Английский язык для экономистов. Основы экономического английского

Anna and Mark are sitting in the university library after their first economics lecture.

Anna: Mark, can I ask you something? I’m still a little confused about today’s lecture.

Mark: Of course. What’s the problem?

Anna: The professor said that economics is a science. But it doesn’t feel like physics or chemistry.

Mark: That’s true. Economics is different. It is a social science.

Anna: Social science? What does that mean?

Mark: It studies how people behave and make choices when resources are limited.

Anna: So it’s more about people than numbers?

Mark: Both. Economists study human behavior, but they also use data and statistics to understand economic problems.

Anna: Can you give me an example?

Mark: Sure. Economists study why prices rise, why some people lose jobs, or how governments spend money.

Anna: Do they experiment in labs?

Mark: Not usually. They use models, data, and real-life situations instead.

Anna: What’s an economic model?

Mark: It’s a simplified description of reality that helps explain how the economy works.

Anna: And is this useful in everyday life?

Mark: Yes. It helps people, firms, and governments make better decisions.

Anna: So economics combines theory and practice.

Mark: Exactly. It’s a science that explains real-life economic decisions.

Полезные фразы и выражения

Economics is a science – Экономика – это наука

social science – социальная наука

to study human behavior – изучать поведение людей

to make choices – делать выбор

limited resources – ограниченные ресурсы

to use data and statistics – использовать данные и статистику

economic problems – экономические проблемы

to analyze real-life situations – анализировать реальные ситуации

economic model – экономическая модель

a simplified description of reality – упрощённое описание реальности

to understand how the economy works – понимать, как работает экономика

to make better decisions – принимать более эффективные решения

individuals, firms, and governments – люди, фирмы и правительства

theoretical and practical – теоретический и практический

to explain economic processes – объяснять экономические процессы

Упражнения

1. Matching

Соотнеси английские слова с их переводом.

A

social science

limited resources

economic model

make choices

data

B

a. данные

b. делать выбор

c. социальная наука

d. экономическая модель

e. ограниченные ресурсы

2. Fill in the blanks

Заполни пропуски словами из списка:

(science, behavior, decisions, model, data)

Economics is a social __________.

Economists study human __________.

People and governments make economic __________.

An economic __________ helps explain reality.

Economists collect and analyze __________.

3. Translation

A. Translate into English:

Экономика изучает поведение людей.

Экономисты используют данные и модели.

Правительства принимают экономические решения.

B. Translate into Russian:

4. Economics helps us understand real-life situations.

5. Economic models explain economic processes.

4. Speaking Practice (Dialog)

Работай в паре.

Student A: Ask what economics as a science means.

Student B: Explain how economics studies human behavior and uses data.

Student A: Ask about economic models.

Student B: Explain how models help understand real-life decisions.

Ответы к упражнениям

1. Matching

1 – c

2 – e

3 – d

4 – b

5 – a

2. Fill in the blanks

science

behavior

decisions

model

data

3. Translation

A.

Economics studies human behavior.

Economists use data and models.

Governments make economic decisions.

B.

4. Экономика помогает нам понимать реальные жизненные ситуации.

5. Экономические модели объясняют экономические процессы.

4. Speaking Practice (Dialog) – пример

Student A: Hi! Can you explain what economics as a science means?

Student B: Sure! Economics is a social science that studies how people make choices with limited resources.

Student A: Do economists work in laboratories?

Student B: Not usually. They use data, statistics, and models to analyze real-life problems.

Student A: Can you give an example of an economic problem?

Student B: Yes. For example, why prices rise or how governments spend money.

Student A: So economics helps make better decisions?

Student B: Exactly! It combines theory and practical applications.

Anna and Mark are sitting in the university cafeteria during a break.

Anna: Mark, I still don’t understand why the professor keeps talking about scarcity.

Mark: Scarcity is one of the most important concepts in economics.

Anna: What does it mean exactly?

