VOCABULARY PRACTICE

1. These flags all belong to English-speaking countries. Match the name of the country with its flag.

The United States Canada Australia New Zealand South Africa India

1. Choose one of the verbs in the box and put it in the right form.

1. English ………. the global language of communication in all major fields today.
2. Many books, magazines, and newspapers written in English ………. available in many countries around the world.
3. Knowledge of English ………. new world of culture, business and travel opportunities.
4. Students ………. to do their best to master English.
5. English, the language of the people who ………. England to make their names in new countries.

1. How much do you know about the USA? Match the columns. Write the correct letters on the lines.

1. In each of the following sets of words, one is misspelled. Write that word correctly in the space provided at the left.

__________________ 1. beautyful amateur criticize heroes

__________________ 2. pursue admittance writting seize

__________________ 3. audience athelete possession difference

__________________ 4. privilege villain argument paralize

__________________ 5. efficient ignorance definately exercise

__________________ 6. performence unusually genius leisure

__________________ 7. trans ferred noticeable aggravate guidence

__________________ 8. brilliance beleive conscientious accustom

__________________ 9. apologized committee similiar interest

__________________ 10. magnificent priviledge sufficient changeable

1. Read the following dialogues.

George: Donna, you speak English so fluently. I know English just a little bit and I want to improve it.

Donna: Thanks. This summer I’ve been in the UK as a student on the Intensive Course for English Language Development.

G.: I’ve thought about it also. Tell me about these courses.

D.: It’s the Summer Study Program. You can study for four or eight weeks and create a program of study which suits your own learning needs.

G.: Who can study there?

D.: All students over 18 years of age with intermediate or advanced English level.

G.: What are the aims of these courses?

D.: It’s the possibility to improve your English language skills.

*****

A: Victor, you speak good English.

V: Oh, no. My English is rather poor. But I would like to improve my spoken English.

A: And how long have you been learning it?

V: Well, normally we study foreign languages at secondary schools starting from the 5^th form. In addition to ordinary schools there are specialized English language schools where the language is taught thoroughly from the first form. Then we continue to study foreign languages in higher educational institutions.

A: What foreign languages are usually taught in your University?

V: As a matter of fact? English, German, French and Spanish. But the majority of students master English. Andrew, and what languages are taught in Universities of Great Britain?

A: Well, we learn French and German as foreign languages. And how many classes a week have you got?

V: We have got an academic hour a week now. It’s too small for languages, but I try to work at English on my own.

A: And what are you doing on your own?

V: I have got a teach-yourself book and some CDs. So now and then I listen to CDs, learn texts and dialogues by heart. I like to read English books in the original. This is the book I am reading at the moment.

A: And what kinds of books do you prefer to read?

V: I prefer to read fiction, science fiction, adventure and historical books.

1. Fill in the blanks with suitable words. More than one variant may be possible.

English spelling

English spelling is unpredictable at the best of times, and occasionally totally chaotic – an opinion no doubt shared by British ………. and by foreigners who study English. However, studies of the ………. show that there are only about 400 ………. whose spelling is totally irregular. Unfortunately many of them are ………. the most frequently used in the language. The first problem with ………. arose when the Romans tried to write down Old English words ………. the 23 letter Latin alphabet. Old English at that time ………. nearly 40 vowels and consonants. Another problem came with the Norman ………. and the third with the introduction of the printing press in 1476 and emerging of a standard spelling system. The ………. reflected the speech of the London area. During the 15^th ………. the pronunciation of vowels changed but because of the printing ………. the standard spelling system never caught up with the ………. . There have been many attempts to reform the ………. spelling system but so far no changes have been made since the 16^th century, mainly ………. nobody can agree on what the best alternative may be!

1. Get some information of the English language and express your thoughts.

Date: 2014-12-28; view: 1057