmanufacturing (n) - rpoln3BoAcrBo'
HOCTb

nr""ttuni"ut engineering and metalworking

l'IDI(eHepHas

mitigat
oil and
per capita

petrochemical

Ay[Jy HaceJleHufl'
(a-dj

4epenoo6pa6orra

(n)'- xo:rftcrBo, 3KoHoMHKa, gKoHoMHt

t'conomics (n) - sr<ouoMnKa, HapoAHoe xo:lficrno, noJrnTnr{ecKafl

',r(oHoM14q

cconomic (adj) - gKoHoMriqecrnfi, xosxficrBeuHnfi, sKoHoMr4qecKH

rr r,r lo4Hbrfi , penra6elsunft
cconomical (adj ) - sxoHonrHsrft , 6epexluasr fr , uarep nalbHsr fi

Pa6orrca
Ha

cconomy

P.AYKTLI

output

HepaBHoMepHo

. Iask ll. Mind the difference:

MexaHI'IKa I'I

uerall.oo6Pu6ot*u

woodworking (n)

Ha qeJIoBeKa

o lask lll. Mind the following proper nouns:

HeSrexnrrluqecnnfi

l:t J (the European Union) - Esponeftcxr.rfi coros

IISSR (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

CCCP

[-B-l Reading and Comprehension Activities

s(ruralbJlrruu{'rrr '-'- ' -J
proprietary (adj) - co6creeHtll4r{ecK}lll'

co6creeHuocrs

After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USS'R, Belattrs attained its independence in 1991. Nowadays the republic is one
ul'cconomically developed countries of the CIS. Due to its advantaEluous geographical position, developed net of transportation ways
corrnccting Europe and Asia and possession of the scientific and techttical potential with highly qualified personnel, the economy of the
l{cpublic of Belarus achieves the desirable level of satisf ing its needs
lltrrrLrgh wide trade with many countries of the world increasing the
tlrurlity and competitiveness of its products in international markets.

cHa6

com
cstPofi

ng

o6uecrseuHoro

rII4TaHu
I

gasl4cqull4n

reliant (adj) - aael4cl4r'{ltfi;

respectively (adv) - coorBercrBeHHo
roundwood (n) - rpyrnuft leconnarepuar
Bo3ABI4rarb
set up (v) - ocuoeblBarsr orKpblBarb'
sewing industry - urnefiHaq npoMbnuneHHocrb
qacrt'
share (n) - AoJIfl,
shift (n) - cg;Blat, [epeMeIrIeHI'Ie, cMelqeH?Ie
roploqee
solid fuel - TBepAoe rorIJIHBo' TBepAoe
sophisticated (adj)

uoNnslfi, roHrloft (o npra6ope' Maull{He

stock market - $on4oean 6raPNa

store (v) - cHa6xaru, 3anacarb, xpaHllrb
sugar beet - caxaprlafl cBeKJIa
supply (v) - cHa6Narb' nocraBJltrb
48

.l

i
i

i
i'

ra

-\
t'n')

fask lV. Go through the text and do fhe fasks that follow:

'lhe economy of Belarus has the contribution of approximately

5 i million people, out of which 35Yo are employed in industry;21%o

Itt irgriculture and forestry; and 40%o in services such as culture, eduhealth services, trade and transportation. Agriculture and inare
the largest sectors of Belarus' economy, making up 13%o
{ristry
Arrrl -14% of GDP, respectively.
GRlior.r,

llased on the Soviet heritage, traditional industries continue to

plny the most important role in the econorny. The contribution of
49

these industries to GDP in 2007 amounted to 26.7%. However a ceri'

tain shift towards expansion of share of services and trade appears
logical and is in line with global trend.
Industry is the traditional flagship of Belarus' econbmic growth.
is a major branch of the national economy, supplying almost a third
the GDP. The Belarusian industry includes over 100 branches.
are over 20,000 industrial enterprises and production facilities in

countiy.
Currently, large-sized industrial enterprises serye as a pillar of
Belarusian economy. They employ nearly half of the able-bodi
population. Having managed to keolp their production capacities
dwindling, these enterprises are specifically concerneid to enter
world markets. The Government provides a sizable support to them
stimulate their export as one of the priority spheres of the social
economic development of the country.
To increase their performance, the majority of the state-owned
terprises are changing their category of ownership, are being
joint-stock and are sold to investors. Socio-economic development
Belarus in 2006 demonstrated positive dynamics on virtually all
important parameters, thus proving the effectiveness of the
economic model chosen by the leadership of Belarus.
Sectorc of Economy

Mechanical engineering and metalworking are the leading

dustries. Supplying a quarter of the mechanical engineering o
automobile production is the largest branch of the national
cal engineering industry. Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ tradema
and Belarusian Autoworks (BelAZ trademark, the town of Zhod
are the key companies.

The national tractor and agricultural machinery engineering

almost fully satisfo the need of the Belarusian agribusiness forr
necessary machines and equipment. The industry comprises
companies specialized in designing and manufacturing tractors
agricultural machines. Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) iq
of the world's eight largest tractor producers, which accounts for

r[

the internationar tractor sales. MTZ

exports the make to more than

(r0 countries.

Belarus arso produces buirding, road

construction machines and
equipment for trading and public
liances;

nrachines, and others. TV sets

ma
rcliigerators Atlant are known far

sophisticated mechanical engineerir

instrurnent making indusiry; erectrotechnicar

industry; radio tech'y electronic, optical mechanical
trical,
industries.

pctroleum products, sorid fuer,

erJric and heating energy. Berarus
It's proprietary smat oir reselves and is
."iiunt on oir and gas suppries
f'rurn Russia. The Druzhba oir piperin"
i, u major transit corridor used
Iu transport Russian oir and is a continuation
of ttr" ryrt"' oit.unt
Transneft. Beltransgaz distributes
elarus. The company also serves
scontinental gas pipeline yamal_
specialists also started working
cting seismology joint venture
't,n,,,v v srr.Dtrr. tn zntJ t tne sldes started
ll{lracting oil in Venezuela.
'l'he core
of construction industry is made up
by the companies
s as we I I
and fai ence, forestry
:"j:5.:::"T:",:l^,f:?riat
.",
lnrl woodworking
mechanical engin"e.lng
and metalw"rO6;::'i
companies p.oau"l materiats and
articles to
!l):';,li:_l_"lli"::""
L..buildings meeting at European
durab'ity and desigri standards.
Betarus has a signiircant impact
on the eco_
'l'he country
,lT.*.::::1?ri",
t.y.
has become a signifiJan, ;;il;;;r#;;

,"nt"r'ro'"ffiffi;:tl::

;i;.

50
51

providing low-cost raw materi

the Baltic countries and to Europe,
for their industries.
Light industrv unites more than 10 l*Tl"-t:11,:::Tt*tlthe.r
;;;;uni". tur" the leading position.in
ufacture all types .?f f"bli:jj'ld.
ture of this industry'
industry sectoi is the sewing ind

,i"";:.il;;;;i",

ii;J;"

H;'d;:"ffi"il"iri"*',
unites more than 250 compantes'
which
";;;;ii"oltuor
sector is an import"nl.bfi:l"-f

::"J:fI

of the agro-in{ustrial sector 9'f B'e'lqrt

.h" ilil;;i;;;;;;"t
t;
roims, of o;une*l]f
ip,r,, arn, Fnterprises l?n"ii*;
, :11:*:

h
utti"ulturuit goodp: ,4gricultural companfes' farms'
collectiveE have
etc. Altho;gfr i"ig"'i;'*it, formerly
,^-:-.^+^ f-*o
arcc
farms' TLarge
private
nreserved in Belarus, i"h"'" u-'" over 2'000
j
9ll?ll^^
srvuuvv t" .irn" nati on' s.agricultural
;'."d";;;
' cludes'such
^..
subsectors
suusevLu
^1, o.,hcao,
susn
The Belarusian agribtrsiness sector lncluoes
indut
processing
c^--:-ft i-'l,rcrru r"r.,? and animal husbandry),
(l^^A

i
h

!-- -.^L^-^ (land m

ma
ocessing), service sPhere

other services)' The agrarian sectr

and Plant growing' Cattle-breedi
the total livestock output' O
companies produce more than half of
tu-tTlg:,,
it
rrrvsrrapidly devel'oping industry 9e-ctor.s
trrv most
of
rr the
- larmlano.
^
inclu<
rrrerr
Belarus
Eslarus
in
ln
mland
89,800 square kilometres of

ry*Y

There are
ss,400 square kilometres of arable landt.!3t ?.
::TTLt^":
difficult' Four fifths of
and a lack of fertile ,oil muk" farming
imF^o;
i""a-lr constituted'by acid soil which needs constantpower
g;rid"r, the lgg6 explosion at the chernobyl nuclear
Belarus'
Uk;;;contaminate-d much of the soil in southern
I01:.^
more
by
in"-"oun,w's total area of arable land
lhT
^barley' rye' 91ts'
Grain farming companies mainly produce

tl*

una

,p.iig wheai. Belarus is one "rt19

t"l"l-:"-'l1l*Iq

of potato p
tops the list of the countries in terms

"..ari".J*d
;;;;; ;;;.ih"

t6%i

eo11try has about

1l-:
for sugar
n^*.'fft" ciirnatic conditions in Belarus are favourable
the domestic.der
cultivation. The country can completely satisfl.
and about 3
companies
More than 1,600 agricuitural
vegetabl:t'households and
piit"t!
- farms grow secono
Prr'qrv
,- - of'output
^r ^..+-,, irl'r
teims
in tttit.:
ttLat seiond ln
-"*h stands
"::I::-l
The processing branch
'' most
imporl
the
of
One
industry'
agricultural
Belarui'
structure of

i;;;";;t.

]:'ll"T::

conrponents is food industry, which is divided into 20 sectors. Meat

nrrtl rnilk branches take the leading positions in the structure of the
Industry, which also unites bread-making, sugar, confectionary, winetrrnking and fish sectors.
Belarus can completely satis$ the needs of the population for
rrrcat and milk products. But the country has to'import vegetable oil,
I'ish and fish products, vegetables and fruit to meet the domestic deInand.

Service system is developed in Belarus unevenly. InfraStructure

in the big cities of the Republic. In
year
of 2008 this sector of economy generated 42-43% of the total
tlrc
(;l)P.
Belarus' favourable geographical position helps to build up high
trnrrsit potential of the country'p transport communications. Transport
Inliastructure of Belarus is well integrated into similar infrastructures
ol' the CIS countries. It includes a fairly developed network of autonrobile, rail, air and pipe communications.
The automobile public transport in Belarus is well developed and
plays a great role in passenger transportation. Public railways in BelaIus make 5,500 kilometres including 900 kilometres electrified. The
rnilroad and the railroad transport are monopolized by the state. Belarus is at the crossroads of air routes from Asia to Western Europe.
|.,lowadays Belarus has several well-equipped airports including interItntional ones, the largest of which is Minsk-2.
For the purpose of developing effective foreign trade in the country,
opriate infrastructure is being established; Such infrastructure
gorrtributes to the establishment of mutually beneficial business contncts, development of industrial and commercial links, attraction of
llvcstments, and new technologies.
A great number of goods produced by Belarusian industries and
lgliculture are oriented towards the CIS countries' markets. The largest
tnrding partner of Belarus is Russia, the largest supplier of raw matetluls to Belarus and the largest consumer of Belarusian investment,
ical, and food products.
'l'he EU is Belarus' second main trade partner, accounting for alone third of its overall trade. The main export items from Belaarrd services are more developed

cooperation strategy between Belarus and the World Bank for the
financial years2002-2004. An energy conservation program in the
social sphere was successfi.rlly implemented as part ofthat stratery.
ln 1992 the country also became a member of the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International
Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and

lizen outPut
G

cri si s' caut-"d

lobal firianci al and e'conom ic
],:t-:
""1 ":T
smaller
in Europe'

,t"'T'""i'#'1i;t'1;;;d' "itt" "ounffies

to.rnany:1Tt-:?:y:",t;
to smaller, in
are related

"otputiton
and incomptete reforms in
r"-t ""i't"""t*!no'
mestic stock market'

il"#*

the

A key negative effect of the. global

"":l,tl]: ::t"ti::ti:f:t:
markets
the Belarusian goods on foreign
miti
help
inn"'t*tnts fiom abroad' To

"."J":"Li;i"."Jr"t
of the amount of loanslnd
plTjl':::
;;" i;;; of the crisis, the Government adopted
"
maJor I
support
to
of measures

liberalization measures and a set

rial
' enterPrises.
i" ,r'" year of 2008 some mrj9r. steps werethe:i-::::i"t-:11i:
investment clir
t"t"stors' and improving
,h"
in general. rhe efforts m"a" '"*rt"atl
irt"'ibp-10 reformers according to the-World
zooq'ryPort as well "1]: 1*^:1t::fi::::
estment) aff racti on- ?* : :di
Jor"jil:""t t oi tt. * t *t D i rect Inv
"
issued by the United Nt
the ,,World InvestmJ#n"pon 2008'
Conference on Trade and Development'

;:"l;Tt#t"t"
;"il;il"g
6;t"; e"r#" -

ti::1T:5::illl

It's interesting to know

"'

with international financ

Belarus maintains active relations
r he Repuu.l i c b ec am e- a T3:;1 :"t * : Y""i:i
";
gunk ctntinues to support Belarus in enhanctnl
incomgt-uld,
---ri+i-.^-oo. ^f irs Fnnnomv to assure rising
ll-^^^:--l^hql l!
and addressing global
2 saw the aPProval of a

;;;l il";.
il'ffi;.

Development. The International Monetary Fund's Monitoring

Program was put in place in 2001. The Republic has been working
with the IMF since 2002 on the implementation of a project for
the development of small and medium enterprises.
Belarus is a member of the unified customs territory with Russia.
For potential investors this means that an investment in Belarus
offers access not only to the Belarusian market, but also to Belarus' giant neighbour to the east.
Belarus has established six Free Economic Zones with liberal tax
and customs rules. Profit earned by Free Economic Zone residents
through the s.ale of products of own manufacturing is exempted
lrom taxation for a period of five years following its declaration.
According to the specific law order a preferential taxation order
cxists in Free Economic Zones. It includes legislatively established common privileges for all the organizations of Belarus as
welf as additional privileges and preferences for FEZ residents.
Belarus hosts the Foreign Investment Advisory Council, which is
headed by the Prime Minister of Belarus. The Advisory Council
helps to formulate and implement comprehensive measures aimed
at attracting foreign investment and improving business conditions in the Republic, and helps to provide rapid solutions to problcrns faced by foreign investors in connection with their operations in Belarus.
'l'he Republic of Belarus is a member of the Eurasian Economic
Oommunity. Apart from Belarus and the Russian Federation, the
rnembers of this union are the Republic of Kazaklrstan, the Republic of Kyrryzstan and the Republic of Tadjikistan. The creation of a single economie zone on the basis of this union is the
rnajor objective of the Republic's foreign economic policy. This
55

54

goal is declared by the Treaty on the Tariff Union and

G. to bring in (me

Economic Zone coricluded on 26 February 1999 in Moscow.

C lask

fiom a foreign c

H.gvoiding*@

V. Fill in the deivatives of the words given in the chaft

I. penaining.t"
rncome, wealth, and commodities;
pertaining to an eco_
J. the siience

and consump

Task Vil.

equivalents

the
n-ection thiy

nyms
t,
industry / industrialization / industrialist

?
the

l.

3,
4,

Task Vl. Match the words in the left column with their

ight column:
Gross Do-

mestic Product

5,

6,

A. active redirecting of resources from being

so that they mav create benefits in the future

C. the monetaryr Value of all the goods and services

duced by an economy over'a specified period. It i
consumption, government purchases, invesfinents,:,i
exDorts minus imnorts
:,
(commodities)
D. to ship
to other countries or
I

E. an act or means of thriffy saving; the

the resources of a community, country, etc.,
with a view to its nroductivi
F. a persistent, substantial rise in the general
prices related to an increase in the volume of
resulting in the loss of value of currenc

r,

s4no-

to meet the needs (2)

profitable (l)
farming (l)

(l)

to have and control fully

Itt. common, reciprocal (l)

9,

or

ns' SaY in what con-

to manufacture (3)
employees (l)
to displace (l)
sector (l )

t, to moderate

B. the way total output or income is distributed

individuals or among the factors of production (

etc.

of

(l)

the text again and decide whether

fhese sfafe_

nomy_of your country are True

vzrrv, vservrro owUltd tflle:

or

rarci.-

iaii-in"

'l'he economy
of Berarus has the contribution of approximatery
r0
million people.

Automobile production is the largest

branch of the national merhich supplies a quarter of the me_
and natural gas.
ic growth, supplying

56

57

5.

6.

4'

Agricultural companies. farms and household plots speciali

production of agricultural goods.
Farming industry is the leading subsector of the Belarusian
business.

7.

10%o

of arable land in Belarus is constituted by acid soil whi

needs constant improvement.

8.

Service sector of the Belarusian economy remains u

loped.

9. A great amount of goods produced by Belarusian

industries

agriculture is oriented towards the EU countries' markets.

are mineral products.

10. The major import items in Belarus

@ Task lX. Provide guesflons to which the following sfafemenfs

be the right answers:

L
2.

ln

l'

1991.

Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ trademark) and Belarusian A

A wide range of sophisticated consumer goods such as TV

refrigerators, washing machines, and others.
Construction materials and articles.
The sewing industry.
Over 2,000.
Cattle breeding, plant growing.
Barley, rye, oats, potatoes.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. A fairly developed network of automobile,

rask Xl. Re-read the text, paying more aftention to the

defarl so as
questroni: -

to answer the follawing

works.

3.

The national tractor and agriculturar machinery engineering

can
virtually fully ...
T'he industrial potentiar of sophisticated mecrranicar
engineering
industries is represented by ...
The Druzhba oil pipeline is ...
.... started working for a Belarusian_Venezuelian prospecting
seismology joint venture SeismoVenBe l.
Belarus is one ofthe seven world leading ...
... are favourable for sugar beet cultivation.
... generated 42-43% of the total GDp in the year of 200g.

4.

Is Belarus one of economicalry deveroped countries

of the cIS?
What factors make it possible?
What is the structure of the Belarusian economy?
What is a major branch of national economy? iay
what you know
about its contribytion to GDp.
What does Belarus manufacture?

Why is Belarus reliant on oil and gas supplies from

Russia?
6.
What subsectors does the Belarusian agiitr.iness include?
7,
What factors make farming difficult inlhe country?
ll. What are the country's principle exports?
r),
What does Belarus import?
l0 What are the main trade partners of the Republic
of Belarus?
5.

rail, air

and

communications.

10. Mineral, products, petrochemicals, textiles and textile

Task Xll. Check how well you know the.econony

of your country by
altoosing the correct variant irom the atternitives
berow:

wood and wood products.

'lhe .'. of Belarus is

traditionally driving the country,s economic

l,

l.

The economy bf the Republic achieves the desirable level

2.
3.

f,ing its needs through ...

... serye as a pillar of the Belarusian economy.
The Government provides a sizable support to industrial
prises in order to ...

a.
b.d.e
3, Wh

Task X. Check your understanding of specific detail by giving

best continuation to these statements:

of

groMh.

c,

highly

rLIS

a. service industry
b. light industry

devel

of the economy of Bela_

c. petrochemical industry
d. heavy industry

58

59

12. What regions

structure
which branch stands second in terms of otrtput in the

J.

Belarusian agricultural industry?

c' Processing
a. food
d' agrarian
processing
b. wood

a. Gomel and Mogilev

b. Brest and Grodno

processing

machine-building comPlex'

a. instrument-making
b. optornechanical industry
c. agricultural machine-building
d. motor industry

5.

laruskaliy", which specializes in potash fertilizers producti.on.

c. Molodechno

),

(l.
Ilgavy
d.heavy

...,., -

When did lrivate farms begin to appear in Belarus?

a. in 1992
b. in 1993

b. Polotsk

a. Mogilev
b. Minsk

c. Brest

d. Grodno

d. Zhodzino

15. The Belarusian tyre works is located in this Belarusian industial city.

a. Novopolotsk
b. Bobruysk

c. Baranovichi

d. Fanipol
l(>. Mogilevchimvolokno Public Joint Stock Company and Belshina
l

c' in 1994
d' in 1995
in the direction of creating " '
moving
is
8. Belarusian agriculture
agritowns
c'
a. agricities
d' all of the above
b. alrivillages
in terms of
9. The Eelaruriun ..' industry is export-orientedand
plywood'
rous types of goods: fibreboardi, furniture
timber, wallPaPer, matches, etc'
f
c. instrument making
a. lumber industry
d' constructionb.
D. processing
PtUU('lslllts
of the Republic
10. The share of this city in the t tal export volume
Belarus makes uP about 30%'
c' Grodno
a. Gomel
d' Minsk
b. Mogilev
is covered with forestg coni
area
land
region's
ll. 30yo oitt i,
the region is especially v
of
forests mainly. South-east
more than 50%oin certain areas'

d. Dzerzhinsk

town is home to one of the largest oil refineries in Belarus,

pumping out l8 million metric tons per year,.
a. Moryr
c. Gomel

,,-r.-.
t--).

6.ThemaincomponentoftheagribusinessSectoristhe...industrl
c' petrochemical
a. processing
, , - ,--.,,r,-d' agricultural machine-building
b. i"arming

7.

a. Zhodzino
b. Soligorsk
14. This

and
What Belarusian industry features a strong infrastructure
id growth of freight traffic?
a. machine-building c' transPort

petrochemical
b. petrochemtcat

c. Gomel and Grodno

d. Vitebsk and Grodno

13. This town's core manufacturer is the production association '.Be-

The...accountsforthelargestshare(32.5%o)intheBe

4.

in Belarus are the most affected by the Chernobyl

nuclear disaster?

Public Joirit Stock Company, the two largest chemical enterprises, make more than ... of the total production output of
Mogilev region.

a. 50Yo
b. 70%

c. 10

%o

d.25%
17. In Belarus, ... resources are one of the main natural wealth.

a. forest
b. coal

c. potash

d. slate

What is country's most valuable mineral resource, which is used

for fuel and fertilizer and in the chemical industry?
a. phosphorite
c. potassium salt

b.

peat

d. coal

l(). What are the country's principle crops?

a. wheat and barley
b. potatoes, grains, flax, fruits, vegetables
c. cattle and hogs
d. fruits and vegetables
20.'fhe fuel arid energy industry of Belarus includes... systems for
alltypes of power.
a. mining and transportation c. production
b. storage
d. all ofthe above
61

60

c'

2l . Nearly . .. of energy resources used in the oconomy are iqrported.

c.70 %;o
a. 30 o/o
d.85 %
b. 50%
22. Cunently, the industrial potential of the Belarusian energy s
consists of ... thermal power stations, a number of smaller
stations and hydropower stations.
c.34
a. 15

b.

20

d.56

the heads of major internationar organizations

operating in the
country
d. the parliament
J0. Belarus is a member of ...
a. the International Monetary Fund
b' the Internationar Bank foi Reconstruction and Deveropment
c. the World Bank

23. When were market oriented reforms initiated in Belarus?

a. 1992
c. 1990
b. 1995
d. 1993
24. When was the currency of Belarus, the Belarusian ruble, first i

d. all ofthe

] Task Xilr. Transrate fhese senfe nces into Engrish using the
vocabu_
lary of the text:
I

troduced?

a. May,1992
b. May,2000

c. May, 1993
d. May, 1995
25. When did the Belarusian ruble become the official currency

of

c. Russia

d. the'CIS countries' markets

28. Belarus and ... adopted a plan ofjoint measures to tackle the
pacts of the crisis, keep the bilateral trade going and improve
vironment for businesses.

a. Ukraine
b. Poland

c. Russia
d. the EU
29. Belarus hosts the Foreign Investment Advisory Council, whi
headed by ... of Belarus.
a. the Prime Minister
b. the President

Mascrc

- He roJlsKo croJrnrla, Ho r.r KpynH eilurvtit npoMbruneHHulfi qernp Belapycrz. 3Aecr BbtflycKaerc, rrerBeprb
scefi npo_
IrrruueuHofi npoAyKrIHH crpaHbr.
Be4ylqnnau orpacnrMr,r o6pa6arrraarcuefi
npoMbrurneHHocrg
Jrrrorcr ceJlbcKoxo3cfi ctseuHoe Maur4HocrpoeHue
(rpaxropa,

flB_

ca_

br, rcolr6ail tru ), craHKOCTpoeHLre, BoeHHo-[povrt

urleHHrrfi
KOM[JreKc, uesrexnuugecKafl rlpoMbrurneHHOCT'
M OCBarr

a. 1993
b. 1994

a. Western Europe
b. the USA

'

2.

country?

c.1995
d.2000
26. What is the largest media holding group in Belarus?
a. privately-owned National Teleradiocompany
b. state-owned National State Telerad iocompany
c. Belarusian Broadcasting Company
d. National TV and Radio Company
27. Belarusian export is mainly oriented towards ...

above

cTpor4TeJrb

I'

brx MaTeplruloB.

'p.H3BOACTBO

Ka-rrafiusre coeAHFreHHr, go6rrnaelrbre

B uraxTax

6rr,. convtropcna' o6ecneqr4Balor KpyrlHoMacrxra6soe

npor43BOACTBO XHMkqecrr.rx y4o6peanil. B 6olrurux KoJrnqecrBax
AMerorc, 6ypslfi
yronb u rop$.
4. Iielapycr rpynHrrfi oKcnoprep rpy3oBbrx anrouo6ulefi (MA3,
BelA3), TpaKTopoB
(Berapyc), aopo*no-""ponrelruofi u
KoM_
MyHurn
(Anaro4op), reJreBn3opoe (fopHsoHr,
Bn_
'r.r:r),
a (ArnaHr); x,Milr{ecKhx BoJroKoH u anreit
(llonu
x yAo6peHufi (Eenapycrrcalufi), rpoAyKrlr.tr4
'r'eKcrlrJrbHofi n lenxofi
npoMbrrxneHHocru.
$, Crpana pacronaraer AByM, HeQrenepepa6arsrna'qnMa
3aBo_
)laula, nocrpoeHHbrMl4 B coBercKne BpeMeua,
Mo:upcxau lr Ho_
BOtIOnouKHM.

(l

Ocaoeune flpoa3BoAcrBa HoBbtx KoHKypeHTocnoco6suxroBapoB,

er, noeuileHl,re KaqecrBa BblnycKaeuofi npo_
HoBbrx pbrHKoB c6rna _ npnopr.rrerHbre
3aAa_
Ll14

cH
)ly

62
63

PacnoJloxeHbl

7. |rlaeHlle ceJlbcKoxosq

Ha

B ueHT-

vt
rr "*,oo.,t.-,t'e
pe pecllyuJlvll\n
Pecny6n AKkt
aE'nvvDrnbcKofi aBapvlv Ha 40:
B pe3ynbT:il'g rvprnvvo''I
3afpt3HeHl4e
HOe
3eMerb s noroJloBbc

nJlolqilt

500/o yveHrurr,rJro

::1":"T-lffii":ffi:

"orA"n"IBaeMbIx

3TItx pafioHax'
AOMauIHero cKora B

rlpel4

pa3MeureHbl
JrecHofi npoMbIIxneHHocrI'I
uIecrBeHHO Ha ceBepe u tofo-3anaAc' ..
TpaHcnopr - rJlaBHbIe
XeresHste Aopofll ta asrol\'{o6unsustfi
crpaHe'
coo6ueuns B

8. flpe4nprarrufl
g-

Abt rpaHcfloprHoro

0. I{enHure 6vtuaru

SnuaHconu*

- repYlt oxBarblBalll::3"10:::J
#; (
Eenapycb K Hx r{Hcny

o*tt"o*' B Pecrry6luKe

qeHHbIe 6ytuaru' BeKceJIq' arcIILln

rocyAapcrBeHHble
t__J_
t
HOCqrcq
nvv/rrv,r

o6nuraqnn aKuI4oHepHbIx o6qecrs

H KoMnaHI'rn'

(-G-l Follow-up

C
I
2.

TaskXlV.

Share

your opinions on the followihg:

In what waY do the geograPhical Po

uvrq se infl-uence the d

ur Belarus
l\tiPuuuw of
tfr"
lng i"prUfi"
to Betarus usuu! .rrrv'rE rr'Whut iu"to.s have contributed

World Bank's "Doing Busi

10 reformer. u."o'Oing to ttre
2009" rePort?
intern
3. Comment on the Republic's membership in different
fi nancial organisations'
Belarus has the capacity to becot
4. flrink of the ,"uron. *hy
i --L^-^ .^oLinc
f^ cr)nollef ngw
foreign investors seeking to conquer
;;
!r. vFD--- -' the CIS'
ets throughout
vrr
;.
pr
.
Pt
r r,,--^ D^t^-.'o io nrrrrentl' faci
r
problems Belartrs is currently
5. bomment on the economic

[Dl

optional

DeveloPment since lndePendence

one of the
At independence in 1991, Belarus inherited
Sovi.et.UnionJFSU}j,t::i.
standards of living in the Former
political and economtc
several
through
ilpur."i

;ila"

From 1991-1995, with the support of international organisations,

llclarus initiated preliminary reforms toward transformation to a markct economy.

Following an estimated decline of close to 4OYo during the period

1992-95, GDP growth resumed in 1996. Since then statistics show a
continuous and substantial growth in GDP and industrial production,
t'crrolring a peak in 1997-1998. Growth began at a time when,almost
nll other FSU countries continued to experience decline, and persisted
llrror-rgh

the regional economic crisis

of

1998-1999. Rates

of

GDP

glo',vth in 1999-2002 in the aftermath of the Russian financial crisis of

l()()8 were relatively moderate, but accelerated after 2001.
The economic growth during 1996-2000 could be explained
lnrgcly by active political re-integration with Russia, which resulted
Irr irnproved market access; and government policies that provided

rizrrble net benefits for many leading exporters through the real depleciation of the rubble and an increase in implicit subsidies, espesirrlly through subsidized interest rate. Since end-2000, the role of the
Itritial growth drivers has gradually been declining. However, new
fne lors have emerged that have helped to sustain growth, namely: (a)
drrr st ical ly improved external environment; (b) strengthened domestic
{crrrand; and (c) improved financial performance of domestic enterpt iscs.

Strong growth in labour-intensive sectors (such as services, food

prtreossing, and machinery), backed by the government wage and inrrc policies, ensured broad sharing of recent growth across the popion. The result has been a rapid decline in poverty rates with inelity remaining stable and low (Gini coefficient0.262 in 2006). The
:r'ty headcount ratio (national definition) fell from 41.9% in 2000
I l.lYo

in2006.
Challenges ahead

llclarus has the potential to provide high levels of income for its
lrtion. Located strategically in the conidor between Russia and
LtJ, Belarus is a major transit route for enerry and otherproducts.
hrrs irccess to growing regional markets. It can benefit from a greater
65

64

prises selling mineral medical and table waters inside the country and

etc' I
in trade' energy' environment'
degree of regional integration

nbroad.

ample ;;;;;i'"'"u'"""'
lras 4rrrPrv
country has
opportunities,
m these *"-::,i:"r11.:"
^a.dd;;" to benefit-fror
;i"hl;'educated. However;
of critical challenges and to
u

l!:":":l!

;ili" il;;;;

"u*u"'

monstrate:

er markef;

cipline and encouragin

Continuous increasing
more diversifi ed economY;

f-tp.uingthe

a sturdier

of the government'
effectiveness
---^ The

Website of the Wo.rld.

Of\iiat

April

Natural Resources of

Belarus

of 30 types of minerali
There are more than 4,000 of deposits
particular
Of
the lands of the Republic of B"lutut'
1Try-"::::-1t":
country is among the lSad
the
which
of
t"l;" i" a"p"ti's

tais;il

mines can be utilized another

Europe. The reserves ai individual

"t

+;Tt"."ntry is rich in non-ore materials:.*'l"ll"::1':1"^ltlli

and refractory

-u'l unA chalk' fire-resistant

The develop:d-li:
".*p"""at'
at
;;;i" - a un d sl l1t::t3:.1?

dolomite limestone,
loam, sand-gravel

ll::ll

;;
;ffi;
of

"'

9 ln

"

": I T:-:. l.o."n'

in g.at i"'*'"t i:
on
t*H;;"il'iJt"
f;;i; amount
*"ji*i1f
":t:^"l
tons' orwhi
billion
to 4'4f ff

p an

si

in

"-1,'n,"0

million tons are extracted annually' lhe 1e^se1e::"-Tlltlf

Sapropel is
ihe.land.fund'
preserving fund or *uL" u part of
ing type of resources;" Jt*k
r unique suppry

:"
a

"ttln-1'*"-'i.',Y*,::irol
of minerar drin
ili: ';ffi..';JJ..];G,.;;;,
and balneological waters'
Widely spread are mineral.waters' lht"h "-i:rti::.:::
as well
and health resort compounds'

"r;t';;i

#"-i"t"

as

Oil deposits,are not gre4t and oil is extracted in small quantities,

'l'lrere were also developed deposits of brown coal and shale. Only
dctailed exploration of the Brinevsk deposit of brown coal can ensure
plcparation to an industrial development of their stock of 30 million
Iorrs. In general, the amount of the fuel-power resources being exIlacted nowadays, including the accompanying gas and firewood,
otrvcr l2Yo of the total demand only.
There are promising deposits, areas and spgts where additional
gcological prospecting is required. They are deposits of ferrous ores,
tnrc metals, aluminium and soda raw materials, combustible shale,
plrosphorites, gypsum, mineral fibres, bentonite clay; underground
higlrly mineralized brines, areas looking promising with regards to
tliiuuonds, gold, and amber,
'l'he depths of Belarus have not been studied enough. The appeaflnce of the up-to-date technologies requires the acceleration of the
rlogical prospecting work.
More than 20,000 rivers of the total leng(h of about 91,000 kiloFtolres are flowing acress the country. The rivers belong to the waterlltctls of the .Black and Baltic seas. 6 rivers of 500 kilometres long
Beresina, the Nieman, the Sozh, the Western Dvina and the
icper) are also important as navigable rivers.
One of the peculiarities of the Belarusian nature is a great number
lakes: about I1,000 of the total area of about 2,000 square kilomeOver 130 water reseryoirs of the total area of 799 square kilomewere built to control the ground waters and humidity of the adjatl lands.
'['lre whole territory of the country is covered with a network of
lirirned channels, the total length of which amounts to 17,051 kiloof which 9,095 kilometres belong to the river Pripijat watert.

I I big fish-breeding facilities were

I square kilometres.

built, having the total area of

l{esources of the surface and underground waters are fairly suffiI to meet the current and future demands in water: river water re67

66

resources of the
serves amount to 57.9 cubic kilometres, the
pej
ground fresh water l5'9 cubic kilomefie:
l"Ji,t^
If water accumulated in lakes is estimated as 6 to 7 square ktlom
intake for
the reservoir water - 3.1 square kilometres' Water
5 to 7yo of
exceed
sumer and economic needs does not normally
annually renewed resources'
territoV ol !he-c^ou
Belarusian forests occupy about 36% of the

I"T-ll"

to l9o/o' 1'3 ctl

Pre-mature, mature and overmature forest amount
are stockpiled'
area
i.,.,",r"r-"r ii,,,b", from I hectare of the forest
in Austria'
Belarus, compared to 5.4 in Germany and3'7
290 types of hei
About
herbs'
Our forests are rich in medi:al
be found' B
can
important for the scientific and people medicine
fresh r"
rus is one of the countries exporting wild rosemary'

etc.
^c a
^ L:
^ f'oi a long time, Belarusian forests have been a source- of
hi
to 30'

sponge, bearberry,

amounts
quatity soft rJsin. Potential collection as of 1999
tons'
20'100
the actual output VVrlVrv4
tons,
LUltJr whereas
main types
General biological ,"rou'""t of mushrooms by
annual stockpilin
count for 70,300 tons, gross - 58,400 tons' The
tons'
wild fruit and berries is estimated as minimum 36'000
bought'
only ZlVoof this quantity is being actually
utilization'
Forest apiculture is an important type of forest
tons inr
cal output of the forest lands is estimated at 36'000
27,200 of ecologically safe resources'
Belarus

The Russian Federation Today: General Outlook

Pre-Reading Activities

O lask l. Study the vocabulary notes that will help you to understand
llr: text better:
ru I r

nd

ant (adj )

nrrcient (adj)

Nso6ranyro qu

ft

, 6onaru ft (vervr-nrl6o)

ApeeHrafi

ttppointment (n) - HasuaveHue Ha AoJr)r(Hocrb

nl)l)rove (v) - oao6pflTb, cqnTarb [paBunbHbrM, yrBepx,qarb
Itlrred forces - Boopy)KeHHbte cuJrbr, apMr,lq
Itrtrrner (n)

brrred (adj)
Itirlren (adj)

hill (n)
e

sHarvrr,

$lar

3anpeueHHbrfi, saxpsrrrrft

uenlogopogHrrft

aKT [apnaMeHTa; 3aKoH; 3aKoHoAarelsusrfi arcr

lrirmber (n) nalara

ander-i n-ch ief (n)

uo r rr m

ruraBHoKoMaugyrouluft

torrrplicate (v) - ycnoxHflTb, 3arpyAHqrb

corrsecutive (adj) - nocregyroqnfi
eonsent (n) - cornacne
corrnterterrorism (n) - 6opr6a c reppopu3MoM
derclare (v) - sarnnrrs, o6rlnnarb; rrpoBo3rJrarrrarb
dee

line (n)

- na4eHue, yna,r(oK, yxyAueHr4e

{1:llLrty (n) - npeqcraBhreJrb, AerD/Tar, 3aMecrr{TeJrb

dcscrt (n) - q/crblHfl
disintegration (n) - pacnaA
ertslcrnmost (adj) - causrft socroqHsrft
ele clion (n) - au6opu
elil',ible (adj) - uuerculufi npaBo 6trm us6paHHbrM; noAxoAqrqufi
cttlirrce (v) - sao4urr n 4eftcrnue, o6ecnevr,rBarb ncrroJrHeHne
Cxccutive (adj) - NcnonHnrelsurrfi
68

69

lcrnperate (adj) - ymepeHurrfi (o ruuuare)

Ircaty (n) - MexAyHapoAur,lfi AoroBop

extract (v) - 4o6stsarb, noJlyqarb

faith (n) - BePa
fertile (adj) - nlo4oPognotfi
xoJIMa nnu ropHoro Kptxa
foothitls (n) - noaoruBa' HH)KHHe cKIIoHbr
yvpe4nrel rnlt ft , qerqrculllfi cc ocHoBarereM
(adj
foundin g
)orcailMllrl
(v)
oKPY)Karb,
hem
heritage (n) - Haclegc'rBo, HacJIeAHe
horde (n) - oPAa

- xlrrenb
.luOi"iut (ad)- cYAe6Hufi
iegislative iudj) - 3aKoHoAarersnstfi
liberlry (n) - cno6oaa
mineral fuel - MuHeparlbHoe ronJIHBo
minority (n) - ueusruuHcrBo
xpe6er
mountain chain - ropHafl uerb' ropHblfi
MeTzIJIJIsI
nonferrous metals - IrBerHbIe
nonproliferation (n) - HepacnpocrpaHeHl{e
occur (v) - Bo3HHKarb' npoHcxoAnTb

oproAoKcuulsHbtfi' rpaBocJlaBHrtfi' o6

ecrnft

reserves (n)

security (n)

taper (v)

cysurr(cr)' saocrprrrcr

PecYPcrt
responsible (adj) - o.ree.rcrseHHutfi

6esonacHocrb

,prawl-ing (adj ) - pacrq HyBrI H fi cr, pacrruyrrtfi

steppe (n) - crens
stretch (v) - npocrr'rparbc'1, l{Merb rlport)KeHl4e
70

I
:'

'.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

(APEC)

Asnarcxo-

l'rxoorceancKoe gKoHoMr,rqecKoe corpyAHl,rqecrBo

('lS (Commonwealth of Independent States) - CHf, Co4pyxcec.reo
'

I c3aszcr,tN,rrrx locyAapcrn
('ouncil of Federation - Coser (De4epaqr.ru
lroderal Assembly - Oe4epansnoe Co6paHne
ti ft (the Group of 8: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia,
llro tJnited Kingdom, and the United States) - crpaHbr <Eomnofi
I

ltocbMepKn)

)r'ganization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) - OEOpraHn3arlxq no 6esonacHocrl'tkr corpyAHnqecrBy B Espone
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (the SCO) - lllaHxaficrar opra-

('li,

H',Jaqlr{ coTpyAHHqecTBa

II

plain (n) .- PaBHI'IHa, HI'I3MeHHocrb

us6nparelefi
popular vote - HapoAHoe roJIocoBaHHe' roJloca
population density - rlJlorHocrb HaceJleHilt
remote (adj) - Aatrcttuit
renowned (adj) - npocnaBneHustfi , rl3necrHsli

- 4orr,rua

- na4elrrs (npanaMn, Macrbro), noslarars (o6rsanHocrra)

vcto (v) - Hanararb nero (ua vro-ln6o), 3anpeqarb
wcsternmost (adj) - causrft sana4urrfi
vcst (v)

Q Task ll. Mind the following proper nouns:

inhabitant (n)

orthodox (adj)
Hufi

virlley (n)

tillte Duma - focy.4apcraeuHar .$zrrla

llrrion of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) - Corcs CosercrcHx CoI

lunJr
I rr i

r.icrHqecrcax Pecny6narc, CCCP

tcd Nations (l-JN)

OOH, Oprannraqur O6repuneHnsx Haqnft

[El

lask

Reading and Comprehension Activities

tlt. Go through the text and check

your understanding by doing

lho tasks that follow:

l{ussia is an independent country officially known as the Russian

Fnluration. In terms of territory, Russia is the world's largest country.
Witlr a total area of more than l7 million square kilometres, Russia
eovcrs about one-eighth of the world's land surface.
7'l

Socialist Reput
Until the disintegration of the Union of Soviet
1991,.th.e Ryssil:-:Y]::.:*:i*
ruSSn or 'soviet Union') in
cor
Republic was the iargest and dominant administrative
Republic
Russian
the
"iutirt
1991,
nent of the Soviet Union. hiAugust
from the
one of the 15 countries that declared independence

--'-ft" capital of the country, Mo.scolv'-is an

ldlninisllltll..
ffi ffi;i"i ' ir'" r'"in 9i q"'"9"anRussii'i
."."',1i,
the city of fali{1
'TiJ:ili
stretches from its westernmost point in
Russia
of Warsaw, Poland, to its easternmost point at I
"r"d.l;i;h
il}id. ilt; in the Bering Strait. Within evesight is Little D

Union.

just off-the
mede Island, belonging to the United States
of territory
breadth.
great
p"niisuta'
Russia's
Alaska's Seward
areas
include
These
cludes rnany different geographical regions'
p"rtuf.or. (u."u, or "t"-"tnJt:? t" .Siblria.and th:]'1
northern and eastern co
as taiga and steppes- Much of Russia's
i, f.,"il-"a in by ice for much of the year, complicatingat navi
M
Ho*"u"r, Russia has year-round warm water seaports
Vladi
at
and
on its northwestern coastline of the Barents Sea
the far eastern coast on the Sea ofJapan'
It is bordered by Norway and Finland in the north-west'
and Azerb
Latvia, Belarus and the Ukraine in the West' Georgia
the sou
along
China
in the south-wes! and Kazakhstan, Mongoli4
border. The federation comprises 21 republics'
barren
The land of Russia varies from thick forests to
ts lo1
counlry
The
valleys'
deep
to
from high peaked mountains
t"Y]if
Siberian
West
on two plains, Great Russian Plata and
A
f""g"" mouniain chains are the Urals, separating Europe from
rivers-are
,i""Cuu*tus, and the Altai. Russia's most important
Volgu, Europe's biggest river, flowing into the Caspian l:u' T"
Lena)' and the-Arn
Site"rian rivers (the Ob, th" Yenisei and the
coast

)"iY:";

OrefurEast,flowingintothePacificOcean'Thetotalnumberofrivbi
Lake Baikal''l
Ru..iu is over Z million' The world's deepest lake'
the depth of 1,600 m, is situated in Russia, too'
Russia has one-sixth of the world's forests' They are
in the Far
in the European north of the country' in Siberia and

1'he country contains the greatest reseryes of mineral resources of

nny country in the world. Although minerals are abundant, many are
irr rcmote areas with extreme climate conditions, which makes them
cxpensive to extract. Russia is especially rich in mineral fuels; it is
nlso well endowed with most of the nonferrous metals.
On the vast territory of the country there are various types of clirrr:rte, from arctic in the north to subtropical in the south. In the middle
ol'the country the climate is temperate and continental.

Russia's total population in 2009 was estimated at 140,041,250,

rrraking the country less populous than China, India, the United States,
Irrclonesia, and Brazil. Unlike these other countries, however, Russia's
Iotal population has been in steady decline since the early 1990s. The

population density of a particular area generally reflects the land's

rrgricultural potential, with localized population centers occurring at
rrrining and industrial centers. Most of the country's people are conccrrtrated in European Russia in the so-called fertile triangle, which
hls its base along the western border between the Baltic and Black
$cirs and tapers eastward across the southern Urals into southwestern
Sihcria. The heaviest population densities are in sprawling urbanized
nlcas such as Moscow Oblast.
itussia developed a large urban population during the Soviet petiocl, despite government attempts to limit the populations of major
ulban centers. Today, 73% of Russia's population lives in urban areas.
More than ten cities, most in European Russia, have more than 1 millkrrr inhabitants. The largest city by far is Moscow. The next largest city
h Saint Petersburg, a lgading port and majgr industrial center situated
{lrr tlre Gulf of Finland. Other large cities include Omsk, western Siberlrr's chief petrochemical center; Chelyabinsk, in the foothills of the
Urrrl Mountains; Kazan', capital of the republic of Tatarstan, located
;krrrg the middle course of the Volga River; and Perm', a major induslriirl center in the Kama River region to the west of the Urals. Ufa is
fn irnportant petrochemical center in the southern Urals, and RostovFrr"l)onu is a commercial, industrial, and transportation center in
forrlhern European Russia on the lower stretch of the Don River. Vol3o;r,rad, a center of machinery production and other industrial activity,
l[,r ,r'.r the lower course of the Volga River.
73

'ethnic groups
in
Russia has one of.the widest varieties of
world, btrt ethnic Russians form the vast majority, or about 80 o/o
tlre population. The non-Russian population constitutes about20o/o
the total, with the largest minority, the Tatars,.making up only
4Yo.lJkrainians and Chuvash are the only other minorities consti
ting more than lYa of the population. Other minorities include
sians, Germans, Bashkirs, and Jews (considered an ethnic group'

judicial branch is represented by the constitutionar

court, the
srpreme court, supreme Arbitration court and the
regionar courts.
'fhe leading poriticar parties
in Russia incrude un-itea Russia, the
('.nrmunist Party, the Liberar Democratic party

Russia).

l( ussia.

The Russian language is the country's official language and it

the most commonly spoken in business, government, and ed
Russia's 160 ethnic groups speak approximately 100 languages:
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism are identified as
sia's only traditional religions. The law limits the activities of
zations that represent any other religious faith.
The Russian Federation is set up by the Constitution of 1993.
der the Constitution Russia is a presidential republic. The F
Government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and
dicial. Each of thern is checked and balanced by the President.
The legislative power is vested in the Federal Assembly. It
sists of two chambers. The Upper Chamber is the Council of
tion; the Lower Chamber is the State Duma. The members of the F
Assembly are elected by popular vote for a four-year period.
Each Chamber is headed by the Speaker. Legislature may be ini
in either of the two Chambers. But to become a law a bill must be
proved by both Chambers and signed by the President. The Presi
may veto the bill.
The President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces,i
makes treaties, enforces laws, appoints ministers to be
the Federal Assembly. The President is elected by popular vote
six-year term (eligible for a second term but constitutionally
for a third consecutive term). Ministries of the Government are
posed of the Premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected
individuals; all are appointed by the President on the
of the Prime Minister (the appointment of the latter requires the
sent of the State Duma).
74

.by the
.rh"-*cutive power berongs to the Government which is headed
Prime Minister.
prime

The firsl actioir of the

pointment is to form the Cabinet.

Minister on ap-

The

of Russia

and Just

. After the collapse of the Soviet union in 199r, Russia assumed

lhc IJSSR's place in the United Nations (UN). Consequently,
Ru;;;;
nlso gained
position on the United Nations-Security
('ouncil, the
ponsible for maintaining international peace
trrrd security.
sia became a founding member of the CIS,
which includes most of the fonner Soviet repubrics. The
country is
a member of the organization for secuiity and cooperation
in
'lso
lirrrope (oscE); Partnership for peace, a program intended
to strengllrcrr relations between member countries of ttre
Nero and cerrtrar and
li,stern European countries; and the councir of Europe (cE).
Russia
bccam-e a limited partner in NATo in May
2002 under a iandmark
allowirrg the country to herp set joint poricy on a rimited
range
'ccord
issues, such as nonproriferation and counterterrorism.
Russia is
'l'
trlso a member of the Group of Eight (Gg) industriarized
nations and
Al,DC.

