ENGLISH NEWS

Part 2

Unit 6

Nature And Ecology

Lexical Database

“Monkey Phrases”

monkey business = fishy things (afaceri necurate)not to give a monkey’s = a nu-ţi păsa câtuşi de puţinto make a monkey of smb. = to make a fool of smb.to have a monky on one’s back = to be on drugs

Catching Fish / Animals

to fish = to catch fish professionally or for fun. to angle = to catch fish for fun only. to poach = to catch fish or hunt animals illegally. (Rom. = a bracona)

„Woodwork:

to fell (-ed, -ed) trees = a doborî arboritrunk = the lower part of a tree (Rom. “trunchi”) stump = the part of a tree trunk that has been left attached to the roots after the tree has been felled. (Rom. “ciot, cioată”)log = detached trunk of a tree (Rom. “buştean”)

Causes Of Environment Destruction And Effects

CFS = Freon (gaz inert folosit odinioară la sistemele de răcire şi în spray-uri)deforestation = massive destruction of woodssoil erosion = eroziunea soluluiozone layer depletion = distrugerea stratului de ozonfossil fuel = combustibili fosili (petrol, gas, coal)greenhouse effect = efectul de seră

“Garbage Vocabulary”

scrap heap = haldă de fier vechihousehold waste = deşeuri menajererubbish bin = găleată de gunoihazardous = riscantto discard, to dispose of = a arunca, a se descotorosi de, leak = scurgere

Solutions

a green product = vegetables or fruit that are not chemically treatedrecyclable waste = waste that can be reusedozone-friendly = not damaging the ozone layerdisposable by-products = secondary products that can be safely disposed offrefuse sorting out = collecting similar types of waste separatelybottle bank = container for sorting out waste glassreturnable packaging = reusable packaging (glass bottles, jars, stc.) a green law = law meant to protect the environmentnature reserve = protected area, law-protected ecosystem

“Green Idiomatic Phrases”

greens = fruit and vegetablesa greenback = a dollar billa greenhorn = a fresher, a beginnerto be green = to be a naïve or a noviceto have green thumbs/fingers = to be a good gardenerthe greening of a business = to acquire ecological awareness

Gramar

The Possessive Case (The Saxon Genitive)

Romanian: Possessed object + Possessor English: Possessor + Possessed object

General rule: Noun in the singular + ‘s E.g. my son’s shirt

Exception: for goodness’ sake; for convenience’s sake Noun in the plural (ending in -s) + ‘

E.g. my sons’ shirts

Special cases: � Compounds get the ‘s at the very end. E.g. mother-in-law’s smile; Lord Chancellor’s wish

� Possessors of the same object, connected by and get the ‘s after the latter. E.g. Tom and Jerry’s never ending fights

The uses of the Possessive Case

A. Names of persons and animals E.g. father’s tie; the cat’s pawB. Units of measurement E.g. an hour’s talk; two miles’ walk

But also: a two-hour talk; a five-mile walk; C. Common nouns + sake E.g. for mercy’s sake; for peace’s sakeD. Abstract nouns E.g. Love’s Labour’s Lost; truth’s victoryE. Natural elements E.g. the ocean’s roar; the wind’s whipF. Short names of countries E.g. Britain’s colours, Romania’s borderG. Names of cities, regions, rivers E.g. the Danube’s courseH. Inanimates seeming to have a life of their own E.g. my car’s lights

I. Set phrases E.g. at one’s finger’s ends; her heart’s desire; at one’s wit’s end; a needle’s eye; a pin’s head

The Prepositional Genitive

THE FORMthe + Possessed object + of + the + Possessor USAGE

Normally with neuter nouns (inanimates)

Geographical nouns + proper names E.g. the city of Cairo, the village of Humulesti

