1. Прочитайте и переведите текст:

ENGLISH TODAY

One billion people speak English as their first language. For the other 600 million people it's either a second or a foreign language.

English is the first language in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia and New Zeeland. It is one of the official language in Canada, the Irish Republic of South Africa.

As a second language English is spoken in more than 60 countries. It is used by the government, businessmen and universities.

English is the language of politics and diplomacy, science and technology, business and trade, sport and pop music.

80% of all information in the world's computers is in English.

70% of the world's letters and faxes are in English.

60% of all international telephone calls are made in English.

More than 60% of all scientific journals are written in English.

To know English today is absolutely necessary for every educated person, for every good specialist. Learning a language is not an easy thing. It's a long and slow process that takes a lot of time.

English is taught throughout the world and a lot of people speak it quite well.

2. Ответьте на вопросы:

1. English is a world language, isn’t it? 2. How many people speak English? 3. In what countries is English the official language (one of the official languages)? 4. Is English popular in Russia? 5. Is learning languages an easy thing? 6. When did you begin learning English? 7. How long have you been learning English? 8. Have you seen any films in English? 9. Have you ever visited an English-speaking country? 10. What other languages would you like to know?

3. Прочитайте и перескажите коротко содержание:

LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Russia has political, business, trade, economic and cultural relations with many countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin Аmerica. A lot of tourists and businessmen come to our country and lots of Russian people go abroad. We have good relations with developing countries. We help them to build plants, factories, schools, stadiums, hospitals, radio- and TV-stations, etc.

Many young people come to Russia to study at our institutes and universities. Russian scientists cooperate with foreign scientists. Russia participates in international exhibitions abroad and arranges similar exhibitions in our country. Exhibitions help to improve our relations with different countries. More and more people in our country learn foreign languages. Many people learn to read books, newspapers and magazines in foreign languages in order to know more about life and people of other countries.

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learning изучение, developing развивающийся, to build строить, etc [it'setra] и так далее, scientist ученый, young people молодежь, international международный, to participate участвовать, to arrange организовывать, to improve улучшать, in order to для того чтобы

4. Переведите диалоги на русский язык и составьте аналогичные:

1. M: Can you speak English, Victor?

V: Just a little, but my wife can. She is a student of the Linguistic University.

M: Does she speak English fluently?

V: Yes, she does, but she still makes some mistakes.

M: Then she must read English books and magazines, listen to the radio and tapes.

V: I think so too.

2. A: Paul, where were you last night?

B: I had a German class.

A: How often do you have German classes?

B: Three times a week.

A: Do you always have them in the evening?

B: Only once a week. And twice a week I have them in the morning.

A: Oh, it's more convenient, isn't it?

B: Yes, it is.

A: How well do you speak German, Paul?

B: Not very well, I'm afraid. German is difficult for me.

3. A: Do you understand Russian, Mr Ali?

B: Very little. Russian grammar is very difficult, you know.

A: I know it. All foreigners say so.

B: But I'd like to know Russian better as I need it in my work.

A: Do many people in your country learn Russian?

B: Yes, as far as I know, here are a lot of Russian courses in my country.

A: It's nice to hear it.