Read the phrases and decide if they are used in 1) an enquiry, 2) an offer or 3) an order. Write one business letter using some of the given phrases. Follow the typical layout.

a)	We have pleasure in informing you that your quotation for … was received by us, and now we enclose our order … We thank you for your quotation of 6th May enclosing the sample of your product and are pleased to accept it. We are pleased to establish business relationships and are placing a trial order for …with you. In confirmation of our telephone conversation of… we are pleased to enclose our trial order for … with you. We are looking forward to your prompt confirmation of the order. We would be much obliged if you would supply the following as soon as possible. We find however that the prices you have quoted are too high. The alternative is for you to adjust your prices by reducing them by 5%. Enclosed you will find our order. / Attached to this you will find …
b)	We are interested in... produced by your company. We saw your product at the exhibition and would ask you to send us your latest catalogue. We are interested in purchasing... from your company. We are in the market for... We would like to buy / be obliged if you could quote your best prices and terms of delivery and payment. Please send us your samples of your product / full details of the products / latest catalogue of goods and a price-list. We should like you to give us a quotation for... Your prompt reply will be appreciated.
c)	We thank you for an enquiry for our product... In reply to your enquiry for... Thank you for your letter of... in which you express your interest in our product. We thank you for your enquiry for... and would like to inform you that we can make you an offer. May we draw your attention to the enclosed samples of products manufactured by our company. By today's post we have sent you samples of... You will be interested to hear about our latest products that we have just introduced onto the market. We have pleasure in offering you …

 

SCIENCE AND PROGRESS

 

►; 1. Give some synonyms to the following words:

1)to update - 2)efficient - 3)to manufacture -

4)intellectual – 5)an experiment – 6)advantages –

► 2. Answer the questions about the computer:

a) arrange the types of computers according to the size. Start from the largest ones: a mainframe, …

a desktop, a laptop, a mainframe, a minicomputer, a notebook, a palmtop, a PC, a workstation;

b) match the parts of a computer to their names in Russian:

a keyboard, a modem, a monitor, a mouse, a mouse pad, a printer, a scanner, disk drive;

c) what kind of storage device do you prefer, a floppy disk (a floppie), a CD (a compact disk), a DVD (a digital versatile disk), or a flash memory card?

► 3. Search the internet to learn more about the invention of the telephone, the internet, electricity, copying machines, etc.

► 4. Think about the last time you worked on a PC. You created a document, didn’t you? What was the document for? Put the verbs that describe typical word processing activities in a logical order:

- to click on an icon - to delete irrelevant information - to edit a document - to enter data, information, pictures in a file - to exit (to escape) a program - to insert a picture (a graphic, a table) - to open a file

- to print - to save a backup copy - to select a symbol, a character - to store information - to switch off - to switch on - to type

 

► 5. How often do you use the internet? What do you use internet for? Use the suggested verbs to talk about it.

- to connect to internet - to be on-line (to be on the Net) / to be off-line - to surf the Net - to search information by key words - to use hyperlinks in the web pages - to have access to a website - to bookmark a web page - to download the data - to create a website - to visit a corporate website regularly - to find foreign exchange rates - to gather information on other companies - to check the weather forecast - to organize video-conferencing

- to recruit people on the website - to have e-commerce - to trade on-line - to access an e-mail account - to use banner ads and keyword advertising - to check e-mail - to receive a message, a text, graphics, sounds and animated images - to forward a message to - to reply by e-mail to - to attach spreadsheets and word-processed documents to an e-mail - to delete e-mails

 

► 6. Put the verbs in the brackets in the correct form:

 

In recent years scientific and technological developments (1 - to change) life on our planet.

Today science and technology (2 - to relate) closely. Many modern technologies such as nuclear power and space flights (3 - to depend on) science and the application of scientific knowledge and principles. Science (4 - to create) new opportunities for the development of new ways of making things to be used in daily life. In turn, technology (5 - to provide) science with new and more accurate instruments for its investigation and research.

When we (6 - to speak) of technology today, we (7 - to mean) industrial technology or the technology that (8 - to begin) 200 years ago with the development of power driven machines, mass production of goods that (9 - to create) the basis for our modern society. The future generations (10 - to live) in a more advanced age of science and technology.

The scientific revolution, that (11 - to begin) in the 16th century, (12 - to be) the first time when science and technology (13 - to start) working together. Galileo, who (14 - to make) revolutionary discoveries in astronomy and physics, also (15 - to build) an improved telescope and a system of lifting water. However, it (16 - not to be) until the 19th century that technology truly (17 - to base) on science.

