V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	Commercial radio offers three nationwide FM,	a	removed the BBC's broadcast­ing monopoly.
	The establishment of independent and commercial television and ra­dio	b	the en­tertainment habits and the culture of the nation.
	Tel­evision and radio changed	c	which broadcasts classical music.
	There are inde­pendent local radio stations which provide	d	to provide a public service in radio.
	In 1936 the government estab­lished the BBC	e	news, information, music and other entertainment.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

UNIT 3. UKRAINE. POLITICAL SYSTEM OF UKRAINE

TEXT 16. UKRAINE

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

To border – межувати, medieval – середньовічний, to disintegrate – розпастись, regional powers – місцеві органи влади, a dissolution – розпад (держави), market economy – ринкова економіка, a unitary state - унітарна держава, autonomous – автономний, legislative – законодавчий, executive – виконавчий, judicial – судовий.

II. Listen to the text:

Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It borders Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west, Romania, Moldova (including the breakaway Pridnestrovie) to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south. The city of Kiev is both the capital and the largest city of Ukraine.

The nation's modern history began with that of the East Slavs. From at least the 9th century, the territory of Ukraine was a center of the medieval East Slavic civilization, forming the state of Kievan Rus' which disintegrated in the 12th century. From the 14th century on, the territory of Ukraine was divided among a number of regional powers, and by the 19th century, the largest part of Ukraine was integrated into the Russian Empire, with the rest under Austro-Hungarian control. After several attempts at independence (1917–21) following World War I and the Russian Civil War, Ukraine emerged in 1922 as one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic's territory was enlarged westward shortly before and after World War II, and again in 1954 with the Crimea transfer. In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the co-founding members of the United Nations. Ukraine became independent again after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. This began a period of transition to a market economy.

Ukraine is a unitary state composed of 24 oblasts, one autonomous republic (Crimea), and two cities with special status: Kiev, its capital, and Sevastopol, which houses the Russian Black Sea Fleet under a leasing agreement. Ukraine is a republic under a semi-presidential system with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Since the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine continues to maintain the second largest military in Europe, after that of Russia.

The country is home to 46.4 million people, 77.8 percent of whom are ethnic Ukrainians, with sizable minorities of Russians, Belarusians and Romanians. The Ukrainian language is the only official language in Ukraine, while Russian is also widely spoken and is known to most Ukrainians as a second language. The dominant religion in the country is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which has heavily influenced Ukrainian architecture, literature and music.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. Ukraine is a country in Western Europe which borders Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

2. In the 9th century, the territory of Ukraine was a center of the medieval East Slavic civilization.

3. The territory of Ukraine was divided among a number of regional powers during its history.

4. By the 19th century, the largest part of Ukraine was integrated into the Polish Empire.

5. Ukrainian territory was enlarged westward shortly before and after World War II.

6. In 1940, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the co-founding members of the United Nations.

7. Ukrainian independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 began a period of transition to a market economy.

8. Ukraine is a monarchy composed of 24 oblasts and one autonomous republic.

9. Ukraine is a republic under a semi-presidential system with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

10. Ukrainian and Russian are official languages in Ukraine.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What countries does Ukraine border?

2. When did the nation's modern history begin?

3. Did Ukraine take a part in the United Nations forming?

4. What is an administrative structure of Ukraine as an independent state?

5. What branches are the powers of the government divided into?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	The dominant religion in the country	a	began with that of the East Slavs.
	The Ukrainian language	b	one autonomous republic and two cities with special status.
	Ukraine is a unitary state composed of oblasts,	c	among a number of regional powers.
	The territory of Ukraine was divided	d	is the only official language in Ukraine.
	The nation's modern history	e	is Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 17. POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF UKRAINE

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

Everlasting – давній, destiny – доля, to vote – голосувати, single-chamber – однопалатний, to hoist – піднімати, to elect – обирати, a constituency – виборчий округ.

II. Listen to the text:

Political Structure of Ukraine

On the 24th of August, 1991 Ukraine became an independent state. On the 1-st of December the everlasting dream of the Ukrainian people came true. 90% of the people voted for the independence of Ukraine and since that time the Ukrainian people had become the masters of their own destiny.

