One of the natural habits of the people which has already been noted all over the world in the ancient time is to move. Similarly as the way of life was developed also the way of moving has been changed to presently used modern traffic means. The population feels the necessity to move from one place to the other. The reason may be private, business or the aim to find something somewhere better.
There are the following traffic means used nowadays (according to the place where they are used):
• Roads – vehicles (passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, bicycles)
• Rails – trains (passenger trains – express, normal, local, sleeping, etc., cargo trains)
• Rivers – boats (for passengers, for cargo, even for accommodation – so called botels)
• Seas – big vessels (for passengers, for cargo – mainly oil, coal, containers, ferryboats, etc.)
• Air – planes (which can also be divided to passenger and cargo ones)
When keeping aside business trips and different ways of transportation of the people who decided to emigrate from their original country, travelling brings joy and pleasure for anybody who likes to move or who has chosen his holiday away of his home. Let´s concentrate on the last case.
The holiday as such should be spent somewhere out of home. It brings more pleasure and bigger rest that is needed by anybody. When going for holidays abroad we mostly use planes because it is most convenient mean of transport. We may reach place of destination quicker. We do not spend a lot of time on the way and therefore we have more time for being on holiday location.
New York
New York is the biggest city in the USA. It has about 8 million people. It is one of the largest cities in the world (after Sao Paulo, Seoul, Mexico City, Tokyo). It is sometimes called "The Big Apple". It has five major boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Brooklyn.
History
The original inhabitants were Indian. This island was bought from the Indians by the Dutch for the bargain price of US $25. The original name was New Amsterdam. Later it was renamed New York. In the southern part of Manhattan Island there used to be a wall against Indians, now there is Wall Street - the center of financial life.
Manhattan city plan
The city was built on a modern plan of streets and avenues which are numbered. Streets run east-west and avenues north-south. Broadway is the center of cultural life. The city is notorious for its crime. Many people believe New York is no longer a healthy place to live. Skyscrapers New York is famous for its Manhattan skyline - a large number of skyscrapers in a small area. The first skyscrapers were built in 1903. The best known skyscrapers are Empire State Building and the World Trade Center (WTC) - the New York's highest skyscraper built in 1973 is 417m high.
Park, Islands
The only quiet place where, however, it is dangerous to go after dark is Central Park. Rock concerts by famous musicians also take place there. There are many attractive places where visitors like to go - the most widely known is the Brooklyn Bridge. There is the Statue of Liberty - it is a symbol of hope and freedom. Economy New York is an important industrial city and business center (machinery, electronics, chemistry, food, textiles, fish market ). It is also the biggest port in the USA. There are 4 airports, 15 TV stations, 39 radio stations, over 100 hospitals, 29 universities, many cultural institutions, galleries. New York has the largest subway system in the world.
History
The original inhabitants were Indian. This island was bought from the Indians by the Dutch for the bargain price of US $25. The original name was New Amsterdam. Later it was renamed New York. In the southern part of Manhattan Island there used to be a wall against Indians, now there is Wall Street - the center of financial life.
Manhattan city plan
The city was built on a modern plan of streets and avenues which are numbered. Streets run east-west and avenues north-south. Broadway is the center of cultural life. The city is notorious for its crime. Many people believe New York is no longer a healthy place to live. Skyscrapers New York is famous for its Manhattan skyline - a large number of skyscrapers in a small area. The first skyscrapers were built in 1903. The best known skyscrapers are Empire State Building and the World Trade Center (WTC) - the New York's highest skyscraper built in 1973 is 417m high.
Park, Islands
The only quiet place where, however, it is dangerous to go after dark is Central Park. Rock concerts by famous musicians also take place there. There are many attractive places where visitors like to go - the most widely known is the Brooklyn Bridge. There is the Statue of Liberty - it is a symbol of hope and freedom. Economy New York is an important industrial city and business center (machinery, electronics, chemistry, food, textiles, fish market ). It is also the biggest port in the USA. There are 4 airports, 15 TV stations, 39 radio stations, over 100 hospitals, 29 universities, many cultural institutions, galleries. New York has the largest subway system in the world.
House and home
I live with my parents and my brother in a three - room flat in Brno. Our flat is situated on the forth floor. The block of flats in which we live is ugly from the outside but our flat is comfortable and lovely inside. It's quite small but has many modern conveniences. If you want to visit our family, first you must ring the bell and then enter. Our entrance hall is small and there are many doors leading to other rooms. You must leave your coat on a coat hanger and then I can show you around our flat. Most of the time we spend in the kitchen or in the living room.
So let's go first to the kitchen. It's our mother's kingdom. She cooks and prepares various delicious meals there. Our kitchen is well equipped with a fridge, freezer and gas-stove, brown cupboard, and sink. In the corner of the room there is a round table with four chairs.
Here we have our daily meals served by our mother. My mother is a good cook. Everybody who has visited us has praised her cooking. In the future I want to be as good a cook as she is. Our kitchen is small but light because there is a big window decorated with curtains. My mother keeps the kitchen clean. She mops and polishes the vinyl flooring in the kitchen every day.
