(1) Life in the city is much easier than in the country – developed transport system, sewerage system, information, sports, shopping malls, etc. Modern men are too sophisticated for simple country pleasures. There is far more entertainment in the city than in the country. Cities offer high concentration of good things in life: big stores, restaurants, theatres, cinema, and art galleries. In addition, life is more convenient: services are always better here. (2) In the city people are more open-minded. It is possible to go out, make friends and never be cut off from them by weather conditions. Generally, people do not mind what you do in the city. In the city people have more chances to be employed, as the range of jobs is greater than in a village. Besides in the city people have more chances to succeed. Moreover, life is never dull here as people always have something to do.
(3) The objections to city living are not convincing enough. People easily adapt to various inconveniences of city life. For example, noise and traffic are hardly noticeable to city-dwellers.
(4) In 330 BC Aristotle wrote that by nature a man belonged to a city. Many people love living a busy city life. It is enough for them to visit a country at week-ends.
(5) But, of course, there are some disadvantages of living in a big city. Today’s cities are ballooning. Bombay in 1960 was a jam-packed city of 4m people. Now Mexico City holds around 18m people. “The rush-hour” with crowded streets, packed trains, full buses that happens twice a day is one of them. Then, the сost of living. It is very high in cities. In addition, people live under constant threat; life is not quiet, it causes stresses and heart decease. Moreover, city-dwellers lose touch with land, rhythms of nature. Everyone who cares about his health tries to move out from the city. Cities are not fit to live in, men are born for countryside. Most people in Europe and America try to live in non-industrial cities, which are set down near big cities and cannot be killed by pollution and traffic.
1. Выпишите из текста и переведите предложения с герундием. Герундий подчеркните.
2. Дайте письменные ответы. Переведите предложения.
1. Why is life in the city easier and more convenient?
2. Why are people in the city willing to consider new ideas?
3. Who said that by nature man belonged to a city?
4. Why do most people in Europe and America try to live in non-industrial cities?
vladimir vladimirovich putin - the president of russia
vladimir putin was born in leningrad on october 7, 1952.
in 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from leningrad state university. he later earned a ph.d. degree in economics.
after graduation, mr. putin was assigned to work in the kgb. from 1985 to 1990, he worked in east germany.
in 1990, he became assistant to the rector of leningrad state university responsible for international affairs.
his next position was an advisor to the chairman of the leningrad city council.
in june 1991, he became chairman of the st. petersburg city council's international relations committee and, starting with 1994, he combined this post with the position of first deputy chairman of the st. petersburg city government (first deputy mayor).
in august 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the president's administrative directorate (property management directorate).
in march 1997, he became deputy head of the executive office of the president (presidential administration) and head of the central supervision and inspections directorate.
in may 1998, he was promoted to first deputy head of the presidential administration.
in july 1998, he was appointed director of the federal security service and, as of march 1999, he combined this position with that of secretary of the security council.
in august 1999, he was appointed prime minister.
on december 31, 1999, he became acting president.
on march 26, 2000, he was elected president of russia and was inaugurated as president on may 7, 2000.
on march 14, 2004, he was elected president of russia for the second term.
speaks german and english.
married to lyudmila putina. they have two daughters: maria (1985), katerina(1986).