Is countryside one word or two - Word и Excel - помощь в работе с программами

sanne78

Is there a difference between these two words?

Countryside

is used to describe the landscape?
The Cotswolds countryside is beautiful. ?

Country

is used to describe rural areas (our of town)?
He lives in the country.

Would you say: This weekend I’m going to the coutry.
or This weekend I’m going to the countryside. ?

and

We have a holiday home in the country / countryside. ??

Thanks for you help.

Hi,

This weekend I am going to the country. Not countryside.

We have a holiday home in the country. I think I have heard countryside before but it is very rare, the more common choice would be country.

Your two definitions are correct. It is hard to state any rules when to use country and countryside, basiclally we just learn it by usage. But the two examples you gave are 100% correct.

Last edited: Dec 19, 2010

sanne78

Thank you for you answer.

Could there be a difference between British and American English?
I have the impression that «countryside» is quite common in Britain…

Andygc

I have the impression that «countryside» is quite common in Britain…

Indeed. The COD definition does nicely:

countryside
noun the land and scenery of a rural area.

You have a holiday home in the country where you go to enjoy the countryside.

You have a holiday home in the country where you go to enjoy the countryside.

We say that in American English, too. «Countryside» is not at all rare in AE. On the other hand, in BE would you say «we have a home in the countryside»? That would not be the usual usage in AE. We generally confine the use of «countryside» to mean the things, especially scenery and nature, that ones finds in the country. It is similar to, but not synonymous with, landscape.

I can imagine circumstances where we might use «countryside» as a physical location. For example:

There was a little cottage, buried deep in the countryside …

But even then, you would be using «countryside» in the sense of the things that occupy the landscape — the cottage is buried amidst the trees, fields, etc., that make up the countryside.

When we talk about a location away from urban and suburban areas, we say «the country.»

Andygc

On the other hand, in BE would you say «we have a home in the country~~side~~«?

There was a little cottage, buried deep in the country~~side~~ …

For me, the first of those definitely does not work. I’m equivocal about the second. I suppose there are occasions where deep in the countryside might just get by.

sanne78

If you google «home in the countryside» or «go to the countryside», you’ll get plenty of hits:
examples:

«…every child must change some urban habits in order to feel at home in the countryside.»

«…

Millions of City folk dream of owning a second home in the countryside»

«Loving this modern open concept home in the countryside outside of New York…»

«It is very essential for intellectual young people to go to the countryside»

«Another thing that you might also find interesting is to go to the countryside for a weekend»

«When the main reason that you go to the countryside is to go walking…»

In these cases would you prefer «country» instead of «countryside»?

Andygc

«…every child must change some urban habits in order to feel at home in the countryside.» Just about acceptable, but I would say country

«… Millions of City folk dream of owning a second home in the countryside» Not for me

«Loving this modern open concept home in the countryside outside of New York…» Possible — countryside is not so much a place as a descriptor of the home. That is — it is {a home in the countryside} {outside of New York} not {a home} {in the countryside outside of New York}

«It is very essential for intellectual young people to go to the countryside» Wrong, as is very essential. There is no degree of essentialness, and you cannot go to the countryside, it’s what you see when you go to the country.

«Another thing that you might also find interesting is to go to the countryside for a weekend» Again, the countryside is not, of itself, a place you can go to.

«When the main reason that you go to the countryside is to go walking…» Ditto

Google is a reliable source of non-standard and ungrammatical English. My view of the above is as marked. It is, of course, only one man’s opinion.

The BNC gives

in the countryside 525 hits in 251 texts
in the country 2834 hits in 1201 texts

to the countryside 158 hits in 97 texts
to the country 413 hits in 297 texts

so it is certainly used in British English. Looking at the in the countryside hits there are certainly some where I would use country. There are several examples of to the countryside where I would use it, such as «bring change to the countryside» or «drive to the countryside of the National Parks»

Of course some of those hits use country to mean a nation state, not the rural environment.

you cannot go to the countryside, it’s what you see when you go to the country.

Well put, Andygc. For what it’s worth, the distinction is the same in AE; I don’t think there’s any difference in the use of these two words between BE and AE.

HSS

Senior Member

I understand now that the word ‘countryside’ is used with focus on its landscape, which is characteristic of the location, maybe idyllic, maybe with cornfields.

