GRAMMAR: PREPOSITIONS

Fill in the missing prepositions. 1. The United Kingdom is made _____of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has a long history as a major player _____ international affairs. 2. _____ the beginning of the century Britain commanded a world-wide empire as the foremost global power. 3. UK’s economy remains one of the largest, but it has _____ many years been based _____ service industries rather than _____ manufacturing. 4. Lately, the country has been struggling _____ issues revolving _____ multiculturalism, immigration and national identity. This is _____ a background of concerns _____ terrorism and political and religious radicalism, heightened _____ the suicide bomb attacks_____ London's transport network _____ 2005. 5. Elizabeth II became queen ____ 1952 _____ the death of her father, George VI. 6. Born ___ 1966 ____ London, Mr Cameron was educated ____ Eton College and Oxford University. Aged 43 _____ coming _____ power, he was the youngest prime minister _____ 1812. 7. David Cameron became prime minister ____ the head of a coalition government ___ 11 May 2010, returning his centre-right Conservative Party ____ power ____ 13 years of rule ____ the centre-left Labour Party. It is the first formal coalition government ____ 70 years to govern the UK, where the electoral system usually guarantees a majority ____ the largest party. The new PM was confronted ____ a daunting economic situation. ____ October 2010, Mr Cameron's government announced a programme of deep cuts ____ government spending - the UK's largest ____ generations. _____ 2011, the prime minister was criticised ____ hiring a journalist implicated in the scandal. 8. Tony Blair stepped _____ _____ coming _____ growing pressure _____ Britain's role ____ the Iraq War.

GRAMMAR: TENSES_THE UK

Open the brackets, using the correct verb-forms. THE UK The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a Constitutional Monarchy. Elizabeth the Second (crown) the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1952. Her father, George the Sixth, (rule) for 16 years. She is the Head of State but she is not the Head of Government. Laws in Great Britain (make) by Parliament. They (execute) by Government. Since the end of the Second World War British economy (base) on service industries, but it still (remain) a major economic and military power. The country (not enter) the euro zone and the question if it (join) it some time in the future, (appear) to be rather debatable. The UK lately (struggle) with such complicated issues as multicultuarism, immigration, national identity, political and religious radicalism and terrorism. The concerns about suicide bombings (heighten) since the attacks on London’s transport network in 2005. The UK (emerge) from a deep recession caused by 2008 global financial crisis, when David Cameron, the leader of centre-right Conservative Party, (become) the PM in 2010. He (must) form a partnership with the Liberal Democrats because his party (not gain) an absolute majority. It is the first coalition government in 70 years. By 2010 the centre-left Labour Party (be) in power for 13 years. After Mr Cameron (assume) office, he promised that cutting the deficit (be) his top priority. Now the PM (criticize) for (give) tax cuts to the rich while (cut) spending on the poor and (fail) in the central aim of reducing borrowing.

READING AND SPEAKING: THE UK COUNTRY PROFILE

Read the text and complete the tasks which follow. The United Kingdom is made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has a long history as a major player in international affairs and fulfils an important role in the EU, UN and Nato. The twentieth century saw Britain having to redefine its place in the world. At the beginning of the century it commanded a world-wide empire as the foremost global power. Two world wars and the end of empire diminished its role, but the UK remains a major economic and military power, with considerable political and cultural influence around the world. Britain was the world's first industrialised country. Its economy remains one of the largest, but it has for many years been based on service industries rather than on manufacturing. Despite being a major member of the EU, the country is not part of the euro zone, and the question of whether it will join any time soon appears to have receded for the moment. The government has said a series of economic criteria must be met before the issue can be put to a referendum. Diversity The UK is ethnically diverse, partly as a legacy of empire. Lately, the country has been struggling with issues revolving around multiculturalism, immigration and national identity.This is against a background of concerns about terrorism and political and religious radicalism, heightened after the suicide bomb attacks on London's transport network in 2005. Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II became queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1952 upon the death of her father, George VI. She is the second longest serving head of state, after the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was crowned in 1946. She is also head of state of 16 independent countries including Canada and Australia.As a constitutional monarch, her role in the legislative process is largely ceremonial. Prime minister: David Cameron Born the son of a wealthy stockbroker in 1966 in London, Mr Cameron was educated at Eton College - Britain's top private school - and Oxford University. Aged 43 on coming to power, he was the youngest prime minister since 1812. David Cameron became prime minister at the head of a coalition government on 11 May 2010, returning his centre-right Conservative Party to power after 13 years of rule by the centre-left Labour Party. Mr Cameron formed a partnership with the third party, the Liberal Democrats, after an inconclusive parliamentary election from which the Conservatives emerged with the largest number of seats, but without an absolute majority. It is the first formal coalition government in 70 years to govern the UK, where the electoral system usually guarantees a majority for the largest party. The new PM was confronted by a daunting economic situation, with the UK only slowly emerging from a deep recession caused by the 2008 global financial collapse, and facing a rapidly mounting budget deficit as a result of the crisis. Assuming office, Mr Cameron promised that cutting the deficit would be his top priority. In October 2010, Mr Cameron's government announced a programme of deep cuts in government spending - the UK's largest in generations. In 2011, the prime minister was criticised for hiring a journalist implicated in the scandal surrounding the hacking of phones by the now defunct News of the World newspaper as his communications director. The journalist, Andy Coulson, a former News of the World editor, resigned and was later arrested in connection with the allegations. Mr Cameron's predecessor, Gordon Brown, became prime minister in 2007, succeeding Tony Blair, who had stepped down after coming under growing pressure over Britain's role in the Iraq War. Are these statements true or false according to the text? Prove your point of view with the text. 1. The UK is made up of Great Britain, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. 2. The UK is one of the main states which has influence on the international affairs. 3. The UK plays a major role in the European Union, United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States. 4. At the beginning of the 20th century the UK was an emerging power. 5. The UK’s role on the global arena in the 20th century decreased because of the Second World War. 6. British economy was based on service industries. 7. The UK’s currency isn’t euro. 8. The UK’s problems in the 21st century mainly deal with ethnical diversity and terrorism. Answer the questions. 1. When did Elizabeth II become the head of the UK? What other countries does she rule? 2. How long has she been the Queen? 3. How old is David Cameron? How old was he when he was elected PM? What political party does he lead? 4. What’s his educational background? 5. How long had the Labour Party been in power before 11 May 2010? 6. Why did Mr Cameron have to form a partnership with the Liberal Democrates? 7. What economic situation was the new PM confronted by? 8. What are the two issues Mr Cameron is primarily criticized for by the British and the media? 9. Who were Mr Cameron’s predecessors? Be ready to retell the text in detail. You are to be ready to speak about: Major Facts about the UK; The UK’s role in the past and in the present; The major issues of concern for the British government; British PM David Cameron; The UK Head of State. You may add any additional information you consider important for your talk.

