Theatre Part III

TASKS for Chapters 7-10

I. Find the following words and phrases in the text and translate them into Russian:

Placidity – спокойствие - calm

to make frantic scenes - довести до белого каления сцену – to bugger up scenes

to give sb. a look of scorn – бросить на кого либо презрительный взгляд – to quell sb with a look

lavishness – щедрость - generosity

to know how to pull strings adroitly – знать как повлиять на дело легко – to be a jack-of-all-trades

to fall out of love – разлюбить – to be off someone

close-cropped hair - коротко остриженные волосы - short-medium hair

to resist an inclination – противостоять намеренью – to set one's face against

weather-beaten skin – обветренная кожа - weather skin

coltish grace – жеребячья грация - vivacity

to be on active service – быть на боевой службе – to be in a department

confinement – тюремное заключение - imprisonment

to run a theatre – руководить театром – to hold a theater in smb’s hands

effusive – несдержанный - unrestrained

virile air – мужской воздух

to set one's mind to smth. – поставить перед кем то какую то цель – to reach a goal

disconcerting - приводящий в замешательство - puzzling

it's a knock out - это соглашение между участниками аукциона о покупке вещей по низким ценам - an agreement between the participants of the auction for buying things at low prices

amiability – благожелательность - benevolence

affable manner – вежливые нравы - polite manners

to exercise great ingenuity in (doing) smth – проявлять большую изобретательность делая что-то - be more creative doing something

to be unperturbed – быть невозмутимым – to be immovable

shrewdness – проницательность - penetration

to grizzle – седеть – to go gray

it's a mere commonplace – это избитое – it’s hackneyed

exorbitant – непомерный - unreasonable

to be conciliatory – быть умиротворяющий - be calming

to foster one's career – сделать чью-то карьеру - to make a career

prosiness – прозаичность - prosaicism

acumen – проницательность - insight

to have one's face lifted – иметь внешнее обновление – to make external update

it's no good crying over spilt milk – нечего горевать над убежавшим молоком - м

to have little flirtations – немного флиртовать - gallivant

masseuse - проститутка, работающая в massage parlor - prostitute

gossip column - отдел светской хроники - ddepartment of gossip

the world of make-believe – мир притворства - world of pretense

II. Answer the following questions:

1. What did Michael and Julia do when the war broke out?

When the war broke out they started to develop their business, playing roles and acting of the scene.

2. Why do you think Michael enjoyed the war?

His father was a military man. That’s why may be it was bred in the bone. The dress uniform suited him, his work was not hard, and he was honored.

3. Do you think love is important for a successful family life?

Definitely!

Would you share your point of view on this problem with your fellow students?

Why not? It will be an exchange of experience.

4. How did it happen that Julia fell out of love with Michael?

It happened during their rehearsals.

5. How did Michael manage to find the money to rent a theatre?

He met a necessary man. Moreover he was introduced to an old British actress, who was capable to lend them some money.

What was the theatre called?

The theater was called “Milltown”.

Who was in the partnership with him?

The old actress was in partnership with him.

6. Why was Julia against Michael's taking up directing?

Because she would be ruled by her own husband. Besides Mcahel had lack of talent in both acting and directing.

7. What kind of director was Michael?

He was talentless.

8. What irritated Julia in Michael more and more?

His calmness to the process of living.

How did he change in Julia's eyes?

He didn’t change. It was a change inside Julia’s mind.

9. Why was Julia sad when she thought of her married life?

It didn’t meet her expectations.

10. Why was Michael happier than he had been before?

He believed everything has been done in his life. His ultimate goal was only to open a theater where his wife could act.

11. Julia's dresser and maid was a Cockney, wasn't she?

Yes.

Please prove it using the examples from the text.

12. Who was the unknown man who sent flowers to Julia?

It was Thomas Fennel, an apprentice from the financial office.

Why did she write him a thank you note?

With Tom Julia forgot about her age.