Millions of people (18 - to benefit) from the advance of science and technology. Antibiotics (19 - to save) many lives. Today’s video machines, recorders, washing machines, microwaves and fridges (20 - can / to program) with the owner’s instructions. Everywhere we (21 - to go) we (22 - to use) computer technology to process information.

Most of us (23 - to take) computers and information systems for granted. Whether it (24 - to be) good or bad, society (25 - to reach) the point of no return in its dependence on computers. Stiff business competition (26 - to mean) their continued and growing use. On a more personal level, we (27 - not to want) to give up the everyday conveniences made possible by computers.

Manufacturing companies (28 - to face) with growing necessity of automation. An increase in the number of industrial robots (29 - to lead) to loss of jobs. But just as the industrial revolution (30 - to create) hundreds of new job opportunities so will the information revolution. It is hoped that new, more challenging jobs (31 - to appear).

In a sense, the history of science and technology (32 - to be) the history of all humankind.

 

► 7. Answer the questions to the text from Exercise 6 in the written form:

1)What do you think is initial: science or technology? 2)In what way has our life changed in recent years? 3)What opportunities do science and technology create? 4)What do we mean by technology today? 5)When did the scientific revolution begin? 6)Who created telescope?

7)Do people and business benefit from the advance of science and technology? Give examples. 8)Are there more advantages or disadvantages in using computers? Give some grounds. 9)What new technologies do you know? 10)Can you imagine your life without new technologies and which ones?

►; 8. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1) Several new office machines have been introduced in the company lately.

2) The methods we have just described are very effective.

3) These computers will have to perform millions of operations per second.

4) The experiment to be carried out is of great importance for our research.

5) I think the computer program will be established by tomorrow.

6) Scientific and engineering progress opens up wide prospects before man.

7) Many houses with all modern conveniences are being built in this part of the city.

8) We had to find new methods of investigation because the old ones were unsatisfactory.

9) The peoples know that their joint efforts can secure peace in the whole world.

10) The main purpose of the computers is to solve complex problems quickly.

 

► 9. Translate the sentences into English:

1) Интернет предлагает огромные возможности.

2) Интернет – источник информации, новый путь к образованию.

3) Преимущества новых технологий очевидны.

4) Инновации часто бывают результатом конкуренции.

5) Трудно ожидать защиты прав потребителей при покупке через Интернет.

 

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

►1. Continue the list of interesting names and facts (3-4 examples) connected with the United Kingdom:

Do You Know That …

Albion,the word used in some poetic or rhetorical contexts to refer to England, was the original Roman name for Britain. It may come from the Latin word albus, meaning “white”. The white chalk cliffs around Dover on the south coast are the first part of England to be seen when crossing the sea from the European mainland. Britannia is the name that the Romans gave to their southern British province (which covered, approximately, the area of present-day Eng­land). It is also the name given to the female embodiment of Britain, al­ways shown wearing a helmet and holding a trident (the symbol of power over the sea).

The Tower of London has been used as a fortress, a prison, a mint (монетный двор), a zoo, a museum and a royal residence. It is still one of the royal residences of the British monarchs.

Big Ben is the name of the biggest bell on the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster. It was called after Benjamin Hall who supervised the building of the palace.

The City is the commercial centre of London governed by the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London. It is also known as the Square Mile of Money.

The Bank of England is also known as The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street as it stands in Threadneedle Street, which used to be a tailors' street.

► 2. Complete the sentences about the UK:

1) The island of Great Britain comprise …. 2) The British climate is influenced by …. 3) The most famous rivers in the UK are …. 4) As for the mountains, …. 5) The UK is rich in …. 6) This country exports … and imports …. 4) In the 19^th century Britain’s supremacy in industry was the product of ….

7) The capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the capital of England is …, the capital of Scotland is …., the capital of Wales is … and the capital of Northern Ireland is …. 8) The population of the UK …. 9) Such cities as … are of special interest because …

10) …, the capital of the country, stands on the river Thames. 11) This city is known for …. 12) … is the financial center of London, indeed of the whole Commonwealth. 13) From Westminster, we drive to …, the residence of the Royal Family.

14) Great Britain is a … monarchy. 15) … is Head of State. 16) Executive power belongs to … headed by …. 17) Parliament consists of … and …. 18) Talking about the political parties in the UK, …. 19) The court system of the UK … 20) And now some words about the UK monetary system: …. 21) I know many English writers and poets, such as …. 22) You can get from Moscow to the UK by ….

 

► 3. Have you got any experience of the United Kingdom in your life: in business, education, tourism, art, etc.? Give a few examples of this.

► 4. Compare the legislative, executive and judicial branches of power of the Russian Federation and of the United Kingdom. Give some names, for example Mr. Medvedev, Elizabeth II. You can draw schemes.

 

 

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA