понедельник, 25 ноября 2019 г.

Article for 4th year

rump impeachment: White House aides can be made to testify

Don McGahn, pictured in September 2018 — Image captionDon McGahn must testify in the impeachment inquiry, a judge has ruled

A federal judge has ruled that White House staff can be made to testify before Congress, rejecting the Trump administration's claims of immunity.

The ruling specifically compels former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify in the inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

When Congress sent him a subpoena in May, Mr McGahn refused to attend.

A Department of Justice spokesperson told Reuters news agency that they would appeal against the ruling.

Mr McGahn, who left his post in October 2018, was called to appear before the House Judiciary Committee in May to answer questions about the president's attempts to impede the now-concluded Mueller investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election.

Months later, the House Judiciary Committee was responsible for filing articles of impeachment against Mr Trump.

Media captionWhat does it take to impeach a president?

The Trump administration has refused to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry and other Democrat-led investigations, directing current and former White House officials to defy subpoenas for testimony and documents.

But in her ruling, US District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said that "no one is above the law".

"Executive branch officials are not absolutely immune from compulsory congressional process - no matter how many times the executive branch has asserted as much over the years - even if the president expressly directs such officials' noncompliance," she wrote.

Judge Jackson also explicitly said the president "does not have the power" to stop his aides from responding to subpoenas from Congress - adding that "presidents are not kings".

"No one, not even the head of the Executive branch, is above the law," Judge Jackson said.

But she did say that Mr McGahn could invoke executive privilege "where appropriate", to protect potentially sensitive information.

Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler said that he expects Mr McGahn to "follow his legal obligations and promptly appear before the Committee".

Why is Congress investigating Trump?

Monday's ruling could have an effect on who testifies during the current impeachment hearings in Congress.

The US president is accused of withholding US military aid to pressure Ukraine into investigating his domestic political rival.

At the heart of the impeachment inquiry is a phone call on 25 July this year between Mr Trump and Ukraine's newly elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

President Donald Trump at a rally on 14 November — Image captionA phone call between Presidents Trump and Zelensky is at the centre of the impeachment inquiry

During the call, Mr Trump urged his counterpart to look into unsubstantiated corruption claims against Democratic White House contender Joe Biden.

Mr Trump's critics say this alleged political pressure on a vulnerable US ally amounted to abuse of power.

What next with the impeachment inquiry?

The Judiciary Committee is expected to begin drafting articles of impeachment - which are the charges of wrongdoing against the president - in early December.

After a vote in the Democratic-controlled House, a trial would be held in the Republican-run Senate.

If Mr Trump was convicted by a two-thirds majority - an outcome deemed highly unlikely - he would become the first US president to be removed from office through impeachment.

The White House and some Republicans want the trial to be limited to two weeks.

воскресенье, 24 ноября 2019 г.

Текст для самостоятельной работы (3 курс)

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The Fix

by Chris Rose

The four judges have been sitting in a small room in the Milton Hotel in London for three hours now. The judges must agree on who will win the four awards in the important Global Music Awards: best album, best song, best new band and lifetime achievement award. Outside the small room where the judges are, five hundred people are sitting waiting. They are all very excited, and they are all very nervous. They want to know who is going to win the important awards. The television show goes live in 30 minutes. Excitement is growing; tension is rising.

But there is a problem. A big problem. The judges have not yet agreed on one single thing.

The judges must all agree on each winner. If they can’t all agree, then the award will not be given – nobody will win.

The four judges are David Froth, the music critic for an important newspaper, Betty Weill, the head of a big record company, Jake Dangerous, a singer who won the award for best song last year and Dan Snaith. Dan Snaith isn’t an important person. Dan Snaith is a reader of New Music Weekly, a music magazine. He won a competition in the magazine to be one of the judges of the Global Music Awards.

“OK guys, come on...we have to decide now,” says David Froth. “We can’t wait any more. Best Album - I vote for the Polar Gorillas’ first album, their punk-influenced sound and intelligent lyrics make them the best band around.”

