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Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

READING 2. FAIR PLAY?

PRE-READING TASK.

The USA has the reputation of a successful multiethnic state, yet racial issues are still in the centre of attention. Today the internet provides a forum for the exchange of opinions on “affirmative action” (AA).

Read the extract from an encyclopedia (paragraph 1, text A). What can explain the fact that AA is widespread in the USA?

Now skim (read quickly) the text to the end to fi nd out the difference in the two opinions expressed at an internet forum11.

Text A

Reverse discrimination is a term used to describe discriminatory policies or acts that benefit a historically sociopolitically nondominant group (typically minorities). This term is sometimes considered synonymous with the terms “affirmative action” or “positive discrimination” used in the US. Reverse discrimination is illegal in some countries such as the United Kingdom. In the United States the effects of affirmative action can be seen both in the job market and college admissions. There are quotas of minorities to fill and a candidate may be selected solely due to the fact that they belong to a minority group.

It is discrimination to offer any advantage to anyone based on race, gender, marital status, religion, country origin, etc. We all agreed on that when most people’s idea of discrimination was whites against everyone else. Now we have a lot of other statistics that some people, white or black would like to ignore. Most whites are working class and poor like most people of colour. Most whites are not now and have never been economically or otherwise advantaged. Most whites have to work hard to get any little thing in life. Most whites did not participate in slavery. Most whites disagreed with slavery and fought hard to end it in the South. Most lives lost in the Civil War were white. Consider that for a moment before reading on. Most whites do not believe in racism and do not commit racist acts.

I am sick of the constant inference that whites are all privileged racists who deserve to be discriminated against now because people of other races were discriminated against in the past. If a school wants to admit well-rounded people with a GPA(1) (grade point average) of 3,5 or higher, then that should be the criteria for all students. Do not discriminate against those who qualify. Discriminating against whites does not help blacks, and blacks need to stop being defensive about their racism.

* * *

I am glad I attended a historically black university. I didn’t have to study with people who share these views. I can’t believe how widespread the feeling that blacks “are getting it easy” is in the white community. The black kids you are so jealous of are only separated by one generation from their grandparents who had to endure a lifetime of racism.

You all love to use even playing field(2) argument. But, if you really want to make the playing field even, strip every white person of their personal wealth and place all their children in

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

second rate schools, and do this for about 200 years. Then the playing field will be even! I am sorry if a good white student doesn’t get into the school they desire, but affirmative action was created for a reason. To offset the effect of racism on the black community. But I guess everyone has forgotten about it. I mean it was 30 something years ago and that has to be enough time to make up for the 200 and something years prior.

Note:

1.grade point average — средний балл

2.even playing field — equal opportunities

1. Look through the text and fi nd the words that have similar English and Russian roots, suggest Russian equivalents.

2. Read the text again and make two lists of arguments: in support of affirmative action and against it. Be ready to express them in class and give your opinion.

THE RIGHT WORD IN THE RIGHT PLACE

ELSE, OTHER AND ANOTHER

Ex. 12. Fill in the gaps with else, other or another.

1.They are a laughingstock (посмешище). What ________ description fits a team that lost all the matches last season?

2.We all know the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover," but how _______ can you choose the right book?

3.Did anybody _______ survive the crash?

4.Apart from the mine (шахта), there are no ________________ industries along the shore of the lake.

5.I went to the local library on Sunday and picked up _______ few books.

6.In what _______ ways are generations different from one another?

7.Who _______ can afford to go to a gallery and buy a painting?

8.It took me _______ ten minutes to understand what he was speaking about.

9.What _______ problems did you face in your first year at university?

10. He really doesn’t respect anybody ________ in his department.

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

11.Let’s look at _______ few arguments that are often used in politics.

12.Paraguay has not signed any _______ agreements on trade in services.

13.Turkey is a wonderful country! Where _______ can you grow orange, lemon, lime and pepper trees in your own back yard?

14.What _______ decisions could have been made in this situation?

Ex. 13. Translate into English using else, other or another.

1.Какие еще значения имеет это слово?

2.Кто еще поставил подпись под документом?

3.Генри сделал еще несколько попыток завести машину, но ему это не удалось.

4.Джон — футбольный фанат. Больше он ничем не интересуется.

5.Интересно, где еще я могу получить информацию по этому вопросу?

6.Есть ли какие-нибудь еще неотложные вопросы, которые нам следует обсудить?

7.Никакая другая книга не дает столь подробного описания этого сражения.

8.Мы проехали еще десять километров и справа от дороги увидели большой дом.

9.Кто-нибудь еще подходит под описание человека, которого ищет полиция?

10. Ты не знаешь, есть ли какая-нибудь другая дорога к озеру?

PHRASAL VERB LOOK

Ex. 14. a) Work in pairs. Match each verb with its equivalents below.

b) Translate the following sentences paying special attention to the phrasal verb LOOK.

a.просматривать что-л.

b.искать (в словаре, справочнике и т.п.)

c.ожидать чего-л. с удовольствием, предвкушать

d.вспоминать, мысленно обращаться к прошлому

e.присматривать за кем-л. / чем-л., заботиться о ком-л.

f.исследовать, расследовать что-л.

