Элективный курс по английскому языку "American English"

 

Элективный курс по английскому языку

 

 

 

Л.Н.Курникова,  Т.Н.Лысова

 

 

 

 

AMERICAN  ENGLISH

 

Американский английский

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014г

 

 

 

 

 

 

ПОЯСНИТЕЛЬНАЯ  ЗАПИСКА

Актуальность данной темы объясняется широтой и активностью использования американского варианта английского языка в разных областях деятельности человека. Учитывая, что в школах изучается британский вариант английского языка (и по разным учебным пособиям), просто необходимо дать учащимся представления о наиболее характерных особенностях и лексических различиях двух вариантов английского языка.

Курс «AMERICAN ENGLISH» предназначен учащимся 9 – 10-х классов. Он знакомит ребят с лексическими, грамматическими, морфологическими особенностями американского английского; различиями в правописании, своеобразием произношения и различием в значении некоторых слов.

Знакомство осуществляется в сравнении с британским вариантом английского языка, что способствует увеличению словарного запаса учащихся. При этом они имеют возможность расширения информационного поля за счет приобщения к истории, культуре, географии стран изучаемого языка и приобретения новых знаний о жизни народов в этих странах.

Среди методов изучения курса предлагаются такие, как изучение текстов, составление сравнительных таблиц, прослушивание диалогов, начитанных носителями языка, составление и драматизация диалогов, выполнение тестов и отработка навыков употребления американского английского через игровые задания. Игры, предлагаемые в 29 – 30 уроках, могут быть использованы на более раннем этапе, начиная с 22 – 23 уроков.

Изучение курса рассчитано на 30 учебных часов.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                 ПРОГРАММА КУРСА

Раздел 1. Из истории американского варианта английского языка.

Американизмы: заимствования и архаизмы. Словарные новообразования первых поселенцев.

 

Раздел 2. Различия между американским и британским вариантами английского языка.

Морфологические различия и различия в правописании. Американский диалект. Грамматические расхождения. Лексические различия.

 

Раздел 3. Учимся говорить по-американски.

Прибытие, аэропорт и средства коммуникации. Транспорт: деловой центр города, метрополитен, наземный транспорт, автозаправочная станция.

В городе, повседневная жизнь: многоквартирный дом, соседи, отпуск.

Еда. Одежда. Деньги.

 

Раздел 4. Две страны, разделенные одним языком.

Американец в Британии. Об одном и том же на разных языках.

 

Раздел 5. Что нужно знать перед поездкой в США.

Специфичные слова и выражения. Как не «потеряться» в американском английском. Говорим на американском английском. Русский учащийся в американской принимающей семье.

 

Раздел 6. С пользой и весельем.

Игры: реши кроссворд, найди слово, убери лишнее слово, измени слова, прочитай закодированные записки, найди британские и американские эквиваленты.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

UNIT	TOPIC	CONTENTS	LESSON
I	From the History of American English	§  Americanisms. §  Borrowed Words.	1- 2
II	Differences between British English and American English	§  Morphology and Spelling Divergences §  American Dialect §  Grammatical Divergences §  Lexical Divergences	3 - 4     5 - 6   7 - 8   9 – 10
III	Learn to Speak American English	§  Arrival and Means of Communication §  Transportation §  Getting about Town §   Food. Dress.    Money.	11 - 12     13 - 14 15 - 16             17 – 19
IV	Speaking English and Talking American	§  So many countries, so many customs. §  Daily Life.	20 – 21     22
V	50 Essentials to Know about American Lifestyle	§  If you are at a loss with American English §  Speak American English. §   A Russian Student in a Host Family	23 – 24       25 – 26     27 -28
VI	For Fun and Profit	§  Let’s have Fun with American English	29 – 30

 

 

 

ЛИТЕРАТУРА:

 

1.                           Каспин И.В., Сегаль М.М., Шевяков В.Н. Говорим по-американски. Учебное пособие по английскому языку (американский вариант). Книга I. Тексты и комментарии. Ленинград, 1990.

2.                           Каспин И.В., Сегаль М.М., Шевяков В.Н. Говорим по-американски. Учебное пособие по английскому языку (американский вариант). Книга III. Диалоги и упражнения. Ленинград, 1990.

3.                           Martin Hewings. A self-study reference and practice book for advanced students of English. Cambridge, University Press, 2005.

4.                           Письменная О.А. Окна в англоязычный мир. Москва, «Славянский дом книги», 2004.

5.                           Климентьева Т., Шеннон Дж. Счастливый английский. Книга 2. Обнинск, «Титул», 1996.

6.                           Островский Б.С. Факультативный курс по английскому языку. Учебное пособие для 8 – 9 классов средней школы. Москва, «Просвещение», 1985.

7.                           Старков А.П., Островский Б.С. Учебное пособие для 9 класса средней школы. Москва, «Просвещение», 1985.

8.                           Методическая мозаика. Приложение к журналу «Иностранные языки в школе», 3/2005

9.                           «Speak  Out» (журнал для изучающих английский язык), 3/2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so he is.

Publilius Syrus

 

UNIT I.   FROM THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN ENGLISH

 

LESSONS 1 - 2.  AMERICANISMS AND THEIR ROOTS

1. Answer the questions:

a)     Have you ever heard such term as “americanism” before?

b)     What do you think it means?

c)     Can you give any examples of “americanisms”?

 

 2. Read the text and try to answer these questions again.

 

American English

The English language in America (AE) has been influenced by American Indian Languages and by all the ethnic groups that have emigrated to the United States over the years.

The term “americanism” was first used by John Witherspoon, president of Princeton University, in 1781. It designates (a) any word or combination of words which, taken into the English language in the United States, has not gained acceptance in England, or, if accepted, has retained its sense of foreignness; and (b) any word or combination of words which, becoming archaic in English, has continued in good usage in the United States.

The first class is the larger and has the long history. The earliest settlers in Virginia and New England, confronted by plants and animals that were unfamiliar to them, either borrowed the Indian names or invented names of their own. Examples are afforded by raccoon (енот), chinkapin (каштан карликовый), opossum (опоссум, карликовая крыса), squash (кабачок, тыква), woodchuck (сурок лесной североамериканский) among Indian words and by bullfrog (лягушка-бык, лягушка-вол), canvas-back (нырок), catbird (дрозд американский) and liveoak (дуб виргинский) among inventions. Many other words came in as the pioneers gained familiarity with the Indian life. Such words as hominy (дробленная кукуруза, мамалыга), moccasin (мокасин), pone (кукурузная лепешка), tapioca (крупа из крахмала) and succotash (сакоташ, блюдо из зеленой кукурузы, бобов и соленой свинины) remain everyday Americanisms.

The archaisms, of course, showed themselves more slowly. They had to go out of use in England before their survival in America was noticeable. But by the beginning of the 18^th century there was already a considerable body of them, and all through that century they increased. The English language in Great Britain (BE) was changing rapidly, but in America it was holding to its forms. There was very little fresh emigration to the colonies, and their own people seldom visited England. Thus by the end of the century “I guess” was already an Americanism, though it had been in almost universal use in England in Shakespeare’s days.

 

3. Group the words of the first class according to categories: borrowings,

     inventions and everyday Americanisms.

 

 

4. Discuss the questions in pairs and answer them:

a) Do all languages borrow words? Give the examples, if you can.

b) Where did American English borrow its words from? Give some examples, if

     you can do it.

c) Why did American English begin developing new words of its own?

 

5. Read the text and answer the questions about the process of word formation in AE once again.

 

Word formation in American English

American English borrowed words from the non-English settlers, and developed many new words of its own. The native coinages were large in number, and full of boldness and novelty. To this period belong, for example, backwoods (глушь, необжитое место, захолустье), hoecake (кукурузная лепешка), half-breed (метис, полукровка), hired-girl (амер. работница на ферме), spelling bee (амер. конкурс на лучшее правописание), mossback (амер.разг. южанин, скрывающийся от службы в армии /во время гражданской войны/), stamping-ground (место водопоя, пастбище; амер.разг. часто посещаемое место). These words were all made of the common materials of English, but there was something in them that was redolent of the pioneer people and a new world. A number of important words, in daily use, began to show different meanings in England and America. Some familiar examples are store, rock, lumber and corn. What Englishmen call a shop was called a store by Americans as early as 1770, and long before that time corn in American, had come to signify, not grains in general, but only maize. The use of rock to designate any stone, however  small, goes back still further, and so does the use of lumber for timber. Many of these differences were produced by changes of English usage. Thus cracker, in England, once meant precisely what it now means in the United States. When the English abandoned it for biscuit the Americans stuck to cracker, and used biscuit to designate something else. Also, shoe came to be substituted in America for the English boot.

 

 

 

6. Look through these two texts and tell about the history of American English

    as:

    - you are a professor of linguistics, lecturing your students;

    - you are a tourist who came back home and who wants to share your

      impressions of American everyday life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 UNIT II.  DIFFERENCES  BETWEEN  AMERICAN  ENGLISH  AND

 BRITISH  ENGLISH

 

 

LESSONS 3 - 4.  DIFFERENCES  IN  MORPHOLOGY  AND  SPELLING

 

1. Answer the questions:

 

   a) Do you think such differences are of great importance?

   b) Can you give any examples illustrating your idea?

 

2. Read the text and answer the previous questions again.

There are no differences in suffixes, prefixes, morphology and syntax. But there are differences in tendency of using them.

American English could more easily than British English form nouns ending with “–ette (-et)” with the diminunative meaning (luncheonette/ dinette/ dinerette – небольшое кафе), or to show gender (such as conductorette). Similarly, American English more extensively uses the suffix “-wise” in the meaning of “with regard to” or “in terms of” (instructionwise, taxwise, pricewise, weatherwise). Also popular among Americanisms is the prefix “super-” (superhighway, superfilm, superweapon), and also the verb suffix “-ize”. Equally registered tendency of American English is to use the morphological forms of the type “got”:“gotten”. Worth of mentioning is the usage of expressive compound words (trigger-happy – агрессивно-настроенный, mastermind – гений, gangland – преступный мир), as well as forming verbs from nouns (to politic – вести политическую кампанию, to deed– передавать по акту), or forming nouns with the help of verbs followed by adverbs (walk-up – дом без лифта, shut-out – победа с сухим счетом). Such examples are numerous, they are widely used in British English and other variants of English, which reflects their meeting the needs of communication.