GRAMMAR: TENSES

Read the article, opening the brackets and using the correct verb-forms. Translate into Russian. Russia to become Iraq's second-biggest arms supplier Iraq (1 sign) contracts to buy Russian arms worth $4.2bn this year, Russian news agencies report. Moscow, the main supplier of arms to Iraq under Saddam Hussein, thus becomes the country's second-biggest arms supplier after the US. The new contracts (2 announce) after talks between the two countries' prime ministers near Moscow on Tuesday. Iraq (3 rebuild) its armed forces since the end of US-led combat operations against insurgents. The contracts (4 negotiate) during Iraq's acting Defence Minister visits to Russia in April, July and August 2012. "The delegation members (5 familiarize) themselves with the Russian military production, (6 discuss) the technical and commercial options of the offer with Rosoboronexport, and (7 sign) contracts worth more than $4.2bn," said a joint statement by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Iraqi counterpart, Nouri Maliki. Earlier this week, Mr Maliki explained in a speech that he (8 not want) Iraq to be "part of someone else's arms export monopoly." "We have good relations with the United States and Iran. We (9 not want) to live surrounded by constant conflict. We regularly (10 buy) weapons based on the needs that we feel we have," he added.

POLITICAL VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT 1

Read and give Russian equivalents of the following phrases and word combinations. Resumption of the Geneva talks; dangerous hot¬beds of tension; express confidence; an important stage in the development of relations; to deal with the Middle East problem; establishment of trade re¬lations; efforts to overcome antagonism; to ex¬change views on topical problems; to pursue a poli¬cy; the British leader was given a warm welcome; to give assessment to; to solve disputable questions through negotiations; to give an impetus/a boost; to reveal deep differences on arms control; to prevent nuc¬lear war; to achieve disarmament; call on sb for sth; to promote sth; to tackle differences; to ex¬press concern; to suspend talks. Give English equivalents of the following phrases and word combinations. Призывать к возобновлению переговоров; пе¬реговоры по Ближнему Востоку; предстоящая сессия Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН; очаги на¬пряженности; развитие отношений между двумя странами; торговля между нашими странами развивается; установление дружеских отноше¬ний; улучшить международный климат; обме¬няться мнениями по данному вопросу; проводить политику мира; программа визита; главы госу¬дарств были удовлетворены результатами пере-говоров; способствовать сотрудничеству; в ходе встречи; правительство США выражает; достичь прогресса; актуальные проблемы; оказывать влияние; отклонить предложение; обеспечить безопасность; вывод войск; переговоры были приостановлены; решать спорные вопросы путем переговоров

GRAMMAR: PASSIVE

Put these sentences into Passive, where possible. Most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the north-east coast of Japan. A wall of water swept away cars, ships and buildings after the 8.9-magnitude quake. The government has declared a state of emergency at a nuclear plant. The police have found 200 to 300 bodies in the port city of Sendai. The tremor hit at 1446 local time at a depth of about 24km. Radio reports extended a tsumami warning across the Pacific to North and South America. The Red Cross in Geneva warned that the waves could be higher than some Pacific islands. Local authorities evacuated coastal areas in the Philippines, and other parts of the Pacific ahead of the tsunami's expected arrival.

