The republic of Belarus is situated in the center of Europe on the watershed of the Baltic and Black Seas. The capital is Minsk. Belarus borders on Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. The total length of the state border makes up 2,969 km. Geographic and climatic conditions favor the development of transport and economic relations. The shortest ways from Russia to Western Europe and from the Baltic Sea to the Black sea run through Belarus.
The territory of Belarus is 207.6 thousand sq km. It stretches from west to east for 650 km and from north to south for 560 km.
The country’s relief is flat with hills. The climate of Belarus is moderate continental with mild and humid winters, warm summers and damp autumns.
Forests constitute 33 % of the country’s area. In Belarus there are over 20 thousand rivers and lakes. The largest lake is Naroch. The navigation is carried out on the rivers Pripiats, Dnieper, Neman, Berezina and Western Dvina.
Belarus consists of 6 regions: the Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk and Mogiliov regions. Minsk, the capital, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
The industrial potential of Belarus includes 20 thermoelectric power stations, 17 metallurgical works, 70 petrochemical plants (the concern “Belneftekhim”), 29 machine-tool construction enterprises, 36 automakers and so on. According to recent researches the number of small enterprises has exceeded 30 thousand. 6 economic zones are established. Foreign enterprises are created with participation of 80 countries.
The financial market is represented by the National bank of Belarus, 29 commercial banks and 10 foreign ones.
There are 27 state theaters, including opera and ballet theater, a musical comedy theater, etc. The Ministry of culture has 128 state museums. The sports facilities include almost 500 stadiums and swimming pools, more than 5000 outdoor sports grounds. In 2000 all regional centers had Ice palaces and skating rinks.
Minsk citizens and all inhabitants of Byelorussia are especially proud of the new National Library being unique as in Europe, and all over the world.
Перевод:
Республика Беларусь расположена в центре Европы на водоразделе Балтийского и Черного Морей. Столица - город Минск. Белоруссия граничит c Польшей, Литвой, Латвией, Россией и Украиной. Общая протяженность государственной границы составляет 2,969 км. Географические и климатические условия развитию транспортных и экономических отношений. Кратчайшие пути из России до Западной Европы и от Балтийского моря до Черного моря проходят через Белоруссию.
Общая территория Беларуси - 207.6 тысяч кв. км. Она простирается с запада на восток на 650 км и с севера на юг на 560 км.
Рельеф страны плоский с холмами. Климат - умеренно-континентальный, зимы мягкие и влажные, летом тепло, а осенью сыро.
Леса составляют 33 % области страны. В Белоруссии более 20 тысяч рек и озер. Самое большое озеро - Нарочь. Судоходны реки Припять, Днепр, Неман, Березина и Западная Двина.
Белоруссия состоит из 6 областей: Брестской, Витебской, Гомельской, Гродненской, Минской и Могилевской. Минск, столица, является одним из наиболее красивых городов в Европе.
Индустриальный потенциал Белоруссии включает 20 термоэлектрических станций, 17 металлургических заводов, 70 нефтехимических заводов (предприятие "Белнефтехим"), 29 машиностроительных предприятий, 36 автомобилестроительных и так далее. Согласно недавним исследованиям число малых предприятий превысило 30 тысяч. Установлено 6 экономических зон, иностранные предприятия созданы с участием 80 стран.
Финансовый рынок представлен Национальным банком Белоруссии, 29 коммерческими банками и 10 иностранными.
Есть 27 государственных театров, включая Театр Оперы и Балета, музыкальный комедии и др. Министерство культуры имеет 128 государственных музеев. Спортивные сооружения включают около 500 стадионов и бассейнов, почти 5000 наружных спортплощадок. В 2000 все региональные центры имели Ледяные дворцы и катки.
Особой гордостью минчан и всех жителей Беларуси является новая Национальная Библиотека, являющаяся уникальной как в Европе, так и во всем мире.
7. Complete the sentences with a, an or – (no article).
It's a cheap car.
They're fast cars.
She’s a young teacher.
He's rich.
It's beautiful.
It's a beautiful book
We're thepoor students.
I'm apoor student.
They're Italian teachers.
It's an___ expensive house.
She's a young engineer.
You're an American.
8. The definite items are missing. Write them in the sentences.
This is Anouk. She's from Netherlands.
Sri Lanka is in the Indian Ocean.
Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land.
Harald V is the King of Norway.
The Earth is 384,000 km from the moon.
My mother cooks the best cakes in world!
Can you play the piano?
Paris is famous for the Eiffel Tower.
That was the worst film I've ever seen!
The Black Sea used to be a part of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are twenty-seven countries in the European Union.
I love to listen to the violin.
9. Complete the sentences and questions with a/an or the.
Can I have a drink, please?
Is this theonly pen you've got?
We'd like a table for two, please.
When does a History exam start?
What time is the last bus?
Is there ___an airport near your town?
What's the name of your new teacher?
Could you close ___the back door, please?
Who's the girl with long hair?
I've got a terrible headache.
10. Choose the correct options.
The Italian food / Italian food is the best in the world!
The people / People over there are from Germany.
Try the sandwiches / sandwiches at this café.
Who is the girl /girl on the bike?
I like the rock music / rock music.
There's never enough the time / time.
Are the elephants / elephants really afraid of mice?
The life / Life is harder for children these days.
I prefer to travel round cities on the foot / foot.
Do you speak the Chinese / Chinese?
14. Write sentences.
1 my keys + _I’ve got my keys
2 your laptop - _You haven’t got your laptop
3 our passports + ___We've got our passports
4 his glasses - He hasn't got his glasses
5 her camera + She's got her camera
6 our credit cards - We haven't got our credit cards
7 my mobile + I've got my mobile
8 their tickets + They've got their tickets
15. Complete the text with is or has got.
Penelope Cruz is an actress. She is 1 m 68. She has dark hair and brown eyes. She has a nice smile. She is from Spain. She has a brother, Eduardo, and a sister, Monica.
16. Look at the pictures and write comparative sentences.
1 motorbike / fast / bicycle
A motorbike is faster than a bicycle
2 she / tall / him
She is taller than him
3 red bike / expensive / blue bike
The red bike is more expensive than the blue bike
4 her book / interesting / his book
Her book is more interesting than his book
17. Complete the sentences with the superlative form of the adjectives in brackets.
Mr Bao from Mongolia is the tallest (tall) man in the world.
The shortest (short) woman in the world is 79 centimetres tall.
The blue whale is the biggest (big) animal in the world.
I think snakes are the most dangerous (dangerous) animals.
The River Nile in Egypt is the longest (long) river in the world.
Damascus in Syria is the oldest (old) city in the world.
Luxembourg is the safest (safe) city in Europe.
Moscow is the most expensive (expensive) city in the world.
Mount Everest is the highest (high) mountain in the world.
I'm sure elephants are the heaviest (heavy) animals on land.
1. She was a famous actress.
2. There are some red apples on the plate.
3. Charles wants to study languages.
4. Jane lived in Italy for 2 years.
5. You bought a new car! Congratulations!
6. He couldn't find his pen.