Mark: It means that resources are limited, but people’s wants are unlimited.

Anna: So we can’t have everything we want?

Mark: Exactly. Scarcity forces people, firms, and governments to make choices.

Anna: Can you give me an example?

Mark: Sure. Imagine a country has limited money. It can spend it on hospitals, schools, or roads, but not on all three at the same time.

Anna: I see. So making choices is really important in economics.

Mark: Yes. And when we make choices, we face trade-offs. Choosing one thing means giving up another.

Anna: Trade-offs… like opportunity cost?

Mark: Exactly! Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative we give up when we make a choice.

Anna: That makes sense. So scarcity leads to choices, and choices have costs.

Mark: Right. Understanding scarcity and choice helps us make better economic decisions.

Полезные фразы и выражения

scarcity – нехватка, ограниченность

limited resources – ограниченные ресурсы

unlimited wants – неограниченные потребности

to make choices – делать выбор

trade-off – компромисс, альтернативный выбор

opportunity cost – альтернативная стоимость

individuals, firms, and governments – люди, фирмы и правительства

to face a decision – сталкиваться с выбором

to give up – отказаться, пожертвовать

the next best alternative – следующая лучшая альтернатива

economic decision – экономическое решение

to understand economic problems – понимать экономические проблемы

Упражнения

1. Matching

Соотнеси английские слова с их переводом.

A

scarcity

trade-off

opportunity cost

limited resources

choices

B

a. альтернативная стоимость

b. компромисс, альтернативный выбор

c. ограниченные ресурсы

d. нехватка, ограниченность

e. выборы, решения

2. Fill in the blanks

Заполни пропуски словами из списка: (scarcity, choices, trade-off, opportunity cost, resources)

Economics studies how people make __________ with limited __________.

Scarcity means we cannot have everything we want.

A __________ occurs when choosing one thing requires giving up another.

The value of the next best alternative is called __________.

Understanding scarcity helps us make better economic __________.

3. Translation

A. Translate into English:

Ограниченные ресурсы заставляют людей делать выбор.

Выбор одного варианта означает отказ от другого.

Альтернативная стоимость помогает понять последствия решений.

B. Translate into Russian:

Scarcity forces people to make choices.

Trade-offs are part of everyday economic decisions.

4. Speaking Practice (Dialog)

Работай в паре.

Student A: Ask what scarcity means.

Student B: Explain that scarcity is limited resources and unlimited wants.

Student A: Ask about trade-offs and opportunity cost.

Student B: Explain how choosing one thing means giving up another and what opportunity cost is.

Пример диалога:

Student A: Hi! What does scarcity mean in economics?

Student B: Scarcity means resources are limited, but people want more than they can have.

Student A: How does scarcity affect choices?

Student B: Scarcity forces people, firms, and governments to make choices and face trade-offs.

Student A: What is opportunity cost?

Student B: Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative we give up when making a decision.

Ответы к упражнениям

1. Matching

1 – d

2 – b

3 – a

4 – c

5 – e

2. Fill in the blanks

choices, resources

scarcity

trade-off

opportunity cost

decisions

3. Translation

A.

Limited resources force people to make choices.

Choosing one option means giving up another.

Opportunity cost helps understand the consequences of decisions.

B.

Нехватка заставляет людей делать выбор.

Компромиссы являются частью повседневных экономических решений.

Anna and Mark are walking in the park after an economics class.

Anna: Mark, I hear a lot about opportunity cost in class, but I’m still not sure I understand it.

Mark: Opportunity cost is a very important concept. It helps us understand the real cost of our choices.

Anna: Real cost? I thought cost is just the money we spend.

Mark: That’s a common mistake. Opportunity cost is not only money. It’s the value of the next best alternative we give up.

Anna: Can you give me an example?

Mark: Sure. Imagine you have two hours free. You can either study economics or watch a movie. If you choose to study, the opportunity cost is the enjoyment you would have gotten from the movie.

Anna: Oh, I see. So every choice has an opportunity cost.

