Types of Houses
It
is common knowledge that there is no place like home. To the British their
homes are important. They are dedicated to them, they give them a lot of time
and effort, looking after their homes with much love, care and enthusiasm.
More
than half of British families own their homes (houses or flats). Others live in
council accommodation and some people rent from private owners.
There
are three main types of houses that people live in:
a) detached;
b) semi-detached;
c) terraced.
A
detached house is the most expensive type of home. It stands on its own land
and is not attached to another building. Such houses have privacy from
neighbours, and they are ideal for keen gardeners who can devote plenty of time
to work in their garden.
A
semi-detached house is
joined to the house next door by a shared wall. A house of this kind is less
expensive than a detached house, but still offers a good standard of privacy
and comfort. It usually has a small garden at the front and a larger garden at
the back.
A
terraced house is usually two- or three-storey high. It is one of a continuous
row of similar houses, joined together by their side walls. Many rows of
terraced houses were originally built for workers in nearby factories or
coalmines. A terraced house usually costs less than a semi-detached or detached
house of similar size. There are miles of terraced houses in most towns. Over a
quarter of British families live in them.
There
are also other types of buildings in which people live:
d) apartment
blocks;
e) bungalows;
f) country cottages.
Bungalows
are one-storey houses which are particularly popular with older people.
Apartment
blocks are high-rise blocks of flats which provide accommodation for a lot of
city dwellers. But these buildings are not very popular. About 20% of the
population live in flats. There are more flats in cities than in rural areas.
Most people in
The
number of people owning their own houses is steadily rising in Britainthough a
house is expensive. A person does not usually need to have all the money
himself to pay for the house. Most people buy their homes with a mortgage which
they get from a bank or a building society.
Public
Housing. About one third of the population now live in council houses. These
houses are provided by local authority councils such as town councils, usually
at a low rent. Such houses are mainly occupied by workers who cannot afford to
buy a house.
Since 1980 it has become
possible for house tenants to buy their houses at favourable rates after they
have lived in them least two years.
A Place То Live In
I am sure that each person chooses a place
for living due to his taste and it reflects hispersonality, but as you
know "Tastes differ." I think that's why some people
enjoy hustle and bustleof cities with its ever
moving transport, noise, bright lights and crowded streets. They like
their flats that become their castles. Cities give us a variety of
different places to live in from a tinybedsit to a spacious
penthouse. You may live in a cosy 2-3-bedroom flat or in
a fancy, stylishapartment. If you want to be closer to nature,
you may live in a boathouse or somewhere in the
suburb in a pretty maisonette, a grand villa or even in an ancient castle.
At the same time there are others who can't stand living in
cities and prefer tranquility and birds songs, stunning
sunsets and drops of dew on leaves.
I am a real city-dweller,
I can't imagine life without the speed of city-life and great
possibilities it gives As a rule city-dwellers are sociable and
communicative: a city is the place where you can make a host of
friends, have advanced education, an opportunity to attend
differentcourse including preparatory or have tutors and therefore
you have more chances to enteruniversity. Cities offer us not only the
opportunity to get good education but also a wide range of
different entertainments: cinemas, theatres, museums, sport
facilities and concerts. A city is the place where you can
easily find a dream-job, well-paid and with brilliant prospects. Of
course, I see all the disadvantages of city-life: busy transport and
rush hours, a high level of air, water andnoise pollution,
street crime and violence and as paradox- loneliness. But whatever
thedisadvantages are, I'm charmed with this dangerous but seducing place;
I suppose I belong to it.
I think, that maybe,
when I grow older and have my own big family with children
andgrandchildren, I'll change my mind and for the sake of the
family will move to the countryside, I‘llhave a wonderful cottage
or farmhouse in an isolated place surrounded by a rose
garden. I will enjoy peace and calmness of the
place with its natural products and vegetables. Bright
stars will shine in the dark sky, nightingales will
sing delicious songs and fireflies will twinkle in
the garden in the evening. But what will I, a spoilt
city-dweller, do on the porch of my house? Will I belong to this
place?
Education in
Belarus
The educational
system of the Republic of Belarus is based on the following major principles:
priority of human values, national cultural basis, humanism , ecological
orientation, democracy.
The main schools
in Belarus are comprehensive. There are also specialized schools which major in
arts or sciences. There are lyceums and gymnasiums in Belarus. Most of them are
affiliated to universities and colleges. There are some private schools in our
country too. Mixed or co-educational schools provide education for boys and
girls studying together.
Belarusian system
of education comprises pre-school education (day nurseries, kindergartens,
pre-primary schools and groups with flexible schedule, children’s institutions
of family type), general secondary education and higher education.
Belarusian
children start school at eh age of 6. The general secondary education includes
the following stages: primary (4 years of education), the 2nd level
school (5-9 classes), and the 3rd level school (10-11 classes). The
main objectives of the primary school are to develop physical and intellectual
abilities, steady interest to studies, basic skills of writing, reading, count,
mastering primary knowledge of the nature, society, healthy way of life. The
primary school curriculum is based on the core subjects. They are Russian,
English, maths, drawing, physical training and music.
The second level
is compulsory for all children. It provides with systematic knowledge and
skills necessary to continue the general education and to begin vocational
education. After the ninth form one must take four examinations: in Russian,
Belarusian, Maths and History. On condition students passed them well, they are
entitled to getting the Certificate of basic education. After a student gets
the Certificate he or she faces the alternatives either to leave school or stay
for another two years.
The third level
completes the general education. A curriculum of two components has been worked
out – an obligatory basic component including Belarusian, Russian, the Word’s
History, Man and Society, Maths, Information technology, Geography, Biology,
Physics, Chemistry, Physical training and a school component including optional
subjects. At the end of this period the requirement is to take the final
examination for the Certificate of secondary education.
After their final
year at school or college a student takes centralized testing in three subjects
and then applies to any of 42 state and 13 non-governmental higher educational
institutions. As a rule, education lasts 5-6 years and is finished with passing
a state exam or defending an undergraduate’s project. Persons who completed
their studies receive diplomas and may be given a bachelor’s or a master’s
degree.
Education in Great
Britain
British children start school at the age of five. The
primary stage is divided into infant schools and junior schools, infant school
being for children between 5 and 7, junior school for children between 7 and 11
years of age. At primary school they mainly learn reading, writing and
arithmetic.
