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READING SCHOOLS TEACH IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES Many Russian schools teach some subjects (предметы) m foreign languages. These schools opened not only in such big cities as Moscow and St Petersburg but also in smaller towns. Geography, histoiy, European literature are some of the subjects which the boys and girls study in these schools in English, French or German. These schools have twice as many (вдвое больше) hours for the study of languages other schools. HISTORY Pony Express (I) In 1870 there were no railways west of the Missouri River, North America. Very few people lived there. Mountains, deserts and great canyons (каньон, ущелье) made the country almost impassable (непроходимый). Many wild animals made it their home. How could people who lived there send letters to other parts of the country? The Pony Express made it possible. This was a post service the agents of which went on horseback in relays (2). The agents were brave men, cool in moments of danger. They rode at lull speed, regardless of (невзирая на) cold or heat or danger. When a tired man on his tired horse reached the station, he gave his mail-packet (почтовый мешок) to the next agent, and fresh man on his fresh horse went on without a moment's delay (задержка). Примечания (1) Pony Express - "экспресс на лошадках". Значение этого названия вы узнаете из рассказа. (2) went on horseback in relays - ехали верхом на лошадях посменно. Сравните on horseback верхом с horse лошадь и back спина. Relay в технических текстах значит реле. PROVERBS A good beginning is half the Cp: Хорошее начало - полдела battle. откачало. You cannot eat your cake and Нельзя преследовать одновременно have it. две взаимоисключающие цели (Ср.: И волки сыты, и овцы целы). 151
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