Now something about our living room. Our living room is quite large. We can enter it by three doors. One of them leads to the hall, the second to my room and the third to kitchen. We spend our evenings here. We can either watch TV or listen to music, sitting on the sofa, which is situated around the wall or on the armchairs. The walls are painted white and decorated with pictures. The whole floor is covered with brown carpet. My duty is to vacuum this carpet once a week. My brother must dust. In this way we help our mother with keeping the flat clean and tidy. There is a coffee table with a vase and a lamp. There are always some flowers in the vase. Next to the window is a bookcase with many books. Our stereo is in the corner of the room.
The next room of our flat is children's room. I share this room with my brother. This room is furnished with cabinets, a wardrobe, two beds, and a chair with a desk on which we do our homework and prepare for school. Every day after waking up we must make our beds and air the room. I have one small plant on my table, many photos and many posters on the walls. Opposite the window there is a small bookcase.
In the second hall there are a toilet and a bathroom with a large bath and basin. On the walls there you can see white tiles with flowers.
I like our flat because it's my home. But in the future I'd like to have my own house to live in.
So let's go first to the kitchen. It's our mother's kingdom. She cooks and prepares various delicious meals there. Our kitchen is well equipped with a fridge, freezer and gas-stove, brown cupboard, and sink. In the corner of the room there is a round table with four chairs.
Here we have our daily meals served by our mother. My mother is a good cook. Everybody who has visited us has praised her cooking. In the future I want to be as good a cook as she is. Our kitchen is small but light because there is a big window decorated with curtains. My mother keeps the kitchen clean. She mops and polishes the vinyl flooring in the kitchen every day.
Now something about our living room. Our living room is quite large. We can enter it by three doors. One of them leads to the hall, the second to my room and the third to kitchen. We spend our evenings here. We can either watch TV or listen to music, sitting on the sofa, which is situated around the wall or on the armchairs. The walls are painted white and decorated with pictures. The whole floor is covered with brown carpet. My duty is to vacuum this carpet once a week. My brother must dust. In this way we help our mother with keeping the flat clean and tidy. There is a coffee table with a vase and a lamp. There are always some flowers in the vase. Next to the window is a bookcase with many books. Our stereo is in the corner of the room.
The next room of our flat is children's room. I share this room with my brother. This room is furnished with cabinets, a wardrobe, two beds, and a chair with a desk on which we do our homework and prepare for school. Every day after waking up we must make our beds and air the room. I have one small plant on my table, many photos and many posters on the walls. Opposite the window there is a small bookcase.
In the second hall there are a toilet and a bathroom with a large bath and basin. On the walls there you can see white tiles with flowers.
I like our flat because it's my home. But in the future I'd like to have my own house to live in.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in Henley street to the family of John Shakespeare - the glover and wool dealer and Mary Arden - daughter of a prosperous local farmer.Shakespeare attended local grammar school there and after he finished the school he married Anne Hathaway. They had three children.
Shakespeare’s interest in the theatre probably started in his early years when Stratford was often visited by the groups of professional actors and through contacts with them he made his was to the London and when he was 26, he established himself as a leading actor and dramatics, becoming a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s company,which owned its own theatre in which many of his plays were given. After the fire of Globe theatre, the group had to move into another theatre, the Blackfriars. Although he spent his professional career in London he kept connection with his family and Stratford.
When Shakespeare became successful in London he bought the biggest house in Stratford called New Place and spent there his retirement and he died there in 1616 at the same day he was born at the age of 52. William Shakespeare is burried in Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
During a period of 20 years he wrote 37 plays and beautiful sonnets. His works can be divided into the 4 periods:
- in first period there are
mainly historical plays:
- Henry VI. (3 volumes)
- Richard III.
and early comedies:
- Comedy of Errors
- The Taming of the Shrew
- Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Love’s Labour Lost
- In the second period he wrote the
only one tragedy:
Romeo and Juliet – Romeo fell in love with Juliet. They got married in secret because their families hated one another and did not want to allow them to become husband and wife. In a quarrel, Romeo killed one of Juliet’s cousins and as ordered to leave Verona. Juliet’s parents, not knowing that she was already married wished her to marry a rich wobleman. To escape this, she took a drug whoch made her fall into such a deep sleep that people thought her to be dead. Meanwhile Romeo was told to come secretly to Verona and take Juliet away with him. Unlcky chance preveted him from learning the full thruth. He found Juliet in her sleeps and believing and saw dead he poisoned himself. When Juliet awoke and saw Romeo’s dead body, she killed herself too.
and historical plays:
- Richard II.