You would only say ‘I went to the country over the weekend.’ What if you look more into the vast land, for example, by saying ‘I coasted through the city. After about thirty minutes, our car went into a beautiful countryside with apple trees here and there’?

Also, you would say ‘I lived in the country when I was a kid,’ but how about ‘I used to live right in the idyllic, rolling countryside‘?

Hiro

Yes, that sounds OK for me.
I think ‘somewhereSIDE’ carries confining sense, letting something that is taking place there sound as though it is restricted to/typical of a particular area of concern, as in Westside Story.

Last edited: Sep 19, 2012

Andygc

our car went into a beautiful countryside with apple trees here and there’?

That would have to be … into beautiful countryside .. with no article.

how about ‘I used to live right in the idyllic, rolling countryside‘?

Yes, that works and you do need the definite article here. There’s something not quite natural about it, but it is not wrong.

HSS

Senior Member

Two of my friends, one in the U.K. and the other in Australia, say they would definitely say ‘I went to the countryside yesterday.’

I am now confused. You wouldn’t say ‘go to the countryside,’ or you would say it? :confused:

I would say the countryside, but almost certainly not a countryside. In theory, there ought to be a few instances where a countryside is OK, but countryside normally takes the definite article. I know this doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way it strikes me.

I work for an organization that represents farmers, and we still refer to the countryside a lot — probably more than the average person. But I’m nonetheless going to disagree with post #2 and say that countryside is used more frequently in AmE than that poster seems to be indicating. Normally, as others have stated, the countryside is used to emphasize the scenery and landscape. But at least in AmE, it is also sometimes used as a kind of shorthand to refer to «the people of rural America.» For example, we staff members will discuss an issue, and sometimes we’ll ask people who work out of the central office what the opinion is «out in the countryside.» Politicians use this term the same way sometimes, too.

Last edited: Sep 21, 2012

ribran

I wouldn’t use «countryside» as a location unless I actually gave some information about where it was:

their house in the Virginia countryside
their house in the Virginia country

But I’m just one person.

EDIT: I think that may have been what Andy was getting at in post #8.

Last edited: Sep 21, 2012

HSS

Senior Member

I would say the countryside, but almost certainly not a countryside. In theory, there ought to be a few instances where a countryside is OK, but countryside normally takes the definite article.

Maybe, that’s because ‘countryside’ and a ‘country’ in the sense of a rural area are something that is normally inevitably (perceived to be) attached to, or located as an extension to, a city, as in ‘the beach,’ which is perceived as something that comes along with where you are.

I wouldn’t use «countryside» as a location unless I actually gave some information about where it was:

their house in the Virginia countryside
their house in the Virginia country

But I’m just one person.

EDIT: I think that may have been what Andy was getting at in post #8.

It seems as though the usage of ‘countryside’ is limited, but it’s not necessarily zilch as a location if you feel it as an expanse.

Go to the countryside: these two friends of mine voted for this sentence with one bringing up an example of ‘seaside.’

Last edited: Sep 21, 2012

Andygc

Go to the countryside: these two friends of mine voted for this sentence with one bringing up an example of ‘seaside.’

I suspect there are plenty of people who will disagree with them — several of whom have posted in this thread. Seaside is a completely different word from countryside since the seaside is a clearly identifiable place — it’s the bit of land that runs along the side of the sea. Countryside lacks that specificity — it isn’t the bit of land on the side of the country.

This realm is chaotic and violent. The roads and rivers are unsafe. Justice is uncertain. Bribery and corruption are commonplace. People’s darkest fears are real: awful dragons ravage the countryside, strange creatures infest underground mines (Darklands’ manual)

This is taken from an old computer game’s manual. In light of your explanations, I take it that «ravage the countryside» means «destroy things that occupies the rural landscape, leaving the whole place in ruins. What do you make of » awful dragons ravage the country»? Does it mean a complete destruction of the location? Does it make sense to you?

«Dragons ravage the countryside» and «Dragons ravage the country» are both possible — but they don’t mean the same thing, at least not to me. As you suggest, Redgiant, countryside would refer to the fields, the livestock, the farmhouses, perhaps the villages, and many of the people who inhabit that area — in this case, whoever got in the way of the dragons. Country would mean, well, the entire country — England or Narnia or Darklands or whatever country is applicable.

Last edited: Sep 21, 2012

HSS

Senior Member

I’ve been thinking so hard to decide my sentence is idiomatic according to all the above discussion.