Replacement of the Saxon Genitive by the Prepositional one

a) In titles, written English, or formal speech E.g. the works of Keats; the rights of man;

b) With Adjectives used as Nouns E.g. the conditions of the poor; the energy of the youngc) When the name of the possessor has a long determinant E.g. the name of the girl in the house opposite

d) When the name of the possessed object is preceded by a Demonstrative or an Indefinite Article E.g. Those clothes of the girls; a friend of my uncle David

e) In order to form a double Genitive E.g. a cousin of my friend’s; a friend of my wife’s

Never a Prepositional Genitive with:a) Nouns like: Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt, Grannie, etc

Exc.: When the noun is preceded by a Possessive Adjective E.g. Father’s office but the office of my Father

b) Proper names of towns, squares, institutions, shopsE.g. St. James’s Square; Lincoln’s Inn Fields

c) When the Noun is followed by a GerundE.g. Mary’s coming was a real surprise for us.

The Dative Case

A. Without a preposition when immediately following the verbE.g. Give Jane my regards.

B. Preceded by to 1. When following the Direct ObjectE.g. Give my regards to Jane. 2. when it starts the sentence

E.g. To Jane you should give my regards, not to James ! 3. When there is no Direct ObjectE.g. I spoke to Jane.

4. After Adjectives, Nouns and PronounsE.g. He is cruel to animals. It is a duty to my children. What is she to your brother ?

Unit 7

The Media

Lexical Database

The Written Press

daily = cotidianweekly = săptămânalmonthly = revistă cu apariţie lunarăquarterly = revistă cu apariţie trimestrialăbroadsheet = ziar seriostabloid = tabloid, publicaţie de scandal

Press Slang (argoul presei)

gutter press = scandal press (“gutter” = canal)motoring press = automagazinesclassified ads = announcementsagony column =romantic adsgossip column = the mundane newsobituaries = column with the deceased persons

The Layout (macheta)

front page = prima paginăheadlines = titlurile principaleleader = editorialsections = rubrici

People Involved

editor = redactorsubscriber = abonat (to subscribe = a te abona)

Radio Acronyms

FM = Frequency modulationAM = Amplitude modulationSW = Short WavesMW = Medium WavesLW = Long Waves

Radio Terminology

announcer = prezentator la radioto broadcast, broadcast, broadcast = a emite to be on air = a fi în direct la radioto be off air = a se fi încheiat transmisiato pick up a station = a prinde un post de radio

Television Terminology

dish = antenă parabolicăaerial = antenă obişnuităviewer = telespectatortoll channel / pay-per-view = canal codificat, plătit separatto zap = a trece rapid de la un canal la altul

TV Shows

news bulletin = ştirisoap opera = telenovelăcommercial = reclamăquiz show = emisiune-concurs de cultură generalătalk show = emisiune-dezbatereweather forecast = bulletin meteo

Computer Slang

computerese = IT jargona sillionnaire = a billionaire in IT businessnetiquette = etiquette to be used on the Neteye candy = attractive sites/files of no usecyberholiccyberholic = net addicted person = net addicted personclick-and-mortar click-and-mortar = company doing business on the Net

GRAMMARGRAMMAR

The Qualifying AdjectivesThe Qualifying Adjectives

Negative prefixesNegative prefixes

un pleasantun pleasant irrational irrational non-ediblenon-edibledishonestdishonest displeaseddispleased unwiseunwiseillegitimateillegitimate illiterateilliterate disagreeabledisagreeable

The degrees of Comparison

PositiveComparative Superlative

Of equality

Of inferiority

Of superiority relative absolute

short

as+

Adj.+as

notas+

Adj.+as

shorter the shortest

very/highly/deeply+ Adj.

old older / elder the oldest/eldest

far farther / furtherthe farthest

beautiful more beautiful the most beautiful

much/many more the most

good/well better the best

bad/ill worse the worst

little less the least

  lesser !  

Special Cases1. THE SUPERLATIVE = COMPARATIVEwhen two elements are being comparedE.g. I have two apples; take the bigger one. I have three apples; take the biggest one.2. THE COMPARISON OF COMPOUND ADJECTIVES

1. The Adjective that keeps its meaning gets the ComparativeE.g. You may be well-paid, but surely he is better-paid.

2. When the elements of the compound lose their primary meaning, the Analytical Comparative is usedE.g Really, this idea is more far-fetched than I could have imagined ! 3. THE COMPARISON OF THE COMPARISONE.g. This example is much better / by far worse / way too difficult.

