11. Прочтите тексты 1 и 2 и проверьте степень их понимания, отвечая на вопросы. Text 1. FOREIGN LANGUAGES IN THE LIFE OF A MODERN MAN You can't imagine an educated person who doesn't know any foreign language. It is especially important nowadays. Knowledge of a foreign language helps us to develop friendship and understanding among people. The total number of languages in the world is about five thousand. And English, of course, is one of the most popular languages. English is the mother tongue in Great Britain, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is one of six official languages of the United Nations Organization. A lot of people speak English in Scandinavia, Japan, China, India, Africa and many other countries. Children, young people and grown-ups study English at schools, colleges, universities and at different preparatory courses. Some people learn English because they need it in their work, others travel abroad, for the third studying English is a hobby. Every year thousands of people go from one country to another either on business or for pleasure. And the knowledge of languages opens the door to any foreign country and gives them a possibility to communicate and to understand people. A real professional cannot do without knowledge of English, as it is an international language. You don't need to know Japanese when you go to Japan or Hindi when you visit India. English is practically spoken all over the world. You can hear it everywhere: in a street, in shops, at restaurants. A modern engineer or even a worker deals with instruments and machines from other countries. He has to read the instruction which is usually written in English. Scientists must understand English well because they use foreign literature to write their articles and books. They must speak English fluently to make speeches at international conferences. Diplomats need foreign languages in their work too. They make contracts, conclude treaties, hold negotiations. If you want to be a stewardess, a pilot or a businessman you must learn English, the language of international communication. Even a shop-girl in a big department store must know at least some phrases in English to understand a foreign customer. Foreign languages develop our mind. They help us to get acquainted with new customs and traditions, make it possible to read many books in the origi- 11 nal. Besides, languages are very helpful in establishing friendly relations between peoples and nations. Children and young people will understand each other better if they speak one language. That's why all the pupils should master English or other foreign languages to become top specialists. 1. What is the total number of languages in the world? 2. Why do people learn languages? 3. What is the most popular language in the world in your opinion? 4. In which countries is English spoken as the mother tongue? 5. What possibility does the knowledge of languages give to people? 6. Must a modern engineer know English and why? 7. How does the knowledge of languages help scientists? 8. Why is the knowledge of languages so important in the work of diplomats? 9. Is it necessary for a shop-girl to know English? 10. Why should pupils master English?