(I’m trying to say although Tokyo is a huge city, you’ll find attractive nature once you step out of the center of the city)
[1] The countryside of Tokyo is rather scenic. :tick:
[2] The country of Tokyo is rather scenic. :cross:
What do you think?

Your choice is right, though I’m not sure why ‘country of’ sounds so wrong*. ‘Countryside around’ and ‘country around’ sound equally good.

* Perhaps because it too much suggests a nation: the country of Luxembourg, as opposed to the city of Luxembourg.

Andygc

I don’t think you can talk of «the countryside of Tokyo». It’s a city, so it doesn’t have any countryside. It has a «cityscape». I agree that both words (country/countryside) work with «around».

HSS

Senior Member

Your choice is right, though I’m not sure why ‘country of’ sounds so wrong*. ‘Countryside around’ and ‘country around’ sound equally good.

* Perhaps because it too much suggests a nation: the country of Luxembourg, as opposed to the city of Luxembourg.

I don’t think you can talk of «the countryside of Tokyo». It’s a city, so it doesn’t have any countryside. It has a «cityscape». I agree that both words (country/countryside) work with «around».

Then, perhaps, the interpretations would be like this?
[1] The countryside around Tokyo is rather scenic. [looking more into the elements of the scenery]
[2] The country around Tokyo is rather scenic. [looking at the overall view of the area]

HSS

Senior Member

Further to my last message, I’ve just started wondering if maybe I needed to drop ‘the’ from both sentences if these were used as an introductory sentence?

Any and all your input would be highly welcome.

Hiro

Cagey

post mod (English Only / Latin)

Yes, both your sentences are fine.
Don’t omit ‘the’.

HSS

Senior Member

Hi, Cagey.

Okay, I need the there. I bet that’s because they are the country/ countryside that are around Tokyo, surrounding a specific city.

zaffy

So which word fits better in this context? Or does either work here? If so, would one imply anything more than the other?

Would you prefer to spend a weekend at the seaside or in the country/countryside?

In American English, I would expect the question to be
Would you prefer to spend a weekend at the shore/by the ocean or in the country?
As someone who has lived in the northeast of the US for much of my life, I would expect «at the shore’ to be more common in reference to the so-called «Jersey shore» (the coast of New Jersey) than to other coastal areas.

The phrase ‘in the countryside’ evokes scenes in 19th-century landscape paintings.

zaffy

Thanks a lot, Roxxannne. Could a BE speaker share their thoughts about #27 too?

DonnyB

Thanks a lot, Roxxannne. Could a BE speaker share their thoughts about #27 too?

I would say «in the country» as a comparison with «at the seaside».

I’m with those in this thread who have said the word countryside is associated with scenery and landscape.

Would you prefer to spend a weekend at the seaside or in the country/countryside?

‘Country’ is the correct response in BE. ‘Countryside’ is whatever is in the country.

zaffy

So these two work but imply something different, right? The former suggests beautiful scenery (perhaps a lake, woods) and the latter a nice location in some village, right?

A: How was your weekend?
B: Oh, great. Ashley and I had a fantasitic time in the countryside.
B: Oh, great. Ashley and I had a fantasitic time in the country.

It’s country as opposed to beach, mountains, or towns. ‘Countryside’ means what the country is like in that area. It might be beautiful or it might be boring, or even ugly, if it’s covered in pig farms for example, or, back in the old days, when the countryside was ruined by industry like coal ming or mills.

zaffy

It’s country as opposed to beach, mountains, or towns. ‘Countryside’ means what the country is like in that area.

So this example Ashley and I had a fantasitic time in the countryside doesn’t make sense right?

I’d say ‘in the country’. «I’m so glad we chose to spend the weekend in the country. We stayed in a marvellous B&B near the Roman Wall in Northumberland, which has fantastic countryside, with something for everybody».

zaffy

And do you like this Longman example? «People who live in the countryside».
I’m confused, to be honest. How can people live in a landscape? Shouldn’t it read «People who live in the country»?

More black and white distinctions being sought! You use «should» more often than necessary
I prefer to live in the country rather than in a city. Country as opposed to town/city. Countryside unlikely to beb used for this.
I enjoy the area around my cottage — there are many woods/forests, ( :eek: another old thread, I think) hiking trails and footpaths where I can enjoy the countryside. Countryside as scenery/landscape/outdoor environment/nature. Not contrasted with city. Country can be used for this.

zaffy

…where I can enjoy the countryside. Countryside as scenery/landscape/outdoor environment/nature. Not contrasted with city.