III. Make up a list of words and phrases describing Michael's appearance and character. Say what you think of him.

Appearance	Character
Handsome A man of high growth A person with beautiful eyes A slim man	Calm Confident Trustful Optimistic

IV. Comment on the phrase from chapter 9: "Roger had been entered for Eton within a week of his birth." Comment on it. Give a short presentation on public schools in Britain.

The parents of Roger supposed that their son should be a student of Eaton. They wanted such a future for their child, because the education their was very prestigious and of a very good quality. It was necessary for people of such a status as Julia and Michael to put their children in schools of high rate.

VI. Give a summary of chapters 7-10. (in written form)

Julia wasn’t satisfied with her life with Michael, because of his placidity. Michael’s character didn’t change: he remained kind and polite, but Julia wanted love. After some period of time their calm life was disturbed by war. To Julia’s pride and anguish Michael went to war as an officer. His life in army wasn’t really hard, but during the war Michael aged. Julia noticed that, when her husband returned home, and fell out of love with him though he still was rather handsome. Everything that had attracted Julia to Michael, at that time annoyed her. At the same time their business went almost perfect and they managed to get enough money to open their theater. They also moved from a small flat to a modern house, because Julia was pregnant. Time passed, and their theater gave them a lot of money, but Michael’s character was becoming worse and worse, and Julia couldn’t understand, why some years before that she had been full of passion to this man. One evening she was given the flowers from Thomas Fennel. He invited her to have tea. Julia agreed to make happy the poor clerk by her visit. Suddenly, the young man began kissing her, and Julia was very pleased as she was the appropriate age to be his mother. But after this accident Julia felt twenty years younger. And suddenly she realized that she fell in love. But Tom was a real snob and she presented him expensive gifts and paid off his debts. With Tom Julia forgot about her age.

Theatre Part II

TASKS for Chapters 3-6

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Asset - critical contribution

a sumptuous supper – luxuriant supper

extravagance – bluing

thrift – chariness

to remonstrate - object to

equanimity – immovability

at a loose end - out of square

to jeopardize – endanger

alacrity – eagerness

susceptible to - mentally alert

obsequious – menial

a retainer – a deal

II. Find quotations in the text. State their meaning and their function.

“Neither a borrower nor a lender be” – here is the meaning that you shouldn’t lent your money to anybody. Besides, it’s not a good idea to borrow some money too. The function of this quotation is to illustrate Michael’s character.

"I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not honor more," – it refers to Julia. In this case, Michael means that Julia is on the second place in his ranking of things, which are really important in life. The function is to show his attitude to her.

"Lord, what fools these mortals be," – it refers both to Michael and Julia. It is a position toward their relationship from the side of Jimmie Langton. The meaning here is that a wife and a husband can’t find understanding between each other, in Jimmy’s opinion. The main function is to show the director’s side in this question.

III. Explain the metaphor "she is a millstone round his neck." Who does it refer to?

The meaning of this metaphor is that our main heroine, Julia seems to be burden for her husband. This doesn’t allow anything wrong from her point of view. It refers to the woman. All this situation is holding Michael under a huge pressure of feelings.

IV. Comment on the context of the following phrases:

- "He was too modest to resent an unfavorable criticism." (Ch.3) – it is a characterization of Michael. Modesty is one of the features of his character.

- "... after all he was born a gentleman." (Ch.4) – it is again about the man. He has a great life experience, overcomes lots of things. They made him a gentleman.

- "He is going to be a flop." (Ch.5) here is a sentence of the director, Jimmu Langton and his position towards Michael’s leave to America as an actor. This sentence predict his future in the foreign country.

- "'I suppose it's beastly of me,' she thought, 'but thank God, thank God.'" (Ch.6) – here are Julia’s words. She holds herself out as a very strong in spirit woman.

VI. What techniques are employed by the author to make the reader see the events through Julia's eyes?

It is the thirst person narration.

VII. Answer the questions:

1. Who was Jimmie Langton and what role did he play in Julia's and Michael's lives?

Jimmie Langton was a director and he possessed his own theater and a group of actors. He played a great role in lives of our characters. He applied them for a job as actors. They played leading roles in all his plays.