 

And what about differences in spelling?

 

There are number of differences. For example, in America “programme” is written like “telegram”; there is no letter “u” in words like “colour, labour”; “theatre” and “kilometre” are spelt “theater” and “kilometer”; “traveller” and “travelling” and other words like them have only one letter “l”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.           Look through the list of “Graphic divergences” to get some more  

        information and give some more examples.

A

American English	British English	Translation
ardor	ardour	задор, упорство
armor	armour	броня, панцирь
candor	candour	искренность, прямота
clamor	clamour	шум, гул
clangor	clangour	звон(металлических предметов)
color	colour	цвет
favor	favour	любезность
harbor	harbour	гавань
honor	honour	почесть
humor	humour	юмор
labor	labour	работа
neighbor	neighbour	сосед
odor	odour	аромат, благоухание
parlor	parlour	гостиная, зал, ателье
rancor	rancour	злость, сокровенная вражда
rigor	rigour	строгость, суровость
valor	valour	доблесть
vapor	vapour	пар
vigor	vigour	сила, мощь

 

B   

American English	British English	Translation
prolog	prologue	пролог
monolog	monologue	монолог
dialog	dialogue	диалог
café	café	кафе
elite	elite	элита
fete	fete	праздник, празднования
matinee	matinee	дневной спектакль

 

C

American English	British English	Translation
level- leveled- leveling	level – levelled – levelling	уровень
counsel-counseled counseling - counselor	counsel – counselled – counselling – counsellor	рекомендовать, давать совет
jeweler – jewelery	jeweller – jewellery	ювелир, драгоценности
travel – traveled -   traveling – traveler	travel – travelled – travelling - traveller	путешествовать

D

American English	British English	Translation
defense	defence	оборона, защита
offense	offence	нарушение, проступок, обида
license	licence	лицензия, свидетельство
practise	practice	практика
pretense	pretence	притворство, претензия

 

E

American English	British English	Translation
center	centre	центр
fiber	fibre	волокно
luster	luster	глянец, блеск, слава
meter	metre	метр
theater	theatre	театр

 

F

American English	British English	Translation
impanel	empanel	включать в список присяжных заседателей
incase	encase	упаковывать, обрамлять
incrust	encrust	покрываться коркой, ржавчиной
infold	enfold	завертывать, обнимать
insure	ensure	обеспечивать, гарантировать

 

G

American English	British English	Translation
esthetic	aesthetic	эстетичный
anesthesia	anaesthesia	анестезия
encyclopedia	encyclopaedia	энциклопедия
anemic	anaemic	анемичный
hemorrhage	haemorrhage	кровотечение
maneuver	manoeuver	маневр
orthopedics	orthopedics	ортопедия
eon	aeon	вечность,геол. эра

 

H

American English	British English	Translation
draft, draught	draught	сквозняк
bark	bark, barque	большое парусное судно
check	cheque	банковский чек
catalog	catalogue	каталог
gage, gauge	gauge	калибр, масштаб
plow, plough	plough	плуг, пахать
tire	tyre	шина
putter	potter	заниматься мелочами, суетиться, бесцельно тратить время
taffy	toffee	конфета из сахара и масла

 

3.     Prepare speaking about morphology and graphic divergences giving as many illustrations as you can.

 

 

 LESSONS  5 - 6. THE AMERICAN DIALECT

 

·        Do you think it is difficult for an Englishman to understand an American? Why?

 

1. Read the text and answer the questions:

   a) What are the roots of American Dialect?

   b) What are the main dialects of American English?

   c) What dialect has the greatest number of differences?

  

American Dialect

 

The American dialect of English was firmly established by the time the Republic was well–started, and in the half-century following it departed more and more from Standard English. The settlement of the West, by taking large numbers of young men beyond the pale of urbane society, made for grotesque looseness in speech. Neologisms of the most extravagant sorts arose by the thousand, and many of them worked their way back to the East, and with them a vast number of characteristic American words, e.g., breadstuffs, mileage, balance (in the sense of remainder) and elevator (a place for storing grain).

During the two decades before the Civil War everyday American became almost unintelligible to an Englishman; every English visitor marked and denounced its vagaries. It was bold and lawless in its vocabulary, careless of grammatical niceties, and further disfigured by a drawling manner of speech. The congressional debates of the time were full of its phrases; soon they were to show themselves in the national literature.

After the Civil War there was an increase of national self-consciousness, and efforts were made to police the language. Professional grammarians got help from certain of the literati. The campaign went to great lengths. But the spirit of the language, and of the American people no less, was against reforms, and they were reduced to vanity by the unconquerable speech habits of the folk. Under the very noses of the purists a new and vigorous American slang came into being, and simultaneously the common speech began to run amok.

In the face of a new situation the American shows a far greater linguistic resourcefulness and daring than the Englishman. The visiting Englishman finds them very difficult. They puzzle him even more than do American peculiarities of pronunciation. Of late the increase of travel and other inter-communication between England and America has tended to halt the differentiation of the two dialects. It was more marked, perhaps, before the World War than since. Today, urbanization, quick transport and television have tended to level out some dialectal differences in the United States.

The dialect regions of the United States are most clearly marked along the Atlantic littoral, where the earlier settlements were made. Three dialects can be defined: Northern, Midland and Southern. Each has its subdialects. The speech of the Atlantic Seaboard shows far greater differences in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary than that of any area in the North Central States, the Upper Midwest, the Rocky Mountains or the Pacific Coast. In some areas of South Carolina and Georgia the American Negroes who had been imported to work the rice and cotton plantations developed a contact language called Gullah or Geechee, that made use of many structural and lexical features of their native languages.

 

2. Read the second part of the text about American Dialect and organize the

    examples of divergences in a cluster.

 

  

The chief differences between British Received Pronunciation and a variety of American English, such as Inland Northern (the speech form of western New England and its derivatives, often popularly referred to as General American) are in the pronunciation of certain individual vowels and diphthongs. It is next to impossible to dwell here upon divergences of both variants in phonetics – sounds, stress, accent, intonation. Examples are numerous to illustrate the fact. Here are some of them.

There are differences in pronouncing the letter “a” in such words as “ask, answer, can’t, half, class, glass, after, example”. Englishmen pronounce it as [a:], but Americans – as [ǽ].

Such pair of letters as “ew” is pronounced as [ju:] in British English and       [u:] in American English. That’s why Englishmen pronounce “new, dew” as    [nju:], [dju:]. Americans pronounce these words as [nu:], [du:].

The letter “o” sounds as [o] in such words as “not, hot, top” in British English but Americans pronounce it as [Λ].

In British English the letter “r” is silent in words “car, port, sister”. That’s why Englishmen pronounce them as [ka:], [po:t], [΄sistә]. Americans pronounces them in the other way – [ka:r], [po:rt], [΄sistәr].

In British English the letter “t” sounds like [t] and Englishmen pronounce “better” and “city” as [΄betә] and [΄siti]. Americans pronounce them as [΄bedәr] and     [΄sidi].

Englishmen pronounce “tomato” as [tә΄ma:tәu], “figure” as [΄figә], “schedule” as [΄∫edju:l]. In American English these words are pronounced as

[tә΄meitәu], [‘figәr] and [΄skedju:l]. “Advertisement” in British English is [әd΄vә:tismәnt], and in American English it is pronounced as [ǽdvәr΄taizmәnt].                                  

 

·        Can you answer the previous question more detailed? Do it, please.

·        Finish the cluster, please.

ask

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. “Ping-pong” game. Play this game and learn pronunciation of the words.

 

Organize two teams. Some of you are Americans, the others are Englishmen. The first team begins “throwing” the words pronouncing them as it is normal in British English. Your “American” friends repeat the same words with their specific pronunciation. Good luck!

 

4. Interview your classmate who “visited” the USA about the “strange

    American English”.

 

LESSONS 7 - 8.  GRAMMATICAL DIVERGENCES

 

1. Grammar is the skeleton of any language. Do you think there are a lot of grammatical divergences in American English? Do they make American English simpler to use or more complicated?

If you don’t know how to answer, leave then for now. You’ll be able to answer them after studying comparative tables.

 

