Английский для первокурсников. English for Freshers

АНГЛИЙСКИЙ 
ДЛЯ ПЕРВОКУРСНИКОВ
_____________________

ENGLISH 
FOR FRESHERS 

Методическое пособие

3-е издание, стереотипное

Москва
Издательство «ФЛИНТА»
2019

С о с т а в и т е л и : 

канд. филол. наук, доц. Н.Н. Зеркина 

ст. преп., доц. О.Н. Минаенко 

Р е ц е н з е н т : 

канд. пед. наук, доц. Н.В. Харитонова 

         Английский  для  первокурсников.  English  for  Freshers  [Электронный
А64  ресурс] : метод. пособие / сост. Н.Н. Зеркина, О.Н. Минаенко. — 3-е изд., 

стер. — М.  :  ФЛИНТА, 2019. — 47 с. 

ISBN 978-5-9765-2227-5

Целью методического пособия является расширение и систематизация 
словарного запаса студентов; развитие лексических и грамматических навыков, 
совершенствование навыков устной речи. Материалы пособия включают 
аутентичные тексты из различных источников, разнообразные задания и 
упражнения, предназначенные для аудиторной и самостоятельной работы 
студентов. Курс расширяет представления студентов о странах изучаемого 
языка, их социокультурных особенностях.
Для студентов первых курсов гуманитарных факультетов вузов.

УДК 811.111(075.8)
ББК  81.2Англ-923

ISBN 978-5-9765-2227-5
© Зеркина Н.Н., Минаенко О.Н.,

составление, 2014

© Издательство «ФЛИНТА», 2014

УДК 811.111(075.8)
ББК  81.2Англ-923
         А64

CONTENTS 
 
 

ОТ АВТОРОВ.....................................................................................................................................4 

PART I.................................................................................................................................................5 
Text I. A LETTER to MY BROTHER.......................................................................................5 
Text II. STUDYING AT A BRITISH UNIVERSITY...............................................................7 
Text III. “GAP YEAR” ..............................................................................................................9 
Text IV. OXBRIDGE...............................................................................................................11 
Text V. STUDENTS’ STORIES (1) ........................................................................................15 
Text VI. STUDENT STORIES (2) ..........................................................................................17 
Text VII. SOME TYPES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOUND IN ENGLAND...............19 
Text VIII. SCHOOLDAYS......................................................................................................19 

PART II. WORK BOOK ...................................................................................................................23 
Text I. (A LETTER to MY BROTHER)..................................................................................23 
Text II–III. (STUDYING AT A BRITISH UNIVERSITY) (GAP YEARS)...........................25 
Text IV. (OXBRIDGE) ............................................................................................................30 
Text V–VI. (STUDENTS’ STORIES).....................................................................................31 
Text VII–VIII. (SOME TYPES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOUND IN ENGLAND/ 
SCHOOLDAYS)......................................................................................................................35 

ЛАТИНСКИЕ СОКРАЩЕИЯ.........................................................................................................40 

ГРАММАТИЧЕСКИЙ СПРАВОЧНИК ........................................................................................41 

ЛИТЕРАТУРА..................................................................................................................................46 
 

ОТ АВТОРОВ 
 
 
Данный практикум составлен с учетом специфики работы на неязыковых факультетах и особенностей контингента студентов, а также 
требований государственного стандарта, предъявляемых к содержанию обучения английскому языку на не языковых факультетах. 
Одной из задач курса иностранного языка в вузе является формирование интереса к иноязычной культуре. В практикуме эта задача 
решается при помощи познавательных и занимательных текстов, 
коммуникативных и личностно–ориентированных заданий. 
Первая часть состоит из текстов и упражнений, которые дают 
возможность проверить общее понимание прочитанного и закрепить 
лексический материал текстов, развить навыки устной речи и перевода, закрепить знания грамматики, приобретенные в средней школе. 
Определенная роль в пособии отводится для самостоятельного 
развития грамматических навыков, что реализуется через дополнительные упражнения по грамматике, содержащиеся во второй части 
«Рабочей тетради». Организация материала «Рабочей тетради» в заданном формате1 позволяет экономить время на занятиях при выполнении письменных заданий и облегчает их проверку. Данные упражнения также могут быть использованы в качестве домашнего задания 
или аудиторных контрольных заданий для проверки уровня овладения материалом студентами. 
 