The Order of Adjectives

Det. Quality Size Shape Age Color Origin MaterialComp. elem.

Noun

a few

best long square oldred and black

Chinese silk evening- dress

the beautiful big round young white Venetian wooden cooking- apples

a lot of

slender little oval18th

centurycream-colored

Roman stone hallway- carpet

his luxurious thin irregular recent grayish English velvet G.P. nurse

Idioms

A. Rom. = cu cat mai... cu atat mai... THE + COMPARATIVE 1 + THE + COMPARATIVE 2

E.g. The sooner he comes the better it is for him (but also) The sooner, the better.

B. Rom. = din ce in ce mai...

COMPARATIVE + AND + COMPARATIVE (of short Adjective) or MORE + AND + MORE + long Adjective Eg. He is getting wiser and wiser and she is turning more and more beautiful.

Unit 8

Communications

Lexical Database

Letter writing

envelope = plicsender = expeditoraddressee / recipient = destinatarstamp = timbrupost mark = ştampila poşteimailbox = cutie poştală (US)pillarbox = cutie poştală (GB)letter box = cutia de scrisori (de acasă)mailman= poştaş (US)postman = poştaş (GB)

Making phone calls

to pick up the receiver = a ridica receptorulring tone = ton de apelto dial a number = a forma un numărto hang up = a pune receptorul în furcămouthpiece = microfonul receptoruluiearpiece = casca receptoruluiengaged number = număr ocupat (GB)busy number = număr ocupat (US)to be through = a avea legăturato look up = a căuta o informaţie scrisă (ex. un număr în cartea de telefon)directory = phone book = carte de telefon

Computer terminology

work station / terminal = staţie (într-o reţea de calculatoare)storage (of data) = a stoca (informaţii)

retrieval (of data) = extragere de informaţiidebugging = repararea unui program cu eroridatabase = bază de dateto browse = a răsfoi / a căuta fişiere, foldere sau site-uriwebmaster = administrator de site sau de reţeanet surfer = persoană care “navighează” pe Netinternet provider = firmă care oferă servicii de Internetsearch engine = motor de căutare (aplicaţie care facilitează găsirea adreselor dorite de pe Net)homepage = prima pagină a oricărui sitecyberspace = totalitatea informaţiilor accesabile pe Net

Communication jargon

journalese = jargonul presei scrisesitcom = serial umoristic TV (< situation comedy)on the record = din surse oficialeoff the record = din surse neoficialenewsworthy = caracteristica unei ştiri de a fi de larg interesit’s yesterday’s news = informaţie învechită

Gramar

o The Indefinite Adjectives

1. 1. FEW FEW A FEW A FEW + + Countable NounsCountable Nouns LITTLE LITTLE A LITTLE A LITTLE + + Uncountable NounsUncountable Nouns NegativeNegative PositivePositive

meaningmeaning meaningmeaningE.g. E.g. I have few friends there ( = not many). I have few friends there ( = not many). I have a few friends there ( = some). I have a few friends there ( = some). I have little money on me ( = I cannot buy almost anything).I have little money on me ( = I cannot buy almost anything). I have a little money on me ( = I could do some shopping). I have a little money on me ( = I could do some shopping).

2. THE FORMER / THE LATTER = the first / second out of 2. THE FORMER / THE LATTER = the first / second out of twotwoE.g. E.g. John and Mary are here; the former ( = John) is my brother, the latter ( = Mary) is his John and Mary are here; the former ( = John) is my brother, the latter ( = Mary) is his wife.wife.

3. THE LAST / THE LATEST = the final / the most recent3. THE LAST / THE LATEST = the final / the most recentE.g. E.g. This is the latest news about Versace’s last fashion show.This is the latest news about Versace’s last fashion show.