British English	American English
The Present perfect is used for an action in the past with a result now: -         I’ve lost my key. Have you seen it?     -         Sally isn’t here. She’s gone out.   The Present Perfect is used with just, already and yet. -         I’m not hungry. I’ve just had lunch.   -         A: What time is Mike leaving?            B: He has already left.   -         Have you finished your work yet?	The Present Perfect or Past Simple can be used: -         I’ve lost my key. Have you seen it?                   or:          I lost my key. Did you see it?      - Sally isn’t here. She’s gone out.         (She went out.) The Present Perfect or Past Simple can be used: -         I’m not hungry. I’ve just had lunch. (I just had lunch.)       - A: What time is Mike leaving?          B: He has already left. (He already               left.) -         Have you finished your work yet?                          or:      -   Did you finish your work yet?
British speakers usually say:          - have a bath, have a shower          - have a break, have a holiday	Americans speakers say: -         take a bath, take a shower -         take a break, take a vacation
Will or shall can be used with “I/we”: -         I will/shall be late this evening. “Shall I…?” and ”Shall we…?”      are used to ask for advice etc.: -         Which way shall we go?	Shall is unusual: -         I will be late this evening. “Should I…?” and “Should we…?”     are more usual to ask for advice etc.:      - Which way should we go?
British speakers use “can’t” to say they believe something is not probable: -         Sue hasn’t contacted me. She can’t have got my message.	American speakers use “must not” in this situation: -         Sue hasn’t contacted me. She must not have gotten my message.
You can use “needn’t” or “don’t need to”: -         We needn’t hurry.                      or      -     We don’t need to hurry.	“Needn’t” is unusual. The usual form is “don’t need to”:  -  We don’t need to hurry.
After “demand, insist, etc.” you can use “should”:   -         I demanded that we should apologise. -         We insisted that something should be done about the problem.	The subjunctive is normally used. “Should” is unusual after “demand, insist, etc.”: -         I demanded that he apologize.   -         We insisted that something be done about the problem.
Many verbs ending in “-ise” in British English : -         apologise -         organise -         specialise, etc.	Such verbs are spelt with “-ize” in American English:           - apologize           - organize           - specialize, etc.
British speakers generally use “Have you?/ Isn’t she? etc.”.  A: Liz isn’t feeling well.  B: Isn’t she? What’s wrong with her?	American speakers generally use “You have? / She isn’t? etc.”.  A: Liz isn’t feeling well.  B: She isn’t? What’s wrong with her?
“Accommodation” is usually uncountable:  - There isn’t enough accommodation here.	“Accommodation” can be countable:    - There aren’t enough accommodation.
“to/in hospital”(without “the”): -         Three people were injured and taken to hospital.	“to/in the hospital”: -         Three people were injured and taken to the hospital.
Nouns like “government, team, family, etc.” can have singular or plural verb:  - The team is / are playing well.	These nouns normally take a singular verb in American English: -         The team is playing well.
“at the weekend/at weekends”:  - Will you be here at the weekend?	“on the weekend/on weekends”: -         Will you be here on the weekend?
“different from” or “different to”: -         It was different from / to what I’d expected.	“different from” or “different than”:  - It was different from / than what I’d     expected.
“at the front / at the back(of a group), etc.”:  - Let’s sit at the front (of the cinema).	“in the front / in the back (of a group), etc.”: -         Let’s sit in the front (of the movie).
British speakers use both “round” and “around”: -         He turned round.                    or:      -    He turned around.	American speakers use “around” (not usually “round”):        - He turned around.
“get on = progress”: -         How are you getting on in your new job? “get on (with somebody)”: -         Richard gets on well with his new neighbours.	American speakers do not use “get on” in this way.   “get along (with somebody)”: -         Richard gets along well with his new neighbors.
“do up a room / etc.”:  - The kitchen looks great now that it     has been done up.	“do over a room / etc.”:  - The kitchen looks great now that it     has been done over.
The verbs in this section (burn, spell, learn, etc.) can be regular or irregular ( “burned” or “burnt”, “spelled” or “spelt”, etc.). The Past Participle of “get” is “got”:  - Your English has got much better.(=     has become much better). “Have got” is also an alternative “to   have”:    -  I’ve got two brothers. ( I have two       brothers.	The verbs in this section are normally regular (burned, spelled, learned, etc.).     The past participle of “get” is “gotten”: -         Your English has gotten much better. “Have got = have (as in British English)”:       - I have two brothers.

 

2. Study the tables once again and answer the questions:

 

    a) What have you learnt about using the Present Perfect Tense in American

        English?

    b) When do Americans use “must not” instead of “can’t”?

    c) Is there any differences in using such words as “accommodation, team,

        family” in both variants?

   d) Is “do up a room” the same as “do over a room”? Which of these expressions

       is American?

   e) Are there any differences in verb form in American English and British

       English?

 

3. Do some necessary changes to make the dialogues sound American.

 

a) A: Do you know what time is Mark leaving?

    B: He has already left.

    A: He can’t have left without saying me “good bye”.

 

b) A: We’ve got enough time. We needn’t hurry.

     B: Really? So, which way shall we go?

 

c) A: Margaret isn’t feeling well.

     B: Isn’t she? What’s wrong with her?

     A: She’s got pneumonia. I insisted that something should be done about this

          problem.

     B: I think she must be taken to hospital.

 

 

LESSONS 9 - 10.  LEXICAL DIVERGENCES

 

1. Try to answer these questions:

1)  What do Americans pour into the tanks of their cars: gas or petrol?

2)  What do they do at the movies?

3)  Can you leave home wearing only T-shirt and pants?

4)  Where do planes fly using paraffin?

5)  In Russia you live on the first floor. What floor do you live if you are:

     - in the UK?

     - in the USA?

6) Will you look for a flat or an apartment if you stay in New York for a fortnight ?

7) What does an American keep in his dresser?

8) When can’t you eat crackers?

9) Where would you call in Seattle if your house were in fire: a fire department or

     a fire-brigade?

10)  Can you read a pocket-book?

11)  Is a crazy man as clever as a mad man?

12)  Would you look for a counter in an American post-office?

13)  What would you ask for if you wanted to send a telegramme: a blank or a

       telegram form?

14)  Who could help you with your baggage in Boston: a porter or a redcap?

15)  Do you stand in a queue or a line in the store in Atlanta?

 

2. If you have any difficulties answering the questions, look through the tables

    below and try to do it again.   

 

American English	British English	Translation
fall	autumn	осень
vacation	holiday	отпуск
vacationer, vacationist	holiday-maker	отдыхающий, отпускник
landslide	landslip	обвал, оползень
movies (movie theater)	cinema (theatre)	кино(театр)
movie	film	кинофильм
orchestra seat	stall	кресло в партере
street musician	busker	уличный музыкант
street light	lamppost	фонарный столб
depot	station	вокзал, железная дорога
restroom	public convenience	общественный туалет
sidewalk	pavement	тротуар
freeway	motorway	автострада, автомагистраль
subway	tube, underground	метро
railroad	railway	железная дорога
railroad track	railway line	железнодорожный путь
streetcar, trolley	tram	трамвай
parking lot	car park	автомобильная стоянка
cab	taxi	такси
truck	lorry, van, trailer	грузовой автомобиль
flat-car	truck	открытая железнодорожная платформа
passenger car	carriage	пассажирский вагон
railroad car, freight car, baggage car	(railroad) wagon, van	товарный или багажный вагон
trailer	caravan	жилой автоприцеп
sailboat	sailing boat	парусная шлюпка
gasoline (gas)	petrol	бензин
flat tire, blow-out	puncture	прокол (шины)
hood	bonnet	капот
top	hood	откидной верх автомобиля
fender	wing, mudguard	крыло (автомобиля)
bumper	fender	буфер, амортизатор
license plate	number plate	номерная табличка
spark-plug	sparking-plug	свеча зажигания
kerosene	paraffin	керосин
lumber	timber	лесоматериалы
yard	garden	сад
apartment building	block of flats	многоквартирный дом
smoke-stack	chimney	дымовая труба
first floor	ground floor	первый этаж
second floor	first floor	второй этаж
elevator	lift	лифт
hallway	vestibule; corridor	коридор
apartment	flat	квартира
living-room	drawing-room	гостиная
bureau	chest of drawers	шифоньерка
closet (for hanging clothes)	wardrobe	шкаф
dresser	kitchen sideboard	кухонный шкаф для посуды
davenport	sofa, coach	диван
bug	insect	насекомое
antenna	aerial	антенна
faucet	tap	водопроводный кран
drapes	curtains	занавески
Scotch tape	sellotape	«скотч» (склеивающая лента)
flashlight	torch	электрический фонарик
monkey wrench	spanner	гаечный ключ
wall plug	multiple outlet adapter	штепсельная вилка, тройник
garbage	rubbish	мусор
garbage can	dustbin	мусорный ящик
can	tin	консервы, консервная банка
canned foods	tinned foods	консервированные фрукты
can opener	tin-opener	открывалка
pitcher	jug	графин
skillet	frying pan	сковорода
cook-book	cookery book	поваренная книга
chop	cutlet	(отбивная) котлета
tenderloin	filet, undercut	филей, вырезка
bacon	gammon	окорок
bacon (mixture of fat and lean)	streaky (bacon)	бекон с прослойками жира
endive	chicory	цикорий
chicory	endive	салат эндивий
sucker	lollipop	леденец
dessert	sweets (course) /puddings, cakes/	десерт, сладкое (выпечка)
fruit (included into dessert)	dessert (fruit is served after “sweets”)	десерт (фрукты)
candy	sweets	конфеты
cookie	biscuit	домашнее печенье
cracker	biscuit	сухое печенье, крекер
graham cracker	digestive	крекеры из муки цельного помола
crackers	firecrackers	фейерверк
store	shop	магазин
drugstore	chemist’s	аптека
druggist	chemist	аптекарь
cigar store	tobacconist’s	табачный магазин
liquor store	off-licence	вино-водочный магазин
shoe store	boot shop	магазин обуви
dry goods store	drapers’ shop	магазин тканей
barber shop	barber’s	мужская парикмахерская
beauty parlor	hairdresser’s	женская парикмахерская
notions	haberdashery	галантерейные товары
notion counters	haberdashery department	галантерея
news-stand	newspaper stall	киоск печати
fire department	fire-brigade	пожарная команда
call	phone	звонить
hang up	ring off	положить трубку, закончить разговор
pants	trousers	штаны
suspenders	braces	подтяжки
(high) shoes	boots	ботинки
bootblack	shoeblack	чистильщик сапог
vest	waistcoat	жилетка
undershirt	vest	майка
bathrobe	dressing gown	халат
rubbers	galoshes	калоши
galoshes	overshoes	ботики
tuxedo	dinner jacket	смокинг
(woman’s) tailor-made suit	costume	женский костюм
pocket-book	wallet	плоская женская сумочка
purse	handbag	женская сумочка
shades	sunglasses	солнцезащитные очки
baby carriage	pram	детская коляска
pacifier	dummy	соска
diaper	nappy	пеленка
dull	blunt	тупой (карандаш)
eraser	rubber	резинка
deck (of cards)	pack (of cards)	колода (карт)
crazy	mad	сумасшедший
be sick	be ill	быть больным, нездоровым
be ill	be sick	тошнить
visit	call	зайти ненадолго
sideburns	sideboards	баки, бачки
wad	crumple	мять, комкать
bone up	cram	зубрить
telephone booth	telephone box	телефонная будка
the line is busy	the line is engaged	линия занята
(telegram) blank	telegram form	бланк телеграммы
ticket office	booking-office	билетная касса
baggage	luggage	багаж
tag	label	бирка, ярлык, этикетка
one way ticket	single (ticket)	билет в один конец
round trip ticket	return ticket	билет в оба конца, «туда и обратно»
redcap	porter	носильщик
cart	trolley	тележка
line	queue	очередь
to stand in line	to queue	стоять в очереди
enquire	inquire	спрашивать, наводить справки
mail	post, mail	почта, отправлять почту
mailman	postman	почтальон
mailbox	letter box, pillar box, post-box	почтовый ящик
window (in a post-office)	counter	стойка (в почтовом отделении)
wire	telegram(me)	телеграмма
workout	training, exercise	тренировка
clerk; sales clerk	shop-assistant, sales assistant	продавец
cop	bobby	полицейский
janitor	caretaker	дворник, сторож
mortician	undertaker	хозяин похоронного бюро
bill	(bank) note	банкнот
check; bill	bill	счет (в ресторане)
check	cheque	чек (для оплаты в банке)
checkbook	cheque-book	чековая книжка
purchase order	order	заказ (на товар)
(common) stock	share	(обычная) акция
stockholder	shareholder	акционер
checking account	current account	текущий счет
saving account	deposit account	сберегательный счет
go bankrupt, go into bankruptcy	go into liquidation (about Ltd. company); go bankrupt (private individuals, partnerships)	обанкротиться
period	full stop	точка
in parenthesis	in brackets	в скобках
billion	milliard	миллиард
trillion	billion	биллион
quintillion	trillion	триллион
a quarter before (of) eight	a quarter to eight	без четверти восемь
a quarter after eight	a quarter past eight	четверть девятого