The Ukrainian political system has a popularly elected President, a 450-person single-chamber national Parliament — the Verkhovna Rada. The yellow and blue flag is hoisted over it.

A Prime Minister is nominated by the President and is a subject to approval by the Verkhovna Rada. The first President of the country became Leonid Kravchuk. In 1994 Ukrainian people elected a new President — Leonid Kuchma and deputies to the 450-member legislature. Voting, which is not compulsory, is by secret ballot and from the age of 18. The candidate rolling the largest number of votes in a constituency is elected. Though Ukraine has a wealth of political parties, ranging from unreconstructed communities to far-right nationalities, personal and regional loyalties tend to play larger role in the Ukrainian political life than programmatic parties. A key challenge facing Ukraine is the establishment of effective, democratic governing institutions that strike a balance between executive and legislative authority.

Ukraine is divided into 24 regions, each of which has an elected council whose Chairman (elected at large) also serves as head of the executive branch. The status of the autonomous Republic of Crimea is being redefined. In March 1995, the central government suspended the Crimean constitution following a year of political instability caused in past by attempts of local politicians to develop a foreign policy independent of Kyiv.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. The Ukrainians have always dreamed about being independent.

2. Practically 100% of the people voted for the independence of Ukraine.

3. National Parliament consists of two levels.

4. A Prime Minister is nominated just by the President of the country.

5. Leonid Kuchma was the first president of Ukraine.

6. Voting, which is not compulsory, is by secret ballot and from the age of 21.

7. Ukraine has a large number of different political parties.

8. The establishment of effective, democratic governing institutions is a key challenge facing Ukraine these days.

9. Ukraine has 24 administrative parts.

10. Crimean politicians attempted to develop a foreign policy independent of Kyiv.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. When did Ukraine become an independent state?

2. Since what time have the Ukrainian people become the masters of their destiny?

3. What is the highest body of the state power in Ukraine?

4. How has the Constitution of Ukraine been modified?

5. Who was the first President of Ukraine?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	Voting, which is not compulsory,	a	the masters of their own destiny.
	The candidate rolling the largest number of votes	b	a single-chamber national Parliament.
	A Prime Minister	c	in a constituency is elected.
	The Ukrainian political system has	d	is nominated by the President.
	The Ukrainian people had become	e	is by secret ballot.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 18. POLITICAL SYSTEM OF UKRAINE

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

To specify – визначати, suffrage – право голосу, on behalf of – від імені, accountable to – підзвітний, to possess – володіти

II. Listen to the text:

Political System of Ukraine

The Constitution outlines the structure of the national government and specifies its powers and duties. Under the Constitution the powers of the government are divided into three branches — the legislative which consists of the Verkhovna Rada, the executive, headed by the President, and the judicial, which is led by the Supreme Court.

The Parliament — the Verkhovna Rada is the only body of the legislative power in Ukraine. There are 450 people’s deputies who are elected for a term of four years on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The Verkhovna Rada’s main funсtion is making laws. Law drafting work is performed by its Committees. The Verkhovna Rada adopts the State Budget for the period from January 1 to December 31 and controls the execution of it. The monetary unit of Ukraine is the Hryvnia.

The President of Ukraine is the head of the state and speaks on behalf of it. He is elected directly by the voters for a term of five years with no more than two full terms.

The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It is responsible to the President and is accountable to the Verkhovna Rada. It carries out domestic and foreign policy of the State, the fulfilment of the Constitution, as well as the acts of the President, develops and fulfils national program on the economic, scientific and technological, social and cultural development of Ukraine.

Justice in Ukraine is exercised entirely by courts. It is administered by the Constitutional Court and by courts of general jurisdiction. The Supreme Court of Ukraine is the highest juridical body of general jurisdiction.

The Constitution defines the territorial structure of Ukraine. It is composed of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, 24 regions, districts, cities, districts in cities, settlements and villages. Cities of Kyiv and Sevastopol possess a special status determined by law.

The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters, 161 articles. The day of its adoption is a state holiday — the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. The Constitution outlines the structure of the national government and doesn’t specify its powers and duties.