That strenghtens my belief that the Longman example sounds off.

It is not true that there is always agreement that in one context 100% of English speakers will use one word and in another context, 0% of people will use it. The Longman’s example will sound just fine to some people.

zaffy

And how about these two? Do they both work?

I miss the fresh air of the country from my childhood.
I miss the fresh air of the countryside from my childhood.

kentix

My thoughts:

~~I miss the fresh air of the country from my childhood.~~
I miss the fresh country air from my childhood.
I miss the fresh air we had out in the country in my childhood.
I miss the fresh air of the countryside from my childhood.

The Longman example does sound a bit off to me.

zaffy

With the same meaning? Does either imply anythnig more than the other?

The country is a place that you can find on a map.
The countryside is the green stuff you see all round you when you’re in the country.

zaffy

The country is a place that you can find on a map.

So how does it differ from a village? I thought village was a place on a map too?

ewie

Would you prefer to spend a weekend at the seaside or in the country/countryside?

For me that would be … by the sea or in the country?
____________________________________________________________
That Longman example is off to me too.
_______________________________________________
A village is (generally) a place in the country, (generally) surrounded by countryside.

zaffy

For me that would be … by the sea or in the country?

I see, only because it matches the «by the sea» contrast, right? Otherwise, it would sound fine, right?

Would you like to spend a weekend in the countryside?

So how does it differ from a village? I thought village was a place on a map too?

There are lots of places that you can find on maps, and the country is one of them. (It may have villages in it.)

Now, it probably won’t be labelled «Country» but it might have titles like open space, unbuilt land, agricultural land, forest and woodland… But it’s a geographical concept all the same.

I’ve just typed Krakow map into Google. The country is the green part; the city/town is in grey.

zaffy

There are lots of places that you can find on maps, and the country is one of them. (It may have villages in it.)

You might wonder why non-natives ask, but we have one word for «village» and «country». I guess we have a word for «countryside», that is, we say «rural landscape». Would you agree that is a good equivalent?

ewie

I see, only because it matches the «by the sea» contrast, right? Otherwise, it would sound fine, right?

Would you like to spend a weekend in the countryside?

No, it sounds weird.

(Maybe I’m alone in distinguishing between by the sea …

and at the seaside

)

Источник

В английском существует невообразимое количество слов, вызывающих замешательство у иностранцев. Вспомните хотя бы русское слово — деревня. Казалось бы, наипростейший термин, а что самое важное – знакомый каждому с самого раннего детства. Но вот, как оказалось, у англичан не все так просто.

Прежде всего, обратимся к словарю. Так, мы сможем обнаружить слово village, что в точности переводится «деревня». Но что именно подразумевают англичане под этим? Англо-английский словарь предложит нам одно из следующих определений: «a very small town located in the countryside». То есть, употребляя в разговоре слово village, англичане имеют в виду некий маленький населенный пункт, расположенный в сельской местности. Как правило, его население составляет от нескольких сотен до нескольких тысяч жителей. Но есть нюанс. Вышеупомянутый термин используется исключительно по отношению к тому населенному пункту, где вы можете обнаружить различные объекты современной инфраструктуры, а именно: школу, магазины, церковь, не говоря уже об администрации. В том же случае если инфраструктура такого населенного пункта активно развивается, то у него есть все шансы превратиться в полноценный town, иными словами, стать современным городом.

Однако термин village практически не употребляют в США. Какие же слова используют американцы? Например, слово country (деревня, сельская местность). Англо-английский словарь даст нам следующее определение: «areas located far away from cities or any large towns, consisting of fields, farms and so on». Соответственно, под термином country подразумевают место, расположенное далеко от города или крупных населенных пунктов, где вы можете найти поля, фермы…, словом, откуда продукты и поступают в магазины близлежащих городов.

Но ведь в языке существует еще и слово countryside, которое переводится точно так же – деревня и сельская местность. Так какое же из двух слов мы выберем?

Запомните:

countryside используется тогда, когда мы описываем природу, хотим подчеркнуть ее красоту.

Слово country же употребляется тогда, когда мы говорим о населенном пункте в противовес городу. Американцы используют его, говоря о человеке, который живет вне города (причем до ближайших соседей не менее 1 км).