 

                                                           
1 Заполни пропуски, выбери правильный ответ, закончи предложение и т.д. 

PART I 

Text I  

 
1. Read a fresher’s1 letter and answer the questions 
1) Where does Ann study? 
2) What does she usually do? 
3) Is there anything interesting in her students’ life? 

A LETTER to MY BROTHER 

Dear Bob, 
I am a student of the Magnitogorsk State University. I am 
happy. My dream came true. You asked me about my life. So here 
is the picture of what we usually do on weekdays. Every morning I 
get up at 7, dress and have my morning meals. After breakfast I 
leave my house and walk to the University. It takes me 5 minutes to 
get to the University.  
I come to the University at about 8 and go to the classroom. 
After classes I usually go to the cafe for lunch and then to the library where I stay till late in the evening. We have lectures and 
tutorials every day. Usually I sit at the desk near the window. At 8 
o’clock a teacher comes into the classroom, greets us and the class 
begins. 
I would like to tell you about our last lesson of English. We 
discussed “a gap year”. In Britain a gap year refers to a year off 
between leaving school and starting higher or further education, or 
between finishing your education and starting work. Traditionally, 
during this year young people travel and experience life in other 
countries, often by working there. How do you like this idea? 
Here in Magnitogorsk I have many good friends among students but my best friend (his name is Alex) is a clerk in a big office. I met him at our cousin’s birthday party. He is 20 years old, 
tall and handsome. He is not married. 
As a rule we meet at the weekend. Alex and I often go to the 
movies or discos and have a very good time together. I am sure 
you’ll like him. 
How are you getting on, Bob? Is there any news from John? 
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. 
Best wishes, 
Yours Ann. 

 
 
 
Моя мечта осуществилась. 
 
 
У меня занимает … 
чтобы добраться до 
 
приблизительно в 8 
 
 
оставаться до позднего вечера 
 
 
 
 
 
промежуточный год 
 
 
познать, узнать по 
опыту 
 
друзья среди студентов 
мой лучший друг 

 

 

 

 

Как ты поживаешь? 
Как у тебя дела? 

                                                           
1 Fresher — первокурсник  
Sophomore — второкурсник, 
Senior student — студент старших курсов, 
Undergraduate — студент последнего курса, 
Part-time student — студент заочного или вечернего отделения 

PRACTICE 
 
2. Find words which mean the same as: 
 
a first year student 
to go off  
to go on foot  
to arrive  
to have a bite 
to study 
to say ‘Good morning’ 
 

 
to talk over  
to finish one’s studying at school  
to know troubles of life 
to have no family of one’s own 
usually 
on Saturday and Sunday 

3. Look back at the text and find examples of 
 
1) Present Simple (Indefinite) 
2) Past Simple (Indefinite) 
3) Present Continuous 
 
4. Work with a partner. 
Ask and answer questions about Ann’s student life/ your groupmate’s life. 
 
5. Write your own letter like this one about you students’ day to your friend.

Conversational English 

Learn the dialogues by heart and dramatize them. 

Hurry Up! The car is coming! 

(Scene: a father and his son. The father's looking out   of  the   window,   the   son   is   writing   

something). 

FATHER:      What're you doing? 
SON: 
I'm writing my paper. 

FATHER:      Well, stop now. And put your new jacket on. 
SON: 
Why? What's happening? 

