HIGHER SCHOOL AND WAYS TO SCIENCE

Institutes and Universities draw students into research work from the very beginning of their studies. Student participation in research is one of the most effective methods for training highly-qualified professionals. Carrying out research students improve their knowledge and put into practical use the things they learn at lectures, seminars and laboratories. It helps them realize the practical value of their knowledge, master the basic experimental techniques, learn how to handle the modern equipment and analyse the results of the experiment.

Such students graduate as highly-qualified specialists. And this is one of the most important tasks facing higher schools.

Great attention is paid to the work of Student Scientific Societies. Contests, competitions and exhibitions based on students’ research have become a tradition. Every year student contests are conducted for the best research project. The winners get medals and diplomas.

As a rule, students write their term papers and graduation projects on the problems of their research work. They handle experimental equipment, conduct theoretical investigations and read scientific literature.

Term papers, research works, graduation projects of practical importanсe to industry are the stages of making students highly-qualified thinking specialists ready for independent work even before they get their diplomas.

VIII. Объясните заглавие текста. Придумайте заглавие, которое более точно отражает основное содержание текста.

IX. Выпишите из текста слова и словосочетания для сообщения на тему "Scientific Work of Students".

X. Ответьте на вопросы, используя информацию текста.

1) Why do higher schools draw students into research work?

2) What are the stages of making students highly-qualified professionals?

UNIT 3

Great Britain

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two large islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and about five thousand small islands. Their total area is over 240,000 square kilometers. The United Kingdom is made up of four constituent units: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In everyday speech «Great Britain» is used to mean the United Kingdom. The capital of the United Kingdom is London.

The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the North Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel.

The surface of the British Isles varies much. There are mountains on the north and west. The center and south-east is a vast plain. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain (1343m). There are a lot of rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The Severn is the largest river while the Thames is the deepest and most important one.

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of Gulf Stream influence the climate. It is mild the whole year round.

The United Kingdom is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of technology, machinery, textile and electronics. One of the chief industries is engineering.

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. In law, the Head of State is the Queen. In practice, the country is ruled by the elected Government, with the Prime Minister at the head. The British Parliament, the main legislative body, consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. There are two main political parties in Great Britain: the Labour and Conservative. The Labour party is ruling nowadays. The Prime Minister is Gordon Brown.

The United Kingdom is one of the most powerful countries in the world.

I. Проверьте по словарю и прочитайте следующие географические названия.

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the British Isles, Wales, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Europe, the European continent, the North sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf Stream, Ben Nevis, the Severn, the Thames.

II. Ответьте на следующие вопросы по тексту.

1) Where is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland situated?

2) What parts is the United Kingdom made up of?

3) What is the capital of Great Britain?

4) What is the highest mountain of Great Britain?

5) What influences the climate of the British Isles?

6) What is the chief industry of Great Britain?

7) What is the political structure of the United Kingdom?

8) What party is ruling nowadays?

9) Who is the Prime Minister?

III. Прочитайте следующие предложения, вставив вместо точек глаголы, дан­ные под чертой, в соответствующей форме. При необходимости добавьте предлоги.

1) The United Kingdom .... the British Isles.

2) The United Kingdom .... four countries.

3) The British Isles .... the European continent by the North Sea and the English Channel.

4) The climate on the British Isles .... the warm waters of Gulf Stream.

5) The country .... the British Parliament.

6) Machinery, textile, electronics .... Great Britain.

to influence, to make up, to rule, to produce, to situate on, to separate from

IV.Соедините предложения, используя Причастие I или II. Переведите их на русский язык.

Модель: The government is usually formed by the political party. It is supported by the majority in the House of Commons. – The government is usually formed by the political party, supported by the majority in the House of Commons.

1. Great Britain is situated on the British Isles. It consists of two large islands and about five thousand small islands. 2. The Prime Minister is the majority party leader. He is appointed by the Queen. 3. Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It is known as one of the largest producers and exporters of machinery, electronics, textile, aircraft and navigation equipment. 4. The United Kingdom is situated on the British Isles. It is made up of four countries. 5. The British Isles consist of two large islands and about five thousand small islands. They have their total area over 244,000 square kilometres. 6. The North of Scotland is mountainous. It is called the Highlands. 7. The British Isles are separated from the European continent by the English Channel. They are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Irish Sea and the North Sea. 8. We made a tour round the town. We visited Westminster Abbey.

V. Прочитайте и переведите текст.