Today people are tired of exotic countries and prefer to spend holidays in the countryside in Belarus. What can attract people to it?

Today many people prefer to spend holidays in the countryside in Belarus. Spending holidays in the countryside has a lot of advantages. First of all you can escape from the noise of big cities and enjoy the beauty of nature. There are many beautiful rivers and lakes which are noted for their transparent water and delightful banks. On the whole, our republic is known for its inexpressible beauty and picturesque landscapes, so a holiday in the countryside of Belarus will be really enjoyable. Besides it is much cheaper than going to some exotic country. And as we all know East or West home is best.

22. Let’s talk about environment.

1) Let’s talk about environment. People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

No doubt the protection of nature is a matter of paramount importance. Ecological problems are so acute nowadays that mankind may soon face the problem: to be or not to be. On the one hand, our life has become much more comfortable due to the progress of science and technology, but on the other hand, our environment is being more and more polluted with every passing day. There are different types of pollution: air pollution, water pollution, nuclear pollution, even noise pollution. Factories, plants and cars pollute the air in big cities. Rivers that used to be so beautiful and full of fish are poisoned by industrial waste. It is not always pleasant to bathe in the sea because the water is not blue but brown with rubbish floating in it. Besides, millions of tons of oil are released into the seas every year and a lot of seabirds and animals die because of it. It is dangerous for human beings too.

Nuclear power stations are hazardous too. They can cause nuclear pollution as in the case of Chernobyl or Fucusima. Our republic and our Mogilev region in particular have greatly suffered from the after-effects of the Chernobyl disaster.

The ozone holes present a serious problem as well. The ozone layer that protects the Earth from the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun is constantly destroyed. The dangerous rays penetrate through the atmosphere and cause skin cancer and other diseases.

The problem of deforestation is also very acute. Deforestation destroys the environmental balance and reduces biodiversity. More and more species of animals and plants are becoming extinct. It also has a big impact on the world climate because the rain forests are natural recyclers, protectors and providers for our planet.

The most dramatic of the environmental issues is, probably, climate change. It is caused by the so-called “greenhouse effect” which is the result of a massive release of carbon dioxide [dai’oksaid] into the atmosphere. When living creatures breathe out and when things are burnt, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. Until recently it was absorbed by trees and plants, which converted it back into oxygen. But now factories, power stations and cars are burning more and more coal, oil and natural gas. And the destruction of forests means that there are fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. It acts like the glass in a greenhouse, allowing sunshine and heat to pass in but not out again. As a result we have hotter and drier summers, warmer and wetter winters, more storms and rainfall, extreme weather conditions and raising sea-levels.

2) What do you think people should do to protect the environment?

We must realize that the problems of ecology are everybody’s concern and we must do everything in our power to protect nature. Members of Greenpeace set us a good example how to do it. They get information about activities harmful to the environment and try to prevent them. I think that our authorities must do more when it concerns environmental problems. For example, some factories and plants can be removed from cities, purifying systems should be improved, environmentally friendly sources of energy such as wind or solar energy should be used. Well, I suppose there are many more things that can be done by our authorities, but I’m too young to see all the aspects of the problem on a large scale.

There are many things that every person can do to protect nature. We must review our wasteful, careless ways, we must consume less and recycle more. We must plant more trees and we mustn’t break them. We must not do any harm to our lesser brothers – animals. Cars are major polluters, so it is much better for us and for other people if we walk or bike. We should not smoke as smoking is harmful to us and those around us. To reduce noise pollution we must not make our CD players sound too loud. Well, there are many more things we can do to protect nature. We should always remember that the Earth is our home and we must take care of it for ourselves and for the next generations.

3) What questions would you ask a Greenpeace member?

4) A friend of yours wants to develop a program to protect the city where he lives. Give him a piece of advice.

I think that this program should include removing some factories and plants from the city, improving purifying systems, using environmentally friendly sources of energy such as wind or solar energy.

5) Your school is going to take part in the contest ‘Green School of the Year’. Give ideas for some green events.

One of the items of the contest can be helping to find a shelter for stray animals. Another item can be connected with recycling. Some green events can be connected with planting trees and some other practical things. As they say: Don’t fight for cleanliness, just take a broom and sweep the streets.