FATHER:      The Fedorovs  are coming. They're having dinner with us, 
SON: Fin sorry, Dad, but I have much work to do. Can't you have dinner without me?  
FATHER:      Well.   They're   bringing   Nina   to dinner too. 
SON:            Are they? Well, my work can wait after all. Just a minute, Dad, I’m    brushing my 
hair.  
FATHER:      Hurry up! Their car is just coming along the street. 

I'll Do That, If I Remember 

A: Will you be at the Club next Saturday?  
B: Yes, if I'm in town, I'll go to the Club.  
A: If you are at the Club on Saturday, you'll see 

Boris. 

B: Well, if I'm there, I may see him.  
A:  If you see him, tell him I'll come on Tuesday.  
B: All right, I'll tell him that if I see him.  
A:  Say that I'll come if the weather is good.  
B:  I see. If I'm in town,* and if I'm at the Club, and if I see Boris, I'll tell him that you'll 
come on 

Tuesday, if the weather is fine.  

     A: Yes, that's what I ask you to tell him. B: Well, I'll do that, if I remember. 

Dramatize the following scene: 
Your friend and you are planning the coming weekend. 
 
Just for Fun 

Toо Big To Be Lost 
The young teacher was giving her class 
of young pupils a test at a natural history. 
“Now Bobby,” she said, “tell me where 
the elephant is found.” 
The boy thought for a moment, then his 
face brightened. 

“ The elephant,” he said, “is such a large 
animal that it is hardly ever lost.” 
A Friendly Young Man 
Charles had just entered the University.  
“ What’s your name?” the teacher asked. 
“Charles,” was the answer. 
“Charles what?” the teacher questioned. 
“ Oh, that’s all right,” he said, “just call 
me Charles.” 

Text II 

1. Read the text and try to translate it without a dictionary. 

STUDYING AT A BRITISH UNIVERSITY 

If you want to go to (=enter) university, you must first pass examinations that 
most students take at the age of eighteen (called ‘A’ level). Most students take three 
‘A’ levels (three examinations in three different subjects) and they must do well in 
order to get/obtain a place at university because the places are limited. At the moment, approximately 30% of young adults go to university in Britain. 
If you get a place at university, the tuition (= the teaching) is free, and some 
students also get (= receive) a grant (= money to pay for living expenses, e.g. food 
and accommodation) as well. Students at university are called undergraduates while 
they are studying for their first degree. 
You can normally do/study these subjects at university but not always at school  
Medicine 
psychology 
business studies 

law 
sociology 
agriculture 

philosophy 
architecture 
history of art 

engineering 
politics 

Most university courses last (= go on for/ continue for) three years, some 
courses last four years, and one or two courses, e.g. medicine, may be even longer, 
during this period students can say that they are doing/studying history, or doing/studying for a degree in history, for example. When they finish the course and 
pass their examinations, they receive a degree (the qualification when you complete a 
university course successfully). This can be a BA (=Bachelor of Arts) or a BSc 
(=Bachelor of Science), e.g. I have a friend who has a BA in history, and another 
who has a BSc in chemistry. 

POSTGRADUATE COURSES 
When you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. Some students then 
go on to do a second course or degree (postgraduate course/ postgraduate degree). 
These students are then postgraduates. There are three possible degrees 
MA (Master of Arts) or MSc (Master of Science); usually one year 
MPhil (Master of Philosophy); usually two years 
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy); at least three years 
When people study one subject in great detail (often to find new information), 
we say they are conducting/ doing/ carrying out research (U); e.g. I’m doing some 
research into the languages of different African tribes. 
 
COMPREHENSION CHECK 

2. What do you call 

1) The money some students receive if they get a place at university? 
2) The qualification you get at the end of university? 
3) The name we give students during this period at university? 
4) Teachers at university? 
5) Students when they have completed their first degree? 
6) Students studying for a second degree? 
7) The study of one subject in great depth and detail, often to get new information? 
8) The talks that students go to while they are at university? 