No selection is made when children switch to secondary
school they used to take a selective exam called the 11 plus, the positive
results of which guaranteed a place in the so-called Grammar school where
students received a good, formal, academic education. But the 11 + was
abandoned in the 1960s and a new type of schools, called Comprehensive schools,
was introduced. Everybody is guaranteed a place at comprehensive schools.
Mixed or co-educational schools provide education for
boys and girls studying together.
The usual school day lasts until about 4p.m., with
enough time during the break to allow for extra-curricular activities. The
curriculum is based on the core subjects; in most schools, these would be
English, math, one science and a modern language. Apart from those, students
may pick out optional or voluntary subjects to specialize in. but the actual division between science and
arts comes after the O-level examinations, Ordinary Level Exams, which are
taken in seven or eight subjects. On condition students passed them well
enough, they are entitled to getting the GCSE, that is General Certificate of
Secondary Education.
After a student gets the certificate, he or she faces
the alternatives either to leave or stay for another two years. At the end of
this period the requirement is to take Advanced Level Exams in three or four
subjects. In the final year at school a student may apply to as many as five
different universities which consider the applications and give what is called
a conditional offer—that is, a student will get accepted on condition he or she
provides such and such grades, being only As for most prestigious institutions.
Public schools in Britain are most well-know, prestigious
and expensive private schools, Harrow and Eton being two of the world known.
Harrow is an all-boys, full boarding school. Boys’ security is one of the
school’s top priorities. The school has outstanding facilities including the
best golf courses, a swimming pool, the latest computes and even the best
school theater in the UK. All teachers live in the school to make sure that
pupils are offered a diverse range of evening and weekend activities. The
school’s aim is to produce young men who will go on to be leaders in the chosen
professions. This is made possible since the school has better resources and
funding and enjoys excellent reputation. Normally parents register their son at
least two years in advance. Most candidates have to attend an interview, do
well in primary school and pass a test.
Obviously, British students have a variety of rights
and responsibilities. Punctuality is considered very important. Pupils should
never distract others from their work. Poor behavior, especially any form of
bullying is treated very firmly. Homework is an integral part of school work,
it must be competed and handed in on time. Parents’ evenings are held on a
regular basis or tutors contact parents to make them aware of any existing
problems and also provide an annual written report on a pupil’s achievements.
Teachers keep being concerned about the ways to
improve education quality. The tendencies are to teach moral values more
thoroughly, make the tasks more challenging for students, practice using newest
media of communication, train would-be teachers more effectively.
Ecology
Woe to those who add house to house, who join field to
field, until there is no more room and they are the sole inhabitants of the
land.
Isaiah
5:8
Since ancient times Nature has served Man
being the source of his life. Our ancestors considered the Earth’s resources to
be unlimited. For centuries man has been proclaimed the ‘lord & king’ of
nature, but not a child. But with the development of the civilization man’s
interference in nature began to increase.
Large cities
with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world every
day. They pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we grow
grain & vegetables. Many cities suffer from smog. Vast forests are cut. As
a result some rare species of animals disappear forever, many lakes &
rivers dry up.
According to
the International Union for the Protection of Nature 76 species of animals
& some hundred species of plants disappeared from the planet in the course
of the last 60 years, & still more of them face extinction.
“If we don’t
address the issues of global ecology, we won’t have to worry about the other
issues”, said Carlos Lalinas De Gortary, the former president of Mexico. In
fact, environmental pollution increases the case of disease. The discharge of dust
& gas into the atmosphere returns to the Earth in the form of “acid rains”.
7 mln hectares of European forests are dead because of acid rain. There are
thousands of lakes & rivers where fish cannot live. Acid rain doesn’t just kill trees &
lakes. It’s attacking many of Europe’s most famous buildings-Notre Dame in
Paris & St.Paul’s in London. It also can harm people. There are more lung
& kidney illnesses in countries with high levels of acid pollution. To this
we can add the rise of chemicals, radioactivity & other types of pollution.
The most
serious ecological problems are…
Charles
Darvin once said that nature cannot lie. Today it is essential that we realize
that we ourselves cannot lie to nature. We know that nature is weak &
defenseless before man who has grown so strong
Everywhere people are rushing from here to there, always busy, too busy
to notice or even care about what is dying before our eyes. Man may turn his
head, close his eyes, his ears, his mind, his heart, but sooner or later he’ll
have to look & when he does, he won’t like what he sees. I just hope that
he looks before it’s too late.
Environmental protection is a universal concern. Governments…..
I’m fully
convinced that we ourselves can do a lot
to save our planet…
The Earth
doesn’t belong to man; man belongs to the Earth. All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.
Chief Seattle
(in a letter to US President
Franklin
Pierce, 1854)
The Republic of Belarus
It’s a pity but a
lot of people have a vague idea of the country called Belarus, thinking it’s
just a land of woods and swamps. Surprisingly, one of the most popular searches
on the Internet, related to Belarus is the question “Where is Belarus?”
Thinking about it, let us ask ourselves if it is possible or if it’s correct to
give one definite answer, especially if we bear in mind that our mission is to
unveil this terra incognita for tens of thousands, or may be hundreds of
thousands or perhaps, millions of Internet users. In my opinion the easiest
explanation is its geographical position.
Looking at the map
we can easily see that Belarus is located at the crossroads of Europe
almost in its center. It borders on Russian, Ukraine, Poland, Latvia
and Lithuania. There are no natural boarders except the Pripet marshes on the
Southern boarder with Ukrain. Undoubtedly, advantageous geographical position
in the very center of Europe actually has some minuses. Being a buffer state
between Russia and Europe, out country was a battle ground in many
wars, Belarus was always subjected to different invasions. It was invaded by
the Mongols, Russians, Poles, French and Germans. During World War Two the
country lost every third citizen and its national wealth and was called
the Land of the Partisans. Throughout the history Belarus had to be
subjected to the rule of Russia or Poland, which for their own reasons made
little effort to expand upon the nationhood of their “East territories” or
“North-West regions”. Even the inhabitants, whether out of their ignorance or
prudence, were until recently used to refer to themselves as Tutejsyja. But
still, inspite of all difficulties, they managed to preserve their cultural
heritage and now highly cherish their customs, traditions and language. As well
as they appreciate their land which is distinctive in scenery, rich in
picturesque sights that can’t but strike an eye of a stranger.