 

3. Study the table more thoroughly and group them according to different

    rubrics. How many spheres of people’s life do they concern?

 

4. Try to explain why even an Englishman (when first landing in the United

    States) has got some difficulties in understanding the talk of people

    standing around him. Use the information of Lessons 2 – 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT III.  LEARN TO SPEAK AMERICAN ENGLISH

 

LESSONS 11 - 12.  ARRIVAL AND MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

 

1. Study the topical words and expressions.

 

American English	British English	Russian
fill out	fill in	заполнить
last name	surname	фамилия
Excuse me…	Pardon…	извините
purse	handbag	сумочка
elevator	lift	лифт
first floor	ground floor	1-й этаж
telephone booth	telephone box	телефонная будка
restroom	toilet	туалет
call up	ring up	позвонить
Lost and Found	trunk call	междугородный
long distance	Lost Property	бюро находок
call collect	reserve charge	телефонный разговор с оплатой вызываемым абонентом
connect	put through	соединять
busy	engaged	занято
line up	queue up	становиться в очередь
ZIP code	post code	почтовый индекс
front desk	reception	стол администратора (гостиницы)
desk clerk	receptionist	дежурный администратор
wire	telegramme	телеграмма
liquor	spirits	спиртное
mailbox	letter-box	почтовый ящик
Tuesday through Saturday	from Tuesday till Saturday	со вторника до субботы
exchange money	change money	обменивать деньги
dollar bill		банкнота в 1 доллар
	pound note	банкнота в 1 фунт

                                                               

2. Play “Ping-pong game” (to remember words as quickly as possible)

3. Listen to the dialogues and then read them in parts. Which of you is speaking American English?

 

Victor is Russian. He has been to the USA and learnt American English there. Now he is in London but he continues to speak American English. His British friend Brian helps him to adapt to British English. 

 

 

 

 

-         Do I have to fill out any forms?     -         He means he wants you to print your last name.	-         Yes, you have to fill in this form here and, please, write your surname in block letters     -         Oh, I see, thank you. I have to earn a language, it seems.
-         Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is   -         You mean Lost and Found? -         You’ve dropped you purse, ma’am.	-         You mean the toilet? Go past the Lost property – and there it is.       -         Pardon? Oh, you mean my handbag. Thank you very much.
-         I want to call up a friend. Where is the phone booth?   -         It’s going to be a long distance call, and I want to call collect.     -         That’s, I guess. And where do I exchange my dollar bills for pound notes?   -         But we are on the first floor. What to I need an elevator for?	-         You may ring up your friend from that phone box over there.   -         You mean you would like to make a trunk call with reverse charge, is that it?     -         If you want to change money, you’ll have to take the lift to the first floor, and there is the bank.   -         It’s the ground floor, and not the first floor. We are on the ground floor, the bank is on the first floor, sir.
-         Did you make that trunk call?     -         If you were English you would have said: they couldn’t put me through, and then the line was engaged.     -         There’s a letter box in front of the chemist’s.   -         Yes, they call it a drugstore in the States.     -         You may send the telegramme from the post-office across the street. You know the post code, of course.   -         No, there’s no queue for telegrammes.	-         I tried to, but they couldn’t connect me, and the line was busy.   -         I’ll try to remember that, thank you. I have to mail some letters and send a telegram home, too. How do I go about it?   -         The chemist’s?     -         Aha, and there’s the mailbox, I see it. And what about the telegram?   -         The ZIP code, you mean? Yes, I know it. There’s quite a crowd here. Do I have to line up to send the wire?
-         Here we are at the hotel. There’s (the) Reception. This is where you register.   -         It’s the receptionist with us.   -         Good evening, sir, here’s your key. How long are you going to stay, sir?   -         From Monday till Thursday? Are you leaving on Thursday?   -         Thank you, sir.	-         I’m used to this being called the “front desk” and the person behind it “desk clerk”.       -         Monday through Thursday.       -         Yes, Thursday night.
-         Customs officer: Any spirits, sir?   -         Did you say “California”? How very unusual.	-         Do you mean liquor? Yes, a bottle of gin and two bottles of the best California wine.

 

 

 

4. Define which of the statements belong to an American and which ones – to

    an Englishman.

1. I want to make a call to California – collect. How do I go about it?

2. I’m sorry, your number’s engaged. Shall I try and put you through later?

3. After you have filled out the form, take the elevator to the second     floor and there     you may exchange your money.

4. Where can I find a phone box? I want to ring up my mother. It’s going to be a    trunk call and I want the charge reversed.

5. The toilet’s on the ground floor. Go past the chemist’s, the Lost Property and

    there you’ll see it.

6. There’s no need for you to queue up with your telegramme.

7. He’s going to stay with us Saturday through Wednesday.

5. How can you say these words and expressions if you are

     - in Washington, D.C.?

     - in Manchester?

 

6. Make your own dialogue according to the models and act it out.

 

 

LESSONS 13 – 14.   TRANSPORTATION

 

1. Study the topical words and expressions.

 

American English	British English	Russian
gas	petrol	бензин
gas station	filling station	АЗС
flat	puncture	прокол (шины)
deport	station	вокзал
railroad	railway	железная дорога
downtown	centre of the city	центр города
underpass	subway	подземный переход
subway (in New York)	underground / Tube	Метро
bus	bus / coach	Автобус
streetcar	tram	Трамвай
transportation	transport	Транспорт
one way ticket	single ticket	билет в одну сторону
round up ticket	return ticket	обратный билет
rent	hire	Прокат

 

2. Complete the sentences.

 

1. - Americans put … in their tanks.     -Englishmen put … in their tanks.   2. – The first do it at the ….     - The second do it at the ….   3. - Going to Bath I had a … of my tire.     - Going to Austin I had a … of my        tire.   4. - My relatives live in … of London.     - My relatives live in … of New York.   5. – Use … when you cross the Strand.     - Use … when you cross       Pennsylvania Avenue.   6. -  Thousands of Londoners go to         work by ….      - Thousands of New Yorkers go to         work by ….     7. – I’d come to the …. in York before        my train left.     -  I’d come to the … in Phoenix        before my train left.

8. – There are no … in  small towns of        Great Britain.  - There are no … in small towns of the     USA.   9. – When I go to my aunt who lives in        Manchester I always buy a … ticket        not to worry about it later.     -  When I go to my aunt who lives in        Salt Lake City I always buy a …        ticket not to worry about it later.   10. – Last month I bought a … ticket        when I visited my auntie living in        Dover because I didn’t know the        day of my departure.       - Last month I bought a … ticket         when I visited my auntie living in         Denver because I didn’t know the         day of my departure.   11. – The … of the car in Great Britain         is rather expensive.        - The … of a car in the United         States is rather cheap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Read the dialogues. Mind the differences in American and British

    English.

- Are you going to get a taxi?    - I’ll try to translate into American,    “We’ll have to stop for gas at the gas    station.

- No, I have got a car, but I’m afraid,     I’m running out of petrol, so we have     to stop at the filling station.

- Are we driving downtown?    - Is that a subway station?        - How do you mean, “take a subway to    get to the Tube”?    - I see. As we Russians put it, “You    learn as you live.” Do you use    streetcars a lot?    - What’s the best way to Oxford?        - Do you have a railroad schedule at the    hotel?      - Do I have to buy  a one way ticket or    a round trip ticket?      - And how about renting a car instead?          - Yes, I’m sure you’re right. And your     public transportation is much more    efficient than in the States.

- Yes, we are almost in the centre of the     city.  - Yes, that’s a Tube station, which is     the closest to your hotel. You may     just take the subway from the front    door, and you’ll get to the Tube.  - Yes, a subway is an underground     passage used for crossing the street    - No, we haven’t got many trams, we     mainly use buses or coaches as we     often call them.    - I think the best way would be to go by train. It won’t take you long, and the travel is most enjoyable.    - I’m sure they’ve got a railway    timetable at (the) Reception. You can    get to the railway station by Tube.    - No, certainly it is advisable to get a     return ticket, rather than a single one     – it’s much more convenient.    - Of course, you may hire a car, but it’s     much more tiring, and Oxford is     meant for walking not driving. It’s     such a beautiful old town!    - I should say so. I’d say our public    transport is satisfactory.

 

 

4. Define which of the statements belong to an American and which ones – to

    an  Englishman?

 

1. The subway will take you to the railroad station and there address yourself to the

    Lost and Found – they may have your briefcase.

