Тесты для проверки остаточных знаний (текстовая работа)
TEXT 1
BRITAIN. FOREIGN POLICY
The foreign policy of the Conservative cabinet is motivated by the interests of the British ruling class and by its commitments to NATO of which Britain is an active participant.
The war between Britain and Argentina in 1982 over the disputed Falkland Islands indicated that Britain was ready to use force to defend its territorial ambitions overseas. The Falkland Islands or the Malvinas as the Argentinians call them, situated in the South Atlantic at a distance of 400 miles from Argentine territory and more than 8,000 miles from Britain were seized by the British colonizers in the 1830s. Argentina never recognized British sovereignty over the islands. In 1982 war broke out between the two countries. Britain using her military might and with full American backing won the war, which cost the British people more than 2 billion pounds. Moreover, further military construction on the islands meant 4 billion pounds out of the budget. The British government attaches strategic importance to the islands. The United Nations overwhelmingly backed Argentina in her claims of sovereignty over the islands.
The policy of Great Britain towards South Africa is motivated by the interests of “big business”, which is deeply involved in the economy of South Africa. The British monopolies derive great profits by exploiting the vast resources of the state. This explains why Margaret Thatcher stubbornly refused to impose sanctions against the apartheid regime defying the appeals of the African and Asian states to take joint action against a white minority regime based on terror and mass police reprisals against the African majority.
As regards Anglo-Soviet relations one should note their changeable character with all their frosts and subsequent thaws. Recent years, especially after the official visit of the Soviet parliamentary delegation headed by M. Gorbachev to Britain in 1984 are marked by most positive developments. There has been an increase in the volume of bilateral trade which exceeds 2 billion roubles.
The official visits of the British Prime Minister to the Soviet Union in 1987 and of Geoffrey Hove, the Foreign Secretary, in 1988 contributed notably toward the development of a dialogue between Britain and the Soviet Union in all fields of cooperation. However, the official state visit of M. Gorbachev to Britain in 1989 with all the ensuring results heralded a new most positive page in the history of Anglo-Soviet relations. The summit meeting between M. Gorbachev and M. Thatcher gave a powerful fillip to a marked improvement of relations between the two states in all fields of cooperation in full keeping with the concept of a new mentality in international relations advocated by the Soviet government.
The British government greeted the INF (Intermediate Nuclear Forces) treaty signed between the USSR and the USA in 1987. However, Margaret Thatcher refused to abandon her nuclear deterrent policy. The champions of peace demand that the British government should take practical steps to a non-nuclear world and to an end of the arms race.
[“Panorama of Great Britain”, 1995]
Задания к тексту I.
I. Определите, являются ли утверждения:
| 1. The policy of Great Britain towards South Africa is motivated by the interests of “big business”, which is deeply involved in the economy of South Africa. 2. The British monopolies derive great profits by exploiting the vast resources of the state. 3. As regards Anglo-Soviet relations one should note their permanent character with all their frosts and subsequent thaws. 4. Big business is deeply involved in the economy of Russia. | а) ложными; б) истинными; в) в тексте нет информации. |
II.Укажите, какой из абзацев текста (с 1 по 6) содержит следующую информацию:
1) о войне между Великобританией и Аргентиной;
2) о политике Британии в Южной Африке;
3) об англо-советских отношениях;
4) об официальных визитах М. Тэтчер и М. Горбачева.
III. Ответьте на вопрос:
| 1. What is the foreign policy of the Conservative Cabinet motivated by? | а) The foreign policy of the Conservative cabinet is motivated by the interests of the British colonies. b) The foreign policy of the Conservative cabinet is motivated by the interests of the British ruling class. с) The foreign policy of the Conservative cabinet is motivated by the interests of the INF. d) The foreign policy of the Conservative cabinet is motivated by the interests of a non-nuclear world. |
IV. Определите основную идею текста.
a) Argentina never recognized British sovereignty over the islands.
b) The foreign policy of the Conservative cabinet is motivated by the interests of the British ruling class.
c) There has been an increase in the volume of bilateral trade which exceeds 2 billion roubles.
d) The concept of a new mentality in international relations is advocated by the Soviet government.