23. Let’s talk about weather and climate

1) Let’s talk about weather and climate. What is your favourite season and what is the weather like during this season?

Frankly speaking, I like all the seasons of the year. Every season has its own charm and is beautiful in its own way. But it is generally considered that the most beautiful season in our republic and in Europe in general is spring. When spring sets in, nature is extremely lovely. The sun shines brightly and the air is fresh and fragrant with the sweet scent of lilacs and jasmine.

Some people prefer summer to any other season. In June the trees and flowers are in full blossom. The fields and meadows are very beautiful, the wheat and rye are golden, the grass is green. It is warm and even hot. If the heat gets too oppressive people enjoy bathing in the river or in the lake. It is very pleasant to lie on the sandy beach and get sun-tanned.

Some people like autumn as there is nothing more beautiful for them than an Indian summer. Nature looks beautiful during this spell of sunny weather in late September or early October.

But sunny days are rare. The weather is very changeable in autumn. The sky is grey and is covered with clouds. It often drizzles or even pours or, as they say, it rains cats and dogs. There are sometimes storms with thunder and lightning. Everything looks gloomy. The days become shorter. Winter sets in. Strange as it may seem but some people like this season of blizzards and piercing winds, frozen rivers and slippery streets. They enjoy skating and skiing. In snowy weather tobogganing is a favourite pastime of many children. Personally I can’t decide whether I like winter or not. On the one hand, we can enjoy the sparkling snow in fine weather or have a lot of fun making snowmen with our friends. But on the other hand, I don’t like sleety and slushy mild winters because, firstly, I don’t know what to wear and, secondly, my boots always get dirty in such weather. Besides I often suffer from flue and a running nose.

2) Are you weather dependent?

I presume I’m too young to be weather dependent. But my Granny is weather dependent and she usually suffers from splitting headaches when there are so-called magnetic storms.

3) What questions will you ask your British friend about the weather in his country?

4) Your friend wants to know what climate change is caused by. Can you explain it to him?

Climate change is, probably, the most dramatic of the environmental issues. It is caused by the so-called “greenhouse effect” which is the result of a massive release of carbon dioxide [dai’oksaid] into the atmosphere. When living creatures breathe out and when things are burnt, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. Until recently it was absorbed by trees and plants, which converted it back into oxygen. But now factories, power stations and cars are burning more and more coal, oil and natural gas. And the destruction of forests means that there are fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. It acts like the glass in a greenhouse, allowing sunshine and heat to pass in but not out again. As a result we have hotter and drier summers, warmer and wetter winters, more storms and rainfall, extreme weather conditions and raising sea-levels.

5) They say there’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes. What do you think about it?

I agree that there’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes, but only to some extent. For example, if the heat is too oppressive, no clothes will help you. As for rainy weather, you can even enjoy it if you have an umbrella and a raincoat. Some people like walking in the rain. But if it is a storm with thunder and lightning, clothes won’t help you either.

24. Let’s talk about Belarus.

1) Let’s talk about Belarus. What can you tell me about our Motherland?

The Republic of Belarus is situated in the centre of Eastern Europe. The capital is the city of Minsk. Belarus borders Poland, Lithuania [,liθju’einjә], Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. Its population is about 10 million. Belarus is made up of 6 regions with the major cities of Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Mogilev and Vitebsk.

Belarus is a country of rich history and ancient culture. The forebears of the Belarusians were the krivichi, radimichi and dregovichi. There are two versions of the origin of the name of Belarus. According to one of them the white clothes of the ancient villagers, their fair hair and the whiteness of their skin gave the name to our republic. The other version says that the name came from the fact that “to be white” meant “to be free”, and as our land wasn’t under the Tatar-Mongol yoke it was called “Belaya Russ”.

Belarus is at the crossroads of Europe. It connects the Baltic and the Black Seas, the East and the West. So the busiest trade-routes lay through Belarus. But this advantage often turned into disadvantage. During wars Belarus was the first to be attacked by various conquerors. The black pages of Belarusian history tell us about terrifying wars which took place on its territory. For example, World War II wiped out one third of the country’s population.