Но, если это место находится совсем недалеко от города, а поблизости живут соседи и находятся магазины, то американцы скажут: ‘…on the outskirts of..’ (иными словами, на окраине). Также есть понятие «пригород» (suburbs), которое иногда используется в значении outskirts.

Не забудьте ставить определенный артикль во всех сочетаниях с этими словами.

Итак, изучив несколько таких простых терминов, а главное – уяснив, в чем же заключается различие между ними, вы сможете легко использовать их, общаясь на иностранном языке.

2 УРОКА БЕСПЛАТНО!

Источник

country — (Country is used to describe rural areas (our of town)?
He lives in the country.)
countryside — (Countryside is usually used when you are talking about the beauty or peacefulness of a country area)

(Is there a difference between these two words?

Countryside is used to describe the landscape?
The Cotswolds countryside is beautiful. ?

Country is used to describe rural areas (our of town)?
He lives in the country.

Would you say: This weekend I’m going to the coutry.
or This weekend I’m going to the countryside. ?

and

We have a holiday home in the country / countryside. ??)

This weekend I am going to the country. Not countryside.
We have a holiday home in the country. I think I have heard countryside before but it is very rare, the more common choice would be country.

Your two definitions are correct. It is hard to state any rules when to use country and countryside, basiclally we just learn it by usage. But the two examples you gave are 100% correct.

“Go to the country”, “go to the countryside”

Use country where the reference is geographical or to the fact that it is some distance from an urban area.

Use countryside when you talk about the quality of the place, in contrast to the city.

country (often the country) an area that is away from towns and cities, especially one with particular natural features: She lives in the country. ◇ an area of wooded country

countryside land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods and farms. Countryside is usually used when you are talking about the beauty or peacefulness of a country area: a little village in the French countryside.

Country or countryside both the words can be used for mentioning rural areas or areas that are not urbanized.

Источник

Asked by: Maribel Kilback

Score: 5/5
(37 votes)

In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities.

What is the meaning of country side?

1 : a rural area. 2 : the inhabitants of a countryside.

Why is it called countryside?

«section of a country, piece of land,» mid-15c., perhaps literally «one side of a country,» from country + side (n.); hence, «any tract of land having a natural unity» (1727). Meaning «inhabitants of a district or section» is from 1840.

Why is countryside better than city?

It allows people to travel to different points of the city at cheaper price and it saves the environment. … For me, countryside is better than the city because there is calm and clean air. The access for food in the city is more easier , but in the countryside the food is more natural and healthy.

Is countryside a village?

Village is a group of houses and building in a unpopulated area (much like a town). Countryside is land that is farmed. Usually only a few houses are around a countryside.

21 related questions found

What do you call someone who lives in the countryside?

«A rustic is a person who lives in the country». … A rustic is a person who has the simplicity, or charm typical of the countryside.

What is the difference between country and countryside?

As nouns the difference between countryside and country

is that countryside is a rural landscape while country is an area of land; a district, region.

Is it better to live in the countryside or the city?

Gardens tend to be larger than in cities or towns, where sometimes outdoor space is even non-existent, while having the countryside on the doorstep means plenty of fresh rural air for great health. There may be more people living in cities, but more people usually means less conversation and communication.

What are the disadvantages of living in countryside?

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF RURAL LIFE?

Road networks are usually in poor condition.
Public transport is hopeless.
There aren’t many shops. / You don’t get many shops.
There isn’t much privacy because everyone knows what you are doing.
There isn’t much nightlife.
There aren’t many educational facilities.

Is it expensive to live in the countryside?

There are large differences between rural and urban living in terms of the cost of housing, home ownership rates, and the percent of homes with a mortgage. In rural areas on average housing is about 30% cheaper, 20% more people own their homes, and 14% more own their home outright (with no mortgage).

What are the advantages of living in countryside?

8 Benefits of Living in the Country

More space. Homes in rural areas typically have more square footage and acreage. …
Proximity to nature. Living in the country puts you closer to nature and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. …
Cleaner air. …
Cheaper cost of living. …
Increased safety. …
Less noise. …
More privacy. …
Lower stress.

Is living in the country better for your health?

The benefits of country living have been pretty well researched. Science shows that living in the country is beneficial for both your physical and your mental health. And while city and suburb living certainly have plenty of their own benefits, there’s something about country life that just does the body good.

What is the difference between living in city and countryside?