'foday the state symbor

of Russia is a three-coroured banner. It
h's three horizontar stripes: white, brue and red. The white .stripe
tyrrrbolizes the earth, the brue one stands for the sky, and
the red one
ryrrrbolizes liberty. It was the first state symbor thai
repraced the fornrc'symbols in 1991. The national anthem of Russia is.The patriotic
li'rrg' by M. Glinka. A new nationar embrem is a two-headed
eagre. It
h l.hc most ancient symbot of Russia. It originates from the herardic
errrblcm of the Ruricovitches. Ail these symbors
are officiar. They
hrrvc been approved by the Federal Assembly.

ture developed, as did the country

of native Slavic cultural material
of foreign cultures. In the Kievan
ings were primarily from Eastern

(14th-l
Orthodox Byzantine culture. During the Muscovite period
centuries), the Slavic and Byzantine cultural substrates were enrlc
by Asiatic influences carried by the Mongol hordes.
and
'rodified
nally, in the modern period (since the l8d' century), the cultural het
tageof Westem Europe was added to the Russian melting pot'

Thenationcanboastalongtraditionofexcellenceineveryasl
in
of the arts and sciences. some of the most-rgnowned museums
world are found in Moscow and st. Petersburg. In Moscow the P
kin Fine Arts Museum houses treasures of western European
while the Tretyakov Gallery has a strong collection of Russian
Moscow's Krimlin, the former seat of communist power and
home of the Russian president, also contains a series of museums
include notable cathedrals and features the stunning architecture
tlre Kremlin building. The Tolstoy Museum Estate in Moscow
tures an excellent literary collection. In St' Petersburg the Hermi
is one of tlre great art museums of the world, the Russian Mu
displays the world's largest collection of Russian aft, and.the Ru
trrtureum of Ethnography details Russian culture and daily
throughout history. St. Petersburg is also home to the country's c
*ur"i*, the Kunstkammer (formally Peter the Great's Museum
Anthropology and Ethnograohy), which is now under the direction
the hisiory iepartrnent of the prestigious Russian Academy of S
ences. Moreover, in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, 'the former tsal
palaces at Pavlovsk, Pushkin, and Petrodvorets have been restore
museunrs. They are popular destinations for both Russians and
reign tourists.
Russia is a keen sporting country, successful at a number of
and continuousty finishing in the top rankings at the olympic Gafi
A.ong the mosi played sports are football, ice hockey and basketbt

It's interesting to know

"'

Russia is 60 % larger than the world's second-largest

try, Canada.
The country extends across the whole of northern Asia
the eastern third of Europe, spanning 1 1 time zones'
76

Permafrost covers l0 million square kilometres - an area seven

tinres larger than the drainage basin of the Volga River, Europe's
longest river - making settlement and road building difficult in

vast areas.
Russia may be subdivided into six main relief regions: the KolaKarelian region, the Russian Plain, the Ural Mountains, the West
Siberian Plain, the Central Siberian Plateau, and the mountains of
the south and east.
Russia contains two million fresh- and saltwater lakes.
Lake Baikal is the ldigest and the oldest existing freshwater lake
on Earth (20-25 million years old).
Russia is the only country, on the territory of which there are 12
SCAS.

On the territory of Russia there are 100 reserves, total area of

which makes 33.55 million hectares, and 35 national parks with
total area of 6.96 million hectares.
Linguistically, the population of Russia can be divided into the
lndo-European group, comprising East Slavic speakers and
smaller numbers speaking several other languages; the Altaic
group, including Turkic, Manchu-Tungus, and Mongolian; the
Uralic group, including Finno-Ugric and Samoyedic; and the
Caucasian group, comprising Abkhazo-Adyghian and NakhoDagestanian.

Moscow is the largest metropolitan area in Europe, and ranks

among the largest urban areas in the world.
Moscow possesses the world's second busiest (after Tokyo) metro
system which is famous for its architecture and artwork.
A person from Moscow is called a Muscovite in English.
On 8 December 1991 in Viskuli, the residence of the Belarusian
Government in Belovezhskaya forest preserve, the leaders of the
Russian Federation, Republic of Belarus and Ukraine signed the
Agreement on establishment of the Commonwealth of, Independent States (CfS).

'fhe CIS performs its activities on the basis of the Charter,

adopted by the Council of Heads of States in 1993, which stipulates the goals and principles of the Commonwealth, rights and
obligations of the countries, which established it voluntarily.
77

the UN lene
On May 9, in New York, a plenary rneeting of
Assem6ly elected 47 membeis of the UN.H1ma1\ie$.s 9tY1
;he;'Ji"i t*rgouemmental rights body of the united l
.. tions system. The nJuisian Federatiol.*ut 3leit3d 1-:*::
support
in" u".V first round of voting' its candidacy drawing
states'
137 deiegations out of the 191 UN member

fill in
Find the derivatives of fhe following words and
tabte. Note that some'boxes will not be filled:

&

Task

tv.

.1. The country is located on two plains, Great Russian Plata and
West Siberian Lowland
I
Russia has one-eighth of the world's forests. :
5. The anthem of Russia was the first state symbol that replaced the
former symbols in 1991.
6. The Russian Federation is set up by the Constitution of 1993.
7. The executive power belongs to the Federal Assembly.
tl. Each Chamber in the Federal Assembly is headed by the Speaker:
I. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia lost the
USSR's place in the United Nations (tIN).
10. The President is elected by popular vote for a six-year term.

/1.

O lask Vll. Complete the given senfences.'

limit / limitation

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Q

meanings to
Task V. Find the words in the text with similar

l. be situated (2)
2. make difficult (1)
3. varied (l)
4. resources (l)
5. distant (1)
6. outstanding, famous (l )
7. previous in time or order (l)
8. constant (l)
9. breakdown (2)
10. start, introduce

(l)

Task Vt. Do you agree or disagree with the following

retating to the text?

1.

2.
78

Russia's total area is 15 million square kilometres'

potnt'
Big Diomede Island is the country's westernmost

Russia covers the ... part of Europe and the ... part of Asia.
There are steppes in the south, ... and ... in the midland, ... and ...
in the north, highlands and deserts in the east.
The largest mountain chain, ..., separates Europe from Asia.
In the middle of the country the climate is ... and ... .
The main Siberian rivers - the Ob, the Yenisei and the Lena -

flow...

6.
7.
ll.
9.

Under the Constitution Russia is ... .

The judicial branch is represented by ... .
The Head of State is ... .
The white stripe on the flag symbolizes ..., the blue one stands for
..., and the red one symbolizes ... .
10. Some of the most-renowned museurns in the world are found in

lask Vlll.

Check your understanding of the aetait Oy answering

lhese quesfions:

l,

?,

When did Russia become an independenl country?

Why are the physical features of the Russian Federation considered to be diverse?

t,

What natural resources is the country especially rich in?

79

I'his relief region is the smallest of Russia's relief regions, lies in

the nofthwestern part of European Russia between the Finnish

groups in tl

Russia has one of the widest varieties of ethnic

world, doesn't it?
5. What branches does the Federal Government consist of?'
6. What are the functions of the Russian President?
7. What is the first action of the Prime Minister on appointment?
8. What are the country's official symbols?
9 What are the country's leading political parties?
a member ot'/
10. What international'organizations is Russia

4.

tE Task IX. Think of some more questions about the Russian

you extensive
tion and then ask your groupmates to give
Repoft your results.
which of
@ Task X. Check how wetl you know Russia by deciding
fottowinE alternatives is most likely to be true:

1.

The Russian Federation covers about

"'

ll
of the world's land

face.

a. one-sixth

c' one-third

border and the White Sea.

a. The Kola-Karelian region
b. The Russian Plain
0. c. the UralMountarns
d. the Central Siberian Plateau
Wlrat is the highest point in Russia (5,642 m)?
it. Mount Narodnaya c. Mount Yamantaw
b. Mount Elbrus
d. Kosvinsky Mountain
l.ake Baikal is located in the ... part of eastern Siberia within the
republic of Buryatia and Irkutsk oblast (province) of Russia.
a. western
c. eastern
b. northern
d. southern
Nearly one-tenth of Russian territory is ..., a treeless, marshy
plain.

a. taiga
b. steppe

c. wooded steppe
d. tundra

.. constitute more than four-fifths of the total population and are

prevalent throughout the country.
a. East Slavic speakers c. Turkic speakers
b. Finnic peoples
d. Caucasian speakers
Nonferrous metals are available in great variety from many distlicts, but by far the most important are those of ..., which is Russia's main centre of nonferrous metallurgy.
a. Siberia
c. Central Black Earth region
b. Kola Peninsula
d. the Ural region
Moscow is the ... largest city in the world.
ru. sixth
c. seventh
b. eighth
d. ninth
Wlrat is a traditional Eastern European (mainly Russian) dish
rrsually made with minced meat filling, wrapped in thin dough?
a. Kotlety
c. Studen'
b. Pelmeni
d. Lapsha
.

ublic
of 19

Z.
a.
b.

3.

4.

immediatelY after the

union rePublic in " ' '

l9l9

1922

c.

1918

d.l92r

as well as
To the southwest and west Russia borders ofl "''
land and NorwaY.
a. Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, and Estonia
b. North Korea, China, Mongolia
c. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia
d. all of the above
can bd
On the basis of geologic structure and relief' Russia
roughly al
vided into two main parts - western and eastern the line of ... .
c. the YeniseY River
a. the Urals
d. the Ob River
b. the Lena River

81

80

area makes 18 400 square

13. ... is the largest one in Europe' Its
largest one is up to
lometres, average depth is 5l metres' the
metres.

a. Lake Baikal
b. Lake Ladoga

c' Lake Onega

d' Lake Seliger
to be one of the first mountains in the world'
1 4. . . . are considered
c' The Caucasus
a. The Urals
d' Baikal Mountains
b. The Altai
ti
Petersburg are three hours ahead of London

l5. Moscow and St.

and ... hours ahead of New York'

a. slx
b. four

c. seven

d' eight
a horseman with a spear in
16. The coat of Arms of ... depicts
with Saint Get
hand slaying a basilisk and ls often identified
and the Dragon'

c. Saint Petersburg
a. Moscow
d. Kaliningrad
b. NizhniY Novgorod
victory of the Russian
17. ... was built to commemorate the
over Polish invaders in 1612'
a. The VerkhosPasskY Cathedral
b. The Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Holy Virgin

The Cathedral of the Archangel

d. The Patriarch's Palace
a-city in the Moscow
18. ..., known as Zatishye until 1938, is
and has a
which is located 58 kilometres east of Moscow
and building of h
tion of 146,294' It is a centre of metallurgy

c.

machinery.

a. Elektrogorsk
b. Elektrougli

c' Elektrostal
d' Elista

consists of two chaml

19. The Russian parliament, termed the "''
the Lower Chamber and the Upper Chamber'
c. Federal AssemblY
a. State Duma
b. Council of Federation d' Supreme Court

20. 'l'he second President of Russia was ... - he was elected for a first
tenn on 26 March 2000 (inaugurated on 7 May) and re-elected
lbr a second term on 14 March 2004 (inaugurated on 7 May).
c. Mikhail Gorbachev
a. Boris Yeltsin
Putin
d. Dmitry Medvedev
b. Vladimir
'l'he
President has a special copy of the Russian Constitution that
?I.
is used ...
a. during the inauguration
b. on special occasions
c. during presidential term
d. to represent Russia in international
.

relations
22. l{ussia emerged as a great world power during the reign of ...,
who built Saint Petersburg as Russia's new 'window on the
West' and moved the sOat of government there in 1712.
c. Dmitry Pozharsky
a. Yuri Dolgoruki
d. Peter the Great
b. Dmitry Donskoy
2.t. tn his first address to the Russian Parliament on 5 November

2008, D. Medvedev proposed to change the Constitution of Russia in order to ... .

a. to reform the civil service system
b. increase the terms of the President and State Duma
c. set up the Historical Truth Commission
d. to inject large funds from the state budget into the markets to
stabilize the financial situation
14. When do the Russians celebrate Independence Day?

a. 12 December
b. I September

c. 12 June
d. 12 July
5, According to the Constitution the President of Russia is elected
lor ...
a. a four-year term
c. a six-year term
b. a five-year term
d. a two-year term
, l{ussian composer ... composed the world's most famous works
o l- ballet -'Swan Lake','The Nutcracker', and'Sleeping Beauty'.
ll. P. Tchaikovsky
c. S. Rachmaninoff
b. A. Scriabin
d. D. Shostakovich
83

82

27.1n recent years the national hockey team has re-emerged

hockey superpowet' winning gold medals in the 2008 and
world championships, and overtaking " ' as the top ranked
hockey team in the world.
c' Sweden
a. the USA
d. Finland
b. Canada

6,'iaroHogarenbHyro snacrs ocyu{ecrBnrer @e4epalrnoe Co6parue - flap.raueur, cocrocrtlnfi nr 4eyx fluta"t: Cosera Oegeparlura (nepxHar nalara) a focy4apcrneHHoft {yr',r;r (nuxurr nalara).
1. l4cnolHrarelbHyro BJracrb ocyulecrB.lrer flpanarerscrso. Crlc-

28.Dostoyevskycalledthiscity..Themostabstractandintentio4
-city in tt,e world," emphasizing its artificiality, but it was also

[l

symbol of modern disordei in a changing Russia'

c. Omsk
a. Moscow

"
29.

b. Semipalatinsk
... is considered to

d. Saint Petersburg
be the greatest medieval Russian painter

Ofthodox icons and frescoes.

c. Andrei Rublev
a. Daniil ChyornY
b. Ivan AivazovskY d. Dionisius
30. Which of these museums is situated in Moscow?
a. The National Museum of Russian Fine Art

.C

l.
2.

XI. Try to give an adequate translation of the following

Poccuficras @e4epaunr

caMat 6orburaq no rIJlouaALI cr

Mupa, pacnorox(eHHag Ha BocroKe Eeponst 14 ceBepe A:I4I'I'

Bepera Pocclln oMbIBaK)Tct 12 n'topruu, npuHaAJIexaIqI{MH;8
.
ceilsav 3 oKeaHos.

JIexHT caMoe KpynHoe H3 eBpo

cKlrx npecHoBoAHblx o3ep, JlaAoxcKoe'
I4s rpaAl,lunoHHblx pelnrufi Ha reppl'Iropl'lt't Poccuu ncuo:
Iorcq xpLIcrI,IaHcrBo r'$oprvre [paBocJIaBI'It, HcJIaM, B MeHE

3. Ha ceeepo-3anaAe Pocctau
4.

creneHlt l4yAaH3M r'r 6Y.u.unsu.

5.

Corlacuo KoHcrxryquu, rranofi FocyAapcrBa tBnteTct

TaKxe"tr
4eur, n:6npaeustfi sa 6 ler. flpesll4eur sBruIercfl
Po,
HJI
aMra
c
MH
B
oopyxeHHbl
aHAylouILIM
xo BHsI M rJIaBHo KoM

QE4CpULII bH

bIX opTaHoB

I,TCTIOJIHI4TeJI

sHoft sJlacrlz

KJI

ToaIaeT

clyxr6rr ra Se4e-

l)zutbHble ateHTcTBa.

q.

l'ocygapcreeHHsrfi 6rcAxer s P@ o6ecneqnB-aer SyHrcqnoHr,rpoBaltwe rocyAapcrBa Ha rpex ypoBHsx: o6ulerocy4apcrBeHHoM,

rlre4epansHou (6ro4xerrr 89 cy6tercroa Segepaquu) u uecrHou.
lla rcoHeq anpenq 2009 roua e PoccuN o$uquamuo 3apeil,rcrpr,rpoBaHo l5 naprr.rfi, u3 HVx u focy4apcreenHofi ,{ynre npe4craereHr,t qerbrpe: EAnuas Poccu.r, KIIPO, nAIIP u Cnpaae4.rnnar

10.

I'occlq

I)occus..
r

rrpoBoAHT MHoroBeKToprryrc BHeruHroK) rroJrrdrnrcy. Ona

roAAep)KlrBaer AunJroMarr4qecKue orHorueHlrs co 1 78 crpaHaMr4,

Meer 140 noconscre. BueurHflq ilorHTHKa Poccnu o[peAenJrerol flpesugeHToM crpaHbl H ocyrqecrBJlflercr Mnuucrepcrnonr
v

b. the cruiser Aurora

c. Pushkin Memorial Museum
d. the State Hermitage
Task
fences:

T,,TA

rlle4epalrHsre Mr.rHlrcrepcrna, Qe4epzurbHbre

14rlocTpaHHbrx Aen.

Follow-up Activities

) Task Xll. Share your opinions on the following:

l, Which do you think are the most important

Russian achieve-

ments?

2,
3
1,
)

I)o you see any drawbacks in the Russian political system? What
are its strengths?
Which parts of your country are most in need of protection and
development: cities or the countryside? Give reasons for your decision.
What are at least three areas in which Russia leads the world?

Task XIil. Comment on the quotation:

"We need to develop respect for our history, despite all of its
s, and love for the Fatherland. We need to pay the utmost attenr [o our common moral values and consolidate Russian society on

84

85

this basis.

I think

that this is an absolute priority." Vladimir

Russian Prime Minister

[D-l optional
Daily Life and Customs
During the Soviet era most customs and traditions of Russia's
perial past were suppressed, and life was strictly controlled and
lated by the state through its vast intelligence network. Beginning
the 1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms eased political and
restrictions, and common traditions and folkways, along with the
practice ofreligion, began to reappear.
Many folk holidays, which are often accompanied by tradit
foods, have gained popularity and have become vital elements
popular culture. Festivities generally include street carnivals that
ture entertainers and children in traditional Russian dress. Boys
ally wear a long-sleeved red or blue shirt with a round, e
collar, while girls wear a three-piece ensemble consisting of a
green sarafare , a long-sleeved peasant blouse, and an ornate
nik.
Maslyanitsa, the oldest Russian folk holiday, marks the
winter; a purely Russian holiday, it originated during pagan ti
During Maslyanitsa ('butter'), pancakes - symbolizing the sun served with caviar, various fish, nuts, honey pies, and other
and side dishes. The meal is accompanied by tea in the ever.

llrrssian celebration of Ivan Kupalo centres on water, and celebrants

uurnrnonly picnic or watch fireworks from riverbanks.

Arrother popular trad

fionrcs are adorned with

is the Troitsa, during which

nches. Girls often *uk" gur_
lnrtls of birch branches
put into water for fortunelcllirrg. In the last month of summer, there is a cluster of three folk
hrlirlays - known cotlectively as the Spas
-that celebrate honey and
thc sowing of the apple and nut crops, respectively.
Itussia also has several official horidays, including the Russian
Or'llrodox Christmas (January 7), Victory Day in Wo
91. lndependence Day (June l2), and Constitution
l.l). Women's Day (March 8), formerly known
P.rrren's Day and celebrated elsewhere in the world by its original
lrnnrc, was established by Soviet authorities to highlight the advances
l,v'r.crr made under communist rule. During the holiday women usuFlly receive gifts such as flowers and chocolates.

polrrrlar is kvass, a traditional beverage that can be made at home from

ltnlc black bread. on a hot summer day, chiiled kvass is used to make

6httshka, a traditional cold soup laced with cucumbers, boiled eggs,

Strslrges, and salamis.

samovar.

Baked goods are ubiquitous on Easter, including round

sweet bread and Easter cake. Traditionally, pashka, a mi
sweetened curds, butter, and raisins, is served with the cake.
boiled eggs painted in bright colours also are staples of the
holiday.
The Red Hill holiday is observed on the first Sunday after
and is considered the best day for wedding ceremonies. In
86

lln's rniddle class has adopted values that are distinctly different from
Itvicl practice. The new values include self-reliance and viewing
l'rk as source ofjoy and pride; the middre crass arso tends to avoid
87

political extremes, to participate in charitable organizations, arld

patronize theatres and restaurants. Estimates of the size of the mid
class vary (as do definitions of it), but it is generally assumed
constitutes about one-fourth of Russian society, and much of

llut the issue qf what is the optimal presidential term provides an

ulrportunity to ask how long most leaders can rule before they lose

The lower house of parliament gave its final approval to a bill

tending the presidential term from four to six years. lf enactedt
change would not apply to President Dmitry Medvedev current
due to end in 2012.
Kremlin supporters and loyal analysts claim increasing the
will improve political stability, saying Russia's traditions and ur
history make it far too difficult to handle its complex problems in

r leadership skills.
l)uring the last 50 years of Russian history, only four people have
frrlctl for extended terms - Soviet leaders Nikita Khrushchev and
l,corrid Brezhnev, and Presidents Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.
'l'lrc rest, including Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, held power
for
llrrrclr shofter periods. But if we look at the activities of the four leadcls who stayed in their posts the longest, we see a curious pattern.
Within five or years of coming to power, they lost their motivation,
ncrgy, innovation and the ability and willingness to consider the
opirrions of others. Khrushchev ruled from 1953 to 1964. His worst
hrrracter traits - tyranny, megalomania and a propensity for making
fnslr, arbitrary and incompetent decisions - began appearing in the
lnlt' 1950s and early 1960s. The result was an increasing number of
ptrrhlcms and mistakes, from food shortages to the Cuban missile crills
Ilrezhnev, who led the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982, lost
trylrirtever scant leadership abilities he had in the early 1970s. The fiFnl I 0 years of his l8-year rule went down in history as the period of
trrvict stagnation. Yeltsin served from 1991 to 1999. His first presiderrtial term was not very successful, and his second is widely consi-

years.

dcte'tl to have been catastrophic.

concentrated in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other urban areas,

The rebirth of religion is another dimension of the changed

styles of new Russia. Although a majority of Russians are nol
lievers, religious inbtitutions have filled the vacuum created by
downfall of communist ideology, and even many nonbelievers
cipate in the now-ubiquitous religious festivities'
Encyclopedia Br
Assessing the Shelf Life of a President

Opponents point to the experience of Western democratic

ries, where presidential authority is decreasing rather than i
And in nations where the terms are long, like Austria, it is on
cause the presidential post is more or less symbolic' They
only the least democratic countries, such as the former Soviet
lics in central Asia, have chosen to increase their presidential
This puts Russia in questionable company.
It is not entirely clear why the issue was raised now. At a
increasing financial instability, the question of presidential
could have easily been put on the backburner - unless Med
plans to resign soon.

88

lltt'

lrirrally, most of Putin's reforms were implemented during his first

idential term. His second term was marked by a slowdown in rers, a sharp increase in both bureaucraey and coriuption and worirrg relations with the West.
( lomparing such diverse epochs and dissimilar leaders may be
and historians might rightfully consider this analysis superfiirrrd inaccurate. Nevertheless, one general conclusion is clear:
ttssian leaders - and their advisers - are productive, innovative and
iuicnt for no more than five or six years. After that, they become
lred from the real problems facing the country, corruption flouris irnd the economy declines into stagnation and then crisis.

89

Although this phenomenon may be more pronounced in

is seen in mature democracies as well. Great leaders in the West
try to exceed the limits placed on them by historical circu
and the results are usually negative. For example, Winston Chu
second term as British Prime Minister was less triumphant than
first, and Charles de Gaulle's presidency in France took on an
comical turn in the mid-1960s.
Of course, the fi.rst temptation is to attribute the drop in a
abilities to his age. But old age and health are probably not the
factors. Each leader has his own particular mission in history.
chill's mission was to achieve victory in World War II
Gaulle's was to found the French Fifth Republic. The same was
for every Kremlin leader. After his mission has been completed, i
ageing leader continues to cling to power, he quickly loses his
greatness and becomes a parody of himself. Napoleon Bonaparte
said, "There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous."
ward the end of his brilliant career he fell victim to the same
law.

If this theory is right,

then an amendment should be

presidential
proposal.
The
term could be extended
Medvedev's
years, but on the condition that each President serves only one
This is the best way to ensure that there is always fresh air
Kremlin corridors.
By Andrei
The Moscow Times, 30 November

Higher Education in the Russian Fedeiation

@
o

Pre-Reading Activities

rask l. The words in the

list below are essenfialfor understanding

tln text. Learn their meaning and pronunciation:

etlrrrission (n)
6gcrrda (n)

Hlkrcate (v)

- nprzev (e yre6Hoe sane4enae)

noaecrKa AHt
npeaHa3Harrars, orBoAr,rrb

apply (v) - rroAaBarb 3aflBJreHHe

Eplitude (n) - cxloHHocrb, cloco6noc.m
Esscssment (n)

allrrne (v)

oqeHxa

rpl,tcloca6rfisarr

Fwrrrd (v) rrpncyAurb, yAocrourb

brrsio education
6atoeoe o6pasoraHne

- copenHoBaHr{e, KoHKypc
gorrpetitive (adj) copeBHoBarersutrft, rcoHrcypcHuft
conrpulsory (adj) - o6.ssarersHslfi
0orrlbr (v) - npnceavrBartb, npucyxAarb
cilr'rcnt (adi) - Hslneurunfi, 4eficrayou1nfi s Hacroqrqufi uoMeHr
Clu riculum (n) - rcypc o6yveuu.r; yve6Hufi rJraH, rrporpaMMa
Cluborate (v) - paspa6arbrBarb
lirrrinate (v) - ycrpaHrrb, ncKJuor{arb
gornpetition (n)

nlille (v)

- gaaarr npaBo

EltIrauce exam
fne

rrlty (n)

- Bcrynr.{Tenssslfi grganren

$axynbrer, orAerreHae

1n1- (4eHexusl[) nsnoc, rrrare)rc

fttc olcharge - 6ecnlarHo
frtrstrate (v) - Hapyurarb, AeJrarb 6ecnoresHsrM, copBarb
fee

$trrtluate (n)

nsrnycrcnrx

gtritl:line (n) - npr.rHqnn, HopMbr, AHpeKTHBa

httrrrrrnities (n) - rynraHr,rrapHbre HayKH
fltrrl.iculation (n) - 3aq,cJreHr,re B Bbrcilree yve6uoe

lllttcruuufi
90

3aBeAeHr,re;

Bcry-

3K3aMeH B BbrcuJee y.re6Hoe 3aBeAeHHe

91

priority (n) - npraopl'Irer, rpel{MyulecrBeHHoe npaBo

research (n) - r'rccle4oBaHl{e' H3yqeHI'Ie
qeMy-n'
restrict (v) - orpaHr'rql4Barb, cBoAlITb K
rote (n) MexaHuqecKoe 3anoMLlHaHIte, sy6pexxa

scholar (n)

YueHsrft

school-leaver (n)

BsITIyoKHHK IuKoJIbl

secondary education - cpeAHee o6pasouaHne

soph i sti cated (a-dj ) - yroHqe HH sl fi , ycloxHesHrtfi
tertiary education - Bblculee o6pasonaHne
transparent (adj) - lcuslfi, noHqrllrtft

tuition fee - nlara:a o6YueHue

tutor (n) - perernrop, vacrHslft yqllrenb
Unified State Examination (USE) - eAuustfi rocyAapcrBeHHblu
naeu

(Ef3)

Task l/. Guess the meaning of fhese words and word

checking your guesses as you read the text:

&

educational reform
a distinguished rePutation
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
take special PreParatory courses

to enroll students
postgraduate higher ed
supervisor

to enter a universitY
to defend a DiPlorna Pro

ReaOing and ComPrehension

@Tasklll.Readthetextandcheckyourunderstandingby
tasks that follow:
Russia, a land of great scholars, has been a leading centre

ture, science and education in Europe for centuries' The

peop
Puslrkin, Tolstoi, Chekhov, Mendeleyev, Pavlov attracts
over the world for education. Now Russian universities welcon
onlyRussianschool-leavers,butinternationalstudentsaswell.
ThehighereducationsysteminRussiahasadistinguished
tion in the world' The standard of the higher education in R

to be one of the best in the world with advanced and soplrrsticated teaching methods and scientific approaches. Russian degtecs have gained global recognition. Students and graduates of Rusrirrn universities are in demand in western countries.
'l'he education system of the Russian Federation has undergone
rigrrilicant change since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
l)rrring Soviet times, education was highly centralized and state ideoIrgy was a major component of the national curriculum. Through the
It)()0s, educational reform programs have concentrated on eliminating
political ideology and moral education from the curriculum so that the
uorrsidered

lcrrlning process is more attuned to the needs

of a market-driven

FCollomy.

More attention has therefore been devoted to the teaching of proll.ssional disciplines such as business, management, law, economics,
eurrrputer technologies and accounting. Additionally, teaching mellrotls have been addressed in an attempt to move away from the Sovicl-sfyle pedagogical methodology of rote learning towards a more
tlrrtlont-centered methodology designed to promote critical thinking
pkills. Inadequate state budgetary allocations have, however, frusItrrlcd rnany of these reform efforts.
ln 1992 a structural and philosophical reform agenda was set forth
Itr tlrc Law on Education. The fundamental principle of the 1992law
Wus the removal of state control from education policy so that schools
We rc ntore attuned to the needs of the region and the nationalities they
Wcro serving. To achieve this, far greater autonomy has been given to
locn I education authorities.

(.lurrent reform efforts are outlined in a government-approved

{ucrrnrent entitled 'Concept of the Modernization of the Russian EduSHlion for the Period until 2010'. This document provides the frameWurl< for all innovations, experiments and education reforms. One of
lltc rrrost important goals has been to develop state standards for basic
lttrl socondary education, including federal guidelines on minimum
urricr-rlum requirements. Priority has been placed on developing the
ing of foreign languages, economics, and information and comfrlttr

ication technologies.
93

92

The first nation-wide Unified State Examination (USE)

covering all regions of, Russia was held in the summer of 2008.'fi
USE is an instrument of the school-leavers' knowledge
administered at their graduation from secondary education and an'
ternal quality control tool of the secondary schools education.
USE results are used for application and enrollment into the
education institutions.
There are a lot of heated discussions about the USE
Opponents argue that the test system does irot permit to assess al
titudes and knowledge, that it will be difficult to guarantee cc
tiality of the materials and security of the tests adminisffation.
concerns are not groundless, but at the same time the tests desi
and piloted do allow a transparent and fair assessment and the trb
tion period should provide for setting up a Federal - regional i
structure of the test administration and public control over its
parency which would allow to dirninish and eliminate possible;
practice and guarantee the test validity.
The Russian Constitution guarantees everyone the right
higher education free of charge on a basis of competition. The l
vernment allocates funding to pay the tuition fees within an
lished quota / number of students for each state institution. T
ly the size of quota varies from institution to institution and
field (discipline) to another. It depends on the share of state hr
institution's budget, demands from state bodies in a region,
programs and other, sometimes rather subjective estimates. On
the quotas, the universities are free to enroll students on a fee-pa
basis and have the right to define the fee for their programmes ac(
ing to the market price and demand.
Many students wishing to enter a university need additional
paration to gain admission. Only one-third of students are
enter university relying only on the knowledge acquired in
Another one-third take special preparatory courses. Others ei
private tutors or educate themselves. The cost of preparing
trance examination is a heavy economic burden for Russian
and their families.
94

cLrrrently the certificate of Secondary complete General Educatiorr and the successful passing of university-matriculation exams are
fet;uired for admission to all kinds of higher education institutions.
l{ussia has four types of institutions:

ljniversities: responsible for education and research in a variety

of disciplines. There are 'classical' and 'technical' universities
with special attention paid respectively to social sciences and
humanities or natural fundamental and appried (engineering) sciences. Unofficial ratings also distinguish old 'classical, universities

and 'new' universities, former pedagogical or technical institutions which have acquired their university status quite recently.

l'stitutes: multi-discipline oriented. They can be independent

structural units, or part of a university or academy and usually
specialize in one field. However pedagogical institutes are re-

sponsible for the spectrum ofdisciplines taught at schools.

Private institutions: present in increasing numbers.

,They offer
degrees in non-engineering fields such as business, culture, sociology and religion.
'l'here are two levels of higher education
in Russia - basic higher
rcation (4 years) leading to a Bachelor's degree, the first univeisity
vcl degree, and postgraduate higher education (5_6 years or more).
llcr two years, students are entitled to receive a Master,s Degree
4rrster of Science, Master of Arts). Upon obtaining a Master,s
degree,
rrtlents can continue to study towards a doctoral degree: the first
vr:l is Doctor of Philosophy and the second, highest level, is profes).

'l'he Bachelor's degree programmes

last for at least 4 years of full: university-level study. The programmes are elaborated in accorroe with the State Educational standards which regulate almost
zr

of their content. The other

20%o are elaborated by the

university
95

Iask lV. Fill in the derivatives of the words given in the chaft below.
Milc that sorne boxes will not be filled.

and special courses

itself. The programmes include professional
,"i*"", tt''". t't,ti-,anities and sociai-economic disciplin":'pJt"f,"::]:
e
a research project and passing State final
training
Bachelor's degree,. students.ti,y "1llll^::
Having
,nl'*ir,"r,, programme or continue their studies in the framework
ifr" Sp""iulisi's Diploma programmes' Th.e ^Bachelor's, 9"^*:"-

Noun
gr irtlLrate

uation

admission

education

cnrolment

Iask V. Connect each word from the column on the left with the
Ptt\)cr words from the column on the right. Skim the text and say in
Ntlt,rl connection these collocations are mentioned.

aminations.
compettttve'
Access to the postgraduate level again is very
Master's^degree'
dates must hold a Specialist Diploma or a
for research
prepares
school
turi fo. 3 years. The postgraduate
'stuA-"nt"
t:""111g
must learn
f-r"..o.iut activities.
and pass qualiffing.t
Technologies,
iion and Communications
out independent research, RleRar3
ih"y

"ur.y

"11

O:M

;lromote
irn instrument

rrllow

lirhe

T.:li:i:'i*
"^1t

rvclcome
lr:rve

!
e

Higher educational establishments

in Russia are headed by

olttlnue

main objectives
tt,rougfr a'transitional period nowadays' The
system, to de'
reform are: to decentralize the higher education
freedom to
new financial mechanism' to give more academic
and students.
96

of

to study towards a doctoral degree

g. critical thinking skills

h. one field

i. specialized councils
j. the school leavers' knowledge

assessment

tr

and scientific worl$

tors. Pro-rectors are in charge of academic
each special
faculties,
of
institute or a university has a number
which
councils
a field of study. paculti"s have specialized
candidate and doctoral degrees'
in.Russ.ia is
The system of second-ary and higher education

f.

lrold a status
spccialize in
0 lr:rvc

of

a. gained global recognition

b. a university or an academy
c. special preparatory courses
d. not only Russian school-leavers
e. a transparent and fair assessment

fask Vl. Read the text and use the suggesfed words to fill in each
llnt blanks:

establish enrolled potential

extramural admil

ewollment preparatory
distance

llrc Slranghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) will e)... a new

t'rsity network in mid-2009. Last autumn, education ministers
uerl to create the SCO University at a meeting in Astana, with the
I lo trnite leading national universities' intellectual (2) ...
97

The SCO University model will be based on co-operation

parent universities and is to offer (3) "- language courses, tsachel
programmes, Master's programmes, (4) " ' studies, doctorates,
vanced training programmes, professional retraining, (5) "'
and (6)... training.
Students (7) ... in the University will be able to study, from
beginning of any semester, in a parent foreign university offerinl
.ur" kind of pro$ramme. Furthermore, the education period
number of foreign partner universities are not limited. (8) ..' wi
pend on mutuaily agreed quotas set in proportion to the contri
made by an SCO member state to the university budget.
The SCO University will also (9) ... those who wish to
their own studies. lJpon (10)... , students will obtain a diploma
the university in which they spent 60Yo of their time, as well
SCO University certificate, which will later be replaced by the'

University diploma.
By Natalia
Russia Beyond the Headlines, 22 February

Task Vtl. Provide evidence from the text to prove or

following statements:

l.
2.
3.
4.

Russian institutions of higher education attract foreign citi

Higher education is provided by public and non-public

State) accredited higher education institutions.
The education system of the Russian Federation hasn't c[a
since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
One of the most impoftant goals of the current reform in
tion is to eliminate political ideology and moral educati
the curriculum.

5.

To graduate from the secondary education establishment

tain education at an institution of higher education a person
successfully pass the compulsory centralized testing in t
three admission disciplines.

6.

The USE does not permit to assess all aptitudes and knol

7,

i,
0.

Many students wishing to enter a university need additional preparation to gain admission.
l(ussia has four types of higher education establishments.
Academies are responsible for education and research in

l0

a variety
ol'disciplines.
lligher educational establishments in Russia are headed by Pro-

roctors.

Task vlll. complete the fottowing senfences according to the con-

lettls of the text:

t
I

llussia, a land of great scholars,

'l'he standard of the higher

..

education in Russia is considered to be

one of the best in the world with ... .

'l'hrough the 1990s, educationar
reform programs have concenlrated on ... .
Nowadays priority is placed on ... .
'l'he USE results are used for
... .
... about the USE nowadays.

Opponents argue that the unified test system ...

l{ussia has four types of institutions:
'l'lrere are
. . . levels of higher education in Russia.
ll. 'l'he system of secondary and higher education in R'ssia is going

through...

Task lx. Answer the questions scanning the text for essentiat detait:
What is the right to education in Russia ensured by?
what is necessary for entering a higher education estabrishment?
Why are there a lot of discussions about the USE nowadays?
What degrees can one get at a higher education establishment?
what is the difference between Universities and Academies?
What are Institutes?

l)o potential students need additional preparation to gain admission?

school-leavers.
98

99

8.

How many years does a student have to study to obtain a

lor's degree in Russia?
9. What are Pro-rectors in charge ofl
10. What are the main objectives of a current reform in education?

lollowing questions:

l.

Task X. Translate into English:

. B l8 nerce, KorAa Bo3Hr,{KrrH nepBbte poccnficrne yHr4Bepc

d xaqecree o6pasqa 6una arr6paHa

HeMer-lKat

cucreMa.

2.

Cyulecrnye'r' ABa grarra o6qsarersHoro ruKonbHoro

3.

O6qsarerrHoe cpeAHee o6pasoeaHue s Poccnr,r cocror,rr H3;

e PoccHr,r: HaqaJrbHoe o6pa:oeauue

STanoB: cpeAHHe KJraccbr

4. flocrynaoullre

r,r

x cpeAHee o6patoeaHne,

cTapuHe Kjraccbr.

B By3 AonxHlr 3aKoHqHTb l

xraccos

llIKoJIbI, cAarb eALrHufi rocyAapcrseHHsrfi gK3aMeH

a npofit[

pe3 KoHKypcHbre BcrynHTeJrbHble gK3aMeHbr.

5

6.

llocle oKoHqaHHr Kypca acm{paHrypbr A Hanvcarvrfl

\uv acilvpaHT nonyqaeT cTeneHb KaHAHAaTa HayK.
r.rToraM 3auIHTbr KaHAHAaTcKoH AHccepTaqlrl,r MoxeT

rrplrcylrqeHa yr{eHac cTeneHb.

Ha nocleAHeM gTane o6yveuur cryAeHTbr

r4

acnnpaHTbr

He roJIbKo nonyr{arb o6paloeaHue e o6rtqHoM cMbIcJIe

cJroBa, Ho H npHHHMaTb yqacTne B HayqHbrx
flonyqeHrde AlrnnoMa

uln yvenofi creneHn

3aBncl,rr

or

roB HayqHofi pa6oru.

8.

9.

A6urypneHTlr H3 CHl, nocryraroulne u poccr,rficrue B

nporpaMMe B paMKax cnerlHanbHbrx AoroBopoB, HMeroT
Hocrb yqrTbct 6ecmarHo.
Bo rpeur nepexoAHolo nepuoAa MeHrercs QnHaHcorufi
Husu o6paroBaHnt: noqBrrrorct qacrHble ilKoJrbI It
AeneHu.fl B HHCTHTyTaX.
ns HanpaBneHr,rfi o6parorarelrsoft perfoprvrrr e

10. O4Ho

KJnoqaercr B nonbrrKax c6rnxeHuq HayKr4 n o6pasonauur.

Follow-up Activities

Task Xt' provide arguments from

your rife experience

to

answer the

lJow can you prove that education

in Russia is going through a
transitional period?
2' what are the advantages and disadvantages of
the Nationar Unified Examination?
l' what are the main differences between university
courses in Russia and in other countries?
4' Do you think education shourd be free? Are there
any advantages
in a fee-paying system?
i' FIow usuar is it to goto university in Russia? Is
it difficult to enter
the university or institute?
6' ls a university education necessary for professionar jobs?
what
are other ways to get professional
education?

[-D-] optional Reading

BrrnycrcHnrH BY3os o6rrqso nonyqaror ArnnroM, a

rro
7.

[-F]

Professionar rraining in Russia:

Geared to the Future
lrirst of at, Russia is one of the
leading countries in terms of asiate or higher professional
prvrsrsrurat eoucatlon
educatiln participation:
pu,iijoution: the crrrrenr
per_
current nar_
I
i
ith
as s o c i ate
;;l
i ;;; ;':: -:"^ : i :'
il
; Zl'%
:^ ::"tTthet :ry
:
is:" means
rate is 9i
630 people n"i
"l;!iJi;

;
"*f;;;5
sta;esi;;i6;;.

oout tne
#,r?n"
:j::.1,,",1f.i:,li,theUnited
c level in Finland.
is largety:gibTa?te to a.tink berween
trr' profes_
-, "':^ v.lrwwwrr the
Pl'olgs-

,l;T;'jr"'"n
train
hi

rirl

iflf rr-^l-,^^,
(technical schools,
--;institutes and universis offering primary p.or"rrionur
ts This r,.,A,r,o,
ills.
in the weste;### .isproresstonal
""saKer
q il; ; ; pro r^ " "', ^-f i' . - -' - i n s
,,lcrn
# is a. broad gap
:::'^between
3::"1_ 11*
1l
the stalte,s
needs and
#
rlirrg training quarified professionars
und ii" uvair
) and

Thic
::H

::f

lqgg:ry

"

100
101

This trend has been there for the past I 5 to 20 years. Insu
funding of education programmes has led to a situation which I
call 'pseudo-education': the level of training people get does not
the employers' requirements. Some people are aware of this predi
ment, while others might be oblivious to it r,rntil they face difficu
with employment. 'fhis problem is currently plaguing nearly 30%o
the country's education system.
The correlation between education and income is an indirect
eloquent evidence of the problem. It becomes clear from
the situations in Russia and in the OECD countries that indivi
with higher level of education qualif, for better-paid jobs both
Russia and in those countries. However, the university-degree
mium' is lower in Russia, while the difference to income made
associate professional education is very slight, ifany.
Russian education is characterized by an emphasis on fi
tal theoretical courses in the comprehensive education
which constitute up to 50% of all courses taught at the expense of
plied disciplines.
This trend is certainly a benefit for university education. In
Russian university education is still highly competitive. Yet, in
education programmes the predominance of fundamental
over applied skills damages the person's chances to meet the de
of the labour market. This is an urgent problem, and not only
academic perspective. The shortage of adequately qualified
sionals has forced companies to develop retraining systems.
As it is, retraining is an important and useful business, but
timated total cost of preparing a sufficiently qualified
makes the combination inefficient, because it means we pay for
specialist's training twice: first when he or she goes to college /
nical school and again while they master professional skills
required for the job. In other words, the final cost of professional
cation in Russia is two or three times higher than it should be.
It also needs to be recognized.that the average qualifi
teaching staff leaves much to be desired. Statistics show that
people who choose to major in education in college largely
from families with lower education levels. When they graduate,
102

ly
tt()l sc
n
Irl rr o
rnre

they have to, b

s of income or
back to school

.eers

hing is
ige.
, often

because they were not top

stu_
rl'rrts themselves. The failing quarification revers
of teachers have
iln.y reasons, but the most important one is low salaries.
llowever, there is reason for optimism despite
the many adverse
lne ttrrs. There is an amazing publi
ith most
ul its population seeking universi
suryeys,
Irr';rlly 90% of Russian families wa
iversity.
'llre lrigh demand.makes

the

Irr,;'crJive, one thai is

i'the
'vcrlooked
'l'his factor

devel

n;;;;;;*

by the government

ltff#

analysis of general soliar and economic ""0

trends.
certainly affects the e
tvrrrrl university degrees, but once
t( )n lc

'

llrcir'
Itor k,

i as into social projects.

()ne of the probrems in professionar
education i. the shortage of
qilrrlilied non-manageriar staff. Incidentaly,
it is the .,rr". .iJ" ,r*,"
etlrrcirtion drive we have discussed.
o actualize their formal freedom of
onth, he or she can hardly afford to

the other hand, making over

come more selective about the

crothes they wear, and furniture they use..And
they
'lcy
llcrlirirrly do not want to work as ordinary team members. yet,
some_
lrlr(' luts to perform that role.

$*

d.ve'

lilllron foreign workers this year, twice as many as

ittlrlrcr of foreign workers officially registered in Russ
l0 rrrillion by 2010, or l|yo of empl[,able
population. In any

e
g

case,
103

lo take paft are required to stay in Russia for only two months every

economies' as it is the
the labour market stretches to emerging
effective reciPe known todaY'
etitive and up
is
Russian professional eiucation
es not apply to
-r^L^t t-hngJ *urt "t r"quireme ts, alth
Lrrerrr rLrrr
d universities - a large patt ur
in forei
standards' Lack of proficiency
employnrclrL uutrruv
major limitation to Russian professionals'
mi
and efforts have been recently
sia. This problern it *oin"*'
'lar
change the situation
. to
L- find
E-) ^.
trying
sense
no
is
F"inally, it
"dl"utlll.ty"tf:t^:t:t,"to
senseless to adjust this system
'
r'
,h" R;tJ;; it",
"quuttl'
the outcome is
""Jrt
.
since
.,
c^-^:-r,
i"
oointless
gxl$ exl$
-^'lalc
"i..,
r^
if n
^- making
focus on
to r^^,,-oLino it
very
ton and restore the aca
.., r -ri-- educati
effic
^r.raa
lltil.tr. We should also maintain contacts with leading

ycal"

The tender comes as top officials express concern over the brain
rlnin that depleted much of the country's intellectual resources after

centres.

nyssian system of
According to federal statistics' !h-e
institutions tr
o.oferrional Jducation includes 2'600
;;;;;";1.:;-inn .'.,r"""ions.'They cater to t jincludcs
Tit] J'7vv rw
onal education
system
cateringto l'68 million students'
teachin
graduates a year' or
The system turns out more than 645'000
active population of Russia'
of
Higher School of
"*no*i"ally
Yaroslav Ku'*inou' Rector of the
3l October
Rus'sn neyoid'the Headlines,
Russia Wants its Brains Back

the thousands of Ru
The Government would like to entice
jobs
scientists who have left for better-paying
lb;tq"9'" l:t:11-o

H;l,i;il':;;;il;;1;"r',

it

upp"u's-ihat ornciars

w'r

settle fi

few montls a-yearhas oPened

The Education and Science Ministry
" fll-":Y.
offering them a
,"i"rrtirt, working abroad to come to Russia'
seminars' Those
to lead scientific teams and conduct scientific

llrc fall of the Soviet Union, when Russian science suffered a precipikrrrs decliue in financial supporJ, prompting tens of thousands of scienlists to seek opporlunities elsewhere and others to leave science for
rnore profitable fields.
In his first address to the nation on November 5, President Dmitry
Mcdvedev called for Russian scientists to come back home, echoing
prcvious calls from his predecessor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
"We need to organize a large-scale and systematic search for talent
lrolh in Russia and abroad, to carry out ... some headhunting," Medveclev said. "This will increase the number of talented young people
itr basic and applied sciences."
BLrt while salaries for scientists have increased in recent years, the
( iovernrnent still faces an uphill battle. Many scientists based abroad
sir_y they would think twice about coming back even if the salaries in
l(rrssia were to rise to levels found in other countries.
Monthly salaries from the state for Russian scientists run from
$ 1.000 to $1,500 - a figure that is l0 times higher than six years ago.
lrrrrtlrermore, scientists have the possibility of receiving Russian or
lirrcign grants to finance research, meaning that at the end of the
nr()nth they could take home up to $3,000.
"1-he salary is not a problem anymore like it was years ago," said
Alcxander Karasik, a professor at the Moscow Engineering Institute
Htrtl a laser researcher at the General Physics Institute in Moscow.
Ilut according to research carried out by Ivan Sterligov, an expert
witlr the Open Economy Foundation, better wages are not attracting
l{rrssian scientists home. Scientists wlro have worked in the West find
It tlilficult to adapt to Russian reality and face Russian bureaucracy
arrrl polifics, Sterligov said. "Some professors, after working in CanErlrr, came back to St. Petersburg and saw how authorities cracked
dolvrr on the Dissenters' Marches," said Sterligov, referring to public
ptr)losts led by liberal opposition movements. "Scientists pay attention
p llrcse things as well. Science needs free.dom. It is something liberal."
105

'tg4

at the
Alexander Nevsky, a senior researcher who heads a lab
stitute for Experinr"ntal ehysics at the University of Diisseldorf'
tl
Germany, left Akademgorodok, a scientific town 40 kilometers
said
Nevsky
Novosibirsk, for bettei opportunities in the 1990s'
would come back home only if he could get the same treatment
he currentlY gets in GermanY'
While the economic sit ration of his colleagues in A
said
dok has drastically improved in the past few years, Nevsky

t
still remain numerous problems in Russia, above all a lack of

but p
parency. "sometimes money is spent to buy new equipment'

don't use it because they didn't need such equipment"'Nevsky

that no
"Equipment is bought through such complicated channels
understands where the money came from'"
git
Scientists say the Russian Fund for Fundamental Research
not
pay
salaries'
to
the grants but that the money is enough only

compete intemationallY."

