Главная страница «Первого сентября»Главная страница журнала «Английский язык»Содержание №3/2009

Тематические кейсы для подготовки учащихся к ЕГЭ

(“Говорение” и “Письмо”)

continued from No. 2

PART 2 (WRITING)

Writing 1 (A Personal Letter)

Letter 1

This is part of your letter from Mary.

...I’m going to St. Petersburg next month and I’ll have to make new friends. The problem is I’m really shy! Are you good at making new friends? How do you do it? Have you ever been in a similar situation? Any suggestions would be useful.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

Love,
Mary

Write back to Marry answering her questions.

Letter 2

This is part of a letter from your pen friend.

...My parents often get annoyed with me because I spend a lot of time on the phone talking to my friends. Do you talk to your friends a lot on the phone too? Do your parents get annoyed with you? What do you do about it? If you’ve got any ideas about what I should do about it, let me know!

Write soon,
Love,
Rebecca

Write back to Rebecca answering her questions.

Letter 3

This is part of a letter from your pen friend.

...It’s my parents’ 20th wedding anniversary next week. Do you think I should organize a celebration? Have you ever organized anything like that? We could have a party, or go out for a meal, or maybe do something else. What do you think would be a good idea?

Love,
Lena

Write back to Lena answering her questions.

Writing 2 (An Essay)

Task 1. Comment on the following statement:

In European countries children over 18 are supposed to live on their own. What can you say FOR and AGAINST living with your parents?

Task 2. Comment on the following statement:

Most children enjoy computer games but their parents are against them. What can you say FOR and AGAINST playing computer games.

Task 3. Comment on the following statement:

Some people believe that teenagers today are generally rude, lazy and badly behaved. Other people, however, think that teenagers have a bad reputation for no reason.

Do you agree that teenagers are often criticized unfairly?

Useful Vocabulary

Talking about yourself and your life. Introducing people.

Names

1. First name; Christian name – имя
2. surname/second name/family name – фамилия
3. maiden name – девичья фамилия
4. by the name of... – по имени...
5. call by first name – называть по имени
6. patronymic, middle name – отчество
7. namesake – тезка; nameday – именины
8. ...was nicknamed... – прозвали, назвали уменьшительным именем; nickname – прозвище, уменьшительное имя
9. pen-name – литературный псевдоним
10. ...is named after... – назван в честь

Age

11. a new-born baby – новорожденный ребёнок
12. ten months old; at the age of…; in his teens; in his youth
13. coming up to school age – приближающийся к школьному возрасту
14. childhood; adolescence – юность
15. an adult; a grown-up – взрослый; youngster – юнец
16. I’m twice your age – я вдвое старше вас
17. the same age as... – того же возраста, что и...
18. You’re as old as you feel – вы в том возрасте, в котором себя ощущаете
19. She’s older than she looks – она старше, чем выглядит
20. He’s aged a lot lately – он в последнее время заметно постарел

Family Relationships

21. nephew – племянник; niece – племянница
22. mother-in-law/father-in-law – свекровь/тёща; свёкор/тесть
23. sister-in-law/brother-in-law – невестка/золовка; зять (муж сестры)
24. stepbrother/half brother (sister) – сводный брат (сестра)
25. stepmother – мачеха; stepfather – отчим
26. stepson/stepdaughter – приёмный сын/дочь
27. daughter-in-law – невестка/сноха (жена сына)
28. son-in-law – зять (муж дочери)
29. aunt – тётя; uncle – дядя
30. grandson/granddaughter – внук/внучка
31. Godfather/Godmother – крёстный отец/мать
32. widow, widower – вдова, вдовец
33. orphan – сирота
34. relative – родственник
35. distant relative – дальний родственник
36. remote kinsman (woman) – “седьмая вода на киселе”
37. heir/heiress – наследник/наследница; heir-at-law – наследник по закону; ...inherited... – ...унаследовал...

