Файл: English-speaking countries I,II.doc

The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman and his crew in 1642. Māori killed several of the crew and no Europeans returned to New Zealand until British explorer James Cook's voyage of 1768–71. Cook reached New Zealand in 1769 and mapped almost the entire coastline. Following Cook, New Zealand was visited by numerous European and North American whaling, sealing and trading ships. They traded European food and goods, especially metal tools and weapons, for Māori timber, food, artifacts and water.

Becoming aware of the lawless nature of European settlement and of increasing French interest in the territory, the British government sent William Hobson to New Zealand to claim sovereignty and negotiate a treaty with the Māori. The Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in the Bay of Islands on 6 February 1840. The drafting was done hastily and confusion and disagreement continue to surround the translation. The Treaty, however, remains regarded as New Zealand's foundation as a nation and is revered by Māori as a guarantee of their rights.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:

What is special about New Zealand’s geographic position?
What are the different names of New Zealand known to history? Which languages do they come from?
Who were the first known settlers of New Zealand? By what means did they arrive?
Which Maori traditions are still alive today?
What was characteristic of the first stage of the Maori-European contacts in New Zealand (prior to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi)?
How did the Treaty of Waitangi come into being? What is its significance in the history of New Zealand and for the Maori people?

VOCABULARY

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

вымирать, характерный (отличительный), европейское происхождение, продолжительность жизни, грамотность, преуспевание (процветание), пригодный для жизни, допускать, полагать, делать заключение, выдумать (создать неологизм), предоставить гражданство, положения (условия) договора, последующие поколения, обессмертить, команда (экипаж) корабля,

уважать (почитать)

FOLLOW UP

Ex. 5. Question for discussion

What other treaties concluded between the Europeans and the natives in other parts of the world do you know? Did the signatories always comply with their terms?

UNIT 6

WARM UP

Ex. 1. What general trends are characteristic of the 20^th – early 21^st century political and economic development?

READING

Ex. 2. Read the following text and name the main events in New Zealand’s contemporary history:

New Zealand in the 20^th – early 21^st century

Initially under British rule, New Zealand had been part of the colony of New South Wales. Hobson initially selected Okiato as the capital in 1840, before moving the seat of government to Auckland in 1841, when New Zealand became a separate colony, and there were increasing numbers of European settlers to New Zealand particularly from the British Isles. Representative government for the colony was provided for in 1852 when the United Kingdom passed the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852. The 1^st New Zealand Parliament met in 1854. In 1856 the colony became effectively self-governing with the grant of responsible government over all domestic matters. In 1893 the country became the first nation in the world to grant women the right to vote.

20th century

In 1907 New Zealand became a Dominion within the British Empire, and an independent Commonwealth realm in 1947 when the Statute of Westminster was adopted, although in practice Britain had long since ceased to play a significant role in governing New Zealand. As New Zealand became more politically independent it became more dependent economically; in the 1890s, refrigerated shipping allowed New Zealand to base its economy on the export of meat and dairy products to Britain.

New Zealand was an enthusiastic member of the British Empire, fighting in the Boer War, World War I and World War II, especially in the Battle of Britain, and supporting Britain in the Suez Crisis. The country was very much a part of the world economy and suffered as others did in the Great Depression of the 1930s. The depression led to the election of the first Labour government, which established a comprehensive welfare state and a protectionist economy.

New Zealand experienced increasing prosperity following World War II. However, some social problems were developing; Māori had begun to leave traditional rural life and move to the cities in search of work. A Māori protest movement eventually developed, which criticised Eurocentrism and worked for more recognition of Māori culture and the Treaty of Waitangi, which they felt had not been fully honoured.

Recent history

Historically New Zealand enjoyed a high standard of living which relied on its strong relationship with the United Kingdom, and the resulting stable market for its commodity exports. New Zealand's economy was also built upon on a narrow range of primary products, such as wool, meat and dairy products. High demand for these products created sustained periods of economic prosperity, such as the New Zealand wool boom of 1951. However, in 1973 the United Kingdom joined the European Community which effectively ended this particularly close economic relationship between the two countries. During the 1970s other factors such as the oil crises (1973 and 1979) undermined the viability of the New Zealand economy; which for periods before 1973 had achieved levels of living standards exceeding both Australia and Western Europe. These events led to a protracted and very severe economic crisis, during which living standards in New Zealand fell behind those of Australia and Western Europe, and by 1982 New Zealand was the lowest in per-capita income of all the developed nations surveyed by the World Bank.