- Henry IV. and Henry V.
and optimistic comedies:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- The Merchant of Venice
- As You Like It
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Twelth Night
- The Merry Wives of Windsor
- Hamlet - is based on the Danish legend. Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, murdered Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark. By marrying Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, he succeeds the throne. The ghost of death king appears to Hamlet and asks for revenge. Hamlet, typical Renaissance hero, is not able to kill without having a clear proof of guilt. In order to find some proof of guilt against Claudius, he pretends madness. He tests the story of the murder with a theatrical performance and carefully watches Claudius. Thinking that Claudius is hidden behind the curtain in Getrude’s room, he kills Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Laertes, Ophelia’s brother and Polonius’s son comes to revenge Ophelia and Polonius. Claudius provokes Laertes to challenge Hamlet to a fencing match. The last scene of the play is most dramatic. In case Hamlet wins the match, Claudius prepares a glass of poisoned wine for him. He also poisons Laertes’s sword. During the dual, both Laertes and Hamlet are wounded by the poisoned wine, Hamlet does not hesitate any more and also stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword. After death of Hamlet, Gertrude, Laertes and Claudius, King Fortinbras comes to lead the country in justice and wisdom.
- in the third period = period of tragedies = it is the top of his work:
- tragedies:
- Othello - Othello is black, a military leader. His wife is white and nice, her name is Desdemona. The action takes place in Venice. Iago whispers to Othello that his wife is unfaithful to him. In a fit of jealously, he kills her. When he learns the truth he stabs himself to death. This play was treated by G. Verdi.
- Macbeth
- King Lear
- Troilus and Cressida
- In the last forth period the plays:
- Pericles
- Cymbeline
- The Winter’s Tale
- The Tempest
- Henry VIII.
Many artists were from our country were inspired by him. Shakespeare’s plays were staged after the beginning of the 19th century. The most important translator here was Josef Václav Sládek who translated nearly all work of Shakespeare. Among other translators belongs Saudek, Topol, Žantovský.
Lots of painters, poets and other artists here draw from Shakespeare’s motives, e.g. Karel Purkyně, Voskovec and Werich, Jiří Trnka, Jan Zrazavý etc.
Also musicians were inspired by Shakespeare’s work,e.g. Zdeněk Fibich, Antonín Dvořák and others.
Shakespeare’s interest in the theatre probably started in his early years when Stratford was often visited by the groups of professional actors and through contacts with them he made his was to the London and when he was 26, he established himself as a leading actor and dramatics, becoming a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s company,which owned its own theatre in which many of his plays were given. After the fire of Globe theatre, the group had to move into another theatre, the Blackfriars. Although he spent his professional career in London he kept connection with his family and Stratford.
When Shakespeare became successful in London he bought the biggest house in Stratford called New Place and spent there his retirement and he died there in 1616 at the same day he was born at the age of 52. William Shakespeare is burried in Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
During a period of 20 years he wrote 37 plays and beautiful sonnets. His works can be divided into the 4 periods:
- in first period there are
mainly historical plays:
- Henry VI. (3 volumes)
- Richard III.
and early comedies:
- Comedy of Errors
- The Taming of the Shrew
- Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Love’s Labour Lost
- In the second period he wrote the
only one tragedy:
Romeo and Juliet – Romeo fell in love with Juliet. They got married in secret because their families hated one another and did not want to allow them to become husband and wife. In a quarrel, Romeo killed one of Juliet’s cousins and as ordered to leave Verona. Juliet’s parents, not knowing that she was already married wished her to marry a rich wobleman. To escape this, she took a drug whoch made her fall into such a deep sleep that people thought her to be dead. Meanwhile Romeo was told to come secretly to Verona and take Juliet away with him. Unlcky chance preveted him from learning the full thruth. He found Juliet in her sleeps and believing and saw dead he poisoned himself. When Juliet awoke and saw Romeo’s dead body, she killed herself too.
and historical plays:
- Richard II.
- Henry IV. and Henry V.
and optimistic comedies:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- The Merchant of Venice
- As You Like It
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Twelth Night
- The Merry Wives of Windsor
- Hamlet - is based on the Danish legend. Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, murdered Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark. By marrying Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, he succeeds the throne. The ghost of death king appears to Hamlet and asks for revenge. Hamlet, typical Renaissance hero, is not able to kill without having a clear proof of guilt. In order to find some proof of guilt against Claudius, he pretends madness. He tests the story of the murder with a theatrical performance and carefully watches Claudius. Thinking that Claudius is hidden behind the curtain in Getrude’s room, he kills Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Laertes, Ophelia’s brother and Polonius’s son comes to revenge Ophelia and Polonius. Claudius provokes Laertes to challenge Hamlet to a fencing match. The last scene of the play is most dramatic. In case Hamlet wins the match, Claudius prepares a glass of poisoned wine for him. He also poisons Laertes’s sword. During the dual, both Laertes and Hamlet are wounded by the poisoned wine, Hamlet does not hesitate any more and also stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword. After death of Hamlet, Gertrude, Laertes and Claudius, King Fortinbras comes to lead the country in justice and wisdom.
- in the third period = period of tragedies = it is the top of his work:
- tragedies:
- Othello - Othello is black, a military leader. His wife is white and nice, her name is Desdemona. The action takes place in Venice. Iago whispers to Othello that his wife is unfaithful to him. In a fit of jealously, he kills her. When he learns the truth he stabs himself to death. This play was treated by G. Verdi.
