Exam Topics: Belarus

 

 The Republic of Belarus

      Belarus is my homeland. It is a country with unique history and rich cultural heritage. Officially it is called the Republic of Belarus, a sovereign independent state with its own government, constitution, state emblem, flag and anthem. Belarus is situated in the eastern part of Europe. Its area is 207 600 square kilometres. It borders on Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. The population of the country is about 9,4 million people. The territory of Belarus is divided into 6 regions: Brest, Vitebsk, Grodno, Gomel, Minsk and Mogilev. The capital of Belarus is Minsk.

      The name “Belarus” corresponds with the term “White Rus”. There are several ideas about where the name “White Rus” came from. One of the possible origins of the name is for the white clothing that was worn by the local Slavic population. Yet another theory suggests that the old Rus lands (Polotsk, Vitebsk and Mogilev) were not conquered by the Tatars and as a result of this were described as “white”.

         Our native land is fascinating and varied with its blue lakes and ribbons of rivers edged with thick forests, with its endless fields, meadows and swamps, with its varied and plentiful animal and plant kingdom. Because of its unique nature the country has been included into the list of countries called “the lungs of Europe”. There are some 3000 rivers flowing over the territory of Belarus. The longest rivers are the Dnieper, the Nieman, the Western Bug and the Western Dvina. There are over 10 000 lakes in Belarus. The largest of them is Lake Naroch. That’s why Belarus has often been referred to as the blue eyed country.

        More than a quarter of the country is covered with forests. An ancient forest on the border between Belarus and Poland, Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a national reservation which is the home of the aurochs (or European bison). This animal is one of the symbols of Belarus, as well as a stork and a cornflower.

       The climate of Belarus is continental with comparatively mild winters and pretty warm summers. The nature of Belarus has suffered much from the nuclear catastrophe that took place in Chernobyl in 1986. The radiation has spoiled our soil and air, rivers and lakes, it has poisoned our flora and fauna. Besides, it has badly affected  people's health. Belarus is a developing industrial state. It's known for its production of tractors, motor-cycles, bicycles, TV-sets, refrigerators, watches and many other goods. The country's major crops are potatoes, flax, barley, rye and sugar beet.

        The geographical position of Belarus got our country involved in major European events over the centuries. The advantageous geographical position – on the crossroads from east to west – turned into disadvantage. Belarus was the arena of many wars, invasions and aggressions. All these events slowed down but didn’t stop the development of the nation. I must admit that despite all the hardships our country managed to preserve its unity and strong spirit.

     Speaking about Belarusian national character, many foreigners admit that our people are extremely sociable, hospitable, generous and welcoming. They are also described as resourceful and peaceful. When socialising, Belarusians are open, warm-hearted, fun-loving, humorous and outgoing. 

      However, when Belarusians  are moving around the city, shopping or travelling on public transport they are a bit reserved and tend to keep themselves to themselves. There is a high respect for education and culture, so the majority of people are highly professional, hard-working and intelligent.

         In conclusion, I'd like to say that I'm proud of my country and its people. Each time I go abroad I tell foreigners about our great past and achievements. Belarus is the place my heart will always belong to!

Let’s talk about Belarus.

1. What attracts tourists to Belarus?

2. Do you know any symbols of our country?

3. What questions about Belarus do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

4. What Belarusian sights would you advise a foreigner to visit?

5. They say Belarus is at the crossroads of Europe. Explain why.

Let’s talk about Belarus.

1. What attracts tourists to Belarus?

2. What parts of Belarus have you visited?

3. What questions do you expect to hear from a British teenager about Belarus?

4. What advice will you give to people who want to visit Belarus?

5. Young people gather to make the world better. What do you think young people of Belarus can do to make their country more attractive for foreign tourists?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

Exam Topics. Great Britain

          It goes without saying that learning a foreign language and exploring the countries it belongs to go hand by hand. Talking about English, the popularity of this language can't be overestimated. It's proved by the fact that it's the official language of almost 60 countries. But it's most commonly spoken in the United Kingdom, The USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

           I suggest focusing on Great Britain. The home of Stonehenge, William Shakespeare, red double-decker buses, black taxi cabs, red postboxes and telephone boxes, tea, fish and chips, the Beatles, legend of Robin Hood, Wimbledon  .... What else should we know about it? Its official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the UK for short. It occupies most of the territory of the British Isles and is made of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

         The total area of the UK is about 243,000 square kilometres. It's separated from the mainland by the North Sea and the English Channel. To connect with continental Europe the world longest undersea rail tunnel called Channel Tunnel was built. The population of Great Britain is over 65 million people. English is the official language of Great Britain. Apart from English, the Welsh language is spoken in some parts of Wales and Gaelic in north-west Scotland. The largest cities of Britain are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. 