Valentin Gordeli, a biophysics professor at the Jean-Pierre

that
Institute of Structural Biology in Grenoble, France' echoed
R
in
done
reaucracy and constant lack of funds hamp6r work
"An experimenter needs equipment and substances' and he
thern quickly, otherwise it is impossible to compete"' Gordeli
R
"When compared to working in the West, there are very few
circu
scientists who want to come back and work under such
to groups
given
Transparency is also an issue, with grants often
Finar
have connections rather than to those that deserve fundirrg.
in
grants
get
should
people
and
should be'a transparent process,

competitions."
The Soviet scientific establishment was one of the largest i11
world, boasting more than I million scientists, or roughly one'tl
more than in the United States at the time. But its superiority was
106

orly in numbers: Soviet scientists were considered among the best in

llrc world.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited immeuse Sovict scientific resources. During the economic and social turmoil of
llrc 1990s, however, science was downgraded from its status as a state
priority. Consequently, the Russian research establishment - like
rrr:rrry other sectors of Russian society - was hit hard by the economic
crisis that followed the Soviet collapse.
Problems in tlre field are evident in the number of scientists actr"rrrlly working in Russia. There are an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Russi;rrr scientists now working abroad, as compared to 30,000 actively
rvorking in the country today, according to research carried out by
Slcrligov of the Open Economy Foundation.
'fhe field also suffers from 'internal brain drain', said Alexander
A llaklrverdyan, Head of the History of Science Organization Center at
llrc Russian Academy of Sciences. According to his research, a total
n1 160,000 scientific workers left the field for primarily businesste lrrted jobs in 1993 alone. The yearly average has since declined, but
il is still a conlmon trend, Allakhverdyan said.
Experts and scientists agree that Russia is still struggling to recovcr from the crisis of the 1990s, as young people'prefer to work in
rrrolc profitable fields. Today, the average age of Russia's scientists is
15. whereas in the West it is 40.
Only 9 percent of young people in Russia consider the profession
rullr;rctive, while only 3 percent of those who receive an undergraduate
rh'y,,1 e" plan to wolk in the sciences, according to the Education and
Slir:lrce IVfinistry.

Scventy percent of students at Novosibirsk State University plan

lr l('lve the country soon after they get their degree, according to reEt'rrrclr conducted by the Novosibirsk branch of the Russian Academy
rrl Scicnces. Young Russian scientists prefer to get their doctorates in
Irrropc or the United States, as it gives them the chance not only to
lc,rrr a foreign language but also to improve their future ernployment
lri I r,.l)ccts, Sterligov said.
107

said Nevsky' the senior

"Young people don't study science"'
searcher at"tire iJniversity

of brisseldorf' "Th-ey prefer

l":11":-

are fewer students than

economics. For two y"ut's 'unning' there
university because there are no p

;;il ;; NovosibirSl
Pects'"

state

BY Francesca
The Moscow Times, 14 January

What should be done?'

Is it possible to reverse the Brain Drain?

,/

The Economy of the Russian Federation

rxpcnditure (n) - pacxoa

cxlract (v) - ao6usarb, z3BJIeKarb
li'r'lile (adj) - nrogopo4urtft
llorrnder (n) - xaru6ara
lirrlcler (n) - rcopu Ar.fl cKora, KopMoBoe pacreHue
lirrcign debt - nHeruHufi 4orr
( il)P (Gross Domestic Product)
- earoaHft rHyrpeuHnfi npoAyKr
Itclring (n) -cemgu
irr the

&

Task

I.

Pre-Reading

you to
Study the vocabulary notes that will help

the text better

arrear (n)

sa4oln<eHHocrb, npocpoqKa

cod (n) - rPecKa

combat (v) - 6oPo'rccr
consumer (n) - norPe6llrerb
oopper (n) - ue4t

co-product (n) - no6ouHrtft npo4yrr

crop (n) - YPoxafi
crunch (n) - nepenoM, Kpn3llcHafl cvfiyawrfl
cutback (n) - conpaulellue, [IoHHxeHI'Ie
dampen (v) - ocla6nlrb, cAepxuBarb
yrIaAoK
decline (v) - yn'rensuarbct, rrpuxoAurb B
deposit (n) - ruecroPoxAeHl4e
diamond (n) - alua:
disperse (adj) - PacceaHHsrfi
diverse (adj) - PasluvHstfr

enterprise

(n)

nporrnbIUIJIeHI{oe flpeAnpl4flTl're' n

CTBO

expand (v)
108

r r

Pacuupcrbcr

no6nl,I3ocrl,I

rrr

ber (n) - nnnor',r arepvartbt, 6perua

ufactu rin g (n) - npoH3BoAcrno, o6pa6arblBaloulat flpoMbl tlrneH-

rir rr

ll( )c'rb

Irrcadow (n)
trrirre (v)

-ryr

Ao6unars

Itrirring (n)

cocranftrb B cPeAHeM
balance of payments - nrare)KHblit6ut.asc

average (v)

x(eJle3o

cBrHeIr
lrvcstock (n) - aor'aarusHfi crcor
Irr

(-fl]

vicinity

ilorr (n)
It'rd (n)

ropHoe Aeno
Irorrl'errous metals -- IrBerHble MeruulJlbt
oll.shore (adj)

orlr(ruropnufi

rlc

(rr)

hHocrpaHHblfi, ocyqecrnrce'Nlrrfi B Apyl'HX crpaHax,

pyAa

orrtline (v)

- oveprr,rts, Ha6pacstnatr
- nacr6raqe
povcrty (n) - 6eluocrs
plincipal (udj) - rrannrtfi

prrs(ure (rr)

ttrrrk (v)

3aHHMarb Mecro

nrw (adj) - cupofi, crtpteeofi

c nac areJl b H stfi , aYapuitasti't
l fi o u e (adj )
fetilil tradg po3HnqHat roproBJls

fcvcnue (n)

- 4oxoa
(v)
levorse
- nepenepHyrb Ha 180 rpaAycoB, norHocrbrc u3MeHI'ITbct
(v)
I
tor
teir
- pa:6pacblBarb, paccpeAoroquBarb
(n)
Errrliment
- vueHne
Eelup (n) - crpyKTypa, clicreMa
:kuw (v) - cKJIoHI4TLcr, cABhHyrbcc
rc c alty (n)
- cneqr,r.rJrr.{3r,rpoBaHHoe H3Aen He
ltrrck market - prruox arcqnfi / ueHustx 6yuar, QoHgonar 6upxa
E ;

109

surplus (n) - raslnurer, n36ttr.orc

taper (v) - cysr.rrs(cr), saocrprrrcr

l)rrr irrg

the past decade, poverty and unemployment declined steadily

nn(l the middle class continued to expand.

unemployment (n) - 6e:pa6ornqa

unveil (v) - orxplrrs, o6uapo4ouars
walrus (n) - rrropx
welfare (n) - 6larococrorHue
Task

ll. Task ll. Mind

ruscrve fund to support budgetary expenditures in case

the following proper nouns and

CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States)

crgo HesasHcHMbIX focyAapcrn

ofa fall in the

- CHf, C

\corcs
urrrvrrrt -- Enponeftcrclrfi
IDPUIlwnvArlYr
European Union)
EU (the
lju
\Lllg LuruPg4rr
APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) -

As

Tl-rxoo KeaHcKoe 3Ko HoM HqecKoe coTpyAHHqecTBo

Irrvcstor concerns over the Russia-Georgia conflict, corporate gover-

G 8 (the Group of 8: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Ru

the United Kingdom, and tlre United States) - crpaHbr <<Bors

nrrrrcc issues, and the global credit crunch caused the Russian stock
rtr:rlket to fall by roughly 70Yo. ^l'he global crisis also affected Rus-

BOCbMepKH))

SCO (the Shanghai Cooperation Organization)

lllauxaitcxac

Hu3Artvfl coTpyAHHrrecTBa
(

Task IIl. Guess the meaning of these words and word

checking your guesses as you read the text:
domestic manufacturing

light-industry sector

global crisis
to diversify and modernize industries

the catch
Strategic

Sectors

Reaoing and Comprehension

Task lV. Read the text and check your understanding by doing
tasks that follow:

Russia ended 2008 with GDP growth of 6.0Yo, followin

straight years of growth averaging 1Yo annually since the fi
crisis of 1998. Over the last six years, fixed capital investrrent I
and personal income growth have averaged above l0%, but both
at slower rates in 2008. GroMh in 2008 was driven largely by
tradable services and domestic manufaeturing, ratlrer than ex
110

i,vcrrrment also unveiled a $20 biilion tax cut plan and other safety

Ircts lbr society and indr-rstry.

I'lrrls

Iteetlstod
still
uciltls. Ru

o
s
c

tr;rlirced or modernized

if the country is to achieve

ilorr
ltnc
llt'i

rrawmate_
budget re_
pd must be
broad-based eco-

rust in institutions, exchange rate

crisis continue to dampen domes_

111

l(ussia's manufacturing enterprises produce many types of goods.

1'lrc nrachine building sector makes a wide range of products, from
Sorrrprrters and precision tools to railroad locomotives, automobiles,
lgrrcrrltural machinery, space vehicles, and nrilitary weapons. The
lltclrllurgical industry produces a number of specialty steels and nonfFrr,,rrs metals, and the chemical sector produces an array of industrial

Sectors of EconomY

Mining is a major sector of the Russian economy and prov

sizable share of the country's exports. Russia is a leading producef
nickel and aluminium. Nickel ores are extracted primarily in
Siberia, although significant deposits are also located in the Kola

ninsula near Murmansk. Aluminium bauxite deposits are

mainly in the Urats aird northwest European Russia near saint

ulrt'rrricals and chemical fertilizers. Some of these manufacturing

htrrrrclres, suclr as tlre aerospace industry and certain types of def.ence
ptotlrrction, are technologically advanced, but tlre overall level of
ler lrrrology in the manufacturing sector is far below the levels of other
lrrplrly industrialized countries. The technological level of manufaclttrrrrg processes and products is particularly low in the light-industry
It'r'lor' (which produces consumer goods such as footwear, clothing,
atrrl tcxtiles).
l,lncrgy plays a central role in the Russian economy because it
dtivcs all the other elements of the system - the industrial, agriculItrrirl, commercial, and governrnent sectors. In addition, energy, parllerrllrrly petroleum and natural gas, is the most important export and
:rrrcc of foreign exchange for the Russian economy.

Petd

burg; other deposits are found in western and eastern Siberia.

Russia ranks among the world's top five producers of gold, si
and diamonds. Gold is mined in the Urals, western Siberia, and
Lena Rivei valley of eastern Siberia. Most diamonds are extractedl
the republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in north-eastern Sibelia, and nearlyl
the output is exported. Silvel is mined in ttre far eastern region, and
a co-product at gold mines in the Urals and western Siberia'
Russia is also alrlong the top five producers of lead, copper,
uranium ores. Lead is min6d in European Russia and western Sibet
copper in tlre southern Urals, and uranium in eastern Siberia' Ru
also an irnportant producer of iron and zinc ores. Most iron extr
takes place in the Kursk region of western Russia, while zinc is mil
'

in Siberia.
Manufacturing. The Russian economy is dominated by large
dustrial enterprises, and manufacturing remains strongly skewed
ward lreavy industries. Small and medium-sized enterprises are
but remain badly underdeveloped by internatiotral standards'
Russia's manufacturing capacity is located principally in
Russia and the Ural Mountains region. Extractive industries, such
mining and oil and gas production, are more widely dispersed, w
major facilities located in Siberia. Other industrial centers such
Tomsk and Novosibirsk in Siberia, the eastern regions of Russia
main largely unindustrialized, having traditionally served as a baso
the extraction of raw materials and the production of energy'
processing industries are concentrated in Moscow, Saint Petersl
Yekaterinburg, and Nizhniy Novgorod. These larger cities have
naged the economic transition relatively well, as they have been
to diversiff and modernize their industries.

't12

('limatic and geographic factors limit Russia's agricultural

ttlivily to about l0% of the country's total land area. Of that amount,
plrorrt 600%

is used for crops, the remainder for pasture and meadow.

of the farmland lies in the so-called fertile triangle. The base of
llte triarrgle extends along the country's western border from tlre Ballil lo tlre Black seas, and its two sides taper eastward to the southem
llrrrl Mountains, where it becomes a narrow strip of land extending
i('ross the soutlr-western fringes of Siberia. East of the Altai MounlHtrrs, agricutture is found only in isolated mountain basins along the
lurrllrcrn edge of Siberia. Without human modification, areas outside
llu' lcrtile triangle are unsuitable for crops.
llre country's major grain crops are wheat, barley, oats, and rye.
Illlrcr irnportant crops are potatoes, sugar beets, and sunflower seeds.
lllr.rcirsed production of fodder crops and expansion of pasture land
|ylosl

hnvr, suppofted Russia's livestock industry, although econornic condi-

lllrrs have caused cutbacks in animal holdings. Cattle are the most
eulurr()n form of livestock except in the drier areas, where sheep and
113

goats dominate. The third largest category is pigs, which are raised
pd
areus of European Russia and the Pacific coast that offer grain,
toes, or sugar beets as

fodder'

Forestry: Russia is a major producer of h'rmber and wood

ducts. The irincipal commercial hardwood tree is birch. The pri
areas of timber production are north-western European Russia'
central Ural Mountains, southern Siberia in the vicinity of the Tr
Siberian Railroad, and south-eastern Siberia'
Russia,s fishing industry is one of the largest in the world. Mr
than half of the RLrisian catch is taken from the Pacific Ocean and
marginal seas, including tlre Bering Sea. Vladivostok is the I
fishing port and fish-processing centre of the far eastern region;
smaller'fishing ports are scattered along the mainland coast as wel
on Sakhalin Island. The Sea of okhotsk is one of the richest fisl
grounds, known especially for its salmon. Other species taken in

Facific include herring, flounder, mackerel, and cod, as well

as

rine mammals such as walrus and seal.

The IT market is one of tlre most dynamic sectors of the Rus!
economy. Since the year 2000 the IT market has demonstrated grr
rates of 30- 40Yo ayear. The biggest sector in tenns of revenue is
iem and network integration, which accounts for 28.3o/o of the t<
market revenues. Meanwhile the fastest growing segment of the
market is offshore programming.
Important service industries include financial services
insurance; advertising, marketing, and sales; tourism; retail trade,
the beginning of the 2l't century, services accounted for more
half oi GDp. Still, complaints remained regarding the provisir
services by the public sector, particularly the police, schools,
hospitals. owing to budget shortfalls, many of the public-sector
vices are poorly financed and have been unable to retain skilled
ployees.

ln the Russian law, there are sectors of the Economy which

considered to be crucial for national security, foreign companiegll
restricted from owning them. Investments in the so-called
Sectors (oil, gas, media and telecoms) are defined in a law A
by the Russian Parliament in 2006 Federal Law 'On the
Foreigners to Strategic Sectors''

lroreign trade is tremendously impoftant to the Russian economy.

country has generally enjoyed a healthy trade surplus since the
dirsolution of the Soviet Union. The country's principal exports have
Irrrrlitionally been oil (accounting for about 33Yo of earnings), natural
gl'-. rninerals, military equipment and weapons, gold, shipping, and
trirrrsporl services. Principal imports include machinery and equip-

'llrt'

lilurl, consumer goods, medicines, meat, grain, sugar, and semiflrrrslrod metal products. Russia's chief trade-partners are the countfiur, ol'1he EU, Belarus, Ukraine, China, and Japan.

It's interesting to know ...

l(ussia is a permanent nrember of the United Nations Security
('ouncil, amemberof tlre G8, APEC and the SCO, and is a leading
rrrclnber of the Comrnonwealth of [ndependent States.
llrc Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovcrrrrnental mutual-security organization which was founded in
.100 | by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia,
laf ikislan. and Uzbekistan.
( )n 29 March 1996 the Eurasian Economic Comrnunity originated
lnrrn a customs union between Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan. It
rvas named EEC on l0 October 2000 when Bglarus, Kazakhstan,
l(yrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan signed tlre treaty. EurAsEC
rvas formally created when the treaty was finally ratified by all
livc member states in May 2001. Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine
lrrrvc the observer status. EurAsEC is working on establishing a
( onrnon energy market and explorillg the more efficient use of
rvrrtor in central Asia.
l lrc ruble or rouble (code: RUB) is the currency of the Russian
I ctlcration and the two parlially recognized republics of Abkhazia
;rntl South Ossetia.

l(rrssia has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world.

It lras the second largest fleet of ballistic missile submarines and
r'; thc only country apaft from the US with a modern strategic
l'rrrrber force. The country has a large and fully indigenous arms
115

114

industry, producing all of its own military equipment. The

is the world's top supplier of weapons, a spot it has held
2001, accounting for around 30Yo of worldwide weapons
and exporting weapons to about 80 countries.
The country has more than one-fifth of the world's total
an area nearly as large as the continental United States.
The Russian fishing industry rivals the size of the world's
leading producers (Japan, the United States, and China).
produces about one-third of all canned fish and some
of the world's tottil fresh and frozen fish.
Russia produces about one-sixth of the world's iron ore
ween one-tenth and one-fifth of all nonferrous, rare, and
metals.
The Russian Trading System is a stock market established in

in Moscow, consolidating various regional trading floors

exchange. Originally RTS was modelled on NASDAQ's
and settlement software.

The Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange or MICEX is

the largest universal stock exchanges in the Russian
and Eastern and Central Europe. It accounts for about 98olo
Russian on-exchange share market.

lask

V. Fill in the derivatives of the wotds given in the chaft

corruption / corruptibi-

116

fask vl- Match the verbs on the teft with a suitabte object
tt to make correct word-combinations. Recalt the conteits
combinations are used.

on the

ir-iii"n

, to inrprove

kl support
, kr iuitiate
, to cause

kr combat
kr rnodernize
, kr outline

kr alfect
to rcquire
,

lo demonstrate

a. budgetary refonns
b. banking system

c. corruption
d. financial position
e. investments

f. economic priorities
g. a rescue plan
h. growth rates

i. industries

j.

cutbacks

Task vll- Read the text again and decide whether fhese
sfafements
tut the economy of your country are True or False:
l'lconomic growth in 2008 was driven rargery by the
middre-crass
cxpansion.

lrositive trends in the Russian economy began to reverse

in the
sccond halfof2009.
l' the first year of his term, president Medvedev outlined a numbcr of economic priorities for Russia which reflected
different
aspects of economic development.
Mining provides a sizable share of the country's imports.
Natural resources, especially energy, dominate Russian
exports.
l(ussia's manufacturing capacity is rocated mainry in
the repubric
ol'Sakha and eastern Siberia.
l(ussia is one of the world's two energy superpowers,
is rich in
ratural energy resources.
'l'hc Russian timber
industry is a significant contributor to the
(:oonomy of Russia.

117

f trssia' It is also bigger (3) ... terms (4) ... investment, population and
tsrrr.'y than any Russian region. But now more and more Russian
icrs are developing and are very attractive places to conduct
busi_
s. (5) -.. Russian and foreign companies arike. There are several
irsorrs (6) ... that: Moscow became too small (7) ... bigbusinesses,
itlr lbwer opportunities; and growth can be sustainedlnly by ex_
rrrlirrg and multiplying a well-established and well-run -busin"ss
lcl into the regio's. consumer power is arso dramaticaily growing
.. the regions.
'l'here is also
the political factor. Several years ago the Russian
'sitfcnt changed the established order (9) ... elections for
the Govl'l()r's and Presidents of the Russian regions and created asystem (10)
,, rvhich the President of Russia appoints Governors and presidents
I I t ... the Russian regions. This was a major factor prompting
treIr,'rrtlous growth (12) ... regionar business. previousry Regionalbovno's and Presidents bothergd little (13)... the economic growth (14)
, llroir region because (15) :.. Russia it has never been necessary
rrl ... politicians to answer (IZ) ... the people who elected them.
illr the new system, key performance indicators needed to be com:d ( I8) .., in orderto be appointed (Ig)... the president (20) ...
the
I tcnn: economic growth, social stability and political loyalty.
Russia Beyond the Heodlines, 20 March 200g

@ Task Vlll. Read the text more carefully and complete the
statements:

l.
2.
3.

Russia's two sovereign wealth funds are: ... and ... .

The decline of Russian stock market was caused by ...

Russia's infrastructure requires

... if

the country is to ac

broad-based economic growth.

Russia ranks among the world's top producers of ... .
.Russian manufacturing remains strongly skewed toward
Light-industry sector produces ... .

4.
5.
6.
7. ... limit Russia's agricultural

...

8.

activity to about l0% of the

try's total land area.
[ncreased production of. . and expansion of... have su

9.

Russia's livestock industry.

The ... market is one of the most dynamic sectors of the

economy.

10. Russia's chief trade-partners are ...

Task lX. Check your understanding of the detail by answering

quesfions:

l.
2.

What are the country's economic priorities?

What is a major sector of the Russian economy? What do
I
know about its development?
Where are extractive industries located? What do they incl
What type of production do Russia's manufacturing ente

3.
4.

produce?

Why does energy play a central role in the Russian economy?'

What is fertile triangle?
7. What are the country's principal crops?
8. Why are some sectors of the Russian economy called '
What are they?
9. What are the country's principal exports?
10. What does Russia import?
5.
6.

&

Task X. Fill in the blanks with the necessary preposrTrons:

The growth (1) ... any country starts from its capital and Rr
no exception. Moscow is the biggest and most developed city
118

Xl. Translate into English the sentences fhaf fottow:

('oapeve'Han poccuitcKat rroJrr,rr,Ka B orHo'reHHH

Task
,

TpyAoBbrx

l)ocypcoB opneHTr.rpoBaHa Ha coKparqeHne uercaaln$nq[poBaH_

ttot'o rpyAa, [epenoAroroBKy KaApoB, loBbtrreHile

ux

npo0ec_

uosalrHofi uo6nlsHocru.
llpousluueHHocrb Poccl,'.r Harlr,rHaer cBoro Hcropuro c roHqa
l7
rcKa, Kor-Aa B crpaHe Bo3HITKJIH nepBbte KperrocrHbre uaHyQarc_
c

rypbr.
llpt't po4usre pecypcbr, HcnoJrb3yeMbre sKoHoMarcofi

poccun, co_
('lirBrqlor 95,7yo HauuoHiurbHoro 60rarcrsa crpaHbr.
K HUU Oril()crrTct 3a[acbt npecHblx

BOA

n MHHepiulbHofo cbtpbq,

119

llo

4.

ganacan

yrlr

PO 3aI{HMaer rl4Aupytolqee rloJroN(eHfie

3HeprerHqecrnfi noreuunuu yronbuofi npovtutuJneHHocrr

TerbHo npeBbt Ixaer He$rrHofi .

Xlll. Comment on the quotation:

"'l'lrc crisis is not only a time for dramatic trials and troubles; it is
plru ;r challenge life gives us. We ought to use this opportunity." DmiFy Me dvedev, President of Russia (Russia Today, 04 June 2009)

3H

Poccns 3Kcnoprtlpyer B ocHoBHoM yrneBoAopoAHoe

(He$rs n HeQrenpoAyKTbt, raa, yrortl), cranrHofi npoKar H

5.

ropbre IIBeTIIbIe MeruulJlbl (anrovr'rHrzfi,

HI'IKeJIb, rrae.qs) a

Hsrx Qopuax.
B arponporubtulJleHHoM KoMn,'IeKce PO 6srcrpnMu reM[aMH
uHTefpauns u Koonepauat MeJIKHX H CpeAHI'IX COoCTBeHHHK(
aKlrl,IoHepHbte o6ulecrea, KoofleparuBLI, accoqtzalryln,

6.

[-Dl Optional Reading

High-Tech: ls lT the Answer to the Financial Crisis?

$nHancoso-npoM bIttrneHI{bIe rpytrtrbl.

7.

locy4apcraeusrtfi 6rcAxer e PO o6ecnevnnaer Qyux

BaHrne rocyAapcrBa Ha rpex ypoBHex: o6ulenocy

8.

EaHroecxaq cucreMa 4eficrnyer e PO Ha ABlx ypoBHqx:

Sr:vcral entrepreneurs have proven it is possible to rapidly de?eh'p ir business focused on innovation. The last economic crisis in
ll,lttlt catalyzed the expansion of Russia's informrition technologies

Qe4epanrnoM H MecrHoM.

Poccll,r (I{enrparrHstft 6aHr PO) n MHoror{HcJleHHble

qecKne 6aHrcn.

Pons 6asrcoBcKoro ceKTopa B

SKoHoMHKe Poccnn
yBennqHBaercr KpeAHToBaHlre Mzuroro n cpeAHero 6nsueca,

9.

TeqHoe KpeAHToBaHne u norpe6urelscltufi

10. 3rcoHovn.{ecrc}rfi

coser CHf

lan, o6ecneqaearouruft

ocHosHoft

KpeAur'

coul'IzurbHo-3KOHOM

corpyAHl,IqecrBa.

@
Task

2.
3.
120

XIl.

ucnolHurelrHuil

cornaureHllfi n
Aeilcrsus gousl cno6oAnofi

BbITIoJIHeHHe

Kacarouluxcr Qoprnrr.rpoBaHufl u
r-oBJrH, a raKxe ApyrHX BonpocoB

8
l.

Task

Fottow-up A(

Share your opinions on the following:

Do you think that Russia is still a superpower? Give er

arguments to prove your position.
What are recent positive tendencies in the Russian economy?
What type of economy does Russia currently have?

'lrrr. Can it happen again?

h 2007, it seemed clear Russia was not a shining star among
r;iiug markets when it came to high-tech. Neglected scientists, a
ol'state suppoft, bloated state companies, corruption and red tape
I rrll stymied any profitable innovation. Analysts and journalists
ll Russia had missed its nanosecond when it came to high-tech.
l)r'csident Dmitry Medvedev explained the lack of results bluntly:
tre ouraging innovation is something we talk a lot about but, frankly
,,rrkirrg, no breakthrough has taken place ... almost nothing has been
' irr tlre high-tech and nanotechnology industries, while the money
re irlcd is not being used," he told ltar-Tass in late 2008.
llowever, one of the few positive surprises of the economic crisis
liom this neglected industry: the few existing high-tech comparcnrained profitable, unlike many firms operating in 'traditional'
rrllurgical and raw materials sectors. Taking note of this, venture
rrlrrlists and software giants began to invest in the industry.
Microsoft's recent announcement that it is making a $300 million
slrnent into the country's fledgling tech infrastructure underscores
potential.
"Microsoft views Russia not only as a market of strategic impor-

'c. but also a global center for innovation and groMh," Nikolay
islrnikov, President of Microsoft Russia, told Russia Now.
"Slrategically savvy companies realtze this is the time to gain a
rctitive edge they can leverage when the crisis is over, which is
r

121

said' "In many cases'

wlry they choose to invest," Pryanishnikov
new businet::tP:1
nomic downturns encourage people to seek
the
case in the 1990s
was
This
ties and develop somethin[new'
was born' and it
industry
ii .":"riay of the Russia"n high-tech
"
be the case now."
Ballmer'^C
At a recent press conference in Moscow' Steve
efforts
anti-crisis
Vi"roroft, praised the Russian Government's
prornised the money ri."iJ e" t"*Id i""l"Ti1i::'rt:::1":":i
iinovation centers throughout the cou
"n,"t""v tilil,
"truuritr'ting
UI?l-l?:,Yt
and providing free softw;re to start-up ".".,*t:"1::;
and training.
skills
lT
with
RussianJ
.of, flop", to"provide 300,000
to reveal
beginning
is
entrepreneurs
A new generation of tech
famous'
Tl:^To*
crisis'.
iast
self, as wai the case during the
1997
in
'
;;;;r;, is the search engine Yandex, launched
iTPI":iu::,.0"tP1':
been
has
giowth
company's
Tlre
million in 2008'
up, unJ O*tit. Yund""*', revenue topped $300
searches' while (
has maintained more than half of iiussian
one of the few
maintains about one quafter' Russia remains
few
in the world - along with China, South Korea and. a
than
popular
more
renrains
where a domestic search engine
giants'
Yahoo or any other international
Fortune Magazine reported that Yandex had .an.'u'.gy1!ly
in the highly
rior' search technolory than their US rivals' rooted
lex nature of word-endings in the Russian language' Jh" T
;;;.;t opened its first office in California' not far from
headquafters.
player in the
"We're happy to coordinate with Yandex' a key
Ex-plorer 8 dist
sian market, on'ou. first joint project for Internet
Yandex as
selected
also
3'1
tion,i'ruiO Pryanishnikov' Firefox
fault
- set ptouid"t in Russia - over Google'
Witft the help of government incentives - such as recently

lished 'special economic zones' (SEZs) for innovation like Al

mini-Silicon Valleys springing up in unlikely hubs
scienti
Nirfr"V Novgorod una Stl llteisburg' ln these hubs'
rlip
flops and'
designers are encouraged to wear
T:.::.1*f.:
oducts' "Wo
but
ideas,
;;;i; "* ""lv r,igh-iech
I
high
u grl* or-ber of pJople with a
1"1*:,11;
rryanishnikov
,o"ur" new technoiogies to create startups,.. aooeq
122

''ltussia actually looks more like a developed market, but one that
clrll lras opportunities to grow quickly," commented Pryanishnikov.
I 'ovcrirrg 20 percent of the earth's surface on l l time zones has its
rrrlv;rrrtages: the need for digital services will always be high, and will
hlt p increasing.
By Margol Linsky,
Russia Now, 29 May 2009
Russian Economic Slide Worsening

Itussia's economy contracted sharply in April - shrinking by

the same month a year ago - Deputy Economy Minister
Arrtlrci Klepach has said. The data came as officials were quoted as
rrrr irrg Russia would have a budget deficit equivalent to 9%o of GDP
Irr ,'009, from an earlier 7 .4o/o prediction.
l{ussia's economy had been growing thanks to high oil prices,
wlrrclr peaked at about $147 a barrel last summer. But since then, the
rt c of oil, a key expoft, has fallen by more than half.
1rt
I he sharp drop in the economy in April came after Federal State

lll

r')zu f16n1

Hlrrtistics figures showed that, on a yedr-on-year basis, output dropped

',"'1, in the first three months of the year. Industrial output has

lhrrvccl in the wake of the global economic slowdown, and investors

frtrr t' rvithdrawn from Russia.
'lhere are fears that poverly levels are rising with Russian
shrrrelres reporting a rise in the number of people seeking free meals
Ir n rcsult of the global financial cnsrs.
t )u Monday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gave downbeat
lrunrcuts on the country's economy - though he avoided giving preglrl slirtistics on how bad it had become. However, he called for sharp
Strllr:rcks in government spending in a "shift to a regime of tough ecollrrtrrrsiug of budget funds".
l(rrssia's regions should be less reliant on Moscow and be preptt'tl to fend more for themselves' he added
BBC News, 26 May 200g

123

htclging (n) - crr,rrHne, o6reguHeHne

ffiorlcrate (adj) - yvepeuHrrfi
ftorrcy bill

- $nHaHcosslfi

piulrrlesque (adj)

The United Kingdom Today: General Outlook

O Task t. Study the meaning of the words from the text which
cause difficulty of u nderstanding :
affairs (n) - Aena, Bonpocbt
ages-old (adj) - oqeHb Apennnfi, crolernuft
bilingual (adj) - AByt3blttHblfi, ronoprulufi Ha 4eyx q3blK:x
charge (v) - nopy.tarb, Bo3Jlararb orBercrBeHHocrb
command majority support

- noJlb3oBarbct

noAAepxKoI'I

xneonucHrrfi

plnin (n) - paBHHHa

pt'crIominantly (adv) - nper.rMytrlecrBeHHo
teign (v) - qapcrBoBarb
felrrin (v)

Pre.Reading

3aKoHonpoeKT

coxpaHrrb

- KoponeBcKurr caHKUHt
- cosuaarr (co6paHue)
tttt'vive (v) - npogoJDr(arb cyrqecrBoBarb, coxpaHflTbct
tt'crrly (n) - Aor-oBop, corraureHne, KoHBeHrIufl
Iu.y;rl assent
!trnrn.ron (v)

O lask ll. Mind the following proper nouns:

Atts Council of Great Britain

Coeer no ncKyccrsarr{ Berr,rKo6pmra-

Jlltlt

torrrr.nonwealth of Nations (the Commonwealth)

Co,qpyxecrno Ha-

IIIHHCTBA

[xii

cgmparatively (adv) - cpaBHl,IrenbHo, orHocnreJl bHo

compile (v) - cocraenrrs (rcHury, c6opHnr)
densely (adv) - rycro, rlrlorno
deprive (v) - orHuruarb, Jll{urarb
dissolve (v) - pacnycxarr (naprnlo, naplaveHr)
exercise' (v) - ocyulecrBJlttrb, rIpHMeHflTb

f'orrrt of Appeal- AnerlrquoHHuft cyA

prrropean Economic Community EnponeficKoe sKoHoMUqecKoe co-

exhibition (n)

porrsc of Commons
Fhrusc

ofLords

- flalara

- flarara

o6u1uH

nopAoB

rrlicial Committee of the Privy Council

Cyae6Hrrfi xonan.rer Tafi-

nrtcraerca

fertile (adj) - ruoAopoAusrft

fleet (n) - BoeHHo-Mopcrcofi $lor
flourish (v) - npoqeerarr
general election - sceo6qne nst6oprt
gl ori ou s (adj ) - npocJlaBneHHstft , mt4arounfi cs
grant (n) - AeHelKHoe Bo3Harpax,qeHl{e, tpaHT
hereditary peer - HacJleAcrBennrtfi nsp
hold up (v) - npraocraHaBruBarb
life peer - noxl{3HeHHufi nap
link (n) - cBq3b, coeAl4HeHre
124

6trtccrso

w Lords - cyAe6nrre nopA6r, nopAbr-cyAbr,r

Lortl Chancellor - lopa-KaHurep
lorrls Spiritual -'4lxoBHbre' rileHbr naJrarbr nopAoB (apxaenncrconrr

errucrconsl)

lorrls 'lemporal - cBercKue r{JreHbr naJrarbr nopAoB

rllr Atlantic Treaty Organisation - Opraun3ar{n Cenepoauaurut(olo AoroBopa (HATO)
kcr - cnurep (e naplanrenre)

125

[-E-l neading and Comprehension

{& Task

lll.

Read the text carefully and check your general

hension:

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is

official name of the British Kirrgdom, including England, Scot
Wales and Northern lreland. The country is situated on the
Isles which lie off the northwest coast of Europe and compri
group of over 5,000 islands. Politically the British lsles are di
into two countries - the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Not
Ireland, or jr.rst the UK, and the southern part of Ireland, or
Irish Republic, or Eire. The total area of the British Isles is 3
square kilometres, whereas that of the UK is 244,l00.square ki
tres, which is half the size of France or Spain. The UK occupies
75thplace in the world in terms of area. The country is washed by
Atlantic Ocean in the northwest, north and southwest, and is
from the European continent by the North Sea, the Straight of
and the English Channel. Nevertheless, Britain has a direct
link with Europe by means of the Channel Tunnel built across
English Channel. The geographical position favoured the
ment of the United Kingdom as a great sea country. Itis
great geographical discoveries and glorious victories of the
Fleet.

Britain is comparatively small, but there is hardly any cou

the world where such a variety of scenery and landscape can
found. England, which is the richest, the most fertile and the
populated paft of the country, is a vast plain. It is separated from
land by the Cheviot Hills running from east to west. In
England there is the famous Lake District, a region of pic
lakes and mountains that includes England's largest lake, Wi
mere, and highest mountain, Scafell Pike (977 m). Wales and
land are mountainous areas, by the way, the Highlands of Scotla
among the oldest mountains in the world. The highest mountain
are Ben Nevis (1343 m) in Scotland and Snowdon (1085 m) in W
Scotland is a land of famous lakes. They are called'lochs'there,
126

trcrrrrlilul Loch Lomond is the largest one in Scotland and Loch Ness
of tourists by its legendary monster. The largest lake
Itr tlrc British Isles, Lough Neagh, is in Northern lreland. The rivers
Fllrrrcts millions

ltrc rrot lo
tvlrile the

n. Tlre longest
6 km) is the m

Severn (350 km),

waterway as the
Kingdom, Lon
on it. Woodlands
errvcr about 8 Yo of the country. As for the climate of Britain it is

nlrilll

of

llritain is a densely populated country; besides, it is one of the

flr'sl urbanized countries in the world. with the present population of

I.rrrc 60 million the UK ranks l4tr' in the world. The English make up
ovcr 80oz of the total population. The proportion of the scotsmen,
wt'lshrnen and Irishmen is about l5%. Four out of every five people
llvc irr big i'dustrial cities like London, the capital of engtand, ndin!u'gh, the capital of Scotland, cardiff, the capital of wales, Berfast,
lht' c,'pital of Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Liverpoor, Manchester,
Ehcllield, Glasgow. London, being the-greatest city and port on the
itish Isles, is also the capital of the United Kingdtm. It is its politi, cconomic and commerciar centre. London is one of the largest
llies of_the world; its popuration is about 7 miilion peopre. Besides,
it
i'rrc of the oldest cities in the world - it is two thousand years old.
ttrrkrrr consists of the city (the financiar part),
the rich west End
rt' r:ntertainment and major shopping centre) and the poor
East End
c i.dustrial and former dock area). one can say that tne
crty is trre
rrcy of London, the west End is the goods of London and
tire East
irl rs the hands of London.
'l'.day in England,
Wales, Scotland and Norlhern Ireland, English
llrt' language predominantry spoken. wares is officiaily uitin!,rut,
I tlrc Welsh language is spoken by a fifth of its population.ihe
rllislr and Irish forms o_f tfe Gaeric ranguage survive
in some parts
Scolland and Northern Ireland.

127

The United Kingdom is one of the few developed countries of1

world where a constitutional monarchy has suruived with its
the
customs and traditions. There is no written constitution in

that is, the British constitution is not compiled in any single

ment.

The present Sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II who reigns but

ol
not rule. Being a constitutional monarch she acts on the advice
decisions'
Prime Minister and does not make any major political
r
though the Queen is deprived of actual power' she has retained
dissolves
and
summons
impJrtant, though formal, functions' She
liament, gives royal assent to bills passed by both Houses of Pa;
ment. The Queen appoints tlre Prime Minister (usually the leade
the political pafty which has a majority in the House of Commons
form a Government. As head of state she has the power to declare,
and make peace, to conclude treaties, etc' The Queen is the he
judi
the executive, an integral part of legislature, the head of the
'supreme
the
the commander-in-chief of all armed forces,
of the established church of England and the Head of the comnl

wealth.

Britain does not have a very strict division and separation ol

passed
wers. The legislative branch is Parliament where laws are
(
the most important political issues are debated; the executive
puts laws inio effect and plans policy) is the Cabinet of the G'
rnent consisting of the leading members of the political party in
the
er; and the judiciary (which decides on cases that arise out of
council.
Privy
the
of
committee
is the Law Lords and the Judicial
The supreme legislative authority in the United Kingdom'
ment, resides in Westminster Palace, and its power is concent
the 651-seat House of commons. Members of Parliament are e
at a general election which is usuatly held every five years' The
didat-es may be nominated by different parties, but the real conti
between the two big parties - the conservative and the Labour.
chief officer of the House of commons is the Speaker whose
duty is to preside over the House in its debate. The Speaker is el
by the House and, when elected, he must not belong to any party'

l'lrc House of Lords is composed of about 1,200 appointed members l'hey are the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal, consisting
rrl irll hereditary peers (about 800), all life peers (about 350), and 2l
I,Hrv Lords, to assist the House in its judicial duties, because the
ll,'rrtc of Lords is the Supreme Court of Appeal. The Lord Chancellor
lltu.;irlcs over the House. There is no Minister of Justice in Britain, but
lltl l,ord Clrancellor performs some of the functions which would
llrrrrrrirlly belong to a Minister of Justice if there was one. The powers
trl llrc llouse of Lords are now strictly limited. The main bills are inltorlrrccd first in the Commons, and the Lords can only hold them up
fitr ,,rrc year, and tlrey cannot do even this to money bills. The House
Fl l ,orcls is characterized as an anachronistic body of aristocracy in a
lltor lr:r'rr, progressive democracy.

Ilrc executive body, the Government, is formed by the political

ftnrlv which can command majority supporl in the House of Com'lhe leader of the majority pafty is appointed Prime Minister by
flrrrrrs
llrl Sovereign, and all other ministers are appointed by the Sovereign
llrc recommendation of the Prime Minister. Most of the ministers
tlrc members of the Commons, although there are always some
iristors in the Lords. The Government is charged with the admtntItrrrtiorr of national affairs. The Prime Minister has a considerable list
0l lrrrrctions and powers. It is his dutyto inform the Crown and Parlinrrrcrrt of the general business of the Government, to exercise a genI srrperuision over Depaftments, to speak in Parliament on the most
rollant government bills, etc.
Still, there is a merging of roles in the British political system.
' rncrnbers of the Cabinet, as well as the Prime Minister, are mem-

ol'the executive and the legislative who have the right to vote in
lirrnrent. The Lord Chancellor is the Cabinet minister,.the Speaker
tlrc House of Lords and the head of the judiciary. The House of
rrrls has a right to vote on bills so they are paft of the legislative but
l,ords also contains the Law Lords who are an important part of
jrrtliciary.
Some have argued that this is needed for flexibilig in a
lhe
,;

rrle

*t

't28

nr society.

l'lrc arts in Britain are flourishing, and present avaried and lively
Irrlc. London has become an international forum of the arts, with
or oxhibitions of painting and sculpture and theatre, opera and
129

ballet companies and orchestras drawing large audiences.

Britain there are festivals and centres of artistic activity - among
Eisteddfod, the Edinburgh International Festival, the music
at Aldeburgh, Windsor and others. There are over 900 museums
art galleries in Britain and art exhibitions are shown all over the
try through the Arts Council of Great Britain, which distributes
ernment grants for music, drama, painting and sculpture.
Britain is one of the world's major industrialized and trad
tions. It enjoys a long established democratic system of gove
which has provided political stability. The United Kingdom
member of the European Economic Community, the United N
Organisation, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the
monwealth of Nations.

lrr Britain the Queen is not only the head of state, but arso
the
'syrnbol of the nation's uniqr,. The royal
title of the eueen is:
"lilizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of
the United Kingrl.rn of Great Britain and Northern rreland and of Her other
l(calms and Territories eueen, Head of the Commonwealth,
De_
lcrrder of the Faith".
I lrc flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Nofthern
lrcland, adopted in 1801, is officially called the Union Flag,
be_
t iruse it ernbodies the emblems of the three countries
undei one
Sovereign. The flag is made up of three crosses on a
blue and

It's interesting to know ...

,/

./

The United Kingdom, the UK, and Britain are all proper
the entire nation, although the term 'Britain' is also often
when talking about the island of Great Britain. The use
term 'Great Britain' to refer to the entire nation is now o
the term 'Great Britain', properly used, refers only to the i
of Great Britain, which does not include Northern Ireland.
term 'England' should never be used to describe Britain,
England is only one part of the island. It is always correct
people from England, Scotland, or Wales British, although
from England may also properly be called English, people
Scotland Scottish, and people from Wales Welsh.
The separation of Britain from the continent had a
impact on the British nation. For centuries the British fe
and secure protected by the Channel, and no foreign
ever invaded the country since the Norman Conquest in
century.

In the UK there are nearly 105 females to every 100 ma

average life expectancy is 72 years for men and 78
women.

130

'Jack' means the flag flown at the jack staff (a small flag_
slalf) of ships to show their nationality.
ln the
of
ield shows the
t'nrble
tp
n: the three lio
irr tlre
hq
ion of Scotland
:ur<l

rrirr

ones are: statutes such as the Magna carta

of 12l5

and the
131

Act of Settlement of 1701; laws and customs of Parli

litical conventions; case law; constitutional matters
court of law. Amendments to Britain's unwritten Constitutioi
made by a simple majority support in both Houses of Parlii

lask lV. Complete the table with missing derivatives:

to be followed by the Royal Assent.

Supporters of the unwritten constitution believe that it allo!
flexibility and change to occur without too many

Those who want a written constitution believe that it s

codified so that the public has access to it - as opposed
constitutional experts who know where to look and how to
pret lt.
it.
The Great Britain is often referred to as the 'Mother of F
ments' because it was the first in the Western world to in
a workable body, an assembly of elected representatives
people with the authority to resolve social and economic
lems by free debate leading to the making of law. The
Parliament was the model for most other parliamentary
and its Acts created many other parliaments. Many nati
parliaments have to some degree emulated the British 'th
model. Most countries in Europe and the Commonwea
similarly organized parliaments with a largely ceremonial
state who formally opens and closes Parliament, a large
i
lower house and a smaller, upper house.
One of the fundamental principles of the British unwritten
tution is the sovereignty of Parliament. It means that
has unlimited power in the legislative and executive
that there is no institution that can declare its acts
tional. In other words, Parliament can act as it pleases: to
change any law, to prolong its own life beyond the normal
without consulting the electorate, etc. But in practice,
Parliament does not make use of its supremacy in this
members bear in mind their responsibility to the e
The Lord Chancellor presides over the House of
Speaker and is sitting on a large couch known as the W
symbol surviving from the l4s century when wool was
staple trade.
132

v' l-ook. 9t. the puzzre berow. Go back to the text and scan it
,te words wnrch
are equivarent in meaning to the fortowing defini_
:; Complete the puzzle and find a key wori in the centre Ooi""

T,ask

ol lrighest status or power

tlrc presiding officer in a legislative body
l. be granted the rank and titre of a sovereign without having rurirrg authority
lo rnake clearly known or announce officially
llre greater number or part of something
133

6.

the executive and policy-making body of a country,

all government ministers
7. to make or compose from other materials or sources
8. visually pleasing, especially in being striking or vivid
9. a form of government in which supreme authority is vested
single and usually hereditary figure, such as a king
10, to express or signifo one's preference, opinion, or will
against some question
@ Task Vl. Say whether fhese slafements are True or False
to the text. Give reasons for your answers.

l.
2.
3.
4.

Great Britain consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wt

and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Ed

burgh and Belfast respectively
The British Isles have an easy contact with mainland Europe.
As the United Kingdom is an inland state the climate there is
specific.
There is a contrast between the relatively high relief of
and northern Britain and the lowland areas of the south and
east.

5.
6.

One of the characteristics of the British Constitution is that

not contained in any single document.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy. This means that a
is the head of state and rules the country.

7.

The Unitbd Kingdom is governed by Her Majesty's Govern

in the name of the Queen.
8. Parliament is the supreme executive body in the United Ki
9. The Queen is the head of the British Parliament which consi
two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Com
10. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the party which
majority in the House of Lords.
rC Task Vll. Read the text more carefully and complete the
sentences:

l.
2.
134

The official name of Britain is ...

The United Kingdom ...

.l (ireat Britain has favourable conditions ...

4, l'he English channel and the North Sea are important
country as ...
'l'he peculiarity
of the British Constitution is ...
Although the Queen dispossesses ...

for

the

5
n
7 Members of the House of Commons are ...
ll A distinctive feature of the House of Lords ...
U 'l'he Cabinet is ...
l0 ... parties dominate the political and social scene.
I rask vlll. Focus on the essenfia/
ew(:rs to fhese quesfions:

I
I
I
4
5
h
7
B
u
l(l

details and

give extensive an-

what is the territory and the population of the United Kingdom?

what factors present the advantages of Britain's geographical position?
What people inhabit Britain? What languages do they speak?
why is it annoying to many British peopre when foreigners say
'lrngland' and 'English, when they mean ,Britain,
and .British,?
What can you say about the state organisation of the UK? What
tloes the term 'constitutional monarchy, mean?
what are the country's supreme legislative, executive and judicial
rruthorities? Is there a merging of roles in the British politics?
wny is the British Parliament called the 'Mother of parliaments'?
who has more real power: the House of Lords or the House of
('onrmons? Why is it so?
what party is in power at present in Britain? who heads the Govclnment?
I )o you see any drawbacks in the British political
system?

lask lX. check how welt you know the tJnited Kingdom by deciding
Wltt,:lt of the following alternatives r's mosf tikety to belrue:
I I lrc United Kingdom is situated to ... of Europe.

rr

lr.

the
the

northwest
southwest

c. the northeast
d. the southeast

135

ti
I

l'l

2.

The English Channel separates Great Britain from ...

c. the Netherlands
a. Belgium
d. France
b. Ireland
). The largest undersea tunnel in the world is under ...
a. the North Channel c. the Strait of Dover
b. St. George's Channel d. the English Channel
4. What is another name of Great Britain?
c. Albion
a. Ulster
d. Britannica
b. Union Jack
5. What is the symbol of the United Kingdom?
c. a rose
a. a bald eagle
b. tsritannia
d. a dragon
6. The British national flag is called ...
c. the Stars and Stripes
a- the Union Jack
b. the Star Spangled banner
7. Which mountain chain is called 'the backbone of England'?
c. the Pennines
tL- the Cumbrians
the Cheviot Hills
d. the Grampians
8. Which is the highest mountain in Britain?
c. Cheviot
a. Snowdon
b. Ben Nevis
d. Scafell Pike
the
longest
river
in
9. Which is
the UK?
a- the Thames
c. the Trent
b. the Tay
d. the Severn
10. The largest lake in the British Isles is ...
a. Loch Lomond
c. Loch Ness
b. Lake Winderrnere d. Loch Neagh '
I l. The Lake District is situated in ...
a. England
c. Scotland
b. Wales
d. Northern Ireland
I2. What city is known as 'the heart of England'?
a. Birmingham
c. Nottingham
b. Worcester
d. Manchester
13. The second largest seaport of Britain is ...
a. London
c. Liverpool

b.

b. Belfast

136

d. Swansea

What are the best English resorts?

ir. Bristol and Southampton
b. Brighton and Bath
c. Leeds and Bradford

tl.

lri

irl

Plymouth and Hove

I'l

ir. the Queen

c.
nister
b.
the
Speaker
d.
.I / Who
ncellor
presides in the House of
r. the Queen
c. the prime Minister
b.
the
Speaker
d.
the Lord Chancellor
.
Itt Who composes the Cabinet?
ir. the Queen
c. the prime Minister
the Speaker
d. the Lord Chancellor
Itt lirries and Whigs are ...
;r.
lr.