Mark: Exactly. Even governments and firms face opportunity costs. For example, if a government spends money on defense, the opportunity cost might be less money for education.

Anna: So understanding opportunity cost helps us make better decisions?

Mark: Yes. It shows what we give up when we choose one option over another.

Полезные фразы и выражения

opportunity cost – альтернативная стоимость

the next best alternative – следующая лучшая альтернатива

to give up – отказаться, пожертвовать

real cost – реальная стоимость

to make a choice – сделать выбор

limited resources – ограниченные ресурсы

individuals, firms, and governments – люди, фирмы и правительства

to face a decision – сталкиваться с выбором

to understand the consequences – понимать последствия

economic decision – экономическое решение

trade-off – компромисс, альтернативный выбор

Упражнения

1. Matching

Соотнеси английские слова с их переводом.

A

opportunity cost

trade-off

next best alternative

give up

real cost

B

a. следующая лучшая альтернатива

b. компромисс, альтернативный выбор

c. отказаться, пожертвовать

d. альтернативная стоимость

e. реальная стоимость

2. Fill in the blanks

Заполни пропуски словами из списка: (opportunity cost, alternative, give up, choice, resources)

Every __________ has an opportunity cost.

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best __________.

When we make a decision, we often have to __________ something.

Governments use limited __________ to make economic decisions.

Understanding opportunity cost helps people make better __________.

3. Translation

A. Translate into English:

Альтернативная стоимость показывает, что мы теряем, делая выбор.

Каждое решение имеет свои последствия.

Даже правительства сталкиваются с альтернативными издержками.

B. Translate into Russian:

Opportunity cost helps us understand the consequences of our choices.

Every decision involves giving up something.

4. Speaking Practice (Dialog)

Работай в паре.

Student A: Ask what opportunity cost means.

Student B: Explain that it is the value of the next best alternative we give up.

Student A: Ask for an example.

Student B: Explain using a choice between studying and watching a movie, or government spending.

Пример диалога:

Student A: Hi! What is opportunity cost?

Student B: Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative we give up when we make a choice.

Student A: Can you give me an example?

Student B: Sure. If you spend two hours studying instead of watching a movie, the opportunity cost is the enjoyment of the movie.

Student A: Do governments face opportunity costs too?

Student B: Yes. For example, spending money on defense may mean less money for education.

Ответы к упражнениям

1. Matching

1 – d

2 – b

3 – a

4 – c

5 – e

2. Fill in the blanks

choice

alternative

give up

resources

decisions

3. Translation

A.

Opportunity cost shows what we give up when making a choice.

Every decision has consequences.

Even governments face opportunity costs.

B.

Альтернативная стоимость помогает нам понять последствия наших выборов.

Каждое решение связано с отказом от чего-то.

Anna and Mark are sitting in a cafe after their economics lecture.

Anna: Mark, today the professor talked about factors of production. Can you explain what they are?

Mark: Sure! Factors of production are the resources used to produce goods and services.

Anna: What kinds of resources are we talking about?

Mark: There are four main types: land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.

Anna: Can you explain each one?

Mark: Of course. Land refers to natural resources like soil, water, and minerals. Labor is the human effort used in production. Capital is the machinery, tools, and buildings that help produce goods. Entrepreneurship is the ability to combine these resources to create products and services.

Anna: So entrepreneurs take risks and organize resources?

Mark: Exactly. They make decisions about what to produce and how to produce it.

Anna: Are these factors limited?

Mark: Yes, all factors of production are limited, which is why scarcity exists.

Anna: I see. So understanding these factors helps us understand how the economy works.

Mark: Right. They are the building blocks of all economic activity.

