Light reading. 1. Translate the following text from English into Russian

III. Writing Section

1. Translate the following text from English into Russian. Find the sentences with the passive constructions.

The use of English as a native, second and foreign language

English is spoken as a native language by more than 300 million people, most of them living in North America, the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and South Africa. In several of these countries, English is not the sole language: the Quebec province of Canada is French-speaking, most South Africans speak Africans or Bantu Languages, and many Irish and Welsh people speak Celtic languages. But those whose native language is not English will have it as their second language for certain governmental, commercial, social, or educational activities within their own country.

In about twenty-five countries English has been legally used as an official language; in about ten (such as Nigeria) it is the sole official language, and in some fifteen others (such as India) it shares that status with one or more other languages. Most of these countries are former British territories. English is a second language for well over 300 million people: the number of second-language speakers may soon exceed the number of native speakers, if it has not done so already.

Even more widely English is studied and used as a foreign language. In this respect it acquired an international status. It is used for communication across frontiers, listening to broadcasts, reading books and newspapers, in commerce and travel. Half of the world’s scientific literature is in English. English is associated with technological and economic development of the great manufacturing countries and it is the principal language of international aid. It is the language of automation and computer technology. It is not only the universal language of international aviation, shipping and sport, it is to a considerable degree the universal language of literacy and public communication. It is the major of diplomacy, and is the most frequently used language both in the debates in the United Nations and in the general conduct of UN business.

Royal Kindness

John Lowe, the English scientist and writer of the 15^th century, was very poor in his old age. He asked the king for help. The answer was not long in coming.¹ Henry VII wrote:

“Considering that Lowe has devoted forty years of his life to historical works by which he has brought fame² to his country, we give him our royal permission to beg on the roads of England for one year. He can spend all the money thus collected on himself without paying taxes.”

¹ the answer was not long in coming – ответ не заставил себя ждать

² to bring fame – принести славу

Дата добавления: 2015-05-31