           One of the main symbols of the UK is its national flag called the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the Cross of St. George (the Patron Saint of England), the Cross of St. Andrew (the Patron Saint of Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick ( the Patron Saint of Ireland). Apart from a saint, each country of the UK has its own floral emblem. England is represented by the Tudor rose and Scotland - by the thistle. The daffodils and the leek are the heraldic emblems of Wales. Shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland.

       The landscape of the UK is varied. Lowland Britain in southern and eastern England contrasts significantly with Highland Britain consisting of Scotland, most of Wales, the Pennines, and the lake District. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,343 m). The Severn is the longest river in the UK while the Thames is one of the significant trading routes. The largest lake is Lough Neagh, and the most mysterious is Loch Ness, the homeland of a legendary monster. The Lake District, one of the most spectacular places in Britain, lies on the northwest side of the Pennine chain. 

         The British climate is usually characterised as cool, temperate and humid. Since Britain is an island it's mainly influenced by the surrounding seas and the Atlantic Ocean. It makes the weather really unpredictable and weather forecasts harder to make. That's why Britain is known "to have no climate, but only weather" which can drastically change even during  the day. In fact, it's due to wet and rainy weather that Britain is so rich in greenery. 

          The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen is the Head of State but her function is not to rule but to represent the country. And the real power belongs to the British Parliament and to the British Government. The British parliament consists of two chambers: The House of Commons  and The House of Lords. The House of Commons is more powerful, its members are elected every five years, whereas the membership of The House of Lords is permanent. The party with most Members of Parliament or MPs forms the government. The leader of the winning party automatically becomes Prime Minister and appoints the cabinet. The party who comes in second is the Opposition and forms its own Shadow Cabinet.

           For culture hunters Britain has a lot to offer. London is filled with historical landmarks and remarkable sights. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are a must for every tourist. I'm sure you'll be impressed by the architecture of the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. If you want to dive into the atmosphere of mystery, you should visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world. Edinburgh Castle which dates back to the 12th century won't leave you indifferent. Nature lovers will be inspired by the walks in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales or the picturesque Lake District in North West England.

            The United Kingdom is undoubtedly a unique country which has managed to preserve its history and traditions to the present day. Your world view will be slightly limited if you miss the chance to see Britain.

Let’s talk about Great Britain.

1.  What can you tell me about the parts Great Britain consists of?

2. Are the symbols of Great Britain known throughout the world?

3. What questions will you ask a British teenager about the Royal family?

4. What advice will you give to a person who wants to make the relationship between Belarus and Great Britain better?

5.  Do British customs and traditions differ from Belarusian ones?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

Exam Topics. English-speaking countries: Australia.

            The United Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are English-speaking countries. They are situated in different parts of the world and differ in many ways. The nature of these countries, their weather and climate and way of life of their people differ. Each country has its own history, customs and traditions, its own national holidays. But they all share a common language. English is the language of the people who left England to make their names in new countries. 

But I would like to tell you about a pretty unknown English-speaking country, located in the Southern Hemisphere: Australia. 

Australia, the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lies between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. In the northeast it is surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef – the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms. It can even be seen from space. Australia has the longest coastline in the world and is linked by over 7000 beaches, more than any other country in the world. No part of Australia is more than 1000 km from the ocean and a beach.

Australia is only a little smaller than the USA and it is bigger than Western Europe. It is the sixth biggest country in the world. It is the flattest continent in the world as well as the driest one. One third of its land is desert. Australia has its own national hopping icon – the kangaroo. There are about 60 kangaroo species in Australia. So, if you imagined that kangaroos are hopping all over Australia then you are right! The number of “roos”, as the Australians call them for short, is estimated to be of about 40 million. Australia has a large diversity of reptiles, with over 860 species. The world’s largest reptile, the Saltwater Crocodile is native to Australia. It can reach 6 metres in its length. These creatures can be dangerous, as each year 2 or 3 people are attacked.