Ex. 15. Recast the underlined parts so as to make them more natural. Use the phrasal verb LOOK.

1.I've just found information about the train times and fares.

2.My grandfather remembered those days of service with the greatest of pride.

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

3.Jenny’s excited and pleased about another summer trip.

4.He turned over inattentively the pages of a newspaper, she looked around the room; both horribly bored.

5.I’m getting a new puppy, so I’ll be taking care of it.

6.Edgewater police are investigating the disappearance of a 33-year-old man last seen in early October.

7.How can you find a word in the dictionary if you don't know how to spell it?

8.I had a quick look at the headlines on the BBC News website this morning.

9.The Anti-Discrimination Committee carefully examined all the complaints.

10.Have you ever babysat a naughty kid?

11.“I hope to enjoy working with you,” Dr. Satcher said.

12.In his New Year's address, the Prime Minister remembered 2006 as a great year in which Canada took a leading role on the world stage.

Ex. 16. Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrasal verb in the correct form.

1.Kent County Authorities __________________ a deadly shooting in Gaines Township last night.

2.Jordon _________________________ coming home for many months.

3.I am a working husband; my wife _______________________ our one-week-old boy.

4.As I couldn’t remember the name of the shopping centre, I _____________ it _____ in the telephone directory.

5.We _________ currently ___________________ several aspect of the security issues.

6.As Betsy ______________________ on that afternoon twenty-two years ago, she could still taste the melted chocolate on her tongue.

7.While I was sitting in the pizzeria waiting to be served I ____________________ the Times.

8.Clair ________________________ her younger sisters until three years ago.

9.____________ you ever _________________________ travel information online?

10.Dear Faculty Friends! We __________________________ seeing your faces in our new School of Education Building.

11.I always ______________________ my spam just to try to make sure that I'm not missing your mail.

12.New Year's has always been a time for _______________ing ___________ to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year.

Ex. 17. Translate the sentences using the appropriate phrasal verb.

1.Если ты не уверен, как произносится это слово, посмотри его в словаре.

2.Джордж обычно просматривает газеты за завтраком.

3.Так как Мери была старшим ребенком в семье, ей приходилось присматривать за младшими братьями.

4.Полиция штата в настоящее время расследует кражу картины из музея.

5.Студенты всегда с нетерпением ждут летних каникул.

6.Когда я вспоминаю студенческие годы, я понимаю, что это было замечательное время.

7.Правительство намерено создать (establish) специальную комиссию для расследования случаев дискриминации и расизма.

8.Когда Салли была в отпуске, за растениями в саду ухаживала ее подруга.

9.С нетерпением жду новой встречи с Вами.

10. Прежде чем заняться делами, Алекс просмотрел электронную почту.

Ex. 18. Make up a short story using as many phrasal verbs LOOK as possible.

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

GRAMMAR

EXPRESSIONS OF QUANTITY (Quantifiers)

Ex. 19. A) Read an extract from the journal of an explorer of North America. What did he see when travelling?

B) Find expressions of quantity. Which of them are used a) with plural nouns; b) with uncountable nouns; c) with both countable and uncountable nouns? What other expressions of quantity can those in the text be replaced by?

Having for many days past confined myself to the boat (не покидал лодку), I determined to spend a little time on the shore and view the interior of the country. One quarter of a mile in the rear of our camp I passed a grove (роща) of plum trees with plenty of fruit, I observed but little difference between this fruit and that of similar kind common to the Atlantic States. A great number of wolves of the small kind, hawks (ястреб) and a few polecats (хорек) were to be seen. On the hills and plains in the distance we saw a lot of buffalo, deer and antelopes.

A LOT OF — MANY — MUCH

*Plenty of often has the meaning of “enough and more”.

Make sure to bring plenty of cups, spoons, and especially napkins. Don’t rush. We’ve got plenty of time.

Ex. 20. Fill in an appropriate expression of quantity from the chart above.

1.The farmers don't listen to western music (though their kids do), and they have ____________

local customs and festivals.

2.The food came quickly, but the waitress didn't make ___________ attempts to be friendly.

3.Is there ____________ interaction among students in the department?

4.There wasn't ___________ unity left between the musicians of the group at that time.

5.Venus Williams has put __________ effort into becoming an all-around player.

6.Why were there ____________ active volcanoes in southern California about 10,000 years ago, but not now?

7.Although they never had ___________ success in America, the Euro-disco group Boney M. was a European phenomenon during the 1970s.

8.In England, ________ signatures were gathered last year for the campaign against fox hunting.

9.I make ______________ money so I’m not looking for a bank to take a loan (ссуда) from.

10. Were there ______________ customers in the shop this early in the morning?

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

11.John Paul II experienced ___________________ personal suffering, and witnessed

___________________ suffering on his world travels.

12.The team played well and didn’t make _________________ mistakes.

MANY AND MUCH IN POSITIVE SENTENCES

Many and much are often used in positive sentences:

a.in a formal style

Many features of the early American cultures were based on maize. Much of Britain is densely populated and intensively farmed.

b.when they are modified by so / too / very

I’ve got so many problems at the moment.