Belarus has a mild climate. Our winters are not very severe and our summers are not too hot. So natural conditions in the republic are favourable for life and economic activities of its people.

The natural world of our republic is a mixture of forests, swamps and grasslands. There are also numerous lakes and rivers. The most beautiful lake is Lake Naroch. The largest rivers are the Dnieper, the Western Dvina and the Neman. Everybody who comes to Belarus can’t but admire our vast forests and green fields, our lakes and pushchas.

2) Do you know any symbols of our country?

Belarus is a democratic presidential republic. Our state symbols are the National Flag, the National Anthem and the National Emblem. Some other symbols of our republic are a bison, a stork and a cornflower.

3) What questions about Belarus do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

4) What Belarusian sights would you advise a foreigner to visit?

There are many places of interest in our republic. A great number of them are connected with the Great Patriotic War. One of the most impressive is the memorial in Khatyn, a village burnt together with all its inhabitants by the fascists. There are many historical places in Polotsk, some of them are connected with Francisk Skaryna, the first Belarusian printer, and with Efrosinia Polotskaya, who is considered to be the protectress of Belarus.

There are some places of interest in our town too. One of them is a field in Buinichi with a monument to Konstantin Simonov. During the Great Patriotic War 39 tanks were destroyed there. The defence of Mogilev, which stood against the enemy for 23 days when the whole of Belarus had already been occupied, was described by Konstantin Simonov in his book “The Living and the Dead”. Simonov often visited our town, and after his death the ashes of his body were scattered over this field.

5) What sights in our country belong to world heritage?

There are four sights in our country that belong to world heritage. They are the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Mir and Nesvizh Castles and the Struve Arc. I have visited the Palace in Nesvizh, which used to be the residence of the Radzivils, and I was really fascinated by it. (I have visited the castle of Mir and I was fascinated by this miracle made of red bricks). I would like to visit the Belovezhskaya Pushcha and enjoy its rich flora and fauna. I would also like to see the mysterious Struve Arc, or rather the points with special plaques [pla:ks] that show where it is located.

25. Let’s talk about Great Britain.

1) Let’s talk about Great Britain. What do you know about this country?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is situated on the British Isles, which consist of more than 5000 islands. The biggest of them is Great Britain. There are also the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Hebrides, the Isle of Man and many others. The North Sea, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel separate Great Britain from the Continent. Its west coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

The mountains in Great Britain are not very high. The highest peaks are Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon in Wales. The main mountain chains are: The Grampians in Scotland, the Cheviot Hills, which separate Scotland from England, the Pennine chain [`penain], which is called “the backbone of England” and the Cambrian Mountains in Wales.

There are many rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The longest river is the `Severn.

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild and temperate.

The capital of Great Britain is London. It is also the seat of the British Government and the capital of the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a free association of 54 states, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Malta, Bermuda and others. The population of the country is about 57 million.

Birmingham is the second largest city in Great Britain. The district round Birmingham is known as the Black Country. There are many factories and plants there, and very few trees.

Manchester and Leeds are the centres of the British `textile industry. Glasgow and Liverpool are big seaports. Edinburgh [`edinb∂r∂] is the capital of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in Great Britain. `Cardiff is the capital of Wales, and the capital of Northern Ireland is `Belfast.

The most famous educational centres in Great Britain are Oxford and Cambridge Universities. They are considered to be the intellectual centres of Europe.

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary `monarchy, and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with a Prime minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The state symbols of Great Britain are the national flag, which is often called “the Union Jack”, the coat of arms and the national anthem “God Save the Queen”.

2) What part of Great Britain would you like to visit? Why?

I would like to visit the lakes of Great Britain. There are numerous lakes in Scotland and in England. The most beautiful of them is Loch Lomond and the most famous is Loch Ness. It is famous for its monster, though nobody knows for sure whether it really exists. The Lake District in the north-west of England is known for its beauty. It is here that the great English poets of the famous Lake School lived and wrote their magnificent poems. There are 16 lakes there, the most beautiful of them is Lake Windermere. It’s a very good place for holiday-makers and I would like to have a holiday there too.