Australia is the only continent with a permanent population that is entirely below the equator, this is where the name ‘Down Under’ comes from. But from an Australian point of view, it seems as if the northern hemisphere continents are ‘down under’. Australia was home to thousands of prisoners in the 19th century. The British began to settle Australia in the late 1700s as a land to send their prisoners to. The prisoners were sent to Australia to work for a period of seven to fourteen years. Now, about 25 percent of Australians have ancestors who were convicts. But it has doubled its population since 1945, as over six million people from 200 countries have come to Australia as new settlers.

Australia used to have about 200 languages spoken by the Aboriginal people. Only about 70 of these languages have survived. Although Australia has no official language, the country is largely monolingual with English being spoken by more than 80% of the population. Australian English, known as ‘Strine’, has a specific accent and vocabulary. 

 Australia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and according to its political structure it was established a constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch, represented locally by a governor-general. It can be called parliamentary democracy as well, because the monarch is just a ceremonial figure in the country. Australia’s capital is Canberra located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia is one of the most popular travelling destination for the travelers. There are many things to do and many places to travel in Australia. There are awesome beaches, lovely blue mountains, wild animals, cricket grounds, live concerts, delicious sea food and lots more.

Official info about Australia

More info about Australia

Let's talk about English-speaking countries

1. What do you know about the USA/Canada/Australia? What are your associations with the word ‘England’?

2. Do you think that people speaking the English language are similar in character?

3. What questions will you ask your foreign friend about his/her country?

4. Give me a piece of advice on what to choose from a tourist guide to do  when planning a visit to the USA/Canada/Australia?

5. If you have a chance to travel to any country in the world, which one will you  choose to visit? Why?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

Exam Topics. Environment

 

The Earth is the only planet in the solar system where there is life. If you look down at the Earth from a plane you will see how wonderful our planet is. You will see blue seas and oceans, rivers and lakes, high snow-capped mountains, green forests and fields. For centuries the man had lived in harmony with nature until industrialization brought human society into conflict with the natural environment. Today, the contradictions between man and nature have acquired a dramatic character. With the development of civilization man’s interference in nature has increased. It goes without saying that human activities have a big impact on the environment and can seriously damage the planet. The most dramatic environmental issues today are climate change, water, air and soil pollution, littering, acid rains, deforestation, animal extinction and resource depletion. Most of the environmental issues are interdependent. Recently people have become more and more aware of the damage we have caused. The humankind has hit on the idea that we should save our planet in order to save ourselves.

Air pollution is perhaps the most burning environmental problem. Many megapolises lie under a thick blanket of smog and live like in a "gas chamber". Every year the world’s industry pollutes the atmosphere with millions of tons of dust and other harmful substances. People who live in big cities are badly affected by harmful emissions from plants and city transport and by the increasing noise level which is as bad for human health as well as lack of fresh air and clean water. Car exhaust fumes also destroy the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the sun. Aerosols create large “holes” in the ozone layer round the Earth. Air pollution is one of "the biggest killers" in the world. It causes at least one million deaths a year, mostly from heart diseases, strokes, cancer and a breathing problem. Most deaths take place in megapolises where air pollution is reaching its catastrophic levels.

A sore subject is that our forests are dying from acid rains. Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects the balance of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the climate and ecosystem in the world. People’s activity is crowding animals out of their natural habitat. I’d like to say a few words about animals in danger of extinction. The blue whale is the largest animal which has ever lived. Once there were over 200000 of these creatures living in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Since the seventeenth century they have been hunted for their oil and meat. In fact, so many of them were killed that by 1963 their population had been reduced to just 1000. Today it is even less than that. The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal. Today there are fewer than one million of these animals left. Even though they are now protected, they are still being hunted because of their tusks, which are used to make ornaments and jewellery. There is only one way to save wild animals and wild habitats – conservation. That means protecting endangered animals by law, opening more national parks, building fewer new roads, planting more new forests, cutting pollution. If this doesn’t happen, many wild animals will soon have just one habitat- the Zoo.

There are a lot of places on our planet that need immediate help. Our country is not an exception. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl, which took place on April 26, 1986., has seriously aggravated the ecological situation in Belarus. That catastrophe can be considered as the largest disaster of the 20th century. As the result of that accident 18% of territories of our republic were contaminated by radioactive elements. The agriculture of our country suffered great losses. More than 20% of the population has also suffered. A death rate among children has increased considerably. Everyone understands that this catastrophe is a threat to health of our nation, and though years have already passed, the results will be shown on the future generations.