- Macbeth
- King Lear
- Troilus and Cressida
- In the last forth period the plays:
- Pericles
- Cymbeline
- The Winter’s Tale
- The Tempest
- Henry VIII.
Many artists were from our country were inspired by him. Shakespeare’s plays were staged after the beginning of the 19th century. The most important translator here was Josef Václav Sládek who translated nearly all work of Shakespeare. Among other translators belongs Saudek, Topol, Žantovský.
Lots of painters, poets and other artists here draw from Shakespeare’s motives, e.g. Karel Purkyně, Voskovec and Werich, Jiří Trnka, Jan Zrazavý etc.
Also musicians were inspired by Shakespeare’s work,e.g. Zdeněk Fibich, Antonín Dvořák and others.
Prague
Prague, the capital of the Czech republic, is the most important political, economic and cultural centre of the country and the seat of the President and the other institution the Czech government, the Parliament and other instituion. More than one million people live here.
People have lived on the city’s area since the Stone Age. The Slovans arrived there during the 5th and 6th centuries. A legend connects the fonding of Prague with Princess Libuše. Prague was to become a city whose „fame would touche the stars“. Prague is now a beautiful city with rich history. It lies in the centre of Europe and that is one of the reasons why it became an important crossroads of the trade and culture. Influences from all parts of the world can be seen here. As early as in the the 10th century (966) Ibrahim Ibn Jacob, a Jewish merchant, wrote the first note about Prague; „it is built from stone and hime“, he wrote. At present, we can see here buildings built in various architectural styles.
The oldest buildings are built in the Romanesque style. They have thich stone walls and small narrow windows with round arches. The most important example of Romanesque style is the Basilica of St. George at Prague Castle. Rotundas were also built – there are three in the Prague, for example in Vyšehrad. Prague also had a Romanesque stone bridge – the Judith Bridge (1170), it was near the present Charles Bridge. Many Romanesque houses were in the Old Town.
The next style is called Gothic (1230 – 1530). The buildings were very high with much thinner walls, their arches were pointed. Reb vault is another of their characteristic features. Examples: St. Vitus’s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Charles Bridge and its towers, Old – New Synagogue .
Many Gothic buildings were built especially during the reign of Charles IV. He called to Prague the best builders of his days: Matias of Arras, and after his death, Peter Parler. At Prague Castle, he built a new residence similar to the palace of the French kings. Charles IV. Also founded the New Town. Some large building, for example St. Vitus’s Cathedral or the Church of Our Lady of Týn or Church of Our Lady of the Snows were finished much later ( if they were finished at all). Vladislav‘s Hall at Prague Castle, named after the king Vladislav Jagellon, was built in Gothic style, but its windows are in Renaissance style.
The best – known examples of Renessaince style are the Royal Summer Palace or Belveder (near Prague Castle) or Hvězda Summer Palace. During the reign of Emperor Rudolf II., who made Prague his pernament residence, the Spanish Hall and Rudolf‘s Gallery were built at Pargue Castle.
Very many churches and other buildings are from the period of Baroque and Rococo(1611 – 1780). Their characteristic features are monumentaly, curves in the forms of windows, wall or statues, onion – shaped tower roofs, large wall paintings. The most famous Baroque church is the St. Nicholas Church in Malostranské náměstí (builtby Diezenhofer), another Baroque church is the Church of St. Nicholas in the Old Town Square or St. James (near Kotva), Prague Loretta in Hradčany. Many places were built in Malá Strana (e.g. Valdštejn Palace). The finest Rococo building in Pague is Kinský Palace in the Old Town Square. (he was the shop of Herman Kafka – father of Franz Kafka). The style of Classicism (1780 – beginning 19th century) and Empire (1804 – 1850) were inspired by Classical architecture – e.g. The Estates Theathre (there were in 1787 the world premierre of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, 1834 – the premierre of Josef Kajetán Tyl’s Fidlovačka, one of its songs became the Czech anthem). Pague’s best – known Empire style building is the Exhibition Hale U Hybernů.
The second half of the 19th century is the period of pseudo – historical styles. A pseudo – Romanesque and pseudo – Gothic (or neo – Gothic) style is frequent (e.g. the western half of the St. Vitus’s Cathedral at the Castle or the Church of St. Ludmila in Vinohrady). Neo – Renaissance buildings are for example the National Theather, the Rudolfinum or the National Museum.
At the beginning of the 20th century , blocks of flats (e.g. in Pařížská street) and public buildings were built in Art Noveau (= secese)a very decorative style with flowers and leaves, geometrical ornaments. For example Prague Neunicipal House (=Obecný dům) beside the Powder Tower.
After the Art Noveau theer was a short period of Cubism. The most important of these buildings is the house At the Black Madonna. Anoher quite famous style was architectual Functionalism (between the two wars). An outstanding example of Czech Constructivism is Trade Fair Palace in Holešovice.