EACH refers to the elements taken separately. E.g. Each guest was offered a flower.

EVERY refers to the elements taken as a whole. E.g. Every guest had a good time I hope. ( = all the guests)

both E.g. There were trees on either side of the street.

EITHER = whichever (of the two)

E.g. I have two new books; take either of them.

Unit 9

Transport

Lexical Database

Means of transport (Sg. = Pl. !!!)

ground transport = transport de suprafaţăunderground transport = metroair transport = transport aerianwater transport = transport pe apărail transport = transport pe şine

The infrastructure

a trunk road = şosea principalăa by-road = şosea secundarăa ring road = şosea de centurăa crossroads = o intersecţiea T-junction = o joncţiune de drumuri (în formă de T)

Elements of the infrastructure

road lanes = benzi de circulaţieroad shoulder = acostamentroad / traffic signs = semen de circulaţieroad guard / barier = balustradă la marginea drumului

Vehicles

vintage car = maşină de epocăshuttle = 1. suveică; 2. navetătanker = cisternă, tank petrolierlorry = camion (GB)

Parts of a car

windshield / windscreen = parbrizbonnet / hood = capota motoruluiheadlights = farurinumber plate = numărbody / coachwork = caroserierear view mirror = oglindă retrovizoareboot(GB) / trunk (US) = portbagaj

blinkers = semnalizatoare de direcţieexhaust pipe = ţeavă de eşapament

The inside of a car

steering wheel = volanspeedometer = vitezometrudashboard = bordgearshift lever / shifter = schimbător de vitezeaccelerator = pedala de acceleraţie(hand) brake = frână (de mână)clutch = ambreiaj

People involved

engineer = mecanic de locomotivă (< engine = motor)pilot / captain = pilot captain / skipper = căpitan de vasflight attendants / cabin crew (m. stewart; f. stewardess) = însoţitori de bord (steward, stewardesă)

Idiomatic phrases

to paddle one’s canoe = a reuşi de unul singurto rock the boat = a face valuri (fig.)to be all at sea = a fi în necaz, a avea problemean armchair traveler = amator de documentare de călătorieto have one for the road = a bea un ultimo pahar înainte de a plecaa road hog = un şofer agresiv şi necivilizat

Gramar

o Pronouns

The beginners’ first stop

No. Person GenderPERSONAL POSSESSIVE REFLEXIVE /

EMPHATICNominativeDat. – Ac. Adj. Pron.

SINGULAR

I m/f I me my mine myself

II m/f you you your yours yourself

III m he him his his himself

III f she her her hers herself

III n it it its its itself

PLURAL

I m/f we us our ours ourselves

II m/f you you your yours yourselves

III m/f they them their theirs themselves

The Interrogative Pronouns

WHO - the Nominative form, used for persons only.WHOSE - the Genitive form, used for both persons and objects.WHOM - the Accusative form, used for persons only. TO WHOM - the Dative form, used for persons only.WHICH - the Accusative form used to express choice.WHAT - not used for persons, except when it is an Adjective.

The Compound Relative Pronouns

WHOEVER - Nominative form, used for persons only. WHOSEVER - Genitive form, used for persons only. WHOMEVER - Objective form, used for persons only. WHICHEVER- both for persons and inanimates, choice implied WHATEVER - used for inanimates only. WHEREVER = Rom. oriunde WHENEVER = Rom. oricand

• when the action that follows is uncertain, the Subjunctive is used E.g. Whoever may come is welcomed here. Wherever you might go, you won’t find a better place. but: Bring him here, whenever he comes. ( = as soon as)

Unit 10

Business And Trade

Lexical Database

Capitalist economy terms

free market = piaţă liberăfree enterprise = iniţiativă liberăfree trade = comerţ liberprivatization = privatizare nationalization = naţionalizareliberalism = economie liberă interventionism = intervenţionismprivate sector = sectorul privat state-run economy = economie de statdomestic / home market = piaţa internă world / global market = piaţa mondială