2. These things are found in drugstores. There’s one close to the gas station.

3. Ask the receptionist. She will direct you to the centre of the city and tell you

    which Tube station is the nearest.

4. You should have bought a return ticket, there would be no need to queue for the

    ticket office.

5. Mr. Johnson would like to hire a car but he wonders where he can change

    money.

6. The coaches stop quite near the filling stations and if you read the timetable

    you’ll see if we have time for the pub.

7. I want to get downtown. Will the streetcar take me there?

 

5. Ask where these places are if you are in:

    - New York.

    - London.

 

1. метро 2. железнодорожный вокзал 3. АЗС 4. центр города

5. прокат машин 6. подземный переход 7. билетная касса, где можно купить     билет в одном направлении

 

6. Make your own dialogues using these words and expressions. Take the previous     dialogues as examples. Act out your dialogues.

 

Situations: Ø You want to get downtown. Ø You need renting a car. Ø You think of buying a ticket. Ø You have to stop for gas at the gas station.

 

 

LESSONS 15 – 16.  GETTING ABOUT TOWN

 

 

1. Read the words and answer the questions:       - Have you met any of them earlier?     - When and where was it?

 

 

 

American English	British English	Russian
on the street	in the street	на улице
apartment house	block of flats	многоэтажный дом
sidewalk	pavement	тротуар
apartment	flat	квартира
drop in, stop by	drop in	зайти (в гости)
truck	lorry	грузовик
billion	milliard	миллиард
vacation	holiday	отпуск
movie (theater)	cinema	кинотеатр
ask for a ride	ask for a lift	попросить подвезти
give a ride	give a lift	подвезти
guy	cap / bloke	парень (мужчина)
to get sick	to be taken / fall ill	заболеть

 

 

2. Tell about American equivalents of some British words as if you are an

     English    teacher.

 

3. Read the dialogues. Mind the differences in American and British

    English.

 

§  Which speaker is an Englishman and which one is an American? Why?

 

- This is the street I live in.    - We say “in the street”. And here’s the     block of flats where I live. My flat’s     on the third floor.    - Yes, actually it is.            - Lorries move very fast sometimes.    Take care when crossing the street:    first look right, then left. Oh, mind the    dustbin on the pavement!

- Did you say “in”? I would say “on”.    - You mean the fourth floor of the     apartment house?      - I got used to the way you count    storeys, but it’s much harder getting    used to driving on the left side. I    almost got run down by a truck    yesterday.   - Is that what you call garbage cans?    And the English call trucks lorries and    sidewalks pavements – there’s so    much to learn yet.

- Yes, there’s a fine chap next door, and    I used his advice in decorating the flat.    He was most helpful.    - He is on holiday at the moment or I    would introduce him to you.    - Not yet. I’ll go on holiday in the    autumn. I’m planning to go to the    Bahamas.    - No, it isn’t too expensive, if you buy a    tour, not a milliard, certainly, much    less. By the way, why don’t you drop    you in tonight? We are going to have a    party.    - All right. One of the blokes will give    you a lift, as your hotel is on his way.    - Well, a bloke’s another word for a    chap or guy. He’ll drive you here, to    my place after the cinema.

- Do you have nice neighbors?    - He has a good taste, that guy.        - Have you had your vacation already?      - It must cost a billion going there in the fall.      - I’m planning to be back at the hotel    by six. I’m going to the movie theater.          - What’s a bloke?      - Oh, I see.

 

 

4.  Define which statements belong to an American and to an Englishman.

 

1. Take care! The sidewalk is slippery today.

2. A car passed me, but I didn’t want to ask for a lift.

3. I simply loved his flat. It’s on the second floor in a modern block of flats.

4. He has an apartment downtown on one of the quiet old streets there.

5. He asked me to drop around after the movie, as he wanted me to meet some

    guys.

6. When she was taken ill, they had to ask a chap they hardly knew for a lift to

    hospital.

7. There aren’t many trucks on the streets in New York.

 

5. What would you say if you are - a) an Englishman.

                                                             b) an American.

 

1. Ваш чемодан стоит на тротуаре.

2. Я живу на втором этаже многоэтажного дома.

3. Могу я попросить вас довезти меня до гостиницы?

4. Я хочу познакомить вас с одним парнем.

6. Осенью я поеду в Германию или во Францию в отпуск.

7. Я встретил их в кинотеатре.

 

6. Look through the dialogues and act out one of them.

 

 

 

LESSONS 17 – 19.  FOOD.  DRESS.  MONEY.

 

 

AMERICAN  FOOD

 

Ø Has any country got national food?

Ø Can you say what American food is?

 

What is American food? Hamburgers and hot dogs? Fried chicken and giant steaks? Well, yes. But spaghetti and pizza are American too, and so sweet and sour pork. The fact is that Americans eat every kind of food imaginable. There are, for example, more than 1,000 Chinese restaurants in New York City alone.

 

1. What do you think the text is about?  Read and check your guesses.

 

AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE

 

At the same time, people in the States still like to think of some kinds of food as especially American. They like the idea of the American family sitting around the table eating turkey at Thanksgiving. They like to think of “Mom” as the best cook in the world, even if their own mother never did much cooking. “As American as apple pie”, and “Like Mother makes it” are popular expressions.

 

 

The truth is, though, that families in the US eat together less often than they used to. Instead of meeting at the dinner table, families often meet in the kitchen, around the refrigerator. There’s no time for old-fashioned cooking. Quick snacks all through the day have taken its place. And to save trouble, people eat wherever they like, in the streets, in front of the TV, or at their desks

 

An enormous fast-food industry gives hungry Americans the snacks they want when they want them. Ice cream, popcorn, and hot dogs are on sale everywhere. Best known, perhaps, is the McDonald’s hamburger business.

 

But if more and more Americans eat fast food, more and more Americans also worry about it. Fast food makes you fat, and Americans are the fattest people in the world. They are also the most interested in their health, and snack food is not healthy. The fashion for health food is growing all the time. Among middle-class people, salads, beans and fruit have taken the place of steak and ice cream. Drinking is going down too. Only 67 per cent of adults drink alcohol at all, and one-third of those drink less than they used to. Smart businesspeople order mineral water, not wine, at their business lunches.

 

 

 

Being fat, in fact, can cause real problems for an American. He or she will find it harder to get a good job, or even to make friends. If you want to do well, you must be thin. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? Advertisers and fast-food sellers scream at people to eat, eat, eat. But inside, there is another voice saying “stop, stop, stop.”

 

 

 

 

2. Look through the text once again and say if the statements are true or

    false.

 

-         Families in the USA eat together more often than they used to.

-         They meet around the refrigerator more often than at the dinner table.

-         Quick snacks help people to save their time.

-         Fast-food industry doesn’t give Americans enough snacks to satisfy their wishes.

-         Fast food is responsible for Americans to be fat.

-         Americans are not much interested in their health.

-         Drinking is rather popular in the USA.

-         Thirty-three per cent of adults don’t drink alcohol at all.

-         Businesspeople order fizzy-drink, not wine , at their business lunches.

 

3. Discuss the problem with your partner and share your conclusion.

 

If you want to do well, you must be thin.

 

4. Do you know the history of the development of  McDonald’s hamburger

    business? Read the text and be ready to tell this story to your mates.

 

THE STORY OF MCDONALD’S

 

1937 – The McDonald brothers, Dick and Mack, open a little drive-in restaurant in Pasadena, California. They serve hot dogs and milk shakes.

 

1945 – They have 20 waiters. All the teenagers in town eat hamburgers there.

 

1948 – They get paper boxes and bags for the hamburgers. They put the price down from 30 cents to 15 cents. They cut the menu down from 25 things to only 9. There are no more waiters – it is self-service. So it is cheaper and faster. And they have windows all around the kitchen – so everyone can see it is clean. Parents start bringing their children to the restaurant. Poor families eat at a restaurant for the firs time.

 

1960s – The McDonald’s company opens hundreds of McDonald’s restaurants all over the States.

 

1971 – They open restaurants in Japan, Germany and Australia.

 

NOW … the McDonald’s company opens a new restaurant every 8 hours! There are McDonald’s restaurants in over 70 countries.

McDonald’s restaurants serve almost exactly the same food in every country. But in Italy they serve beer, in Norway – the McLak (salmon burger) and in the Netherlands – the Groenteburger (vegetarian).

 

5. Do you want to cook popcorn? If you answer “yes”, this recipe is for you.

 

POPCORN – A FAVOURITE AMERICAN SNACK

 

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a deep, heavy pan.

Add 25 grams of dried kernels (maize). Cover with a lid and shake the pan.

The corn will start to “pop”.

Take the pan off the heat when all the corn has popped.

Sprinkle with salt or sugar and serve.

 

6a. Answer the questions:

 

Ø Is barbecue cooked like shashlyk?

Ø Do you know how to prepare iced tea?

Ø Have you heard about bagels? Would you like to try them?

 

   If you can’t answer immediately, read the texts first and then try to answer

   again.

 

BARBECUE

 

         Barbecue is a method of cooking using wood or hardwood charcoal. This method was used in the United States before gas and electricity were available. The origin of barbecue is in the southern part of the United States, but now it is gaining popularity throughout the whole country.

 

 

BAGELS

         Bagels are made from flour, water, salt, yeast and a little bit of sugar. You can add any other ingredients you’d like such as raisins or blueberries. Bagels are boiled and then baked in an oven. The perfect bagel is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

         Bagels are very good for you. They are fat and cholesterol free. They are very high in carbohydrates, which give you energy. You need carbohydrates if you play sports. But the best thing about bagels is that they taste good!

         Bagels were brought to the United States by Jewish immigrants and were eaten mainly in Manhattan, New York. But when the Jewish immigrants began moving to other parts of the United States, they took the bagel with them. Now the bagel is very popular among Americans all over the country.

 

ICED TEA

 

        Iced tea was made in St.Louis, Missouri, for the first time in 1904.

Now it’s a very refreshing drink! To prepare it you should:

 

Ø place two teaspoons of tea leaves per cup into hot water;

Ø stir, strain and pour over ice cubes;

Ø serve with lemon slices and sugar.