2ll

the Conservative and the Democratic

parties
the Conservative and the Labour parties
c. the Labour and the Liberal parties
rl. the Liberal and the Democratic parties
llre most important departm"nt, or"iuit
service

siLuated

3l

in...

ir. Whitehall
lr. Downing Street
We

and ministries are

c. Westminster
d. Fleet Street

stminster palace is the seat of ...

it. the Queen

lr the Lord Chancellor
( . the Parliament
rl. the Government

Where does the British premier live

and work?
ir. at 10 Downing Street
lr in the Houses of parliament
(r. at l0 Baker Street
rl at Buckingham pal3ce

137

23. Who is the heir to the British throne?

c' Prince Charles
a. Prince Edward
d. Prince Andrew
b. Prince Henry
24. Most of the British are ...
c. Catholics
a. protestants
d. nonconformists
b. the Orthodox
25. What is the centre of Britain's national newspapers?
a. Piccadilly Circus c' Fleet Street
d. Trafalgar Square
b. Downing Street
which is printed on pink
newspaper
Britislr
26. The famous

a. The Tirnes
b. The Guardian

1992

d.2004

% Task X. Try

to give

osepo Jlox-Hecc, CroyrrxeHAx, OsepHsrfi rcpaft,

,{o-

MoHapx cqilTaercr rnasofi rocyAapcrBa, BepxoBHbrM rJraBHoKoMarrAyroqfiv, rlaaofi aAMrHncrpaq:zu H cBercKHM uarofi oQnr

an adequate translation of the senfenceg

CoeAmenuoe Kopolencreo paclono)KeHo Ha Bpn:raHcKl4x ocrTK

Koropbte HixoAsraq HeAarleKo or ceBepo-3arlaAHoro no6epex<r*

lnalrnofi

qepKBH AHnll.r

l,r.

l(oHcruryunoHHa.fl MoHapxuc npeAnonaraer coBMecrHoe npaBrcnne MoHapxa, Ilalaru nopAoB n flalarrr o6u1uu, Koropbre Bce

"'

follow:

l.

zlrrbHoe rocyAapcrBo. CosAaea-

tl6urqagx.

rrMecTe cocTaBncroT napnaMeHT.

ner MprHl.tcrpoB, pyKoBoArulnfi ucnolHl,rrelsnofi BJracrbro,

rfropn,trapyercr lpeutep-MuHncrpoM - nHAepoM raprvtvt, HMerol(a6ra

poetry
rock music
29. British inventors didn't give the world "'
c. television
a. telephone
d' radio
b. bicycle
30. Britain established direct diplomatic relations with Belarus in"
c. 2000

M H otoHaqr4 oH

crap[e 6prraHcrcoro, cJro)t(r4Brrrerocr B TeqeHrde 13-14 ss.

llanzcaHsofi KoHcrH'ryrIHn r Epnraunr rpa1nrlvtoHHo He cyueolByer B ToM cMbrcJre, qro ee ocHoBHbre npaBHna He o6re4uueHrr
rr oco6ou AoKyMeHTe, oAHaKo oHa ocHoBaHa Ha.craryrax, lopu/lnqecKHx peureHHrx, [apJraMeHTcKHX 3aKOHaX, TpaAHqHqx H

d. The Sun

1990

naMHoro

c.
d.

a.
b.

lrxo6 p rar anlns

pora BelnraHa, Harlr4oHalruslil naprc <CuoyAoHHr) H Ap.

Ilpnraucxrafi [apnaMeHr qacro HzrbrBaror rrpapoAhreneM Bcex
uapJraMeHToB, xorfl nclauAcxnfi zrJrbrlrHr, co:4aHHsril e 930 H.e.,

27. What is the world's largest museum?

a. the Victoria and Albert Museum
b. the British Museum
c. the National Gallery
the Tate Gallery
28. Eisteddfod is the international competition of
a. folk-dancing and music
b. modern drama

en

(-'pe4ra HHX

c. The Financial Times

d.

rocb oHo nocrefleHHo: s 1543 AHrrHq npucoeAlrHnra Yeltc, n

1107 - LlIomanAurc, a n I 800 -Vpnauguw.
llernrco6puraHnr BecbMa 6orara AocronpnMeqareJrbHocrffMh.

gleHsr Ka6nHera oflpeAensror

ilpaBuTeJrbcTBeHlryro noflyrTr,tKy l.t oTBeTcTBeHHbr 3a Hee nepeA
rr1cfi 6olsurr,tHcrBo B napnaMeHre.

ilapnaMeHToM.

tLreur,r

flalarsr o6ulng

npHHaAnexar K pa3nHqHbrM rroJlnTtdqec-

ll Ta ilaprvrt, Koropaq flonyqaer 6orsruuHcrso

Mccr B rrapnaMeHTe, Ha3brBaercr npauulefi naptuefi, a Apytne
ro.rM fiaprncM,
or

l0

rnognquefi.

ll

uacro.sulee BpeMq Bennrco6puraHuq rBrrerc.c trocroflHHblM

'rrreHoM Coeera EegonacHocrr,r OOH, qJreHoM Erponeficrcoro

(loro:a, Eolrruofi Bocsuepxu, OpraHn:aqnn

(

gKoHoMnqecKoro

o'rpyAHnqecTBa H pa3BHTr,tr.

poIIbL

138

139

(-El Follow-up
& Task Xl. Share your opinions on the following:
l. with the discovery of America the British Isles became an inl
mediary between Europe and the New World, didn't they?
2 oo you agree that the British are different in their behaviour
other Europeans living on the continent?
3. Law effectiveness of the House of Lords work caused a
criticism in the UK. Is the House of Lords'as a second c
necessary, in Your oPinion?

4. Is the merging of powers in Britain's

political

systen'l

flexibility in the British society?

a comparatrve analysis of the state structure of
out
Carry
needed for

5.

United Kingdom and Belarus (Russia)'

[D-l optional
A Brief History of the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland i

countryofgreathistoryrichinimportanteventsandentertaining
gends connected with them.

They say that in prehistoric times Britain was joined to

So the first people came there over dry land. The present Engll
Chan'el wniin separates Britain from Europe appeared at the end
the lce Age. In the New Stone Age the hunters crossed the sea to
west of the channel and settled along the western shores in searcl
food. The first inhabitants of the island came from the Iberian
sula, where Spain is located, somewhere after 3000 BC' After '
BC the people from the east of Europe entered the country. The
peoples intermixed. They left us Stonehenge and Avebury as i
sive monuments of their time.
'Ihe
After 800 BC the Celts arrived from Central Europe'
.Britain, comes from the name of a celtic tribe known as the Bri
Their influence was the greatest in Wales, Scotland and Ireland,
140

llrr,y were driven to these pafts by the invaders who followed them.
'llrrrt's why these parts of Britain are very different from England in
lhrrlir rage, ctrstoms and traditions.
ln 54 BC Julius Caesar, the Roman ruler, invaded Britain. But
('rresar didn't stay in Britain. He left the country with slaves and

tlllrt's and made the Celts pay a regular tribute to Rome. In 43 AD the
uounlry was conquered by the Romans and the occupation continued
kr irlxrut 410 AD. Roman influence was the greatest in the south and
torrllrcast, while in the north and west the country remained unlrrrrt lrcd. The Romans built many towns, connected them by good
lrrrrtls. 'l'he largest of the towns was called Londinium. Roman culture
ilrrrl civilization had a positive influence on the development of the
l,orrntry. When the Romans left, Britain remained independent for
torrre tit.tte.

llowever, in the 5tl' century Britain was attacked by Germanic trilt,',, lhe Jutes, the Saxons and the Angles, that settled down and
lirrrrrcd a number of small kingdoms. The Saxon kingdoms warred one
frp,rrrrrst another, but at the beginning of the 9tl'century Wessex bet,rrrne lhe leading one. Since 829 the greater part of the country was
Ittriletl under the name 'England'. Having become the most powerful
lirlirlom of England, Wessex had to resist the invasion of the Danes
ln(l lhc Scandinavian Vikings. Although the Anglo-Saxons occupied
lrro.;l of the British Isles, certain areas were left to the natives. Wales,
('or rluvall, the northern part of Britain and lreland remained uncontlrrt'rertl and preserved Celtic culture. The northern paft was the home
ol tlrc Picts and Scots. After the conquest of the Picts by the Scots in
llrr'')'r'century this territory was called Scotland. And in the lltl'cenllrv rr united Scottish kingdorn was formed.
'l'he conquest of England by the Normans began in 1066 with the
llirtllc of Hastings. William the Conqueror defeated the English and
esl;rblislred his rule as the King of England. The French language betiirrnc the official language of the ruling class for the next three centulir'., l'he feudal system contributed to the groMh of power and little
hr little England began to spread its power- first on Wales, then on
i['oll:urd and later on Ireland. Wales was brought under the English
lnrlilrlent in the 16th century by Henry VIII.
141

In

1588 Philip of Spain claimed the English throne and

great fleet against England. The Spanislr Annada was defeated,
that victory meant tlre establishment of English naval
which was the most important for the English bor-rrgeoisie to
its colonial ventures with great rapidity and success.
In 1603 the union of England, Wales and Scotland became
as Great Britain. Ijowever the final unification of Scotland and
land took place only in 1707 when both sides agreed to fonn a st

Parliament, although Scotland continued to keep its own system

law, education and lrave an independent church.
At the beginning of the l8tr' century the r,r'ealth and porver of
land was in the hands of the landed aristocracy and the big fi
bourgeoisie. Tlrese classes shared their power by means of the
called two-party system, whereby the Government alternated bet
the party of the Tories - representing landowning interests, and

party of the Whigs - representing the growing power of capital.

fact, the parly system has existed in one form or another sirrce the l,
century, and began to assume its modern shape towards the end of
lgtl'century.
The English bourgeoisie, having secured political and
domination in the country, became deeply interested in promoting
interests abroad. The making of the British colonial empire in the
century was closely associated with the numerous wars waged
England against its main rivals and colonial conquests made by
state in different parts of the world. Ireland became the first target
the English colonialists. After a long and bitter struggle the sou
part of lreland became Flee State in 1921. The northern part of
larrd, Ulster, remained paft of the UK. The Irish Free State
itself a republic in 1949 and is known as the Irish Republic or Ei
is completely independent and its capital is the city of Dublin.
During the l8'l'and early l9'l'centuries Britain, ruthlessly
and exploiting its rivals (Spain, the Netherlands, France),
donrination on the high seas and acquired vast overseas colonial
tories which extended over one fourth of the world's territory. By
middle of the 19'r' century Britain established its industrial superi
in tlre world as well as its dominant positiofl in the world trade,
ving accumulated colossal wealth, Britain became the world's
loans granted by the British bourgeoisie to foleign countries as
142

nrr capital invested in enterprises abroad

returned immense profits and
fll tlrg same time brought the weaker, backward countries
under BriItrirr's sway. Alr this enabred the United Kingdom
to become ttre
we rrlthiest nation on earth.
lly the end of the rgth century Britain was graduaty
rosing
liti.n of tlre worrd's reading industrial power. at tne beginnin'g its poof the
l(lrr' century the USA became the r
tvorld, wh

Itrrlrortant

lllt :rrue st
Irrrrrtls of t

,l

l() I I established the dominant rore of the

House of commons.
A fler world war I Britain rost its read
in the world trade and run

Irt' . permanent state crisis. The effort of the capitarist

to ,otu"
llri:r crisis at the expense of the workers brought
"tu*
new and
serious polilreirl problems. Materiar damage and rosses of Britain
after worrd
wrrr II made the country seil abou harf of its foreign
investlt.rrls and borrow money widery. rn 1973 Britain wa-s "upir"i

admitted to the
llrrr"pean Econonric community which meant serious
changes for the
tJuunlry and its people.
'l'he future
deveropment of the country depends on the class
con_
r( r()rsress of the working peopre, their unity and
determination to
I''rrrrte peace, security and friendship among the
Wur

nations

ltl.

of

the

The Commonwealth of Nations

I lrc^20d'century witnessed an intensive
process of decoronization
, tlrc.British
Empire.

1rl

The nations that wanted independence were

A tende'cy.to de_coronize grew into a desire to form a great
trirrrterl.it.
rhrrrily', a special
union, for econoiric, curtural and sociar reasons.
'l'lr. rrrrrne of that 'family' is The commonweatth of Natior.r,
an assoglirtr.rr.of sovereign states that have
been ruled or are .iiil b"ing
rfrrl,,l'by Britain. The
eueen is Head of the commonwealth of Na_
,
is represented by the Governor_General appointed
by
[,::" r'.l'|'":_she
tlre advice of the Government of the country
[Fr
concerned and
rrplctely independent of the British Government.

The Commonwealth is an association of 54 states. Alongside

Britain and such developed countries as Canada, Australia, New
land, it includes such large developing countries as lndia, Nigeria
13,000), as well as
very small states as Nauru (population
ent territories, like Anguilla, Bermuda, -Gibraltar and otlrers. Tlre
population of these member states has been estimated at 1.7 bill
(around 30%o of the world population). The Comrnonwealth offers
example of close cboperation among countries of equal status
widely different strength. It is this fact which has often made
vers speak about the Commonwealth as a model for internati
cooperation. The Commonwealth of Nations is listed on the Gui
Book of Records as the World's largest political alliance.
The Commonwealth is not a federation, because there is no
ral government, no common defence force, judiciary and no rigid
ligations among the members. Nevertheless, all the members of
Commonwealth are bound together by a common sense of ideals
a corimon interest in the nraintenance of peace, freedont and
The Comrnorrwealth does not fonnulate central policies on
nomic and foreign affairs. However, there is a considerable
tion and cooperation between the member states of the C
wealtlr. Consultations among the Commonwealth countries take
tlirough diplomatic representatives known as High Commissi
meetings of heads of Government, specialized conferences of
ministers and officials, expert groups, and discussions at i
conferences and the United Nations. Trade and cultural exhibi
and conferences of professional and unofficial medical,
sports, educational and economic organisations are other
which frequent contacts are made.
The Commonwealth has relatively little political maclrineryr

nrost impoftant institution for formal exchange of views, tlre

monwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting (or the Commonwealth
rence), has no executive authority. Heads of Governments
nreet every two years. Proceedings are usually held in private
rntormal exchange of'views. On international affairs no formal
sions are taken and no attempt is made to formulate speci
Commonwealth policies, althouglr, on occasion, common vi
matters of major international concern are formulated and
the communiqu6 issued at the end of nreetings. Conference
144

l.r,rs have no legal effect, unress adopted by the individuar

countries.
llre Meeting of prinre Ministers is, therefore, a means
of consurtation,
rrot rr formal organ for reaching decisions.
'l'he commonwearth
Secretariat provides the centrar organisation

r:onsultati
in I
Itcirrls of Gov
t'r('lirria
I lrt' Sc

rati
by
fin

lor

l orrrlon

ished in

by

the

flre

Se_

monwealth Governrnents collectively.

ultation, disseminates infonnation on

li i',"' il,,
s h S h a r m a (1"
:T: J"::lljff : j,,",'" I 3JH,T.
", "
{
lr.rrcr:tl", on
I April 2008. He was appointed to the post by Co*nron_
rrr';rlrh Fleads of Governments at trreir rneeting in
rurpuiu, ugunau,

:1,i"i'ii:

Itr Nrrvcnrber 2007.

('rmnronwealth Day is an annuat

event during which ail the fiftyIrrrr rrrernber countries of the commonwearth cerebrate

their rinks

r\,:

T::fflil:,""1:J;"lTJ,:

.,rccrts, multi-faith

observances to tree-pranting

Wtllr rl

h
Irl

tlrc

il:llfj?::#,H1i*I

Her Majesty The eueen, rvho issues a special

llir",'';rge, through commonwearth prime Ministers
and preside'nts to
llrr' ' itizens of the commonwearth. Everyone cerebrates in
their own
hirr . li'om official receptions to schoor assembries,
sports tournaments
11r

."."-oni"r.

'

Higher Education in the United Kingdom

@
I

Pre-Reading Activities

tsk I' Learn the words essenfia/ for identifying

lr,r/

r',,.,ible (adj)

lllrrrtctl (adj)

the

main ideas of

4ocrynHurfi

- rar.rnulnficr Smrarotr

rr lirr' - AonycKarb, flpeAycMarpr.rBarb

orrt'h (n) noAXoA
-

tr

rr,,r inrately (adv)

,,',rrrctrt (n)

npu6_nn:HrersHo

or1eurca, oUeHHBaHr4e

145
I

bursary (n) - crunenAnq' rpaHr

commitment (n) - o6rgaterrcruo
consi stent (adj )

rocJleAoBarersHstft '

lulrrrit (v) - npegcraBJlflTb, noAaBarb

fcrl'el (n)-Irerb
{gtor iirl (n) - roncyrbratlwfl, npaKTl,{qecKoe

loruqurtfi

Ultrlt'rgraduate education

contingent (adj) - saeucquufi

council (n) - coner

Utrr['rpin (v)

ffi;; i'i:l - ""tetuutrfi, leilcrsyro'Iilfi s Hacrosurnft uo*esr

eligible (adj) - r'rrraerolr(rafi npano
eliminate (v) - ycrpautrb, HcKJIIoqarb
entitle (v) -,uaears npaBo

;;;;i;"tt.-

i"a:l'

BHelrKorluHstfr

'

tf

axvrurarneHstfi

'

BHeay

CIIIA)
runror

H yHHBepclrreroB Ha ceBepo-Bocroxe
pefi
cpaBHl'lreJlbH aq ra6r?tu a' r a6 nwga
I eague table

rcolleAxeii

- no44ePxl4Barb
maintenance (n) - cpeAcrBa K cyulecrBoBaHnlo

non-"ott"glute (adj) - He I'IMetoruuft ronreAxefi

obvious (adj) - oqeeuAt{srfi
offset (v) - Bo3Meularb' KoMneHcrlpoBarb
peer-review (n) - srccneprHafl oqeHKa
plate glass - 3epKanbHoe creKro
(creKrlHHble y HHBepcHrerbI))
ptut" gi utt un iversities rper4MylllecrBeHHo
predominantly (adv) provisionally (adv) - rpeABapurerlbHoorHocqquficr
recreational (adj) - pa3BreKareJlbHbll4'
ereqeHHfi
reference (n) - orslra, peKoMeHAaIrHfl
unnerctrluft orrlolreH
relevant (udj) - coorBercrBylourlrfi '

xePrnoaars

- ua6oP, KoMtlJIeKr
I
,opili*i"*"d iadj) - croxnltil;

set (n)

146

fiavo ttnderstood them from the text:

miss the conditions

repayable
extend

t'onditional offer

transfer
a wide array

slalc-owned
ncet national expectations
in rro order of preference

Reading and Comprehension Activities

Ttrsk lll. Go through the text and check your understanding by dol/rr: fasks that follow:
I

maintain (v)

,l lask ll. Explain the following words and word combinations as you

lrc system of higher education in the United Kingdorn of Great

rrin and Northen-r Ireland comprises universities, colleges of hight'rlrrcation and small specialized colleges in areas of study such as
' Art, Music and Agriculture. Nowadays approximately 1.8 milslrrdents attend higher educational establishments in Britain.
rcl cducation is a priority in the current policy of the British Gorrrrrcrrt, with a target set to make education and training accessible
I I r rc or part-time at times and places wlrich suit individual needs.
lrsl itutions of higher education in the UK are divided into the fol-

3aeM, ccyAa, KPeAnr

sacrifice (v)

noaaep)KuBarb, noAKpeflnqrb

t'onr prise

ropHslfi
forward (v) - ornpaBJltrb' nocbularb
ocHoBbl' paMKI4
framework (n) - cracrerraa, crpyKrypa'
income (n) - aoxoa, saPa6oror
index-linked (adj) - I4HAeKcl4poBaHurtfi
flpecrta;KHblx qacT
Ivy League - Jlura nnrcura (rpynna caMblx

loan (n)

3aHflTUe

o6yueHne B BbIcIreM yve6uona 3aBeAeHnl,I

Irry',

rc' cSepe

I4e

lypes:

Arrcicut universities, which were founded during the Middle Ages

irrrrl tlre Renaissance. Since no universities were founded in the
ilrrilcd Kingdom between the l6th and lgth century, the term 'anr rcrrt university' generally refers to higher educational institutions
tlrrrl rvere established before the lgtl' century. The two top ancient
rrrrrvcrsities are Oxford and Cambridge. Of the two Oxford seems
lrr lnvc been the earlier; probably it was founded in I 167-68. Ox-

conpeueuHstft
147

Oxbridge
ford and Cambridge together are called Oxbridge'
but
ten compared to the American Ivy League universities'
Oxfordt
League institutions are private universities' while
Cambridge are state-owned.
.Redbricf universities, such as Liverpool, Birmingham and
in t
chester Universities. These universities were founded
They were n
clustrial parts of the cities in the 19'" century'
.after the buildings they were housed in which were usually
and ar
with red brick. The ,ruin diff"ttnce between redbrick
universities is that Red Bricks were so called non-collegiate'
relrgton ol
tutions and admitted men without regarding their
teaching
on
concentrated
cial background. Furthermore they
dominantly practical subjects often linked to engineering'
Essex'
The 'plateglass universities' such as the University of
were
They
etc'
Kent,
of
castei University, the University
sati
to
initiative
lished in the 1960s at the Government's
personnel'
country's needs in scientific and technological
design' I
terrn 'ilateglass' reflects their modern architectural
or conr
steel
in
glass
plate
often contains wide expanses of
I

frames.

.New universities, such as the University of Greenwich, thd

term'
versity of Westminster, Kingston University, etc' The
the
fl
of
any
describe
rrniversities' has recently been used to
giv!
polytechnics or colleges of higher education that were
.tatu, of universities in 1992, or colleges that have been $t
university status since then, also called 'post-1992 univers
'modern universities'. These universities have the poorest
tion among British higher educational establishments' and
of them regularly appear in bottom Tenth of league tables'
The British Government doesn't think to build more new
i
sities. There is a tendency to expand the old ones' The most
th6'
of
University
the
and
ing irrnovations are Open University
n[". fft" new era in higher education begal in l9?1 with the ct'l
oitn. Open University where the formal qualifications (G.C
levels) are not necessary. lt provides awards by distance ler
Some 150,000 students are following its courses now' Over

furlv .ycars the Open University has become Britain's largest univerllty tt offers people a chance to study with one of the most prestirus ccntres of learning in the UK without sacrificing work or family
rritnrents. People study at home using specially written texts, videos,
irrrd radio programmes and computers. The University of the
r I Age is for the retired who just want to study without receiving
rliplomas or degrees.
lligher educational institutions in Britain are autonomous selfcrniug bodies responsible only to their governing councils. All the
rlutions have legal power to develop their own courses, award
rr owu degrees and determine the conditions on which they are
tlcd. Enjoying cornplete academic freedom they appoint their
r slu lf and decide for thernselves which students to admit.
Undcrgraduate edr,rcation in Britain is largely state financed. Of
lll('s 325 institutions offering further and higher education, only
, llrc University of Buckingham, is private and receives no direct
itl-y lrom the governrnent. This contrasts with the USA, where
rrtrx inrately 25o/o of its higher education institutions are out of state
tol
At rrdemic standards are established and maintained by higher
It'rrlional institutions themselves using an extensive and sophisti-

'rl rirnge of quality assurance approaches and structures. Standards

in institutioris are underpinned by universal use of extert'rrrrniners, a standard set of indicators and other reports and by
nt'livities of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and in profesI rrreas by relevant Professional and Statutory Bodies. This enllrat institutions meet national expectations described in the
t'rvork for Higher Education Qualifications. QAA conducts peer,rv based on audits and reviews of higher education institutions
llrc oppoftunity for subject-based review as the need arises. Ac'\' rrrrd adequacy of quality-related information published by the
'r t'tlucation institutions is also reviewed.
Slrrrlorrts normally enter one of tlre British universities from 18
tls. The most common requirement for entry to higher education
lht' ( icneral Certificate of Secondary Education at the advanced
(( i(lSE A-level). A-levels are normally taken by students in their

I rlrrulity

149

148

four specialist
final year of school and consist of up to three or
and
coursework
involving
jects itudied in considerable depth,
examinations.

are
As nearly all British higher educational institutions
(UCAS)'
of University and Colleges Admissions Service
the UK must
in
degree
those wishing to study for a Bachelor's
processes appli<
through UCRS, the central organisation that
ari6
i"r"i"?,ill' ,""a"Lruarate courses. tn case of cambridge
tr
directly
also
and
ford, candidates should apply through UCAS
and Cambridge
university and they cannoi appty to both Oxford
same time.

with a list
Applicants submit to UCAS a single application
are applying'
to six educational establishments for which they
so unlvr
process
choices are confidential during the application
of the
any
see
and colleges considering an application cannot
personal detailsdate's other choices. As well as the student's
UCAS tt*
the
paragraph on their extracurricular interests,
Y]ll
reference
details of their GCSE grades and an academic
that the
school which will include a prediction of the grades
torwa
then
is
is likely to obtain at A-level' The application
or insti
TJCAS io the instittttions applied to, and if a university
him/her
send
will
they
impressed by the student's UCAS form
i
conditional'
fer of a place. Offers are either unconditional or
Applt
pendent on obtaining certain stated A-level grades'
two
of
maximum
a
utto*"d to provisionally accept and hold
he/she will
the applicant has accepted conditional offers then
havc
maticaily have a place at that institution if the requirements
col
place
Final
met by I September in the year of application'
results of
tions are generally made in mid-August, when the
If
level and Higher Grade examinations become available'
ca
offers
miss the conditions, a UCAS Clearing system
for any course that has places at that time'
apply
..rn"systemiscomplicatedandallowsformanydifferent

Its advaniages for both applicants and institutions are that it

consistent
nates duplication of effort, and provides a fair and

ftlrl' within which both applicants and institutions can compete.

Ftorn 2005 students can make applications online.
'l'rrition fees are set at a maximum index-linked f3,145 per year.

If

the slrrdent is not eligible for the Home Student status they will be
Cltnrllcd as an Overseas Student and these range from about f6,000 up
fu trlrout f,l0,000 per annum. At university level, there are numerous
btrrsrrries (awarded to low income applicants) to offset the underllntlrrate fees, witlr the state paying all fees for students from the
rurt:st backgrounds. For postgraduates full scholarships are available
rr nrost subjects, awarded competitively. UK students are generally

rllcd to student loans for maintenance that are repayable after

lultion and contingent on attaining a certain level of income.
l ho academic year usually begins in autumn and is divided into
uc tcl'rns, each tenn lasts from 8 to l0 weeks. Universities and col's ure responsible for providing the students with the inforrnation
ul tlre course, its airns, the qualification received and opportunities
lorrtinue education. Class sizes at British universities and other
ilru'institutions are typically small and a mixture of lectures and
rr irrls are commonly given, plus practical work where relevaut. Asrncnt is mainly by examinations held at the end of the course.
urr.y degree courses also involve practical experience outside the
vt'rsity itself which may extend the length of the course from the
rrrrrl three years to four. Repeating a year of study or transferring
nr ()ne institution to another are both comparatively rare. Some
ivt lsities are changing their attitudes about these possibilities but
'rrr lly if students are working badly they simply lose their places.
SlLrclents or undergraduates can complete their first (Bachelor's)
cc iu a minimum of three years. Law degrees and some others
irc four years of study, while medicine takes longer. Students
rtled their Baclrelor's degree are called graduates. Some universiollor a vocationally-based foundation degree, typically two years
llrrl',{lr for those students who hope to continue to take a Bachelor's
t't' but wish to remain in employment. Students who have com'tl rr first degree are eligible to undertake a postgraduate degree,
'lr includes Master's degree (typically taken in one year) and Doc151

150

[ask V. The text contains a number of verb-noun paftnerships.

tor,s degree (typically taken in three years). Postgraduate educatl

not automatically financed by the state, and so admission is in'
tice highly competitive. It should be noted that a degree from
British institution of higher education is considered to be i
cally equivalent to a degree from any other British institu
higher education. However, certain British universities carry,
torical reasons, extra prestige. Oxford and Cambridge are
examples, and competition for entry to these universities is so
that applicants typically require three A grades at A-level to t

t up these verbs and nouns to make collocations. Recall the con-

la

students organize clubs and societies

ring various areas such as sport' drama, debating, music, politics
religion. Every university has a students'union which provides a'

At most universities

array of services for students, ranging from sports and special

rests clubs to recreational and shopping facilities and student
Student unions organize activities between and across the
such as sports championships. They also deal with the admini
representing student interests. The union is required to have a I
constitution approved by the governing body. The reports of the
are published annually. Most student unions are affiliated
National Union of Students, one of the biggest student orgr

1. dependent (l)
2. to fund (l )
3. goal (2)
4. contemporary (3)
5. to enlarge (2)
6. extent (2)
7. obtainable (2)
8. variety (3)
9. complex (2)
10. to involve (3)
152

a. academic standards

b. duplication of effort
c. a certain level of income
d. undergraduate fees
e. a loan for maintenance

f. a degree
g. a wide array of services
h. an application
i. through UCAS
j. a conditional offer

Task VI. Read the text and use the suggested words to fill in each
tlto blanks:
attend academic fees study bursary available
loans full-time grants first-year

Nowadays student debt is spiralling because of increasing tuition

/ , irrrd the use of some commercial (2) ,.. at veryhigh rates, arecornmissioned by the British Government suggests.
Morc than half of the students questioned said that money worries
rrf'l'ccted their (3) ... performance. One in 12 full-time students
t'orrsidered dropping out because of financial problems.
'lrc direct cost of going to university for (4) ... students had risen
f
nlrrrost 7|Yo between 2005 and 2008, the report found. Concerns

in the world.
Task lv. Look through the words in the text that have similar
ings to fhese:

which these combinations are used:

Flrrrd
Eplrly
eslrrblish
Errhnrit
Fllrrin
6r'rr0pt
elirrrirrate
rrl lsul
prrrvide
, he cntitled to

place.

&

trr

.'l

rlcbt nearly slopped a quarter of (5) ... and almost a third of

I linrc students.from going to university.
l'lrc President of the National Union of Students said: "It is not
rlrrble that a third of students have to base their decisions about
lr rrniversigr to (6) ... or which course to (7) ... on the amount of
rt iirl support which will be (8) ... to them. We need a national (9)
!r lrcnle, so that all financial support is based on how much a sturrecds it, not where they happen to be studying."
153

"Higher educatioi
The Minister for Higher Education said:
it.i1-t:pattways to a rewarding career'

mains one of the best

1:d.
a good investment for their futurel
see that students ,""oini" it as

be
firnrly believe tf,ut fiian"e shoulJ never
i -!itj't:l^:"" Y: (/:l
il;.''dtr';t;; *; continue to make generous loans and

available to students'"

to prove or
Task VIt. Provide evidenQe from the text
5

foltowing statemenfs:

l. All

are funded
Britislr higher educational establishments

Government.

the world's
The Oxbridge universities which are amongst
UK univert
all
of
top
universities are generally ranked at the
a candidate makes one single
3. To become an unde'g'aduate,
Service
cation through Universities Central Admissions
colleges'
than to individual universities and
the candidate will be at
that
implies
4. An unconditional offer
requirements stated in
Uy ttte university if he/she fulfils the

2.

I
lll
)

from all the inst

Once the applicant has received responses
by accepting up
he/she applied to, he/she must respond

What are the main types of higher educational establishments in

thc United Kingdom?

Why are Cambridge and Oxford universities considered to be the
rrxrst prestigious of all higher educational establishments in the

5 ls it

tor's degree is completed after three ye'ars'

repaying their loans
10. After glduation, students begin
annual income exceeds a certain salary'
154

ing institutions?

lrr what way is the quality of higher education assured in the UK?
lrrragine you are a secondary school pupil in Britain. You are
planning to enter a university. What should you do to apply?

Doctor's
StudJnts'working for their Master's and
years' and
Master's degree normally is earned in two

true that British universities are autonomous and self-

,1()vern

fering degree courses.

called postgraduates'

Task lX. Read the text again scanning it for the information needed
the questions that follow:

tlnited Kingdom?

available offers.
of the-ir performa
Stud"nt, are admitted largely on the basis
6
of Secondary
the examinations for the beneral Certificate
tion at the ordinary level'
can be obtained by a
7. In the UK a Bachelor's degree
of higlrer ed
three years' study at one of the institutions
8.

Although UK colleges and universities receive financial support

liom the State...
All higher educational establishments are responsible for ...
l)cgree courses can last...
.. is an official body in Britain which deals witlr people's retltrests to study for degrees at colleges and universities.
Arr applicant should complete ...
'l'he principal examinations taken by secondary school-leavers ...
When the university sends the candidate an offer ...
I'he final decision on which institution the student will actually
lttcnd ...
'l'rr finance their stay at a British university, British students ...
I'hc typical first degree offered at British universities ...

fu rrrrswer

fer.

5.

Iask Vlll. Complete the given senfences usinQ the information from

tfut lext:

a"

7
t,

What information should a candidate submit to UCAS? What

rlocs UCAS do with the applicant's papers?
l r, all the students in the UK have to pay for their education?
'
What is the difference between undergraduates, graduates and
posl.graduates?
Wlrat are the general routes for the award of Bachelor's, Master's
rrrrrl Doctor's degrees?
What are the peculiarities of British students' life?
155

in the blanks with the necessary prepositions:

been (I) "' the cards
For many, higher education will have
will be a new' exciting poss
some time now, br,t for others this
Task X.

Fitl

(3) "' account'

Either way, there's a lot to be taken
may be essential'
(4) ... acareer point (5) "' view' a degree
and increased job
likely higher salaries, better future prospects
surveys have
faction make it a crucial consideration' Indeed'
likely to have an earntng po\
lated that over a career a graduate is
(7) "' A'lc
f160,000 more than someone educated

(6) ...

about

2 ll l9

e. flo.sslrJracb raK Ha3bIBaeMLIe (KpacHoKI,Ipnt4qHbIe) yHI,IilopcnTeTr,I, KoTopble cTpoHnllcb fi3 KuplrHr{a, B To BpeMg KaK
l(peBHHe creHbr Orcc$opaa n Kev6pragxa 6sultt coopy)KeHbl I,I3
l(irMHq. 3rn yHraaepcnrerbl, B orltlqfie or Orcc6puA)Ka, nMeJII4
rr

areas.

life can be a real

The studies may prove tough but the social

(15) " awide ralge of
It is an ideal opporlunity to to"et p"ople
make new-friends' many
grounds, to expiole new interests, and to

...whomwillbecomelifelong.lfyoumoveaway(17)'.home,yyoUt'
survey suggests that
beconre more indeperident. Another

1. Cucreua Bblculero odpa:oeauur n Coe4uueHuoM

yHI4
Har{HHaerct c ocHoBaHus s 72 s' Crapeiturnx
Orcc$opa

r.r

yltHBepcllTeTbr H KOJIJIeAXI'I.
l'arc KaK Ha MoMeHT floAaqu 3asBreHI,Iq pe3ynbrarbr gK3aMeHoB
('rle He H3BecrHbr, mo6oe npeAno)KeHile or yHllBepcilTeroB cJIeI (yeT paccMaTp?IBaTb KaK ycnoBHoe.

ocrroeHrre Qopvsr salnsrnit - 3To neKuI{}I, ceMllHapbl r,I I4HAHBLT(y zL.lbHbre KoHcyJrbrarlr4 lr c [perroAaBaTe JreM .
Mcro4rzKa rrpenoAaBaHur a Bernro6pATaHAvt iloApa3yMeBaer He

,r

roJIbKo 3ayrtnBaHr4e KaK Mo)KHo

6olrurero KonugecrBa

nH$oprr,ra-

H, Ho il caMocroqrenbHyro nccJleAoBarenbcKyro pa6ory.

Mrrorue Kypcbr Aaror Bo3MoxHocrb npoilrra ilpol,I3BoAcrBeHHylo
ul)aKTHKy Bo BpeM.r o6yueHur. B sroNa cnyqae o6ua.q [poAon]IorcJrbHocrb y.re6rr Bo3pacraer Ha roA.
lir,rcuee o6pa:oeaHue s EpuraHr4rl MHorocryneHqaro. flocle
r roporo Kypca BblAaerct AHIrJroM, no3Bonfltolqufi pa6orarr no
( trc[aaJIbHocTH, nocJle rpeTbero - npHcBal4BaeTcq yqeHafl cTerrcrru 6aKaraepa,,{alrHefiuue nporpaMMbl cqvratorcq nocneAlrr (r.r

7
I
:

likely to enjoy better f',"uftft as a graduate 1mo'" ]il:t't ::::":::::

to be more inflt
likely to ,rnot or be depressed), more likely
"
towards Oll:lt]
ftS)' the community, and to be more positive
a niche (19) "' everyonc
equal opportunities. Remember: there's
party animal to ht
... university, you don't have to be the 100%
great time.
TaskXl.TranslatethefotlowingsenfencesintoEnglish.

rr

standard.

(8) ... addition, women gain more financial ^d'"ituf,l l?1.--:.;;,.

backgrounds
ving a degree than men, wh-ile men (10) "'poorer
(11)
"' more affll
crease their earning potential more than those
your future career' then a vocal
homes. If you are ceftain (12) "'
b-"-,y^
work,area.
degree directly related (13) a specific
^uyenginec
and various
yo.:,. e*u*pl", h"re are teaching, pharmacy

l)aKTlrqecKylo, a He aKaAeMldqecKylo HanpaBJreHHocTb.

'JarereHnr, cocraBJIeHHbIe Ha ocHoBe xapaKTepncruK, IIoJIyqeHur,rx or rnKoJlbHbrx yuareleft, H npeAnonaraeMblx 3K3aMeHaqI{( I Hbrx orIeHoK, rroAalorcrr qepe3 Harlr4oHzrnbHyro cryx<6y npHeMa

il [oMHbIMH.
(

)6yuenue rrHocrpaHHbrx cryAeHToB exeroAHo lprtHocnT s 610A-

/r(c

BeJrr,rKo

6pnrauun

HecKoJr

bKo MLInnHapAoB $yHron crepn aH-

t()r!, a IIo Konr,rr{ecTBy HHocTpaHHblx cTyAeHToB cTpaHa 3aHHMaer

rrc/tyilrue rro3tluuu, HecMorpq Ha ro, qro crol{Mocrl o6yveuur
()rlila n3 caMbIX BbIcoKHX B MHpe.

lll

t'orpeveHHoe 6plrraHcKoe o6pa:oraHne Aaer rearuQnraquro

r\,to)r(AyHapoAHoro ypoBHfl H uMeeT ertcoqafiuee KarlecTBo rlo
r I I

illloKoMy crreKTpy npeAMeToB.

Ker''r6Puqx.
157

156

(-[-l

the
Task XIt. Dwetl on the Similarities and differences between
(Russra)'
Belarus
and
Britain
cationa!sysfems of

fEl
Task

Follow-up

student exchanges information abor

2.

missionproceduresinBelarusiarr(Russian)andBritishuni
ties with his British friend.
You rvant to know the requirements for the course in [-li
Management. You find out that there are two options in
paper.
collrse: to take a final examination or write a research

3.

the details and make uP Your mind'

A first-year student is discussing the classes he is taking
his first semester at the University with a setrior student
eager (o give some usefirl advice.

Task Xtv. Translate the fotlowing statemenfs into English and

pare to dlscuss them expressng your support or disagreement:

2.

dpeaueepl

ro, qro Hllqero He 3HaIo' Coxpam cxuil rltuaocoQ @5 e.,[o u.s.)

qeM 3Harb nlloxo'
Jlyuute coBceM He 3Harb uero-[u6o,
Cup dpeauepuarcxuil nosm (l a' lo x'e')

3. I,Icropnro rIHBHJrH3arIhr,t MO)KHO Bblpa3l,tTb B rtecTH CnoBax,

6orrrue 3Haerlb, rev 6olnue Moxeub' 3dwond A6y -

4.

crcuil nucamenu ( I 828- I 885)

Ouru6oqso AyMarb, r{To MHolosHaHHe ecrb AocroI'IHcrBo'

JLH. Tonanou (1828-191

Xoqeruu 6rtrs yvtHlIM, Hayqucb pa3yMHo c[paull'{Barb, BH
TeJIbHO CJIyUIaTL, Cnoxofino oTBeqaTb u nqpecTaBaTb lo
KorAa Heqero 6ollure cKa3arb. I'Ioeauu Jlailamep - waeflq
crcuil nucamena ( I 7 4 I - I B0 I )
He KorHqecrBo, a KaqecrBo 3HaHr4s.

5.

as they

rl)cle ever harder with eminent institutions overseas.

A Belarusian (Russian)

-fl snaro rortbKo

Lose Ground to their Richer Foreign Rivals

lllitish universities have slipped down the world rankings

Xllt. Role-play the situ ations:

l.

l.

lrltish Universities

Optional Reading

t'arnbridge and Oxford have lost ground to Harvard and Yale,

ile lbwer British universities are in the top 200 list, published toy. llran last year.

Al a time when it is essential for British institutions to attract lurvc international students who pay higher fees, they are being outrrrc irrcreasingly by American universities that receive huge endowrts. Harvard tops the Times Higher Education-QS World Univer1' l(ankings for the fifth consecutive year. Its endowment fund is
cr than the total annual public funding for all universities in Eng\':rle holds the second spot after being joint second with Cam1',c iurd Oxford last year. The two British institutions came third
I lirrrrtlr respectively this year.

British universities are in the top 10, the same as last year.
t;rt'rial College London fell from fifth to sixth place while Univer('ollege London rose from ninth to seventh.
lrr all, l7 universities inBritain made it intothetop 100list, down
rrr 19 last year. More than a third of the top 100 are based in the
I otrr

Vicc-Chancellors and commentators voiced concern that, without

in investment, Britain's standing as a first-class destinalirl higher education could be under threat.
Wcndy Piatt, director-general of the Russell Group of leading
t rsities, said that its members were performing well against interr,'rurl rivals, adding: "The list reflects the growing strength of our
1or competitors - particularly the US institLrtions - which benefit
rrr rrruch higher levels of investment than UK universities. Without
rt'rrscd investment there is a real danger that the UK's success will
lrt' sustained. As a result of huge investment in higher education
rr(:r'case

159
158

UK
China is likelv to overtake the
and science in recent years'
universities
fulri"uti*t' and its
soon in terms of

't"r"it""'J

rlnrrrg a degree

::l:*,

gurrrs

i," tlre top,2.00,

-'*ting'' ":t: 1",:::jTT
29 British unlrr^..:+;."
rhe rise of Asi*" "'--'

i;::';'ill':iin t
is reflected

il";;;ffi":"d
",

YTlllL::::"::;l
"i" "rtn"ientrants
this vear are
in Hon, Kong'

""';t,t';

Ilr rvornen
I

L*o.ntYo gv and Seou I Nati onal

i's;i:n"" u'na rechno

u ttt
uacq u arel I i Svmo'd
\<'uavYusrY.i
fo r-Q
rur
-r
A sporestltarr
P.
"13#',]
oooe sm an
:l ":":*f
[1of
profile
tile higher
that its findings also reflected

.""r;;,

:Jl

universities'

n m:_-_^^ rr:_L
Lri-l^
";iJ
fVtoz, the editor of Times High
- -eE very
vErJ ^t"'i- ".t"ls the worl

: .,Ul
"UK

ulllvElsrLrvJ'
nology-based
nology-baseq
""'Xttl

fHJ:

Cambil
tt'o' ::II

v::l;:'fl

the
among tnc wur * o 'lite' at
have cemented their dominance
tl:
;' : " 9l'I5..11t11: i"tttil:Jr:d s mo ro
expi:n se, rai se s kev
;
U S spen
i
a

* "'
g'"
;;"';i
il"l' ri;#
1,",t'^ll'^'.
" "i" " as" t':q
d311-'
the
,*i*Lt

muchln its universities

Y\
.^^- ^.o hacr
DasE
in their fifth year - are
The rankings - which are now
c' J 9;;9 ; 1t"-"lil 1v"1' :::::::1,::Jl
cw4uvllllv"iii".
of academ
surveys (Jl
Survgys
to
"" in their fields, the ratio of students 11
sider the best univers
students
demics, the proportion of ou"tteas
T1-::*iti,,"""::"::
by each universiry's aca
r"r"ur"h
LT:'lh1'*il;;;r;;i*"r
i

is qLroted in other

journals'

By Nicola W
The Times, 9 October

Given the Gost of Higher Education'

r
Should I Bother Going to Universny

I'es,saysAndrewOswald'Professorofeconomicsatthe
sity of Warwick.

n--^^-^L -Lows that going to university i.t llk"l{ 1"

Bri
h;;;;;' T"h"se gains' for the tvpicalIntet
""d the tottt of university education'
igfr

160

and

llowever, there are caveats that need to be kept in mind. The

liom a universify education are greater for those who do science
Il sooial sciences, for those who go to a top university and for those
Wlro carn first-class honour degrees. They are also generally bigger

internatioTl
been stead i ly c limbin g up
J:"?Y :un iversitv
-i';;;? iio"""ii"'-qs worrd

'*\il:T;;*

will probably also make you a little more left-wing

ntrrl'c you live slightly longer.

than men.

liirst, let us irnagine that you have a couple of A-levels and are
ll1rng to decide whether to do a university degree. On average, a degtt't' will improve your lifetime income by about 20% if you are a
flrrrrr irrrd by around 30% if you are a woman, sums that would easily
!rrrt'r.your university fees and the cost of not earning for a few years
Wlulr: young. Nevertheless, such averages hide a lot of variation. For
llt.ll,,,rcc, when put into economists' jargon, arts and humanities deltr'('s are associated on average with a positive rate of return only for
lfnrrrerr. The biggest financial returns seem to be gained by students
duinll subjects such as mathematics, medicine, engineering, accountlltp..

:r

rcl

ecorromics.

Sccond, it is difficult to say what education does for a person

rrn we cannot run a proper controlled experiment, an experiment in
tit lr some people are randomly assigned to university education
*lrrle others in a control group are told they must start work. Here the
llr t'rlucation acts that raised the school-leaving age have helped ret'lrcrs enormously. These effectively forced cohorts of youngsters
'il:ry on in education longer than the year group that graduated just
rrt'them. Sure enough, the ones who were required to stay on turn
. rrrrrch later in life, to be richer, happier and healthier.
I lrird, we are not sure why extra years of education lead people to
lrtrrlthier and (probably) have longer life spans. One potential
lr:rrrisrn is that people with more education are better able to asI'robability and risk. For example, they seem to smoke less.
rtlrcr possibility, suggested by some of my own research on obesity
lr;rppiness, is that those who mix with highly educated individuals
rv nrore about putting on weight and eating the wrong food; they
\t nrore in their own health.

161

made.
Fourth, we know that people with degrees who are
a unl
dant find new iobs more quickly' This may be because
thinking'
of
way
education fosters a flexible, adaptable
are rt
My own view is that the biggest advantages of a degree
what
different: a university education helps people to understand
dogmatio
do not know and ttterefore makes human beings less
hoyt
knows
I
as
such
economist
an
-or. op"o-minded. Not even
put a price on that asset.

No, says Tom'Mursell, l9-year-old founder ofjob-search

ed
There is no getting around the fact that a university
expensive and that cost is one ofth.e main reasons,tnat nlif

r'igt'"'education.TheNationalUnionofStudentshasestimated
d"i."e typically costs f,10,980 a year - f32'940 fot..u 1T:
debt i
and f'43-,920 for four years' The average university
"oirr"
1l years to pal
pected to rise to f,20,000 by 2010, typically taking
but
i,m not here to tell anyone whether or not to go to university,
it?
worth
it
really
is
on" ,t,int ing about it has to ask themselves tomorl
For
people'
Sure, uiriversity is fantastic for a lot of
not long
doctors. vets and barristers' university pays for itself
graduation, apart from the fact that it is essential for anyone
fo embark on such a career.
out of
However, with up to one in four students dropping
to I
time
sity and most accumulating debt in the process'^i^t.is
young
t
noi only the government's target of getting 50Yo of
to
attached
stigma
the
also
but
2010,
tt rougt univeisity by
people th
graduates. For years ittit ttigt't target has been pushing
shou
they
that
feel
but
iniversity who don't wantlo be there,
fec
who
Ou". tn" past few months I have spoken to lecturers
high., education will be of no benefitlo some of their tlYd:ntt.
have
Despite the fact that the costs of going to university
A1
diminished
has
degree
argue that the value of-a
you
t
"ouid
experience
personal
year-old ."""-nt school-leaver, I have

Wt it" working through sixth-form college, stacking shelves

graduates
local supermarket, I was astounded by the number of
them
helped
not
had
a
degree
that
job,
complaining
the same
ln
not
are
graduates
of
way. On average, around a quarter
162

frrlrs lhree-and-a-half years after graduation, a"figure that rises

ill

to

40%o

sorne collrses.