“I agree,” says Betty Weill. “But they’re all very young – we can give them the Best New Band award, then we can give the Best Album award to Janie Waller. Her album, Smooth as Chocolate, is a great jazz-pop crossover."
“It’s already sold a million copies” says Jake Dangerous.
“Exactly!” says Betty.
“No!” says Jake. “It’s already sold a million copies, so she doesn’t need an award! The Best Album should go to Missy Queen. Her album Girlz Can Rap is the best hip-hop record in years.”
“Hmmmm...it’s certainly an impressive record,” says David Froth, “but I think there’s only one really great track on it – the song ‘Hey! You! Listen Up!’”
“We can give her Best Song then!” says Jake.
“Ok, now we’re getting somewhere. We’re finally making progress,” says David Froth. “What about Lifetime Achievement? Remember, this is a really important award. It’s recognition for a singer who has changed the course of popular music!”
“I think Jake Dangerous should win,” says Jake Dangerous. Nobody listens to him.
“Dan – what do you think?” asks David Froth.

Dan says nothing. He was very excited about being a judge for the Global Music Awards, but now he is disappointed. Dan knows that David Froth wants the Polar Gorillas to win because he was the first person to write about them – he “discovered” them, and so when they become very famous, Froth will take the credit. Betty Weill wants Janie Waller to win because Janie Waller releases records for her record company. If Janie Waller wins, her record will sell even more copies, and Betty Weill will become even richer. Jake Dangerous wants Missy Queen to win because Missy Queen is his girlfriend. Dan is disappointed because now he knows that the Global Music Awards are, in fact, a fix.

“Look, our time is up!” says Froth. “Can we agree on this: Best Album, Janie Waller. Best Song, Missy Queen. Best New Band, Polar Gorillas. Lifetime Achievement...ok Dan, we’ll leave this up to you. But remember – Dylan Roberts is in the audience tonight, so is Jack Michaelson, and Nobbo from X5. I don’t have to tell you that Dylan Roberts is the voice of a generation, Jack Michaelson is very, very rich, and Nobbo from X5 is bringing peace to the world. He’s also a friend of the Secretary General of the United Nations. The choice is yours!”

The judges walk out onto the stage in the Milton Hotel. Five hundred excited, nervous people are watching them. Five hundred cameras flash when they go on stage. Dan feels very scared. He also knows that millions of people around the world are watching on TV.

The judges all stand up on the stage and pretend to open envelopes.

“And the winner is...” they all say. There is a moment of silence then lots and lots of really loud applause as the judges read out the names of their friends.

Then it is Dan’s turn.

“Ok everyone,” says David Froth, “Are we having a good time?!” Everyone shouts and claps. “Finally, we arrive at perhaps the most important award this evening: the Lifetime Achievement Award. Who will win this year? Will it be Dylan Roberts, voice of a generation? Or Jack Michaelson? Erm...dancer of a generation. Or Nobbo, bringer of world peace? To present the award, here is Dan Snaith, winner of the New Music Weekly competition.” Five hundred people applaud and shout. Five hundred cameras flash again in Dan’s face. Millions of people are watching him on TV.

Dan gets up nervously and stands in front of the microphone.

“Good evening!” he says. He opens an envelope which has a piece of paper in it. Nothing is written on the piece of paper. He says the words, “...and the winner is...” He stops and pauses. There is total silence in the room.

“The winner is....you!”

There is more total silence in the room. A few people say “What???”

“That’s right!” continues Dan, feeling more confident now. “You!” He looks directly into the TV cameras. “All the people around the world who listen to music and play music and love music! You are the most important people!”

There is the sound of surprise in the big room. Dan sees Dylan Roberts, Jack Michaelson and Nobbo leave the room.

“These awards,” Dan continues, “are a fix! The music business is a fix! If nobody listened to or bought the music, there would be no winners here tonight. That is why YOU are the winners!”

Some people cheer and applaud, some people say “boooo!”.

But tonight, Dan Snaith knows that he has won, too.

Task

Choose the best answer for each question

A David Froth B Betty Weil C Jake Dangerous D Dan Snaith

1. Who is a music critic?

2. Who thinks Jake Dangerous should win the Lifetime Achievement award?

3. Who thinks Dylan Roberts is the voice of a generation?

4. Who is a prizewinner?

5. Who is disappointed?

6. Who is a record company boss?

7. Who likes the Polar Gorillas?

8. Who is a singer?

9. Who thinks Janie Waller is great?

10. Who must choose the Lifetime Achievement award winner?

11. Who likes Missy Queen?

12. Who thinks Dylan Roberts is the voice of a generation?

13. Who surprises everybody?

14. Who is Missy Queen's boyfriend?

четверг, 21 ноября 2019 г.

