Vocabulary

Ex. 4. Find the Russian equivalents for the following:

the seat of government, domestic matters, the right to vote, to play a significant role, dairy products, welfare state, protectionist economy, commodity export, high demand for, to undermine the viability of, per-capita income, free-trade economy,

share market, unemployment rate, GDP (gross domestic product)

WRITING

Ex. 5. Write an essay on the following topic:

Why do both Australia and New Zealand opt for remaining the Commonwealth realms and do not aspire at complete independence from the United Kingdom? Consider the historical preconditions, advantages and disadvantages in the current state of affairs.

UNIT 7

WARM UP

Ex. 1. Answer the pre- reading questions:

1) What is the capital of India?

a) Mumbai b) New Delhi c)Delhi

2) What is the most popular style of dress for women in India?

3) Indira Gandhi was :

a) Prime – minister b) President c) Queen

READING

Ex. 2. Read the text and complete it with the statements below:

INDIA

India, officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is theseventh-largestcountry by geographical area , thesecond-most populouscountry, and (a)__________. ­ Bounded by theIndian Oceanon the south, theArabian Seaon the west, and theBay of Bengalon the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometres It is bordered byPakistanto the west;China,Nepalto the north andBangladeshto the east. Home to theIndus Valley Civilizationand a region of historic trade routes and vast empires , the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history.Hinduism,Buddhismoriginated here, whileChristianityandIslamarrived in the first millennium CE. (b)__________ and colonized by theUnited Kingdomfrom the mid-nineteenth century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after astruggle for independencethat was marked by widespreadnon-violent resistance. India is a republic consisting of28 states and seven union territorieswith aparliamentary system of democracy. Economic reforms since 1991 have transformed it into one of the fastest growing economies; however, (c) ___________ .

The name India is derived from Indus, which is derived from the Old PersianwordHindu. Stone Age rock shelters with paintings at the Bhimbetka rock sheltersinMadhya Pradeshare the earliest known traces of human life in India. The first known permanent settlements appeared over 9,000 years ago and (d)__________, dating back to 3400 BC in western India. In the third century BCE, most of South Asia was united into theMaurya EmpirebyChandragupta Mauryaand flourished underAshoka the Great. From the third century CE, theGupta dynastyoversaw the period referred to as ancient "India's Golden Age."Science, technology,engineering,art,logic,language,literature,mathematics,astronomy,religionandphilosophyflourished under the patronage of these kings.

Following invasions from Central Asiabetween the 10th and 12th centuries, much of North India came under the rule of theDelhi Sultanate. Under the rule ofAkbar the Great, India enjoyed much cultural and economic progress as well as religious harmony. From the 16th century, European powers such as Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom established trading posts and later took advantage of internal conflicts to establish colonies in the country. By 1856, most of India was under the control of theBritish East India Company. A year later, a nationwide insurrection of rebelling military units and kingdoms, (e)__________, seriously challenged the Company's control but eventually failed. As a result of the instability, India was brought under the direct rule of theBritish Crown.

In the 20th century, a nationwide struggle for independencewas launched by theIndian National Congressand other political organizations. Indian leaderMahatma Gandhiled millions of people in several national campaigns ofnon-violentcivil disobedience. On 15 August 1947, India gained independence from British rule. On 26 January 1950, India became a republic and a newconstitutioncame into effect. India is the most populous democracy in the world. For most of the years since independence, the federal government has been led by theIndian National Congress(INC).

India's culture has managed to preserve established traditions while absorbing new customs, traditions, and ideas from invaders .Traditional Indian society is defined by relatively strict social hierarchy. The Indian caste systemdescribes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian subcontinent, (f)__________.

Traditional Indian family values are highly respected , and multi-generational patriarchal joint familieshave been the norm, although nuclear family are becoming common in urban areas. An overwhelming majority of Indianshave their marriages arrangedby their parents and other respected family members, with the consent of the bride and groom Marriage is thought to be for life, and the divorce rate is extremely low.Child marriageis still a common practice, with half ofwomen in Indiamarrying before the legal age of 18.

Indian architectureis one area that represents the diversity of Indian culture. Much of it, including notable monuments such as theTaj Mahalcomprises a blend of ancient and varied local traditions from several parts of the country and abroad. The earliest works ofIndian literaturewere transmitted orally and only later written down. These included works ofSanskrit literature– such as the earlyVedas. Among Indian writers of the modern era active in Indian languages orEnglish,Rabindranath Tagorewon the Nobel Prize in 1913.

a) gradually developed into Indus Valley Civilisation;

b) it still suffers from poverty, illiteracy and diseases;

c) the most populous democracy in the world;

d) known as India’s First War of Independence;

e) Gradually annexed by the British East India Company from the early 18^th century …;

f) in which social classes are defined by thousands of groups, often named as castes

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions.

1) What is the official name of India?

2) What religions shaped India’ diverse culture?

3) What transformed India into one of the fastest economies of the world?

4) When did the first known permanent settlements appear in India?

5) How many states and territories does the Republic of India consist?

6) What period is referred to as ancient “India’s Golden Age”?

7) When did much of North India come under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate?

8) Why do you think India was brought under the rule of the British Crown in the 19^th century?

9) Who launched a nationwide struggle for independence in the 20^th century?

10) When and how India gained independence?

Ex. 4. Are these statements true or false? If they are false, correct them.

a) India is a country in the Middle East.

b) India is bordered by Nepal to the east.

c) Christianity and Islam arrived in India in the first millennium AD.

d) The name India is derived from the Old Indian word Hindu.

e) On 15 August 1947 India gained independence from British rule.