 

6b. Read the following statements and say which of them are true and which

    ones  are false.

a)     Bagels are made from flour, milk, a lot of sugar and yeast.

b)     Bagels are baked in an oven after they are boiled.

c)     The bagel is crispy on the outside.

d)     Bagels are very fat.

e)     They are very high in carbohydrates.

f)       Carbohydrates are important for you to get energy.

g)     Bagels were brought to the USA by Italian emigrants.

h)     First they were mainly eaten in Bronx, New York City.

i)       Now the bagel is very popular all over the United States.

 

6c. Correct the statements.

 

Ø The origin of barbecue is the state of New York.

Ø Barbecue is cooked in a hot oven.

Ø This method became popular in the USA after gas cookers had appeared.

Ø Now barbecue is popular only in the southern states of the country.

 

6d. Complete the sentences.

 

a)     Iced tea was made for the first time in ….

b)     It was made in ….

c)     You should put … of tea leaves per cup into hot water.

d)     Pour it over … to make the tea cold.

e)     Iced tea is served with ….

 

7. Read the words and play “Ping-pong” game to remember the words as well

    as  you can.

 

American English	British English	Russian
can can-opener candy cookie hamburger potato chips French fries oatmeal corn check to do the dishes   stove faucet sneakers tuxedo pants, trousers underwear undershirt vest	tin tin-opener sweets biscuit minced beef crisps chips porridge maize bill to do the washing up / to wash up cooker tap trainers / gymshoes dinner jacket trousers pants vest waistcoat	консервная банка консервный нож конфеты печенье гамбургер (котлета) чипсы жареный картофель овсяная каша кукуруза счет мыть посуду   плита кран кроссовки смокинг брюки трусы майка жилет

 

 

 

8. Listen to the dialogue and mind the differences in American and British

    English. Define the speakers as an American or an Englishman.

·        What are the reasons of your choice?

 

- We are dining out tonight, Vic.     - Have you got a dinner jacket?       - Well, it’s the same thing. Have you got    some dark trousers?   - With us pants are something we wear   under trousers, not over the underwear.    I think you can wear a waistcoat, too.   - You are sure to wear a vest under your    shirt, but I’m speaking about    something you wear over the shirt and    under the jacket.   - I’ve just imagined you dressed in the   things you named in your American   English and attending the reception in   a vest and pants!     - Yes, this may happen. I’ll give you    just a few examples of the differences:    potato chips are called crisps here.    French fries are chips, instead of your    favourite hamburgers you should ask    for minced beef.   - Of course, I don’t. I’ll do it with    pleasure. Let’s have snack now. The   dinner won’t start before nine.   - There must be an opener in the drawer   over there. I’m used to tinned food,   being a bachelor. The thing I hate is   washing-up.   - So, why marry? By the way, do you    know who pays the bill tonight?   - No, his firm.

- What shall I wear?     - I don’t know what you mean. I’ve    bought a tuxedo in the States. Will it    do?   - Yes, I’ve got dark grey pants. Will    they do?   - Do you mean a vest?       - Yes, it is a vest in American. Why are    you laughing?       - Does the differences pertain to food,   too? Will I be getting a milk shake   instead of a whisky and soda?       - Okay, that will do. But I’ll consult you    at dinner, if you don’t mind.           - Do you have a can-opener? I have   some canned food here, which I’m sure    you’ll like.   - In spite of being married, I have to do   the dishes at home quite often.       - You mean the check? Is it    Mr. Somerset?

 

9. Define which of the statements belong to an American and to an

    Englishman.

 

1. I’d like a hamburger, please, and some French fries. 2. You aren’t going to wear a tuxedo, are you? 3. He’s going to wear a dinner jacket for the first time. 4. Will you do the dishes for me, darling? 5. I wonder who’s going to do the washing up. 6. Have you got a tin-opener? 7. Give me the check, please. 8. The young guy in grey pants is my son.

 

10. Say it using either American English or British English.

 

1. Я хочу открыть эту консервную банку.

2. Дайте мне счет.

3. Я хотела бы конфет.

4. Он всегда моет посуду дома.

5. Не надевайте эти брюки. Они грязные.

6. Вы наденете жилетку?

7. Он не одет. На нем лишь майка и трусы.

8. Я бы съел жареной картошки.

 

11. Read the dialogue and say why Victor dislikes his meal.

 

·        Victor is Russian. He has been studying American English for some months , but now he is in a London café.

 

Waiter: Hello! Can I help you? What will you have?

Victor:  I’ll have chips and a large coke.

Waiter: Wait a minute. Here you are.

Victor:  But what is it? I don’t want French fries. I’ve asked for

             chips.

Waiter: And what’s wrong? I’ve brought you your chips,

                                           haven’t I?

·        What should Victor have asked for?

·        Does  the waiter understand him? Why?

 

 

American Money

Money spent on the brain is never spent in vain.

Proverb

 

 

Ø Translate these proverbs and try to find their Russian equivalents.

 

 

The best things in life are free.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Easy come, easy go.

Value time over money – only time cannot be replenished.

 

 

 

 

 

Ø Information for you:

 

          $ 1.25 = a dollar twenty-five or one dollar and

               twenty-five cents.

 $ 1.50 = a dollar fifty or one dollar and fifty cents.

             

$ 1.75 = a dollar seventy-five or one dollar and

               seventy-five cents

 $ 2.00 = two dollars.

 $ 2.25 = two twenty-five or two dollars and

               twenty-five cents

 

 

 

Ø Are you a good mathematician? Can you answer these questions?

 

1) How many quarters equal a dollar?

2) How many dimes equal a half dollar?

3) How many nickels equal a quarter?

4) How many nickels equal a dime?

5) How many pennies equal a nickel?

 

Ø If you can’t answer these questions immediately, read and memorize the following information and try once again.

 

 

 

Ø In this world square there are six hidden words, all connected with money matters. The words are horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Could you try to find them?

 

PENNY NICKEL DIME

QUARTER HALF DOLLAR DOLLAR CENT

 

 

Ø Label each coin and write its value.

 

A	B
C	D
E	F

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT  IV.  SPEAKING ENGLISH AND TALKING AMERICAN.

 

 

LESSONS  20 – 21.  SO MANY COUNTRIES, SO MANY CUSTOMS

 

 

1. Read the text and pay attention to the divergences in American and British

    English.

 

             My name is Victor and I have been studying American English for several months. Now I am in London and I see it is not the same language. I can’t help reminding Mark Twain’s words who once wrote, “English and American are separate languages. When I speak my native tongue an Englishman can’t understand me at all”.

             The great writer was definitely exaggerating. Everybody seemed to understand me when I spoke American English, but I was unable to understand everything at first. That was because of the differences in intonation and pronunciation. But I got used to it very quickly. Of course, some words are different, too. Let me tell you in British English what I did in London. I’ll give the corresponding American words in brackets.

                 I had to fill in (fill out) some forms in which I was asked to write my surname (family name). I had to write my date of birth like this: day / month / year (month / day / year). There was a queue (line) in front of the Immigration desk. Mr. Brian Smith took me to a hotel in (on) a small square in Central London. On the way we stopped at a filling station (gas station) to get some petrol (gas). The receptionist (front desk clerk) gave me the key to my room. I didn’t have to use the lift (elevator) as it was on the ground floor (first floor).

                  Brian lived in a block of flats (apartment house) not far from my hotel. His flat (apartment) was on the third (fourth) floor. He was sorry he couldn’t give me more of his time as he wasn’t going on holiday (vacation) until the autumn (fall).

                  Next morning I took the tube (subway) to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing the Guard. On my walks in London I sometimes had to use a subway (underpass) to cross a busy street.

                  Half a century later another American wrote, ”The really surprising thing about the English of England and that of the United States is not that they differ slightly, but that their differences are slight as it is ”. I think He was right.

 

 

 

 

2. Find British and American equivalents and arrange the words according to the  model.

 

Russian	British	American
заполнить (бланк)	fill in	fill out

        Очередь, на (площади, улице), заправка (АЗС), бензин, администратор, лифт, первый этаж, многоквартирный дом, квартира, четвертый этаж, отпуск, осень, метро, подземный переход.

 

3a. Discuss these questions:

 

·        Do you think Victor will have problems in London if he uses American English? Why?

·        Will American English prevent Londoners to understand what Victor will say?

 

3b. Read the dialogue and check your guesses.

 

Victor is talking to Brian about British English and American English.

 

 

Victor: Brian, I feel confused sometimes. Which is British and

            which is American?

Brian:  Don’t worry. It doesn’t really matter very much.

Victor: But sometimes people don’t understand me. And

             yesterday I had a problem. I got the wrong floor.

Brian:  Did you really?

Victor: Yes, I got into the elevator…

Brian:  Into the lift…

Victor: Yes, into the lift. And I pressed the button to the fifth floor.

Brian:  And you got out on the American sixth?

Victor: Right. Then I remembered that I was not in America.

Brian:  You should remember that there’s also a ground floor in Britain.

Victor: And I also made a mistake when I filled out the form.

Brian:  Filled in, you mean.

Victor: Oh, thanks, filled in. I wrote my date of birth the American way.

Brian:  The month you were born in first?

Victor: Exactly. It’s so difficult to keep every small difference in mind.

Brian:  I think you really needn’t. If somebody doesn’t understand you, he’ll ask

            you about it.

Victor: Thank you, Brian. You’ve helped me a lot.

             I wonder if you would like to come to St.Petersburg for your vacation.   

             When are you going to have your holiday? In the fall?

Brian:   In autumn. Fall is American again.

Victor: Well, when you come to St.Petersburg, I’ll learn more British from you.

             But we don’t have ground floors in Russia either!

 

 

3c. Read and say if the statements are true or false.

 

a)     Yesterday Victor got the wrong floor.

b)     He pressed the button to the sixth floor.

c)     He made a mistake when he filled out the form.

d)     He wrote his date of birth the British way.

e)     Victor wrote the month he was born the second.

f)       He wants to learn more British English from Brian when he’ll come to St.Petersburg on vacation.

