English for everyone

Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States.
Its nicknames are LA and the City of Angels. Some people also call it ‘La-La Land’ because they think the city is full of strange and crazy people. It is often called ‘the entertainment capital of the world.’ The city is full of celebrities and wannabe actors who come here hoping to attract attention of some Hollywood big shot.
The inhabitants of Los Angeles are called Angelenos.
In 1781 the city was born as a Spanish pueblo. That’s why there are many Spanish street names here and many signs are in English and Spanish. Now it is a multicultural city. There are some areas in LA where it seems that you are not in an English-speaking country at all. Little Tokyo, for example, has Japanese Buddhist temples, Japanese shops, karaoke clubs, and rock gardens. In Little India you can find saris and sitars. There is even Little Russia in Los Angeles where everyone speaks Russian!
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Here are the most significant symbols of England and Englishness.
One of the best English icons is a CUP OF TEA!
English people say jokingly: “Seven cups of tea will make you up in the morning; nine cups will put you to sleep at night. If you are hot, tea will cool you off, and if you are cold, it will warm you up. If you are depressed, it will cheer you up; if you are excited, it will calm you down.”
Tea came to Britain from China in the late 1500s, but it was only for the very rich. A pound of the cheapest tea cost about one-third of a skilled worker’s weekly wage! It became cheaper about three centuries later, when it was planted in India and later in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). People from all classes started drinking it.
Afternoon tea in England is a small meal, not a drink! They say that the fashion of afternoon tea was introduced in the early 1800s by the 7th Duchess of Bedford. It quickly became popular, and rich ladies started inviting their friends to their houses for a five-o’clock cup of tea.
Most people today use teabags to make tea, but some serious drinkers make tea in the traditional way.
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Mr Parker Pyne liked the Hotel Pino d’Oro at once. Unlike other hotels in Majorca, it was small and peaceful. It stood on the edge of the sea and the view was breathtaking.
At a quarter to ten, Mr Parker Pyne went out onto a small terrace bathed in a dazzling morning light and ordered a cup of coffee. There were four tables there. At the nearest sat a family of father and mother and two elderly daughters— Germans. At the corner of the terrace, sat what were clearly an English mother and son. The woman was about fifty-five and the young man was about twenty-five. They made little jokes together and seemed to be on very good terms. As they talked, her eye met that of Mr Parker Pyne and he felt that he had been recognized as English.
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The legend is that Buddha once called all the animals to a New Year meeting. Only twelve came. First was the aggressive Rat, second was the hard-working Ox, third was the smiling Tiger. Then came the cautious Rabbit and the showy Dragon. The wise Snake was next, followed by the gifted Horse. Then came the gentle Goat, then the merry Monkey and the proud Rooster. Last came the faithful Dog and the honest Pig. Since then the years were named after these animals in the order in which they arrived.
Легенда гласит, что Будда однажды позвал всех животных на встречу Нового года. Пришли только двенадцать. Сначала пришла агрессивная Крыса, вторым был трудолюбивый бык, третьим улыбающийся тигр. Потом осторожный кролик и эффектный дракон. Мудрая змея была следующей, затем одаренная лошадь. Потом нежная коза, веселая обезьяна и гордый петух. Наконец явился верный пес и честная свинья. С тех пор годы были названы в честь этих животных в том порядке, в котором они пришли.
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It’s very important, in a civilized country, to have law and order. But some of the laws are really dumb! Here’s a collection of real laws. Many of them were written a very long time ago, but were never repealed.
In Lancashire, UK, it’s against the law to hang male and female underwear on the same line.
In New York, you have to buy a license to hang clothes on a clothesline.
Duelling in Paraguay is legal as long as both participants are registered blood donors.
In Malaysia it’s against the law to dance on the backs of turtles.
In Madagascar it’s illegal for pregnant women to wear hats.
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Вербицкая М. В. Forward. Английский язык для 6 класса. Unit 16 The world of music

Ex. 1 page 72 Listen to the conversation without looking at the text. — Послушайте разговор, не глядя в текст.
Then answer the question: What are the names of Deep River musicians about whom Trevor asks questions? — Затем ответьте на вопрос: Как зовут музыкантов Deep River, о которых Тревор задает вопросы?

Nevita: What’s that, Rachel? — Что это, Рэйчел?
Rachel: It’s by Deep River. Do you like Deep River? – Это Deep River. Тебе нравится Deep River?
Nevita: No, I don’t. They’re awful! Does Trevor like Deep River? — Нет. Они ужасны! Тревор любит Deep River?
Rachel: Yes, he does. He’s a Deep River maniac! — Да. Он маньяк Deep River!
Nevita: What about you? Do you like them? — А ты? Они тебе нравятся?
Rachel: They’re all right, I suppose. – Я полагаю они нормальные.
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Вербицкая М. В. Forward. Английский язык для 6 класса. Unit 15 TV watching

Ex. 1 page 64 In pairs, think of the English equivalents of these Russian words. — В парах, подумайте об английских эквивалентах русских слов.

1 фильмы — films
2 спорт — sport
3 викторины – quiz shows
4 анимация / мультфильмы — cartoons
5 музыкальные программы — music programmes
6 документальное кино — documentaries
7 новости – the news
8 развлекательные программы – variety shows
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