Light reading. 1. Translate the following text from English into Russian and answer the below given questions in written form

III. Writing Section

1. Translate the following text from English into Russian and answer the below given questions in written form.

Belarus is a Country of Rich History

1. Belarus is a country of rich history and ancient culture. Man first appeared here at the end of the glacial epoch 100–40 thousand years ago. During the Bronze Age, i.e. four thousand years ago, people living on its territory were engaged in field husbandry and live-stock breeding. And 7–6 centuries before our era they learnt to use iron and make agricultural tools and implements.

2.East-Slav tribes are common ancestors for Russian, Belorussian and Ukranian peoples. By the end of the first millennium of our era they were united into an old-Russian nation which later became the basis of the three nations in question.

3. In the 13^th century chronicles one can encounter the name “Belarus” or “Belaya Rus”, the latter being picked up by the local and neighbouring population. The origin of the name has not yet been defined for sure.

4. From times immemorial the Belorussian territory has been gateway to Russia from the western countries. The greedy invaders trying to get hold of the Russian expanses, they had, in the first place, to get through this gate. That is why Belarus was many a time attacked and occupied by all sorts of aggressors. But it always threw off the yoke of oppression.

5. There are many old towns in Belarus. They are known to have been not only military fortifications but also major political and economic centres. They traded vigorously with Russia, the Ukraine, West European and Mediterranean countries.

6.Along with national economy spiritual culture was developing. Back in the 16^th century a prominent Belorussian humanist-enlightener Francisk (George) Skaryna started book-printing business in Belarus, having set up the first East-Slav print-house which was very important for raising literacy in Belarus.

1.	When did man first appear on the territory of Belarus?
2.	What tribes are common ancestors for Russian, Belorussian and Ukranian peoples?
3.	The origin of the name “Belarus” has not yet been defined, has it?
4.	Why was Belarus many a time attacked and occupied by all sorts of aggressors?

At a Banquet

After their discovery of radium and polonium Marie and Pierre Curie visited London. They were invited to a banquet organized in their honour by some very rich people. Marie looked at the ornaments of the ladies with great admiration. Suddenly, to her surprise, she saw that her husband was also looking at the brilliant diamonds with great interest.

At home Marie Curie asked her husband to explain his strange behaviour at the banquet.

“I had nothing to do”, answered Pierre, “so I was trying to calculate how many laboratories could be built for the diamond that each lady had around her neck.”

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