I believe that environmental disasters can be avoided if people broaden ecological education and every person understands that the beauty of nature is extremely fragile and people must obey the unwritten laws of nature. Recently governments have taken serious measures to tackle these problems. Factories close down for several days per week, and city dwellers are encouraged to think of alternative ways of travelling around the city. They are advised to use public transport or bikes, car-pool and walk more. 

The world's best scientists are trying to invent new advanced equipment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. They see the solution to this problem in clean and renewable energy.  Environmental activists give preference to wind and solar energy. Solar panels and windmills are now quick to install and safe in comparison with nuclear energy. With them we don't have to worry about the accidents like Chernobyl or Fukushima. So when you see more and more valleys covered with solar panels and sea coasts occupied with windmills, you should know that this is a sign of hope for the human race, hope for fresh, clean and safe air. 

Renewable energy will help not only to clean the air but also to maintain global average temperature. Global warming is a very serious problem. If the temperature rises, it will cause a lot of ice near the North and South Poles to melt. As a result, large areas along the coast will go under water and we may lose such great cities as Venice and New York.  This problem can also be solved by individual action - reducing energy use. We could do this by turning off lights, turning down heaters and air conditioners, building more energy efficient buildings, shutting doors. We can also sort out our rubbish for recycling to save natural resources. If we all make an effort we can change the situation. It’s not so difficult for everyone to take the empty bottles to a recycling bin or reuse an old plastic bag or use your own bag when you buy something at the supermarket. We should also choose products which contain recycled materials, for example recycled paper. These are all simple actions which everyone must do if we are concerned about our planet, yet not many do so. New technology may help, but lifestyle change can have a much more immediate effect.

The problem of “holes” in the ozone layer round the Earth could be solved by individual action: stop using ozone-depleting chemicals. However, global action was taken to control the problem. The international convention to stop the production of many ozone-depleting chemicals is one of the best examples.

The activity of many public organizations is directed to protect environment. One of the best known organizations is “Greenpeace”, whose purpose is to protect and conserve the environment. This organization was founded in 1971 by the activists from the USA and Canada and it has representations in 25 countries of the world. “Greenpeace” acts against nuclear tests, radiating threat, pollution of the environment by waste industrial products, to protect the animal world, etc. This organization influences public opinion through mass media and protest actions.

For example, the “Greenpeace” sent its boats to protect whales, and today commercial whaling is banned. In the North Sea Greenpeace swimmers turned back dump ships carrying chemical waste, and new laws to protect the North Sea have been considered.

If we don’t realize that we are all responsible for what’s happening around us we will never feel secure about the future of the world we live in. In conclusion I’d like to say that we should think about our beautiful planet and joint our efforts to keep it clean and safe for future generations.

Let’s talk about environment.

1. . Do you share the opinion that our planet is in danger?

2. Is your city/town/village polluted? Why or why not?

3. What questions will you ask your friend who is a member of “The Greens”?

4. Give a piece of advice on what people can do to protect the environment.

5. If you have a chance to start a campaign to help the environment, what will you campaign for?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

Exam Topics. Future Career

 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROFESSION

Choosing your future career alongside with marrying the right person is the most important decision people make in life. Starting with a right profession at the right time can bring you good results in the long run. Scientists have calculated that every person spends approximately 40 hours per week at work. It’s 25% of your time. The longer you stay with a profession, the more experience you will earn. You may spend this time enjoying what you do or torturing yourself. A famous old saying goes: “Find the job that you love and you will never work a day in your life.” That’s what thousands of recent school-leavers are struggling to do.  But with thousands of careers to choose from how to pick one that will become your calling?

There are many factors that may have a great influence on choosing your future career. For some teenagers parents are role models and that’s why they follow in their parents footsteps. Others take into consideration demands of the job market, economic situation and salaries. Such people usually go into something prestigious and well-paid. Anyway your choice should greatly depend on your character and interests.

People who feel comfortable working with numbers may go in for accounting, IT sphere or teaching Maths and Physics. Outgoing and creative types who constantly need to communicate with people will probably be good at management and advertising. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives you may consider becoming a doctor, a nurse or a teacher. These professions are highly challenging but rewarding.