2. Under the Constitution the powers of the goverment are divided into four branches.

3. The Verkhovna Rada is not the only body of the legislative power in Ukraine.

4. There are 450 people’s deputies who are elected for a term of five years on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

5. The Verkhovna Rada’s main funсtion is working out legislation.

6. The President of Ukraine is the head of the state and speaks on behalf of the Government.

7. The President is elected directly by the voters for a term of four years with no more than two full terms.

8. The Cabinet of Ministers is the executive power in Ukraine.

9. Justice in Ukraine is administered by the Constitutional Court and by courts of general jurisdiction.

10. The Goverment defines the territorial structure of Ukraine.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. How many branches are powers of the government divided into?

2. What is the monetary unit in Ukraine?

3. What is the only body of the legislative power in Ukraine?

4. What is the Verkhovna Rada’s main funсtion?

5. What is justice in Ukraine exercised by?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	Justice in Ukraine is exercised	a	is performed by the Committees.
	The President of Ukraine is the head of the state	b	by courts by the courts of general jurisdiction.
	Law drafting work	c	and speaks on behalf of it.
	The Verkhovna Rada’s main funсtion	d	the structure of the national government.
	The Constitution outlines	e	is making laws.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 19. BASIC LAWS OF UKRAINE

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

To proclaim – проголосити, Orthodox faith – православна віра, a boundary – кордон, alliance – союз, overwhelming majority – переважна більшість, precondition – передумова.

II. Listen to the text:

Basic Laws of Ukraine

The first constitutional document in Ukrainian history was the Constitution of Bendery, adopted in 1710. The constitution of Bendery is a covenant signed on 16 April, 1710 in Bendery by the newly elected Hetman P.Orlyk with his officers and the Zaporozhian Cossacks. The document consisted of 16 articles, which can be divided into four thematic groups.

Some articles dealt with general Ukrainian affairs. They proclaimed the Orthodox faith to be faith of Ukraine and independent of the patriarch of Moscow, designed the Sluch River as the boundary between Ukraine and Poland, and recognized the need for an anti-Russian alliance between Ukraine and the Crimean Khanate.

Another articles reflected the interests of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, who constituted the overwhelming majority of the Bendery emigration. They obligated the hetman to expel the Russians from Zaporozhian territories. Articles 6-10 limited the powers of the hetman and established a unique Cossack parliament, which met three times a year.

Some other articles protected the rights of towns, limited the taxation of peasants and poor Cossacks. In the introduction to the constitution, Ukraine's independence of Russia and Poland was stipulatedas a precondition.

The Ukrainian state that arose in 1917-20 had several constitutions. The structure of the Ukrainian National Republic was defined by several legislative acts of the Ukrainian Central Rada before the Central Rada adopted the Constitution of the Ukrainian National Republic on 29 April, 1918. In the Ukrainian SSR four constitutions were adopted (1919, 1929, 1937, 1978). They were closely modeled on the Constitution of the Russian SFSR and then of the USSR.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. The first constitutional document in Ukrainian history was the Constitution of P.Orlyk.

2. The document can be divided into four thematic groups.

3. The document proclaimed the Muslim faith to be faith of Ukraine.

4. The need for an anti-Russian alliance between Ukraine and the Crimean Khanate was recognized.

5. Zaporozhian Cossacks constituted the minority of the Bendery emigration.

6. A unique Cossack parliament met three times a year.

7. Some articles protected the rights of towns and limited the taxation of peasants.

8. Ukraine's independence of Russia and Poland wasn’t stipulatedas a precondition.

9. The Ukrainian state had three constitutions in the 20-th century.

10. The Ukrainian constitutions were closely modeled on the Constitution of the USSR.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What was the first constitutional document in Ukrainian history?