In Prague of these days we can see all these historical monument and also new buildings for example very interesting Dancing House which is too called Ginger and Fred.
People have lived on the city’s area since the Stone Age. The Slovans arrived there during the 5th and 6th centuries. A legend connects the fonding of Prague with Princess Libuše. Prague was to become a city whose „fame would touche the stars“. Prague is now a beautiful city with rich history. It lies in the centre of Europe and that is one of the reasons why it became an important crossroads of the trade and culture. Influences from all parts of the world can be seen here. As early as in the the 10th century (966) Ibrahim Ibn Jacob, a Jewish merchant, wrote the first note about Prague; „it is built from stone and hime“, he wrote. At present, we can see here buildings built in various architectural styles.
The oldest buildings are built in the Romanesque style. They have thich stone walls and small narrow windows with round arches. The most important example of Romanesque style is the Basilica of St. George at Prague Castle. Rotundas were also built – there are three in the Prague, for example in Vyšehrad. Prague also had a Romanesque stone bridge – the Judith Bridge (1170), it was near the present Charles Bridge. Many Romanesque houses were in the Old Town.
The next style is called Gothic (1230 – 1530). The buildings were very high with much thinner walls, their arches were pointed. Reb vault is another of their characteristic features. Examples: St. Vitus’s Cathedral, Old Town Hall, Charles Bridge and its towers, Old – New Synagogue .
Many Gothic buildings were built especially during the reign of Charles IV. He called to Prague the best builders of his days: Matias of Arras, and after his death, Peter Parler. At Prague Castle, he built a new residence similar to the palace of the French kings. Charles IV. Also founded the New Town. Some large building, for example St. Vitus’s Cathedral or the Church of Our Lady of Týn or Church of Our Lady of the Snows were finished much later ( if they were finished at all). Vladislav‘s Hall at Prague Castle, named after the king Vladislav Jagellon, was built in Gothic style, but its windows are in Renaissance style.
The best – known examples of Renessaince style are the Royal Summer Palace or Belveder (near Prague Castle) or Hvězda Summer Palace. During the reign of Emperor Rudolf II., who made Prague his pernament residence, the Spanish Hall and Rudolf‘s Gallery were built at Pargue Castle.
Very many churches and other buildings are from the period of Baroque and Rococo(1611 – 1780). Their characteristic features are monumentaly, curves in the forms of windows, wall or statues, onion – shaped tower roofs, large wall paintings. The most famous Baroque church is the St. Nicholas Church in Malostranské náměstí (builtby Diezenhofer), another Baroque church is the Church of St. Nicholas in the Old Town Square or St. James (near Kotva), Prague Loretta in Hradčany. Many places were built in Malá Strana (e.g. Valdštejn Palace). The finest Rococo building in Pague is Kinský Palace in the Old Town Square. (he was the shop of Herman Kafka – father of Franz Kafka). The style of Classicism (1780 – beginning 19th century) and Empire (1804 – 1850) were inspired by Classical architecture – e.g. The Estates Theathre (there were in 1787 the world premierre of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, 1834 – the premierre of Josef Kajetán Tyl’s Fidlovačka, one of its songs became the Czech anthem). Pague’s best – known Empire style building is the Exhibition Hale U Hybernů.
The second half of the 19th century is the period of pseudo – historical styles. A pseudo – Romanesque and pseudo – Gothic (or neo – Gothic) style is frequent (e.g. the western half of the St. Vitus’s Cathedral at the Castle or the Church of St. Ludmila in Vinohrady). Neo – Renaissance buildings are for example the National Theather, the Rudolfinum or the National Museum.
At the beginning of the 20th century , blocks of flats (e.g. in Pařížská street) and public buildings were built in Art Noveau (= secese)a very decorative style with flowers and leaves, geometrical ornaments. For example Prague Neunicipal House (=Obecný dům) beside the Powder Tower.
After the Art Noveau theer was a short period of Cubism. The most important of these buildings is the house At the Black Madonna. Anoher quite famous style was architectual Functionalism (between the two wars). An outstanding example of Czech Constructivism is Trade Fair Palace in Holešovice.
In Prague of these days we can see all these historical monument and also new buildings for example very interesting Dancing House which is too called Ginger and Fred.
Our school
Our school is secondary grammar school offering geberal education and preparing students fot university study. There are about 600 students from the age of 15 to the age of 19 in about 16 classes.
It is built in the late nineteenth century decorative style in the beginning of the 20th century the school has been renovated several times and now it look nice and new. Our school was founded in 1909 in the original L-shaped building with Art Nouveau. The history of our school spans over more than 9 decades: Austrian Monarchy, First Czechoslovak republic, Nazzi Ocupation, Communist period and the period after 1989. Especially during the period between two wars important and famous personalities taught and studied there. But also from later periods some names are famous: a poet František Hrubín, a Skupa’s succesor Miloš Kirschner, an actress Jana Hlaváčová, a tennis player Jan Kodeš, a politician Cyril Svoboda and many others. In summer 2001 our school building was included into the Capital City Culutral Heritage.