2. When did Julia and Michael join the Middlepool Theatre Company?

They joined this company at the beginning of their careen on the scene.

3. How did Julia and Michael get to know each other?

The got to know each other through a play, where they had to play side-by-side roles. They had rehearsals together.

4. What did Julia like about Michael?

He liked everything about him, especially his life’s position.

4. What did Michael think of good looks and decent families?

He thoughts, that both these things were important in life of any person.

5. How did Julia feel about her family?

She felt disappointed about her family, as there was nor harmony their.

6. What were Michael's views on marriage?

His view on marriage - it was a serious step in life of any person. People who have already got married should help each other. Besides a wife and a husband are to concentrate on family business.

7. Why did Michael find Julia extravagant?

He found her extravagant, because she could change her mood in a minute, what said about her great talent.

8. What did Michael read newspaper reviews for?

He read newspapers reviews for being in a date whether his roles were successful or not.

Did Julia share his views?

Julia didn’t share his views; she was an actress with other understanding of theater’s life itself.

9. Who invited Julia to Michael's house for the Holy Week?

Michael and his family, involving a mother and a father himself invited Julia to his house.

10. Did Michael's father meet Julia's expectations?

Michael’s father didn’t meet Julia’s expectations, but he full met her criteria.

11. What impression did Julia produce on Michael's parents?

She produced great impression of a very kind lady.

12. Was the proposal expected by Michael's parents?

Yes, it was. They both were very happy.

13. What professional offer did Michael receive and who facilitated this?

Michael received a role in a theater in America. Langton facilitated it.

14. What steps did Julia take upon finding Michael was leaving for America?

She was full emotional exhausted. She burnt into tears. She was totally disappointed.

15. Was Michael a success in America?

Michael wasn’t successful in this country.

16. Did Julia keep in touch with him while he was away?

They were in touch, having sent mails each other.

17. Was Julia eager to meet Michael straight at the station?

Yes, she was. It was Liverpool.

18. What were Michael's impressions after staying and working in America?

He was absolutely started to hate that society and the whole way of life.

19. What was Michael going to do in England and what were his prospects?

He was going to open his own theater where his wife would play leading roles, but firstly he had to find a sponsor for such a deal.

VIII. Summarize the events of chapters 3-6.

Both of the main characters have taken part in Langdon’s company. They start play side by side on the stage. Julia is a better actress than her husband. She is on public eye every time. Michael doesn’t jealous her, he loves her very much. They are going to open their own theatre one day. Michael has to go to army for several years after that he appears as a real gentleman. The man wants to introduce Julia to his parents. They are very fond of the girl. After such an awesome event he wants her to except his proposal. They get married one day. Michael is offered a contact in America. Following it, he is to stay their for a year. That’s why Julia can’t imagine her life without her husband. But Langdon is sure, that Michael will com у back soon, because he has lack of talent in his play on the stage.

Theatre Part I

TASKS for Chapters 1-2

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

Complacency – satisfaction

three times running – to work very hard

filthy - sordid

supercilious - arrogant

military bearing - soldierly smartness

natural flamboyance – true verve

stupendous - titanic

staggered - dazed

natural homage - inclination

entanglement - embarrassment

concubinage - extramarital relationship

languorous - apathetic

flippant rejoinder - feather-brained objection

to risk smth – to go nap on

a quick study - catch on

II. Search for the allusions in the text. Define their type (literary, artistic, historical and others) and functions; explain their meaning.

Literary - William Shakespeare, a person who is famous for his plays. Our story is about theatre. William should be noticed in шею

Artistic - John Philip Kemble and Sarah Siddons are actors. It is necessary to point out these people, because of the topic.

Historical – George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India. His picture shows connection between members of the swell society.

Others - Jean-Marc Nattier, a French painter. Sir Thomas Lawrence was a leading English portrait painter. Their role is to show the luxury life of the actors’ family.

III. Using direct and indirect evidence from the text give character sketches of Julia Lambert and Michael Gosselyn. Follow the plan:

Julia Lambert

1. Appearance

A very beautiful actress with shapeliness. Her nose is a bit thick. Her eyes are passionate with a terrible look.