Marital Status

38. single – холостой(ая); married – замужем/женатый; separated, divorced – разведенный(ая); widowed – овдовевший(ая)
39. split up – распадаться, разойтись
40. date, date smb. – свидание, встречаться с кем-то; make a date; he’s dating a girl – он встречается с девушкой
41. propose to smb. – сделать предложение
42. marry smb. – выйти замуж за (жениться на)
43. bride/bridegroom – невеста/жених
44. live apart from... – жить отдельно от…

Types of People

45. adolescent – юноша, молодой человек
46. acquaintance – знакомый
47. bachelor – холостяк
48. best friend – лучший друг
49. boyfriend/girlfriend – друг/подруга
50. bully – хулиган, задира
51. classmate – одноклассник
52. colleague/business associate – коллега
53. hermit – отшельник
54. neighbour – сосед
55. spinster/old maid – старая дева
56. tycoon – финансовый магнат

Describing People: Character and Personality

1. absent-minded – рассеянный
2. adventurous – авантюрный, безрассудный
3. aggressive – агрессивный
4. amusing – удивительный
5. articulate – четко выражающий свои мысли
6. bashful – застенчивый, робкий
7. blunt – грубый, резкий, недалёкий
8. boastful – хвастливый
9. bright – умный, одарённый
10. broad-minded – c широким кругозором
11. calm – спокойный
12. callous – бессердечный, толстокожий
13. cheeky – нахальный
14. cocky – дерзкий, нахальный
15. conceited – самодовольный, высокомерный
16. confident – уверенный
17. considerate – внимательный к другим,
18. conscientious – сознательный, добросовестный
19. courageous – смелый, храбрый
20. creative – творческий
21. determined – решительный
22. domineering – деспотический, властный
23. down-to-earth – реалистичный
24. emotional – эмоциональный
25. enthusiastic – полный энтузиазма
26. extravagant – сумасбродный, экстравагантный
27. gullible – доверчивый, легковерный
28. high-strung – напряженный
29. hospitable – гостеприимный
30. humble – скромный, застенчивый
31. fussy – суетливый, нервный
32. impatient – нетерпеливый
33. possessive – собственнический
34. impressionable – впечатлительный
35. indecisive – нерешительный
36. level-headed – рассудительный
37. loyal – верный, преданный
38. malicious – злобный, ехидный
39. modest – скромный
40. naive – наивный
41. narrow-minded – ограниченный
42. neurotic – нервный, неврастеник
43. obstinate – упрямый
44. pompous – высокопарный, напыщенный
45. prejudiced – предвзятый
46. ruthless – беспощадный
47. secretive – замкнутый, скрытный
48. self-centred – эгоцентричный
49. self-confident – самоуверенный
50. sensible – разумный, рассудительный
51. shrewd – проницательный, практичный
52. single-minded – прямодушный, искренний, деликатный
53. smug – самодовольный
54. soft-hearted – мягкосердечный
55. spiteful – злорадный, злопамятный
56. strict – строгий
57. strong-willed – волевой
58. superstitious – суеверный
59. talented – талантливый
60. thrifty – бережливый
61. two-faced – двуличный
62. unreliable – ненадёжный
63. weak-willed – бесхарактерный
64. well-bred – благовоспитанный
65. well-mannered – воспитанный
66. wise – мудрый
67. witty – остроумный

Verbs you can use to talk about your life

1. be born – родиться
2. be buried – быть похороненным
3. be called – быть названным
4. become a grandfather – стать дедушкой
5. buy a house – купить дом
6. die – умереть
7. fall in love – влюбиться
8. be head over heels in love – влюбиться по уши
9. get a new job – найти новую работу
10. get divorced – развестись
11. get engaged – обручиться
12. get married – жениться
13. go to university/enter the university – поступить в университет
14. learn to drive – научиться водить машину
15. leave school – закончить школу
16. move – переехать, уехать
17. retire – уйти на пенсию
18. start school – поступить в школу
19. start work – приступить к работе
20. be head and shoulders above someone – быть на голову выше
21. talk to the wind – бросать слова на ветер
22. be a teacher’s pet – быть любимчиком учителя
23. look like someone – быть на кого-то похожим
24. get used to doing smth – привыкнуть к чему-то
25. love and hate – любить и ненавидеть
26. grow up – вырастать, подрасти
27. trust someone – доверять кому-то

How has a person changed?

1. gained/lost weight – располнел/похудел
2. got some wrinkles – появились морщины
3. gone grey/bald – стал седым/полысел
4. grown a beard/moustache – отпустил бороду/усы
5. started wearing... – стал носить...
6. let his/her hair grow – отрастил волосы
7. cut/dyed his/her hair – подрезал/покрасил волосы
8. got more/less popular/serious... – стал более/менее популярным/серьёзным
9. become famous... – стал известным

What is the price of fame? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being famous?