Before choosing a profession, consider the following points. First, take time to think about the impact a profession selection will have on your professional life and analyze all the aspects of the profession. Then, talk about it with your friends who are into that profession already. Asking them about an opinion about your decision is also worth. They can give you more inputs for your decision making process. Moreover, try to make an appointment with a good career consultant and explore the potential of the new profession. Finally, see if your present skills are adequate for the chosen profession, after that take necessary steps to enhance the skills to do this kind of job. And last but not least, discuss this in online forums. Online forums can help you a lot as you receive a lot of useful information from around the world.

As for me, I have always been fond of languages, history and geography. I’m sure that I won’t stand a monotonous office job. I want to travel, explore and have adventures. That’s why I’ve set my mind on the career of a travel guide. In my opinion, it’s the best profession in the world. Every day you do for a living what others only do on vacation. You meet amazing people from all over the world and see inspiring places on a daily basis.

But I realize that it doesn’t mean to be easy. Travel guides may face rude and indifferent tourists, so they have to be charismatic, enthusiastic and knowledgeable to charm the group. I get on well with people and, according to my friends and relatives, I’m good at story-telling. I hope that university will help me get necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in profession.

In conclusion, I’d like to say that the choice of the future career will greatly impact my life so I’m taking it seriously. I have assessed my weaknesses and strengths, set a goal and I will do my best to achieve it.

Let’s talk about future career.

1.     What do you want to do in the future?

2.     Do you prefer to work by yourself or in a team? Why?

3.     What questions will you ask a person who is satisfied with his/her professional life?

4.     Give me some advice on what I need to think about when choosing a job.

5.     What do you think is more important: to have a good salary or to love your job?

Let’s talk about your future career.

1.     What kind of job do you want to have in the future?

2.     Is foreign language proficiency important for your future job? Why or why not?

3.     What questions do you expect from your future employer at a job interview?

4.     Give me some advice on how to create a positive impression on the employer at a job interview.

5.     Some people think that an applicant should be computer literate to get a good job. What do you think about it?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

Exam Topics. Education

 Education

Knowledge is power. It is one of the most valuable possessions a human can get in his life. We get our knowledge of this world and life through education. Many famous discoveries would have been impossible if people were not interested in learning something. Education develops different sides of human personality, reveals his abilities. Besides, it helps a person to understand himself, to choose the right way in this world. Moreover, knowledge is often associated with freedom, independence and confidence. By knowledge I mean not just any information but the level of education in general or even erudition. One with knowledge can make the better way in the world. That's why the role and importance of education can't be overestimated. 

The system of education in the Republic of Belarus is based on national traditions and global trends in education area. These guarantee equal access to all education stages, unification of the requirements, continuity of all training stages and state financial support. 

Today Belarusian educational system includes 4 stages of education: pre-school education, primary school education, secondary school education and higher education. Pre-school education is not compulsory in Belarus but around 70% of children attend nursery or kindergarten before they start school. These institutions are for children under six years. Children who attend kindergarten learn social skills when they play with other children and this helps to shape their personalities.  Such children are better prepared for primary school.The public nurseries and kindergartens are free of charge but parents should cover about 60% of the meal’s cost. 

In our country primary and secondary school education are compulsory. All in all it lasts 11 years.  Most children in Belarus start school at the age of 6. The school year begins on 1st September for all grades and lasts thirty-five weeks; holidays take up a total of thirty calendar days. Summer vacations are the longest. School-leaving examinations at Level II (grade 9) and at Level III (grades 10 and 11) are held in June.

The school day starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at 3 p.m. But the schedule can vary from school to school and in some establishments students can study in shifts. It's also required in many schools to wear a school uniform or at least follow formal style. Apart from schools children can get primary and secondary education in gymnasiums. The requirements of such establishments are higher as a rule and they can differ in specialization. Alongside with comprehensive schools there are private schools which charge tuition fee. State schools are free of charge.

The basic task of school is to provide students with knowledge of particular subjects.  The typical primary school curriculum includes the following subjects: the Russian and Belarusian Languages and Literature, a Foreign Language, Maths, Drawing, Music, P. E. lessons. From the 5th form Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography and IT technologies are added to the curriculum. Besides gaining knowledge of various subjects children learn to think critically, analyse different phenomena, view problems from different angles and find possible solutions.

  After the 9th grade basic school graduates can continue their studies  at lyceums and vocational colleges,  where they can  get vocational training and secondary general education and become more focused on the practical side of education.