Полезные фразы и выражения

factors of production – факторы производства

land – земля, природные ресурсы

labor – труд

capital – капитал, средства производства

entrepreneurship – предпринимательство

natural resources – природные ресурсы

human effort – человеческий труд

machinery, tools, and buildings – машины, инструменты и здания

to produce goods and services – производить товары и услуги

to combine resources – комбинировать ресурсы

to take risks – рисковать

economic activity – экономическая деятельность

scarcity – ограниченность ресурсов

to understand how the economy works – понимать, как работает экономика

Упражнения

1. Matching

Соотнеси английские слова с их переводом.

A

land

labor

capital

entrepreneurship

factors of production

B

a. предпринимательство

b. капитал, средства производства

c. труд

d. земля, природные ресурсы

e. факторы производства

2. Fill in the blanks

Заполни пропуски словами из списка: (land, labor, capital, entrepreneurship, production)

__________ of production are resources used to produce goods and services.

__________ includes soil, water, and minerals.

__________ is the human effort used in production.

__________ refers to machinery, tools, and buildings.

__________ is the ability to combine resources and take risks to produce goods.

3. Translation

A. Translate into English:

Факторы производства включают землю, труд, капитал и предпринимательство.

Предприниматели объединяют ресурсы и принимают риски.

Капитал включает машины, инструменты и здания.

B. Translate into Russian:

Factors of production are essential for all economic activity.

Land and labor are limited resources.

4. Speaking Practice (Dialog)

Работай в паре.

Student A: Ask what factors of production are.

Student B: Explain the four types: land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.

Student A: Ask for examples of each factor.

Student B: Give examples like soil and water for land, workers for labor, machinery for capital, and a business owner for entrepreneurship.

Пример диалога:

Student A: Hi! What are factors of production?

Student B: Factors of production are resources used to produce goods and services.

Student A: What are the main types?

Student B: Land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.

Student A: Can you give examples?

Student B: Sure. Land is soil and water, labor is workers, capital is machines, and entrepreneurship is the business owner who organizes resources.

Ответы к упражнениям

1. Matching

1 – d

2 – c

3 – b

4 – a

5 – e

2. Fill in the blanks

Factors

Land

Labor

Capital

Entrepreneurship

3. Translation

A.

Factors of production include land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs combine resources and take risks.

Capital includes machinery, tools, and buildings.

B.

Факторы производства необходимы для всей экономической деятельности.

Земля и труд – ограниченные ресурсы.

Anna and Mark are walking home after their economics lecture.

Anna: Mark, today the professor mentioned economic agents. I’m not sure what that means.

Mark: Economic agents are individuals, firms, and governments who make economic decisions.

Anna: So everyone who participates in the economy is an economic agent?

Mark: Exactly. Individuals make choices about what to buy, how much to save, or what career to pursue.

Anna: And firms?

Mark: Firms decide what goods and services to produce, how to produce them, and at what price to sell.

Anna: What about governments?

Mark: Governments make decisions about taxation, spending, and regulation. They try to manage the economy and provide public goods.

Anna: So all these agents interact in the economy?

Mark: Yes, and their decisions affect each other. For example, if households save more money, firms may invest less, and the government may adjust its policies.

Anna: I see. Understanding economic agents helps explain how the economy works.

Mark: Exactly. They are the main players in every economic system.

Полезные фразы и выражения

economic agents – экономические агенты

individuals – люди

firms – фирмы

governments – правительства

to make economic decisions – принимать экономические решения

to produce goods and services – производить товары и услуги

to consume – потреблять

to save – откладывать, сберегать

to invest – инвестировать

taxation – налогообложение

spending – расходы

regulation – регулирование

public goods – общественные блага

to interact – взаимодействовать

economic system – экономическая система

to affect each other – влиять друг на друга

Упражнения

1. Matching

Соотнеси английские слова с их переводом.

A

individuals

firms

governments

economic agents

public goods

B

a. экономические агенты

b. общественные блага

c. правительства

d. люди

e. фирмы

2. Fill in the blanks

Заполни пропуски словами из списка: (individuals, firms, governments, decisions, interact)

__________, firms, and governments are economic agents.

Individuals make economic __________ about consumption and savings.