2. Social position, occupation

An actress, a wife and a mother.

3. The main traits of the character

She is a bit crafty. Let’s remember how she behaves with a young accountant. Besides she is a hard working person. She really does her best in the sphere of acting. She is a workaholic.

4. His/her life's credo

Her life’s credo – to achieve gold mountains.

5. His/her attitude to other characters

She plays with them, as they aren’t on the same level.

6. Their manner of speaking

She has great pronunciation. She speaks quite well, with a melodic tone.

7. The way he/she acts, behaves, sees the things

She sees everything under her own angle.

8. The actions of the character worthy of approval and disapproval

To my mind, she behaves badly and very arrogant with the young fellow. It doesn’t make her bless. But at the same time, she gives him her picture, though it can be only a trick – her promises.

Michael Gosselyn

1. Appearance

Handsome, power-house

2. Social position, occupation

An actor, a husband and a father.

3. The main traits of the character

Hard working, calm man. With his own ideas about life.

4. His/her life's credo

Her life’s credo – use today what you earned yesterday.

5. His/her attitude to other characters

He doesn’t attract his attention to people at all.

6. Their manner of speaking

Normal, but his tune of voice is a bit high.

7. The way he/she acts, behaves, sees the things

He sees everything under her own angle.

8. The actions of the character worthy of approval and disapproval

I can’t say something like that about this man.

IV. Give a summary of the first two chapters.

The story is about a family couple, Julia Lambert and Michael Gosselyn who used to be famous actors. Though Julia is still playing her roles, Michael is not interested anymore in the scene’s life. He is only a promoter of his wife. He starts his career at the age of 20, being a very handsome guy. He is not fond of army, though it should be his family credo. Under Lengdon’s leadership Michael starts his early career as an actor. His appearance plays a great role at the beginning of his “job”. Lengdon is a very powerful superior. He manages to make perfect from leading actors. He supposes that Gosselyn’s appearance helps the actor to hide his disadvantages. The chief finds Lambert when she plays in a local theater secondary roles. He sees in her a great talent. Langdon wants her to be a participant in his company.

The Review of the Film «In Love and War»

In Love and War (1996) is a romance drama film based on the book of Ernest Hemingway «In Love and War» by Henry Villard and James Nagel, starring Chris O'Donnell, Sandra Bullock. It was directed by Richard Attenborough. This film takes place during World War I, and is based on the famous writer’s real experience in World War I as a young soldier in Italy. He was wounded and sent to military hospital where he was nursed by Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway, deeply affected by their passionate but ill-fated affair, later wrote several books about it, including «A Farewell to Arms».

Let me represent the brief reconstruction of the events. Ernest Hemingway is an 18 year old writer who wants to be in the thick of the war in Italy. He goes to Italy and finds himself in the trenches of the war. When he and the men are hit with an explosive he carries one of the Italian soldiers to medical help but gets shot in the leg in the process. When in the hospital he meets Agnes von Kurosky, a Red Cross aide who nurses him back to health. He falls in love with Agnes, but she is concerned about their age difference. They admit their feelings, but Agnes decides to marry an Italian doctor. When she realizes her mistake it's too late. Ernest has already grown into a bitter and cynical man. 

Speaking about the problems touched upon in the film, I think it’s important to mention the problem of war and heroism. The problem of heroism is highlighted alongside the war theme. Heroism doesn’t only exist in the front line, but also in hospitals, where the nurses fought for the lives of soldiers throughout day and night. The nightmare of war is shown mainly in hospitals and it produced a great effect of horror on me. The skill of the actors and the director impress and make me remember this film and advise it to the others.

One more point, I’d like to touch upon is a question that arises during the film :“Is it possible to love at war?” What is love at war: flame, passion, lust, devotion, affection, infatuation or something else, something real? This problem is touched upon in the film and revealed through the storyline of Agnes and Ernie. I think that their love was a real one for that place and that time. In fact, at war all the feelings are intensified, that’s why their love was like a passion or a flame, although the affection and devotion are also clear from their relationship. I suppose that Agnes felt affection towards him as to a kid, a young person at war, while Ernie felt passion and lust towards Agnes. This mixture of feelings led to something real which was of vital importance for the main characters at that particular time. The love for the main characters wasn’t possible at peace time and Agnes realized it. So, on the one hand the war prevented the lovers from being together, on the other hand, it couldn’t be born between them without that war.

To tell the truth this film impressed me greatly.  Such things as love and war seem to be incongruous, but this film proves the contrary. The film placed me into the time of war and Ernest Hemingway. It helped me to imagine what kind of a person he was and what influenced his creative talent. I really loved this film, it is worth watching.

Answers on the Questions About the Higher Education.

Higher Education in Britain and the USA

1. What are the admission requirements to the colleges and universities in the USA/Britain?

Britain

Students normally enter university from age 18 onwards and there are separate admission processes for applicants. Firstly they write a UCAS application and submit it to UCAS by the relevant deadline (September to December) and select five courses at higher education institutes. Nowadays the most common qualification for entry to higher education is the General Certificate of Education at ‘Advanced’ (A) level, which students take in the sixth form college. Still some universities or colleges may ask also secondary admissions criteria: results at GCSE or Standard grade examinations (or equivalent), the information provided on the personal statement that generally describes why the applicant wants to study the subject, what makes them suitable to study that subject, etc. Some universities ask candidates to attend an interview or pass additional exams, results of which can be the deciding factor between two similar candidates.

The USA

Talking about the admission it is important to mention that as the United States has no national secondary school curriculum or high school exit examination, colleges rely on 2 privately developed admission – examinations — the SAT and ACT. However, the admission decisions at highly selective institutions are so complex and take into consideration such factors as extracurricular activities, Grade Point Average (a calculation of the average of all of a student's grades for all semesters and courses completed), a general college admission essay with personal statement and general equivalency diploma.

2. What are the three types of schools in higher education?

They are universities, colleges and institutions.

3. What degrees are offered by schools of higher learning in the USA/Britain? What are the requirements for these degrees?

Britain

Degree courses provide students with a three-year bachelor's degree. Many institutions offer an undergraduate master's degree as a first degree, which typically lasts for four years.

The diplomas and vocational courses are generally completed in 1-2 years with the Vocational and Technical Education Councils conferring the degree certificate.

Postgraduate courses include master's degrees, either taught or by research, and the doctorate, a research degree that usually takes at least three years.

The USA

Associate degrees prepare students to complete a bachelor’s degree at a 4-year institution or colleges. The Bachelor degree is awarded on successful completion of 120 credits (about 4O courses) for institutions operating on a semester system, and 180 credits for a quarterly calendar. A Bachelor’s degree program is designed to last 4 years, the first year being called ‘Freshman’ year, the second ‘Sophomore’, the third ‘Junior’, and the fourth ‘Senior’. The bachelor’s degree is by far the most common type of degree awarded, preparing students for most jobs that require a college degree and for further graduate study. The next step is the Doctorate Degree that covers many fields of specialization and requires a minimum of 3 to 4 years of study beyond the Bachelor’s degree; 2 to 4 years of study after the Master’s degree; examinations in one or more foreign languages; a thesis which is the result of original research and an oral examination.

4. What is a credit in the US system of higher education? How many credits must an undergraduate student earn to receive a bachelor’s degree? How can they be earned?

A credit is a system of taking marks for your study. The Bachelor degree is awarded on successful completion of 120 credits (about 4O courses) for institutions operating on a semester system, and 180 credits for a quarterly calendar. They can be earned on seminars or different projects.

5. What steps do students have to take to enroll in a college/university for admission? Speak about the exams they take – PSAT, SAT, ACT.

PSAT – a preparatory test for admission to universities or colleges.

SAT – a standard assessment test for entering high school institutions.

ACT – a test for entering to high school in the USA or colleges.

6. What financial assistance are applicants eligible for? What are college scholarship, grants, and loan? Explain and bring out the essence of student financial aid.

 They are eligible for scholarship, but it depends from their study, grants, which can be given for their good project work or loan, if they are representatives from families, which are not able to pay for their study. The fees for students from the poorest backgrounds are paid by the state. Besides, some postgraduate positions come with funding attached. These are called studentships or grants. Studentships are mainly funded by the seven UK Research Councils and can cover both fees and living expenses, but there tends to be a lot of competition.

7. What is a GPA (Grade Point Average)?

Grade Point Average (a calculation of the average of all of a student's grades for all semesters and courses completed)

8. What is the role of a student’s counselor? Specify the function of career development and job placement within a university.

The role of the student’s counselor is to help students to avoid the problems. People who are educated in the Ivy League have a good chance of finding a well-paid job, and many political leaders have been to Ivy League universities.

10. What are the sources of funding for universities and colleges (both public and private)?

Private are very expensive so they fund themselves, for example with tuition costing well over $20 000 at some universities, although scholarships are available to help students who cannot pay for themselves.

11. What is an undergraduate student? A graduate student?

An undergraduate student – who finishes his education and is looking forward to seek his/her bachelor degree.

A graduate student – these who study for the Magister.

12. Are you for written or oral examinations? Which ones are more objective?

I am for both written and oral. This or that is not an objective, without another. It is not possible to realize the knowledge of a man, without an interview, but the written part is also important, as it is our written speech.

13. What examinations (oral or written) are more popular with Russian students? Describe the psychological types of students of your group.

Written examinations are less popular, than oral. My group, except me and Andrew is always nervous, when it is smth about the mark.

14 Would you like to study in the USA or Great Britain? Why? Why not? What are the requirements for foreign students to study in the USA or Great Britain?

I would like to study in these countries, especially in Great Britain. I prefer England to the USA, because they are native speakers in correspondence with America. It is a grade chance to practice the language and to be within other culture. But I should pass on the TOEFL exam, as I am a foreigner.

15. What aspects of American or British higher education system would you like to introduce into our system?

Systems of credits and relationship between tutors and students. A student should choose a teacher, but not vise versa.

Laboratory Work: Higher Education in the USA

MP3 AUDIO 5.1

1. You’ll hear five speakers talking about problems they or their relatives face while studying. Fill in the chart with the information given in the recording. Be especially precise with the column “Your solution to the problem”; here, you’re supposed to give your personal advice to avoid or ease the problems mentioned by the speakers.

Speaker	Problem	Signs of the Problem	Your Solution to the Problem
1	examination	Whether you are a professional in your qualification or only think, that you are	Teachers are to motivate students to take knowledge, learning their subjects and doing different kinds of research work. If a teacher wants a particular student to answer questions on the exam, the teacher should ask himself, whether he has given all the materials which are important to be a professional.
2	Study for three A-levels, preparing for the informatics school	tired face, sleepless nights, works nights and weekends to prepare for her exams etc.	If you want to pass exams very well you have to work hard, but at the same time, you need time to have a rest, or you may overheat and don’t do your work
3	Entering to university	Lost weight, grey reams under his eyes, don’t sleep at all, only for 3 or 4 hours a day	There is the same situation as in the life of the 2nd speaker, but the difference is that it is a man, a boy is better to say. I will advise him not to be so concentrated on the life among books and ink, but to open his eyes for the rest world.
4	To be graduated	Unbelievable for the speaker, unexpected	As Dima Bilan songs in his famous song “I know exactly impossible is possible…” Every person should be confident in himself to overcome barriers in life.
5	Online or electronic exams	Old school papers don’t make work quicker, there is no ability to give results faster, though it is necessary for the students	It is really important question for today’s world. There is a tendency to do all the work in on-line form with the help of the Internet and informatics technology

2. Have you ever experienced problems while studying?  What were these problems like? How did you cope with them?

I experience problems while studying every day, because I have also lots things to do, apart from the institute. These problems were like lack of time to do homework or to cope with it on the good level; sometimes I am really exhausted, because I don’t sleep an appropriate amount of hours; besides, there will be situations when misunderstanding exist between students and teachers. My advice to you is not to think about your problem, you should save them whatever the weather. I try to find compromise between two fighting parts. Truly speaking I am a very difficult person with hard character.

