A. Read the dialogue and reproduce it in Indirect Speech.

Alex: Hi Clara. I haven’t seen you for ages! Where have you been?

Clara: Hi Alex. I’ve returned from Canada.

Alex: Was it a business trip?

Clara: Exactly. I was impressed by the scenic charm of Ottawa, which is considered as one of the country’s most attractive cities. The capital is the public face of Canada for many people, so the city has been kept lovely and welcoming.

Alex: Are there many places of interest?

Clara: Yes, there are. It has many parks, museums, art galleries. But the Currency Museum impressed me most. It’s just great!

Alex: Really? What did you see there?

Clara: It contains an amazing collection of money and things used as money at different periods of time.

Alex: What things?

Clara: Well, there are shells, glass, beads, fish-hooks, teeth of animals, grain, cattle, cocoa beans, paper and metal.

Alex: How interesting!

Clara: Yes, even playing cards were used as money in New France in the 18^th century.

Alex: What’s the admission fee?

Clara: The admission is free.

B. Read this extract from a short speech made at a meeting. Fill in the gaps in the sentences below using the text.

I am afraid there are a number of problems with this agreement. First of all, we feel that your company has not been reliable on several occasions in the past. We are particularly unhappy about the fact that there have been a number of late deliv­eries and these have caused us considerable problems.

Another problem is that on at least five occasions you have supplied faulty parts and we had to return these to you. There is also the problem of discount. Originally you promised us a 10% discount. I am not very happy about the prices you charge either.

 

1) He said... a number of problems with the agreement.

2) In particular, they felt that the company... reliable on several occasions.

3) There... a number of late deliveries and he said that the company... faulty parts on at least five occasions.

4) He also mentioned that there... the problem of discount.

5) Originally the company... a 10 per cent discount.

6) And he concluded he... about the prices either.

SPEAKING

A. Read the additional texts with interesting facts about Canada and discuss this information with your partner.

· About 77 % of Canadians live in cities and towns. Toronto is the largest city in Canada, which is the gateway to south-western Ontario, the wealthiest and most densely populated part of Canada. Ontario is an important educational centre. There is the University of Toronto with its affiliated colleges: Victoria College, Trinity College and St Michael’s College. Toronto is the country’s business centre and home to the largest companies and banks.

· Montreal is unlike any other city in Canada. The oldest part of the city, Old Montreal, dates from the 1700s. Montreal is not a multistoried city, with the exception of two or three sky- scrapers used by offices and banks, the living quarters are mostly three-four storied buildings. At night the city glitters with countless neon sings, advertisements on night clubs and cinemas. It is curious to note that such a great city actually has no permanent drama theatre of its own. One of the oldest Canadian universities- the McGill University is situated here. Montreal hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics.

· Vancouver is a beautiful, rapidly growing commercial, transportation and forest-products manufacturing centre. Vancouver is Canada’s chief Pacific port. Annual International Festival of the arts is held here. Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

· Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is one of the country’s most attractive cities.

Ottawa is encircled and interlaced by three rivers and a lazy canal with the rolling Laurentian Hills as its backdrop. Yet despite its scenic charm, the architectural dignity of many of its government buildings and the many miles of scenic drive bordering its Waterways, Ottawa has about it an unfinished air which reflects the young and developing country of which it is the capital.

Canada’s Houses of Parliament stand in a setting of great natural beauty. It has many parks, museums, art galleries and universities. Some of Ottawa’s historic buildings go back to the early 1800s.