Conversational English 

Learn the dialogue by heart and dramatize it. 

HOW'S PETER GETTING ON? 

(Scene: a young man and a girl are talking.) 

Andrew: Well, Ann, how's Peter getting on?  

Ann: Fine, just fine. He's a student now.  

Andrew: Oh, where does he study?  

Ann: At Moscow University! He studies biology. He's keen on biology.  

Andrew: I know he is. He must be quite at home at the University. I think he spends all his time in 
the library and in the labs.  

Ann: Well, he says he visits them very often... You know he's also interested in afts. So he often goes 
to the Fine Arts Museum, to the Tretyakov Gallery, to various exhibitions.  

Andrew: He finds time for everything... As they say, there are no flies on him.* He's fond of theatre too. The Bolshoi Theatre is his favourite, isn't it? 
Ann: It is. Nobody enjoys visits to the Bolshoi Theatre more than he does. He tells us a lot about 
the history of this theatre and its company. He gives us real lectures at home. 
Andrew:    You are lucky to have a lecturer of your own! 
Dramatize the following scene: 
Your friend is a student of a British University. Ask him about his life. 

Text III “GAP YEAR” 

1. In the newspaper article below, Billy Simpson, an ex-university student, gives his opin
ion on a ‘gap year’. 
A) What advantages and disadvantages do you think there might be in having a ‘gap 
year’? Is it common in your country? 
B) Do you want to travel and work in other countries for a year at this age? 
 
2. Read the text, pay attention to the new words and phrases and compare what Bill says 

with your ideas. 
*** 
 
 
This is absolutely nothing at all to speak 
about taking a year out between school and university and using it to travel the world. Supporters of 
the gap-year fraud claim that it broadens the mind. 
As if a broad mind were of any use at all in settling 
down to the miserable grist of a workaday existence – in life it is only those with the very narrowest horizons who survive.  
The first disaster was that my chosen university insisted that I took a year off. “You will be 
very welcome the next year”, they said. “But you 
need to mature.” “Mature?” I was not a cheese. Did 
that I will venerable gentleman actually believe that 
to pick up an exotic disease or lose my right arm 
wrestling with an alligator in the Amazon was the 
only way to make me a keener of Spenser1? 
 never know. All I do know is that I had the 
prospect of 15 months before I started university 
with nothing to do and no money. I really didn’t 
want to travel. What is more, even if I had wanted 
to go away I couldn’t have afforded. 
They will say that they ‘worked’ for their round the 
world air ticket meaning ‘ I earned nine pounds for 
walking the neighbour’s dog and my parents paid 
the rest.’ It is they, and only they, who go away. 
But, and here is the point, I learnt more about 
life, death and the nature of humanity in the 15 
months that I spend working in London than anyone who came back from the depths of South-East 
Asia. Far more enlivening to work a till in Harrods 
and see what happens to a posh woman when her 
credit card won’t work. 

                                                           
1 Spenser, Edmund: a 16th century English poet 

абсолютно нет никаких причин 
 
 
сторонник; заявлять; 
 расширять кругозор; 

быть необходимым; смириться; 
жалкая рутина; серенькая жизнь 
выживать 
 
катастрофа 

настаивать 

 
созреть, вполне развиться 
достойный; 
 
 подцепить 

 
страстный поклонник 
 

 
 

 

позволять 
 
 
зарабатывать 
 

 

 

сущность человечества 

 
глубины 
развлечение; заработать заначку  
 
шикарный,  
 
 

Whatever you do in your gap year you do not 
mature but merely age. And wherever you spend it 
your time is wasted. However good you might 
think your gap year was, if you hadn’t taken it you 
would be a year younger now. 
 