Belarussian
territory is about 207,000 square km. The population is about 9,5 mln people
according to the results of 2009 population census. The republic is divided
into 6 regions called oblasts with the administrative centers in Minsk,
Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Vitebsk and Mogilev. The capital of the country is Minsk,
its political, economic, industrial and cultural center. As you can guess,
Belarus is an inland country without any sea, but with numerous lakes and
rivers, making their way to the Baltic or Black sea.
Our
motherland is a remarkable land. It is generally a flat country;
its highest point is 346-meter Mount Dzyarzhynskaya. Northern Belarus has
a picturesque, hilly landscape with many lakes and gently sloping hills.
There are 3,000 rivers flowing over the territory to two basins - of
the Black and the Baltic seas. The longest rivers are the Dnieper, the
Neman, the Western Dvina and the Western Bug. My country is called
"blue-eyed", because the republic has over 10,000 lakes and the
largest of them are theNaroch, the Osveyskoye and the Dryvyaty. More than a
quarter of the country is covered with forests; the biggest of them
are called puschas. The famous nature reserves are the Belovezhskaya
and the Nalibogskaya Puschas with dense forests of pine,
birchand oak, which are the oldest and most magnificent of
Belarusian forests. The beauty of these places is truly unforgettable. The rare
bisons, the aurochses, which survived fromthe glacial
times, live in the Belovezhskaya Puscha. In general the flora and fauna of
Belarus are very rich. You can find a lot of birds and animals there. One of
them is a stock, which is a symbol of our country, "beneath white
wings". The west-southern part of the republic is covered with
bogs, which are considered to be the lungs of Europe and are called the
Polessye.
After proclaiming its independence, the
Republic of Belarus has emerged at the international arena in two capacities,
namely, as a new independent state formed through the USSR collapse and as a
European country having long-standing historical statehood traditions.
Adopting the
Declaration on State Sovereignty on July 27th 1990 and giving it the
constitutional status in August 1991, proclaiming economic and political
independence of Belarus have opened up new vistas for the country’s
international and foreign-policy activity.
In conformity with
the Constitution the Republic of Belarus is a unitary democratic social
law-governed state with its citizens being the only source of state power and
the bearer of its sovereignty. The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus is
the basic law of the country. It is the core of the legal system of the state,
the basis of all legislation. The people exercise their authority directly
through the Parliament, Councils of Deputies and other bodies formed by means
of local self-government.
The president of
the Republic of Belarus is the Head of the State, the guarantor of the
Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the rights and liberties of man and
citizen. One of the main functions vested with the President is to ensure
economic and political stability in the State. The National Assembly of the
Republic of Belarus – Parliament – consists of two chambers: the House of
Representatives and the Council of the Republic. The House of Representatives
consists of 110 deputies who are elected in their respective constituencies and
who represent interests of the citizens. The Council of the Republic is the
chamber of territorial representation. The main function of the National
Assembly of the Republic of Belarus is law-making. The government – the Council
of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus – is the central body of state
administration in Belarus. It exercises the executive power in the state,
governs the system of state. The Council of Ministers has the right to put
forward legislative initiatives.
Under the
Constitution the judicial power in the state belongs to courts. The judicial
branch of power includes the Constitutional Court and a system of economic
courts and courts of general jurisdiction.
The Republic has a
highly-developed agriculture which specializes in growing potatoes, grain,
flax, herbs and vegetables, in production of meat and milk products, and
in cattle breeding. In fact, it is industry that plays a major part in our
economy. Goods with the Belarusian trademarks enjoy high repute both
within country and beyond its borders. Belarusian tractors are exported to
70 countries of the world. Belarus is the biggest producer of potash
fertilizers, fodder harvesters; it ranks second in the manufacture of
trucks, motocycles, tractors, chemical fibres and commercial wood.
Belarus is a
talented nation. It has given birth to many outstanding people in different
spheres of life. These people are fame and glory of the country, they have
made our country independent, developed and sovereign.
Great Britain
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland is situated on the British Isles. The British Isles consist of two
large islands Great Britain and Ireland and about 5 thousand of small islands.
Their total area is about 244 000 square kilometers.
The UK is made of 4 countries: England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Cardiff, Edinburgh
and Belfast. The population of the country is over 57 million people.
The British
Isles are separated from European continent by the Northern Sea and The English
Channel. The western Coast of GB is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish
Sea.
English is the official language of the country but
not the only language people speak. Welsh, Gaelic and Irish are also spoken in
different parts of the country.
Britain has a very rich history. But I'd like to talk
about Roman invasion of this country.
In 55 B. C. a
Roman army of 10 000 men crossed the Channel and invaded Britain. The Celts who
inhabited Britain saw their ships approaching and rushed to attack the invaders
in the sea as they were landing. The Celts made a great impression on the
Romans, who saw them for the first time in the battle. On the occasion of the
battle hair and moustaches were painted red and their legs and arms were
painted blue. With loud shouts they attacked the Romans in chariots and on
foot. The well-armed invincible Romans under one of the greatest generals of
that time had to return to France.
In the next
year, 54 B. C., Caesar came to Britain again, this time with larger forces( 25
000 men). The Celts fought bravely for their independence but they were not
strong enough to drive the Romans off. The Romans who had better arms and
armour and were much better trained defeated the Celts in several battles.
This is how
the Roman invasion of Britain started. This invasion lasted till the year of
407 A. D. As a result of the conquest signs of Roman civilization spread
over Britain. There had been no towns in Britain before the Romans
conquered it. As soon as they had conquered Britain they began to build towns,
splendid villas, public baths as in Rome itself. York, Gloucester, Lincoln and
London became the chief Roman towns. The Romans were great roadmakers and now a
network of roads connected all parts of the country. The forests were cleared,
swamps were drained, and corn-fields took their place. Today there are many
things in Britain to remind the people of the Romans. The wells which the
Romans dug give water today, and the chief Roman roads are still among the
highways of modern England. Many of such remains as glass, statues,coins may be
seen in the British Museum.
The surface of the British Isles varies very much. The
north of Scotland is mountainous, and is called the Highlands, while the south
which has beautiful valleys and plains is called the Lowlands, there are a lot
of rivers in GB, but they are not very long. The Severn is the longest river,
while the Thames is the deepest and the most important one.
Nowadays Britain is a highly developed capitalist
country. It is a large producer of iron and steel products, electronics and
machinery, chemicals and textile, it has a highly-developed shipbuilding
industry.