It is large building with four floors with a small sportsground nearby. In its basement there are cloakrooms with students‘ lockers, a school takers workshop, a snack bar, a gymnasium and a few teachers‘ offices. On the other floors there are long hallways with many doors leading to classrooms, laboratories, teachers‘ offices and toilets. On the first floor there are the headmaster’s and the deputy headmasters’s offices, the administrative office, the staff room and a school canteen where students and teacher have hot lunches (We buy luncheon tickets for the whole month and every day we can choose from two possible dishes). On the top foor there is a school library. The hallways are decorated with flowers and pictures anf there are also notice boards with important information and timetables. All classrooms are almost same. There are large windows opposite the door, row of the school desks and chairs with two aisles between, in front of desks is a blackboard with shelf for the chalk and with washbasin nearby, teacher’s desk. On the wall upon the teacher’s desk on the wall there is also a portrait of the president. Subjects which need a special equiptment are taught in special classrooms such as a chemistry, physics or biology laboratory, computer rooms a music and an art room or gymnasium.
The first lesson can start already at seven o’clock at the morning, but usually first lesson starts at eight o’clock. One lesson lasts for 45 minutes and than is a break. Break lasts five or ten minutes. After the second lesson which finishes at 9:40 is a large break which lasts 20 minutes and during it students eat their snack. This break follow other two or three lessons with short breaks between and than students can have a lunch, after it they can go home or in case they have afternoon education they have with lunch one hour break and than two or three other lessons.
The lesson starts after the bell ring. Than all the teachers enter to the classrooms, the students stand up to greet him. He makes an entry in the class register, marks absent students and than he starts lesson. He examines students individually by asking them to come to blackboard or sometimes the whole class takes a written test. The results range from excellent, very good, good, satisfactory to failure. After examination the teacher explains a new subject matter and practises it with exercises.
The entrance test are written in mathematics and Czech. Every year are opened two specialized classes: one in computers and the other in maths and physics. Other classes are without any specialization.
The following subjects are : the Czech language and litearture, foreign languages (English, German, Spanish), mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geoghraphy, history, information science, introduction to social scinces, music, fine arts. In the second from students choose one elective and in the third they choose another one. They can choose: foreign language conversation and various types of seminars (biology, chemistry, history, computers etc.)
The school year is divided into two terms. At the end of each term students receive school reports with marks from both compulsory and elective subjects.
Secondary education is finished with a school – leaving examination (graduation) which is requied by all universities and colleges. It is taken in four subjects – two compulsory subjects: czech and some foreign language and the other two optional subjects chosem from foreign languages, science subjects or humanities. The examination is taken in May and is mostly oral except Czech in which and essay is written about a month before. The oral part of the exam takes about two hours, half an hour for each subject. Student chooses one of 25 topics by drawing a number and after the 15 minutes‘ preparation he speaks on the topic and solves given tasks. After the graduates have passed their final examinations they receive School – Leaving Certificate and they can appky for study at universities and colleges.
There are some special events held by the school. A dancing ball is just one of them. The students of the fourth forms are decorated with ribbons by their class teachers and all new students are matriculated there. After the school leaving examinations the graduates give their farewell parties.
It is built in the late nineteenth century decorative style in the beginning of the 20th century the school has been renovated several times and now it look nice and new. Our school was founded in 1909 in the original L-shaped building with Art Nouveau. The history of our school spans over more than 9 decades: Austrian Monarchy, First Czechoslovak republic, Nazzi Ocupation, Communist period and the period after 1989. Especially during the period between two wars important and famous personalities taught and studied there. But also from later periods some names are famous: a poet František Hrubín, a Skupa’s succesor Miloš Kirschner, an actress Jana Hlaváčová, a tennis player Jan Kodeš, a politician Cyril Svoboda and many others. In summer 2001 our school building was included into the Capital City Culutral Heritage.
It is large building with four floors with a small sportsground nearby. In its basement there are cloakrooms with students‘ lockers, a school takers workshop, a snack bar, a gymnasium and a few teachers‘ offices. On the other floors there are long hallways with many doors leading to classrooms, laboratories, teachers‘ offices and toilets. On the first floor there are the headmaster’s and the deputy headmasters’s offices, the administrative office, the staff room and a school canteen where students and teacher have hot lunches (We buy luncheon tickets for the whole month and every day we can choose from two possible dishes). On the top foor there is a school library. The hallways are decorated with flowers and pictures anf there are also notice boards with important information and timetables. All classrooms are almost same. There are large windows opposite the door, row of the school desks and chairs with two aisles between, in front of desks is a blackboard with shelf for the chalk and with washbasin nearby, teacher’s desk. On the wall upon the teacher’s desk on the wall there is also a portrait of the president. Subjects which need a special equiptment are taught in special classrooms such as a chemistry, physics or biology laboratory, computer rooms a music and an art room or gymnasium.