Ключи:
I. 1 – б; 2 – а; 3 – а; 4 – в.
II. b.
III. 1 - 2; 2 - 3; 3 - 4; 4 - 5.
IV. b.
TEXT 2
BRITAIN AND EUROPE
The Youth Exchange Centre, set up by the European Union, funds and supports exchanges between young people in the UK and other countries. Young people must organise the trip and raise some of the money for the exchange themselves. This youth group from Bradford organized a meeting with the local mayor for their German exchange partners.
Britain’s most important relationship today is with the EU. But in 1957, when the Common Market (the original name for the EU) was first set up, Britain was not keen to join.
After the Second World War, Britain still believed it was a world power. In fact, Britain had no money. After 1956, Britain knew it could not rely on America. In 1963, Britain realized it had to join the Common Market, but its application was not accepted. It was only in 1973 that Britain was allowed to become a member.
Now over half of Britain’s trade is with the EU. Even so, not all British people are sure that Europe is a good thing for Britain. About half of British people believe that Britain needs Europe because it offers British companies a market of over 350 million people to buy its products. Britain also needs Europe so that it can buy food, clothes and fuel which it does not produce. Other people think that Britain has always been separate from Europe, that it is an island and should try to keep its differences.
[“In Britain”, 1997]
Задания к тексту II.
I. Определите, являются ли утверждения:
| 1. Britain’s most important relationship today is with the EU. 2. The Common Market was set up in 1967. 3. After the Second World War, Britain still believed it was a world power. 4. Britain needs Europe as a political partner. | а) ложными; б) истинными; в) в тексте нет информации. |
II. Укажите, какой абзац
1. the Youth Exchange Centre;
2. the relationship of Britain with the E.Y.;
3. Britain after the Second World War;
4. Britain′s trade with Europe.
III.Ответьте на вопрос.
| What are not all British people sure of? | a) Not all British people believe Britain has money. b) Not all British people are sure that Europe is a good thing for Britain. c) Not all British people are sure that the Common Market was set up in 1957. d) Not all British people are sure that Britain should rely on America. |
IV. Определите основную идею текста.
a) Britain and the USA.
b) Britain and its German partners.
c) Britain and Europe.
d) The Youth Exchange Centre.
Ключи:
I. 1 – б; 2 – а; 3 – б; 4 – в.
II. 1 – 1; 2 – 2; 3 – 3; 4 – 4.
III. b.
IV. c.
TEXT 3
HISTORY OF RELATIONS
The history of the relationship between Britain and Russia is longer and richer than many realise. In the eleventh century Vladimir Monomakh married the daughter of Harold II of England. But as a consequence of the Tatar yoke Russia and England were cut off from each other for centuries. It was not until the sixteenth century that the first continuous links began, which were founded on trade. In 1553 Richard Chancellor led a semi-official Embassy to Moscow, where they were greeted by Tsar Ivan IV. Two years later the first Russian ambassador was received in London.
Some Britons moved to Russia to pursue professions as merchants in Moscow and established themselves in the Old English Court, which is still standing today.
Tsar Peter the Great developed these links. His wish to acquire ship-building expertise led to a four-month stay in London in 1698.
Alexander I visited London in 1814, the first Russian Tsar to do so since Peter the Great.
There was substantial British investment in Russian oil wells, mines and railways: the first Russian locomotives were built with the help of British engineers. By 1900 there were about 3000 Britons in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The 1917 revolution and subsequent Civil War and Intervention disrupted the relationship. But once again trade led both sides to mend fences quickly.
Between Britain and Russia possibilities of a partnership became visible in the new relationship which Mikhail Gorbachev struck up with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984. Their rapport introduced a new warmth into relations between Britain and Russia which was continued under their successors.
Dynastic links between the British and Russian royal families can be traced back for over a thousand years, to Grand Prince Rurik of Novgorod, the ninth century founder of the Russian monarchy.
One of his descendants, Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Kiev (1019-1054) made various marriage alliances with other royal houses. His daughter Anne married King Henry I of France, whose direct line passed to the Plantagenet rulers of England through the marriage of Isabelle, daughter of king Philip IV the Fair, to King Edward II.
It is also held by tradition that Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, the founder of Moscow, was a grandson of King Harold II of England, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Through his paternal line, King George V was the first cousin of Empress Alexandra. Through his maternal line, King George V was also the first cousin to the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II. The physical resemblance between Nicolas II and George V was so strong that they were sometimes mistaken for one another.