The key difference between countryside and city is that the countryside refers to the geographical area that is located outside of towns and cities whereas the city refers to a large human settlement which is bigger than a town or village.

What’s the difference between a city and a country?

Country is a term used for a sparsely populated settlement that is comprised of farmlands and rural districts. It is a place where there are only few business establishments, providing its inhabitants with only their basic needs. … A city is a large settlement, while the country is less populated.

What is another word for living off the land?

to live off the land synonym | English Thesaurus

3 (sometimes with) in abide, dwell, hang out (informal) inhabit, lodge, occupy, reside, settle, stay (chiefly Scot.)

What do you call an unsophisticated person?

Some common synonyms of unsophisticated are artless, ingenuous, naive, and natural.

What do you call someone who lives in the mountains?

Hill people, also referred to as mountain people, is a general term for people who live in the hills and mountains. … Today about 720 million people, or 12% of the world’s population, live in mountain regions, many of them economically and politically marginalized.

What is bad about living in the country?

Pests. Those who live in the country may have more problems when it comes to pests. Because you are isolated from the city, you are more likely to encounter wildlife that could potentially prey on your pets. You also are likely come into contact with more bugs or snakes, depending on your location.

Which is better village or city life?

In conclusion, city life is generally better than village life because of convenience. In the city, you can get whatever you want and quickly. The village life is not bad, however there is the issue of scarcity.

Is it cheaper to live in the country than the city?

Country homes are generally cheaper than those located in large metropolitan areas, unless the home is located in a country area that’s a popular vacation destination or is in an area with a limited number of available houses.

Do people live longer in the countryside?

Someone who lives in a rural village is expected to live longer than someone living in a town in a rural area and someone living in a deprived urban area is less likely to live as long as someone brought up in a leafy city suburb.

Where is the healthiest place to live in the world?

Spain was named the healthiest country in the world. One of the contributing factors was its Mediterranean diet, which is high in omega-3, fats and protein, as well as its social meal times and walking as a popular mode of transport.

Do people live longer in cities or villages?

For years, studies have highlighted the dangers of pollution, stress and other factors typically associated with city living. New research indicates, however, that the average life expectancy for city dwellers actually exceeds that of their rural peers.

Why is the countryside important?

Being outside in nature benefits people physically and mentally and helps improve understanding of the natural world. By protecting and improving access, more people can enjoy the countryside. … Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

What is good about the countryside?

There isn’t as much traffic or smog or pollution from industry. Ecologically speaking, the advantages to living in the country include eating locally grown food; less pollution because cars are not idling in traffic as happens in the city; and land on which to grow your own food and raise your own animals.

Источник

1. Country, village or countryside?

In Russian, we have different words to describe a settlement, which is not town or city: “деревня”, “село”, “поселок”, and “сельская местность”. What are the English words for this? There are three of them: a country, a village and countryside. How do they relate to each other?

First, we should clear up the difference between the words “деревня” and “село”. Often in modern language, these words are synonymous, especially in the speech of residents of cities. Before the Revolution, the main distinguishing feature of село was a church. After the Bolshevik came to power and destroyed a large number of temples, this criterion became irrelevant. Now according the tradition this word is used for naming those settlements that were called so before the Revolution.

Поселок differs from деревня and село in that way that it’s usually built near some kind of production (factory) or a large railway junction. The life of people there is more like in a city.

So, what English words will be suitable for the translations of the Russian ones? The answer is one – “a village”. But you have to remember that when you speak about some British community, it must meet certain criteria to be called “a village”. As a rule, its population ranges from several hundred to several thousand inhabitants. But there is a nuance. This term is used only in relation to that settlement where you can discover various objects of modern infrastructure: a school, shops, a church, not to mention administration. In the same case, if the infrastructure of such a settlement is actively developing, then it has every chance to turn into a full-fledged town. If there’s no any infrastructure in a settlement it is called “a hamlet”.

However, for example in America, there are no villages in the European or Russian sense. But there are people who live on farms or in trailer parks rather far from cities. What is the name for such places? Americans use the word “country”.

But in the UK it is used as an equivalent to Russian “местность за городом”. For example, the sentence “Мы на выходные едем за город” can be translated as “We are going to the country on the weekends”.

And what about the word “countryside”? Obviously, it is composed of two words: “country” and “side”. It seems good for translating Russian term “сельская местность”. This is partly true, but it is worth remembering that most often it is used when it comes to the beauty of nature, and not about human settlements.