The first lesson can start already at seven o’clock at the morning, but usually first lesson starts at eight o’clock. One lesson lasts for 45 minutes and than is a break. Break lasts five or ten minutes. After the second lesson which finishes at 9:40 is a large break which lasts 20 minutes and during it students eat their snack. This break follow other two or three lessons with short breaks between and than students can have a lunch, after it they can go home or in case they have afternoon education they have with lunch one hour break and than two or three other lessons.
The lesson starts after the bell ring. Than all the teachers enter to the classrooms, the students stand up to greet him. He makes an entry in the class register, marks absent students and than he starts lesson. He examines students individually by asking them to come to blackboard or sometimes the whole class takes a written test. The results range from excellent, very good, good, satisfactory to failure. After examination the teacher explains a new subject matter and practises it with exercises.
The entrance test are written in mathematics and Czech. Every year are opened two specialized classes: one in computers and the other in maths and physics. Other classes are without any specialization.
The following subjects are : the Czech language and litearture, foreign languages (English, German, Spanish), mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geoghraphy, history, information science, introduction to social scinces, music, fine arts. In the second from students choose one elective and in the third they choose another one. They can choose: foreign language conversation and various types of seminars (biology, chemistry, history, computers etc.)
The school year is divided into two terms. At the end of each term students receive school reports with marks from both compulsory and elective subjects.
Secondary education is finished with a school – leaving examination (graduation) which is requied by all universities and colleges. It is taken in four subjects – two compulsory subjects: czech and some foreign language and the other two optional subjects chosem from foreign languages, science subjects or humanities. The examination is taken in May and is mostly oral except Czech in which and essay is written about a month before. The oral part of the exam takes about two hours, half an hour for each subject. Student chooses one of 25 topics by drawing a number and after the 15 minutes‘ preparation he speaks on the topic and solves given tasks. After the graduates have passed their final examinations they receive School – Leaving Certificate and they can appky for study at universities and colleges.
There are some special events held by the school. A dancing ball is just one of them. The students of the fourth forms are decorated with ribbons by their class teachers and all new students are matriculated there. After the school leaving examinations the graduates give their farewell parties.
My favourite british writers
William Shakespeare:
William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. It is one of the worl’s fanous and important dramatics. During a period of 20 years he wrote 37 plays and beautiful sonnets. His most famous plays are tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, comedies The Midsummer Night’s Dream etc.
- Hamlet - is based on the Danish legend. Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, murdered Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark. By marrying Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, he succeeds the throne. The ghost of death king appears to Hamlet and asks for revenge. Hamlet, typical Renaissance hero, is not able to kill without having a clear proof of guilt. In order to find some proof of guilt against Claudius, he pretends madness. He tests the story of the murder with a theatrical performance and carefully watches Claudius. Thinking that Claudius is hidden behind the curtain in Getrude’s room, he kills Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Laertes, Ophelia’s brother and Polonius’s son comes to revenge Ophelia and Polonius. Claudius provokes Laertes to challenge Hamlet to a fencing match. The last scene of the play is most dramatic. In case Hamlet wins the match, Claudius prepares a glass of poisoned wine for him. He also poisons Laertes’s sword. During the dual, both Laertes and Hamlet are wounded by the poisoned wine, Hamlet does not hesitate any more and also stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword. After death of Hamlet, Gertrude, Laertes and Claudius, King Fortinbras comes to lead the country in justice and wisdom.
- Romeo and Juliet - Romeo fell in love with Juliet. They got married in secret because their families hated one another and did not want to allow them to become husband and wife. In a quarrel, Romeo killed one of Juliet’s cousins and as ordered to leave Verona. Juliet’s parents, not knowing that she was already married wished her to marry a rich nobleman. To escape this, she took a drug which made her fall into such a deep sleep that people thought her to be dead. Meanwhile Romeo was told to come secretly to Verona and take Juliet away with him. Unlucky chance prevented him from learning the full truth. He found Juliet in her sleeps and believing and saw dead he poisoned himself. When Juliet awoke and saw Romeo’s dead body, she killed herself too.
Daniel Defoe – He was English writer and the founder of the novel of the 18th century. He wrote and issued a journal The Review. He wrote fictive stories and autobiographies. His most famous work is the adventure novel Robinson Crusoe.
Another famous is a novel Moll Flanders.
- Robinson Crusoe – the novel is based on the memories of the shipwrecked seamn Selkir; the main character of this novel Robinson Crusoe shipwrecked on a lonely island and lived there for 30 years with his faithful servant Friday. After 30 years fortunately came there an English ship and he go back to London.
Charlotte Bronte – She was an English writer. She had a sister Emily Bronte also famous English writer. She was a teacher and governess. She studied foreign languages in Brussels and her and her experiences especially her falling inlove with a professor was an inspiration of her novel Vilette. Her most famous novel is Jane Eyre.