Economic evolutions

growth = creşterestagnation = stagnarerecession = recesiunerecovery = revenireeconomical boom = economical boost = dezvoltare economică spectaculoasăto be at a standstill = a fi în crizăto be in the doldrums = a fi în pragul colapsului

The money

cash = bani gheaţăbill (US) = bancnotă, notă de platăbill (GB) = notă de platăplastic money = cardchange = mărunţiş, resthard currency = valută forte

American coins

a nickel = 1 centa copper = 5 centsa dime = 10 centsa quarter = 25 centsa half dollar = 50 centsa silver dollar = 1 $ coin

The Stock Exchange (Bursa)

quotations = cotaţii (preţuri)shareholder = acţionar (share = acţiune)falling market = curs descendent al pieţei de capitalgolden boy = broker de mare succes

closing price = preţul la închiderea şedinţei bursieredabbler in stock = broker nepriceput (ageamiu)

Banking

to open an account = a-şi deschide un contsavings = economiia loan = un împrumut bancarmortgage = ipotecăoverdraft = depăşire a plafonului de împrumut al carduluia blank cheque = cec în alba cheque to bearer = cec la purtătora rubber cheque = (collocvial) cec fără acoperirea traveler’s cheque = cec de călătoriea cheque book = un carnet de cecuri

Companies

a limited company (LTD) = companie cu răspundere limitată (SRL)a trust = un trust / cartela branch = o filialăa department = un department, o secţie, un serviciua subsidiary = o sucursalăthe main office / head office = sediul social

The Personnel

accountant = contabilboard of directors = consiliul de administraţiesales manager = director de vânzăridownsizing = restrângere de activitate

Idiomatic phrases

a money spinner = un tip care ştie să scoată bani din piatră seacăto pay smb. hush money = a cumpăra tăcerea cuivaa golden handshake = o primire în firmă în condiţii materiale f. avantajoasea golden parachute = o sumă substanţială oferită ca bonus la pensionareto spend a penny = a merge la un WC publicto kill the golden goose = a pierde o susrsă importantă de venituri

Gramar

o Numerals

The beginners’ first stop

THE CARDINAL AND ORDINAL NUMERALS1 one the first 2 two the second 20 twenty the twentieth 3 three the third 13 thirteen the thirteenth 30 thirty the thirtieth 4 four the fourth 14 fourteen the fourteenth 40 forty the fortieth 5 five the fifth 15 fifteen the fifteenth 50 fifty the fiftieth 6 six the sixth 16 sixteen the sixteenth 60 sixty the sixtieth 7 seven the seventh 17 seventeen the seventeenth 70 seventy the seventieth 8 eight the eighth 18 eighteen the eighteenth 80 eighty the eightieth 9 nine the ninth 19 nineteen the nineteenth 90 ninety the ninetieth 10 ten the tenth 11 eleven the eleventh 12 twelve the twelfth

100 one hundred 1,000 one thousand 1,000,000 one million

21 twenty-one the twenty-first 26 twenty-six the twenty-sixth 22 twenty-two the twenty-second 27 twenty-seven the twenty-seventh 23 twenty-three the twenty-third 28 twenty-eight the twenty-eighth 24 twenty-four the twenty-fourth 29 twenty-nine the twenty-ninth 25 twenty-five the twenty-fifth

234 two hundred and thirty-four the four hundred and thirty-fourth

THE FRACTIONAL NUMERAL

1 ONE HALF 1 ONE THIRD 1 ONE QUARTER 2 3 4

GENERAL RULE: A = CARDINAL NUMERAL B = ORDINAL NUMERAL( + concord )E.g. 3 = three fifths 4 = four ninths 5 9

THE DECIMAL NUMERAL

0.75 - is read: zero point seventy-five (= Rom. 0,75) 3.14 - is read: three point fourteen (= Rom. 3,14) Whereas: 3,265,884 - is read: three million two hundred and sixty-five thousand eight

hundred and eighty-four

More simply: The point and the comma have reversed functions in English as compared to Romanian