ответьте на следующие вопросы, после текста
price ceilings and price supports
during national emergencies (чрезвычайные обстоятельства), the government sometimes imposes limits on prices, not allowing them to reach their equilibrium level. for example, during world war ii, the governments did not allow the prices of foodstuffs to rise to their equilibrium levels, as they felt that it would be unfair (несправедливый) and highly unpopular. as a result, the quantity demanded exceeded the quantity supplied. in other words, there was shortage.
as the price system is not allowed to do the rationing (нормирование продуктов), some formal system of rationing or allocating the available supply of the product may be needed. thus, in world war ii, families received ration coupons which determined how much they could buy of every commodity. and in 1979, when the organization of petroleum exporting countries cut back oil production and reduced exports of oil to the united states, there was serious talk there that gasoline and oil might be rationed. such rationing schemes may work well in emergencies (over short periods of time), but they can result eventually in serious problems, as prices are not allowed to regulate production and consumption.
consider, for example, the rent ceilings that have been imposed on some apartments in new york city. first, the purpose of these ceilings was to prevent (предотвращать) rents from rocketing up during world war ii. it has resulted in a shortage of housing in new york city. because they have pushed the price of housing below the equilibrium price, less housing has been supplied than has been demanded. the lower price of housing has kept investors from building new housing, and has made it unprofitable for some owners of housing to maintain their buildings. it is socially desirable to allocate more resources to new york housing, but the rent ceilings have prevented this.
governments may also impose price floors – or price supports, as they are often called. the assumption is that they allow producers of the good in question to maintain their revenues at a higher level. for example, the federal government has imposed price supports on a lot of agricultural commodities that might increase farm incomes. the result is that the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded at the floor price. thus, there is a surplus of the commodity – and, in case of (в случае) agricultural commodities the government has to buy up and store these surpluses.
1. when do governments usually impose limits on prices?
2. what examples of government regulations of prices are given in the textl what were their results?
3. is government regulation of prices desirable?
б) подумайте и скажите:
1. what other examples of government rationing of foodstuffs and other goods do you know? what were the reasons for it?
2. are there any price limits in russia at present? if there are any, give examples.

"Кто-то поднимается на гору",сказала волчица-мать,подёргивая ухом. "Приготовься". Кусты в чаще слегка зашумели,и волк-отец присел на задние лапы,готовясь к прыжку. "Человек!",щёлкнул зубами он."Человеческий детёныш. Смотри!" Прямо перед ним,держась за нижнюю ветку,стоял голый смугленький ребёнок,едва научившийся ходить. Он смотрел в морду волка-отца и улыбался. "И это человеческий детёныш?",спросила волчица-мать. "Я никогда их не видела. Принеси-ка его сюда". Волк,привыкший носить своих собственных детёнышей,мог при необходимости принести в пасти яйцо,не разбив его,потому хотя челюсти волка-отца захлопнулись прямо на спине малыша,ни один зуб не поцарапал кожу,когда он положил его к волчатам.

With its architecturally defined profile, this is one of London's most popular historical buildings. Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Later restored by Nash, the present facade was planned by Sir Aston Webb in 1913. At the west end of the Mall, Buckingham Palace is the London residence of the Sovereign.

When the Queen is here, the royal standard flut­ters over the palace. The Royal Mews, in Buckingham Palace Road, house the coaches and horses used on all state occasions and are open to the public on Wednesday and Thursday. The Queen's Gallery, also in Buckingham Palace Road; has especial exhibitions from the Royal collection and may be visited every day except Monday. In its entirety, the Palace and the beautiful gardens which surround it occupy an area of approximately 40 acres. Altogether this is one of the most interesting places in London for the tourist.

The ceremony of the Changing of the Guard that takes place daily at eleven o'clock in the morning. Every day a large crowd of people gather to see this famous and traditional ceremony. It is an event that, in spite of its regularity, appears to be a solemn classical ritual, of purely British fla­vour.

Buckingham Palace is not only the royal residence: it's a small city under one roof. It has a cinema, a post-office, some caffees and a restaurant, a hospital and even a night club. More than 700 people work here every day.

Перевод:

С его архитектурно определенным профилем, это одно из самых популярных исторических зданий Лондона. Букингемский дворец был построен в 1703 для герцога Букингемского. Позднее восстановлен Нэшем, нынешний фасад был запланирован сэром Эстоном Уэббом в 1913 году. На западном конце Молл, находится Букингемский дворец- лондонская резиденция королевы.

Когда королева здесь, королевского штандарт развевается над дворцом. Ройал Мьюс (Королевские конюшни) на Buckingham Palace Road, место работы тренеров и лошадей используются на всех торжественных случаях и открыты для общественности в среду и четверг. Галерея Королевы, также на Buckingham Palace Road, проводит выставки из собраний Королевы и может быть посещена каждый день, кроме понедельника. В целом, дворец и красивые сады, которые окружают его занимают площадь около 40 гектаров. В общей сложности это одно из самых интересных мест в Лондоне для туристов.

Церемония Смена караула происходит каждый день в 11:00 утра. Каждый день большое скопление людей собирается вместе, чтобы увидеть знаменитую и традиционную церемонию. Это событие, несмотря на свою регулярность, является торжественным классическим ритуалом, чисто британского вкуса.

Букингемский дворец является не только королевской резиденцией: это небольшой город под одной крышей. Он имеет кинотеатр, почтовое отделение, несколько кафе, ресторан, больницу и даже ночной клуб. Более 700 человек работают здесь каждый день.