England is the heart of Britain. (national flower –
red rose, St. George, national animal – lion). In Northwest England there are
many lakes with green, wooded or grassy shores and grey mountains all around.
It is called the Lake District.
Wales is the smallest part of the UK. (national flower
– daffodil, St. David, national animal – Red dragon). The capital of Wales is
Cardiff, an important industrial centre and port. Wales is famous for
Snowdonia. It is a region in north Wales and a national
park. As well as being the largest National Park in Wales,
Snowdonia boasts the highest mountain in England and Wales, and the largest
natural lake in Wales, as well as a wealth of picturesque villages. Snowdonia
is an area steeped in culture and local history, where more than half its
population speak Welsh. Snowdonia attracts thousands of visitors each year who
enjoy its amazing landscapes and the wealth of outdoor activities. The National
Park Authority’s aims are to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife
and cultural heritage of the area.
Scotland is a land of mountains, wild
moorlands, lakes. (national
flower – Thistle, St. Andrew, national animal – Unicorn). The lakes in Scotland
are called “lochs”. Loch Ness is the most well-known of them due to the Loch
Ness monster. The highlands of Scotland
are among the oldest mountains in the world.
The highest of them is Ben Nevis.
Northern Ireland is a land of lakes, rivers and sea
coasts. (national flower – shamrock, St. Patric).
The UK’s flag is the Union Jack. It is red, white and
blue. It is made up of three crosses.
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy.
Although the Queen doesn’t have actual power, she has many important functions.
She summons and dissolves the Parliament, gives Royal assent to Bills passed by
both Houses of Parliament, appoints the Prime Minister. She has the power to
declare war and make peace, she recognises foreign states and governments. She
is consulted on every issue in national life.
The legislative power belongs to the Parliament. The centre of parliamentary
power is the House of Commons. The executive power belongs to the Government.
The Prime Minister (Theresa May), the leader of the party in power, (that is
now the Conservative party) forms a Cabinet. The party that forms the
opposition to the party in power (that is the Labour Party), forms the Cabinet
of its own, presided by their own leader. It’s known as the Shadow
Cabinet.
The commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 54 independent
states. Most are former British colonies. The members have a combined
population of 2.2 billion people, almost a third of the world population.
At the deepest level, the creative process
and the healing process arise from a single source. When you are an artist, you
are a healer.
Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, author of Kitchen Table Wisdom
From ancient times, people have felt that certain
kinds of art were calming and healing. In the Ten Books of Architecture' (ca.
1450) Alberti felt that paintings could deeply influence a viewer's state of
health. Green was calming, and people suffering from fever might find relief by
gazing at painted fountains, rivers and flowing streams.
Art has
a healing effect. It turns out what’s on the wall is a lot more than a
statement of style. Medical experts say it can change a person’s physiology,
alter perceptions, and have a calming, curative influence. And they knew it
even before they could prove it. In 1860, Florence Nightingale wrote about the
effect of “beautiful objects” on sickness and recovery. “Little as we know
about the way in which we are affected by form, by color and light, we do know this,
that they have an actual physical effect.”
In the
1940s, the curious new field of art therapy came into its own, advancing the
notion that art-making could be used to improve and enhance one’s physical,
mental and emotional well-being. Conventional medicine remained skeptical until
the results became too compelling to ignore, and that’s only been in the past
20 years, says Dr. Brent Bauer, director of the Complementary and Integrative
Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “If looking at a
beautiful picture in a room or having access to art-making helps an individual
get through a difficult day or a difficult procedure, it’s getting harder and
harder not to be excited about it,” Bauer says, “It’s a fun time of medicine.”
Art
helps ailing children gain some control over their helplessness. It reduces
pain in cancer patients. It helps Alzheimer’s patients develop a new language
of communication and combat memory loss. The Museum of Modern Art in New York
hosts a free monthly program for Alzheimer’s patients in which its vast
collection of modern masters is used as a platform for mental stimulation.
Mayo
Clinic launched a pilot program among men and women battling such serious
diseases as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, many of whom were in
hospital isolation. “The idea was to bring something to the bedside that could
help improve their quality of life and reduce stress,” says Bauer. That
something was art. “We were looking at their pain, their mood. If it was
negative, could we improve it? If it was positive, could we enhance it?” The
answer was yes.
Properly selected art can have a powerful and positive
role in the healing process - and it can be measured. Consider this: a study in
a Swedish hospital found that heart-surgery patients in ICUs who were assigned
a picture with a landscape scene with trees and water reported less
anxiety/stress and needed fewer strong doses of pain drugs than a control group
assigned no pictures . In a study of hospitalized pediatric patients, the great
majority of preferred nature art (such as a forest setting with lake and deer)
over abstract or even cartoon-like images.
Not all kinds of art are helpful. Challenging and disturbing images have an
undesired effect. However, images imparting messages of positive human
interactions, the beauty of the natural world such as landscapes, are shown to
help create a therapeutic environment. Properly selected and displayed, healing
art provides comfort, evokes positive emotions and delivers medical benefits:
- Relieve stress
- Lower blood
pressure
- Improve
post-surgical recovery
- Reduce the
need for pain medication
- Shortens a
patient's hospital stay
Examples of
healing-friendly images are:
- Landscapes
- Pictures with
families, outside
- Animals (not
frightening ones!)
- Calm water and
weather
- Visual depth
with openness in the immediate foreground
- Landscapes
during the warmer seasons
- Landscapes
with low hills and distant mountains
Images to avoid include:
- Most abstracts
- Large blotches
of color without shape or reality
- Vacant chairs,
leafless trees, lonely beaches
- Scary images,
or big teeth
- Blurred or
out-of-focus images
"Art is our
one true global language. It knows no nation, it favors no race, and it
acknowledges no class. It speaks to our need to reveal, heal, and transform. It
transcends our ordinary lives and lets us imagine what is possible."
Science
and Technology
Science and technology are
closely interrelated. On one hand, many modern technologies such as nuclear
power and space flights depend on science and scientific research, and each
advance in science creates new opportunities for technological developments. In
turn, technology provides science with new and more accurate instruments for
further investigation and research.