I’m afraid I spend too much time on my research.

Ex. 21. Explain in which of the sentences below many and much are used correctly. Rewrite the other sentences adding too, very, or so to many and much or replacing them by other quantifi ers.

1.He was one of the best at his job and enjoyed much success.

2.There were not many opportunities for the son of a bricklayer (каменщик) to take up writing.

3.Although we don’t agree with each other on every dot and comma, we do have many common beliefs.

4.There are many detective programmes on TV.

5.There was much fear after World War I that a revolution would occur in the United States as well.

6.He did much important work to help us find a solution to the problem.

7.During development, Microsoft put much effort into research.

8.Many attempts have been made in recent years to improve the ecological situation in the Aral Sea Basin.

9.For a long time, the public relations industry had many former journalists working on it.

10.She couldn’t understand why he wanted to spend much time away from home and his family.

11.People living in Great Falls have much good air and much good water.

12.Do your parents take much interest in your musical tastes?

A FEW / FEW AND A LITTLE / LITTLE

Notes: 1. The quantifiers few and little are chiefly used in written English.

In an informal style they are normally replaced by not many / much,

NB

hardly any, only a few / a little.

There are hardly any girls of Middle Eastern or Asian appearance in advertisements or magazines.

When she woke again, only a little time had passed.

2. Quite a few in an informal style means “a considerable number”.

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

Ex. 25. A. Work in pairs. Ask each other questions about your academic and university life using expressions of quantity. Use an informal style.

Model:

1.— Do you study many subjects? — Quite a few.

2.— Do you have much free time? — Hardly any.

Prompts: lectures, friends, progress, homework, reading, course papers, effort, extracurricular activities (sports, forums, clubs, societies, etc), fun, partying, socializing, etc.

B. Make new pairs. Talk to each other about what you have been doing lately using as many expressions of quantity as possible.

Ex. 26. Translate into English.

1.Джеймс понимал, что тратит слишком много денег.

2.Межнациональные конфликты причиняют много страданий.

3.Правительство этой страны предпринимало мало усилий для поддержания образования национальных меньшинств (ethnic minorities) на родном языке.

4.Джек мало интересовался политикой и читал мало газет.

5.Попытки глав государств Латинской Америки достичь согласия не имели большого успеха.

6.Всего несколько человек остались в живых после пожара.

7.В это время суток на стоянке обычно мало машин.

8.Многие страны получили независимость в XX веке.

9.Как может один человек совершить столько ошибок за один день?

10. Мне нужно немного времени, чтобы принять окончательное решение.

COMPARISON OF QUANTIFIERS

Ex. 27. Use the appropriate degree of comparison of the quantifi ers in brackets.

1.Mistakes are feedback (обратная связь) on how we are doing. Winners make far (many) mistakes than losers. They get (much) feedback as they continue to try (many) possibilities.

2.He had the same qualifications as me but (little) experience.

3.Stevens Institute of Technology has (few) students per faculty of 13 non-research universities outside California.

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Chapter 2. Unit 4. Born Equal?

Английский язык для международников и регионоведов. Часть I

4.The fastest growing state in the nation, Nevada has the driest climate, (many) mountains, and the largest percentage of federal public lands.

5.Matt LeBlanc is quite likable as Joey, but as an actor, he has had (little) success of all the Friends (the TV show Friends).

6.Other non-Russian parts of the empire posed (few) problems in the reign of Nicholas I than the Polish west.

7.Among 17 Asian nations and territories surveyed, young Koreans were found to hold (little) respect for their elders.

8.Britain now has (few) factories, (few) machines and (few) workers in manufacturing than a decade ago.

9.British journalists work the longest hours for the lowest pay with (few) rights — so said the NUJ (National Union of Journalists) General Secretary.

10.The professor says that young people today show (little) interest in political news and newspapers than previous generations.

11.The UK minister for local environmental quality, said: “We need to put (much) effort into producing (little) waste in the first place”.

12.In 2000, 85% of the Senate elections were won by the candidate who spent (much) money.

MODIFIERS USED WITH THE COMPARATIVES

OF QUANTIFIERS

Note that far and a lot can be used with the comparatives of quantifiers of both

countable and uncountable nouns.

NB

Ex. 28. Put the quantifi ers in the comparative form and add a suitable modifi er.

1.Three thousand Italian emigrants said that Italy offered _______ (little) money and _______

(few) career prospects than the countries they had moved to.

2.Nowadays the Internet offers _______ (many) opportunities for networking than ever before.

3.Many rich people that I've known live in fear of having their wealth taken away, _______

(much) fear than the poor people I've known.

4.Nature by itself shows many signs of order and intelligence, but _______ (few) signs of love or mercy.

5.Is it true that children these days have _______ (little) respect for their elders and their teachers?

6.It always makes me wonder how one culture managed to have so ________ (many) customs than another.

7.This book deserves _________ (much) recognition than it has received.

8.America is a much larger and more varied country with _________ (many) natural resources and a larger population than Britain.