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

Household Chores

Living in a Big City

Advantages

Disadvantages

Living in the Countryside

Advantages

Disadvantages

The Place Where You Live

ADVANTAGES

Low cost of living; crime rate is low; there are good schools; it’s easy to find work; entertainment facilities; good sports facilities; fresh air; few cars; good transport connections; interesting shops; the people are friendly...

DISADVANTAGES

Expensive to live there; streets are dangerous at night; there are not many schools; few cinemas, discos etc.; not many sports grounds; pollution; traffic; noise; not enough buses, trains etc.; no variety among shops; no sense of community

Introductions and Opening Conversation Gambits

Инициирование разговора

Glad/pleased/nice to meet you.
– I’ve heard so much about you.
– How do you do?

Развитие и завершение разговора

– I’m still feeling pretty homesick.
– If it wasn’t for the climate, I’d like it very much.
– It’s quite different from what I expected.

We’ve been friends for ages. And we’ve been friends ever since.
– I met...and we have been friends ever since. I’ve known...for…years.
– Do you agree with the statement that the eyes are the mirror of the soul?
– Has he no failings? Is he absolutely 100% reliable in character and behaviour? (У него нет недостатков? Он абсолютно положительный по характеру и поведению?)
– I wouldn’t say that. On the whole he is very responsible with work and very loyal in his relationships, but he does have some failings. (В целом он ответственный в делах и верный в отношениях, но у него есть недостатки.)
– But that doesn’t spoil our friendship. You don’t ever feel bored with a real friend.
– Apart from school, we see each other a lot.

Meeting People after a Long Time

Инициирование разговора

Развитие и завершение разговора

I’ve been visiting relations.
– I’ve been away on holiday.
– I’ve been to...

– Ooh... a little bit of exploring, a little bit of discovering – nothing much, really. By the way

Talking to a Distant Relative Trying to Find Out What Relationship You Stand to Each Other

A: What relationship is Jack/... to you?
B: Well, he’s related to my aunt.

A: Are you any relation to Jim Brown, the well-known football player?
B: Yes, he is my uncle.

A: Are you related to Helen?
B: Yes, she is my cousin.

A: Have you sent greetings to our relations?
B: Only to our grandparents.

A: What does your brother do?/What is your brother?/Where do you come from?/Where are they from?/What is he like? How does he look? What does he look like?
B: ...
C: He has a twin brother. They’re as alike as two peas in a pod. Only my sister and I can tell them apart.
D: Don’t you think that’s a bit of an age gap? (тебе не кажется, что это очень большая разница в возрасте?)

Sample Conversation

Model Dialogues. Here are some models in which people invite someone of the opposite sex to go out on a date or to a party.

1.

Susan: Hi, Jim.
Jim: I was wondering if you are doing something Friday night. I have tickets to a rock concert.
Susan: Which one?
Jim: I have two tickets to see the Flaming Idiots concert. Would you like to go with me?
Susan: I’d love to!
Jim: Great! I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock.
Susan: OK. See you then.
Jim: Good-bye.

2.

Laurie: Hi, Jeff.
Jeff: Hello. How’s it going?
Laurie: Great. I’m having a party Saturday night and I’d like you to come.
Jeff: Thanks. What time does it start?
Laurie: Eight-thirty. Can you come?
Jeff: Sure, I wouldn’t miss one of your parties.

3.

Julie: Hi, Alex.
Alex: Oh, Julie. You’re just the person I wanted to see!
Julie: Really? What’s up?
Alex: How would you like to go to next Saturday’s football game with me?
Julie: Next Saturday? Gee, I’m sorry, I can’t. That’s my mother’s birthday.
Alex: Oh, I was really hoping that you could go.

(Writing a Letter)
Образец написания письма (Informal Letter)

Your address
The date
Greeting
Dear...,
Introduction (§ 1 – opening remarks)
Main Body (§§ 2-3 – development of the subject)
Conclusion (§ 4 – closing remarks)
Ending (say goodbye and sign your name)

– never begin Dear friend / Pen friend; write the name Dear Jane,

– reasons for writing; / – an apology for a delay in writing / – a thank you to the person for his last letter

– divide your letter into paragraphs and include 2–3 points in each paragraph

– an excuse to stop writing/ – greetings to the person’s family (friends) / – an invitation/ – a promise to write again soon, / – a request to the person to reply soon

