Английский язык для студентов сельскохозяйственных вузов

– Yes.

– What time is it now?

– Let me see … It’s ten to eight.

– Thank you.

Task 1. In pairs, practise using the following:

a) 5.30 – it is half past five

9.45 – it is a quarter to ten

4.15 – it is a quarter past four

10.00 – it is ten o’clock

b) What time is it now?

Task 2. Continue the sentences.

1) I get up at … 2) I have breakfast at … 3) Classes start at … 4) I come home at … 5) My friend comes for me at … 6) In the evening I … 7) I go to bed at …

Text 3

The Higher School and the Ways to Science

Students’ participation in research is one of the most effective methods for training highly-qualified specialists capable of taking part in the rapidly developing scientific and technological revolution.

Students are encouraged to participate widely in research while still at college. The program of studies is designed in such a way as to draw students ever deeper into scientific research.

Research enables the students to improve their knowledge and put to practical use the things which have been learnt at lectures, seminars and laboratories. Thanks to the research the practical value of knowledge is being realized, the basic experimental techniques are being mastered, handling modern equipment is being learnt and the results of the experiments are being analyzed during the whole period of study.

Such students graduate as highly-skilled specialists. And this is one of the most important tasks facing the college.

There are students research societies at every university and institute. Contests, competitions and exhibitions are based on students’ research. They have become an established tradition.

Every year a country-wide student contest is held for the best research project. The winners are awarded special medals and diplomas.

Students are engaged in research under guidance of professors, instructors, engineers and post-graduates. As a rule, term papers and graduation thesis are written on the problems of the students’ research work. Experimental and industrial installations are performed, theoretical investigations are conducted, and scientific literature on the specialty is studied.

Quite a number of term papers and graduation theses include elements of research which have been done at some higher school department on contact with farm or industrial enterprises. Term papers, research work, graduation theses of practical importance are regarded as the stages of turning students into skilled specialists.

Wordlist

participation – участие

to encourage – поощрять

to design – составлять, разрабатывать, проектировать

to draw (drew, drawn) into research – вовлекать в исследования

to enable – давать возможность

value – ценность

to graduate from – окончить вуз

contest – конкурс

to award – награждать

to maintain – поддерживать

to involve – включать, вовлекать

Exercise 1. Scan the text.

Exercise 2. Match English equivalents with the phrases:

Exercise 3. Answer the questions.

1) What is one of the most effective methods for training highly qualified specialists?

2) When are students encouraged to participate in research?

3) What does research enable the students to improve?

4) Under whose guidance are students engaged in research?

5) How are graduation theses of practical importance regarded?

Exercise 4. Express your thoughts to develop the idea: “University work is a process of self-education”.

Text 4

…

State higher education in the Russian Federation comprises 522 higher education institutions, not including military institutions.

The non-state sector with more than 330 higher education institutions has evolved over recent years. There are also 24 preparatory departments available to foreign students.

The levels of studies are:

Level 1 lasts 2 years. Students study for a Bachelor’s or specialist intermediate diploma.

Level 2 marks the continuation of studies for an additional two years leading to a Bachelor’s degree.