Everyone remembers his or her school and the first school day. It’s an unforgettable event. When I think of my school some pictures come to my memory: I’m on my way to school, flowers in hand, my parents accompany me, saying some kind words and encouraging me, many children with bags and flowers. Happiness, sadness and other emotions, or even love sick, we all can find in our school time. That's why school life is the best time in human life. During this time, we develop many things like physical development, emotions, relationships, and especially knowledge. Various subjects are studied at school. So we have a great variety of things to choose for our future interest in our professional life.

My school is an ordinary building in an old residential area, a 3-storied building with a spacious gym. Most of our classrooms are quite good, light and spacious. When you enter this or that classroom you understand what subject is taught here as you see special devices or equipment in every room.

At school we work at many things like physical development, emotions, relationships, and which is the most important we get knowledge. I work hard so as to gain appropriate knowledge and to pass my future exams successfully. School provides children not only with knowledge. It’s also a place where children spend their free time. There are many amateur groups or circles and sport sections in my school. Special teachers help children to develop their creative abilities either in sport sections, a school choir or theatre, or to improve English after classes. 

Going to school also means you will have a lot of friends. There is nothing better than belonging to a great group of friends and nothing worse than feeling like an outcast. Friends are important. They are shoulders for you to cry on when you are sad or happy so your sadness will be less, and your happiness will be twice. Going to school also means you will have new family, new moms who teach you many things about life. School is our second home. No one can ever forget it.

At the end of grade 11 (general secondary education) students sit the final examinations: the Russian or Belarusian Language, Mathematics, History of Belarus and Foreign Language. If everything is successful you'll receive the certificate of (complete) general secondary education and can enter a university to get a higher education. The choice of the university is one of the main decisions a person makes in his life as it determines his or her future. Thus, it's necessary to evaluate your abilities correctly. You should set your priorities in the spheres which you want to connect your future life with. It's important to listen to the opinion of your parents, peers or teachers but the last word should be yours!

The higher education system in Belarus is seen as prestigious due to its high quality and affordability. Everybody can find something to their liking. However, to enter a university one needs to take 3 tests. The subjects and the entrance level vary depending on the university. If the applicant's score is enough he or she will be enrolled in the establishment they have chosen. According to the score they will be  studying either for free receiving scholarships or a tuition fee will be charged from them. Most courses run for 5 years and students can choose to study full time, at evening classes or by correspondence. Grants are available for full-time students and scholarships are awarded to very gifted students.

We can say that Belarus has a developed system of education. Scientific and intellectual potential is the main strategic resource of Belarus. The republic guarantees its citizens the right to universal secondary education and creates means for further professional education. It tries to pay much attention to common human values, developing independent critical thinking instead of simple perception of information. The main principles of the educational system in Belarus are the priority of human values, national culture as the basis of education, humanism, sense of ecological purpose, scientific basis, support of gifted children and others.

Generally speaking, I should say that children have got opportunities to get good knowledge. The programmes of Belarusian secondary school comprise all the subjects necessary for basic knowledge so as to have a chance to choose any profession. Students may be involved in different educational activities which provide not only theoretical base but also practical skills: such as making different projects and presentations, research work, making speeches. The aim of our secondary education is also to learn social skills, to develop critical thinking, to develop understanding of other people, to prepare for life in the workplace and many others. Thus, those people who have got determination, persistence, self motivation will succeed in their future life.

Let’s talk about education.

1. What can you tell me about your school?

2. Does our system of education differ greatly from the British one?

3. Ask me about the school I went to when I was young.

4. Give advice to your friend on how to make school life more interesting and enjoyable.

5. Some people think that education is the key to success. Do you agree with it?

Let’s talk about education.

1. Tell me about the system of education in Belarus.

2. Do you like your school? Why (not)?

3. Your British friend has just entered college. What questions will you ask them?

4. What advice can you give me on how to prepare for exams well?

5. If you were to write an article about school problems, what would you write about?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.

Exam Topics: Accomodation

 

Accomodation

My home is my castle - the proverb goes. It means that home plays a great role in our life. It gives us a sense of stability, security and unity. The word "home" in this sense means not only a country or some native town but also a type of living. Home is the place we long for when we go abroad. 

There are many types of housing. People can live in a detached house, which is a house that is not joined to any other. It must be understood that a detached house can take on any form or style. It can be a mansion which is a very large expensive house, a bungalow which has only one floor, a cottage, which is a house in the country usually with a garden. One advantage of a detached house is the fact that the free space surrounding the building belongs to the family. You can do whatever you would like to be done in your house. The disadvantage is that all repairs in the house should be made by the owner. Some people live in a semi-detached house, where two houses joined together, others prefer to live in a block of flats.