Ending

Lots of love/ Best wishes + your first name

St. Petersburg
Russia
} пропустить строчку
January 1st

Dear Mary,
} пропустить строчку
Thank you for your lovely birthday card, I have not written sooner as I wanted to invite you round and could never find a suitable time.
} пропустить строчку (каждый параграф начинать пропуская строчку)
We are having a small party next Friday night to celebrate Tony’s return from Canada, and we would be very happy if you and Simon could join us, around 8 p.m. Do come if you can.
} пропустить строчку
Looking forward to seeing you.
} пропустить строчку
Yours,
} пропустить строчку
Anna

Useful Vocabulary

Вводные фразы

Заключительные фразы

Asking for Advice. Письма с просьбой дать совет

Вводные фразы

Formal

Informal

Заключительные фразы

Formal

Informal

Giving Advice. Письма-советы

Вводные фразы

Formal

Informal

Фразы основной части

Formal

Informal

Заключительные фразы

Formal

Informal

(Writing an Essay)
Discursive Essays (Дискуссионные сочинения)

Тип сочинения и примерный план

1. “For” and “Against” Essays (Formal Style)

Introduction

§1
– present the topic and state the problem
– make a general remark about it without giving your opinion

Main Body

§2, 3
– Arguments “for” (3 points)
– Arguments “against” (3 points)
(support your arguments with examples)

Conclusion

§4
your opinion based on the given arguments

2. Opinion essays (formal style)

Introduction

§1
– introduce the subject and state your opinion

Main Body

§ 2-4
– or more paragraphs
– first viewpoint supported by reasons/examples
– second viewpoint supported by reasons/examples
– the opposing viewpoint supported by reasons/examples

Conclusion

§5
– summarise what you’ve said
– restate your opinion using different words

Useful Language
(For and Agains Essay)

I. Introduction (state the topic /problem, you talk generally about the topic, you may ask a question or start with a quotation)

– As a general rule... It is popularly believed that... It is often suggested... People often claim that... A lot of people think that... Many people are in favour of...?/ are convinced that...
– We all know that...
– Can you imagine
...? Isn’t it amazing...? Have you ever thought of...? Isn’t it strange...?
– There are both advantages and disadvantages
...Let’s begin with...

II. Main Body (points For and Against, along with your justification, appear in two separate paragraphs)

– The main / most important / greatest advantage of...is that...
– Another advantage/ disadvantage of...
A further advantage?/ disadvantage of...
– One point of view in favour of?/ against...
The best?/ worst thing about
...is...

– In the first place...
First of all...
To start with...
To begin with...
– Secondly...
Thirdly...
Finally...
Last but not least...

– What is more...
Furthermore...
Moreover...
– In addition to this...
Besides...
Apart from this...

– on the other hand ... however... in spite of the fact that ... despite the fact that...
– while ... nevertheless ... even though ... although ... it can be argued that...

for example ... for instance ... such as ... in particular...

III. Conclusion (you give either your opinion or a balanced consideration of the topic, or give the reader something to consider, or to end with a quotation)

– to sum up ...
all in all...
on the whole ...
in conclusion...
– taking everything into account .../as was previously stated
– All things considered, although there are some disadvantages
..., I believe it is...
– All in all, I believe that there are more advantages than disadvantages...

Useful Language
(OPINION Essay)

I. Introduction (state the topic/problem; you may ask a question or start with a quotation; state your opinion)

– Is there too much emphasis placed on...?
– Nowadays, we are often told...
Every day...
There is no doubt that...
– Over the past few years,...
Are you among those who...?
Why has...become...?
– The British poet... once said that “...”
– There are various facts that support this opinion.

In my opinion...
I believe...
It seems to me...
The way I see it...

II. Main Body (each paragraph should present a separate viewpoint supported by your reason, another paragraph should present the opposing viewpoint)

In the first place...
First of all...
To start with...m
To begin with...
– Secondly...
Thirdly...
Finally...
Last but not least...

– What is more...
Furthermore...
Moreover...
– In addition to this...
Besides...
Apart from this...

– It is argued that...
People argue that...
Opponents of this view say...
– There are people who oppose...
Contrary to what most believe...

for example...
for instance...
such as
...
in particular...

III. Conclusion (you restate your opinion using different words)

– to sum up...
all in all...
all things considered...
on the whole...
– in conclusion...
taking everything into account.../as was previously stated
– All in all, I still feel that the benefits of...outweigh the disadvantages.

to be continued

By Tatyana Kireeva ,
Gymnasium No. 2, Saint-Petersburg