Orr average, graduates may earn f100,000 more than nongrirtluates over their lifetime, but that figure is skewed by the highlcvcl carnings of, for example, brain surgeons and doctors. Besidbs,
slrorrld we define success by how much we earn over a lifetime or by
Irlrv happy we are in our jobs? As the new apprenticeship TV ad camllirrl'r1 r""o*nises, some people would just rather just'get on with it'.
A lrtrll that was run through my website found that

75o/o

of partici-

lrirrrls believe you don't need a degree to be successful.

lrr ceftain sectors you can be better off not going to university hotlr llnancially and in terms of career progression. A great example
lq irr accounting, where you can either go to university and rack up an
Fv('rirge of f 15,000-worth of debt before progressing to chartered acerrrrrrlant status, or learn on the job through the AAT (Association of
Aclourrting Technicians) scheme and reaching the same level with no
dr,lrt :rnd earn around f,36,000 a year, the difference being about
50.000 and some useful work experience.
I prefer to promote the idea of lifelong learning. University isn't
Jrr:t lirr school leavers; it's for evelyone. There are so many different

l.o learn without getting into debt. Various employers offer

lLrr.led degrees, which cancel out the prospect of debt and enable you
Il t';rrrr at the same time. The Open University offers another.
The Observer, B February 2009
t llirs university paid dividends for you? Or is it a waste of rnoney and
llrrre that might be better spent gaining more practical experience?
H+rys

The Economy of the United Kingdom

(-[-l

Pre-Reading Activities

lask l. Go through the fottowing list of words that witt help you

to

gtrhttstand the contents of the text:

orrrrI

for (v)

ur r rol

ive (adj)

oreevars :a

aeroN{o6r.rmHslft

lrv (rr) -.qqMeHb

163

tihlrrirr (v)

- ronyqarb
(adj)
rrllrlrolc
- r,rHocrpaHHrrfi, ocyqecreJrseN4rrfi B Apyrlrx crpaHrx,

beef (n) - roBtAI'IHa

beverage (n) - uanurox
qac'rs
bulk (n) - ocHoBHal Macca, 6orsuaq

otlrrlrrrr<lpuufi
E;rirrion poll - onpoc o6ulecreeHHoto MHeHHt

clay (n) - rrILIHa

coal (n) - xauesnrtfi Yronb
(n) - npe4vrer norpe6leurar' (pl) roBap
"o*rnodity
competition (n) - coperHoBaHne' KoHKypeHqHq
coniferous (adj) - xsofrHrtil
contribution (n) - co4eficrBl'Ie' BKJIaA' corpyAHnqecrBo
crop (n) - YPoxaft
currency (n) - salrora

"urr"nt'u"tount
c:rnbAo TeKyltlllx

deficit

onepaqu

il

ynaAoK' yxyAuarbct
decline (v) - yvenrularbcs, [plIXoAHTb B
demand (n) - cnPoc, norPe6uocrs
dolomite (n) - 4olotnlnr
earnings (n) -:aPa6orox, nPn6ulr
economic outlooks - 3KoHoMI4qecKHe nepcneKTlIBbI
emerge (v) - eosunxarb' rloflBJlqrbcs
exceed (v) - npeesrularb, IIpeBocxoAl'ITb
fell (v) - PY6urs, Barlltrb
fertilizer (n) - Y4o6PeHue
fiber optic - orIToBoJIoKHo, BoJIoKoHHaq o[TI'IKa
finished goods - roroBble r43AeJlilt
BaJIlorHbIx
foreign eichange earnings - AoxoA or BHeulHI'IX
fuel (n) - ToTrJlHBo, roprcqee
KoHTponb
handle (v) - yupann.flrb' ocyulecrBrltrb
AoxoAoB
HepaBeHcrBo
income inequality insurance (n) - crPaxoBaHue

ttpncoeAnHnru(-cr), o6reAuHnrrcfl' Bcry[I4Tb

limestone (v) - usnecrHm

join (v)

merchandise (n)

motor vehicle

MbIUJJTEHHOCTb
n

iche producer

164

(n)

ae$rarVr reKyuero 6a-laHca'

interest rate - nPoqeHTHaq craBKa

item (n) - e,qHHI4Ira, H3AeJIHe

(v)

- conporuBJrflTbcr, Bbrcryflarb nporr.rB

- npoayKrllr-fl, Bbrrrycr, eupa6orra
prr lr;)ta - Ha qeroBeKa, Ha Ayuy HaceneHut
prr |\|)crous (adj) - flporlBerarouail, ycneurHsrfi
Filr( lrasing power parity - fiapnTer rroKynarenbuoft culsr
fupt'sood (n) - panc
feir I plopertlz - HeABr,r)KrrMocrb
fer tssion (n) - cna4, cHHXeHHe
le-rlrrr-:c (v) - nonnxarL, yMeHburarb, coKpaularb
l'elt'r tl (v) - o6parqatbcr, ccburarbcq
fel;ril lrade - po3HHrrHulc roproBnfl
fFlrr rr (v) - yAep)KnBarb, coxpaHrrrb
fFv('ruc (n) - goxog, AoxoAHarr crar6q, trocryrrneHufl
fttlrlrt:r (n) - pesr,rHa
fer'tl (rr) - ceMq, 3epHo
tc\'( rc (adj) - xecrrufi, cyponurfi
rlrirlc (rr) - rJruHr,tcrbrfi claHeq
i ll cant (adj
r
) - Haqr4Ter bHtrfi , eaxuu fi , cyulecraeFrrrtrfi
llnrr rlown (n) - cunxeHue reMna pa6orrr, TopMo)KeHHe, 3aMeAJreHhe
Slrrrrrp (n) - pesrcuft craA; pe3Koe rraAeHlre rIeH, cnpoca; Kplr3r.rc
tk'rrtlily (adv) - HeH3MeHHo, HeyKJroHHo, ilocroqHHo
llr';rrrr-power (n) - eueprHr napa
ltr rs nti al (adj ) - 3HaqHTeJrb Huft , cyulecrseHHbrft
lrr:;rt'rrding - BpeMeHHoe [peKpaqeHHe, [puocraHoBKa
ItrLt' lr<lld - Haqarb 4eftcrnoearb, Haqarb pacflpocrpaHsrbct
lrrtrl'lr (adj) - xecrrcuft
lttttrroil (n) - cynraroxa, 6ecnopr4ox
trrlrrrrrs car - JrerKoBofi aeroNao6r,rJlb MaccoBoto npolr3BoAcrBa
Warrt' (v) - vATn ua y6trlr, yMeHbuarbc.t, ocla6enaru
Flrolcsale trade - orrroBar roproBnt
*utst'rr (v) - yxy4ruarsca
arpp()so

tllllul

B qJleHbl

roBaPbI

aBTorpaHc[oprHoe cpeAcrBo; asroNao6l'ulrHas

y3Kocneql4anH3HpoeauHst fi npor3BoAurenb

;1r

Ii r

165

lhe 1940s had been nationalized, were privatized. The British

tilrt'rrrrnent now owns very few industries or businesses - Royal
Mrrrl is one example. Following the end of World War Il, despite a
lnip,'ly prosperous period in the 1950s and 1960s, the British ecoElrrre

Task It. Mind the following proper nouns and abbreviations:

EMU (the European Economic and Monetary Union) cKoHoMl{qecxufi u earrcrHrtfi coro: (3BC)
Italy'
G7 (the Group of 7: the UI( the USA, Germany' France'
ada, Japan) - crpaHbl "Eolstuoft ceMepxa"
GVA (Gross Value Added) - BUroBaq 4o6aereuHar cronMocrb
tMF (ihe International Monetary Fund) - MexgyHapo4HLr[

lllrrv rccorded weaker growth than other European nations and by the
lu/0,; was referred to as the 'sick man of Europe'. However, the

Huft $oH.4

De
OECD (the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and

ment)

OpraHu:aqufl sKoHoMnqecKoro corpyAHuqecrBa

(o3cP)

[B-l

Reading and ComPrehension

TasR tll. Read the text carefully and do the comprehension

thattallow:
was
During the days of the British Ernpire the UK economy
has
it
largest in In" *orid and the first to industrialize. Although
cliied in significance since, the UK is still the eighth largest
in the world by purchasing power parity (2008 est')'
G8 I
The UK is a membei of the G7 (now expanding to the
Economic
G20)" the European Union (although not the European
for
(the
Organisation
OECD
the
Mon"tury Union - EMU) and
me
founding
the
also
is
nomic Ctoperation and Development)' It
British
of the Commonwealth, the association formed by former
t

pire states.
inc
The economy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
Ireland'
Northern
the economies of England, Scotland, Wales and
Isles and
Isle of Man and the channel Isles are part of the British
offshore banking status'
The British economy is one of the most globalized
conside
the world, thanks in no small part to the City of London'
be the largest financial centre in the world'
In the- 1980s, under the Government of Margaret Thatcher'
state-owned enterprises in the industrial and service sectors'

luH(ts saw a new economic boom and in recent years Britain has seen
tlrc lorrgest period of sustained economic growth for more than 150
yerrr:r- lraving grown in every quarter since 1992. This ended in 2008
wlrcrr tlre United Kirrgdom entered a recession brought about by the
glolr;rl linancial crisis.
I lrc British economy was one of the strongest EU economies rn
ler rrr:; of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all of which rehtirirrctl relatively low. The United Kingdom, according to the lMF, in
3{l(}/ lrad the ninth lrighest level of GDP per capita in the EU in terms
el prrrchasing power parity, after Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlurrrl:,. and other countries. However, in common with the economies
6l otlrcr English-speaking countries, it had higher levels of inconre
ltrt'r;rrlliqr than many European countries. During August 2008 the
llvl I lr:rs warned that the UK economic outlooks have worsened due to
lrrirr shock: financial turmoil as well as rising commodity priccs.
prrllr rlcvelopments harm the UK more than most developed countrics,
a llrc U[( obtains revenue from exporting financial services whilc
fr ortling deficits in finished goods and comrnodities, including food.
llrt lll( has the world's third largest current account deficit, despito
ligrrrlicant oil revenues. This is mainly the result of a large deficit in
llic tr:rdc in manufactured goods.
llrc global economic slowdown, tight credit, and falling homc
prompted the Government to implement a number of new
ir('s
Fr
fllcir';rrlos to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial mar|e1,,. lhcse include paft-nationalizing of the banking system, cutting
l5rrt";. suspending public sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward
ptrlrlit' spendings on capital projects. The Bank of England periodinilt' eoordinates interest rate moves with the European Central Bank,
but ltritain remains outside the EMU, and opinion polls show the nraily of British people oppose joining the euro.
167

166

Sectors of EconomY
Rritain,s land surface is minimal compared to many other
productive and
but British agriculture is very intensive' highly
although
steadily'
rose
chanized. During the 20tl' ""ni'ry output
agricultural
and
;;;""* ;*"Ji"*".ds the end of the century' was due to innc
bour became more productive' The improvement
seeds and pla
;; j; ;;.; .u"hin"ry, biological engineering ofother
nations in
to
and the increased r'rr" of fertilizers' Compared
of empl
terms
in
nU, gri,uin's agricultural sector is much smaller
employ-ed
ment and contribution to the GDP' In 2008 agriculture
the total Gl
.4% of the workforce and contribute d 0 '9% to
farmi
livestock
to
Many of Britain's full-time farms-are dev.oted.
and
wool
fo. dairy products or beef or raising sheep for
raising
"uttl" farming in Britain takes place in eastern and south
Iiost crop

froxi*ut"ty

crops are wheat' stl

England unJ in eastern Scotland' The leading
As concern has Sroln ab11t
bee"ts, potatoes, barley, and rapeseed'
engineered seeds
use of fertilizers, p".ii"id"', and biologicalty
have turned to org
their effect on the environment, some farmers
farming, with support from the government'
fishing
The UK retains a significant' although vastly reduced'
into and exp
dustry. Fish and fish products are both imported

Great
from'Britain. Kingston upon Hull, Grimsby' Fleetwood'
the
among
are
mouth, Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and Lowestoft
towns that have fishing industries'
but
Forestry. Britain was once covered with thick forests'
def?t
steflly
the centuries the expanding human population
and building matt
nearly the entire country, felling trees for fuel
planted'
Most of the forested ui"u tontitts of commercially
Brll
Scotland'
north-eastern
growing coniferous trees in Wales and
Impottl
areas'
forest
has made efforts to increase the managed
prodlJ
wood and wood products are substantial because Britain

only a small proportion of the wood it needs'

Minins. Raw materials for construction form the bulk of min
i -a,
cluding limestone, dolomite, sand' gravel' sat
p
uttd sh-ale. The UK has large coal' natural gas'
i
168

but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining and the
lrccame
a net impofter of energy in 2005. Energy industries conlllr
Itilrrrlc a6ofi4Yo to GDP.
llrc history of manufacturing in Britain is unique because of
tFir)ur'ocs,

llrrt:rirr's role as the birthplacc of the Industrial Revolution. During

!lrr lrrclustrial Revolution new methods of nranulactr.rring products

\tlrt' tlcveloped. Instead of being made by hand, many products were
Irrir,le lry nrachine. Production moved from small craft shops to factolit".. rrnd popLrlation shifted to urban areas where these factories were
lor rrlcd. Cotton textile factories using newly developed steam-

lrlrrercd machines produced more goods at a lower cost per item.

It'rlilcs, shipbuilding, iron, and steel emerged as irnpoftant industries,
riu(l r'()al remained the rnost important industrial fuel.

l hc structure of British industry changed substantially in the last

hirll ol'the 20'r'century. Coal mining and cotton textile industries deulrrr.'tl sharply. As coal production declined, oil production replaced it

Motor vehicle productiorl became a significant

base but was subject to severe foreign competiAs incomes increased, consumer demand rose for durable goods

fle ,r rnajor industry.

plrl ol'the industrial

lilrr
lt(

lr irs cars and kitchen appliances.

Itlitish industrial production also expanded into communications

crlurl)luent, including fibre optics, computers, computer-controlled
ntirt lrirre tools, and robots. Growing industries in recent decades inEltrrlt: paper products and publishing; chenricals, such as pharmaceutiFHI';, rubber and plastics; electronic and optical equipment.
llrc UK electronics manufacturing industry, despite experiencing
rlt'r'lirre
in output sirrce the peak of the global infonnation and come
llttrrrit:rtior.r technologies boom in 2000, remained the fifth largest in
lltr rr,rrlld, accounting for lo/o of manufacturing GVA in 2006, and 60/o
Itl r;r u lacturing employment.
Sirrrilarly, the UK's automotive industry sector continued to empllt -,''uund 180,000 people and accounted for 6Yo of manufacturing
{rVr\ in 2006. Within the UK, more than 40 companies manufacture
Uelrrt'lcs, ranging from volume car and van makers, to specialist niche
Frn{luocrs manufacturing high value and luxury vehicles. While over3ll lrrrployment in the UK automotive industry has fallen in recent
|err.r. irr line with many OECD economies, there are many positive
Eftrr rt's regarding the UK auto sector's response to.globalisation. Ford
r r

r r

169

UK'
now source s 25oh of its global engine requirement from the
sanSunderland,splantha,b""o*"Europe'smostproductivecarplant.
ln the year oi ZOOS the industry generated 22'8% of the total C
other country
As the global economic crisis takes hold, hardly. any
The
Kingdom'
United
seen its fbrtunes wane as brutally as the
manufacturing
the
of output, new orders and employment in
recorded unprecedented declines in 2008'
Service sector includes finance, retailing, wholesaltng'
pu
business services, transport, insurance, investment, advertising'
government
relations, market research, education, admi nistration'
professional services.
Services account for three quafters of the UK economy and
financial
sector is facing a very tough 2009 due to the ongoing
All c
spending'
housing marke-t slump, and the fall in consumer
2009
January
to
nents Jf the sector decreased in the three months
significant
which business services and finance showed the most
jobs'
crease. As a result service sector companies are cutting
Finance, insurance and real propefty has always been the
important service industry in Britain' Banking and financial,se

i'#;';1;;; ;;*;;;"',

p"n in London's J"ono''''v' and,levelr

sfecialiration and expertise hav: been high' London,has.:1" ].111

wot
ctncentration of inteinational banks in the world and is the
Clfiff'
leading centre for currency trading' Leeds. -Manchester'
u"rpoi, Edinburgh, and Giasgow have developed as financial ct
inrecentdecades'Londonisalsotheworld'sleadingcentrefor
rance and handles 20Yo of the world's insurance business'
Britain remained one of the world's leading trading nations in
exceod
2l't century. It generally ran a large trade deficit, with imports
tl
account
or tride in.merchandise,
exports. Visib-le
:!
"*port.,
sea
includirrg
naif of Britain's overall trade. Trade in services port, civil aviation, travel, government services' investment tnct
half,
tr-ansfers. and financial services - accounts for tlre otller
many years tourism has been a major element in the UK economy
the most important invisible source of foreign exchange.earnings'
Much of Britain's trade is with the European Union,
Germany, France, and the Netherlands' The United States is
major trading Partner.

illin's major

exports are manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals,

firr rrl. bcverages, tobacco. The nrain country's irnporls are manufacfrrrrl rioocls, machinery, fuels, and foodstuffs.
Itr

It's interesting to know ...

llrc lJank of England (formally the Governor and Company of the
ll;rnk of England) is the central bank of the United Kirrgdom and
r,, llrc nrodel on wlricl, most modern. large central banks have
I't'crr based. It was established in 1694 to act as the English Govt'rrrnrcnt's banker, and to this day it still acts as the banker for the
I llr. Government. The Bank has a monopoly on the issue of bankrrolcs i11 England and Wales, although not in Scotland ol Northern
lrclaucl. 'l'he Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has been given
,lt'volved responsibility (sometimes called independence) for
rrr;rrrz'rgir.rg the monetary policy of the country. The Bank's headrlurrlters has been locatcd in London's main financial district, the
{ ily of London, since 1734.
llrc Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Cotnmonrvullth, is an intergovemmental organisation of fifty-three indePt:rrls1l1 nrember states. Most of them were fonnerly parts of the
lllitish Ernpire. They cooperate within a framework of common

r':rlues and goals, as outlined in the Singapore Declaration. 'Ihese

rrrclude the prornotion

r;urL-c, rule

of democracy, human rights, good gover-

of law, individual liberty,

egalitariartism, free trade,

rrrrrltilateralism, and world peace. The symbol of this free associaIron iS the Head of the Commonwealth, whiclr is a ceretnonial po,,iliorr culrently held by Queen Elizabeth IL
llrc G7 (also ktowr as tlie G-7 or HALEY GROUP) is tlre meeting
.l tlrc finance ministers from a group of seven industrialized natrons. [t was formed in 1916, when Canada joined the Group of
\rr: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the
I lrrited States. The firrance ministers of these countries tneet se-

r. r'irl tirnes a year to discttss economic policies. Their work is

''rrppofted by regular, functional meetings of officials, including
llre (17 Finance Deputies.
171

170

,/

./

ll rrrrke or hold private; to turn over (a public property, service,

elt' ) lo private interests;
rlrrrrirrish or lessen in extent, quantity, strength, power, etc.; to

'fhe Group of Eight (G8) is a forum, created by France in

for Governments of eight nations of the northern hemi
Canada, France, Germany, ltaly, Japan, Russia, the United
dom, and the USA; in addition, the European Union is
sented within the G8, but cannot lrost or chair. 'G8' can
the member states or to the annual summit meeting of
Heads of Governments. The former term, G6, is now
applied to the six most populous countries within the
Union. G8 ministers also meet throughout the year, such
G718 finance ministers (who meet four times ayear), G8 fol

ttt;tl'c less;

with the supply of money in an economy;

tlre irrnourrt by which a sum of money falls short of the required
Irrrvirrg to do

trrortttt;
llrt' pcrcentage or number of people who are involuntarily out of work;
.ury nrcans in or by which someone travels or something is carried
rt

or r-tlnveyed;
tlrt lrorses, cattle, sheep, and other useful animals kept or raised
orr rr (hrm or ranch;
n pclsistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent
rlt't'liuc in the purchasing power of money, caused by an increase
rrr rrvailable cuffency and credit beyond the proportion of available
1iootls and services;
lo :rcl" against or provide resistance to something;
lo transfer ownership or control of (land, resources, industries,
t'lt:.) l-o the national government.

ministers, or G8 environment ministers.

On January l,1999 the Euro () became the official cu
the participating countries inside the European Union.
Germany, Spain, Porlugal, the Netherlands, Belgium,
bourg, Austria, Italia, Ireland, Finland and Greece i
currency as the new single currency. A few countries of
did not join the European Economic and Monetary Union (E
and have not introduced the Euro. Sweden, Denmark and
refused to take part in the EMU and preferred to sustain their
currencies.

fask V. Match the words in the right colurnn with their definitions.

Task lV. Complete the puzzle by guessing the words which

spond to the definitions below. Find a key word in the centre

:rtll lhe contexts in which these combinations are used:

{l

rorary falling off of business activity during a period

activiW has been senerallv increasing

a. net

importer

ch
:h
I

t'l

'

\l Ored , located, conducted,

or operated in a foreign

b. recession

Itlt

lltr'

rvr rrk

done or amount produced by a person, rnachine,

lir rn line or manufacturins olant

tl ( { rlllntry or territory whose value of irnported goods is
rt'r I ran its value of exported goods over a given period

c. revenue

lrrt

d. currency

lt
I

lcn or sharp fall; a decline in business activity, pric-

e. interest rate

;ome of a governrnent fiom taxation, excise duties,

llrt' irrcome

f. offshore

or other sources, appropriated to the payment ofthe

l(
10
172

(:x
c SS

fits: eains frorn investments:

e. retail

173

S.th. *1"

g""dt to ultimate

"f
q th. p"*..t"g"

,l

consumers, usually in small

sum of money charged for its use; the

"
"f
rnonthiy effective rate paid (or received ifyou are a creditor)

fr

10. the rnoney in circulation in

'l

Task Vl. Fitt in the gaps with prepositions, if necessary:

"

The UK is still the eighth largest economy in the world "'

chasing power ParitY.
2. The British ecorlomy is one of the most globalized economies
the world, thanks '.. no small paft '.' the City of London
3. By the 1970s the British economy was referred "' as the
man of EuroPe'.
4. In 2008 the United Kirrgdom entered a recession brought ...
the global financial crisis.
5. Britain's land surface is minimal compared ... nrany other
tions.
6. Compared ... other nations in the EU, Britain's agricultural se
is much smaller ... terms of employment and contribution ..,

l.

GDP.
'l

Opinion polls show a rnajority of British people oppose

''

'

join

It
U
lll

Fish and fish products are both imported " ' and exported " ' Bri
Motor vehicle production became a significant part of the ind

O Task VIll. Decide if the following

I
J
1

TaskVtt.tJsethevocabularyofthetexttocompletethese

fences. Guess the suitable word by the first letter:

Tlre UK is also the founding menrber of the

formed by former British Empire states.

2.

ln the

3.

C"', the assoc

1980s most state-owned enterprises were p"', the

Government now owns very f'. ' industries or businesses'
The UK has tl-re world's thild largest current account d"',
signifi cant oil revenues.

statements are True

or False to

you understand the gist of the text:

thc economy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain includcs

tlrc cconomies of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
lhc British economy is one of the most globalized econornics in
tlrc world.
llclbre 2008 the British was one of the strongest EU economics irr
le lrns of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all o1" whiclr
cr rrained relatively low.
l'irrarrcial turmoil, as well as rising commodity prices, harnrs lhc
lll( rnore than most developed countries, as the UK obtains rcvr:rrrrc l'rom exporting manufactured goods. fuels, chemicals.
Slrccp and cattle are Britain's chief livestock.
Most of the area consists in Wales and north-eastern Scotland is

.'.

severe foreign competition'

10. Trade in services accounts ... a half of Britain's overall trade
base but was subject

are wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, bar-

l'hc UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil r..., but its oil and
rurtural gas r... are declining.
l'hc UK e... manufacturing industry remained the fifth largest in
tlrc world, accounting for 1Yo of manufacturing GVA in 2006.
1,... is the world's leading centre for insurance and handles 20oh
ol' the world's insurance business.
V... exports, or trade in merchandise, account for only about hall'
ol' Britain's overall trade.
1... is a major element in the UK economy and the most importrrnt invisible source of foreign exchange earnings.
llritairr's major t... partners are the European Union, especially
( iormany, France, and Netherlands, and the United States.

nrir/(() sure

the euro.

8.
9.

lhc leading country's c...

lcy, and rapeseed.

i
6

with thick forests.

llrc UK became a net exporter of energy in 2005.

, ,,v<: red

7
t
H
lll

ltr itain is the birthplace of the lndustrial Revolution.

ll'itish major industries are coal mining and cotton textile industries.
Scrvice sector is the most highly developed sector of the economy
rrowadays.
175

174

lrr the l gtl' century Britain was not the

Q Task

lX. Answer fhe suggested questions scanning the text

sentialdetail:

rr. banker

h. flnancier
lllitain was ... country in the world to put up large-scale factory

l.

Does the UK rank among the most globalized economies

world?
2. Why have the UK economic outlooks worsened in recent
3. What measures did the Government implement in order to
late the economy'and stabilize the financial markets?
4. What changes have taken place in the UK agriculture? '
5. Does the country inrport wood and wood products? Why?
6. What raw materials form the bulk of.mineral production?
7. What are the country's major industries? What ploblems
manufacturing sector face nowadays?
8. What does service sector include?
9. Where are the country's major financial centres situated?
10. What do the British exporls and irnports include?

&

Task

l.

The slogan ofthe British industry is ...

plrduction.
rr. the first

c. the third
the second
d. the forth
t Jp to the end of the lgtr' century the British Navy

lr.

rl.

c. "Live or die"
d. "Export or import"
Britain set its monopoly on the world market in the ,.. centu

c.

4.

c. one-fourth
d. two-thirds

ln the l8tl'and lgth centuries Britain didn't make use of ...

the major sources of its profits.

a. loans to foreign countries

b. investments in enterprises
c. slaves
d. freight

176

L llritain's

abroad

c. wheat
d. tomatoes

chief Iivestock is ...

hogs
lr. beef cattle

rr.

surface.

held a supremacy over the high seas

;r. barley
b. potatoes

19tl'

d. 20tr'

3. At its zenith the British Empire stretched over... of the e

a. one-third
b. two-fifths

llritain lost its colonial empire ... .

rr. in the 19tl'century c. after World War I
b, in the l8tr' century d. after World War II
'l'lrc 'garden of England' is ... .
ir. London
b. the county of Kent
b. the county of Yorkshire d. the southwest Peninsula
Which of these crops isn't widely cultivated in Great Britain?

a. "Import or live"
b. "Export or die"

a. l6tL
b. l Ttl'

...

rr. carried the manufactures of British industry

lr. brought raw materials to Britain
c. was tlre world's freighter

X. Check how wett you know the economy of the United

choosing
the correct variant from the alternatives below: i.'
dom by

2.

world's ...

c. manufacturer
d. merclrant

c. dairy cattle
d. sheep

Wool is produced rnostly in ...

ir. Wales
h. Scotland

c. England

d. Northern Ireland
J, Most British farmers practise ... .
rr. livestock breeding c. sheep breeding
b. rnixed farming
d. crops growing
'l'lre
chief
centre
of the British clothing industry is ... .
la
rr. London
c. Leeds
b. Manchester
d. Newcastle
l5 Northern Ireland has a world-wide reputation for its ...
ir. lace
c. linen goods
b. pottery
d. knirwear

177

l6 Britain is not self-sufficient in ."

c' coal
d' Peat
in " '
centred
is
11. Petroleum refining

.i

'

c. Manchester
d. Belfast

'lnvisible trade' doesn't imply

a. human beings trade

b. tourism

."

'

20. Community, social and personal services don't include

"'

'

c. data processing

d' advertising
21. Therailroads in Great Britain are owned by " ' '
a. private companies c' individuals
b. the Government d' the Queen
22. Which service doesn't The British Post office provide?
a. selling gun licenses c' selling dog licenses
b. selling TV licenses d' selling insurance
23. The BBC is rnainly financed by "'
a. the Government
b. fees that people must pay to watch the BBC's programs
c. licenses people rnust buy to own a TV set

d.

advertisers
industries'
24. The British Government now owns " ' of Britain's
c. half
a. very few
d. none
b. the majoritY
25. Britain's largest airline is called "' '

a. British Aerospace

b.

c' British Airways

d. Lufthansa
British Airlines
26. The financial centre of England is " ' '
a. tlre Bank of England c' the London Stock Exchange
d. the Lloyd's
b. the City
178

ll

c. l8tl'
d. l6th

l'hc most famous insurance company in Britain is called

ir.

1995

b.

2000

c. 1993
d.1992
1() l he UK is not one of the founding members of ...
;r. the UN Security Council c. the Commonwealth
b. NATO
d. EMU

c. insurance
d. banking

a. transportation
b. healthcare

London Stock Exchange was founded in the ... century.

...

c. Mark and Spencer's

l. Barclays
d. Sheffield's
b. Lloyd's
J() ( ireat Britain is a member of the EU which was established in ...

producers.
18. Great Britain is one of the world's leading " '
c. trucks
a. steel
d. silk
b. lace
19.

I he

rr. 20tlt
1,. lgtl'

a. petroleum
b. natural gas
a. Aberdeen
b. Glasgow

'

task Xl. Translate the following senfences into English using the

vn:,rltulary of the text:

I ll
I
-l

rcouqe 18 e. BeruKo6puraHur 6stra nepeofi nn4yc'rpralsHofi

rlcpxanofi Mvpa, a e l9 e. oHa trpota3Bela 6olrue npoMbtuneHur,rx roBapoB, qeM rro6aq Apyrat crpaHa.
ll rraua-ne 20 e. [poMbruneHHat Moulb 6pnrancrofi sKoHoMHKI.I
{)il3l4poBaracb nilIUb Ha HeMHofHX orpacntx.
lic:rnrco6pvraHtfl - crpaHa co cNteuiaHsofi arcouol,lnnofi. EolsilTHHCTBO npOH3BOACTB H MHOI-Lie yCnyIH BblnolHqroTcq qacTHbIN414 flpeAnpilflrr4flMt', cSepa [por43BoAcrBa HaxoAurcq B ocHoBnoM B pyKax rcpynuefiu-rux $npv.
llcrrr,rro6pnTaHAfl o6raAaer 6orsmuttlt 3arlacaMn pecypcoB 3Heprr1, Brurrosal ueQrr, npnpo4uurfi ra3 t,t yronb, qeM rlo6aq I4s

t r parr Eeponeilcrcoro Coo6ulecraa.

5 llirn6olee

Ba)KHbrMh ceKTopaMu npoMbtlllreHHocrl.{ sBrqlorct

HlrocrpoeHI4e, nhuleBat flpoMbrrxJIeHHocrs (nxlrcqaq npol't3rr(rlc'r'Bo 6egalxonorbHblx t4 ctu4prHbrx Hanarnoe), ra6aqnag n
\ rrr\4HqecKag npoMbrlxneHHocrb, 6yntaxuar 14 neqarHat IIpoMbIUlt('t l rocTb, JIef Kafl fipoMbluneHHocT[,.
r\r;r r u

/l,o"rrr HeeaALrN{oft ToploBn}r (roHcpapsr u nJlara aa $uHaucoslte

\( rtyt'H, npoueHTbt IIo BKJIaAaM, npn6rtln u AHBHAeHAsI) nOCrOrruo yBeJrr4r{HBaerc.fl c oAfioil Tperfi Ao nonoBHHLI Bcex BHeilrHr{x
,to\oAoB rocyAapcTBa.
179

MauranocrpoeHne n rpaHcnopr, npoMbllureHHble roBapbl H

MHKarbt qBrqfo'I'cq ocHoBHblMll crarbtlMn 3Kcnopra Belnrco(

1.

[-D-l optional Reading

TAHVV.

Ha cercrop ycnyr n Benurco6pvfiaHnl npHxoAllrct orcoto 213

BBfl Berrarco6praraHnn. B Helt ocHoBHyto .qorrc (orolo 40%)
HllMalor AenoBbte n Snuaucoeble ycnylu'
TypI'I3M&'
9. B enuxo6puraH ht pacilonaraer pa:nlrofi u H.qycrpuefi
qeJIoBeK.
Heft:aHqro 2,1 uln.
l0 Celucrcoe xosqficrso Belnrco6pnraHnvt - oAHo I43 caMblx

Recession Britain: lt's Official

8.

AyKTHBHbIX H MeXaHu3HpOBaHHbIX B MHpe'

[-cl

Follow-up

Task Xtl. Share your opinions on the following:

.
2.
'l

3.

wlrat is the difference between privatization and nationalizat

What advantagcs can you see in privatization? Are there any
amples of privatized or nationalized industries in your country?
Whictr industrics do you think should be controlled by the

and which by private shareholders? Give reasons for your choices.

industries continued to change at the same rate,

would you expect them to look like now?
Prepare to talk about the rnajor financial institutions of the Uni
I(ingdonr. where are they located? what are their functions?
Sunr-marize the changes in the British economy. compare the
uation in Britain with your own country.

4. If British
5.
6.

Task Xttt. Comment on the quotations:

l.
2.

180

"There can be economy only where there is efficiency'" Ben

Disraeli (1 S04-1881), British Statesman' Prime Minister
"We must now face the difficult task of moving forward t
a sirrgle econolny, a single political entity... For the first^tll
since the fall of the Roman Empire we have the opportunifl
unite Europe." Romano Prodi (speech to European Parliar
13'r' October 1999), an Italian Politician and Statesman, I
2004 - EU Cornmission President

llritairr has officially entered recession for the first time since
lrl() l. af,ter the economy slrrank at the fastest pace for nearly 30 years
In tlrc lourth quarter.
l'he UK economy contracted by a worse-than-expected 1.5% beIrr't t'rr October and December from the previous three montlrs, beating
llrt'tlcclines seen during the 1990s recessiort, figures from the Office
frrr National Statistics showed today. This followed a 0.6Yo slump in
llrl tlrird quafter. Two or more consecutive quafters of contraction are
lr'p';rltlcd as a recession.
l'he fall in gross domestic product (GDP) was the biggest since
llrt'sccond quafter of 1980, the year of the Bristol riots, the lranian
Frrrlrrrssy siege arrd British Leyland's launch of the Metro.
Alistair Darling (British Chancellor of the Exchequer) said: "In
llir l;rst few weeks there has been a substantial downturn. lt is undrrrrlrtcclly sharper than many people believed, mainly because you've
rcln irrdustrial production go down because the export markets have
lrtt n badly affected." The Chancellor added that tlre Government
Wnrrlrl take all necessary steps to help the economy recover and
tlrt'rscd the need for international cooperation.
'l'lrc pound hit a23-year low of $1.3500 after the GDP figures
Wt'rt'r-cleased. Against the yen, sterling fell to an all-time low of
*l l't:5. The data fuelled expectations that interest rates, currently at
will fall close Io zero. Bank of England governor Mervyn King
|
"",,.
Irrr', ,rlso hinted that the central bank could take more unconventional
llr=;r'rrcs to stinrulate the economy by increasing the supply of
lllt

t111'Y.

llrc City had expected the economy to shrink by 1.2% in

the

Itrrrrtlr rprafter. Over the whole of last year, the economy expanded by
the weakest since 1992. The Chancellor's forecasts now
ltt.7 o lyo

llrrl' rvildly optimistic. [n November's pre-budget repoft, he predicted

181

that tlre economy would shrirrk by between 0.75% and 1.259lo this
and return to growth of L5Yo to 2o/o next year.
'fhe dorvnturn has rapidly spread across the economy, front
slricken financial industry to the higlr street and manufacturers.

prodr,rction has dived artd the housing market has ground to a

[Jnemployment has shot rrp close to 2 million, with the rate at 6.1
Manufacturing output is the biggest drag on the economy, phl
meting by 4.6% in the foufth quarter. l'he service sector slumped
lo%, driven by a 2.4Yo drop at hotels and restaurants. Financial
business services dropped by 05%. Even the government
r-u,til recently the only sector tlrat was still growing and hiring
shrank by 0.5%.
"Most recessions are paitrful," said RBS economist Ross W

"J'here's no sign of an imminent upturn in any of these meast

We're lookirig at five consecutive quafters of contraction and
employment hitting I 0oZ-plus."
By Julia
Guardian.co.uk, 2 3 January
The Role of the Government in the Economy of the UK

Like many modern developed countries, the United Kingdorn

a nrixed economy. This means tltat some sectors of the economy
operated by the Government and some are operated by private t
nesses. Since World War II (1939-1945), Britain has worked to
lance the mix of private and public enterprises in order to
the country's economy and ensure the economic well-being of its
zens. Historically, Britain's Conservative Party has sought a
private component in the mix while the Labour Party has sottl
strengthen the public component. Both pa(ies are committed
healthy mix of both elements, however.
The public component consists of the rvelfare system, which
cludes socialized medicine, kno'vn as the National Health
plus government coutrols over business, banking, and the money

ply. 'l'he welfare systet.n provides slrpport from before birth

Flrrrr, llrc nrilitary, police depaftments, fire departtnents, educators,

lttrl lre;rlth professionals are, for the most part, employed by the state.
if
lrr' ;,,'vcrnment is also a major purchaser of goods, particularly mili16q

I rr

1r r

ipment.

Altcr World War

flltrrrl,t'r ol large

ll

tlre Government nationalized, or took over,

and troubled industries. These inclrrded coal, electri-

llr', triursport, gas, oil, steel, ceftain car and truck manufacturing,
lltlpl'rrildirrg, and aircraft building. Since the 1950s, the Goverrrment
fril', 1'r ivatized a nunrber of these industries, selling them to private
'l'he first sales were the steel and road transportation industries.
litrrr',
'l lrt' ('onservative Covernments between 1919 and 1996 denationalll,',1 ,'il companies, telecommunications, car and truck production,
!1,,, ;rirlincs and aircraft building, electricity, water, railways, and nuFllru power. By privatizing these industries, the Governnrent hoped
lhlr rvould become more efficient, due to pressure by stockl-rolders
$urrrrrtling profits. Neverlheless, the Government continues to regu16ll tlrcsc uewly privatized industries by controlling prices and monirrr1, pcrformance. The Govemment also seeks to encourage compellll,rr irr the economy and increase productivity by sponsoring and
lttlr',r,lizing training and educational programs.
,\s in many modern states, the British Governnrent seeks to finelq111r' tlrc economy in order to keep econonric booms from becoming
Ilrr rrrllatior.rary and recessions from becoming too deep. In carrying
fltrl lrrrc-tuning, the Government uses a cornbination of monetary poliplr',,;rrrtl liscalpolicies. Monetary policies involve the attempt to control
llrr,',rrgrply and demand for money througlr the Treasury and the central
1,, tlrc Bank of England. Fiscal policy is concerned with the level
I rlrstribution of govemment spending and taxation. The Governnrent
ltlllrr opts to manage dernand, intervening wlren demand for goods
llrrl ,('n,ices is higlr enough to threaten inflation. In such cases the
llr\( runent tries to reduce demand by raising interest rates and taxes.
lg1 ,,,,'rrornic emergencies the Government can control prices and ingrrtrrr"; lo a considerable extent, but this is only done in extreme cirtln',t:ulces, such as in times of war or runaway irrflation.
Micr os oft Enc ar ta Encyc I opedia

to

grave. 'fhe govcrrrment is a major employer; Public officials, the

182

183

ivu (adj)

rrous (adj)

rrtivc (adj)

err6opurtfi, ns6uparelsustfi

- orpovtxufi
- HcnoJlHl,IreluHutft, npl4HaAnexaur,ufr

rc

crpyKrypaM

rrr rr.r'r-eluttoft BracrLI

rrlivc budget

The United States of America Today: General

(-lt

checks and balances - (cAep)KKI4 I,r nporl4BoBecbl>

chief executive - Hasa ucfioJ]HnreJlrHofi eracrpl
civil case - rpaxAaHcKoe Aeno
IAMH
conti guous (adj )

convention (n)

flaaHorcoMaHAyrcqrft noopyxeHnrt

con puKacarc tguitct, cuelKHstfi , rpaHuuauln

co6paHl4e, cbe3A

criminal case - yronoBHoe Aeno

declare (v) - sa.rur.rs, o6tlulrb, rIpoBo3rJIaIrarb
Depaftment of Defense - MI,rH14crepcreo o6oponrt
Department of Justice - MlrHncrepcrBo locrllqnn
Department of State - rocyAapcreeHHrlfi AerapraMeHr,
BO HHOCTpaHHbIX AeJI

descendant (n) - nororvlor

designate (v) - o6trelcrb, Ha3btBarb
detach (v) - orgelrrr
dual (adj) - qnofiHofi, coc'rocqnfi H3 AB)rx'lacrefi
earthquake (n) - :erurerpflceHHe

election (n)
184

nrr6opu, ra:6upareJlbHaq KaMnaHHt

ocyulecrBrcrb

il

roproue)

rrl 1rr) pHcK, onacHocrb

HacJleArne
lrrp,c (n)

affairs (n) -.uela, Bonpocbr

affluence (n) - nocraror, 6oratctao
amendment (n) - nonpaerca
annual (adj) - exero4nstff, ro4oeofi
appoint (v) - uasHavars
apportion (v) - pacnpeAerqrb, Aenllrb

SrzHaucoBat cMera, flpeAnaraeMa{ npe3HAeHToM

flalara
rsc ol- Representatives
rsc taxes - BBoAHT6 HzLIIoft4

4oc'ryn

Commander-in-Chief

rurl (adj) - HHocrpaHHbrfr, ruetuuufi (o nolrarurce,

I(rr) - ganns

Pre-Reading

Task t. The vocabulary below ls essenfi'a/ for understanding

of the text:
access (n)

l)e ccy
'isc (v)

npe4craeurelefi

il (v) - HacneAoBarr,
url (adj) - nuyrpeuHrafi
le ill (adj) - cyAe6ur,ril
xrliction (n) - elacrr, rIoJIHoMoqHfl
rr ioLrs (ad-i) - rpy4oeuxnfi
(il) - lteAocraroK, orcyrcrBne
slirtive (adj) - 3aKonoAareruHuil
lirrg pot - rrJraBnJrr,Hstfi rcorel
slide (n) - o6ezur, orroJl3eHb
rliirtion (n) - nepeioBopbl; o6cyxgeHrae yclosufi
p,irli<ln (n) - o6raaHHocrb, AoJIr
vo a holiday - npa3AHoBarb, orMeqarb
irlcrs (n) - HenocBrtqeHHbre JII{ua
cir;lrta - Ha Ayury HaceJIeHI,rr, Ha qeJroBeKa
ous (adj) - MHoroJrro4Hufi, rycroHaceJleHsrrfr

rrrinence (n) - npeuvyulecrBo, npeBocxoAcrBo

:r'ibe (v) - npeAnr{cbrBarb; ycraHaBrHBarb

qacrHoe npeA[puHnMareJrbcrBo
llirn (v) - flpoBo3rnaurarr, o6bgBJllrr,
rosc (v) - flpeArararb, BHocHTb npeAnoxeHr{e
ic lroliday - oQraqraalsuslfi Hepa6ouuft geuu
crrrphasis - npHAaBars oco6oe 3HaqeH[e, yAenrrb 6olruroe gnu: cnterprise

rc, /leJlaTb aKueHT

llcss of - He3aBhcriMo

or
185

yxoAI4Tb B orcraBKy, Ha neHcnto

ru gged (adj ) - repece qeHHstil, rpy,AHonpoxo,4uu

retire (v)

Secretary

of

State

Ilrl,l rrr population (after China and India). About 280 million people
fit, tlr.',rc. 'lhey are the people of all races and nationalities, either
$atcrrtlrrrrts of irnnrigrants or irnmigrants that have come to the

rtfi

rocyAapcrseHHr,tft ceKperapb

MHHI'tcrp l

Uliit,,l States from all the courrtries of the world in search of indeffrrrllnrc and self-realization. Whites constitute the majority of the
llrllt population,.Afro-Americans make up over l2o%, Hispanics
()'Zr and Native Americans about l%. The urban population of
lhrrrrt
flte , r rrrntry is continuously growing, now it is well over J}Yo.
,\rrrcrica is the land of physical contrasts and can be divided into
lcrp, r.'gions, each with unique topography, geology and resources.
hlr,' is a vast central plain, mountains in the west, and hills in the
rrrgged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged,
fllr;rrrio topography in llawaii. The highest mountains are the Rocky

cTpaHlrblx Aen

staggered (adj) - cveureHssrfi

subject (v) - no4vrlHrrr

'

succeed (v) - cveurrs, 6sltu fipeeMI{HKoM

taxpayer (n) - HaroronJlareilbulnK
tongue (n) - r:rtrc
treaty (n) - AotoBop, colrauleHHe, KoHBeHuHfi
unevenly (adv) - HepoBHo

urban (adj) ropo4crcoft

vast (adj) - o6ruupHsrft
veto a bill - Hanararb Bero Ha 3aKoHoIrpoeKT
via (adv) - rocpeAcrBoM, c noMourblo
voluntarily (adv) - 4o6poeollHo, no co6crneHHoMy xeraHHIo
welfare (n) - 6narococroflHhe
well over - 3rlaqt4TeJrbHo 6o.nuure

fB

rrrrrtrrins, the Cordilleras and the Sierra Nevada. The highest peak rs

McKinley (6193 m), which is located in Alaska. America's

Rio Grande and
t'olumbia. The Great Lakes on the border with Canada are the
y-t'st and deepest in the USA. The most impoftant cities are New
rrrrrt

1't'sl rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the

nrl,. Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco and

rs A great propoftion of the country consists of open land marked
illr lrrlnr lrouses and small towns.

Reading and Comprehension

llrc climate of the country varies greatly from arctic in Alaska,

Task It. Read the text and check your understanding by

fasks fhat follow:

orrglr continental in the centrat part to subtropical in the south. The

The United States of America is located in tl-re middle of

Norlh American continent. It covers 9,666,861 square kilometrel
is the fourth largest country in area (after Russia, Canada, and Ch
The 48 states stretch from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pf
in the west. The US shares borders with only two countries:
iu the north and Mexico in the south. It also has a sea-border
Russia. The two newest states, Alaska and Hawaii, are detaclred
the continental United States: Alaska borders on nofth-western
da, and Hawaii lies in the central Pacific. The geographical
of the USA is extremely favourable for its development. It
USA a sea power, provides easy access to the country and stimUl
foreign trade.
The enormous size of the country influences the diversity of
scape, climate and people. The USA is the third largest country
'186

rrrrrlc along the Pacific coast is much warmer than that of the Atlan, r'o;r:it. Hot winds blowing from the Gulf of lVlexico often bring ty-

rorls. d11s1g other natural hazards are tsunamis, volcarloes, and

llrtlrrake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlanr orrst: tornadoes in the Midwest; mudslides in California and forest
r',, irr the west.
lrr lhct, the USA is the world's wealthiest nation. For almost all of
.'{)rl' ceutury tlre country has enjoyed economic pre-eminence
torry-,,lrout the world, particularly during the post-World War II era.
Ftill lvithin the USA wealth and general welfare are unevenly distribrrl grcr capita of its population, with areas of affluencc often conwith areas of poverty.
'rrs
I lrc USA is a federal republic that is made up of 50 states and the
r ict of Columbia, a special area where the capital of the country,
187

Washington, D.C., is situated. The capital was founded irr I790

*us naried after the first President George Washington. Tl-re nafi

thecapitalalwaysgoeswiththeabbreviationD.C.(District
lumbia) not to bL mixed with another Washi'gton, one of the
Washington, D.C. is the residence of the President and the
of the USA.
The basic law of the United States is the Constitutionl
1787, which prescribes the structure of the national govern
lists its rights and fields of authority. A federation is a country
compriseJ of more than one self-governing regions united by
tral, or 'federal,' government. Besides tlre Federal Governmen
state has its own government. Thus, the Government in Ameri
the dual character of both Federal and State Government'
The basic principle of the American Government is the seg
of the three branches: legislative, executive and judicial' Each
holds a certain degree of power over the others, and all take

the governmental process creating a system ofchecks and balal

-Legislative
authority is exercised by the Congress of the
States *tli"n has two elective houses: the Senate and the H
Representatives. The Senate has 100 senators, two for each stt
gurdl"r, of population, serving six-year terms'^ Senators' terri
Itagge."d, so that o'e third ofthe Senate stands for election eve

y";;.Members of the House of Representatives are elected fc

year terrns. The House has 435 members, apportioned amr
.states on the basis of population. The most populous states
lowed more representatives than the smaller ones, some of

have only one. The main task of the Congress is to make lau
uS constitution also gives the congress the power to control tl
tion's currency, to iripose taxes, to distribute funding to evoi
vernment organization, to make rules for tlade with other
and between states, to put foreign treaties into effect, to orgar
Armed Forces, to declare wat', etc' Another power possessed
Congress is the riglrt to propose amendments to the Const
whenever two tliirds of both Houses consider it necessary
The chief executive of the United States is the President

gether with tlre vice-President is elected for a fbur-year ter

iesult of a constitutional amendment that went into effect in
188

Ffe,,r.lcnt may be elected to only two terms. The President is the head

f llre state and the Government; he is also the Commander-in-Chief

tlrt' [JS Armed Forces and has a wide range of responsibilities,
rrrr cxternal affairs, such as negotiation of treaties, to internal af'frira. srrch as preparation of an annual executive budget and economic
'l'lre President may also veto any bill passed by the Congress.
E;rrrr l.
I lro President is assisted by the Vice-President and the Cabinet.
Irt'r than succeeding a President who is unable to finish his term,
Vico-President's only official duty is to preside over the Senate,
V icc-President rather tends to be the forgotten man of Arnerican
rtrts, because of his lack of power. The US President is also as'rl by the Cabinet of l2 members. The Cabinet.secretaries are
rl.r ol- different departments (the Department of State, the Departrt ol- Defense or the Pentagon, the Department of Justice, the Delrrrcut of Commerce, etc.) and are responsible to the President who
rrnts them for an indefinite time. The Department of State is rcrrrriblc for American foreign policy and ranks ahead of other Dclrrrc:nts in prestige and seniority. The Secretary of State, whose pourrl power is second only to that of the President, has the duty of
irrl', lo maintain peace and negotiate economic and political treaties.
llro judicial power is the third branch of the US Federal GovernIt consists of a system of federal courts and is headed by the
t'ruc Couft of the United States. The Supreme Court meets in
rrrrgtor.r, D.C., and the other federal courts are located in cities
urrl',hor-rt the United States. Federal judges are appointed for life or
rl tlroy retire voluntarily; they can be removed from office only vra
l[lrorious process of impeachment and trial in the Congress. In addir lo f,ederal courts, each state has its own judicial system. This
r.r that the United States has two distinct systems of law, state and
'rrrl. By the Constitution the courts have the power to hear and
irlt: criminal and civil cases and to declare legislative acts uncontlional.

lrr lhe United States there exist two major political parties: thc
roeratic and the Republican. The present-day Democratic Party
lirrrnded in 1828, representing Southern slave owners and part of
llrcln bourgeoisie. The Republican Party, established in 1854,
lhose who opposed the expansion of slavery. The Democratic

Party is considered to be more liberal' and the Republican is

conservative. Democrats generally believe that the government
obligation to provide social and economic programs for those
need them. Republicans are not necessarily opposed to such
br-rt believe they are too costly to taxpayers' Republicans put
emphasis on encouraging private enterprise in the belief that a
private sector makes citizens less dependent on the goventment
siders often complain that they find it difficult to distinguish bet
the two major political parlies of the USA, which appear to
sirnilar policies.
The nrain task of the parties is to win elections. Every four
the American parties come together as national bodies in the
dential nominating conventions and make up the party programs.
once a President is ohosen, the parties again become amorphous
ies. One of the reasol'rs of the stability of the two-party system is
ily tradition. Each new generation of Americans inherits its
and party loyalty from their fathers.
There are other, smaller pafties in the United States besi
two major ones. None of these smal ler parties has enough
supporl to win a presidential election. But some of them are
strong in certain cities and states. They can have their own
city caudidates elected, or can determine which major party
supporting one or the other.
'Ihere are some federal holidays in the United States' In
each of the 50 states has jurisdiction over its own holidays' [n
tice, l-rowever, most states observe the federal public holidays,
though the President and the Congress carr legally designate
only for Federal Government employees. Ten holidays per yeaf
proclaimed by the Federal Government. They are as follows:
Year's Day (January l), Martin Luther King's Day (third
January), George Washington's Bifthday (third Monday in Fe
Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (Ju
Labour Day (first Monday in September), Columbus Day (
Monday in October), Veteran's Day (November 11), Thanks
Day (foufth Thursday in November), Christmas (December 25).
are also traditional holidays, observed by a large number of
cans, which are neither legal nor official. Antong these are St' V
190

llrr,'',, l)ay, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Easter and Halloween
lllrl lrrst day of October).
llrc United States of America has often been called 'a melting
pul rvhcre economic and social pressures have forced non-English
troarkirrg immigrants to drop their native tongue and habits and to aslltrrrl;rlc into the American way of life. Yet, this vast land is one counf6y', rvlrose people speak the same language, share their cultural herilnp,t' ;rncl are subject to the same laws as provided by the Constitution
pl tlre tluited States.

lt's interesting to know ...