In recent years science and
technology have dramatically changed life on the planet. In the first place
they have helped to improve life for people, to make it better, easier and more
comfortable. In our every day life we are surrounded by such things as
telephone, television, video cassette recorder, satellite dish, fridge,
computer, microwave oven, washing machine etc. The satellite dish, for example,
enables people to choose films and programmes from over a hundred channels. The
advent of the computer has made it possible to obtain any information we need
through the world web without getting from the chair. We are so used to these
things, that we use them without giving any thought to the fact that they are
all results of advances in science and technology, and we find it very hard to
do without the conveniences they provide.
If the preset patterns
continue, science and technology will affect our lives even more in the future
than they do now. In some cases life on Earth directly depends on how much
science will succeed in solving the most important problems. Today scientists
are developing a number of solutions to the problems of supplying the world
with enough energy and fresh water. They believe that the energy problem can be
solved by using the energy from the sun and atom. As our planet has limited
resources of fresh water, the technological developments for taking out salt
from ocean water may be essential for our lives.
Our future life on the planet
also depends on the progress in studying various aspects of human biology and
medicine. Scientists in many countries are engaged in solving the problems of
AIDS, cancer and other diseases that endanger the existence of mankind.
The study of science also
provides people with an understanding of the natural world. Scientists are
learning to predict earthquakes, storms, floods, hurricanes, and other natural
phenomena, which kill people and cause a lot of damage.
Science has analyzed and
estimated the worlds’ mineral resources, which are limited too. With the
knowledge provided by science people must learn to share them for the benefit
of men.
It will not be an exaggeration to say that science and technology are
essential to all people living in the modern world.
My Future Profession
All young people at a certain
period in life have to face the problem of choosing a career. The task is not
easy. Centuries ago there were only a few jobs: people were farmers, bakers,
butchers or salesmen. Today there are thousands of different kinds of jobs, and
new ones are constantly appearing. People usually want to have an interesting,
prestigious, well-paid and prospective job. But sometimes it’s hard to discover
your vocation in life.
Lots of psychological problems
arise from an uninteresting, unloved job, such as low self-esteem, lack of
self-confidence, aggressiveness, inferiority complexes, depressions, and
nervous break-downs.
A lot of grown-up,
self-realized people confess that if they had an opportunity, they would choose
a different profession.
Very often parents play ‘fatal
role’ in their children’s choice of future profession. When parents choose a
future profession for their child, the main reasons for the choice are:
prestige, fashion, money, an opportunity to get a good job. Anyway it is a
dilemma for all the family. Fathers usually want their children to follow their
footsteps. Mothers don't want their sons and daughters to leave the native town
or city. So, they persuade kids to enter local colleges and universities or
institutes. To find out the best from the best, we should work a lot. Anyway to
make the right choice, we should consider our possibilities, characters and
abilities. Mothers and fathers must remember that, first of all, they have to
take their children’s preferences into account: one can hardly be successful in
a profession that one doesn’t like. You ought to know what suits your child
best: manual labour or intellectual. If you are good at humanities you should
choose something in this field. And if you are good at natural science you
should choose something closely connected with them.
Once you have finally made
your choice, you should think of what you must do to achieve your goal.
I want to devote myself to
___________. That’s why I choose the profession of a _________. I think I
possess the qualities necessary for being a real professional in the field. I’m
hard-working, kind-hearted, and broadminded.
Whether you have already
chosen the future profession or not, sooner or later you will have to make a
choice. And I agree with the words said by John Galsworthy: “If you don’t think
about your future, you can’t have one.” So mind your future and take care of it
right now!
Family Relations
It's difficult to say what a
family is. It's definitely a fabulous phenomenon, cemented by blood, which is thicker than
water. It's really a masterpiece and as every genius creation of humanity it's immortal. Nowadays the word “family” means
nuclear family (parents and
children), not the extended family
of the old days. And sometimes because of a number of unfortunate causes, the
family increasingly consists of only one parent. And still the basic meaning of
a “family” is a close unit of parents and their children living together. But
we shouldn’t forget that it is a most complex system of relationships. Family
relationships are rarely as easy as we would like, and very often we have to
work hard at keeping them peaceful.
Family is very important for
every person, because it gives you a sense of stability and tradition, a
feeling of having support and understanding. You feel secure when there is a
family behind you. They are people you can trust and rely on, people who won’t
let you down and who share your joys and sorrows. In happy families parents are
frank and honest with their children, they treat their children with respect
without moralizing or bossing them, and children in their turn learn how to
treat other people and how to form relationship with their peers.
I am happy to live in a happy close-knit family. I feel secure and
confident in it. There are 5 of us. My dad
is the breadwinner of the family. He is an architect and has his
own company. He is tall, with hazel eyes and brown hair. He is in his early forties. Dad is a workaholic, very energetic
and creative. I take after him in appearance and character. Dad is strict but with a good sense of humor. He is fond of sports, tourism
and traveling. My mom is 3 years younger that dad. She is slender, neither tall nor short, with wide blue eyes, wavy hair
and smiling lips. I can always rely on her. Mom works as a
psychologist but is crazy about healthy food and discipline.
She is a bit sentimental and love serials drive her mad. My elder sister is in her early twenties. She is full of beans, charming,
talkative, but not a chatterbox, and crazy about shopping. She takes after mom and is to look after us, the youngest members of
the family. She studies languages at the university. My younger brother is 6.
He is short, with spiky fair hair and an oval face. He is a silly billy because he believes everybody.
He respects us and avoids conflicts. He is a troublemaker; nevertheless, we never offend him, but like to play jokes on him. This year he begins his school career and is eager to study well and learn
everything. But what about me? I think I am attractive, rather tall with blue eyes,
long eyelashes and full lips. I am a teenager; I like studying and can cope with all my problems. I hate doing household chores and adore surfing the Internet. My
granny is retired. She brought up 3 children but she is very independent and doesn't want to depend on her children. She has lots of
hobbies; she likes surfing the Internet and growing flowers. My granddad is another story. He is a strong man, full of
energy and love for us. My father's parents live in
I enjoy honest and open
relationship among all the family members. I think these things make
family relations warm and pleasant. There is no so-called “generation gap” in
our family, though we may argue and disagree on certain issues. I can always
bring my friends home and my parents are very positive about it, although they
don’t always approve of our tastes, views and clothes.
In fact I have a closer relationship with my mother. We understand each
other better, which I think is quite natural. We can spend hours and hours
talking about our family problems, fashion, views on education, people’s
relations, their ambitions and the like.