 It goes without saying that types of living differ from country to country. The most common type of dwelling in Britain is a semi-detached house. I believe that such houses attract people because they are less expensive than mansions or bungalows and there is still some privacy even if one wall is shared by the two houses. Moreover, here you have only one or several neighbours in comparison with those in a block of flats. A disadvantage is that you are responsible for the upkeep of your side of the house. Another disadvantage is that you cannot just plan repairs or renovations as you have to consider your twin house. The second type of dwelling which is extremely popular in Britain is a terraced house. Terraced housing is also known as townhouses. The origin of this type of dwelling was in the 17^th century in Europe.  A row of identical looking houses share side walls. In the past, terrace housing used to be only associated with the working class for this type of housing was cheap, small and had very little privacy. As time went by, terrace housing became known as townhouses which were more associated with the rich. One of the major advantages of terrace housing is that it is relatively cheaper than a semi-detached built in the same location. One great disadvantage is that there is typically no yard or garden that comes with a unit. As two walls are shared, there is less privacy too.

Speaking about our country, I can say that nowadays there is no problem of choosing a type of dwelling. Everyone can find an affordable apartment to their liking. Some people would prefer a lovely cottage or a large farmhouse somewhere in the countryside. In my opinion, those who choose this type of dwelling are real nature lovers. One of the main benefits they get is having their own land which is at their disposal. They can plant a garden, growing their own fruit and vegetables. Besides, the atmosphere is so calm and quiet in the countryside. So, it's the best place to hide from the hectic city life and recharge the batteries. But there are some minuses of this type of dwelling as well. The biggest one is that it sometimes takes much time to get to the nearest town or city. Though, the car makes things easier. Anyway, commuting to work will be more time-consuming. Besides, it's more expensive to keep a house than a flat taking all the repair costs into consideration. 

That's why most people in our country prefer living in a block of flats. Flats can be of different sizes: from one-room to four-room. It's considerably cheaper to have a flat and keep it in a good condition. Those who live alone usually prefer a studio to a large apartment. In a flat there is less privacy and you are surrounded by neighbours from all sides. You never know what kind of neighbours you will have. In addition, there's no land of your own. So there is no opportunity to have a garden or a swimming pool at hand.

Apart from that different kinds of accomodation can be rented. If you rent either a flat or a house you can't change anything there even the furniture. It may seem inconvenient, but it's better than nothing, right?

As for me, I live in a three-room flat. Our flat is spacious, nicely furnished and has a good layout. It has all modern conveniences: central heating, electricity, running hot and cold water and access to the Internet. There is a living room, my parents' bedroom and my room. We also have a kitchen, a bathroom, a lavatory and a hall. My mum tends to spend most of her time in the kitchen which is equipped with all the necessary appliances. My father is literary glued to our HDTV. He is obsessed with the news. I'm really happy to have a room to myself. Although it's small, it's really cozy and catches a lot of sunshine. My window overlooks onto a nice garden. My room reflects my personality. Almost every wall has posters which represents my interests. It gives me a chance to be on my own whenever I need it. That's why it's so dear to my heart. Nobody will bother me if I ask for privacy.

To sum up, I'd like to say that everybody is free to choose where to live. But it's important to say that it's not the type of building but people who create a special atmosphere. A cottage or a farmhouse, a detached house or a flat can be a heaven if people treat it with care and love.

Let’s talk about accommodation. Let’s talk about different types of houses.

1. Tell me about the house (flat) you live in.

2. Do you want to move into a new house/flat? Why or why not?

3. What questions will you ask your friend who is going to move about his \her new flat or house?

4. Your friend wants to decorate his\ her room. Give him (her) some advice on how to furnish it.

5.  They say that the place in which you live reflects your character and personality. What do you think about it?

Let’s talk about accommodation.

1. Tell me about the house/flat you live in.

2. Are you ready to share a room with other people?

3. Ask me what my flat/house looks like?

4. Your friend wants to decorate their room and make it more modern. Give some advice on how to do it.

5. They say that living in the city is better than living in the country. What do you think about it?

Answer the questions in comments (at least 3-4 sentences to every question), if you are not signed up on Google, write your name and surname. Answers will be graded.