Anrerica was originally peopled by lndians and was opened to
Luropean colonization by the first voyage of Christopher Columlrtrs in 1492. Columbus died believing that he had found a new
rvuy to the Indies and never understood that he had discovered a
rrcw continent. However, the new world was given the name of
Arnerigo Vespucci who made several voyages to the West and
lllve spirited accounts of his discoveries. As for Columbus, who
is generally recognized as the discoverer of America, he is honoLrred on Columbus Day celebrated on the second Monday of OcIober in commemoration of his voyage.
I he USA is about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the
size of Africa; slightly larger than Brazil slightly smaller than
('hina; about two and a half times the size of Western Europe.
lhc USA is one of the few countries in the world that has no 'ofl'icial' national language. English is the common language by use,
lrrrt it is not the national language by law.
lhe ration of females and males is 51.4 to 48.60/o. The average
lil'c expectancy for a white man is 71.3 and for an Afro-American
rrran 65.4 years, for a white woman 78.3 and for an AfroA rnerican woman 73.6 years.

191

The American flag is often called the'Stars and Stripes'or

Glory'. It has l3 red and white stripes whiclr stand for the
nal l3 colonies. In the top left corner there are 50 white stars
blue background: one star for each state. There is no o
meaning for the colours of the flag, but it is thought that
represents purity and liberty, red proclaims courage and
and blue syrnbolizes perseverance, justice and loyalty. The
was adopted in 1777.
The coat of arms of the US represents a bald eagle with
outspread, holding a bundle of arrows (the symbol of strengtlr)
the left claw and an olive twig (the emblem of peace) in the
claw. 'fhe eagle became the national ernblem of tl,e country
1782. The motto of the coat of anns is 'one out of marry'.
J'he national anthem of tlre United States is 'The Star-S
Banner'.
'l-he Statue of Libcrty is the symbol of American democracy
stands on Libefi Island in New York. It is one of the first th
people see when they arrive in New York by sea. France
sented the statue to America in 1884 as a symbol of fri
Liberty carries the torch of freedom in her right hand. In her
hand she is holding a tablet with the inscription 'July 4, I
American Independence Day.
The US Constitution of 1781 embodied the political theori
the Founding Fathers, who represented the interests of a
leged class, as the great majority of those who formulated
Constitution were men of properly. "Private properly is the
bone of liberty" is the main principle that forms the basis of
Constitution.
The presidential election is in fact an election of presidential
tors, uot of a President directly. Candidates for the Presidency
chosen by political parties several months before the presi
election. Every leap year on the first Tuesday after tlre first
day in November Americans choose as many electors as this
has Senators and Representatives in the Congress. The
with the highest number of votes wins all the electoral
the state. On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in
cember the electors (538 persons) vote for the candidate wi
highest number of popular votes in their respective statol
192

cloct the President. To be erected president,

a candidate for the
l'r'esidency must receive 270 votes.

lrotfiD
Dm{ocro\Tnc
TME'PARTY

oI.
PR@GrurSS

votuu
nnilEPAWIY
@F

AND

O /ask lll- Find the derivatives of the fortowing words and fitt in the
laltu:

193

Task tV. Look at the puzzle below. Complete it by guesst

words which correspond to the definitions. Find the name of an
tant person in Ameican history in the centre boxes:

Task V. Do you agree

or

disagree with the fotlowing statenents

to the text?
Alaska and the island state of Hawaii are separated from the main
rriid-continental group of 50 states.
It's impossible to generalize about the weather, the landscape and
llrc way of living a,s the USA occupies most of the South Americ:rn continent.

As a result of massive immigration the United States today lras

orrc of the world's most varied populations.
Arnerican Indians and Afro-Americans have long been subjected
to racial discrimination and this process still continues.
l'he seat of the Federal Government is Washington, D.C., one of
llrc largest cities in the USA.
l'lre White House is the seat of the American Congress, while the
( lapitol is the President's residence.
l'ogether with the Secretary of State, the President manages all
ollicial contacts with foreign governments, concludes treaties
with other countries.
lJnder the Constitution the power is divided among legislative
(the President), executive (the Congress) and judicial (the Sul)reme Court) branches of the national government.
lloth the Republican and the Democratic parties emerged to rellcct the interests of the same social groups.
lrrdependence Day is a national holiday in the USA. It commemorntes the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4,

l0

.
2.
3.
4.

of rules made by the legislature

a person who comes to a country in order to settle there
to lay down as a rule or directive
the evidence of the past (historical sites, buildings' the
natural environment) considered collectively as the

a rule or a body

5.
6.
7.

present-day society
dealing or concerned with another country, area, people, ett
to continue or retain, to kegp in existence
the executive policy-making body of a political unit, com

t778.

Task Vl. Check your comprehension of the text by cOmpleting the

senfences;

etc"

8.

a formal agreement or contract between two or more stal

as an alliance or trade arrangement
9. to put forward (a plan, motion, etc.) for consideration or
10. involving a nation's domestic affairs as opposed to foreign

194

l'he United States of America is ...

I

l'he US population combines people of different races and naionalities including ...
l'he climate of the country ...
'l'lre name of the US capital always goes with ...
'l'he American Constitution, drawn up in Philadelphia in 1787, is ...
t

195

6.
7.
8.
9.

What is the most widely known natural wonder in America?

rr. the Colorado River c. Niagara Falls
b. the Rocky Mountains d. sequoias
What is America's largest state?
ir. 'lexas
c. Montana

According to the Constitution, the President of the United States .,1'

Executive power in the USA is vested in ...
The Congress is the only branch of the US Government that
The Republican and the Democratic parties become most active

.,i

10. The USA is often called 'a melting pot' ...

3
l.

b. Alaska
Task Vll. Look for specific detail to answer the questions

2.

How does the United States rank among the countries d

world in area and population?
Why are the physical features (surface, climate, etc.) of the I
ed States considered to be diverse?
Can you explain what a federal system is?
'
Why does the Constitution dividi power into three branches?
Whose interests did the US Constitution reflect from the
ginning?
To whom are all legislative powers of the Federal Govern
granted by the Constitution of the US?
Do the chief American political parties have clear poli
I

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

forms?
8.

9.
10.

In what way are the presidential elections held?

Who is in line of succession to the Presidency,
or is unable to carry on his duties?

if

a Presi

Why is the US flag called the 'Stars and Stripes'? E

symbolism of the stars and the stripes on it. What other
the American flag do you know?

&

Task Vlll. Check how well you know the United Sfafes of
Complete the statements choosing the right variant:

1.

2.

196

The United states of America is ...

a. a constitutional republic c. a federai republic
d. a commonwealth
b. a monarchy

How many time zones is the continental part of the USA

into?
a. four
c. six
b. five
d. three

d. New

York

What is the longest river in the USA?

l. Rio Grande
c. Colorado

b. Mississippi

d. Missouri

What is the largest lake in the USA?

l. Lake Ontario
c. Lake Michigan
b. Lake Superior
d, Lake Huron
Native Americans are ...
r. the Spaniards
c. the Indians
b. the English
d. the Afro-Americans
l'he largest city in the USA is . . .
rr. Boston
c. Washington

b. New York

d. Miami

l'he 'Big Apple' is a popular nickname for ...

ru. Los Angeles
c. Chicago
b. Washington
d. New York
Washington, the federal capital, is located in ...
a. the State of Washington c. the State of New york
b. the District of Columbia d. the District of California
Washington, D.C. stands on the river ...
a. Mississippi
c. Potomac

b. Missouri
d. Ohio
Which of these cannot be found in Waihington, D.C.?
a.
b.

the

Pentagon

c. the Department of Justice

d. the Statue of Liberty
l'he first President to live in the White House was ...
a. John Adams
c. Thomas Jefferson
b. George Washington d. Abraham Lincoln
Who is called 'The Fatl-rer of the American Constitution,?
the National

Archives

a. James Madison
b. George Washington

c. Thomas Jefferson
d. Andrew Jackson
'197

15. The

='.1 I lro Constitution provides, that if no candidate has a majority, the

tlccision should be made by ...
;r tlre Senate
lr the House of Representatives
t' Lhe President
tl. both Houses
li Wlrat are the two leading American parties?
;r the Labour Parly and the Republican Parly
lr the Conservative Party and the Democratic Party
t:. the Democratic Party and the Labour Party
tl. the Republican Party and the Democratic Party
lf' n t every level of political life the two main political parties strug-

Bill of Rights is ."

a. the Constitution
b. the articles of the Constitution
the amendments to the Constitution
d. the Preamble to the Constitution
to the originaltext
16. How many amendments have been made

c.

of

Constitution?

c.28
d.26
l't 21
Constitution, adopted in 1951' limi
the
t7. The 22"d amendment to
the PresidencY to no more than " '
c' three terms
a. one term
d' four terms
b. two terms
a new President?
18. How often do American people choose
c. every three Years
a. every four Years
d. every six Years
b. every five Years
USA.
19. Barack H. Obama II is " ' President of the
44tl'
the
c.
a. the 42"d

a. 25

b.

the

43'd

20. 'White House Office' is

d. the

"'

consist of?
2l . What chambers does the American Congress
a, the Flouse of Lords and the House of Commons
b. the Senate and the House of Commons
c. the House of Lords and the Flouse of Representatives
d. the Senate and the House of Representatives
is " '
22. The nickname for the American Government
c. Uncle Ben
a. Uncle Sam
d. Uncle James
b. Uncle George
is renewed every
23. To provide continuity one third of the Senate

a.
b.

c. 3 years
d. 5 years

for...

I
J

What animal represents the Democratic Party?

rr. a monkey
b. a donkey
l'lre motto of the United States which is written on a dollar bill is ...
rr. "America the Beautiful"
b. "God save the USA"
c. "In God we trust"
d. "Liberty Enlightening the World"
l'he nationalemblem of the United States of America is ...
l. the turkey
c. the bald eagle
b. the Statue of Libefi d. the Flag
.l() Which famous event happened in California in 1849?
r. The Gold Rush
c. The War of lndependence
b. The Great Plague d. The Civil War

45th

a. the lrouse where the President lives

b. the office where the President works
c. the President's assistants and advisors
d. the Cabinet secretaries

2 years
4 years

glc

;r. dominating position c. people's loyalty

b. popular support
d. public office

C Task lX. Try to give an adequate translation of the sentences that

hlktw:

|
'

('lUA

- rocyAapcrso s Ceeepnoft ArraepnKe, pacKuHyBuleecr or

6cperou TNxoro oKeaHa 4o no6epexs.s ArraHrr4rcu. Ha rore rpau14r{r{T c Merccsrcofi. Ha ceBepe - c Kaua4ofi, ua ceeepo-3anaAe e Poccaefi, Ha rcro-BocroKe - c Ky6ofi.
199

198

i:

2. CIIIA -

cHJIbHoe coBpeMeHHoe rocyAapcrBo' craHoBJIeHI'Ie

BJII'IflHIreM KynbTypHblx, MopzlJrbHblx

poro fipoxoAr4no noA

[-Fl

qHoHaIIbHblx ycToeB coTeH TbICtq nepeceneHlleB Id3 MHo

crpaH MI,Ipa, [pHexaBIIrHX s Hosrtfi ceer s floficKax nyqll

3.

)ICI,I3HH.
B CIXA ecrb HeMaJIo yHrKanbHblx flpllpoAHblx rBopeHuil'

6.

of

llrc USA influence the development of the country?

lrxplain how the federal and state governments divide powers.
('irn a country be governed without political parties, in your opirrion? Why? Why not?
What was the basis for the formation of the American variant of
tlrc English language?
l)crform a comparative analysis of the state structure of the USA,

[apKoB cBnterc.fl nennoycroHcKi

4olNHofi refi:epon u 6olnuuvt KoJrHqecrBoM peAKax x(ttBorl{

CIIIA - BeAyurat sKoHoMllr{eclrax 14 BoeHHzrt Aep)I(aBa,
Maroqaf rperbe Mecro B MHpe no qUcJIeHHOCTH

llritain, Belarus and Russia.

qerBeproe IIo TIJIOUaAH.

5.

X. Share your opinions on the following:

lrr what way do the geographical position and physical features

.I

TOpbrM MO)KHO OTHeCTI'I EOISUTOfr KaHSOH, Benntsae osepa,

rapcxraft BoAo[aA, MHoroqucJIeHHLIe HaqnoHzurbHble ttapKI'I'
Hr,rM H3 CaMbIX H3BeCTHbIX

4.

Tosk

Follow-up Activities

Buro.{eHHrte s KoHcrllTyry{ro nonpaBKu HanpaBJleHbI,

o6paeou, Ha 3aIrIHry rlpaB qeJIoBeKa' pac[flpeHne us6
Frbrx BpaB, pIBBI,ITI,Ie [oJIHoMoqItfi $e.qepar sHo ro flpaBureJlb(
KoHcrntyulrc pacnpeAernJla nonHoMotll4fl Mex(Ay
BJracrblo r,t BracrcMlt lIITaroB, co3AaB $eaepalrnylo clrcreMy

Optional Reading

A Brief History of the United States

cyAapcrBeHHofo ynpaBJIeHI4t.

7.

B coorsgrcrBfiH c npnHullnoM pa3AeneHnt BJlacreu'

rpex nersefi "BJIacrH (ncnonunrerbHaf' 3aKoHoAareJlbH&.fl H
4e6ua*) QynxquoHupyer orHocurerlHo He3aBnclrMo or

Hrrx. Bnaecre c reM, cl,IcreMa cAepll(eK H nporl'IBoBecoB

Ku(Ayro BerBb cnoco6uocrrrc KoHTponupoearr AeficrsHfl
FI,D(.

8.

?IcnorHurenbltyrc Bracrb ocyqecrBnter npe3u.qeHT' t

cr rrauoft rocyAapcrBa

I'I rnaBHoKoMaHAylourlrM

cI4JraMlI, a TaK)I(e MI,IHHCTpbI, Ha3HaqaeMble npe3uAeHTOM I',l n

oTqeTHbIe TOn6KO eMy.

9.

3arcoHo4arelrurtil opraH Bracrfi - Kourpecc, cocrouT

flaJrar - Cenara u llalarut ilpeAcraBl4Teleft' Cesar
rag 100 ceHaropoB, npeAcraBnsloulllx IIJTarbI. flalara
releft tpopul,lpyerct npoflopqnoHaJlbHo Konl{qecrBy

I't3

r civil and religious freedom. They arrived in America with a

will to create in the New World the so called 'Cify upon the
ill' - an ideal community based on Biblical Testament. Ever since,
rng

llITaTa.

10. CoeAr,rneHH5ls IIIrarbI cBr.qlorcq qJleHoM OOH, IOHECKO,

MBO, HATO, OpraHnsaqull 3KoHoMur{ecKol-o corpyAHl'l

l'he demand for Asian spices, textiles, and dyes spurred European
igators to dream of shorter routes between East and West. Acting
hchalf of the Spanish crown, in 1492 the Italian navigator and ex:r Christopher Columbus sailed west from Europe and landed on
ol the Bahama Islands in the Caribbean Sea. For the next 100
ls English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and French explorers
letl there for gold and riches, for honour and glory.
I'he first English colony was founded at Jamestown, Virginia, in
l6ttZ. n few years later, in July 1620, English Puritans, the Pilgrims,
rc to America to escape religious persecution for their opposition
tlrc Church of England. They sailed on the 'Mayflower' among tbe
102 colonists who wanted to set up a colony in America, to find

Irrclicans have viewed their country as a great experiment, a worthy

rrlcl For other nations to follow.

pa3BHTHff rI Ap.

zga

201

The Pilgrim leaders (Pilgrim Fathers) knew that in older to

nize their lives in the new land they had to establish rules of tlreir
haviour. So 4l men aboard the 'Mayflower' held a meeting and
their first governor. They also signed a special document known
the Mayflower Compact (1620) - the agreement about the creation

civil political body with the aim of supporting order and

making just and equal laws. That was the first arrangement for'i
the

government in

America.

Though the first English settlers were the largest group,

were also colonists from other countries (Flolland, France,
and Sweden). Among the bulk of immigrants to North America,
groqp of people came unwillingly. These were Africans who
brought to the colonies as slaves. Impofting slaves to the US
crime in 1808, but slavery itself was eliminated after the Civil war,
I 865.

By the rniddle of the l8'r' century the English settlers had

13 colonies along the Atlantic coast. In May 1775 the Con
Representatives of the colonies met in Philadelphia, and began to
as a national government. It organized the Corrtinental Army
Navy urrder the command of G. Washington, printed its own
and opened diplomatic relations with foreign countries. The C
came to the conclusion that the colonies had the right to gain f
and become independent. Th. Jefferson, G. Washington, B. F
J. Madison, and A. Hamilton prepared the text of the Decl
Indeperrdence adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776. This
ment proclaimed the independence of the 13 colonies from Bri
also proclaimed that all men are created equal and possess ceftain
alienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In the l8'l' century the colonies in North America were deve
rapidly. Meanwhile their growing strength worried Britain, which
gan to take measures against the development of the colonies.'fhlt
to protest and then to the War of Independence (1775-83). As a
of intense n-rilitary operations the British army surrendered and
British Governrnent asked for peace. Britain finally recognizcd
independence of the US by signing the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
202

ller winning the War of Independence, tlre new nation needed to

of governrnent that would bind the l3 states into an efllr it'rrt and workable union. The first arrangement which gave much
llr\\'cl to the states was Articles of Confederation - the very first US
f 'lrrslitr-rtion. The Articles proclaimed independence, determined the
t.1'\lt. nl of government of the former English colonies, and consolirlllt'tl 1he weak points of the central authority. T'he Articles renrained
t,rrlirl up to 1789.
l'lre Constitution of the United States - the source of government
flrrllrolity and the fundamental law of the country was drawn up in
l/ti/ in Philadelphia and became law in 1789. lt set up a federal sysIr,rrr rvith a strong central government, prescribed the structure of nalllrr;rl government with three branches and listed its rights and fields
ll irrrtlrority. I{owever, the Constitution caused dissatisfaction of the
Arrre ricans as it didn't contain guarantees of certain basic freedoms
trrrl irrdividual rights. Thus, in l79l the Congress was forced to adopt
llrr llrst l0 amendments to the Constitution dealing with civil liberlh'.;: li-eedom of speech, the press and religion, the right of peaceful
ir.,t'rrrbly, the right to own firearms, freedom from unreasonable
Ir,nrt:lr, arrest and seizure. They were called collectively the'Bill of
krl',lrls'. Since then l7 other amendments have been added to the Conrlilrrtion. Perhaps the most important of tlrese are the Thifteenth and
I'rrrrrtcenth, which outlaw slavery and guarantee all citizens equal proIcrlron of the laws, aud the Nineteenth, which gives women tlre right
hr vo[c. Together witlr its 27 Constitutional Amendments, adopted
fi,rrrr l79l till1992, the Constitution of 1789 is in force atthe present
A

tluviso a form

lltt rt'

Britain recognized American independence in 1783, it did

Fvcry{hing to hinder the development of the new nation. British interh.rtrrcc with American trade and economy and other aggressive acts
lcr I lr r war in I 8 I 2. Mllitary operations of the two countries were condri,'tetl with a varying success and the Second War of American Inde;rerr,lcnce ended in a compromise by signing the Treaty of Ghent in
lltl I The Treaty restored the pre-war status quo but didn't solve the
lpr itorial and economic matters having provoked the war.
I lrough

203

InlS4SgoldwasdiscoveredinCalifornia,andagreatgold
The gold
started. 'Ihousands of settlers went.there to find gold.
rush
gold
The
west'
the
of
led to an intensive colonization

only gold-diggers, but also merchants, farmers and

contributed to the building of post-roads and railways' the
the
lopment of engineerirrg, the attraction of investments and
lopment of economY as a wbole.
The American Civil War begarr in 1861 when the 11
Union
states supportirrg slavery decided to leave the American
Conf,elt
tlre
nation
independent
an
pro"fuit"LO theriselves
,stut".ofArnericawithitsownPresident'governnlentandaf
the west not

war'
Though the Southern army fought well it could not rvin the
no.th
industrial
the
of
Nofthern Army had tlre supporl
1865' [t
"u,,rJth"
tlre people who were against slavery. The war was over in
sinco
nation.
an end io slavery and made the USA a single united
business'
late 19!r'century the US is marked by a growth in big
torce
emergence of labour as an organized economic and political
the increasing role in world affairs.

Morethan500-year-oldhistoryoftheUSAisricliinexci
and drama: the transformation of an ttntatned land into a mrghty

dustrial power, the grorvth of a basically English colony into a cl

plex muitiethnic society. The history-shows the American
ih"i, *uy to the Anrerican Dream: independent, democratic'
state wiih the developed economy and equal rights for everybt
There have been nrolnents of triumph and sadness, but there also
been remarkable faithfulness to the democratic ideals proclai
the moment of nation's birth.

British and American English

English is an Indo-European language belonging to-.the
Germaiic branch. lt is the native language of over 300 million

and is acquired as a second language by rnarrymore' In the'nuntbt

native speakers it is second only to Chinese' Speakers of English
wadays comprise a very large number of people across the globo' I
,r", uury considerably, Uutlt is believed that nearly one quarterof

rvorld's population, or between 1.2 at'rd 1.5 billion people, is

fluent or competent in English.
204

oI rll the people in the world who speak English as their ntothcr
ftrrrln('. rnore than 200 million people live in North America. Antcrienrr I nglislr reflects numerous non-English cultures wlrich colonists
ltret rrr llrcil conquest of the continent in the early l Ttl' century.
lirsl irr impoftance come the words derived from the speech ol'
lilrr)u\ ludian tribes. This was caused by the necessity of talking
61.,111 1lsyy things, qualities, operations, concepts, and ideas. Namcs
liirrl t,' bc given to all these aspects of their new life. So, from the lndi,rrr', rvcre borrowed not only the many geographical names of rivcrs,
lnh,", rnountains, but names for objects, plants, animals, as well as
lttrlrlt'rncrrts and food preparations of a new kind, such as canoe, ntoc211tttt. tt,igwam, toboggan, lomqhawk, totem, igloo, hammock, etc. ltt
llir

rr cstlvard expansion of their territory, the English-speaking ctlltt[i'.t', .;oou came into contact with the French settlers. Front thcttt it
urrrr',rrlcrzrble number of words were derived, e.g. rapids, prairies, clc.
illlrt substantial borrowings were made from the Spanislr cultttt'c.
I lr,' Sparrish colonial occupation of North American territory is rcflrr t, rl through the words rodeo, cafeteria, lqsso, nrulallrt, crtttyott,

to Anrerican l-irrglislr
llr, rrtrrrls boss, cookie, Yankee, Santa Claus. The words showirrg
!rnr( irspects of German influence also found their way into tlrc
Arrr, ricrrrr form of the language: frankfurter, senlesler, seminur. cLc.
llrrr', thc borrowings frorn different languages and new meanings ol'
turrrrl.; rppeared due to the development of American way of liFe.
llrc American vocabulary duiingthe l9'1'century began to bc cxpr rr tttl abroad, and by the 20tl'century, with its econonric, politiclrl
6rrrl tt'chnological prominence in the world, the United States ol'
Arrr, rica and its language became one of the greatest forccs lirr
ehirnl'e and expansion of English. The increasing influence ol' tlrc
gurrrrtry caused a steady infiltration of American words and cxplcsEi,rrr,. irrlo British English. The words okay, cocktail, fan, eggheud,
/ltl, 1,rc'key, show business, slar, once exclusively American, arc todrrl rrormal British ones. Americans are constantly inventing ncw
h'r rl'j. nrany of which lrave found a permanent place first in AttrcriErirr rrrrrl tlren in British usage. In tlris category we have formations likc
Htt'lriL,rtd, bookstore, brainstorm, chewing gum, credit card, feulhr l', linow-how, home-ntade, to bahy-sit, to sporl-casl, etc. The usc
t'ttnt lt, ,\'otnhrero.The Dutch settlers contributed

205

of nouns as verbs

and vice versa has also given rise to new w

l'lrus we have to park, lo package, to prograt x, to vacation.

There are, however, a number of cases in which British

American people continue to use different words to mean the
thing. These words are still in constant use and lrave retained tl
national character. In the table below there are a few examples il
I
trating
certain
14rrr variations
Ir6 9gl
vcr t4LluUJ in
trt the
Ltrg two
Lwu languages.
t4rl6uotsgJ.
Apart from the vocabulary distinctions, there are a number of
sic differences between British and American pronunciation:
- American English intonation does not rise or fall as much as
of British English, it sounds more monotonous,
- Arnerican prolunciation is more nasalized;
- words ending in -ary and -ory have a stress on the next to last
fable in American English: secrelary, laboratory, monastery;
- the Americans often pronounce [r] in position where it is not
nounced in British English: car, here, fanner, bird, hurt, tear;
- the Americans omit [] in the words like produce, stupid,
news;

- in Arnerica they pronounce [r] instead of [a:]: class, bath, past,

- 'in such words as direct, dynasty, vilamin, privacy letters i
are pronounced [ai] in American English and

[i] in British English.

In American English there is an increasing tendency to
sirnplified spelling. The commonest feature of this is the use of
all words that in English contain -our: labor, honor, color.
the Arnericans write thru for through, Marlboro for Marl
catalog for catalogue, progrqnx for programme, cenler for
theater for theatre, check for cheque, jewelry for jewellery,
for ,speciality, etc. Nouns ending in -ence in British English, ha
ing -ense in American English: defense, license, offense. The
cans prefer to use endings -ize, -yze and -ization in place of
-ise, -yse and -isation: realize, modernize, colonization But the

Tt

British
titcltlr

i
bookiing

hotrnrrct

British

American

clll
Et

and

office

(of a car)

automobile

traffic lights

American
traffic signals

bus

dual carriageway
lay by

rest ara

ticket window
hood

diversion

lscreen
wtrrr ls

windshield

pavement

gil llugc

service station

motorway
railway

(of atrain)

gtrirr rl.l

goorlsls

train

llti
Iot

ll

ry

trt rr

plil n
hun(l about

conductor
freight train
elevator

detour
sidewalk
freeway
railroad

underground, tube

subway

filling station

gas station

truck

level crossing

street-car
baby-carriage

cul-de-sac

grade crossing
dead end

car park

parking lot

tiaffic circle

petrol

gas, gasoline

I'o,st, tel

Food

llritish

American

post

British

mail

biscuit
boiled. sweets

American
cracker
hard candy
dry vennouth

posl code
c,

zip code

'box
pillrrr'1

mail box

dry martini

pur ccrlI

package

high tea

llttlrli call

long-distance call
person-topenon call

knife and fork tea

supper
light supper

sweet biscuit

cookie

rrral
pct srtt

call

crse the
h tlvcr
,i raln

to call collect
wlre

Clot

llritish
:nders

coat

Other.s

British

American
garters

American

autumn

fall

undershirt

bill (iestaurant)

vest

chemist
cinema
ring up

form

check
drug store
rnovie theatre
call up
secretary
high school
grade

cupboard

closet

advertise, compromise, surmise have the same spelling in both

minister

The changes introduced into the American variety of Engli

also to be found in grammar and structure, but most of them
not cause any serious confusion as valid differences are not
merous or very significarrt.

secondary school

206

divided highway

207

Higher Education in the United States of

@
&

Task

6n jor'(n)

r-rp

cflellnuull43arrvts
Bo3MelqaTb, KoMneHcHpoBaTb

rrrliar (adj)

Pre-Reading

l. Study the fottowing vocabulary notes to avoid

rrrrotion (n)

- cnequ$lrvecrcufi, oco6eHHstfi
- npo4eH)KeHl4e, noBbluleHHe (no cnyx6e)

rit (n) - crpeMneHue, tto?IoKH

lltlio (n) - coorHoureHue

understanding:

hlccl (v) - orBeprarb, orKroHqrb,

American College TeSt - Tecr auepuKaHcKoro KonneA)Ka

ascertain (v) - eulrcHtrb, ycraHaBJluBarb
assign (v) - ua:Havarr
Associate's degree - crefieHb MJlaAurero cfiequzrnncra (aHalon

llr (adj) - npuMepHblir, npu6nuzutersustft

Ir,rllrship (n) -- cruneH4nr
Sulrollstic Aptitude Test
- 3K3aMeH Ha BbttBJreHae aKa.&eMHqerrx crroco6Hocreil (cuoco6nocrefr r o6yueHurc)
f(orr' - cyMMa 6arroe

pycc KoI-o AI,InnoMa o cpeAHeM Crleul4anbHorr'r o6paso naunra)

authentic (adj)

average income

ucruuHslfi, Hacroqu{ufi, nogrnuHutfi

cPegHufi AoxoA

commitment (n) - crpeMneHHe, I'oroBHocrb

community college - uecrHslfi (o6urunnurfi) xolre4x
complain (v) - xalonarbc.s' BblpoKarb HeAoBorlbcrBo
comprise (v) - co4epxarb' BKJIIoqarb
counterpaft (n) - aHaror
distinction (n) - ouuvue, put3JIHque
dormitory (n) - cryaeHqecKoe o6urexurHe
enrol (v) - craHoBuTbcq qreHoM' Bcrynarb
extracurricu ar activities - B HeayAl'lropHafl AeRTeJI bHocrb'
fraternity (n) - eryaeHqecK:ul opraHu3aunr (6parcrso)
grade point average - cpegur'rfi 6al-n

icc academy

rscc;

uent (adj )

fr

iorr (n) - o6y.reHue; nJlara sa o6yueHue

ion fee - rrJlara sa o6yveune
t:r'graduate studies - o6yueHne B BbIcueM yve6Hou 3aBeAeHnH
'ir(

ional (adj)

npo$eccraonamHstfi

Task tl. Guess the meaning of these words and word combinations
your guesses as you read the text:

gt rrrrt

interest (n) - nPoqeHrst

Ivy League - Jlura nnrcura

rcll'-governing

208

nocneAylouttft , cre,qyrcrqu

- rpauuqa, npeAeJl
(adj)
rrrblcsome
- rpy4uuIfi, npnqnHttourufi 6ecnoxoficreo

- rloKa3areJlb, nPLI3HaK
insurance (n) - crPaxoBaHne

rcslrold (n)

index (n)

liberal arts

BoeHHoe yqhnHlqe

ftr'vicc commitment - npoxoxqeHue BoeHHofi c-nyx6r'r

rr ority (n) - xceHcrcoe cryAeHqecxoe o6urecreo
n I l' c:ollege - aKaAeMLIc reHepirnbHoro utra6a
rcnd (n) - rfturoBaHbe, perynqpHoe AeHe)KHoe coAepx(aHne

graduate studies - o6yueHne B acnupaHrype

harsh (adj) -xec.rrcufi, cYPoestfi
high school - cPeAHtfl IIIKoJIa
in conjunction with - B coqeraHnu c' coBMecrHo c

orKa3blBarb

a degree

lirrrtling
rtrlrjcct area

open door policy

teaching block

teachin! staff
competitive
index

wait-listed
English proficiency
living expenses
needy
academic adviser

ryuaHllTapHble HayKM
209

@
J

TasR

llre local community. Those seeking to continue their education may

It'rrrrsl'cr to a four-year college or universitlz. Technical institutes or
uollc:ges provide school-leavers with two- or three-year courses in
;rr irctical subjects (design, business, computer programming, account_

ReaOing and Comprehension

lll. Go thro;ugh the text and then check your

Since advances in technology and great interrelation of the

in political and economic areas of life have set harsh

Itrl',, r:lc.).

standards

professionals in various spheres, the majority of Americans

consider higher education as their top priority. The United States,
a highly decentralized system of education that gives students a
range of educational options, from two-year community colleges
technical training institutions to four-year colleges and uni
All in all, in the USA there are about 4000 colleges and uni
granting academic degrees.
r
While the US Department of Education provides support
funding for higher education, it does not act as a central a
Except for the United States service academies and staff
federal government does not directly regulate universities, alt
can give federal grants to them. US colleges and universities
mostly self-governing and have significant independence and

'l'lre universiry" in the United

States is a research-oriented instituli'rr wlrich provides both undergraduate and graduate education. The
rrrrrvcrsity is comprised of a number of colleges, a professional school
ttllcncled primarily by those who plan to be practitioners instead of
rt'lr'lars, and a graduate school offering postgraduate programs and
lcrrtlirrg to a Master's and Doctor's degree. Arnerican univeisities are

;trivrte sources

if it is private, or it may be funded by a religious

gl r)lrl).

dom.

The American college is an institution which has no

in Europe. A college is an undergraduate institution requiring

condary school certificate for admission and granting a Bache
Arts or Baclrelor of Science degree after four years of study. C

prepares the student either for graduate studies at the university

job immediately after graduation. It may or may'not be a part'

university. Each college has a special subject area. There may I
a

College of Liberal Afts, a College of Education, a College of Bus

and so on.

Some students choose to attend a two-year community

that rnay offer a number of vocational programs in hundreds of
from Business Administration and Computer Programming to N
Fashion Design, Hotel and Restaurant Management, or

Art. Community colleges meet the educational

and

of local communities. Usually they are run by a state

ment and maintain an 'open door policy' with low tuition

needs

few entrance requirements. Students who complete the course

Associate's degree and then may enter many professions
210

r\ unique feature of higher education irr the United States is the

{err.,..' I<nown as accreditatio'. Nationaily recognized accrediting
211

agencies establish educational criteria to evaluate institutions in

of their own objectives and to ascertain whether programs of

tional quality are being maintained. The accreditation agencies

r-rniversities and colleges on academic quality - the quality of
libraries, the publishing records of their faculty, the degrees
their faculty hold, etc. Accreditation provides institutions with
tinued stimulus for improvement and ensures that accredited
may serve as an authentic index of educational quality.
At the same time many Americans are not satisfied with thc
dition of higher education in their country. The high tuition fees
it difficult for low-paid American farnilies to send their children
university. Though much is spent by the state on education, Am

universities complain that these funds are becoming smaller

every year. The equipment wlrich is used at the universities for
search is not modern enough, and the universities do not have
rl1oney to install new equipment. Under such conditions tuition
are growing and many talented young people cannot receive high
education.

Out of the more than three million students who graduate

lrigh school each year, about one rnillion go on for higher edtrcati
A college at a leading university might receive applications from
per cent ofthese high school graduates, and then accept only one
ol'every ten who apply. Simply by being admitted into one of
ntost respected universities irr the United States, a high school
ate achieves a degree of success.
There is no linrit to the number of colleges or universities
which a student rnay apply. With a few exceptions, most ed
establishments maintaiu the policy that students are to be adrnitted
(or rejected frorn) the entire college, not to a pafticular
Some students, rather than being rejected, are 'wait-listed' for a
ticular college and may be admitted if another student who was
ted decides not to attend it.

Each college or university in the USA has its own requi

grades earned in high sc
courses, the students' grade point average and standardized test
such as the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Apt

for admission that usually involve

212

It',t (SAT). Both

tests rneasure verbal and matl'rematical reasoning

rlrrlilics. Additionally, certain colleges require the so called AchieveIrrlnl l-est that measures knowledge of a particular subject and the
llrrlil;, to appl1, that knowledge. Foreign applicants lrave to take a
l( )l,lrl- test of English proficiency. Most colleges also consider more
rrrlr;cctive factors such as a commitment to extracurricular activities, a
1rr r,,orral essay, and an interview. While numerical factors rarely ever
irt ;rbsolute reqLrired values, each college usually has a rough threshold
lr, l,,iv wlrich admission is unlikely.
ll'an applicant has successfully enrolled at the university, the next
Ir.rrlrlcsorne issue he or she will have to resolve will be a financial
rr( l uition is charged at almost all Americarr universities, except the
lrr,' lcderally-sponsored service academies in wlrich students attend
lr,t'rrrrd with a stipend in exchange for a service cornrnitrnent ir-r the
lll' rrrnrcd forces after graduation. Generally, private universities
r lr;rr1c much higlrer tuition than public iustitutions, lvhich rely on
clrrtr' linrds to make up the difference. Because each state supports its
lrrrr university system witli state taxes, most public universities
rlr,rr1,,c rnuch higher lates for out-of-state students. Annual undergr ;rrlrrate tuition varies widely from state to state. At most public unirr,r.,rrics it is $5,000 to $20,000 per year. In private colleges and univlr';rlics it is about $30,000 per year. These prices do not include livrrt,oxpenses or additional fees that schools add on such as'activities
llr",'cr health insurance. Every young person who enters a higher
+=rlrrt rrtional institution can get financial assistance. [f a student bortr\\,i nroney from special funds (a loan), they should repay it with
Irrlr rest after they finislr their educatiorr. Needy students are alvarded
grrrnts
'uvhich they do not have to repay. Scholarships are given when a
rllrlt'rrt is doing exceptionally well at school. Though each universitlz
rrllt'rs a number of scholarships rnany of the students have to work to
lrrt\ lltcir expenses.
llrc academic year in American colleges and universities is usr-rnllr ol'two semesters or nine rnonths duration. The methods of in-

lion are lectures, discussions and work in laboratory. Students

rtt, , lrrssified as freshnen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. A freshclrrrr

213

man is a first-year student, a sophomore - a second-year

junior - a third-year student, and a senior - a fourth-year
students wlro have graduated from the senior class and who
studies at a university are called advanced or graduate st
peculiar feature of American college or university life is n
students' unions, fraternities and sororities. A great deal of
and recreational life at a university is created by different kin,
students'clubs.
Once admitted, students engage in undergraduate studies,
consist of satisffing university and class requirements to achi
Bachelor's degree in the primary academic area of interest
major. As soon as a student chooses his or her major field of
there will be a specific number and type of courses they must
earn a degree for that particular major. In addition to the maj
minor courses students can select other subjects according to,
professiohal interests. Every student is assigned an 'academic
who helps with academic planning, course selection, requi
the degree and answers questions on class attendance, disci
matters, problems that may have an impact on academic work.
are no final examinations and students receive a degree if they'
collected enough credits in a particular subject.
Graduate studies, conducted after obtaining a Bachelor's
and sometimes after several years of professional work, lead to a
advanced degree such as a Master's degree. After additional
study and sometimes in conjunction with the completion of a
degree, students may earn a Doctor's degree. Entrance into
programs usually depends upon a student's undergraduate
performance or professional experience as well as their score
standardized entrance exam like the Graduate Record Exam
the Medical College Admissions Test, or the Law School Admisl

rl degree. Only 8.9% of students ever receive postgraduate

s and universities among the world's most prestigious, which.is

icrrlarly attractive to international students, professors and re:lrcrs in the pursuit of academic excellence.

) Iask IV. Find the words in the text with similar meanings to fhese:

lirculty

(l)

to perform (2)

,
,
,

prol"essional ( l)

lo compensate (2)
rrrark

(l)

to specifo (2)
payment for instruction ( I )
posterior (l)
Io support (l)
occupation (1)

Task V. Form word paftnerships by matching verbs to nouns. Make

your own senfences with them:
, cotrtluct
s('l

urgage
, t'orrtlrlete
, eslublish
p-r

rrrrt

, trrlrintain

Test.

t'il ()y

The 2006 American Community Survey carried out by the

States Census Bureau found that 19.5% of the population
tended college but had no degree, T.4Yoheld an Associate's
17.l% held a Bachelor's degree, and 9.9Yo held a graduate or

t'otrsider

214

de-

:s, trnd most, after obtaining their Bachelor,s degree, proceed dily into the workforce.
Stlorrg research and funding have helped to make American col-

Irirve

a. the course

b. as a top priority
c. research
d. educatiofral criteria
e. an 'open door policy'
f. equal prestige
g. harsh standards
lr. a rough threshold
i. in undergraduate studies
j. an academic degree

215

QTaskVl.Readthetextandcompletethegapswiththe

below:
words and word combinations from the box

comparable determine

oward

curriculums facalty members obtains

authorities

courses

establish

InthefirstAmericaneffortofitskind,universitiesandcolleg

pilot projects to make

Indiana, Minnesota'and Utah are starting
about
that degree programs in their states reflect a consensus
specifiJknowledge and (1) "' should be. taught'
a- by the (2) "'taken or the crel
Instead of defining degrees
"(3)
...whatstudents must learn. ln the x
earned, the three states"will
ject, lndiana will draft learning standards for education'-.lit'ovl
"chemistry
Minnesoti
degrees; Utah fcr tristory and physics; and
project includes
graphic O"rign and chemistry' In each state' the
of (5) "' '
cation officials, (4) ..-and students from a wide variety
Bo
decade-long
The project is based on the principles of the
European higher-edut
Process,'named for the Italian city where
of institu
thousands
which
(6) ...agreed to seek an alliance in

l,

American colleges and universities are mostly self-goveming and

3,

lrave significant independence and freedom.

ACT and SAT are used to predict the facility

pri vate.

sfatemenfs;
I

.
.

216

known as ct
Post-secondary education in the United States is
of study
years
five
or university and commonly consists of

establishments in the United States charge

7,

l'ublic universities often have much higher tuition payment than

'l'lrose who study at a university.or four-year college are known as

11r'aduates, and those who have received a degree after four years
ol' study are called postgraduates.
Students often use scholarships, student loans, or grants, rather
llran paying alltuition out-of-pocket.

private ones.

l,
'

0. Anrerican universities have developed independent accreditation

organisations to vouch for the quality ofthe degrees they offer.
Task Vlll. Read the text more carefully and complete the suggested
:ments:

in a i
The goal is to give universities, students and employers
a- stu
enough (9) ...and comparability that wherever
al
""onoity
wi
(10) ...adegree, it would stand for the sante thing and be

TaskVll.Giveextensiveargumenfsfoproveordisprove

All higher.educational
l'ccs.

(7) "'degreesb
ilign", lducation in dozens of countries would

po
While the project will design a (12) "', and reference
un
Each
(13)
""
different degrees, it will not standardize
(15)
"'skills'
would still (14)..' for itself how best to teach lhe
The New York Times, APril 8'

with which an indi-

will

progress in learning school-level academic subjects.

(lurrrrnunity college can be a starting point to eam a Bachelor's degree
li'om a US university.
I ('olleges and universities differ in their competitiveness and repulltion; generally, the most prestigious ones are public, rather than

vidual

lligh school graduates may ...

'l'hc American college is an institution which ...
. is financed by the local authorities and is intended

for local

rrccds.

.. occupy a position in American university life rather like

Oxidge in Britain.
lt is not easy to enter a college or university in the US because ...
Applicants are usually chosen on the basis of ...
l'lrc financial aid to a student may be given in the form of ...
A llcr completing four years of study the graduates . ..
, is awarded for successful completion of research work carried
orrt at the university graduate school.
A lthough the government spends much on education ...

lrr

,
,

institution of higher learning'

217

f,ol bcen completed due (8) ... circumstances that the professor underllnrrtls and accepts. If the work remains unfinished (9) ... a specified

answenng
Task lX. Check your understanding of the detail by
questions:
1

2.
3.
4.
5.

institutioti
What are the main categories of higher educational
them'
the USA? Specifl the difference between
higher i
What factors contribute to the prestige of this or that
cational establishment in the USA?
The American system of higher education is largely

isn't it?
the col
Do all the students have to pay for their education at
pay
or university? What are the sources of getting money to
tion fees?
ec
Why do most students study at public institutions of higher

6.
7.

tion?
Imagine you are going to enter a university in the USA'
stroutO you know about the terms of application?
in
What dt you know about the classification of students
universities?
and unlverslrlcsl
can colleges ano
What degree do American colleges and universities award
fou. y"a.-, of study? What degrees do graduate schools grantl
What criteria do the accreditation agencies use to rate

8.
g.

and colleges?

10.

Task

Why are many Americans not satisfied with the cond

higher education in their country?

Xl. Translate into English the sentences that follow:

14 xolleprx.u, u yHnBepcnTerbr rBJtrrorcr qerbrpexroAnr{HbrMn

y.re6Hrrnru 3aBeAeHH.rIMrr, Koropble npeAnaralor creneHr 6axal

aBpa ryMaHuTapHbrx r,tJrH ecTecTBeHHbrx HayK.

)cHosHoe orJrr,rqr4e yHr4Bepcr4TeroB or xollegxefi cocrotrr B

'r'oM, rrro yHnBepcnTerbr npeAnararcr 6olee esrcorcHft ypoBeHb
rl6yveHur, pe3ynbraroM Koroporo ABilsercs, crerreHb Matucrpa
(

Task X. Supply the missing prepositions and adverbs"

Grades in American Golleges and Universities

l.rJr14

While the quantity (l) ... a student's academic work is mt

(2) ...credits or units, its quality is evaluated (3) ';:.!Lud"1:
USR tt-r"r" are four pursing gtudet "A", "3;2, "C" and "D" and
(4) ... between. There is usually one failing grade: "F"' If u I
receives an "F" (5) ... a class, he will not be awarded credit t
degree for that class. If the class is required (6) "' the comple
the degree, the student must repeat the class and earn a paSsin!
"Incomplete" ("Inc." or "1") indicates that work (7) "' the cou
i

218

iod (10) ... time (usually, the next term), the grade will then be
(l l) ... "F".
Strme courses may be offered (12) ..a "pass lfail basis. This
Flcirrrs that no letter grade is given. Work is judged to be either satisf}ctoly and credit is given, or unsatisfactory and no credit is given
(1.t) ...1he class.
(11) ...the end of a term, each professor will evaluate the sturl's performance and test results to determine a grade for the
n'sc. (15)... most US universities and colleges a letter grade is
r (16) ... a numerical equivalent. This number will be used, along
tlr other grades, to determine the student's Grade Point Average.
utlcnts in the United States work very hard to maintain an aboveirge GPA. (17) ...many cases, they will be asked to supply GPA
lirrrnation (18) ...potential employers Q9) .graduation. Graduate
rols will also use the students' GPAs when they consider candi(20) ...a graduate degree program.

lrrrrrg,ed

AOKTOpa HayK.

lpnrraepHo 57Yo rconteAxefi u yHHBepcr,rreToB, 3aqr4cJlqlouux

2\o/o scex ClyAeHToB, f,BJIflIoTc-f qaCTHbtMH.
I I an6olee [pecrnxHbrMH rBJr.rlrorcr BoceMb yHtrBepcnTeron, o6rc/(r.rHeHHbrx e JIury nnrcqa. 3Aecs cawafl BbrcoKaq B crpaHe rrnara
I

'rr o6yreHue H caMbre xecrru.te rpe6oBaHur K nocrynaroql,rM.

l| o4Hra nyssr Ha6op ocyulecrBnrercr rry/reM KoHKypcHbtx DK3arvroroB, co6ece4oaaHnr, TecrlrpoBaHur, Mfl Apytt4x eAHHcrBeHr,r M ycJroBlreM sBrtgrcr HzuII,IqHe cpeAHero o6paroeaHIzr,
r r

219

6. Y

What particular academic field do you want to pursue?

What are your financial resources?

7.

ottt the paft of the interuiew where the interviewee is invited fo ask

cryAe
noAasrqrculero 6olturnscrBa aMepI4KaHcKI{x
o6y'r
qro6st
aa
3anJlarl'lrb
xBaraer SuHaHcorstx cpeAcrB,
oourecrBc
3To
BueayAraropHat AesreJrbHocrb cryAeHToB caMoAe*
pa6ora, AHcKyccHoHHrte uy6u' cnopr' My3blKa'

HOCTb H T'TI.

cnequzlnil3allt4fl - yr
ni
Kypca
KyPUa HaquHaerct
CersaHHHX*
H3yqeHne pflAa npeAMeTOB, le[ocpeAcTBeHHO
AYr{eil nPo$eccnefi'
np(
nonyveHltt crefleHn 6axalaepa cryAeH'rbl Aon)KHbI

TpeTbel0
u rpertero
8. C

Time to Address our Education Crisis, Too

g. .{nr

14 CAaTb TpeoyeMl
rxaTb onpeAeJreHHoe KOIfiqecTBo neKIII4fi

3aMeHbI.