I guess, when people spend more time together they are closer to each
other. It’s a pity, but my parents and I are usually very busy during the
weekdays and we seldom have a chance to spend time together. Sunday is the day
when we can sit at a table and talk over everything that happened during the
week. Eating together makes us feel close and we often have our most frank
conversations at these times. Also once a week my parents give the flat a big
clean. Of course I help them with it. By the way it’s not so boring. I turn on
music and we even have fun. Then we may go shopping together. I like to go
shopping with my parents because they always buy me something. During our
shopping rounds we discuss a lot of things and make plans for the next weekend.
Almost every weekend we visit our grandparents; sometimes we visit my
uncle (aunt) and his family.
I’d like to become more independent from my parents in the future,
nevertheless we’ll always be the best friends because my parents are the most
important people in the world.
I love my family, large, noisy
and reliable. It sticks us together and gives us confidence that we are loved,
understood and protected. Of course, we sometimes have conflicts, but who doesn't?
1.
Why is family important for you?
Family is very
important for me, because it gives me a sense of stability and tradition, a
feeling of having support and understanding. I feel secure when there’s a
family behind me. They are people I can trust and rely on, people who won’t let
me down and who share my joys and sorrows. My parents are frank and honest with
me, they treat me with respect without moralizing or bossing, and I in my turn
learn how to treat other people and how to form relationship with my peers.
2. Why are there many one-parent
families?
It’s sad that
families are getting smaller these days. One-parent families are those where
one of the parents is no longer part of the family unit, possibly due to death
or divorce, leaving the remaining parent with the unenviable task of bringing
up the children and trying to earn a living at the same time. Of course such
families have support on behalf of the state. There are special financial
programs to help the families with low income. Children may have free meals at
school or they may have an opportunity to go to a summer camp.
3. What will you ask a British teenager about
his/her relatives?
Have you got many
relatives?
How many cousins
have you got?
Have you got close
relations with them?
4. What can you advise people who want to
have a good relationship with their parents and grandparents.
I think we are old
enough to realize that adults are not saints and may make mistakes and that the
so-called generation gap should not spoil our relations. Good children are
prepared to compromise and meet their parents halfway, render any possible help
to their parents, treat their parents in the way they would like to be treated
themselves.
So first of all I
can advise for anyone to try to understand the feelings of your parents and
show respect to them. Even if you don’t agree with their thinking, try to make
them understand politely, don’t use harsh words with them which may hurt. It’s
important to celebrate your parents’ and grandparents’ birthdays. It will make
them realize that you care for them.
5. They say that parents and children have
difficulties understanding each other because of the generation gap. What do
you think about this problem?
I often hear this term “generation gap”, but I
hope it’s not about my family. To my mind misunderstanding may happen if people
don’t respect each other. Of course different generations have different ideas
and values, nevertheless children and parents love each other. So any problem
can be discussed. It’s much easier to find the way out together.
6. What are the
reasons of great numbers of divorce? Let us name some of the most
common and serious ones.
- Occurrence of
adultery once or throughout the marriage. The unfaithful attitude towards
a spouse destroys the relationship and leads to a final separation.
- Communication
breakdown. After some time of living under one roof spouses find out that
they are absolutely incompatible. Constant clashes, brawls and squabbles
cause serious problems. The differences grow as a snowball and can't be
already settled by kisses or hugs.
- Physical,
psychological or emotional abuses. When a person taunts, humiliates, hits
the children or his spouse, it can't but end with a divorce.
- Financial
problems. It sounds lamentably, but sometimes love alone can't guarantee
well-being, whereas money can solve many of your problems. So when a
couple lacks it, their relations become more and more complicated, their
priorities change and the relationships end.
- Boredom. A lot
of couples get bored of each other after 7 or more years of marriage.
Boredom may become the reason of constant quarrels and adultery which
inevitably leads to a divorce.
Youth Problems
No one can deny the fact that the existence of
collapsed community has made youth problems more serious and acute. As a
result, today’s young people have to face some problematic issues as strained
relationships with adults, moral crisis, senseless spending of free time, bad
health, smoking, alcohol and drug addiction.
The first problem I’d like to tackle is generation
gap. Old people are always saying that the young people are not what they were.
Today’s young people are better educated. They have more money to spend and
enjoy more freedom. They grow up more quickly and are not so dependant on their
parents. They think more of themselves and do not blindly accept the ideals of
their elders. These differences between generations together with
misunderstanding and lack of tact lead to frequent conflicts. The old don’t
like to feel that their values are being questioned or threatened. And this is
precisely what the young are doing. The younger generation takes leave to doubt
that the elders have created the best of all possible worlds. Moreover, a too
early desire for independence on the part of the young, not always backed by
real possibilities can at time lead to sharp quarrels in the family. Some
conflicts are ended by the refusal to talk to the parents or even running away
from home. In such cases it is extremely important to show patience, respect,
love and concern for the 2 sides so as to achieve mutual understanding.
Today’s young people are criticized for the lack of
moral values. They are considered to be shameless, lazy, irresponsible, spoilt,
impudent and vulgar. They say the young don’t care about anything or anyone.
They are interested only in themselves. Young people are believed to want
material possessions without working for them. They are used to having
everything easy. The young are not active members of society as they avoid
involvement in any political, economic, environmental issues. To some extent
such a characteristic is the result of the excessive permissiveness of modern parents. From early childhood parents’ lives are
regulated according to the needs of their offspring. When the little dears
develop into teenagers, they take complete control. Lax authority over the
years makes adolescent rebellion against parents more violent. It is believed
that the spread of juvenile delinquency is largely due to parental laxity.
Another factor contributing to the bleakness of young
people’s personalities is the lack of good leisure possibilities. Discos, night
clubs, so highly appreciated by the young, cost money and have little to offer
for personal self-improvement. Nowadays, one can more often see teenagers
wandering in the streets or congregating on the stairs, not knowing what to do.
Senseless spending of free time can become a real problem when young people get
involved into gang-violence. For some it seems to be the only way of
self-expression. This problem can be solved on the governmental level. Young
people should be given opportunities to occupy themselves with things they are interested
in, to take part in discussions, social campaigns, etc.
The last problem I’d like to cover is drug addiction.
Today smoking, drinking alcohol, taking illegal drugs seem to be a part of
youth culture. Some young people take drugs under peer pressure or just because
they want to look mature enough. Some users take drugs to escape from a life
that may seem too hard to bear. Forbidden things are often tempting. But one
should bear in mind that drugs present a great deal of negative results:
confusion, moodiness, loss of appetite and serious mental disorder.