- Jane Eyre - Orphan Jane Eyre becomes a governess and falls in love with her employer, the dark and disturbing Mr. Rochester. Her life becomes more complicated when she almost became a wife of Mr. Rochester but she discovered in church he had been already married with a mad woman = a terrifying secret in Rochester's house and is faced with another option for her life. She came to another village, became a teacher of local basic school. After a year come to this village a message of a great fire of Mr. Rochester’s House. She wanted to visit him to know he is all right. He explained her that situation of the year ago and he finally married her.
- Vilette - The story of an English girl (Lucy Snow) who teaches at a girls' bording school.
Georg Bernard Shaw: is the most famous personality in drama of 20th century. He attacked the whole society. In his plays he criticises the false morals of the society. Beside his famous Candida, You Can Never Tell, The Man of Destiny etc. is most famous Pygmalion. On this Shaw’s masterpiece is also based a musical My Fair Lady.
- Pygmalion – The main character of this play is a poor girl Eliza Doolitle (who sold flowers and she is from the lowest society of London) with Mr. Pickering a specialist of English language who made a bet with his colleague, he would learn Eliza to speak clear English that the Queen and the best specialst of English couldn’t notice it. And the best opportunity to that would be at the ball.
William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. It is one of the worl’s fanous and important dramatics. During a period of 20 years he wrote 37 plays and beautiful sonnets. His most famous plays are tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, comedies The Midsummer Night’s Dream etc.
- Hamlet - is based on the Danish legend. Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, murdered Hamlet’s father, the king of Denmark. By marrying Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude, he succeeds the throne. The ghost of death king appears to Hamlet and asks for revenge. Hamlet, typical Renaissance hero, is not able to kill without having a clear proof of guilt. In order to find some proof of guilt against Claudius, he pretends madness. He tests the story of the murder with a theatrical performance and carefully watches Claudius. Thinking that Claudius is hidden behind the curtain in Getrude’s room, he kills Polonius, Ophelia’s father. Laertes, Ophelia’s brother and Polonius’s son comes to revenge Ophelia and Polonius. Claudius provokes Laertes to challenge Hamlet to a fencing match. The last scene of the play is most dramatic. In case Hamlet wins the match, Claudius prepares a glass of poisoned wine for him. He also poisons Laertes’s sword. During the dual, both Laertes and Hamlet are wounded by the poisoned wine, Hamlet does not hesitate any more and also stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword. After death of Hamlet, Gertrude, Laertes and Claudius, King Fortinbras comes to lead the country in justice and wisdom.
- Romeo and Juliet - Romeo fell in love with Juliet. They got married in secret because their families hated one another and did not want to allow them to become husband and wife. In a quarrel, Romeo killed one of Juliet’s cousins and as ordered to leave Verona. Juliet’s parents, not knowing that she was already married wished her to marry a rich nobleman. To escape this, she took a drug which made her fall into such a deep sleep that people thought her to be dead. Meanwhile Romeo was told to come secretly to Verona and take Juliet away with him. Unlucky chance prevented him from learning the full truth. He found Juliet in her sleeps and believing and saw dead he poisoned himself. When Juliet awoke and saw Romeo’s dead body, she killed herself too.
Daniel Defoe – He was English writer and the founder of the novel of the 18th century. He wrote and issued a journal The Review. He wrote fictive stories and autobiographies. His most famous work is the adventure novel Robinson Crusoe.
Another famous is a novel Moll Flanders.
- Robinson Crusoe – the novel is based on the memories of the shipwrecked seamn Selkir; the main character of this novel Robinson Crusoe shipwrecked on a lonely island and lived there for 30 years with his faithful servant Friday. After 30 years fortunately came there an English ship and he go back to London.
Charlotte Bronte – She was an English writer. She had a sister Emily Bronte also famous English writer. She was a teacher and governess. She studied foreign languages in Brussels and her and her experiences especially her falling inlove with a professor was an inspiration of her novel Vilette. Her most famous novel is Jane Eyre.
- Jane Eyre - Orphan Jane Eyre becomes a governess and falls in love with her employer, the dark and disturbing Mr. Rochester. Her life becomes more complicated when she almost became a wife of Mr. Rochester but she discovered in church he had been already married with a mad woman = a terrifying secret in Rochester's house and is faced with another option for her life. She came to another village, became a teacher of local basic school. After a year come to this village a message of a great fire of Mr. Rochester’s House. She wanted to visit him to know he is all right. He explained her that situation of the year ago and he finally married her.
- Vilette - The story of an English girl (Lucy Snow) who teaches at a girls' bording school.
Georg Bernard Shaw: is the most famous personality in drama of 20th century. He attacked the whole society. In his plays he criticises the false morals of the society. Beside his famous Candida, You Can Never Tell, The Man of Destiny etc. is most famous Pygmalion. On this Shaw’s masterpiece is also based a musical My Fair Lady.
- Pygmalion – The main character of this play is a poor girl Eliza Doolitle (who sold flowers and she is from the lowest society of London) with Mr. Pickering a specialist of English language who made a bet with his colleague, he would learn Eliza to speak clear English that the Queen and the best specialst of English couldn’t notice it. And the best opportunity to that would be at the ball.
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