Дополнительное чтение (3 к.ФО)

Для дополнительного чтения для 3 курса ФО

The Dinosaur in Jake’s Garage

by Chris Rose

“Dad” he said, “There’s a dinosaur living in the garage.”
“Is there really, Jake?” said his dad. “That’s interesting. Now go and away and play. Daddy’s busy at the moment.” Jake’s dad went back to reading his newspaper.

Jake had suspected that there was a dinosaur in the garage for some time. A few weeks ago, behind the old bicycle he used to ride when he was small, the big bag with the tent in it that they had only used once on a camping holiday before his dad had said “Forget this! I’m never going camping again! Next year we’re staying in a hotel like ordinary people!”, a punctured football and a big brown cardboard box containing pieces of a wardrobe which they had bought from a big furniture store and which his dad had never been able to put together, Jake had found an enormous egg.

At first, Jake thought that it was perhaps another punctured football, one that had gone a strange shape because it hadn’t been used for so long, but he didn’t recognise it, and when he went to touch it, the thing was all hard, not like a football at all, punctured or not. It felt more like a kind of egg, but it was all slippy and shiny, and he couldn’t see a hole in it anywhere. No, Jake – being a clever boy – immediately realised that it wasn’t a football at all. It was an egg. He didn’t tell anyone at the time, partly because he thought that his mum and dad would think that he was lying again (his mum and dad always thought that he was lying. “Telling tales” they called it. “Jake’s been telling tales again” they always sighed. “He always does it! He’s such a clever boy. He has such a great imagination...but...one day his imagination is going to get him into trouble!!!”), and also because he didn’t want anyone else to know about what he had found. Because Jake already knew that he had found a dinosaur egg. Right there. Right in his garage!

They had been studying dinosaurs at school. Their teacher had told them all about dinosaurs, and how dinosaurs came out of eggs, like birds or lizards do today, but that a dinosaur egg was as big as a football, or even bigger.

The next day he decided to tell his teacher. “I’ve got a dinosaur living in my garage!” Jake said proudly to his teacher. But the teacher didn’t listen to him. He only pushed his glasses up his big nose and said, “Is that right Jake? How interesting...”

For the next few days Jake decided not to tell anyone about his dinosaur, but kept his secret to himself. He started to feed the dinosaur at first by giving it some milk. Then he gave it some of their dog’s food. The dog barked at Jake angrily when Jake took his food away from him.
“Don’t worry!” Jake said to the dog. “It’s just for the dinosaur in the garage. He’s getting bigger every day! Soon you’ll be able to play with him!” The dog didn’t look convinced.

But it was true. The dinosaur was growing and growing. It was already as big as the dog. Jake couldn’t contain his excitement, and the next day he told his teacher again, as his father still wasn’t interested in the dinosaur.
“The dinosaur in my garage is getting bigger every day!” shouted Jake in the middle of the lesson. The teacher turned round and looked at Jake with a serious expression.
“Well Jake, if there really is a dinosaur living in your garage, why don’t you take it out for a walk? Why don’t you bring it into school tomorrow for us all to have look at???!!!” The teacher laughed. He was feeling very pleased with himself. He pushed his glasses back up his big nose, and looked at the rest of the class. “Don’t you think Jake should bring his pet dinosaur in for everyone to see tomorrow?” he laughed, and all of the rest of the class laughed too.

The next day, Jake brought the dinosaur into school. It wasn’t easy, because the dinosaur hadn’t been out of his garage before, and moreover, it was now really rather big, but Jake very carefully took the lead they had for their dog, put it around the dinosaur’s neck and pulled him out of the garage. Once out of the garage, however, the dinosaur sat down and refused to move any further. Jake pulled and pulled but it was no good, he couldn’t move the dinosaur.

At first the dinosaur didn’t want to move. Jake put some meat from the fridge on the floor for the dinosaur to eat. Now the dinosaur followed him out of the house, along the street and to the bus stop. Quite a few people seemed surprised, and some of them were even scared when Jake got on the bus with his dinosaur, but the dinosaur seemed quite happy. At one point there was a difficult moment when the dinosaur put his nose into an old lady’s shopping bag and stole a chicken out of it. The old lady screamed, and the ticket inspector came.