2. When was it adopted?

3. Who constituted the overwhelming majority of the Bendery emigration?

4. What was said about the Ukraine's independence of Russia and Poland in the introduction to the constitution?

5. How many constitutions were adopted in the UkSSR?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	The constitution of Bendery is	a	had several constitutions.
	The Ukrainian state that arose in 1917-20	b	a covenant signed in 1710 by P.Orlyk.
	Ukraine's independence of Russia and Poland	c	was the Constitution of Bendery.
	Some other articles protected the rights of towns	d	was stipulatedas a precondition.
	The first constitutional document in Ukrainian history	e	and limited the taxation of poor Cossacks.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 20. THE CONSTITUTION OF UKRAINE

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

On behalf of – від імені, to assure – запевняти, to assert – стверджувати, unitarian – унітарний, the State Anthem – державний гімн, a stripe – смуга, inviolability – недоторканність.

II. Listen to the text:

The Constitution of Ukraine

Governed by the Act of Ukraine’s Independence of August 24, 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on behalf of the Ukrainian people adopted the Constitution — the Fundamental Law on June 28, 1996.

The Constitution established the country’s political system, assures rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, and the basis of its laws. It asserts that Ukraine is a sovereign and independent, democratic, social, legal state. It is a unitarian state with single citizenship.

Ukraine is a republic. The people are the only source of power which is exercised directly and through the bodies of state power and local self-government. The land, mineral raw materials, air space, water and other natural resources which are on the territory of Ukraine are objects of the property right of Ukrainian people.

The state language in Ukraine is Ukrainian. The state symbols of Ukraine are the State Flag, the State Emblem and the State Anthem of Ukraine. The State Flag is a blue and a yellow banner made from two equal horizontal stripes. The main element of the Great State Emblem of Ukraine is the Sign of the State of Prince, Volodymyr the Great. The State Anthem of Ukraine is the national anthem with the music of M. Verbytsky.

The Constitution states that every person has the right to the free development of his / her personality, and has obligations before society where free and full development of the personality is assured. Citizens have equal Constitutional rights and freedoms, and are equal before the law. There are no privileges or restrictions based upon face, colour of skin, political and other beliefs, gender, ethnic and social origin, properly, ownership, position, place of residence, language, religion.

The articles of the Constitution guarantee the rights of life, personal inviolability and the inviolability of dwelling, noninteference in private and family life, free choice of residence, work, rest, education, social security, housing, health protection, medical care and medical insurance, legal assistance, a safe and healthy environment.

Defence of the Motherland, of the independence and teritorial integrity of Ukraine and respect for the state’s symbols are the duty of citizens. Citizens of Ukraine perform military services in compliance with the law. No person may damage the environment, cultural heritage. Every person shall pay taxes and duties in the order and amount determined by law.

The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 chapters, 161 articles. The day of its adoption is a state holiday — the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. The Constitution is the Fundamental Law of Ukraine.

2. The land, mineral raw materials, air space, water and other natural resources belong to Ukrainian people.

3. The State Flag is a blue and a yellow banner made from two equal vertical stripes.

4. The main element of the Great State Emblem of Ukraine is the Sign of Yaroslav the Wise.

5. The Constitution states that every person has the right to the free development of his / her personality, and has obligations before society.

6. Sometimes citizens are not equal before the law according to the Constitution.

7. The articles of the Constitution assure that your personal life is untouchable.

8. Citizens of Ukraine must perform military services according to the Constitution of Ukraine.

9. The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 161chapters.

10. Ukraine doesn’t have the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What are the main functions of the Constitution of Ukraine?

2. What is the only source of power in Ukraine?

3. What are the state symbols of Ukraine?

4. What do the articles of the Constitution guarantee to Ukrainian people?

5. How many chapters does the Constitution of Ukraine have?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	The Constitution states that every person has the right	a	are objects of the property right of Ukrainian people.
	The land, mineral raw materials and other natural resources	b	and through the bodies of state power and local self-government.
	The people are the only source of power which is exercised directly	c	to the free development of his/her personality.
	It asserts that Ukraine is	d	assures rights and duties of citizens.
	The Constitution established the country’s political system,	e	a sovereign and independent, democratic, social, legal state.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 21. NATIONAL SYMBOLS

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

A stripe – смуга, catchy – привабливий, a trident- тризуб, ancient- стародавній, to dignify- вшановувати, to proclaim- проголошувати.