Since 1984, successive governments have engaged in major macroeconomic restructuring, transforming New Zealand from a highly protectionist and regulated economy to a liberalised free-trade economy. These changes are commonly known as Rogernomics and Ruthanasia after Finance Ministers Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson. A recession began after the 1987 share market crash and caused unemployment to reach 10% in the early 1990s. Subsequently the economy recovered and New Zealand’s unemployment rate reached a record low of 3.4% in the December 2007 quarter, ranking fifth from twenty-seven OECD nations with comparable data. In 2009, New Zealand's economy ranked as the fifth freest in the world according the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom.

The current government's economic objectives are centred on pursuing free-trade agreements and building a "knowledge economy". On 7 April 2008, New Zealand and China signed the New Zealand China Free Trade Agreement, the first such agreement China has signed with a developed country. Ongoing economic challenges for New Zealand include a current account deficit of 7.9% of GDP, slow development of non-commodity exports and tepid growth of labour productivity. New Zealand has experienced a series of "brain drains" since the 1970s, as well as educated youth leaving permanently for Australia, Britain or the United States. In recent years, however, a brain gain brought in educated professionals from poor countries, as well as Europe, as permanent settlers.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:

Describe the main steps in New Zealand’s movement towards self-government and virtual independence from Britain.
What was New Zealand’s position in the major military conflicts of the 20^th century?
What was the basis of New Zealand’s economy up to the 1980s?
Why did the government of New Zealand adopt a more liberalized free-trade economic policy in the last decades of the 20^th century?
How do you understand a “knowledge economy”?
What are the underlying reasons why a country may experience a brain drain or a brain gain?

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 the seventh-largest country by geographical area , the second-most populous country, and (a)__________. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometres It is bordered by Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal to the north and Bangladesh to the east. Home to the Indus Valley Civilization and 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, Buddhism originated here, while Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE. (b)__________ and colonized by the United Kingdom from the mid-nineteenth century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by widespread non-violent resistance. India is a republic consisting of 28 states and seven union territories with a parliamentary 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 Persian word Hindu. Stone Age rock shelters with paintings at the Bhimbetka rock shelters in Madhya Pradesh are 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 the Maurya Empire by Chandragupta Maurya and flourished under Ashoka the Great . From the third century CE, the Gupta dynasty oversaw the period referred to as ancient "India's Golden Age." Science, technology, engineering, art, logic, language, literature, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy flourished under the patronage of these kings.

Following invasions from Central Asia between the 10th and 12th centuries, much of North India came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate. Under the rule of Akbar 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 the British 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 the British Crown.

In the 20th century, a nationwide struggle for independence was launched by the Indian National Congress and other political organizations. Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi led millions of people in several national campaigns of non-violent civil disobedience. On 15 August 1947, India gained independence from British rule. On 26 January 1950, India became a republic and a new constitution came 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 the Indian 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 system describes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian subcontinent, (f)__________.

Traditional Indian family values are highly respected , and multi-generational patriarchal joint families have been the norm, although nuclear family are becoming common in urban areas. An overwhelming majority of Indians have their marriages arranged by 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 marriage is still a common practice, with half of women in India marrying before the legal age of 18.

Indian architecture is one area that represents the diversity of Indian culture. Much of it, including notable monuments such as the Taj Mahal comprises a blend of ancient and varied local traditions from several parts of the country and abroad. The earliest works of Indian literature were transmitted orally and only later written down. These included works of Sanskrit literature – such as the early Vedas. Among Indian writers of the modern era active in Indian languages or English, Rabindranath Tagore won 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.

VOCABULARY

Ex. 5. Give the English equivalents to the following words and expressions:

Торговые маршруты, в первом тысячелетии, независимое государство, борьба за независимость, широкое ненасильственное сопротивление, парламентарная система демократии, страдать от бедности, неграмотность, постоянные поселения, Древнеиндийская цивилизация, внутренние конфликты, находилась под властью, военные формирования восставших, гражданское неповиновение, кастовая система, наследственные группы.

FOLLOW UP

Ex. 6. Find the sentences stating the general idea of each paragraph.

Ex. 7. Make a report on the following topics:

--- Indian festivals;

--- Indian film industry;

--- Indian music and dance

UNIT 8

WARM UP

Ex. 1. Answer the pre – reading questions:

How many official languages in South Africa?

a) 3 b) 5 c) 11

What do you know about apartheid?