“Oi!” said the ticket inspector. “Has that thing got a ticket?” Jake showed the ticket inspector the bus ticket which he had bought for the dinosaur, and then the ticket inspector went away, but the old lady was still very unhappy, so Jake had to apologise for the chicken his dinosaur had stolen, and then got off the bus at the next stop. He had to walk all the rest of the way to his school, and when he got there he was late.

Everyone screamed when he walked into his classroom. Jake couldn’t understand why. His teacher was staring at him in horror. Actually, no, his teacher wasn’t staring at Jake in horror, he was staring at the dinosaur in horror. Jake couldn’t understand what the problem was.
“But, sir” he said to his teacher, “You told me to bring the dinosaur to school!!!”

Less than one hour later Jake was sitting on his own in the school, only Jake and his dinosaur. There was a lot of noise outside. There was lots and lots of noise outside. Jake could hear the sirens of police cars, people shouting, and the sound of helicopters flying overhead. He looked out of the window of his classroom and waved at all the men with television cameras filming him and his dinosaur.

His teacher had shouted “Out!! OUT!!! Everybody out!!!” when Jake had come in with his dinosaur, and sure enough, the teacher and all the other children had run out of the classroom, leaving Jake on his own with his dinosaur. Jake couldn’t understand why everybody was so afraid of his dinosaur. He thought his dinosaur was pretty friendly.
“Jake!” shouted one of the police officers outside, “Can you hear me? Let us know if you’re ok!” Jake smiled and waved at the police officers.
“I’m fine!” he shouted. The dinosaur sat in the classroom and started to eat some of the children’s schoolbooks. Jake could see that it was getting bored. He took the dog’s lead and put it on the dinosaur again, and took the dinosaur out of the classroom into the schoolyard, where all the people were.

As soon as they went outside, there were screams and cries and the flashes from hundreds of cameras. A policeman grabbed Jake and a huge net fell down on the dinosaur. A group of scientists grabbed the dinosaur in the net, put him in a big truck and drove off.
“Wait!” shouted Jake. “Where are they going with my dinosaur?”
“They’re taking him to the zoo” said a policeman. “He’ll be safe there.”

Jake felt pretty sad when he got home. He didn’t even care that he was on the television news, and his picture was on the front page of newspapers all across the world. He missed his dinosaur. When everyone had gone to bed that night, he went out to the garage again, and found another egg...

Task

Decide who did the different things in the story.

For each question, choose Jake (A), Jake's dad (B), Jake's teacher (C) or Another person (D)

1. Who found a strange egg in the garage?

2. Who reads the newspaper and doesn't listen to his son?

3. Who didn't want to go camping again?

4. Who told Jake all about dinosaurs?

5. Who doesn't believe Jake?

6. Who tells Jake to prove he has a dinosaur?

7. Who made sure Jake had a ticket?

8. Who was angry about the dinosaur on the bus?

9. Who wants to know if Jake is ok?

10. Who finds another egg in the garage?

понедельник, 18 ноября 2019 г.

Тест на видовременную систему английского глагола (для 3 курса ФО)

Тест 1

Выберите правильный вариант.

1 .When Mark arrived, the Johnsons______dinner, but

stopped in order to talk to him.

a) were having c) had been having

b) had d) was having

2. While Tom______a book, Marhta______TV.

a) was reading, watched c) was reading, was watching

b) read, watched d) read, was watching

3. The food that Ann is cooking in the kitchen______delicious.

a) is smelling c) smelt

b) smells d) will smell

4. We called our friends in London yesterday to tell them about the reunion that we______.

a) will plan c) plan

b) were planning d) have planned

5. Catherine is studying law at the university, and so______

Nick.

a) is c) was

b) does d) were

6.1 feel terrible. I think I______to be sick.

a) will c) am going

b) go d) will be going

7. My colleagues usually______four days a week, and tills

week they______five days.

a) work, work c) are working, are working

b) are working, work d) work, are working

8. It______outside; 1 do not like to walk in such weather.

a) rains c) is raining

b) is rain d) is rained

9. I______a very difficult day tomorrow. I need to prepare

for the exam.