NEWSPAPER WORDS 3

Match the ‘newspaper word’ with its equivalent. Think of a Russian translation. Then read the headlines and translate them. Learn the words. Newspaper Words: aid; to bar; to clash; to axe; to halt; to press for; a blast; an envoy; to plunge; to vow. Meaning: to stop; to cut or to destroy; help; to promise; to argue violently or to start fighting; an explosion; to demand; a diplomat; to prohibit; to fall steeply Man Aids Police; Labour axe colleges in Tory towns; South African Team Barred; Ten dead in bomb blast; Strikers in clash with police; US Envoy taken hostage; Channel Tunnel Halt; Ford Plunges; Teachers press for pay rise; President Vows Change in Policy.

GRAMMAR: ARTICLES

Fill in the missing articles, where necessary: ___ Foreign Ministry, ____Foreign Office, ____ United Nations Organization, ____UN, ___ North Atlantic Treaty Organiza¬tion, ____NATO, ____World Trade Organization, ____WTO, ____ Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, ____OPEC, ____ Strategic Arms Reduction, ____ START, ____ House of Lords, ____ State Duma, ____ Kremlin, ____ White House, _____10 Downing Street, _____ Whitehall. _____UN Secretary-General, ____Foreign Secretary; _____ US State Secretary, Ms. H.Clinton; ____Deputy Prime Minister and ____Minister for Foreign Affairs; _____Federal Chancellor of _____Germany, Mrs. A.Merkel; ____President Putin of Russia; ____Russian President Vladimir Putin; _____Foreign Minister Lavrov; ____President Barak Obama

TRANSLATION DIFFICULTIES 1

1. Learn these expressions. shortly after вскоре после; shortly before незадолго до; without delay незамедлительно. 2. Practise in translation into Russian. 1. The President arrived in Moscow shortly after the text of the agree¬ment had been worked out by the delegations. 2. The peace negotiations were resumed shortly alter the ceasefire pact had been reached. 3. The violence started shortly before the United States decided to send its mediator to the region. 4. Iraq agreed to return military inspectors shortly after Washington had threatened to launch a campaign against it. 5. The co-sponsors resumed their peace efforts without delay. 6. "We must stop the terrorist attacks in Israel without delay", said the Prime Minister. 7. The United States intends to send its special envoy to the region without delay. 8. "The Israeli troops must be withdrawn from the occupied territories without delay", the Palestinian representative insisted. 9. "Israel should halt its West Bank offensive without delay", the US secretary of state said. Practise in translation into English. 1. Стороны пришли к соглашению вскоре после начала переговоров. 2. Президент США прибыл в Рим вскоре после того, как госсекретарь провел там предварительные переговоры. 3. Незадолго до начала переговоров о прекращении огня в Израи¬ле палестинские боевики совершили очередной террористиче¬ский акт. 4. Президент прервал свой визит и незамедлительно вернулся на родину. 5. Вскоре после очередного теракта ООН приняла решение сократить свое присутствие в стране. 6. Незадолго до отставки генсек НАТО посетил Россию.

NEWSPAPER WORDS 2

1. Read the headlines and translate them into Russian. German court backs eurozone's ESM bailout fund; Businesses hope for boost from royal visit to Singapore; Palestinian bid to calm protesters; Somalia poll – a great step; Haier makes Fisher & Paykel bid. 2. Read fragments of news items. Underline ‘newspaper words’, translate into Russian. 1. Nato's secretary-general has expressed concern over a decision by Azerbaijan to pardon an army officer convicted of the brutal murder of an Armenian. 2. Germany's top court has rejected calls to block the permanent eurozone rescue fund - the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) - and the European fiscal treaty. 3. A militant union has refused to sign a "peace accord" with the government and mine owner Lonmin, insisting that it will remain on strike until its pay demands are met. 4. Mr Pithiemis has pledged to cut crime across Warwickshire, to make people feel safer and to give taxpayers value for money. 5. Assembly members have voted to ban advertising and the promotion of tobacco in Northern Ireland. 6. Wen Jiabao calls for world leaders to work together to boost global growth. 7. Mitt Romney has pledged "to restore the promise of America", as he accepted the Republican presidential nomination at the party's convention in Florida. 8. The Palestinian Authority is to cut fuel prices and the salaries of top officials after days of protests across the West Bank over rising living costs. 9. On coming to power, Mr Correa froze talks on a free trade pact with the US, saying it would hurt Ecuador's farmers, 10. Ethiopia has pardoned two Swedish journalists jailed last year for supporting terrorism, a minister has said, adding they would be freed soon.

GRAMMAR: REPORTED QUESTIONS

Change the following Direct Questions into Reported Questions. 1. One of the journalists asked: "Are the two sides going to resume peace talks next month?" 2. The Reuters correspondent asked: "When will the visit start and what issues will the two presidents focus on?" 3. The head of the delegation asked: "When are the talks scheduled to start?" 4. A BBC correspondent asked the Foreign Ministry spokesman: "Is Russia going to send its peacekeepers to Afghanistan?" 5. A correspondent asked: "Why did the US refuse to sign the Kyoto protocol?" 6. A member of the delegation asked his colleague: "What will be on the agenda of the meeting tomorrow?" 7. The participants in the conference asked the chairman: "Are you go¬ing to organize another meeting on the peaceful settlement of region¬al conflicts?"