Fortunately, society has realized the seriousness of this problem. Today a lot
of advertising campaigns and educational programs are designed to help young
people to get rid of these bad habits.
In conclusion I’d like to say that youth problems
aren’t an artificially thought-up question. It’s extremely necessary to take
some practical measures jointly with the teenagers in order to solve them as
today’s young will form the future society.
MASS MEDIA
Mass media is one
of the most characteristic features of modern civilization. People are united
into one global community with the help of
mass media. People can learn about what is happening in the world very fast
using mass media.
A massage can be communicated to a mass audience by many means: hardly
any person in the world lives through a day without feeling an impact of
at least one of the mass media. The oldest media
are those of the printed word and picture which carry their massage through the
sense of sight: the weekly and daily
newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets, direct mail, circulars and billboards. The reader turns to his newspaper for
news and opinion, entertainment, and the advertising it publishes. In the weekly the focus is upon the reader's
own community; in the daily the
focus is upon the nation and the world as well. Magazines give them background
information, entertainment, opinion,
and the advertising; books offer longer range and more detailed examination of subjects, as well as entertainment; pamphlets,
direct mail pieces, and billboards bring the news of commercial and civil organizations.
Electronic media
include radio and television which keep people informed on the topical issues
of the day, they give the full coverage of
the latest events, comment on the most important developments, political and domestic affairs Thus, they contribute to the
development of the information
network.
Radio is important, but it is not used as frequently anymore due to the
birth of television. Millions of families used to gather round the radio
to listen to dramas, light comedies, variety shows, live music, and other
programs. But radio was "born" in the twenties, and "died"
in the forties. We tend to view more and
listen less as time goes on. However, people can communicate a lot more quickly
between any two points either on
land, at sea, in the sky, or also in space, with the use of the radio. Radio is preferable to TV when you are at work and
need information or have to focus your attention on something else. For
example, when you drive a car, it's
better to listen to radio than to watch TV.
Television most definitely plays a very important part in people's
lives. A first-rate colour TV set and a
video-cassette recorder have become an ordinary thing in the household today.
For many people it is the most important
source of information and the most exciting and entertaining mass media as it brings moving pictures directly to people's homes. Modern TV
offers the viewers several programs on different
channels. In addition to regular newscasts you can see plays and films, operas and ballets, and watch all kinds of concerts,
quizzes, and sporting events. You can also get a lot of useful information on the educational channel dealing with animals
and birds and all kinds of living things in
their natural surroundings, we have an opportunity of hearing well-informed
talks on archeology, history, geography, science and
technology. A good serial (perhaps, a detective story or a screen version of a
classical novel) can keep the whole family in front of the telly for days, and
don't we spend hours and hours watching our favourite football or hockey team
in an important international event?
But tastes differ. Some people are against TV. They say that TV is doing
a lot of harm. Before we admitted the one-eyed monster into our homes, we never
found it difficult to occupy our spare time. We used to enjoy
civilized pleasures. We used to have hobbies; we used to go outside for our amusements to theatres, cinemas, restaurants and
sporting events. We even used to read books and listen to music and broadcast talks occasionally. Now our time is
regulated by the "goggle box". We rush home and gulp our meals to be in time for this or that program. The
monster demands and obtains absolute
silence and attention.
Whole
generations are growing up addicted to TV. Food is left uneaten, homework
undone and sleep is lost. It is now standard
practice for mother to keep the children quiet by putting them in the living-room and turning on the set. It doesn't matter that the children
will watch rubbishy commercials or spectacles of
sadism and violence - so long as they are quiet. Television encourages passive
enjoyment. We become content with second-hand experiences. Little by little TV cuts us off from the real world. TV may be a splendid medium of
communication, but it prevents us from
communicating with each other.
Belarus on the International Arena
After proclaiming its independence, the
Republic of Belarus has emerged at the international arena in two capacities,
namely, as a new independent state formed through the USSR collapse and as a
European country having long-standing historical statehood traditions.
Adopting the Declaration on State Sovereignty on July 27th
1990 and giving it the constitutional status in August 1991, proclaiming
economic and political independence of Belarus have opened up new vistas for
the country’s international and foreign-policy activity. The Republic of
Belarus has initiated building a sovereign state, pursuing independent foreign
policy aimed at attaining real independence and sovereignty, integrating into
the all-European process, strengthening relations with neighboring
countries. Among the primary goals are:
·
Maintaining
territorial integrity and safety of borders, unity of the ethnic territory
·
Non-interference
of foreign states into internal affairs
·
Reaching national
accord in the society
The interstate
relations on the European continent have been governing destiny of the
Belarusian nation throughout its history. Any conflict resulted in death of
people and devastation in Belarus. That’s why the Republic of Belarus regards
the process of uniting with European states as the framework for developing
good neighbourly, partner relations both with Eastern and Western countries.
To date, Belarus has established diplomatic relations with
154 states. A diplomatic infrastructure has been developed abroad: currently,
53 diplomatic missions in 46 countries worldwide represent Belarus. Twelve
branches of the Embassies of the Republic of Belarus exercise functions abroad.
Currently, the country executes 2,789 international
treaties, of them 1, 444—bilateral and 1,343—multilateral.
Long-term policies
of the Republic of Belarus include allied relations with Russia, integration
with the Commonwealth of Independent States and Eurasian Economic Community,
active involvement in European political and economic processes, assistance in
strengthening regional and global security, and efficient cooperation with
international organizations.
Of strategic
importance for the republic of Belarus is the cooperation with the Russian
Federation. While developing their relations, Belarus and Russia maintain their
sovereignty.
On of the most important foreign-policy goals of the
Republic of Belarus are to join the Council of Europe. Belarus fully shares
principles and values of this prestigious international organization. Seeking
the integration into the European community, Belarus prioritizes development of
democracy, respect for human rights and supremacy of law.
The Belarusian
state closely cooperates with the following leading international
organizations: UN, World Bank, IMF. The Republic supports the UN policy to
maintain international peace and security, strengthen and develop existing
international regimes on non-allowance of mass destruction weapons.
The most critical component of the Belarusian state’s
activity in the international arena is economic diplomacy, with the primary aim
of promoting development of the domestic economy and integrating it into the
world economy.