 

3d. Answer the questions:

 

Ø Why does Victor feel confused sometimes?

Ø How often does Brian have to correct Victor’s using British English?

Ø What is so difficult for Victor?

Ø What does he thank Brian for?

Ø What is Victor going to do when Brian comes to St.Petersburg?

 

3e. Act the dialogue in parts.

 

 

LESSON 22.   DAILY    LIFE.

 

1. Read and compare some more American and British words.

 

American	British	Russian
bathtub grade kindergarten restroom store highway mailman mailbox soccer	bath form infants’ school public toilet shop main road postman postbox football	ванна класс детский сад общественный туалет магазин (любой) шоссе почтальон почтовый ящик футбол

 

 

 

2. Use either American or British English.

 

What would you say?

 

       American                                                                                  British

Where do you live?

 

My /квартира/ is on the /шестом/ floor.

My /квартира/ is on the /шестом/  floor.

 

Do you use the elevator / lift?

 

Yes, I usually take the /лифт/.

No, I don’t usually take the /лифт/.

 

What grade /form are you in?

 

I’m in the seventh /классе/.

I’m in the sixth /классе/.

 

What did you attend when you were five years old?

 

I attended the /детский сад/.

I attended the /детский сад/.

 

What do you usually have for breakfast?

 

I usually have /овсяную кашу/ for breakfast.

I usually have /овсяную кашу/ for breakfast.

 

What do you like to eat?

 

I like to eat /конфеты/ and  /печенье/.

I like to eat /конфеты/ and /печенье/.

 

What is your favourite sport?

 

/футбол/ is my favorite sport.

/футбол/ is my favourite sport.

 

What do you put on going to play soccer /football?

 

I put on my new /кроссовки/.

I put on my new /кроссовки/.

 

Where does your family go in summer?

 

Every summer my family goes on /в отпуск/.

Every summer my family goes on /в отпуск/.

 

Where do you find your letters and packages?

 

Our /почтальон/ puts our /почту/ in our /почтовый ящик/.

Our /почтальон/ puts our /почту/ in Our /почтовый ящик/.

Where do you often stop on your way to the movies /cinema?

 

I often stop at the /магазин/ on my Way to the /кинотеатр/

I often stop at the /магазин/ on my way to the /кинотеатр/.

 

Where do you drive going to the centre of the city / downtown?

 

We drive along the /шоссе/ going to the /центр города/.

We drive along /шоссе/ going to the /центр города/.

 

Where do you have to stop if you are running out of petrol / gas?

 

We have to stop at the /АЗС/.

We have to stop at the /АЗС/.

 

Do you often use streetcars / trams a lot?

 

No, we don’t have many /трамваи/; We mainly use /автобусы/.

No, we don’t have many /трамваи/; we mainly use /автобусы/.

 

 

3. Prepare to interview an American or an Englishman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT V.   50 ESSENTIALS TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN LIFESTYLE.

 

 

LESSONS 23 – 24.  IF YOU ARE AT A LOSS WITH AMERICAN

                                   ENGLISH.

 

1. All the words below are about America and American lifestyles. Look at

    them and try to understand which of them deal with the following;

 

MONEY, PEOPLE, FOOD and MEALS, BUILDINGS and CONSTRUCTIONS, TOWNS and CITIES, CLOTHES and ASCCESSORIES.

 

Asian   buck   cookies   roller  coaster       penny   quarter   nachos   soda   grace   s’mores   potluck   redvines   tennis  shoes   gated community   Caucasian   geek Hispanic   dime   funnel   cake   elevator   backpack   gas   nickel   patio   freeway   brunch   taco   guys   pants   cell  phone   cotton  candy   restroom   French fries  be nuts   condo   downtown   strip   carpool lane   cattle corn   mall

MONEY $$$	PEOPLE	FOOD & MEALS	BUILDINGS & CONSTRUCTIONS	TOWNS & CITIES	CLOTHES & ACCESSORIES
	Asian
dime
					pants
				strip
			restroom
		S’mores

 

 

All these words have been defined by an American student. But he was in a hurry and made six mistakes. Read the definitions and find the mistakes.

 

 

Ø Asian – any American of Asian origin

Ø Backpack – a rucksack that schoolchildren take to school

Ø Bathroom (also restroom) – the same as toilet

Ø Brunch – a late weekend breakfast (breakfast + lunch)

Ø Buck – a 25 cent coin

Ø Carpool lane – a road lane that can be taken by vehicles with at least one

                                     passenger not to mention the driver)

Ø Cattle corn – mixed pop corn: sweet and salted

Ø Caucasian – any white person (Russians are Caucasians too)

Ø Cell phone – a small phone you can take with you wherever you go

Ø Cookies – flat thin dry cakes, sold in boxes or packets. I love them in ice-

                       cream or frozen yoghurts

Ø Condo (condominium or co-op) – an apartment block, where each

                  apartment is owned by the people living in it. We like houses more

                  actually.

Ø Cotton candy – a sweet cake with sugar powder. Yummy-yummy!

Ø Dime – a 10 cent coin

Ø Downtown (LA, New York) – the center of the city

Ø Elevator – a small cabin that takes you upstairs

Ø Freeway – a toll-free highway (esp. in California)

Ø French fries – potato chips

Ø Funnel cake – it looks like cotton (or a cloud sometimes) but it tastes like

                              candy. Yummy!

Ø Gas (gasoline) – special liquid your car needs to make its engine work

Ø Gated community – a group of houses occupying a gated and fenced

                                        territory. You  can’t go in unless you are invited.

                                        Sorry!

Ø Geek – an uncool person (school slang)

Ø Grace (to say grace) -  most American families do that before starting

                 dinner. It is like saying thank you to God for the food given

Ø Guys – an informal way we address a group of people in America (they can

                  be of any sex)

Ø Hispanic – a person of a Hispanic origin (they can be of any race)

 

Ø Line – a line of people waiting. You‘ll have to stand in line all the time

                 when you  are in the States. We also say “wait in line”

 

Ø Mall – a huge shopping center with restaurants and even cinemas

 

Ø Nachos – Mexican chips, often served with spicy sauces

Ø Nickel – a 5 cent coin

Ø Nuts ( drive smb nuts, go nuts,to be nuts about smth) – crazy

 

Ø Pants – you wear them on your legs (shorts are small pants)

Ø Patio – an area behind a house (or a restaurant) where you can sit and relax,

                  have a  arbecue or just talk with your friends

Ø Penny – one cent

Ø Potluck (party) – a party to which every family has to bring their own

                   special dish  share it with the others

Ø Quarter – 1 dollar

Ø Redvines – long red candies with a strong flavor

Ø Roller coaster - a very cool attraction: a small open-air carriage takes you

                              up and drops you down until you feel sick

Ø S’mores – any shoes for sports or walking

Ø Soda – any fizzy drink or a bottle of any fizzy drink

Ø Strip – like the Las Vegas strip, a long street

Ø Taco – a Mexican sandwich: you can have it crusty or soft

Ø Tennis shoes – sweet sandwiches with marshmallows, chocolate and

                              waffles

 

·        Now, after you have done, correct the lists of words above.

 

2. Well, you are lucky to know almost all the essentials now. Can you help this

    British girl who can’t explain simple things to her American host family?

    Find British words in her cues and change them for their American

    equivalents.

 

1. I must be in the wrong department. They told me I could

    buy trainers here. But I  can’t see any trainers. Hallo!

    Can anybody help me, please?

 

2. Do you always have a barbecue in your back

    garden?...You call it what! But it sounds Italian.

 

3. No, don’t lift me! I just need a lift to get upstairs.

 

4. Excuse me, how can I get to the city centre? What? How

    did you know I’m British?

 

5. That’s not a rucksack. A RUCKSACK! Don’t you understand?

 

6. Do you happen to know his mobile number? I mean his phone number.

 

7.  “The Grove” is the biggest shopping centre in LA, isn’t it? Don’t laugh – we

     always say “shopping centre” in Britain. What’s so funny?

 

8. Why are we taking this motorway?.. What? Is anything wrong with my

     pronunciation?

 

9. How much is your candy floss? No-no, not that thing. Read my lips – “candy

    floss”.

 

10. I’ll take a tea and chocolate biscuits, if you don’t mind…

             Chocolate biscuits?! What do they look like? Stupid question. Like

      biscuits, of course.

 

11. All right?! Where’s the nearest petrol station?.. Sorry? What do you call it?..

      Oh, really?! Unbelievable!

 

12. I told him to wear his best trousers and he didn’t know what to put on. He is so

      dumb.

13. Yes, the queue was too long really… Why? I wasn’t speaking about the letter

     “Q”. I meant “the people waiting”.

 

14. Excuse me, could you tell me where the toilet is?.. No, you didn’t get it. I am

      not going to take a bath. I need a toilet.

 

15. Hullo, John! Mary’s speaking. Where are you? I thought we were supposed to

       meet on the ground floor. What do you mean there’s no ground floor in

       America?

 

 

LESSONS 25 – 26.  SPEAK  AMERICAN  ENGLISH

 

 

Go back to the first exercise in LESSONS 22 - 23. Can you find an adjective that looks like a plural noun? Write it down: __________

This word is very popular in America. When you say it, you sound American. Here some more adjectives you might hear quite often. Find the only word you can use for answers (it can be a noun too).

 

cool

Oh! My gosh! I love Spiderman. When we went to Venice Beach I saw Tony McGwair there. You know, the actor that played Spiderman. He was coo1!

 Should we meet at 10 tomorrow? Is it OK? Cool. I’ll be there.

 

sweet

And then he kissed her. You know that romantic kind of kiss. Wasn’t it sweet?

 

neat

And with this flyer you’ll get a 50% discount plus a gift from out store.

- Oh! Really! That’s neat! I’ll take the flyer then.

 

sure

Can you do that for me, please? – Sure. No sweat. I’ll do it tonight.

 

junk

I hate all this junk food: you know, all these hamburgers, fries and stuff. They are all so bad for your health.

       

·        What would you say if you hear the following phrases? Use the words above. Sometimes two variants are possible.