3. What are other difficulties that contemporary university students face while studying? When do the problems usually occur? Are there special stresses that cause them? Do you agree that the quality learning is “the travel of hardships”? Give account of about 100 words on the questions mentioned.

Some times students have to choose student’s life or study itself. For instance, our faculty of the foreign languages doesn’t give permission to students to take parts in different performances. But sometimes heads of the faculty and teachers may help you, as for me, they has given me a hand to cope with the study, when I was a participant in the institute’s awards “Mr. of the Student’s Life”.

The problem usually occur when neither teacher nor student what to drive a nail to the head the problem.

I agree that quality learning is “the travel of hardship”. It is out of the question to take knowledge without hard work. Every person has talent, but you need something to develop your talent: for instance you have to burn the midnight oil or something like that, if you want to be a good specialist, if you want your future employer to take into service.

MP3 AUDIO 5.2

Listen to a talk given by a university advisor to a group of students and answer the following questions:

1.   What is the standard grading system in the USA?.

A B C D or F – most of the courses use this system of grade.

2.   What are the ‘special grades’ that the speaker mentions in the recording?

They are satisfactory E or F and unsatisfactory - U grades

3. Comment on the standard grading system in your country?

There are 4 grades in my country. You are a bachelor after the 4^th course and then you can go to the degree of the Magister.

4. Do schools and colleges practice non-standard grading systems? I don’t know whether Russia school goes out of the standard rules. Any innovation in our country is supposed as the worst thing. What are they?

5. Give examples of other grading systems throughout the world? Which of them do you think are efficient for the students’ academic assessment?

MP3 AUDIO 5.3

Listen to a talk by a student advisor on campus. Answer the following questions.

1. What are the rules for dropping a course in the talk provided? You can drop a course within three first weeks of a semester. If you want to drop a course you need a signature of the professor who leads this course or an official drop card. Then you should come to the speaker to get her signature.

2. What warnings does the student advisor give? You can’t officially drop a course three weeks later after beginning of the semester. It is impossible to do so, if you don’t do so within three first weeks. But if you drop a course without an appropriate permission you will receive a falling grade.

3. How can you avoid getting a failing grade, according to the recording? You must obey the rules.

4. What are the official drop procedures for the elective courses in your country? If you teach a certain subject in any state office you can drop your classes in these days when you are a teacher at  school, college or a technical colleague.

MP3 AUDIO 5.4

Listen to a talk given on a college campus.

1. What are the places of a college campus that the speaker mentions in the recording? They are library, administration place, student center, which includes a bookstore, a post office, a bank, a theater, a travel agency, a coffee shop.

2. Can you find the similar campus places in your college/university? Yes, we can, but there are no theater, post office and travel agency. What are other places that are worth mentioning? Canteen and dressing room.  Characterize them briefly. You need a place where you can not only have a snack, but to eat normal meal like your mother does.

3. Pick out the places from the previous task and make a similar tour around your college/university to inform the freshmen about the campus.

Dear freshmen, you are on the first floor now. The administration is located her, it takes the entire hall from the right of you. Besides, at the end of this hall there is a library, which works from 10 am up to 5 pm. There are two sections of the library, where you can take your book, are based in a vault.

The canteen is also in a vault. Moreover there are two gyms which are also there, like a dressing room.

There are two small cafes where you may have a snack on the third and the second floor. But there is a cafeteria in a new building of our institute, where you can go with the help of the transition on the second floor.

Your faculty lies on the 4^th floor, where the sun is hot and stars are closer. Good Luck! Be “to be ” with you!

ps
We had our first tour with Natalia Yakovlevna Evtiuhina when we were freshmen. There is no WC for men in the 4^th place, that’s why me and my male colleagues have to ladder to the 3^rd floor. Besides, the teacher showed us the canteen, the dressing room and the gum.