Historically
economy of the Republic is oriented at external markets. Export accounts for
over 60% in the GDP. The majority of tractors, trucks, machine tools,
refrigerators, chemical fiber, TV sets and consumer goods are exported. The
major economic and trade partner of the Republic is the Russian Federation.
Russia accounts for half of the total foreign trade of Belarus, and the
Republic of Belarus is also one of the major trade partners of the Russian
Federation and second only to Germany. The European Union ranks second as the
trade partner of Belarus.
The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic is actively involved in developing the foreign
trade and cooperation infrastructure, investments and trade agreements. To
date, Belarus has signed over 46 investment and over 76 trade and economic
agreements. Seeking the integration into the world economic community and
active participation in the international division of labour motivates interest
of the Republic in equal membership in such organizations as the World Trade
Organization.
Stereotype
is a fixed idea or image of what a particular type of person or thing is like.
Every country tends to accept its own way of life as being the normal one and
to praise or criticize others as they are similar or different from it.
Differences between people do exist and, one hopes, will always continue to do
so. The world will be a dull place when all the different nationalities behave
exactly alike.
Generalizations
about nationalities are usually not welcomed, even when they are basically
accurate. One generalization about Americans is that they value their
individualism quite highly. They place great emphasis on their individual
differences, on having a great number of choices, and on doing things their own
way. But what was once said to be typically American is no longer just American
because mope and more American social and cultural habits have been taken hold
in Europe, from
cornflakes and the televised news for breakfast to the evening
barbecue or grill party. European habits have changed greatly along with the
increase in supermarkets and shopping centers, the number of cars, and the
modernization of housing. So- called convenience and frozen foods are as
popular in Europe as they are in America. Americans are now buying smaller
cars, and working more, they are cooking "from scratch" instead of
using prepared foods. Italian fashion and French wines, German cars, and Dutch
cheese are selling well in the U.S. But there are two generalizations that can
be safely made: Americans tend to be trend setters and what is thought to be
American today probably won't be so for long.
The national
character of the English is described as fatuous self -satisfaction, serene
sense of superiority, or insular pride. English patriotism is based on a deep
sense of security. As a nation they have been for centuries secure, serene in
their national successes. The English possess a strong sense for pubic order, for conformity, and they are
tolerant to individual eccentricities. This sort of contrast has led to common
belief that the English are a most illogical people. The English have the
reputation of hard-headed practical men, the nation of shopkeepers. The
coldness of Englishmen and their reserve have been universally noted by
foreigners, but foreigners also confess that they find English reserve not
unpleasant, and that if one gets to know an Englishman he turns out to be a very companionable
fellow.
The
geographical disposition of a country appears to condition national
characteristics. The international contacts appear over the centuries to have
engendered the most distinctive features of the Belarusian national character:
tolerance and hospitality. The Belarusian is generally intelligent, tactful,
imaginative and hardworking. In company he is hospitable, convivial and a
humorist. In general, Belarusians are fond of proverbs, riddles, tales of
angels and ghosts, prediction and herbal medicine.
But it is only by travelling in, or living in, a
country and getting to know its inhabitants and their language, that one can
find out what a country and its people are really like. It is to be hoped that
more and more of the ordinary people in all countries will have the opportunity
to do both things in the future.
Travelling
It is difficult to overestimate the role of
travelling in our life, when you travel all natural beauty of the whole world
is in front of you. During your journey you can see minds, culture,
architecture which differ from yours. Travelling can help us to know more about
foreign nations at all, to meet and peak with native speakers of language you
are interested in.
People travel for different reasons. They travel on business or
on holiday. There are also different ways of travelling, you can go by bus or
by train, by ship or by plane it is your choice and you can choose the most
suitable way for you. Some people would like to buy a package holiday because
everything is arranged: accommodation, meals, entertainment, excursions. But
here minds also differ. Actually I prefer to travel by car without a strict
plan of timetable.
All in all everyone needs travelling because it makes our lives
enjoyable, interesting, various, fascinating, it helps us from becoming state.
I prefer going on trips by car because I can see the variety of
people and natures life. I can see how noisy cities full of lights replace calm
and quiet villages, large lakes replace narrow rivers, marvelous mountains
covered with snow replace dark and wild forests.
I want to sum up all written above and tell you about the most
important side of travelling from my
point of view. For me that side is freedom. Yes, I call it freedom because no
matter where you are going, what sum of money you have in your pocket, what
unpleasant situations you left at home, now you are here, sitting in your car
or train, it doesn’t matter, you are moving to spend the greatest days of your
life and no one could change it. I would prefer to take a long way, to drive a
little slower because it doesn’t matter where you are going. as long as you are
going to your destination.
The USA
There are 50 states in the USA. It is washed by the Pacific Ocean in the West, by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, by the Caribbean sea and the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
The US government consists of three
branches. The first branch is the Congress. The Congress meets in the US
Capitol in Washington, DC. It is divided into two parts, the Senate and the
House of Representatives. Every state, no matter how large or small, sends two
people to the Senate. There are 100 senators in the Senate. A Senator’s term is
6 years. The number of congressmen from each state depends on the number of
people who live in the state. There are 435 congressmen in the House of
Representatives. A representative’s term
is 2 years.
The second branch of government is the
President and his Cabinet. The US President is Commander in Chief of the
country’s armed forces. A person who wants to become President must be born the
USA, must be at least 35 years old and must live in the USA for at least 14
years before becoming President. The President’s term is 4 years. Americans
vote for the President in November of every leap year.
The third branch of government is the
Supreme Court. It is made up of 9 judges. The judges work in the Supreme Court
as long as they live.
The
US Constitution was written more than 200 years ago and has 26 amendments. The
first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights and were made in 1791. The 13th
amendment ended slavery, the14th made all Black people citizens of the USA, the
15th gave Blacks the right to vote. In 1920 the 19th amendment gave
women the right to vote. In 1971, the 26th amendment gave people of 18 years
old the right to vote.
The US has the most powerful, diverse, and
technologically advanced economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of
27,500. The US firms are at the
forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, medical
equipment, and aerospace. It exports automobiles, industrial supplies, consumer
goods, agricultural products, about 24% of them to Western Europe, 22% to
Canada and 10 % to Japan. It imports crude oil and refined petroleum products,
machinery, industrial raw materials, food and beverages.
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