2. Answer the questions.

1. What is the translation for Russian words “деревня”, “село” and “поселок”?

2. What are the criteria for a settlement to be called “a village” in the UK?

3. What word is used to name such places as farms or trailer parks in the USA?

4. What word can we use to say that we spend our weekend far from the city?

5. Are the words “сельская местность” and “countryside” synonyms?

3. Here are some videos and a website about typical English and Scottish villages. Divide into several groups, study the media materials and complete a comparison table about typical British and Russian villages. Be attentive: some information is not given directly – use your own knowledge or the Internet.

Link: http://moniaive.org.uk/

Criterion	British village	Russian village
Location
Population
Objects of modern infrastructure
Occupation
Houses
Streets
Local government

4. Read the text and do some exercises after it.

Problems of cities and countryside

Many people prefer living in cities rather than in the countryside because it is often easier to get good education and find a well-paid job. Besides, there is usually a wide choice of public transport, so you don’t need to own a car, which is necessary when you live in the countryside. What is more, there are a lot of interesting things to do and places to see. If you live in the village, you have almost nowhere to go, but if you live in the city, you can eat in good restaurants, visit museums, and go to the theatre and to concerts. All in all, city life is full of bustle and variety, and you will never feel bored.

However, some people choose to live in the countryside because living in a city is often very expensive. It is particularly difficult to find good cheap accommodation. What is more, public transport is sometimes crowded and dirty, particularly in the rush hour, and even the parks can become very crowded, especially on Sundays when it seems that every city-dweller is looking for some open space or green grass. On the contrary, the air in the countryside is very clean and there are no noisy crowds, so living in the country can be useful for your health. Last of all, despite all the crowds, it is still possible to feel very lonely in a city because people often don’t know their neighbours whereas in the countryside people know each other and you have many friends.

In my opinion, it’s possible to solve most of the problems of big cities, for example, the problem of pollution. Cutting down on emissions from large combustion plants and exhaust fumes from vehicles would help solve the problem. I think we should try to use alternative energy such as solar energy and wind energy and design plants and cars that run on electricity, a much cleaner fuel than petrol. In addition, I think the government should ban cars from city centres. We can also improve the situation with traffic if the government encourages people to use the underground more. I would argue that if the underground was made cheaper, many people would decide to leave their cars at home.

As for me, I would prefer city life because I am keen on visiting theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries and do not mind noise and pollution. Besides, my city offers me good opportunities to continue my education and I hope to find a prestigious job in the future. However, I enjoy the peace and fresh air of the countryside and in summer I usually go to my country house where I have a good time with my friends.

Answer the questions:

1. Is the city life stressful? Why?

2. How would you improve the living conditions in the place where you live?

3. Why do young people tend to live in cities?

4. Where do you think people will live in the future, in cities or in the countryside? Why?

5. Would you like to change the place where you live? Why?

Give a talk on the life in the city. Remember to discuss:

• why people prefer to live in the city

• why some people choose to live in the countryside

• whether it is possible to solve all the problems of big cities, why

• where would you prefer to live, why.

Fill the table: write pros and cons of living in the city and in the countryside.

Place	Pros	Cons
City
Village

5. Match the places with the things you can do there. Which of them are available in the village?

1	cinema	a	park your car
2	disco	b	eat and drink
3	post office	c	change money
4	sports centre	d	catch a plane
5	supermarket	e	dance
6	hospital	f	see paintings by famous artists
7	bank	g	buy stamps
8	restaurant	h	watch a play
9	car park	i	see a film
10	airport	j	catch a train
11	museum	k	watch a football match
12	theatre	l	buy fruit and vegetables
13	church	m	pray
14	library	n	report a robbery
15	market	o	buy food, drinks and home articles
16	police station	p	take the underground
17	underground station	q	read a book
18	school	r	have lessons
19	stadium	s	have a surgery
20	rail station	t	swim and play sports

6. Match the opposites. Create sentences with them.

Example: noisy – quiet. Troitsky avenue in Arkhangelsk is a very noisy place. I like visiting my grandma because she lives in a quiet little village.

noisy, clean, boring, cheap, dangerous, tourist, industrial, exciting, safe, quiet, busy, small, interesting, ugly, expensive, dirty, residential, polluted, beautiful, crowded, commercial, peaceful.

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