 
просто стареть 
 
 
 

PRACTICE 
3. Find in the text English equivalents for the following Russian phrases and use them in 

the sentences of your own  
1) путешествовать по свету 
2) расширять кругозор 
3) жизнь принадлежит тем, у кого узкий кругозор 
4) выбранный мною университет 
5) будем рады видеть вас 
6) сражаться с крокодилом 
7) выгуливать собаку 
8) потраченное зря время 
 
4. Find as many facts in the text as you can to prove the following 

 Bill didn’t want to take a gap year 
 Bill had problems with applying for the university 

5. Which of the titles do you think would be the best one for the article? Why? 

- 
Diseases and alligators: The risk and rewards 
- 
Foreign travel: No way to bridge the dreaded gap 
- 
A gap year: Time off well spend? 
6. Comment on the tone/ attitude of the article. Is it cynical? Light-hearted? Funny?  
Find words or phrases to justify your choices. 
Example:  
He is quite cynical (it is only those with the very narrowest horizons who survive ) 
 
7. Group work .Which of Bill’s opinions do you agree or disagree with?

Conversational English 

Learn the dialogue by heart and dramatize it. 

1. Ask a friend of yours about his/her summer/winter vacation. 
2. Tell your friend about one of your journeys. 
I ENJOYED MY HOLIDAYS 

(Scene: in the street. A young man and a girl.) 

HELEN:        Victor, Victor! 
VICTOR         (turning to her): Good Heavens! Is it you, Helen? You've become so pretty! And 
you look the very picture of health.  
HELEN:        It's after my vacation. You look very well, too. Where did you  go?  To your  grandparents?  
VICTOR:       No. I travelled again. You know I'm fond of travelling, don't you?  
HELEN:         So you travelled! What was it like? Did you travel by train or by bus?  

VICTOR:       Neither. Don't you remember Mike has got a car? We travelled by car! 
HELEN 
(smiling): I've often seen him trying to start the "car" as you call it. Did you pull it 

or push it this time?  
VICTOR:       Pull or push? Ha-ha, we drove it, you silly thing. But, seriously, Helen, it was 
quite a trip.  
HELEN:        What places did you visit? 
VICTOR:       We visited Riga, Tallinn, Pyarnu, Vilnius and many other places on the BalticCoast. 

I took many good pictures there. You know I'm keen on photography, especially colour photos. 

HELEN:         I'd like to see the pictures, Victor. I know you used to take very good ones. 
VICTOR:       Thank you, Helen. Let's go and see the pictures now, if you like. It's a pity Mike 

can't come with us. 

HELEN:         But why? What's happened to him? 
VICTOR:       Don't you know? He was taken ill last week, had a very high temperature. They had 

to call the doctor in... 

HELEN:         I'm sorry to hear that. But, Victor, we can take the pictures to his place and see 

them together, can't we? 

VICTOR:       What a good idea! Good girl! 
Dramatize the following scene: 
Your friend had a gap year and traveled much. Ask him about his life in different 
countries. 
 

Just for Fun 

Two elderly Englishmen were talking about young people in our day. One of 
them said, ” Young people now are so different from what we were thirty years ago. 
Look at that young person with short hair, smoking a cigarette and wearing jeans. 
What is it – a boy or a girl? It’s impossible to say!” 
‘It’s a girl,” said a middle-aged person sitting near them on a bench. 
“I’m sorry, sir,” said the first Englishman. “I suppose you are her father.” 
“ I’m not.” Was the answer. “ I’m her mother.” 

Text IV 

Do you know any world known universities? What are they? 
 
1. Read the text and match the topics with the paragraphs 
 
 At Oxbridge  
 Oxford – the Golden Heart of Britain 
 A College in Oxbridge  
 Cambridge – Its Past and Present 

OXBRIDGE 

Oxford and Cambridge are the universities in Great Britain. 
They are often called collectively Oxbridge. Both universities 
are independent. Only the educational elite [eili:t] goes to 
Oxford and Cambridge. Most of their students are former 

 
 
 
Образовательная элита 
 

                                                           
1 Англо-Саксонский Кроникал (вестник)