READING

Ex. 2. Read the text and give the general idea of each paragraph:

SOUTH AFRICA

The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa, with a 2,798 kilometres coastlineon the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To the north lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; to the east is Mozambique; while Lesotho is an independent country wholly surrounded by South African territory.

Modern humans have inhabited Southern Africa for more than 100,000 years. At the time of European contact, the dominant indigenous peoples were tribes who had migrated from other parts of Africa about one thousand years before. From the 4th-5th century CE, Bantu-speaking tribes had steadily moved south, where they displaced, conquered and assimilated original peoples of southern Africa.

In 1487, the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to reach the southernmost point of Africa. Initially named the Cape of Storms, The King of Portugal, John II, renamed it the Cape of Good Hope, as it led to the riches of India In 1652, a century and a half after the discovery of the Cape Sea Route, the Dutch East India Company founded a refreshment station at what would become Cape Town. The Dutch transported slaves from Indonesia, Madagascar, and India as labour for the colonists in Cape Town. As they expanded east, the Dutch settlers met the south-westerly expanding Xhosa people in the region of the Fish River. A series of wars, called the Cape Frontier Wars, ensued, mainly caused by conflicting land and livestock interests. Cape Town became a British colony in 1806. They consolidated the territory by encouraging British settlement. Due to pressure of abolitionist societies in Britain, the British parliament first abolished slavery in all its colonies in 1833. European settlement expanded during the 1820s as the Boers (original Dutch, Flemish, German and French settlers) and the British 1820 Settlers claimed land in the north and east of the country. The discovery of diamonds and later gold triggered the 19th-century conflict known as the Anglo-Boer War, as the Boers and the British fought for the control of the South African mineral wealth. Although the British defeated the Boers, they gave limited independence to South Africa in outside of the country, the government legislated for a continuation of apartheid. As the 20th century went on, 1910 as a British dominion.

South Africa achieved the status of a republic in 1961. Despite opposition both in and some Western nations and institutions began to boycott doing business with the country because of its racial policies and oppression of civil rights. After years of internal protests, activism and insurgency by black South Africans and their allies, finally in 1990, the South African government began negotiations that led to dismantling of discriminative laws, and democratic elections in 1994. The country then rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations

.South Africa has three capital cities: Cape Town, the largest of the three, is the legislative capital; Pretoria is the administrative capital; and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. South Africa is one of the constitutional democracies in the world. It has a bicameral parliament: the National Council of Provinces (the upper house) has 90 members, while the National Assembly (the lower house) has 400 members. Members of the lower house are elected on a population basis by proportional representation: half of the members are elected from national lists and the other half are elected from provincial lists. Ten members are elected to represent each province in the National Council of Provinces, regardless of the population of the province. Elections for both chambers are held every five years. The government is formed in the lower house, and the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly is the President.

South Africa is known for a diversity in cultures, languages, and religious beliefs. Eleven official languages are recognized in the constitution English, despite having a large role in public and commercial life, is only the fifth most-spoken home language South Africa is ethnically diverse, with the largest European, Indian, and racially mixed communities in Africa. Although 79.5% of the South African population is black the people are from a variety of ethnic groups speaking different Bantu languages, nine of which have official status About a quarter of the population is unemployed and lives on less than US $1.25 a day.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Ex. 3. Answer the following questions:

1) Where is South Africa located?

2) What countries does it border with?

3) When did Bantu – speaking tribes conquer native people of southern Africa?

4) Who founded Cape Town?

5) Why did Anglo – Buer war begin?

6) Why do Western countries begin to boycott business with South Africa in the second half

of 20^th century?

7) Is English the most – spoken language in South Africa?

8) What is percentage of black population?

9) What city is the legislative capital?

10) Why can we call South Africa a constitutional democracy?

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

1) A Spanish explorer became the first European to reach the Cape of Good Hope.

2) South Africa became a republic in 1861.

3) The British parliament first stopped its global slave trade in all its colonies 1833.

4) The Dutch transported slaves from Indonesia, Madagascar and India.

5) In the 3^rd century Bantu – speaking people assimilated original peoples of southern Africa.

6) The discovery of diamonds and gold caused Anglo – Buer war in the 19^th century.

VOCABULARY

Ex. 5. Give the English equivalents to the following words and expressions:

располагаться, современные люди, населять, ассимилировать, вызвать конфликт, Англо – бурская война, ограничить независимость, начать переговоры, гражданские права, разнообразный, безработный, Организация Объединенных наций (ООН), союзник, мятеж, последовать , однородный, окружать, сохранение апартеида, отмена дискриминирующих законов.