CIIIA'
10. floryvr'rB Bbrculee o6pasonaHlae r
crpaHe MI'Ipa'
r{a nepcreKruBHyro pa6ory e ro6ofi

Mo)KHo

&

of the
Task XIl. Give a brief comparative summary

tems of the IJK and the USA'

(-Gl Follow-up
Task

Xlll.

Act out the following siiuations'

for and the possibility of ohd

I . You are discussing the reasons
your major with your academic faculty advis.er' ,:
-,- at
-L:
2. A Belarusian (Russian) student exchanges information
rni*i"t f.o."iur". in'Belarusian (Russian) and American
sities with his American friend'
abroad' Y
3. Suppose you have got an opportunity.to studyand
a Briti
to choose between an Ameiican university
class' '
the
with
views
Whu, *itt your choice be? Share your

&

TasR

XIV. Make up a tist of questions to ask at the

view. Role-play the interview with your groupmates:

For examPle:
States?
How have you prepared yourself to study in the
English
How well can you speak, read and write the
Have you taken an English proficiency test?

Optional Reading

ll'you think our nation's financial crisis has been staggering, wait
you consider our educational crisis. The new economy is a
rrvlcdge-based economy, and we are woefully lagging other coun-

il

in the accumulation of formal knowledge.

Ncarly 40o/o of Americans ages 55-64 have either a Bachelor's
) or an Associate's degree, making us the world leader in that
l'rrrge. In contrast, while about 40Yo of 25- to 34-year-old Ameris lrave Bachelor's or Associate's degrees, we rank 1Oth in educatllris age group behind such countries as Canada, Japan and South

Why do we lag so far behind? Other countries see education as a

cl priority. They invest in building new colleges, expanding exf'. ones, improving curricula and providing incentives for young
c to continue their educations. In a generation, we have recon:d the way we expect young people to fund their educations.
r tlccades ago, grants covered more of the costs. Now, more stus shoulder heavy loans - the average college student graduates
r irt least $20,000 in debt.
lrr recently reviewing these trends, the Lumina Foundation for
rrlion, a private foundation based in Indiana, has set an exciting
. ll would like the higher-education attainment rate in the USA to
'rrsc from 40Yo to 60% by 2025.If that goal were met, the US
kl have l6 million additional college graduates. If it is not met
inir says, our nation is likely to face a shortage of college'rrtcd workers by 2020, especially as the highly educated Baby
crs retire.
221

220

graduates, we will have to foctl0

-' Af,rican Americansl
those underrepresented in highei education

To produce more college

at least four yeat

Latinos. More than 30% of white adults have
of
f.g", compared with l8% of blacks and.lT%o Titpuni-":: ^^""f frhut ro do? First, we must'make higher education more ac
*".t" q"l-":l
ble, which means more affordable' Federal and
*urt off". less costly loan programs and better grant programs"
It ougl
Pell Grant has been increased to a little more than $4'700'
as,defense'
;; ;#i"J by cutiing spending in other areas' such
t.2-,G'),
thlough
(Kindergarlen
cond, we *usi investinore in K-l2
st
more
that
so
cities'
education, with emphasis on the inner
ready lor college'
to indivi
We must invest not only to provide opportunities
c.ompetitii
as
to.be
students, but also to gin" oui"ountty a chance
othernationswhoseeducationalprofileslookfarbetterthanours'
By Julianne Malv
USA TodaY, October 24,
Higher Education: Special lnterest or NationalAsset?
marke
The deepening financial crisis that is now affecting
wh{
p"opl. urouna tne"gtobe gives new context to
1"t^L".':"^1
t".?n1
ii-ng. A*"ricans calnnot tnink of business as.usual
prUii" or private life, including higher education' Presiden
and- enc
rack Obama will have very little financial latitude
and Afghanis
Iraq
in
wars
the
with
,n"Jio* problems, beginning
tror.rbled health-care

,yrl".,

und thp complex economic conundrum'

gollegq
It is time to strengthen and clariff the role that we at
nation
The
universities can play-in this unsettling environment'
c-a1 sei1e,
un unp."""dented moment, one that higher education

ofpo,tr,llty to become a more cruciai determinant.?f th"

lill

been on th
Uy tfie United States: Higher education has not
"n agenda except insofar uJ*" at" viewed as less and^le-ss.al
tional
of chall
able, and to some extent less relevant to a broad range
at
elective
an
us
as
view
public
policy makers and the

tJt

in

"if""t,
more, not 1".r, knowledge and preparation are needed to:
when
come our national diffictrlties' That must change'

lioremost, our national leaders must reinforce the public sector's

pnrt in the 'three-legged stool' business model that has made Amerian lrigher education so successful. Those three sources ofsupport are
fturrr students and their families, the university itself, and state and
ferlcral governments. Unfortunately and unden iably, the publi c-sector
Itrpport has declined relative to need. For example, the value of Pell
ltrrrrts has not kept pace with inflationary increases in the cost of
drrcation, and federal student aid has gravitated from gtants to loans.
I'he inability or unwillingness of the public sector to carry its
Fcight is creating enorrnous challenges at a time when demand for
friplror education has never been greater, and when the issue of aftlability is paramount. The next administration must set policy parcters to preserve its stake in the 'education compact' that has
ccl the country so well, and in the long run ensure that higher edulion can play its relevant part in sustaining the national interest.
lligher education must also change. The political process, at a
tc of reduced flexibility in discretionary federal spending, has made
lloges and higher-education associations appear to be jubt so many
:ial-interest groups, rather than enterprises oriented toward helpthe country to solve its most pressing challenges. We approach
nslrington and our state capitals with a grab bag of requests. At
rcs we seem more intent on protecting our own flanks than on dealwitlr issues that are relevant to society.
What specifically can and should we do to regain our credibility
lrclp to solve the difficult and complex problems now facing our
trtry?

liirst, at a time of fiscal dislocation, there is nothing more compellhan leading by example. Those of us who work at colleges and
ities can all learn from the significant streamlining that has
r done at other higher-education institutions, particularly public
:r'sities. We all rnust work to aggressively and systematically re't: costs to gain savings, even if relatively. marginal, and use those
irrgs to slow the rate of tuition increases. For our students and their
ilics, every dollar counts.
223

222

Secorrd, the enormous potential of higher education to

problems dispassionately and thoroughly must be deployed to in
the policy debate on the thorniest issues. We must cease abdi
our policy role to think tanks and once again become the nation'
tellectual bully pulpits, debating the best ways to solve
problems - health-care delivery and renewable energy, to name
two - as an extrapolation of our missions of researcfr and ou
We can support the rise in student voluhteerism in our local
nities and nationally. We can focus more directly on our role in
culture by maintaining and even enhancing our efforts in the arts
the humanities.

Third, we must become better citizens locally and regionally

a force for economic development in our states. We need to help
states to think about better ways to fulfil their obligations to
people even as public resources diminish. Our community col
already very valuable, call, with appropriate government support,
come even more nimble and effective in responding to local
work-force retraining. Our four-year colleges and universities can
collaborate more aggressively with local companies to develop
ships and summer-job opportunities that can pay off in highly
additions to the regional work force a few years down the road.
land-grant universities have extension components that
linked rnore closely to regional economic development. Our
universities can contribute even more in the area of technology tif
fer and the promotion of business incubators and start-ups.
Robust collaborations between higher education and the
community in every locale must be potent forces for economic
lopment. Many of our institutions are already successfully
such activities, but national models and best practices must be
loped. The times require that we redouble our efforts.
Fourth, American higher-education institutions also have tho
to think internationally and set up the programs that ensure a
cient work force for the new global economy and a ready flow
search leading to innovation. Our main industries of growth
national boundaries. With the information and idea sharing
lnternet makes possible, we in higher education, too, must

tlr.so boundaries. we-can accomprish basic

research and innovation
rrrrl their application in pharmaceuticar deveropmen!

ug.i"uriu.., und
n"rcrous other areas - as easily on the other side,
oF rrr" jou" .,
d'wr the hall. we must work wiih counterparts and partners
overseas
lo lrrrild capacity so that all boats
bcirrg depends in part on the suc
htlrr, depends on the availability of
j.r' tlran can be trained onry in cofleges and universities
on American
Ioil
I

mes, colleges may be tempted to

we need to tead with hu_
es ln not only good times but also
slrrrllcrrgrng ones. racurty members are the heart
of our institutions,
lllrl we must vigorously defend the tenure svstem as rveil oo
offer ado_
{Urrlc salaries and start-up packages.
leges anr.l

bnl;,

hrrrri

Tg:y

ranks
ll::i:::'::';j1"^l:.".1ry,"ri.pto!""'
as important, only in a different way.
We should n"fp iu in_

ytrr

.;rrst

u,.,.y"|as possitre. we must u" Jrnpnv;,li:i:"11a:il.::]r1*

i l'at
lead the way to show that Americun
orguni*;;;;;;'il"d:
'l
'ur human resources even, or especia'y, in a time or nnurliur
:lis.

lrinally, we need to exprain ourselves

more crearry and prainry to
American people, who struggle to pay
our tuition. e, tn! p.ili
cr education continues to escarate, students
"f
and famiries are find-

they wiu e"t ;;;i;;;;;;.

y-11
:i:fl::.^if:T:
cc. One of the great strengths
'h:J tnk
of American htgh;;;;;;;; l;;fr;
yet we ha've not d.;;;
: ::i,.:::::1,',l1u,i:lr.item.bra93s,
il;l
rlr's
we should to articurare

r*i"r";;;;;ff;;",

the distingui.tring
lcgcs and universities and the types
o"i siuaents that each kind
itrrtion can best serve. We have made

of

ffi;;
*ttt improve one's career options,"...;;;;;;";il
but we have forgotten to
i::.
rirr,
istinctive missiorrs, *n" *"'l',np";;;ffi;;
tlnuri:n must clearty indicare tir;;";;;;?;g
: ll,: vr c rrusrilr cducation
lr'tan"
andthe place ofthe urtr,

I srcial sciences
rrct.

in deveroping eaucaiJ

hun,unirier,

It,s time to
"i,ir"nr.

ro-

224

225

nrortgage (n)

be front and

If there was ever a time for higher education to

to
in ,otuing societal problems - including those related
diversification and development

eco

that time is now'

By

Cornell

prolit (n) - rroJrb3a, Bbrr-oAa; npn6uls, AoxoA

raqrirl (adj) - 6ucrpuft, ctcopsrfr
roybcans (n) - coesrre 6o6u
llrrgnation (n) - sacrofi, 3acrofiHocrb
thrt'clbld (adj) - yrpoeuHuft, rpoftttofi
tirlrbcr (n) - recorvrarepHanbl, crpoenofi lec
*trrchousing (n) - xpanenne, pa3MeIIIeHHe Ha cKJIaAe
Wlrt'll (n) - nureHl,Iua

The Economy of the United States of America

O lask

l'. Make sure

you know

Pre-Reading

the fotlowing words and word

nations:
acquire (v)

biofuel(n)
cereals (n) -

nprao6perarb' Aocrularb

I lask tt. Mind the fottowing

6nororlrlnBo
.,

.i

crude oil - HeoqnureHuar ue$rr

B
depreciate (v) - o6ecueHl'IBarbcfl' naAarb ueHe
Meluarb
discourage (v) - npemrcrBoBarb,
downturn (n) - YueHuIreHHe' crlaA
npc
enterprise (n) - npeAnpnHl'IMareJlbcrBo' npoMbIlIrJIeHHoe
tTHe, npeAnpHI',IMqHBOCTb
entrepreneurship (n) - npeAnpl'IHuMareJlbcrBo
erode (v) - Pa3seAarb' Pa3PYIxarb
extraction (n) - ao6srsaHl{e, H3BJrerreHue
I
grain (n) - 3epHo, xle6srte 3naKH
J
- -----.
rlpolt3Boo:T-"i
i
iayoff, (n) - npl4ocraHoBKa I'rnH npeKpalqeHue
npoll3BoAcrB8
u3-3a orcyrcrnur pa6orbl; npnocraHoBKa
HeHI,Ie

lead (n) - cBHHeIr

leasing service - JII'I3LIHroBas ycnym

lumbei (n) - (Am.) nunoMarepl{anrt, 6peaua

maize (n) - rcYrYPY3a, Mallc
mining (n) - roPuoe Aeno
226

proper nouns and abbreviations:

l(' - Brazil, Russia, India, China

xne6Hble 3JIaKH

consumption (n) - norPe6leuue

copper (n) - uear
corn (n) - 3epHo' (Am.) KyKypy3a' Mauc
costs (n) - 3arParbl' I'BAePxKI'I

sarcnaA, urloreKa

polk (n) - cBI,IHITHa

porrltry (n) - 4ouauHqt nrnqa

DnidJ.
PersPectives, 2l November

ovc:rtake (v) - 4oroutrb, fleperoHflTb

pstrrrleum (n) - nerprr, 6eHsuH

central intelligence agency

rrrbled Asset Relief Program - nporpaMMa BbIKyna npo6leuustx
'illroB

D
Task

lll.

ReaOing and Comprehension Activities

Go through the text and check your understanding by doing

lasks thaf follow:

lhe United States of America has the world's largest and most
rrrologically powerful economy in the world. According to the CIA
rlltl Factbook, 2008 GDP is believed to be $14.58 trillion. This is
r

lirnes the size of the next largest economy, Japan.

tlS dominance has been eroded however by the creation of the

rpcan Union common market, which has an equivalent GDP of
,ximately $15 trillion, and by the rapid growth of the BRIC
rrornies, in particular China, which is forecast to overtake the US
rizc within 30 years.

l)cspite the country's position as the most powerful economy, it

lirces many serious economic problems. Some of these are short227

underlying weakness'
term, but some of them reflect an
include inadequate investment
::]
*iar""r and pension costs of an aging population'
stagnation of family income in
zable trade and budget deficits, and
trade deficit reached a
lower economi" g,ot'i'-' The merchundit"
to $810 billion t" to^l:-l
cord $847 billion in-iool,but declined
rat; for the dollar against most major c
depreciating
"x"hung"
US imports and made US exports.*-" :::l
ait"orlged
the sub-prime mortgage
";*
uU.ouC. the ltobal economic downturn'
plt^",:ti^":-1J,tt,::
sis, investment bank failures, falling .h"-:
stabilize ;
States tnto a recession' To help to
Uni
il't"
ilh;J
"d
billion Tr
a
cial markets, the US Congress established $]!O
2008' The Government
Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October
US banks and other il
in
equity
-r
^^*^ ^rtho"e firnds to-purchase
Congress
US
January 2009 the
signed
';hilt';a bitt Proviaing an addit ano ortc rrrrid
udditionuitpending
y recover'
jobs
to
and
tax cuts - to create
as a'mixed'
_economy is
rv4rt vvv'vrr_J
American
The
I ll9 nrrlvr
prl
role
with the Government playing an important
grrlvl Pr rrv. fn" nrn"t"un"fre"e enterptit" 1Yt:"^T,
enterprise.
::t
goods artu or^ "-9s;
o*""?.ftlp. Private businesses produce most
economt:.
almost two thirds of itte nation's total
":lpt:
-gt::.t:.i
by
is bought
third
;i;;;t for personal use (the remaining one
fact'
in
great'
so
is
role
Con"rn.n"niand business). The consumer
having a 'consumer
as
characterized
is sometimes

tl""::y

;;ilt

ilt"oil#;

in.-*ion
nomy'.

to make and sell'

Producers decide which goods and services
time'
same
the
howmuch to ask for those products' At
""""1-T:l:

cidewhattheywillp,"t'u*andhowmuchmoneytheyarewilling
between coml
goods and services' The interaction
different D--srrrv'Yrrrvr
pay
P4J for
ting producers, who attemPt to

who try to PaY as I

"onru-"tt,
rrlrimqtelv determines the
,,,^-+
rL're
economy' the Government plays a lllllltcu
making. However, the United States.doeslot
the Government plays an important
pure market

""ono*y,-*d

rrr

ht

It provides services and goods that the market

r,rrrr()t provide effectively, such as national defence, assistance progr :rrrrs for low-income families, and interstate highways and airports.
I lrc Government also provides incentives to encourage the production
rrn(l consumption of cerlain types of products, and discourage the prorlrrttion and consumption of others; sets general guidelines for doing
lrrr.rirress and makes policy decisions that affect the economy as a
rllr,rle; establishes safety guidelines that regulate consumer products,
\r o r.k i n g cond ition s, and environmental protection.
llre rrational economy.

'l'he factors of production, which in the United States are contr,llcd by individuals, fall into four major categories: natural reirlur ces, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship.
l'he United States is rich in mineral resources and fertile farm
s,il. and it is blessed with a moderate climate. The country has re.,r'r vcs of coal, copper, lead, phosphates, potash, silver, zinc, petroh'rrrrr, natural gas, timber, etc. The US has the world's largest coal
rr',,crves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27Yo of the world's
fol;rl. lt also has extensive coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific
( )( ('iurs, as well as on the Gulf of Mexico. Rivers flow from far within
tlrt' continent and the Great Lakes provide additional shipping access.
llrt'sc extensive waterways have helped to shape the country's ecoironric growth over the years and helped to bind America's 50 indivrrlrrrrl states together in a single economic unit.
l,abour converts natural resources into goods. The number of
uvrrilable workers and their productivity help to determine the health
ll rrr economy. Of the 304 million people living in the US in 2008,
rrcrrrly 155.2 million adults were working or actively looking for
rvrrrl'. Of this total in 2008, 0.6Yowere employed in farming, forestry,
rrrrl lishing, 22.6% in manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and
r r;rlis, 35.50% in managerial, professional, and technical services,
=' I li'% in sales and office, 16.5% in other services. Labour-force quality
'rrtinues to be an impor-tani issiie, Today, Americans consider 'hurrr;rrr capital' a key to success in numerous modern, high-techrroiogy
Irrrlrrslries. As a result, government leaders and business officials inlr':rsiugly stress the importance of education and training to develop
ir,rrlicrs with the kind of nimble minds and adaptable skills needed in
rr,'rv irrdustries such as computers and telecommunications.
229

lirrits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish;

lirlcst products.
'l'he US remains the leading world expofter of wheat, maize and
ro.ybeans and its meat exports grow steadily. The EU and the US are
llrc world's biggest cheese producers, accounting for almost 70Yo of
grroduction. The US is the largest producer and consumer of poulfry
nrrtl nreat products. Grains and animal products account for two thirds
ol llre export gains.
Asia continues to be an important growth market for US agriculIrrlal commodities.
Global biofuels production has expanded rapidly in recent years,
;rlirying an increasingly important role in the cereals, oils and sugar
rurrkets and appears set to continue on this growth path. The market
is tlominated by ethanol, which grew threefold from 2000 to 2007,
trririnly in the US (world leader with production of 30 billion litres)
Errrl Brazil (19 billion litres).

In February 2009 the number of unemployed persons increased

indr
12.5 million and the unemployment rate rose to 8'l%' In key
have
layoffs
tries - manufacturing, financial services and retail are aDanc
celerated so quickly as to suggest that many companles
ning whole areas of business.

includes buildings, equipment, and other intermedis

p.oduci, that businesses use to make other goods or services' But
inventories of
nesses have additional capital investments in their
nished products, raw materials, and partially completed-goods'
Bui natural resources, labour and capital account for only part
and di
an economic system, These resources must be organized
managers'
as efficiently as possible. In the American economy'
tr
sponding to signals from markets, perform this function'.The
chl
tional m-anagerial structure in America is based on a top-down
boh
the
in
executive
chief
the
from
of command; authority flows
room, who makes sure that the entire business runs efficien'
through various lower levels. of management responsible for cool
on
nating different pafts of the enterprise, down to the foreman
shophoor. Many enterprises nowadays continue to operate with
trad-itional structure, but others have taken changing views on
agement. Facing heightened global competition, American busil
aL seeking moie flexible organisation structures, especially in
technologf industries that employ skilled workers and must de
q
modiff, and even customize products rapidly' As a result, --uny
structuret,
puni"s have 'flattened' theii organisational
.t:du::l
number of managers, and delegated more authority to interdi
nary teams of workers.

tapitat

Manufacturing. The USA is the leading manufacturer in the

wolld, highly diversified and technologically advanced. Main induslrics are petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunicaliorrs, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumbe r'. rnining.
't-he US by far remains the world's leading manufacturer by value
ol goods produced. It hit a record $1.6 trillion in 2007.In2007 the US

Ioltl more than $200 billion worth of aircraft, missiles and spacerclrrlcd equipment, $80 billion worth of automobiles and auto parts.
l)ccrc & Co., best known for its bright green and yellow tractors, sold

tlo 5 billion worth of farming

equipment, much of it to the rest of the

also
world. There are
such energy products as gas turbines for power
plnrrts made by General Electric, computer chips from Intel and fighlel icts from Lockheed Martin among leading US categories of prodUlls l-lousehold names sdch as GE, General Motors, IBM, Boeing,
lle wlett-Packard are among the largest manufacturers by revenue.

Sectors of EconomY
The Agriculture, Fcrestry and Fisiring sector comprises
iishments frimarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals,
vesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals on a I
ranch. or from their natural habitats.
In 2008 agriculture accounted fot l-ZYo of the US GDP'
American major crops and products are wheat, corn, other
230

'l'he private non-good producing industries account for

ap-

pt'rrxirnately 70Yo of total economic activity in the US. These industties include financial services, retail trade, wholesale trade, and the
231

service industries, government services, transportation, entertainrn

tourism, etc.
The US service sector is the largest sector in the economy
accounts for an increasingly significant share of GDP. Both in the
as well as in other industrialized nations, the service sector is a
namic component of economic activity and growth. It includes a

variety of businesses: Truck Transportation, Messenger Services

warehousing; Securities, commodities, and other Financial Inr
ments; Rental and Leasing Services; Professional, Scientific,
Technical Services; Health Care and Social Assistance, etc' Gov
ment services play a major role in the economy
The United States is one of the most significant nations in
world when it comes to international trade. For decades, it has led
world in imports while simultaneously remaining as one of the:
three exporters of the world.
The leading US exports include: agricultural products (
fruit, corn), industrial supplies (organic chemicals), capital
(transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, te
tions equipment), consumer goods (automobiles, medicines)'
partners are Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, the UK and Germany'
Major imports are agricultural products, industrial supplies (c
oil), capital goods (computers, telecommunications equipment,
vehicle parts, office machines), consumer goods (automobiles,
ing, medicines, furniture, toys). China, Canada, Mexico, Japan
Germany are chief trading partners'

It's interesting to know...

./

232

The economic history of the United States has its roots in

pean settlements in the l6d', l7h, and 18ft centuries. The
can colonies progressed from marginally successful
economies to a small, independent farming economy'
1776 became the United States of America. In 230 yearr
United States grew to a huge, integrated, industrialized
that makes up over a quarter of the world economy. The

causes were a large unified market, a supportive political-legal

system, vast areas of highly productive farmlands, vast natural resources (especially timber, coal and oil), and an entrepreneurial
spirit and commitment to investing in material and human capital.
ln addition, the US was able to exploit these resources due to a
unique set of institutions desigrred to encourage exploration and

cxtraction. As a result, the US's GDP per capita converged on

that of the UK, as well as other nations that it previously trailed
cconomically. The economy has maintained high wages, attracting immigrants by the millions from all over the world.
'lhe Great Depression in the United States, worst and longest ecorromic collapse in the history of the modern industrial world, lasting
liom the end of 1929 until the early 1940s. Beginning in the
United States, the depression spread to most of the world's industrial countries, which in the 20tl' century had become economically dependent on one another. The Great Depression saw rapid
declines in the production and sale of goods and a sudden, severe
lise in unemployment. Businesses and banks closed their doors,
people lost their jobs, homes, and savings, and many depended on
charity to survive. In 1933, at the worst point in the depression,
rnore than 15 million Americans - one-quarter of the nation's
workforce - were unemployed.
'l'he US dollar is the unit of currency of the United States and is
clefined by the Coinage Act of 1792 to be between 371 and 416
grains (27.0 gram) of silver (depending on purity). It is divided
into 100 cents. Taken over by the Congress of the Confederation
ol'the United States on July 6,1785, the US dollar is the currency
used in many international transactions. Although US dollar is a
llat currency, several countries use it as their official currency,
irnd in many others it is the de facto currency.
'he colloquialism buck is often used to refer to dollars of various
nations, including the US dollar. This term, dating to the l8th century, may have originated with the colonial fur trade. Greenback
is another nickname originally applied specifically to the lgth century Demand Note dollars created by Abraham Lincoln to finance
f

233

the costs of the Civil War for the North. The original note
printed in black and green on the back side. It is still used to rc
to the US dollar (but not to the dollars of other countries).
The first institution with responsibilities of a central bank in
US was the First Bank of the United States, chartered in l79l
Alexander Hamilton. Its charter was not renewed in l8ll,
1816, the Second Bank of the United States was chartered.
renewal of the bank's charter became the primary issue in the
election of President Andrew Jackson. After Jackson, who
opposed to the central bank, was re-elected, he pulled the
vernment's funds out of the bank. Nicholas Biddle, President
the Second Bank of the United States, responded by
the money supply to pressure Jackson to renew the bank's
The country entered into a recession, and the bank blamed
son's policies. The bank's charter was not renewed in 1836.
1837 to 1862, in the Free Banking Era there was no formal
bank. From 1862 to 1913, a system of national banks was
tuted by the 1863 National Banking Act. A series of bank
in 1873,1893, and 1907 provided strong demand for the c
of a centralized banking system.
The Federal Reserve System (also the Federal Reserve; i
mally The Fed) is the central banking system of the United
Created in 1913 by the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act,
a quasi-public (government entity with private components)
ing system that comprises (l) the presidentially appointed
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D
(2) the Federal Open Market Committee; (3) twelve regional
vately-owned Federal Reserve Banks located in major
throughout the nation acting as fiscal agents for the US
each with its own nine-member board of directors; (4) nu
other private US member banks, which subscribe to
amounts of non-transferable stock in their regional Federal
serve Banks; and (5) various advisory councils.
In its role as the central bank of the United States, the Fed
as a banker's bank and as the government's bank. As the
bank, it helps to assure the safety and efficiency of the
234

system. As the government's bank, or fiscal agent, the Fed pro_

of financial transactions involving trillions of dollars. Just as an individual might keep an account at a bank, the US

cesses a variety

'freasury keeps a checking account

with the Federal Reserve
through which incoming federal tax deposits and outgoing go_
vernment payments are handled. As part of this service relationship, the Fed sells and redeems the US Government securities
such as savings bonds and rreasury bills, notes and bonds. It also
issues the nation's coin and paper currency. The US Treasury,
lhrough its Bureau of the Mint and Bureau of Engraving and
l'rinting, actually produces the nation's cash supply and, in effect,
sells it to the Federal Reserve Banks at manufacturing cost, currently about 4 cents per bill for paper curency. The Federal Reserve Banks then distribute it to other financial institutions in various ways. The Federal Reserve System's role as a central bank is
criticized for enabling the United States Federal Government to
issue fiat currency.

rask lv. The words below are from the text. Fiil the appropriate
fuues with the words related to them:

235

9,

laslr V.

Look through the text and

productive work (especially physical work done for wages);

10. something that stimulates one to take action, work harder; encour-

pick out the words that

comptete
iqiiiiiini in ^""niri ti in" rouo*ng-definitions.
boxes;
iiJ r,na a key word in the centre

agement.

the pa

O lask Vl. Match the verbs on the left with a suitabte object on the
rlght to make correct word-combinations. Say in what connection
lhcse collocations are mentioned in the text:

z
4

l, lo be eroded by

a. serious economic problems

2, lo face
.1, to stabilize

b. additional shipping access

c. a limited role
d. a wide variety of businesses
e. the creation of the EU
f. the"importance of education and training
g. more authority
h. financial markets
i. private ownership

4, to emphasize

l.

to play

provide
lo stress
[, to include

(r, to

7,

l), to pass and sign

l0 to delegate

l0

1.

Task Vll. Check your understanding of the gist by saying whether

lhnse stafemenfs as True or False. Provide additional information or

producing' or ma
the price paid or required for acquiring'
time' or enerry;
something, usually measured in money'

2. ilaftl"lfl}f"ss
ing

lpcls:
I

andi
of cultivating the 5oil, producing crops,

livestock;

t .,___-_ +^
buy
to rrrrr'
under which a person borrows money
take.possessir
perty, especially a house, "$.th" lender^may
h" p-p"tty if ihe bonower fails to repay tl" tolt],1-:-

3. ;""##;l

perio
during a certain -^-:;
4. ; ;t'-" o, ,"r,"out" a-djusting expensesperiod;
for that

th;

estimated or

fiied

income
,i
goods or servicesfor personal needs and
ii'the production ofother goods for resalel

5. ap
for
6. a gathering of people for buying and selling things' esp
,
provisions or livestock:
,
comPany;
or
venture
7. a business
8. A; t"* or amount of money or its equivalent for which anyl
is bought, sold, or offered for sale;

j. a bill

'l'he US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008 to help to solve some shortlerm economic problems.
I'he US economy is mainly based on a free enterp,rise system.
'l'he American free enterprise system emphasizes government
control.
'l'he United States has a pure market economy, and the Governrnent plays an important role in the national economy.

'l'he factors of production are controlled by individuals in the

tjnited States.
'l'he United States is rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil
irr addition to a moderate climate.
'l'he traditional managerial structure in America is based on a
rlown-top chain of command.
237

236

Germany is an important growth market for US agricultural

modities.
g. There are different energy products among leading US
of production.
10. Th; private non-good producing industries include
in glowing crops' raising animals' h
primarity

It.
U

What are the key sectors of American economy?

What are the American major crops and products?
10. What is the role of the US in global biofuels production?

8.

timber,"ngug"d

O lask X. ldentify the key senfences in each paragraph. By doing this

yott'll sum up the facts about:

the
T'ask VItt. Finish up the suggesfed sfafements using
from the text above:

l
2.
3.

The US dominance has been eroded by ' " and " '
... pushed the United States into a recession'

4.
5

The interaction between competing "' and "' ultimately

mines the price of goods and services'
The factors of production, which in the United States are
trolled by individuals, fall into four major categories: " '
Extensive waterways ...

6'ThetraditionalmanagerialstructureinAmericaisbasedon...

means that ...

The US main industries are

'..
S.TheUSbyfarremainstheworld,sleadingmanufacturerby'..

g.

Service sector includes a wide variety of businesses:

10. The leading US exports include " '

'''

&TasktX.Re.readthetext,payingmoreattentiontothedetailso
to answer the questions that follow:

l.
2.
3.
4.

What are the current problems the United States faces

What measures have been taken to help the economy to
What system is the US economy based on?
Why is the nation's economy called a 'consumer economy'
times?

5.
6.
7.
238

What is the role of the Government in the US economy?

provide anY services and goods?
Is the country rich in mineral resources?
What is the level of unemployment in the USA?

L
),

the place of the USA among the world's most competitive economies;
the real state of the US economy nowadays and measures that are
taken to help to stabilize financial markets, create jobs and help
the economy to recover;
1 the way the American economy is better described;
4 the way the economy works and the role and functions of the
Government;
5, lbur major factors of production in the USA;
(r the US leading agricultural products;
'1, the reasons why the USA is the leading manufacturer in the world
and what its main industries are;
[, the largest sector in the American economy;
tJ lhe reasons why the country is one of the most significant nations
in the world when it comes to international trade;
10. the US main imports, exports and major trading partners.

TaskXl. Check how well you know the economy of the United Sfafes

ril Ameica by choosing the

'fhe ...

Government

nnectvaiantfrcm the altematives below:

is responsible for national defence, backs

to the development of new products,

research that often leads

oonducts space exploration, and runs numerous programs designed to help workers develop workplace skills and find jobs.

l.

a. Federal
b. State

c. city
d. local
'l'he Federal Government pursues the policy of laissez faire, a system of government that upholds the autonomous character of the

cconomic order, believing that the Government should ... the direction of economic affairs.
a. control and intewene in c. not intervene in
b. follow
d. intervene as little as possible in
239

c. nuclear weapons
d. the assembly line

3.

lt By 2009,the

Ford Motor Company had become the second largest

automaker in Europe (only behind ...), with large markets in the

United Kingdom and Germany and sales that exceeded those in

4.
system. and comPetition

b.
c.
d.

enterPnse

'

and Providing Public goods and

vices

front
Presid6nt
a. Georg

the

The

5.

one

States

c'

ictures

"''

Ro

11

d. Theodore ttoosevelt
and/or silver standard
standard
The dollar ur"d ;;i;
until 1975, when it became "' '

..

-""*.",

the dollar value of all goods and

the US economy in one Year'

c' Consumer Price Index

a.
b. Gross Domestic Product d' Interest Rate as was
A relatively independent central bank' known "''
inlgl3toprovid.eastablecuffencyandmonetarypolicy.
Value Added

8.

from I

a. anational currency c'afiat currency

b. a physical currency d' a stable currency
services

Tax

a. the Federal Reserve

b. The Chicago Board of Trade

c.

the New

d.

the Federal Bank

York Stock Exchange

York Stock
... is the first permanent home of the New
Street
Main
c'
a. Downing Street
d' Times Square
Street
b. Wall
iO. century, the automobile companies of I
10. ; th"
""tfv
Olds and Henry Ford Promoted " ' '

9.

a. the Patent for the telePhone

b. the phonograPh

b.

c. Volkswagen

d. Chrysler
cosmetics, perfume and toy seller with markets in over
140 countries across the world and sales of $9.9 billion world-

Toyota

... is a US

wide as of 2007

of

b. Abraham Lincoln

6.

tho'

the United States.

a. General Motors

a.
b.

Oriflame Cosmetics S.A. c. Avon Products Inc.

The L'Oreal Group d. Max Factor & Company

'l'he ... company, which distributes its soft drinks around tho
world, began in Atlanta in 1886, when a pharmacist John
Pemberton invented a new drink.

a. McDonald's
b. Coca-Cola

c. Levi Strauss
d. Pepsi
Although US workers have long had the right

to organize, only ...

of them were labour union members in 2006.

c. 5 o/o
a. 50%

d. t2%
b.32%
'Ihe groups of workers getting the highest average wages' moro
than $80.000 ayear, havejobs

in...

a. agriculture,
b. food preparation and seryice
c. management and law
d. construction
As a proportion of GDP, public health care spending in the United
States is ... in most other large Western countries.
c. not so large as
a. the same as

b.

d. larger than
smaller than
Americans are convinced that ... promotes economic growth, stl-

cial stability, and democracy in individual countries and that it

241

240

in in
advances world prosperity, the rule of law, and peace

... is the nation's most populous

tional relations'

California
c. Hawaii
Florida
d. Michigan
'l'o meet its needb, the USA must import ...

c. implementation of new technologies

a.
b.

d. spirit of enterPrise
l8.TheUnitedStatessupportedtrade...andwasinstrurhentalin
(GA
creation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
an international code oftariffand trade rules'
c. liberalization
d. cancellation
19. ... is an international organization (founded in 1945) whose
aims are to facilitate Cooperation in international law' it
tional security, economic development, social progress' h

a. tightening
b. limitation

rights, and achieving world Peace'

u.- tt," United Nations c. The World Health organization

d. The Group of 7
Agreement (NAFTA) is a
Trade
Free
20. The North American
eral trade bloc in North America created by the governments
the United States, ' '. .
a. Canada and Brazil c' France and the UK

b. The League ofNations

d. Canada and Mexico

21'TheUnitedStatesisthe..'largestproducerofoilintheworld,
well as its largest imPofter'

a. second
b. first

c. third

d. fourth

22. Ameican agriculture increasingly has become "' ' a term crel
in
to reflect the big, corporate nature of many farm enterprises
modern US economY.
a. an 'agribusiness' c. the 'Garden of America'
d. an'agrimarket'
b. a'family farm'

23. This region is known as the nation's 'breadbasket' because

abundant production ofoats, wheat, and corn'
c. the Midwest
a. the West
b. the Middle Atlantic d. the East
242

for its movio

a.
b.

a. trade
b. free market sYstem

b. Brazil and Mexico

state, and is famous

and high-technology industries.

)l

coal and copper

gold and silver

c. chemicals
d. iron ore and petroleum
What are the country's major export partners?
a. Canada and Mexico c. the EU countries
b. China and Russia
d. BRIC countries
... was the name that US President Franklin D. Roosevelt gavc to
a complex package of economic programs he initiated with thc
goal of giving relief to the unemployed, reform of business and
financial practices, and promoting recovery of the economy during'l'lrc

Great Depression.
a. The Great Deal
c. NAFTA
b. The New Deal
d. Laissez Faire
ln February 2009, President Barack Obama signed his hard-fouglrt
cconomic ... plan, which includes a combination of measurcs clesigned to maximize its political support, including tax cuts, additional spending on infrastructure and aid to the US states, which
are having their own budget difficulties.
il. recovery
c. stimulus
b. crisis
d. investment
Ilconomic ... is a historical process, the result of human innovtlion and technological progress. It refers to the increasing intcglttion of economies around 'the world, particularly through thc
rrrovement of goods, services, and capital across borders.
c. recesslon
b. 'Americanization' d. expansion
An economists' proverb says that when the United States sneezcs,
I he rest of the world . . . .
ir. catches a cold
c. stays in bed
b. sneezes too
d. gives a sigh ofrelief

249

Task Xtl. Translate the following sentences into English using

vocabulary of the text:

l.

2.
3.

3rconorr.ruqecxnfi npusttc n CIIIA, TaK Ha3blBaeMac ((BenHKat

rrpeccHr)), xapaKreplt3oBtlJlc.fl pe3KI,IM cnaAoM
pocroM 6espa6orr.rqrt u unQmqun.
Oeqeparsnaq pe3epBHat cncreMa CIXA KoHTponHpyer
AeHexHofi Maccbt B crpaHe lI oKa3blBasr KoJlocczrn6Hoe
ua QuHaHcoBbte p;IHKI,L
Beqyulee Mecro i] cenbcKoM xoggficree CIUA 3aHHMaer
HHe KpynHoro poraroto cKora H gouaruuefi rITHIlbI,
BO slflI lt MoJrorrHbIX npoAyKroB, BblpaupIBaHI'Ie 3epHoBblx,

osouefi

r.r

O lask Xlll. ln groups dr.scuss the following problems and then share
your major conclusions. Give extensive arguments to prove your posillon.

Spyxroe.

2.

4. B CIIIA, noMHMo xeJle3a, 4o6uaaro'r cBI,IHeIr, ue4u, ypaH,'d

5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

l,rnHHfi, TIHHK, BoJIbSpat, 3oJloro l.l cepe6po, a Hs Her{eranjti

cKoro cbrpbs - cepy, r<aluit,I,I3BecrH{K, necoK, rpanuft n 4p.
Clll4 norpe6lnor 25%o ncefi unponofi sHeprnu,
6olsure, .{eM nrc6at Apyrat crpaHa MHpa.

Hylo ponb HaptAy c qacrHblM npeAnpuHHMareJIbcTBoM.

CIIIA - xpynHefiurufi rr,rnporofi noKynarenb (l3olo rr,rnpoaoro

nopra) n npoAaBeu (18% unponoro nunopra).

10.

CIIIA, KaHaAa u MexcNra s 1994 r. 3aKnloqlmn

KaHcKoe coruIarlreHr,re o cso6oAe ropl'oBJIH, o6rerqus[ee
uoo6ueH ToBapaMH, ycnyraMlt
HAMI,I.

244

l.

xpynnefiutnfi cerrop eKoHoMItKIt CIIIA, rcoro

BKrroqaer MHo)I(ecrBo pa3JIHqHbIx orpacnefi u npoQeccnft.
[o6rrnaroqne orpacnfl xoscftcrBa l{rpalor x(n3HeHHo
ponb B o6ecneqennu 3KoHoMHrIecKoro pocra.
AuepvrcaHcKylo gKoHoMLIKy cneAyer orHecrlr K
cncreMe cMe[IaHHoro runa, n roropofi rocyAapcrBo Iinpaer
C$epa ycnyr

LI KanHTulJIoM Me)KAy

rpeMt

Follow-up Activities

Discussions of US economic stimulus plans are heating up. The

US Goveniment is prepared to spend billions to the economy to
regain its footing, but questions remain about where the money
should be best applied, what sectors should receive aid - and what
the likely outcomes will be. What would be your decision?
American prosperity has attracted worldwide attention and imitation. There are several key reasons why the US economy has been
so successful and other reasons why, in the 2l't century, it is possible that some other industrialized nations will surpass the US
standard of living. What are they?
A guiding principle of the US economy, dating back to the colonial peliod, has been that individuals own the goods and services
they make for themselves or purchase to consume. Individuals
and private businesses also control the factors of production.
They own buildings and equipment, and are free to hire workers,
and acquire things that businesses use to produce goods and services. Individuals also own the businesses that are established in
the United States. What are tiie strengths and weaknesses of this
system?

Greater world trade and cooperation offer an enormous range of

mutually beneficial activities. Trading with other countries inevitably increases opportunities for travel and cultural exchange, as
well as business opportunities. In a very broad sense, nations that
buy and sell goods and services with each other also have a
greater stake in other forms of peaceful cooperation, and in seeing
other countries prosper and grow. On the other hand, global interdependence also raises major problems. What are they?

Laissez-faire Vercus Government lntervention

Task XlV. Comment on the quotations:

L "In today's knowledge-based economy, what you earn depends

what you learn." Bill Clinton, 42nd US President
2. "If we only have great companies, we will merely have a
rous sociefr, not a great one. Economic growth and power are
means, not the definition, of a great nation." Jim Collins, B
Author and Theorist
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up
few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving,
it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it". Ronald Reagan, 40th
President

[D-l optional
The Role of Government in the Economy

America points to its free enterprise system as a model for

nations. The country's economic success seems to validate the
that the economy operates best when the Government leaves
nesses and individuals to succeed - or fail - on their own merits

open, competitive markets. But exactly how 'free' is business

America's free enterprise system? The answer is, 'not completely'.
complex web of governi-rrent regulations shape many aspects of
ness operations. Every year, the Government produces thousandg
pages of new regulations, often spelling out in painstaking detail
actly what businesses can and cannot do.
The Ameriean approach to govemment regulation is far from
however. In recent years, regulations havg grown tighter in somo
eas and been relaxed in others. Indeed, one enduring theme of
American economic history has been a continuous debate about
and how extensively, the Government should intervene in busi
affairs.
246

llistorically, the US government policy toward business was

Etrrnrled up by the French term laissez-faire -'leave it alone'. The
eoncept came from the economic theories of Adam Smith, the 18tl'er,rrtury Scot whose writings greatly influenced the growth of Americapitalism. Smith believed that private interests should have a frec
rcirr. As long as markets were free and competitive, he said, tlre actiorrs of private individuals, motivated by self-interest, would work
Iogcther for the greater good of society. Smith did favor some forms
ol government intervention, mainly to establish the ground rules for
[r'cc cnterprise. But it was his advocacy of laissez-faire practices that
eru'rrcd him favor in America, a country built on faith in the individual
arrrl distrust of authority.
Laissez-faire practices have not prevented private interests fronr
hrlrring to the Government for help on numerous occasions, howevcr.
l{rrrlroad companies accepted grants of land and public subsidies irr
crrn

llrc lgtr' century. Industries facing strong competition from abroad

ltrrvc long appealed for protections through trade policy. American
Rgriculture, almost totally in private hands, has benefited from govcrlment assistance. Many other industries also have sought and reeeivcd aid ranging from tax breaks to outright subsidies from thc
(

itlvernment.

Government regulation of private industry can be divided into two

- economic regulation and social regulation. Economic
tcgulation seeks, primarily, to control prices. Designed in theory to
prrrtcct consumers and certain companies (usually small businesses)
lionr more powerful companies, it often is justified on the grounds
llrrrl fully competitive market conditions do not exist and therefore
e rrrrr.rot provide such protections themselves. In many cases, however,
ee onomic regulations were developed to protect companies from what

err(cgories

llrcy described as destructive competition with each other. Social

11:gulation, on the other hand, promotes objectives that are not ecoIrorrric - such as safer workplaces or a cleaner environment. Social
rcgulations seek to discourage or prohibit harmful corporate behavior
ul lo encourage behavior deemed socially desirable. The government
247

controls smokestack emissions from factories, for instance, an

provides tax breaks to companies that offer their employees he
and retirement benefits that meet certain standards.

American history has seen the pendulum swing repeatedly

tween laissez-faire principles and demands for government
of both types. For the last 25 years, liberals and conservatives
have sought to reduce or eliminate some categories of economic
lation, agreeing that the regulations wrongly protected compal
from competition at the expense of consumers. Political leaders
had much sharper differences over social regulation, however.
rals have been much more likely to favor government intervention
promotes a variety of non-economic objectives, while conservatll
have been more likely to see it as an intrusion that makes businet
less competitive and less efficient.
About the USA, Outline of the US

Money in the US Economy

While the budget remained enormously important, the

fit
managing the overall economy shifted substantially from fiscal
to monetary policy during the later years of the 20u' century.
policy is the province of the Federal Reserve System, an i
US government agency. 'The Fed', as it is commonly known, i
72 regional Federal Reserve Banks and 25 Federal Reserve
branches. All nationally chartered commercial banks are required'
law to be members of the Federal Reserve System; membershi
optional for state-chartered banks. In general, a bank that is a
of the Federal Reserve System uses the Reserve Bank in its regi
the same way that a person uses a bank in his or her community.
The Federal Reserve Board of Governors administers the
Reserve System. It has seven members, who are appointed by

President to serve overlapping l4-year terms. Its most i

monetary policy decisions are made by the Federal Open
Committee (FOMC), which consists of the seven governors,'
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and
of four other Federal Reserve banks who serve on a rotating
248

fihlrough the Federal Reserve System periodically must report on its

Iriliorrs to Congress, the governors are, by law, independent from
tongress and the President. Reinforcing this independence, the Fed
gorrrlucts its most important policy discussions in private and often
discloses them only after a period of time has passed. It also raises all
trl'ils own operating expenses from investment income and fees for its
pwrr seryices.

I'he Federal Reserve has three main tools for maintaining control
l the supply of money and credit in the economy. The most imporlnrrt is known as open market operations, or.the buying and selling of
govcrnment securities. To increase the supply of money, the Federal
llesorve buys government securities from banks, other businesses, or
Itrtlividuals, paying for them with a check (a new source of money that
ll pr ints); when the Fed's checks are deposited in banks, they create
ltcw reserves - a portion of which banks can lend or invest, thereby
hrcrcasing the amount of money in circulation. On the other hand, if
llre lred wishes to reduce the money supply, it sells government secutllics to banks, collecting reseryes from them. Because they have
hrwcr reserves, banks must reduce their lending, and the money sup-

tuve

plv drops accordingly.

'l'he Fed also can control the money supply by specifuing what retcr vcs deposit-taking institutions must set aside either as currency in
tltcir vaults or as deposits at their regional Reserve Banks. Raising
lcscrve requirements forces banks to withhold a larger portion of their
flrrrtls, thereby reducing the money supply, while lowering requireltrt'rrls works the opposite way to increase the money supply. Banks
trllcn lend each other money over night to'meet their reserve requireltre rts. The rate on such loans, known as the 'federal funds rate', is a
hev gauge of how 'tight' or 'loose' monetary policy is at a given molltctrt.

'l'he Fed's third tool is the discount rate, or the i4terest rate that
r,orrrrnercial banks pay to borrow funds from Reserve Banks. By raising
ur lowering the discount rate, the Fed can promote or discourage borIrrrvirrg and thus alter the amount of revenue available to banks for
lltrrk ing loans.

249

These tools allow the Federal Reserve to expand or contract

amount of money and credit in the US economy. [f the money
rises, credit is said to be loose. In this situation, interest rates tet
drop, business spending and consumer spending tend to rise, and i
ployment increases; if the economy already is operating near its i
capacity, too much money can lead to inflation, or a decline ini
value of the dollar. When the money supply contracts, on the
hand, credit is tight. In this situation, interest rates tend to rise,
ding levels off or declines, and inflation abates; if the

operating below its capacity, tight money can lead to rising

ployment.
I I l9rrL.
Many,factors complicate the ability of the Federal Reserve to 'i
monetary policy to promote specific goals, however' For one
money takes many different forms, and it often is unclear which
to target. In its most basic form, money consists of coins and
currency. Coins come in various denominations based on the va
a dollar: the penny, which is worth one cent or one-hundredth o
dollar; the nickel, five cents; the dime, l0 cents;the quarter,25
the half dollar, 50 cents; and the dollar coin. Paper money
denominations of$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
A more important component of the money supply con
checking deposits, or bookkeeping entries held in banks and
financial institutions. Individuals can make payments by
checks, which essentially instruct their banks to pay given sums to
checks' recipients. Time deposits are similar to checking deposits
cept the owner agrees to leave the sum on deposit for a specified
riod; while depositors generally can withdraw the funds earlier
the maturity date, they generally must pay a penalty and forfeit
interest to do so. Money also includes money market funds, which
shares in pools of short-term securities, as well as a variety of
assets that can be converted easily into currency on short notice. .l
The amount of money held in different forms can change
time to time, depending on preferences and other factors that
may not have any importance to the overall economy. Further
cating the Fed's task, changes in the money supply affect the
nomy only after a lag of uncertain duration.
About the USA, Outline of the US
250

Globalization. The lnstitutions of Globalization

Globalization, a comprehensive term for the emergence of a

global society in which economic, political, environmental, and culIural events in one part of the world quickly come to have significance
lirr people in other parts of the world. Globalization is the result of
firlvlnces
nologies.

in

It

communication, transportation, and information techdescribes the growing economic, political, technological,

f,trtl cultural linkages that connect individuals, communities, busiltc:iscs, and governments around the world. Globalization also involves the growth of multinational corporations (businesses that have
opcrations or investments in many counhies) and transnational corpoFttlions (businesses that see themselves functioning in a global marlerlPlace).