II. Listen to the text:

National Symbols

The national Flag first appeared in 1848. The flag has two stripes: a blue one above a yellow one. The colors are symbolic- yellow for wheat in the fields and blue for the sky above them. The flag became a symbol of the all-Ukrainian unity.

The Ukrainian Anthem is a song called “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished”. Its lyrics were written by Pavlo Chubynskyi and it was published in 1863. The same year it was set to music by Mykhailo Verbytskyi. The catchy melody and patriotic words made this song very popular among Ukrainians. Article 20 in the Constitution of Ukraine of 1996 defines it as the state anthem.

The National Emblem (Coat of Arms) of Ukraine is a trident. It is the most ancient and dignified of all the Ukrainian symbols. Its history goes back to the first century A.D. the classic shape of the Ukrainian trident was found on the coins of Volodymyr the Great, who ruled n the 10^th century. Then, it was a mark of authority, and a symbol of the ethnic groups which made up the Ukrainian nation.

Ukraine has many holiday honouring important events in its history. And, of course, one of the greatest holidays is Independence Day. It is celebrated on 24^th August. The act of Independence of Ukraine was proclaimed on this day in 1991, and a new country appeared on the map of the world.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. The National Flag first appeared in 1848.

2. The flag has three stripes.

3. The colours of the flag are symbolic.

4. The Ukrainian Anthem was published in 1863.

5. Pavlo Chubynskyi wrote lyrics of a song.

6. Mykhailo Verbytskyi set the song to music.

7. Trident is the most ancient Ukrainian symbol.

8. The National Emblem of Ukraine is a trident.

9. The classic shape of the Ukrainian trident was found on the coins of Volodymyr the Great.

10. It was a mark of authority.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What are Ukraine’s symbols?

2. What colours is the Ukrainian flag?

3. What do they stand for?

4. Why was the song called «Ukraine Not Yet Perished» popular among Ukrainians?

5. What is the most ancient and dignified of all the Ukrainian Symbol?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	The act of Independence of Ukraine was proclaimed in 1991,	a	which made up the Ukrainian nation.
	Ukraine has many holiday	b	of the all-Ukrainian unity.
	It was a a symbol of the ethnic groups	c	and a new country appeared on the map of the world.
	The catchy melody and patriotic words	d	honouring important events in its history.
	The flag became a symbol	e	made this song very popular.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 22. WE ARE UKRAINIANS

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

Populous – багатолюдний, to diminish – зменшувати, to spread – поширювати, hospitable – гостинний, generous – щедрий, diversity – різноманітність.

II. Listen to the text:

We are Ukrainians

Ukraine has a population of 47 million people. It is the second most populous country of the former Soviet Union, after Russia. But its population is diminishing due to emigration and low birth rates.

72% of Ukraine’s population are Ukrainians. Other ethnic groups widely spread in Ukraine are: Russians (22%), Belarussians, Polish, Jews, Bulgarians, Hungarians and Tatars (less than 1% each).

More and more people are moving from villages to towns and cities. There are five cities with a population of more than 1 million. These are: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Odessa.

The state language is Ukrainian. It belongs to the Eastern-Slavonic language group. Many people believe that Ukrainian language is very melodious, the second most melodious in the world, after Italian.

Ukrainians are very kind and hospitable. They welcome visitors open-heartedly and treat them warmly and generously.

Because of a diversity of ethnic groups, Ukrainians do not look alike and cannot be stereotyped to one kind of appearance. However, many think that Ukrainian women are very attractive. Ukrainians usually have close-knit families of several generations and like to spend time with their family, dining, walking, playing and going on holidays together.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. Ukrainians make up 90% of Ukrainians population.

2. The Ukrainian language belongs to the Eastern- Slavonic language group.

3. The Italian language is more melodious than Ukrainians.

4. Ukrainian women are not attractive.

5. Ukrainians are very kind and hospitable.

6. Ukrainians look alike.

7. Ukrainians have close-knit families of several generations.

8. There are ten cities with a population of more than 1 million.

9. Ukraine is the third most populous country of former Soviet Union.

10. The population of Ukraine is diminishing due to emigration and low birth rates.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What is a population of Ukraine?