 

1. A family member at the dinner table:

- Could you pass me the salt, please?

You: _________. Here you are.

 

2. Your host dad in the morning:

- Pack up! I’ll give you a lift. You won’t be late for school and you’ll have time to

   buy a notebook before the classes start.

You: That’s _____. Thanks a lot.

 

3. Your host mom:

- We are going to the Browns for a pool party. They have a big pool and a Jacuzzi.

You: ______! I love swimming.

 

4. A passer-by stops you, gives you your wallet and says:

- Excuse me, I guess you dropped it just now? Is this yours?

You: Oh! It must have fallen out of my pocket. How careless of me! Thank you

         very much. That’s so _____.

 

5. Your host family’s neighbor:

- Do you know why they always leave their Chevrolet outside? It’s not very safe, is

   it?

You: Well, it’s certainly not. But the garage is full of ______. So there’s just no

          space for a car.

 

4. Try to make an order in Taco Bell, a chain fast food restaurant. Use the hints below: the first (and sometimes the last) letters of the words are given. Go back to the list of words if you need help.

 

 

Waiter: Hi, g…s. How are you doing?

You:     Great. Thanks. Now, can I have two chicken t…s

             with chili and tomatoes?

Waiter: Would you like them s… or c…?

You:      C…, please. And add some salted n…s with salsa. I

                                                 love them.

Waiter: Okey-dokey. How about your drinks?

You:      I’ll take an extra large s…. Decaf, please.

Waiter: No problem. Here is your cup and you can have as many refills as you

             want.

You:    That’s neat. Thanks.

Waiter: Any desserts? We have ice cream, frozen yoghurts with and without c…s.

You:     A strawberry yoghurt. And hold the c…s.

Waiter: That’s 4.24, please.

You:     Oops, I have got 5 b…s only. Anyway, that’s enough. Here you are.

Waiter: Thank you. Here is your change: two q…s, one d… and a p….

You:     Keep the change.

Waiter: Thanks a lot. Here or to go?

You:     Sorry? I don’t quite understand.

Waiter: Are you eating in or taking the food outside?

You:     Oh, I think we’ll sit in the p…. Is this OK?

Waiter: Sure. Here is your order. Enjoy your meal!

 

·        Can you guess what the following words mean: salsa, decaf, refills?

·        Now be a waiter for a moment and take n order from your partner.

 

You: Hello! How are you doing?

Your partner: …

 

 

LESSON 27 – 28.  A  RUSSIAN  STUDENT  IN A  HOST  FAMILY.

 

·        Would you like to stay with a host American family?

 

1. Read what Russian student who’s been staying with an American family has to say about her experience. What do you think she liked best of all? What were the things she didn’t like?

 

      Did I like staying with an American family? I think it was neat.

      I got very nice guys: my host mom was Asian and my host dad was Hispanic but they both spoke very good English. They owned a house in a very nice gated community: the security guard was always on duty, so it was safe and clean there all the time.

      This is how it all went.

       Every day they’d wake me up at seven and we’d make my bag lunch: you know cookies, sandwiches, sodas and the stuff. Then they’d take me to the teaching centre. I liked taking a freeway, because of the carpool lane where you can drive faster (so you save on gas). But my host dad preferred slow driving down boring side-streets. Well, anyway, I was never late for the classes.

        The classes were fun, very different from anything we have in Russia. We would sit on the floor, play games, call the teacher by his first name. Our teacher’s name was Robert. Once he even took us to the nearest park where we could buy cattle corn and cotton candies or hot dogs and French fries. So we were all sitting on the grass, eating, talking about life and stuff like that. That was really cool!

          After the classes the teachers would organize some fun activities, like going downtown to see the latest movies or barbecues with s’mores. I didn’t like s’mores much and all the other guys thought I was a geek. Well, I reckon it’s just fun making them. But eating?.. No, thanks. That’s not my cup of tea. Too sweet.

           The other day we went to “The Magic Mountain”, that’s a huge amusement part with roller coasters and the stuff. Holy Macro! That was something. I went nuts about all the riders. Especially the ones with loops. There was also “The Elevator of Horror” with ghosts and all the spooky things. And it shoots you to the twelfth floor so fast that you can’t feel anything but horror. I liked that even better than the rides.

            There were some weird things about staying with a family. You know,  like saying grace before every meal or potluck parties. We had a potluck on July 4. My family made a salad and we went to the Brown, the family living next door. There were lots of other people but there was nothing to do. People were just going around, trying all the different food and talking with each other. Isn’t that just boring? Anyway, I made friends with some American kids and we went to the movies. We dropped into one or two stores on our way and got all the yummies: redvines, funnel cakes and ice-cream. We actually ran out of money, but one of the guys had a visa card, so we got some cash from the nearest ATM. So when we got to the movie theatre we also bought an extra large popcorn and lots and lots of coke. Well, the next morning I had indigestion and didn’t go to school. Pity!

             Anyway, that was my best vacation ever. I got the best host family one can imagine. We appeared to share a lot of interests, so it was fun staying with them.

 

2. Now cover the text with a sheet of paper and try to remember what the

    Russian student said about the following:

 

Her host family Downtown Yummies S’mores Carpool lane

Gated community Potluck party “The Elevator of Horror” Going to movies

 

3. If you had a chance to go to America and stay with an American family,

    what would you write in your introductory letter? Discuss it with your

    teacher or your partner. Then try to write a short letter to an American

    family to tell them about:

 

ü Yourself, your country, the area you live in;

ü Why you would like to go to the States;

ü Places you’d like to visit or see there;

ü Food or drinks you’d like to try;

ü Activities you’d prefer to do with your host family;

ü People you’d like to meet or see;

ü Gifts and souvenirs you want to buy for your family and friends.

ü See the first exercise in LESSON 19 to pick up more words for your letter.

 

·        Don’t forget to start and finish your letter appropriately:

Dear Host Family,

…………………………..

…………………………..

Yours,

……………..

 

 

LESSONS 29 – 30.  FOR  FUN  AND  PROFIT.

 

1. LET’S HAVE FUN!

    Below there are descriptions of some words. Read them and then write the words in the crossword puzzle.

 

 

1                                                 2           5           7                             3     4         6                                                                                                                 8

1. A car to carry heavy things (Am.) 2. A young man (Am.) 3. A place for children under six to     attend (Am.) 4. A point of trains’ departures and     Arrivals (Am.) 5. Taking some thing (a TV set, a fridge,      etc.) to use during a limited period      (Br.) 6. The same as in point 5 but in America 7. A damage of a tire (Br.) 8 A place where you live in (Br.)

 

2. FIND A WORD

    Find the individual words. Write them opposite their Russian

    equivalents.

 

American	British
1.     плита 2.     квартира 3.     центр города 4.     прокол (шины) 5.     метро	6.     автобус 7.     ж/д путь 8.     телеграмма 9.     бензин 10.консервы

 

Am.: JAPARTMENTOSTOVESUBWAYARFLATICDOWNTOWN

Br.:   RAILWAYETINOBCOACHMPETROLEATELEGRAMME

 

3. AN ODD WORD

 

    Read words in these lists. Which words are wrong in the lists?

 

Example: tram, bus, coach, streetcar, underground                streetcar (Am.)

                 Bicycle, plane, taxi, train, lorry, car                       plane

 

1. sidewalk, pavement, underpass, railroad, highway

2. tin-opener, sweets, biscuits, chips, crisps,

3. vest, trousers, purse, waistcoat, tuxedo

4. block of flats, flat, lift, chemist’s, toilet

5. queue, gas, filling station, petrol, lorry  

6. oatmeal, tin, French fries, minced beef, porridge

 

4. THREE OF A KIND

 

    Here are three lists of words. Put three words of the same kind on one

    Line.

 

Example: sweet    -    biscuit    -    hamburger

 

a) tuxedo     bus     railroad     wire     gas     cinema     faucet     connect     soccer

b) sneakers      ring up      cooker      store      hire      mailman      station      coach      trousers

c) letter-box     filling station     drugstore     can-opener     call collect     football     pants     streetcar     underground

 

 

5. STEP  BY  STEP

 

    In this example “BOY” changes into “MAN”.

 

BOY BAY MAY MAN

·        Only one letter changes each time.   Can you change “CAN” into “TIN”                     and “BUS” into “TAP” ?

 

 

CAN       TIN

BUS         TAP

6. CODES

    Your friend wrote a note to you in code.

     It is an easy thing. In this code one letter=another letter.

             You answered your friend’s note. You wrote a note in the same code.

             Here are these notes. (To help you : the fourth

                                    word is “to”)

 

Your friend: EP  ZPV  XBOU  UP  HP  UP  UIF  NPWJFT?

 

You:  ZFT,  J’E MPWF UP HP UP UIF DJOFNB UPEBZ.

          XIFSF  TIBMM   XF  NFFU?

 

Your friend answered your note. He wrote it in the different code. This time numbers=letters.

9 / 20 / 8 / 9 /14 /11 / 23 / 5 / 19 / 8 / 1 / 12 / 12 / 13 / 5 / 5 / 20 / 1 / 20/

20 / 8 / 5 / 14 / 19 / 21 / 7 / 19 / 20 / 15 / 18 / 5 / 1 / 20 /19 / 9 / 24 /

 

? Which of you is an American and which one is an Englishman?

·        If you like this game try to use these codes for your own note.

 

7. EQUIVALENTS

 

    Read the descriptions and give your answers using American and British

    English.

 

1. Pieces of potato sliced very thing and fried with a lot of flavours: the most

    popular are cheese and onion, salt and vinegar.

 

2. A place where trains depart and arrive.

 

3. A place where you can walk but mustn’t drive.

 

4. Something we fill in our cars (they can’t move without it).

 

5. A place where train can move but cars can’t.

 

6. A young man.

 

7. A place we use to ring up when we are in the street.

 

8. A place where they keep things people have lost.

 

9. A place where we buy medicine.

 

10. A man who works in a hotel: he is the first to welcome newcomers from other cities and countries.

 

 

 

Good luck in your further studying English: American and British variants!