[“Moscow News”, 2002]
Задания к тексту III.
I. Определите, являются ли утверждения:
| 1. In the eleventh century Vladimir Monomakh married the daughter of Harold II of England. 2. Alexander I visited London in 1824, the first Russian Tsar to do so since Peter the Great. 3. Peter the Great founded the Senate. 4. It is also held by tradition that Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, the founder of Moscow, was a grandson of King Harold II of England, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. | а) ложными; б) истинными; в) в тексте нет информации. |
II. Определите в тексте те абзацы, в которых говорится о династических связях между монархами Великобритании и России.
III. Ответьте на вопрос.
| What events disrupted the relation between Britain and Russia? | a) the visit of Alexander I; b) the foundation of the Russian monarchy: c) the 1917 revolution and subsequent Civil War and Intervention. |
IV. Определите основную идею текста.
a) The history of the relationship between Britain and Russia is long and rich.
b) There were substantial British investment in Russian railways.
c) Prince Yuri Dolgoruki was a grandson of King Harold II of England.
d) The physical resemblance between Nicolas II and George V was so strong that they were sometimes mistaken for one another.
Ключи:
I. 1 – истинное;
2 – ложное;
3 – в тексте нет информации;
4 – истинное.
II. 8, 9, 10, 11.
III. c.
IV. a.
TEXT 4
THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO RUSSIA
The British Council organized a special cultural programme to mark the Queen’s visit to Russia. The program featured the most interesting aspects of the British culture.
Several performances of the famous Westminster Abbey Choir, established by King Henry VIII’s order in 1540, were given in the best Moscow halls. The Choir, under the organist and conductor Martin Neary, comprises 22 boys educated at the Westminster Abbey Choir School, and 16 adults.
«As you like it» is Shakespeare’s most lyrical comedy and is performed by an all-male cast. It was brought to Moscow by the Company of Cheek by Jowl and was directed by Declan Donellan, who is also an Associate Director of the Royal National Theatre. Foreign press described the production as «the best modern-dress performance of Shakespeare».
«The Man of Mode» is also a classical comedy, the plot of which revolves around the competition of two young men. Its producer «Out of Joint» is considered London’s most promising company. It was founded only a year ago by Max Stafford-Clark when he left celebrated Royal Court Theatre after nearly 15 years as its Artistic Director.
The New Shakespeare Company has been entertaining viewers with its productions for thirty years. Its musical «The Card» is based on Arnold Bennet’s novel with music by Tony Hatch. «The International Herald Tribune» has described «The Card» as «A delight!...a striking demonstration of the achievements of the British Musical over the past two decades».
Besides the theatre productions the British Cultural Festival also included two exhibitions. The first of them – «Britain in Russia» – covers the development of links between the two countries from the 16th century to the present day.
The second show – «20th Century British Sculpture» - comprised 36 works from 25 of Britain’s leading sculptors. There was also a selection of drawings and graphics.
One can say with confidence that the British Cultural Festival which accompanied the Queen’s visit to Russia has made this event even more striking, multifarious and memorable.
[Echo, 1994]
Задания к тексту IV.
I. Определите, являются ли утверждения:
| 1. The British Council organized a special cultural programme to mark the Queen’s visit to Russia. 2. Several performances of the famous Westminster Abbey Choir, established by King Henry VIII’s order in 1540, were given in the best St. Petersburg halls. 3. The President took part in the British Cultural Festival. | а) ложными; б) истинными; в) в тексте нет информации. |
II.Укажите, какие из абзацев текста содержат информацию о выставках, проведенных во время визита королевы в Россию.
III. Ответьте на вопрос.
| What performances were given in the Best Moscow halls? | a) Shakespeare′s tragedies; b) Shakespeare′s comedies; c) Theatre productions based on famous Russian novels; d) Performances based on famous German novels. |
IV. Определите основную идею текста.
a) Besides the theatre productions the British Cultural Festival also included two exhibitions.
b) «The Man of Mode» is also a classical comedy, the plot of which revolves around the competition of two young men.
c) The British Council organized a special cultural programme to mark the Queen’s visit to Russia.
d) «As you like it» is Shakespeare’s most lyrical comedy and is performed by an all-male cast.
Ключи:
I. 1 – b; 2 – a; 3 – c.
II. 6, 7.
III. b.
IV. c.