I study at the University

I study at the University. The academic year begins, as a rule, on the 1^st of September and ends in June. It lasts ten months: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May and June. The academic year has two terms: the autumn term and the spring term. The autumn term begins in September and ends in December. The spring terms begins on the 7^th of February and ends as a rule early in June. Both terms last for about four months. Each term ends with examinations which take place in January and in June.During the academic year students work hard. As a rule they are very busy and have a lot of to do, but when they have their exams they work harder.

We have two holidays a year: winter holidays and summer holidays. Summer holidays are longer than the winter holidays. They last two months. The winter holidays are short. They last only two weeks. During the holidays we do not study, we have a rest.

We go to the University every day except Sunday. On week-days we work hard. On Sundays we have a rest as a rule. Classes at our University begin at eight o’clock in the morning and end at half past three in the afternoon.

All the students learn some foreign language - English, German or French. I learn English. We have two English classes a week, on Tuesdays and on Fridays. On Tuesdays we have our English class in the morning, on Fridays - in the afternoon. When the teacher comes into the room we stand up and greet the teacher. We say: “Good afternoon” if it is afternoon. We say “Good morning” if it is morning. We say: “Good evening” if it is evening.

Then we sit down and our lesson begins. We check up our homework. We ask and answer questions, we read English texts and translate sentences from Russian into English, or from English into Russian. We describe pictures and speak on various topics. During the English class we do a lot of exercises, we speak, read and write English. We do not speak Russian in class. We speak Russian before and after classes.

As I want to speak and to read English better, I am very attentive in class and I always prepare my homework. English is not difficult for me because I work at it regularly. As I live in the hostel, I always do my lessons together with a friend of mine. Her English is as good as mine. We learn new words and do exercises. We ask each other questions and answer them. We also listen to the recorded tapes in the English language laboratory of our University. We are fond of English and we want to master it, that’s why we never miss classes and work hard.

At the end of each class the teacher gives us our homework. She says:”The homework for your next English class is to read a new text, to learn new words and to prepare the topic “My University”. I also want you to listen to the tape in our laboratory. This time take Laboratory Work Eight, please. Our next English class is on Friday at twenty minutes to twelve. Don’t be late. Good buy.”

Exercise 2. Give English equivalents:

во время учебного года, жить дома, до и после занятий, друг друга, заниматься регулярно, жить в общежитии, в конце урока, в конце недели, учить новые слова, около двух дней, овладеть английским языком, происходить (иметь место), первый и последний урок, на этот раз, в следующий раз, один раз в месяц, как правило, короткое слово, длинный рассказ

Exercise 3. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions where it’s necessary.

1. Our classes begin … 8 o’clock. 2. … the holidays we do not study, we have a rest. 3. … week-days Kate works hard. 4. … our English classes students read texts and translate them … Russian … English. 5. They don’t speak … Russian … class. 6. Don’t forget to answer … the questions. 7. … the end … each class the tutor gives us our homework. 8. My sister is fond …studying.

Exercise 4. Complete the sentences according to the Text.

1. The bell rings and … …. 2. Students have two holidays a year: … …. 3. The academic year begins … and ends …. 4. The winter holidays are …. They … only … …. 5. We sit down at our desks and … …. 6. At English classes the students … pictures, … various topics, … a lot of exercises, …questions and … them. 7. English is not difficult if you … ….

Exercise 5. Make a detailed plan of Text 2.

Exercise 6. Render the text (in turns).

Text 3

Exercise 1. Look at the pages of Masha’s and Kate’s diaries. These pages tell us about the girls’ week. Read pages and say what Masha/Kate usually does on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday …

Example.: Monday is Masha’s cleaning day. She cleans her things on Monday. But Saturday is Kate’s cleaning day.

Masha’s Diary Kate’s Diary

Monday – cleaning day Monday – the longest Institute day

Tuesday – washing day Tuesday – reading day

Wednesday – cooking day Wednesday – swimming day

Thursday – swimming day Thursday – library day

Friday – library day Friday – TV day

Saturday – shopping day Saturday – cleaning day

Sunday – visiting day Sunday – resting day

Exercise 2. It’s a page either from Masha’s or Kate’s diary. Read it first to yourself and say whose page it is. Give reason for your opinion (Ex. 1 can help you). Find in the text the sentences to prove your opinion.

WHOSE DIARY IS IT?

October 20, Wednesday.

It’s a nice day today. The weather is warm and sunny. We’re not having our English class now as our tutor, Mrs. Lebedeva, is ill. My fellow-students are in the class-room. Everybody is happy, they are smiling and laughing. Some of them are talking about their problems, other students are reading something. Nick is speaking on the phone. My diary is with me today so I can write down some words. Today I’m going to come home earlier than usual. I have a lot of time before swimming. My friend asks me to go shopping with her. I don’t like to do the shopping but it’s fun to go there with her. I can’t say I often help her with the shopping, but I always help her about the house. We do it on Monday. I can’t imagine how she can do it on Monday – it’s our longest Institute day. Oh, here she is. I have to go.

Exercise 3. Tell us what you are going to do (in short):

a) on week-days;

b) at the week-end.

Text 4

Exercise 1. a) Read the text and be ready to do the tasks.

b) Optional task: make written translation of the text

Notes: The merry-go-round of college life – карусель институтской жизни

Fascinating, fantastic, fabulous experience – пленительный, чудесный (нереальный), сказочный (невероятный)

Irrespective of the fact … – независимо от факта …

To turn from an applicant who has passed entrance exams into a first-year student – превратиться из абитуриента, сдавшего вступительные экзамены, в первокурсника

I entered! I got in to the University! – Я поступил! Я студент университета!

A solemn ceremony in front of the university building – торжественная церемония перед зданием университета

To make speeches – произносить речи

Hey, lad, do you happen to know … – Эй, парень! Ты случайно не знаешь …

So many new subjects to put on the timetable – так много новых предметов в расписании

The curriculum seems to be developed especially for geniuses – рабочая программа, кажется, разработана специально для гениев

Home preparations – подготовка д/з

A real avalanche of homework – настоящая лавина д/з

If one can not cope with the work load of college he or she immediately starts lagging behind – если кто-то не справляется с нагрузкой, он немедленно становиться отстающим

It is easier to keep pace with the programme than to catch up with it later – проще не отставать от программы, чем потом её наверстывать

Everyone tries hard to be, or at least to look, diligent – все пытаются, или, по крайней мере, делают вид чтобы казаться прилежными

First successes and first failures – первые успехи и поражения (провалы)

A long-awaited– долгожданные

Translations checked up and marked – проверка и оценка переводов

To play truant – прогуливать

I had a good excuse for missing classes – веская причина для пропуска занятий

Works handed in and handed out – работы сдают и возвращают

I have never cheated – я никогда не обманывал

No cribs. – никаких шпаргалок

I just crammed. – Я просто поправился (наелся).

A degree in English – по специальности англ. яз