a) will have c) have

b) am having d) would have

10. At 10 o'clock in the morning on Wednesday Tom______

a delegation in the office.

a) will receive c) will be receiving

b) is receiving d) would receive

11. Although the sun was shining, it was still cold, because it ______hard for two hours.

a) had been raining c) had rained

b) was raining d) is raining

12. She______at the parcel long enough, before she______

that it was for her brother.

a) had been looking, had understood

b) had been looking, understood

c) was looking, understood

d) was looking, had understood

13.1_____to the cinema but my friend persuaded me to stay.

a) am not going c) did not go

b) was going d) had been going

14. We were good friends, we______each other for years.

a) had known c) were knowing

b) had knowing d) know

15. We were extremely tired at the end of the journey. We ______for more than 24 hours.

a) had travelled c) had been travelling

b) were travelling d) travel

16. How long______this book? How many pages of this

book______?

a) have you been reading, have you been reading

b) have you read, have you read

c) have you read, you read

d) have you been reading, have you read

17. We always go to Saint Petersburg for our holidays. We ______there for years.

a) have been going c) go

b) are going d) were going

18. I have lost my key again. I______things. I lose things

too often.

a) always lose c) have always lost

b) am always losing d) was always losing

19. The economic situation is already very bad and it______

worse.

a) is getting c) got

b) gets d) would be getting

20. What time______your friend______tomorrow?

a) will arrive c) will be arriving

b) is arrived d) will arriving

Предлоги и союзы

Тест 1

Выберите правильный вариант.

1. She was jealous______her friend because she had a better

dress.

a) at c) of

b) on d) to

2. The waste paper bin is full______crumpled sheets of paper.

a) with c) to

b) for d) of

3. The computer is capable______producing graphics.

a) to c) for

b) of d) in

4. Moscow is especially famous______its elegant architecture.

a) for c) with

b) of d) at

5.1 felt very ashamed______making such a stupid mistake.

a) of c) at

b) for d) to

6. Could you add this up for me? I'm not very quick______

calculating.

a) with c) at

b) in d) on

7. After days of preparation the hall is ready______the

grand opening.

a) on c) at

b) to d) for

8. Who is responsible______making such a mess?

a) for c) with

b) of d) at

9. She was very proud______his achievements.

a) for c) with

b) of d) at

10. It took some time to get accustomed______driving on

the left.

a) at c) to

b) with d) for

11. We always eat food typical______the region we are travelling in.

a) for c) at

b) on d) of

12. Are you aware______any reason why he is late?

a) with c) for

b) about d) of

13. She went out to work not to be dependent_______her

husband.

a) on c) with

b) at d) for

14. She never goes out at night because she is afraid______

the dark.

a) at c) of

b) to d) for

15. Because of the flu many teachers were absent_______

work.

a) of c) for

b) from d) at

16.1 feel really sorry______her because she has fallen ill.

a) about c) of

b) with d) for

17. She isn't satisfied______her progress in English.

a) of c) from

b) with d) at

18. My sister is better______sport than me.

a) at c) of

b) in d) with

19.1 must hurry or I'll be late______school.

a) at c) for

b)in d)to

20. He was found guilty______robbing the bank.

a) of c) with

b) for d) at

21.1 am short______money at the moment.

a) for c) in

b) with d) of

22. This incident is very similar______what happened yesterday.

a) with c) in

b) to d) of

23. The teacher got tired______hearing the same old excuses.

a) of c) at

b) from d) with

24. I am suspicious______those people who always ask

questions.

a) in c) from

b) of d) at

25. My sister is very keen______fashion.

a) of c) on

b) with d) at

понедельник, 25 ноября 2019 г.

Article for 4th year

rump impeachment: White House aides can be made to testify

Why is Congress investigating Trump?

What next with the impeachment inquiry?

воскресенье, 24 ноября 2019 г.

Текст для самостоятельной работы (3 курс)

четверг, 21 ноября 2019 г.

Дополнительное чтение (3 к.ФО)

понедельник, 18 ноября 2019 г.

Тест на видовременную систему английского глагола (для 3 курса ФО)

понедельник, 25 ноября 2019 г.

воскресенье, 24 ноября 2019 г.

четверг, 21 ноября 2019 г.

понедельник, 18 ноября 2019 г.