I'hree key institutions helped to shape the current era of globalizalion are the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and
llrc World Trade Organisation (WTO). All three institutions trace
tlre ir origins to the end of World War II (1939-1945) when the United
lltirlcs and the United Kingdom decided to set up new institutions and
Itrles for the global economy. At the Bretton Woods Conference in
frle rv Hampshire in 1944, they and other countries created the IMF to
Itclp to stabilize currency markets. They also established what was
llrcrr called the International Bank for Reconstruction and Developttrcrrt (IBRD) to help to finance rebuilding of Europe after the war.

The World Bank. Following Europe's postwar recovery the

llll{D became known as the World Bank. Its mission was redirected
lo lrclp developing countries to grow faster and provide a higher livirrg standard for their people. The World Bank made loans to
dcvcloping countries for dams and other electrical-generating plan{5,
Irrrrbour facilities; and other large proiects, These projects were inItn(lcd to lowef COSIS ioi private businesses and to attract investors.
lleginning in 1968 the World Bank focused on low-cost loans for
Ircirlth, education, and other basic needs of the world's poor.
'Ihe IMF makes loans so that countries can maintain the value of
llreril currencies and repay foreign debt. Countries accumulate foreign
dcbt when they buy more from the rest of the world than they sell
[lrroad. They then need to borrow money to pay the difference, which
h krrown as balancing their payments. After banks and other institullons will no longer lend them money, they turn to the IMF to help
251

them to balance their payments position with the rest of the

The IMF initially focused on Europe, but by the 1970s it
focus to the less-developed economies. By the early 1980s a
number of developing countries were having trouble financing
foreign debts. In 1982 the IMF had to offer more loans to
which was then still a developing country and other Latin
nations just so they could pay offtheir original debts.
The IMF and the World Bank usually impose certain cond
for loans and require what are called structural adjustment
from borrowers. These programs amount to detailed instructi
what countries have to do to bring their economies under control.
programs are based on a strategy called neoliberalism, also
the Washington Consensus because both the IMF and the World
are headquartered in Washington, D.C. The strategy is geared
promoting free markets, including privatization (the selling
government enterprises); deregulation (removing rules that
companies); and trade liberalization (opening local markets to
goods by removing barriers to exports and imports). Finally, the
tegy also calls for shrinking the role of the government, redud
taxes, and cutting back on publicly provided services.
i
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) traces its origins
1948 United Nations (UN) conference in Havana, Cuba. The
rence called for the creation ofan International Trade Orsanisati
lower tariffs (taxes on imported goods) and to encourage trade.
though the adririnistration of President Harry S. Truman was i
mental in negotiating this agreement, the US Congfess consi
violation of American sovereignty and refused to ratiff it. In its
sence another agreement, known as the General Agreement on T
and Trade (GATT), emerged as the forum for a series of negoti
on lowering tariff-s. The iast cf these negotiating sessions,
the Uruguay Round, established the WTO, which Degan
1995. Since its creation, the WTO has increased the scope of
agreements. Such agreements no longer involve only the
manufactured products. Today agreements involve services, in'
ments, and the protection of intellectual property rights, such as
and copyrights. The United States receives over half of its inten
income from patents and royalties fortlre use of copyrighted material.
'
,;

Microsofi Encarta

252

Unit

1.

The Republic of Belarus Today:

General
,'

Ouflook

Task lV.
Noun

Verb

supervrslon

Adiective

supervlse
constitute
declare
prevent
sovern

suDerylslng

constitution
declaration

Task

depend

governmental
independent

oreside
lesislate
authorize
unifu / unite

oresidential
lesislative
authoritative, authoritarian
unitary / united

V.

bo

l0

oonstitutional
declarative
preventive / preventable

A m m

bo

t
t

Task Vl.

l,
2

False: strategic

True

253

lask Vlll.

3. True
4. Fatse: in l99l
5. Tru'e
6. True
7. False: since 1994
8. False: Bicameral
9. False: executive
10. False: Constitutional Court

Task VIl.

l.

... an ancient Slavonib country situated in the centre of Europe' / . ' '
locked, relatively flat and'contains large tracts of marshy land- / . . . a
tary democratic law-borrnd state of social orientation. / . '. a sbvereign'
dependent state with its own goverrrment, constitution, state emblem, f

and anthem.

2. ... is rather picturesque. The endless woodlands,

3.
4.
5.

deep rivers and

vast fields and meadows of fragrant grass have always been an enjoya
sight for residents and visitors.
... Aividing it into three main branches - legislative, executive and j

... the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus (the

cial.

... the National Assembly,

a bicameral Parliament comprising the

of Representatives and the Council of the Republic.

Court and specialized courts such as the Constitu
Court, which deals with specific issues related to constitutional and

The literal translation of Belarus is 'White Russia', after the ancient term
'Belaya Rus'. The 'white' may refer to the beauty of the birch forests or
to the snow that blankets the earth every year. Another explanation is that
in ancient times the word 'white' meant free, in the sense of free from
conquering invaders. Mensk (the cwrnt name 'Minsk' was acquired only in ttre
late l7h centrry) originates fiom the word 'menyat', which aitows to
-at e u
conclusion about intensive tade activities there since ancient times.
Belarus ranks 85s in area and 86ft in population among the countries of
the world.
More than 70Yo of the Belarusian population resides in the urban areas
surrounding Minsk and other regional centres.
The plane character of the territory, the moderately continental climate,
the developed hydrographic system and the forest reserves create auspicious conditions for habitation of people, managing agricultwe, building
industrial enterprises and thoroughfares.
The territory and its nation were devastated in World War II, during
which Belarus lost about a third of its population and more than half of
its economic resources.

6. ... the Supreme

'7

8.

ness law.
..

. is the head of state and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed fot

... is elected once in five years.

... among them are the United Democratic Party of Belarus, the
sian Social Democratic Assembly, the Commurist Parly of Belarus,
National Democratic Party of Belarus, the Liberal Democratic Parly
Belarus, the All-Belarusian Party of Popular Unity and Accord, the

The National Assembly is a bicameral Parliament comprising the l l0seat House of Representatives (the lower house) and the 64-seat council
of the Republic (the upper house).
Since 1994 the President of the Republic of Belarus is Alexander Luka-

publican Party of Labour and Justice, the Agrarian Paty of Belans, the

in

9. ... Russia, Lithuania, Poland

and Latvia, China, India, Venezuela,

United Arab Emirates, the Republic of South Africa and Syria.
has close relations with the United Nations Organisation, the
tion for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Eurasian
Community and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation,
Alignment Movement, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, ett
10. ... a valuable potential ofnatural, architectural and ethnic resources,
cultural and historical heritage, favourable geographical position on
routes connecting Western Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and Asia.

254

p
agricul

nuclear

lartuian Ecological Party, etc.

try, biology, microand environmental

ional reco

Task lX.

6.a
7. d
8.c
9.b

10. b

b
c

ll.

12. c
13. c
14. a
15. d

t6.

17. c
t8. b

t9.

10. a

2t.

22. a
23. d
24. c
2s. b

26. a
27. b
28. c
29. b
30. d
255

Task Vlll.

Higher Education in the Republic of Belarus

I
)
1.

Task lV.
higher educational establishment, h
of education, higher school
institution
higher
educational instrltution,
candidate for admission - entrant' applicant
a list of courses of study - curriculum
to promise - to guarantee, to assure, to ensure

l.

institution ofhigher education

2.
J,

4.

;1.

to be given

10.

in-"oniot ity *ittt

as provided by, according to,

rus.

Task lX.
3'a, 4-co5-h, 6-e, 7-d, 8-i, 9-b, l0-g

l,

Task Vl.
higher

2. bv
3. private
4. free
5. fees
Task Vll.
1. True
2. False: all higher educational
3. True
4. True
5.
6.
7.

8.
g.

6. Education
7. for
8. two
9- study

.1.

10. Master's

I
1

establishments

False: General scientific and general professional disciplines

False: Full-time budget students
False: Education services costs exceedtuition fees'

.t

4,

True
False: The higher school graduates, who successfully completed
education are-issued a diploma and awarded a Bachelor's degree.
10. True

'The rigfrt to education' means that the state assures that secondary specialized and higher education is accessible to everybody according to
their abilities. In compliance.with the Constitution and the Act on Educaticin every citizen ofthe counby has a right to receive tuition-free education.
The main principles of the educational system in Belarus are the priority
of human values, national culture as the basis of education, humanism,
sense of ecological purpose, scientific basis, democracy, support of
gifted students, and so on.
(Jniversity carries out fundarnental research in natural sciences, humanities and other sciences. It trains specialists at all levels ofhigher education over a wide range of fields of study. Academy trains specialists at all
levels in one field of study and carries out applied and fundamental research in one branch of science or engineering. Institute trains specialists
at the first level of higher education in a variety of specialities of one
field of study. Higher College trains specialists at the first level of one or
several specialities.

To obtain free education at state institutions aperson has to successfully

pass the cornpulsory centralized testing in two or three admission disciplines. The entrants who passed the entrance exams successfully but did
not get the necessary entrance score have the opportunity to study for
their own account.

9'!rr
256

to accreditation procedure, which takes place every

school, corresponding to international standards and ensuring each citizen the right to the high-quality education according to their abilities and
inclinations.

in concordance

V.

l-j,2-f,

l.

/ ... are subject

five years.
10. ... with the aim of creating an independent, qualitatively new national

in accordancL with, in line with, in compliance with

Task

at nurnerous educational establishments.

University ...

to be awarded, to be granted, to be provided, to be

signed, to obtain, to receive, to acquire

...425 are studenls.

... continue their education

I ... provide for unified conditions for enrolment.

fr, ... decide to pay for their education or try passing exams the nextyear.
. ... takingtlre state examinations and defending a graduation project.
ll ... a Diploma of Higher Education and according to attestation results
they rnay be given a"Bachelor's degree.
r). .. . are subordinate to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Bela-

grant - scholarshiP, allowance

mandatory - comPulsory' obligatory
dormitory - hostel
workforce - personnel, staff, human resources

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

... the right to universal secondary education.

600

6.

Higher educational establishments are headed by Rectors. Pro-rec

in charge of academic and scientific work' Every institution has
departnents specializing iir various fields of study. The curricu
cludes study of disciplines of humanitarian and social-economic
25-35o/o, of general scientific and general professional type - 354501
special disciplines -25-35Vo, of specialization disciplines - l0-157oThe I't-stage university edlcation usually lasts four to five years and
that a student takes state examinations and defends a graduation pre
The graduates receive a Diploma of Higher Education an
degree. At the 2nd stage a graduate can obtain a Master's
h
postgraduate school fiaining -of the scientific.personnel
qualifications is conducted with granting scientific degrees of Can
ofScience and Doctor ofScience.
Three forms of learning are available at Belarusian higher educati<
establishments: full-time, evening and by colrespondence. :.
Gradudes of state educational establishments are provided with frrc first w
'
place in concordance with the labour ligislation ofthe Republic of Belanrs.
pt
tci
accreditation
subject
All higher institutions of education ars
dure, which takes place every five years. Accreditation is aimed 4
confirmation of the adequate level of the quality and contents of
graduate and postgraduate training, which should meet the requir
of the established educational standards.

Task VI.

l-c, 2-f, 3-j, 4-e, 5-i, 6-h, 7-g, 8-d,9-a, l0-b

Task Vll.

, rnake, produce, construct

2, labour force
3. transport \
4. branch
satisfo the needs / the demands

*lt!

7
8.

9.

The Ec6nomy of the Republic of Belarus

Task

V.

productiveness / pro-

ducer/product/pro-

6.
7.
8.
9.

beneficial
husbandry

mitigate
monopolize
10. mutual

fask Vlll.

l.

Falsq 5.3 million; l0 millidn

2. True
3. False: small
4. False: industry
5. True
6, True
1, False: four-fifths
E, True
9. False: the CIS countries

total population

10. True

Task lX.

l, When did Belarus attain its independence?

2. What are the country's key companies specialized in automobile production?
3, What do the country's mechanical engineering companies produce?
4, What does the construction industry produce?
5. What is the second most important light industry sector?
6. How many private farms are there in Belartrs?
, What is-the agrarian sector specialized in?
8, What are the country's principle crops?
9. What does transport system include?
1

10. What are the main export items from Belarus to the EU?
distribution / distributor

258

Task X.

l, ... trade with many countries of the world increasing the quality and
competitiveness of its products in international markets.
2, Large:sized industrial enterprises ...
259

spheres

Unit 2

ofthe

The Russian Federation Today: General Outlook

4.

industry, radio

5.

Task IV.
Noun
oblisation

6.

Verb

'oblise

/ oblieate

Adiective
oblisatorv

7.

svmbol

svmbolize

svmbolic(al)

8.

limit / limitation

limit

limited / limitless / limitarv

intesration

intesrate

intesrate

deoth / deeoness
endowment
i nhabitant / inhabitation

deenen

deeo

9.
10.

TaskXl.

2.
3.
4.

Yes, it is: its advantageous geographical position, developed net of,,trr

portation *uyr, porr6rsion of ihe-scientific and technical potentia1ll

initiation / initiative

highly qualifi ed Personnel.

a third of GDP.
Tractors, agricultural machines, building and road construction machi
equipment,-household appliances, a wide range of sophisticated
sumer goods, etc., all types of fabrics and knitwear'
'l
It has proprietary small sil and natural gas reserves'
(1
Farming i"auttt1, (crop and animal husbandry), processing-industry
-. -. --.-.r^ ,.-,. fl^-)
^^-^-^*
pro""rrIng, primary flax processing), service sphere (land managem{

Traditional industries, almost

construction, trade and other services).

Short growing season, lack of fertile soil'
,. .
Machi-nery aid equipment, potassium fefiilizers, chemicals, round*o;
etc.
sets, erc.
TV
I V SetS,
g. Natural'gas, petroleum, industrial raw materials, vegetable oil, fish
fish products, vegetables and fruits, etc.
10. Rusiia and the CIS countries, the EU countries.

TaskXll.

inhabited

initiate

relisious
initiative / initiatorv
foreisn

fioreigner

nlricutiure (13% of GDP) and industry (34%) - the largest sectors;

viies (culture, education, health services, trade and transportation). i

7.
&.

inhabit

relision / relisiousness

5.
6.

endow

Task

L
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
L
tt.
9
I0.

V.

be situated - be located, lie

make difficult - complicate

varied

various

resources - reserves
distant - remote
outstanding, famous - renowned .
previous in time or order - former
constant - permanent
breakdown - disintegration, collapse
start - initiate

Task Vl.

?,.

False: 17 Wn2
False: easternmost

3. True
'1. False: one-sixth
5. False: a three-coloured banner was the first symbol that replaced

the for-

mer symbols.

6. 'Irue '
7, Falsc: it belongs to the Government

which is headed by the Prime Minis-

ter.

260

261

8.
9.

10. The UN Security Council, OSCE, the Council of Europe (CE), a limited
partner in NATO, the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations and

True
False: it assumed the USSR's place in the UN'

APEC.

10. True

Task X.

Task Vll.

l.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7-

tb
2a
3a
4c
-5a

eastern, northern
plains and forests, tundra and taiga
the Urals
temperate and continental
into the Pacific Ocean

republic

a presidential
th-e Constitutional

Court, the

lreme.Court, Supreme Arbitration Cqi

4.

5.
6.

1992
Russia's great breailth of territory includes many different
regions. These include areas ofpermafrost (areas ofeternal ice) in S
ria and the Far North as well as taiga and steppes. The land of
varies from thick forests to barren deserts, from high peaked mounta
to deep valleys. On the vast tenitory of the country there are varil
types of climate, from arctic in the north to subtropioal in,the south'
Russia is especially rich in mineral fuels, it is also well endowed u
most of the nonferrous metals.
Russia h4s one of the widest varieties of ethnic groups in the world,
nic Russians form the vast majority (80 % of the population)' The'ni
Russian population constitutes about 20 %o of the totaf with the
minority, the Tatars (4 o/o). Ukainians and Chuvash are the only o!
.:,),
minorities constituting more than I % of the population.
Three branches: legislative, executive andjudicial.
The President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he makes tr,
ties, enforces laws, appoints ministers to be approved by the Federal

Noun

Verb

Adiective

sraduate
comnete

competitive'

assessment

assess

assessable

defence
admission

defend

defenceless
admissible

applicant / application

The first action of the Prime Minister on appointrnent is to form

8.
9.

A three-coloured banner, the hymn, a two-headed eagle.

United Russia, the Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic

Cabinet.

admit
applv

hnance
education
research / researcher

research

enrolment

enrol

Task

applied
financial
educational

finance
educate

V.

l-d,2-a,3-g,4-j;5-e, 6-c, 7-b, 8-h, 9-l l0-i

Task Vl.
establish

potential
preparatory
postgraduate
distance

sembly.

7.

262

18. c
19. c
20. b

26. a
27. b
28. d
29. c
30. a

21. a
22. d
23. b
24. c
25. c

sraduate / eraduation
competitiveness

Russia and Just Russia.

13. b
14. a
15. d

16. a

Task IV.

Task VIil.

J^

t7. b

Higher Education in the. Russian Federation

L
9.

2.

10.

l. c
lz. b
I

,,1

and the iegional courts

the President
the earth, the slcy, liberty
10., Moscow and St. Petersburg

l.

6.b
7. d
8.d
9.a

6.
7.
8.
9.

extramural

enrolled
enrolment

admit

Task Vll,

L
2.

True
True
263

3.

4.
5.
6.

Falsc during.soviet times, education was highly centralized and

st4

ideolog was a major component of the national curriculum' .

. .'
Falss 6 develop itate standards for basic and secondary education; ii
cludingfederalguidelinesonminimumcurriculumrequirements
False: one has to Pass the USE.
False: it allows a transparent nd fair assessment and the transition

should provide for setting up a Federal - regional inffastructure of

test administration and publii control over its transparency which wc
allow to diminish and eliminate possible malpractice and guaranteejH

test validitY. .
7'-True:]:
8. True
.g. False: they restrict lhepsglves !o.l single disciplipe'
l

6.
7.

disciplines; Acailemies
one field.

for education and research, but specialize in

Independent structural units, or part ofa university or academy and usually specialize in one field.
One-third of school-leavers take special preparatory courses. Others ei-

ther hire private tutors or educate themselves.

4 years
They are in charge of academic and scii:ntific work.
10. The main objectives ofthe refonn are: to decentralize the higher education system, to develop a new financial mechanism, to give more academic freedom to faculties and students.

tl.
I.

The Economy of the Russian Federation

'

10. False: by Rectors.

Task

V.

TeskVIIf.
l....hasbeenaleadingcentreofculture'scienceandeducationinEurol
forcenturies.
advanced and sophisticated teaching methods and scientific

2. ...

proaches.

3.' :.. eliminating potitical ideolory and moral education from thea
lum so that th; iearning process is more attuned to the needs.of
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

driven economY.

and infol
--. developing'the teaching of foreign languages, economics,

rration and cornmunication technologies'

transitional / transi

... application and enrolment into the tertiary educatioh institutions.

tudes and knowledge, that it will
of the materials and securitY of:

tests adminisfration.
.-. Universities, Academies, Institutes and Private institutions'

... two ...

10. ... atransitional Period.

Tap,k IX.

1.
2.
34.
5M.

the Constitution

results of the usE, the certificate of Secondary complete General

cation and the successful passing of university-matriculation exams
Opponents believe that lt doesn't permit to assess all aptitudes
krowledge.
Bachelor's and Master's
Universities are responsible for education and research in a varietY

Task Vl.
l-d, 2-a, 3-9, 4-j,5=c, 6-i, 7-f, 8-b, 9-e, l0-h

Task VIl,
by non-tradable seryices and domestic manufacturing.
I False:
2.
False: second halfof2008.
3. 'l'rue
4. False: exports
.5. True
6. False: in westem Russia and the Ural Mountains region.
7. True
ll. True
9. True
10. False: exports
265

Task X.

Task Vlil.
fund and a national welfare fund
and the
t'he Russia-Seorgia conflict, corporate governance issues'
credit crunch

a reserve

2.

3. large investments and must be replaced or modernized"

l
1'. ;fd, ;iG, una oia*onJs, nickil and aluminium, lead' copper' and q

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.

of

6.
7.
8.
9.

for

10. bv

of
in
in

l. of
2. in
3. about
4. of
5. in

for
for
in

of

nlum ores

Unit 3

5. heavy industries
goods suih as footwear, clothing, and textiles'
e:.
"onto*"t
- Climatic and geographic factors
8. fodder croPs, Pasture land
9. IT
China, and Japan
7

lO. ttr" countries of the EU,

Belarus, Ukaine,

The United Kingdom Today: General Outlook

Task lV.
":

Task IX.

l.
2.
3.

They are improving infrastructurq innovation,

iiotir; .eOo"ing the-state's role in the economy; reforming the tax -5y
ienters i
anJ Uankl"g ,E.tor; developing one of the biggest financial
j
g
udiciary:
the
world, com-batin g comrption, and'improvi n
frrfi.irg is a rnajoi sectoi of the economy. Russia is a leading producer

H:tg:T**

nickel and aluminiurn, gotd and silver, etc'

t
Extractive industries, irch as mining and oil and gas production'
in
Siberia'
widely dispersed, with major facilities located
, -. - ---- ^i
uuiiaine secior makes a wide range of products' from cG
;"e precisioniools to railroad locomotives, *t*:t-!:t^'-1{ti
The metallurgical industry produces a number of I

4. i'il;;il;
fi;
ilJ;;"hi;tt.
5.

cialty steels and non-ferrous metals, etc.

7.
8.

They arJconsidered to be crucial for national security, foreign coml

Verb
sociali2e

social

comDare

comparative

advise

aooointment

aonoint

advisable
appointed / appointive

iustice

iustifv

heir / heritase
influence

inherit

from owningtlrem' They are oil, gas, media and telecoms'

Exports: oil, natural gas, minerals, military equipment and
gold, shipping, and transport services.

9.
r0.
266

ri"Jhiiiil,';fra1ilfiJ;'

;;;;;'

goods, medicines, meat, r

iust
hereditary
influential
commercial
vanous
comoilable

influence

commercialize
vary
comoile

commerce
varieW

compilation

TaskV.
2

o
b

I
A

toes, sugar beets, and sunflower seeds.

are restricted

Adieclive

Noun
socieW
comparison
advice

It drives alt the other elements of the system. In addition, flr$)'r

larly petroleum and natural gas' is the most important export',

rrr"'u"r" of the triangl" e*tends along the counti-y'-s western border
the Baltic to the Bi-ack seas, and its two sides taper eastward t(
routft"- Ural Mountains, where it becomes a nalrow strip of land
t*aing across the south-western fringes of Siberia' Without hu' r
modifiation, areas outside the fertile triangle are unsuitable for cro
ihe country's major grain crops are wheat, barley, oats, and rye'

6.

16. for
17. to
18. with
19. by
20. for

l0

sugar, and semi-finished metal products'

267

Task

l.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Vl.

'!':.

False: Britain (orthe tJnited Kingdom) consists ..' Cardiffis the

of Wales, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland.

True

Falsq It is an island state.

True
True

Falsq A monarch is the head of state, who reigns but does not rule.
True
False: legislative

True

10. False: in the House of Commons

TaskVll.

l.
2.
3.

... the United Kingdorn o'f Great Britain and Northern lreland.
..- is situated on the British Isles which lie offthe northwest coasf
Europe and cornprise a group ofover 5,000 islands

. . . for the development of shipping, trade and economy as a whole due

its geographical position.
4. ... they separate it from the European continent. For centuries the Briti
feft safe and secure protected by the Channel, and no foreigrr army hd
ever invaded the country since the Norman Conquest in the I l'n century.'
l-:.:^L
:^
is -^
Constitution
^^--a:a,.1:^5. ... that it is unwritten constitution; that is, the British
single oocumeru.
document.
in any slngle
compiletl ln
complled
6. .,. actual power, she summons and dissolves Parliament, gives royal al
sent to bills passed by both Houses of Parliament, appoints the Prit
Minister to form a goverrlment. As head of state she has the power to t
clare war and make peace, to conclude treaties, etc.
7. ... elected at a general election rryhich is usually held every five years.
8. ... is that its rnembers are hereditary and life peers who are appointed bt
not elected.
9. ... is the executive branch of power which puts laws into effect and plal
policy, it consists of the leading'mbtnbers of the political party in poweri
10. The Conservative and the Labour .,.

Task Vlll.

L
2.
268

The total area of the UK is 244,100 kmz; the present population is

rlrllllull people.
60 million
uv
PswPrs,

The.geographical position favoured the development of the UK as a gt

sea country. The coastline of Great Britain is deeply indented and cr
tains numerous gulfs and bays which serve as convenient ports. The

lar position of Britain, close to the economically developed countries of

Europe and in the very centre oftrade routes, is favourable for shipping
and ocean commerce. This position, moreover, safeguards the country
from invasion.
The English make up over 80o/o of the total population. The proportion of
the Scotsmen, Welshmen and lrishmen is about 15%. English is the language predominantly spoken. Wales is officially bilingual, and the Welsh
language is spoken b_y a fiftt of its population. The Scottish and Irish
forms of the Gaelic language survive in soine parts of Scotland and
Northern lreland.
The term 'England' should never be used to describe Britain, because
England is only one part of the island. If you describe something as being
English, or in England, you are talking about that part of the island of
Great Britain that to the east of the Welsh, and south of the Scottish, border. lt is always correct to call people from England, Scotland, or Wales
British, although people from England may also properly be called English, people from Scotland Scottish, and people from Wales Welsh.
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy; that is a monarchy
governed according to a Constitution that limits and defines the powers
of the sovereign. It's worth mentioning that there is no written constitution in Britain; it means that the British Constitution is not compiled in
any single document. The Sovereign reigns b.ut does not rule acting on
the advice of the Prime Minister and not making any major polit,ical decisions.

The legislative branch is Parliament; the executive is the Cabinet of the

Government; the judiciary is,the Law Lords and the Judicial Committee
of the Privy Council. The members of the Cabinet, as well as the Prime
Minister, are members of the executive and the legislative whohave the
right to vote in Parliament. The Lord Chancpllor isthe Cabinet minister,
the Speaker of the Hoise of Lords and the head of the judiciary. The
House of Lords has a right to vote on bills so they are part of the legislative but the Lords also contains the Law Lords who are an important part
of the judiciary.
The British Parliament was the model for most other parliarnentary systems, and its Acts created many other parliaments. Many nations with
parliaments have to some degree emulated the British 'three-tier' model.
Most countries in Europe and the Commonwealth have similarly,organized parliaments with a largely ceremonial head of state who formally
opens and closes Parliament, a large elected lower house and a smaller,
upper house.

The supreme legislative authority in Britain is the House of Cbmrnons.

The powers of the House of Lords are now strictly limited. The main
269

bills are introduced first in the Commons' and the Lords can only

g.
10.

them up for one year, and they cannot do even this to.rnoney Pillt:.,
Prime Minister
David camerorl t-eaoer ortne ionservative Party, has been
of the

There
tinnnl

oles in the British political system' A constituthe advice of the Prirne Minister and does not
terized

democ.
spheres

Task IX.

Task Vll.

l.
').
i.

False: except Buckingham University

True
False: University and Colleges Adrnissions Service
/1. False: A conditional offer
_5 True
6. False: the advanced level
l. False: a minimum of three years
8. True
9. False: a Mas{er's degree normally is eamed in one year
10. True

Task VIll.

l. ... they are autonomous self-governing bodies responsible only to their

governing councils. / ... they have legal power to develop their own
courses, award their own degrees and determine the conditions on which
they are awarded. /... they enjoy complete academic freedom, appoint

Higher Education in the United Kingdom

Task lV.

l. dependent - contingent
2. to fund - to finance
3. go
urrent, Present-daY, modern
4. co
tend, to exPand
5, to
6. extent - degree, level
7. obtainable - accessible, available
8. varietY - set,
g. compiex - so
cornPlicatedtoconsistof,toinclude
10. toinvolve-t
Task

2.
3.
4.
-5.

6.
1.

year ofapplication.
... will be taken when the A-level results are published in rnid-August.
... can apply for student loans.for maintenance.
I 0. ... is a Bachelor's degree.

tt.
()

V.

l-f,2-i,3-a,4-h,5-c, 6-j, 7-b, 8-d, 9-g, l0-e

Task.lX.

I.

Task VI.

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
270

their own staff and decide for themselves which students to adrnit.
...providing the students with the infonnation about the course, its aims,
the qualification received and opportunities to continue education.
..- froin three to four years.
University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) ...
... an application with a list of up to six educational establishments for
which they are applying.
... are the exams for the General Certificate of Secondary Education at
the advanced level.
... this means that the candidate will be accepted by the university if
he/she fulfils the requirements stated in the offer by I Septernber in the

fees

loans
academic

6.
7.
8.

first-year

9.

full-time

10

attend
study
available
bursary

').

lnstitutions of higher education in the UK are divided into the following

types: ancient universities, 'redbrick universities', 'plateglass universities', and 'new universities'.
Oxford and Cambrid5e carry extra prestige for historical reasons. Competition for entry to these universities is so great that applicants typically
require three A grades at A-level to eam a place.

271

3.

The Economy of the United Kingdom

All the institutions have legal power to develop their own courses, awai
their own degrees and determine the conditions on which they a

4.

5.
6-

awarded. Enjoying complete academic freedom they appoint their

staffand decide for themselves which students to admit.
Academic standards are established and maintained by higher
institutions themselves using an extensive and sophisticated range

Applicants submit to UCAS a single application with a list of up to

educational establishments'for which they are applying. As well as
student's personal details and a paragr?ph 04 their extracurricular intet
ests, the UCAS form will carry details of their GCSE grades and an
demic reference from the school which will include a prediction of
grades that the applican! is likely to obtain at A-level. The application

7.

Every university has a students' union which provides a wide array

services for students, ranging from sports and special interests clubs
recreational and shopping facilities and student pubs.

TaskX.

ll.

from

12. of
13. to
14. for
15. from

16. of
17. from
18. in
19. for
2O. at

quality assurance approaches and sfuctures. Standards and quality in institutit

are underpinned by univenal use of extemal examiners and a shndard set of
1'
dicaton and by the activities ofthe Quality Assurance Agency.
Those wishing to stl.rdy at a British higher educational establishment mu
apply through UCAS, the central organisation that processes applicatiot
for fu ll-time undergraduate courses.

then forwarded by UCAS to the institutions applied'to, and if a universr

or institution is impressed by the student's UCAS form they will
hirn/her an offer of a place.
The state pays all fees for students from the poorest backgrounds'
low income applicants there are numerous brusaries to offset the
fees. UK students are generally entitledto student loans formaintenanca.
8. Undergraduates are students of higher educational institutions.
awarded their Bachelor's degree are called graduates. Students who
'dertake a postgraduate degree are postgraduates.
9. Students can complete a Bachelor's degree in a minimum of three year
Students who have completed a first degree are eligible to undertake;
postgraduate degree, which includes Master's degree (typically taken;
one year) and Doctor's degree (typically taken in three years).
10. At most universities students organize clubs and societies covering
ous areas such as sport, drama, debating, music, politics, and religi

272

Task lV.

9.

Task

l0

V.

l-b,.2-f , 3-j, 4-a,5-i, 6-c, 7-h, 8-g, 9-e, l 0-d

Task Vl:

l.by;
2.
3.

in,to;

to;

|
|

4.

about;

to;

5.
6. to, in,

to;

7.-;

9. to;

8. into, from;
10.

for

Task Vll.

L Commonwealth

2. privatized, few
3. deficit
4. crops
5. resources, reseryes
Task Vlll.

l.
2.

6.

7.
| 8.
I 9.
1

electronics

London
visible
tourism

I tO.

False: and Northern lreland

True
273

3.
4.
5.

True

True
6. False: The.area is covered with commercially planted, fast-growing
niferous trees
7. False: The couritry was anet importer.
I Tnre
9. False: Major industries are pommunications equipment, including
optics, computers, compflter-controlldd machine tools, and robots;
products and publishing; chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals; rubber
plastics; electronic and optical equipment.
10. False: The sector is iacinlu ve.y i.,'.rghiOos due to the ongoing financi
crisis, housing market slump, and the fall in consumer spending.

Task

l.
2.

r.

False: The country gets revenues from.exporting financial services

lX.

6.a
7. d
8.d
9.b

2.d
3. c
4.c
5.b

10.

3.

and commodities, including food.

Part-nationalizing the banking system, cutting taxes, suspending
sector borrowing rules, and bringing forward public spending on capi

4.

projects.
As concern has grown about the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and
logically engineered seeds and their effect on the environment,

8.
'

Noun

Verb

Adiective

access

access

successlon

succeed

accessible
successlve

oooulation

populate
economlze

pooular. oooulous
economic. economical

economv. economtcs

stabiliW
election
distinction

g.

2V4

stabilize

stable

elect

elective
distinct
residential

distinsuish
reside
respond
tiate

Limestone, dolomite, sand, gravel, sandstone, common c.lay, and shale.

Equipment, including fibre optics, computers, computer-controlled ma
chine tools, and robots; paper products and publishing; chemicals,
as pharmaceuticals; rubber and plastics; electronic and optical equi
ment. Levels of output, new orders and employment in the manufacturi

g
b

t
r

o
b

sector recorded unprec.edented declines in 2008.

Finance, retailing, wholesaling, tourism, business services,

insurance, investrnent, advertising, public relations, market

8
,{
''J

resoonsible
neeotiable

Task lV.
I

hnports of wood and wood products are substantial because Britain pro

26. b
27. c
28. b
29. c
30. d

21. b
22. a
23. c
24. a
25. c

Task lll.

resoonsibilitv- resDonse
nesotiation

bien

education, administration, govemment and professional services.

[,ondon, lredsb Manchester, barditr, Liverpooi fdinburgh, and CIurgo*
10. Exports are manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals; fdod, beverages,
bacco. Imports are manufactured goods, machinery, fuels; foodstuffs.

t7. d
18. a
t9. a
10. a

residence

ducesonlyasmallpioportionofthewooditneeds.
6
7

r6. d

The United States of America Today: Generaf Ouflook

farmers have tumed to organic farming, with support from the govemment.
5

Unit 4

Although it has declined in significanbe, the UK is still the eighth

economy in the world and one of the most globalized economies.
The UK entered a recession brought about by the global frnancial crisi
The UK economic outlooks have worsened due to a twin shock:
turmoil as well as rising commodity prices. Both developments harm
UK rnore than most developed countries, as thi: UK obtains revenue f
exporting financial services while recording deficits in finished

l.

2.c
3.b
4.c
5.c

to

Task

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.

V.

False:48 states
False: nearly half of the North American continent
True
True

False: Washington, D.C. is not

6.
7.
i.
g.

a large city; its population is

through continental in the central part to subtropical in the south.

powei is shared between a central authority and its constituent PaIts
(states), with some rights reserved to each.
iach branch holds a certain degree ofpower over the others, and all take
part in the governmental process creating a system of checks and bal-

abou

600000 PeoPle.
the Capitol{
False: Tire Whit. Hour" is the President's residence, while
;'
Congres
ih" ,r"t of the American
:
True
Faise: legistative (the.Congress), executive (the President)

ances.

False: diiferent social groups

10. False: 1776

Task Vl.

1.

l....locatedinthemiddleoftheNprthAmericancontinent./'..theland
uniqu

8.

and can be divided into large regions, each with

"-""ttasts
i"ri"gt"pfl, geology and resources' / mide up of 50 states and t!
District of Columbia.
... Afro-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans'
... uuti"t greatly from arctic in Alaska, through continental in the
part to subtropical in
L^ mixed w
-- -1 .^
to be
-:..
4. 1.. tft. abbreviation D.C. (District of Columbia) not
another Washington, one of the states'
'l
5. ..: the basic law of the United States'
commander-in-chir
the
Government,
the
and
state
the
of
head
e:. ... i, trr"

il;t""l

8.

L"gistaiive authority is exercised by the Congress of the United States.

It is difficult to disiinguish between the two major political parties of the

the_south.

,:

preparation ofin annual exicutive budget and econornig repofi'

1.. itte pt"tlaent, Vice-President d the President's Cabinet'
federal laws, levv federal taxes, declare war' and
:.: ;;;;;;;[.
foreign treaties into effect.

9....w-hentheycometogetherasnationalbodiesinthePresidentialnon
nating conventions and make up the party.progrlms'
and social pressurei hune forced non-Englislr
10.
their ritive tongue and habits and to assi
drop
to
ing immigrants
of
life.
waY
American
the
inio

..;t;""onori"

Task Vll.
I

of

"'

oftheUSArmedForcesandhasawiderangeofresponsibilities,fiot
-^L
extemalaffairs,suchasnegotiationoftreaties,tointernalaffairs,such
7

the Constitution were men

property.
6.

2.
3.

the. political theories of the

rests of a privileged class, as

US
Founding
the greatThe

The USA is the fourth largest country in area (after Russia ' layadat
ahi"t and the third largist country in the world in population (
China and lndia).

ber the electors (538 persons) vote for the candinumber of popular votes in their respective states
nt. To be elected President' a candidate for the
Presidency must receive 270 votes.
9. Vice-Presldent, the Speaker ofthe Representatives, the Secretary ofstate
and the rest of the Cabinet ministers.
called the 'Stars and Stripes' or 'Old Glory''
10.
es which stand for the original 13 colonies. In
50 white stars on a blue background: one star

for each state.

Task Vlll.

Lc
2.a
3.c
4.b
5.d

6.c
7. c
8.b
9.d

10.

l.

14. a

16.
17.
18.
19.

15.

20.

12. d

13.

b
a

21. d
22. a
23. a
24. b
25. d

26. d
27. b
28. c
29. c
30. a
277

276

Task Vlll.

Higher Education in the United States of America

Task lV.

... be given a wide range of educational options, Ilom two-year colntnunity colleges and technical training institutions to four-year colleges and
universities.

1. faculty - teaching staff

2. to perfotm - to conduct, to carry out
3. professional - vocational
4. to compensate - to make up, to repay
5. mark - grade
6. to specifl - to establish, to ascertain
7'. payment for instruction - tuition fee
8. posterior - subsequent
9. to support - to maintain

2. ... requires

10. occupation

6. ... grades eamed

Task

a secondary school certificate for admission and grants a

Bachelor's degree after four years of study. / ... prepares the student cither for graduate studies at the university or for a job imrnediately after

3.
4.
5.

in high school courses, the students' grade point avcrage and standardized test scores, a commitment to extracurricular activities, a personal essay, and an interview.

V.

1. ... a loan, that should be repaid with interest upon graduation,

Task Vl.

establish
faculty members

6.
7.
8.
9.

institutions

10. obtains

skills
courses

Task

authorities
award

required
quality assurance

l.

8.
9.

12. framework
13. curriculums

14. determine

VIl.

g.
9.

rl

278

Task IX.
I

. A college

'

False: the most prestigious are private

False: almost all, except the five federally-sponsored service academies
False: Private universities have much higher tuition payment than public
ones.

False: Those who study at a university or four-year college are known ag

undergraduates, and those who have received a degree after four years
study are called graduates.

True

10. True

Nccdy

students are awarded grants which they do not have to repay. Sclrolarships are given when a student is doing exceptionally well at school.

... obtain a Bachelor's degree.

Doctor's degree ...
10. ... Arnerican universities cornplain that these funds are becoming smallcr
with every year. The equipment which is used at the universities for rcsearch is not rnodern enough, and the universities do not have thc moncy
to install new equiprnent.

accepted

l. False: five Years

2. True
3. False: college-level subject,
4. True
5.
6.
7.

A two-year comtnunity college ...

The Ivy League universities ...
... out of the more than three million high school leavers, about onc ntillion go on for higher education. A college at a leading university rnight
receive applications from 2Yo of them, and then accept only one out of
every ten who apply.

ernPloYment

1-c,2-g,3-i,4-a,5-d, 6-j, 7-e' 8-f, 9-b, l0-h

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.

graduation.

2.

grants a Bachelor's degree after four years of study and prr.:pares the student either for graduate studies at the university or I'or a .iolt
immediately after graduation. A ttryo-year comrnunity collcge ollbls n
number of vocational programs; students who complete the course gct thc
Associate's degree and then may enter many professions necdcd in (hc
local community. Technical institutes or golleges provide two- or thrcoyear courses in practical subjects. The university is a research-oricntcd
institution which provides both undergraduate and graduate education.
Universities and colleges are graded on such criteria as quality of teaching staff and research facilities, amount of funding available For librarir:s
and special programs, the competence and number of applicants for admission. The status of a particular university is also assessed by considcring the ratio between the number of its graduates and their subseclucnl
ernployment in their professional fields, their average incomes and pcr279

4.

spectives for promotion. Research conducted by a university is a factor

contributing to its prestige as well.
While the US Department of Education provides support and funding for
higher education, it does not act as a central authority. Colleges and uni.

versities are rnostly self-goveming and have significant independence

and freedon. Except for the United States service academies and staff
colleges, the Federal Covernment does not directly regulate universities,
although it can give federal grants to them.
Tuitioi is charged at almoJt all American universities, except tlre five
federally-sponsored service academies in which students attend free and
with a stipend in exchange for a service commitment in the US armed
forces after graduation. Every young person who enters a higher educational institution can get financial assistance. If a student borrows
from special funds (a loan), they should repay it with interest after they
finish their education. Needy students are awarded grants which they do

not have to repay. Scholarships are given when a student is doing expeptionally well at school. Though each university offers a number of scholarships many of the students have to work to pay their expenses.
5. Private universities charge much higher tuition than public institutions,
which rely on state funds to rnake up the difference. As each state supports its own univeisity systern with state taxes, most public universities
charge rnuch higher rates for out-of-state students.
6
Each-college oiuniversity in the USA has its own requirements for ad;
rnission that usually involve grades earned in high school courses, the
students' grade point average and standardized test scores. Most colleges
also consider more subjective factors such as a commitment to extracurricular activities, a personal essay, and an interview. While numerical
factors rarely ever are absolute required values, each college usually hag
a rough threshold below which admission is unlikely.
'7 Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
freshman is a first-year student, a sophomore - a second-year student,
junior - a third-year student, and a senior - a fourth-year student.
students who have graduated from the senior class and who continug
studies at a university are called advanced or graduate students.
8.
American colleges and universities award a Bachelor's degree after four.
years of study. Graduate schools grant Master's and Doctor's degrees.
9. The accreditation agencies rate universities and colleges on academio
quality - the quality of their libraries, the publishing records of their fa:
culty, and the degrees which their faculty hold.
10. The high tuition fees make it difficult for low-paid American families
send their children to university. The equiprnent which is used at the uni.
versities for research is not modern enough, and the universities do not
have the money to install new equipment.
280

TaskX.

Lof
2. in
3. in
4. in
5. for

6.
7.
8.
9.

I l. to
12. on

for
during
to

13.

for

for

14.

10. of

15.

At
At

16. with

17. In
18. to
19. after (upon)

20. for

The Economy of the United States of America

Task lV.

Adiectivc

Noun

Verb

dominance
manager/ management

dominate

dominant

manage

managerial

decline

decline
adapt
acqulre

declinatory

adaotati on/ adaotabi

liw

acquisition/ acquirement
reserve

oreanisation/ or eanizer
accounV accountabiliW
product
Dnvacy

Task

adaptable

acquisitive

reserve
organrze
account

orsanizational

reserved

Droduce

productive
private

accountable

orivatize

V.

o
b

o
b

o
b

l0

computers, telecommunications equipment), consumer goods (automobiles, medicines),

Task Vl.
l-e,2-a,3-h, 4-i, 5-c, 6-b, 7-f, 8-d, 9-j, l0-g

Task IX.

Task Vll.

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

False: to help to stabilize financial markets.

True
False: It emphasizes private ownership.
Ealse: The United,States does not have a pure market economy.

True
False: on a top-down chain of command.
False: Asia

2.

True
and the service industries.

Task Vlll.

2.
J

4
5

6.

Some of these are short-tenn, but some reflect an underlying weakness:

inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical
and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. The
global economic downtum, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, investment

bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United

True.

10. False: include retail trade, wholesale trade,

J.

... the creation of the European Union common market, and by the

4.

growth of the BRIC economies.

The global economic downturn, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, i
rnent bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit ...
... producers, who attempt to make the highest possible profit and
sumers, who try to pay as little as possible to acquire what they want, ...
... natural resources, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship.
.., have helped to shape the country's economii growth over the
and helped to bind America's 50 individual states together in a singl
economic unit.
... a top-down chain of command; authority flows from the chief
tive in the boardroom, who makes sure that the entire business runs e
ciently, through various lower levels of management responsible for
ordinating different parts of the enterprise, down to the foreman on

5.

States into a recession.

The US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program; the Governmbnt used some of these funds to purchase equity in US
banks and other industrial corporations. The US Congress passed and
President Barack Obama signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus.

Free enterprise system.

The consumer role is great.

Limited role, but it provides services and goods that the market cannot

provide effectively, such as national defence, assistance programs for

7.
8.
9.

low-income families, and interstate highways and airports, etc.

The country has reserves ofcoal, copper, lead, phosphates, potash, silver,
zinc, petroleum, nafural gas, timber, etc.
The unemployment rate rose to 8.1% in2009.
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector, Manufacturing, The private
non-good producing industries
Wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry,
dairy products; fish; forest products.
The market is dominated by ethanol, which grew threefold from 2000 to
2007, rnainly in the US.

shop floor.

Task Xl.

7.

.,.petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecornmunicati

8.

chernicals, elecffonics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.

.. value ofgoods produced.

9.

Truck Transportation, Messenger Services and Warehousing; Securitiet

l. a
2.d
i. c
4.b
5.a

Commodities, and Other Financial Invesfinents; Rental and Leasing

vices; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Health Care
Social Assistance,

etc.

6.c
7. b
8.a
9.b
10.

ll.

t6.

12. c
13. b
14. d
15. c

17.
18.

a
c

t9.

10. d

21. c
22. a
23. c
24. a
2s. d

26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

b
c
a
a

10. ...agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn), industrial supplies (

ganic chemicals), capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle pal

282

283

cnrcoK ncnonb3yEMol4 n hTEPAryPbt

l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Belarus Investment Guide 2009: Published with the support of

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Ap.l floa o6rq. pea. E. B. Kapnencrcofi. - MH.: Bsrur. nt<.,2002.
239 c.

Harvey P., Jones R. Britain Explored: Longman, 2002. - 174 p.

Longman Dictionary of Business English. J.H. Adam.
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Vqe6. noco6ne I Il. C. Eapauoncrcufi, A. A.KosurcHc. - MHn

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SnerrponHbre pecypcbr

l.

About the USA: Outline of the US Economy:

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

BBC News: www.news.bbc.co.uk

Belarus Inside: wrvw.belarusinside.org
Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonrvealth.org

Cornell Chronicle Online: www.news.cornell.edu

Council of British International Schools: www.cobisec.org
Office for Standards in Education: www.of,sted.gov.uk
Russia Beyond the Headlines: www.rbth.ru
Study English Today: www.studvenglishtoday.rret
I 0. The British Parliament: www.parliament.uk
I L The Guardian: www.guardian.co.uk
12. The Higher School of Economics of Russia: rvww.lrse.ru
13. The New York Times: www.r-rytimes.conr
14. The Official Website of the World Bank:
www. web.rvorldbank.org
I 5. Times Online: www.timesonline.co.uk
I 6. UK National Europass Centre: www.uknec.org.uk
17. USA Today: rvww.usatoday.com
285

l- , /- l_

\i'l

18. Website of the Central Bank of the Russian federation:

www.cbr.nr
19. Website of the Russian Federation administrative bodies:
wwlv.gov.ru
20. Welcome to Belarus: www.belarus.by
2 l. Belopyccrcufi rocyAapcrBeunuft eKoHoMprqecrcr,rfi yHnoepcnrer:

www.bseu.bv

22. BercpyccKo-eBponefi crcoe corpyAHHqecrBo H naprHepcrBo:

www.eurobelarus.intb
23 . MmsucrepcrBo Qnuaucon Pecrry6lnru Eelapycr :
www.minfin.gov.by
2 4. O buuwar sHufi uHTepHsr-nopran flpesuAeHra Pecny6n r.mu Benapycb : www.president. gov.by
25. llocolrcrao Pecny6lnxn Belapycr a Poccuftcrofi Oegepaqnu:
www.embassybel.ru
26. Coser Muuucrpoa Pecny6lnxr.r Belapycs : www. government. by

Country Studies: wrvw.countrystudies.us

Encyclopedia Britannica: www.britannica.com
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia: www.encarta.msn.com
The Encyclopedia of the Nations: www.nationsencyclopedia.com
World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia: www.worldbook.com
Onlaftn sHrrlrKJroneAr,rx <Kpyrocser)): www.krugosvet.ru

enexrponHbre cnoBapx

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Lingvo: www.lingvo.ru
Longman English Dictionary Online: www.ldoceonline.com
Microsoft Encarta World English Dictionary:
www.dictionary.m sn.com
Multitran: www.multitran.ru
Oxford Dictionary: www.askoxford.conr

Ten.: 219-73-88, 219-73-90

http//www.ts.by

298-59-8S, 298.59-87
14Hrepxer-uaraer,tx: http:/Anrww.litera.by

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