Resources and economy

I. Memorize the following words and word combinations:

abundant – изобилующий

a deposit – залежи; запасы

supplies (в форме мн.ч.) – запасы (сырья и материалов)

boundless – безграничный, беспредельный

exceedingly challenging – чрезвычайно сложная задача

remote – отдаленный, удаленный

difficult to access – труднодоступный

vehicle – перевозочное средство

consumer durables – потребительские товары длительного пользования

chemicals – химикаты

a marginal role – зд. второстепенная роль

production facilities – 1) производственное оборудование;

2) производственные мощности

consumer products = consumer goods

to extract – зд. добывать

to process – зд. перерабатывать

staple goods – основная продукция; основные товары

grains – зерно; хлебные злаки

II. Practice reading the international words. Translate them into Russian.

Natural, resources, gas, minerals, products, strategic, exploitation, industrialized,

industry, type, chemicals, medical, traditionally, economy, energy, hydroelectric, electricity, to import – import, to export – export, citrus, tobacco.

III. Read and translate the text.

Russia has abundant natural resources, including the world’s largest oil and gas deposits, supplies of rare and strategic minerals, gold, and boundless forest products. However, exploitation of these resources is exceedingly challenging, as much of the terrain is covered in permafrost and many deposits are located in remote areas, making them difficult to access.

Russia is a highly industrialized state, producing all types of equipment: construction and transportation vehicles, consumer durables, chemicals, computers, medical and scientific equipment, aircraft and spacecraft, and ships. Consumer goods have traditionally held a marginal role in the economy, but many defense production facilities have the capability and have been converted to produce much needed consumer products. The energy industry produces nuclear, hydroelectric and coal-fired electricity, and extracts and processes oil and natural gas.

Despite poor growing conditions due to soil and climate, Russia can produce nearly enough staple goods, such as grains, fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, and other animal products, to support itself and many of the other republics of the former Soviet Union. However, it must import warm-weather foods, such as citrus fruits and tobacco, as there is no growing area with a long enough season to grow these.