2. What countries border Ukraine?

3. What region do you live in?

4. What is the state language of Ukraine?

5. Does Ukraine have a lot of ethnic groups?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	Ukrainians usually have families	a	from villages to towns and cities.
	Because of a diversity of ethnic groups,	b	the second most melodious in the world.
	Many people believe that Ukrainian language is	c	due to emigration and low birth rates.
	More and more people are moving	d	of several generations.
	The population is diminishing	e	Ukrainians do not look alike.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

TEXT 23. CULTURE OF UKRAINE

I. Read and memorize the following words and word combinations:

To influence – впливати, dominant religion – основна релігія, to decline – зменшуватись, generation – покоління, wax – віск, dye - фарба, rural – сільський, to increase – збільшувати.

II. Listen to the text:

Culture of Ukraine

Ukrainian customs are heavily influenced by Christianity, which is the dominant religion in the country. Gender roles also tend to be more traditional, and grandparents play a greater role in raising children than in the West. The culture of Ukraine has been also influenced by its eastern and western neighbours, which is reflected in its architecture, music and art.

The tradition of the Easter egg, known as pysanky, has long roots in Ukraine. These eggs were drawn on with wax to create a pattern; then, the dye was applied to give the eggs their pleasant colours, the dye did not affect the previously wax-coated parts of the egg. After the entire egg was dyed, the wax was removed leaving only the colourful pattern. This tradition is thousands of years old, and precedes the arrival of Christianity to Ukraine. In the city of Kolomya near the foothills of the Carpathian mountains in 2000 was built the museum of Pysanka which won a nomination as the monument of modern Ukraine in 2007, part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine action.

According to the Constitution, the state language of Ukraine is Ukrainian. Russian is widely spoken, especially in eastern and southern Ukraine. Most native Ukrainian speakers know Russian as a second language. Ukrainian is mainly spoken in western and central Ukraine. In western Ukraine, Ukrainian is also the dominant language in cities. In central Ukraine, Ukrainian and Russian are both equally used in cities, with Russian being more common in Kiev, while Ukrainian is the dominant language in rural communities. In eastern and southern Ukraine, Russian is primarily used in cities.

For a large part of the 20-th century, the number of Ukrainian speakers was declining from generation to generation, and by the mid-1980s, the usage of the Ukrainian language in public life had decreased significantly. Following independence, the government of Ukraine began following a policy of Ukrainization, to increase the use of Ukrainian.

III. Agree or disagree with the statements:

1. Ukrainian customs are influenced by Islam, which is the dominant religion in the country.

2. The culture of Ukraine has been influenced by its eastern and western neighbours.

3. The tradition of the Easter egg is quite young in Ukraine.

4. The tradition of the Easter egg precedes the arrival of Christianity to Ukraine.

5. The museum of Pysanka in Kyiv won a nomination as the monument of modern Ukraine in 2007 and is a part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine action.

6. According to the Constitution, the state languages of Ukraine are Ukrainian and Russian.

7. Most native Ukrainian speakers know Russian as a second language.

8. Ukrainian is the dominant language in cities, while Russian is the dominant language in rural communities.

9. In the 20-th century, the number of Ukrainian speakers was declining from generation to generation.

10. The government of independent Ukraine began following a policy of Ukrainization, to increase the use of Ukrainian.

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What are the Ukrainian customs influenced by?

2. Was the culture of Ukraine influenced by its eastern and western neighbours?

3. Does the tradition of the Easter egg do back to thousands of years ago?

4. What are the most spoken languages in modern Ukraine?

5. What is the Ukrainian government language policy?

V. Match the first part of the sentence (1-5) with the second one (a-e).

	The number of Ukrainian speakers	a	has long roots in Ukraine.
	The tradition of the Easter egg	b	the dominant religion in the country.
	The culture of Ukraine has been influenced	c	was declining from generation to generation.
	Grandparents play a greater role	d	by its eastern and western neighbours.
	Ukrainian customs are influenced by Christianity,	e	in raising children than in the West.

VI. Make up a plan of the text.

VII. Retell the text in a written form (in English or Ukrainian).

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