Методичка по английскому языку

 

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. Москва может гордиться рядом уникальных достопримечатель-ностей, среди которых Кремль, построенный как крепость под руководством итальянских архитекторов.

2. Среди знаменитьгх  древних построек Кремля —Архангельский  собор, Успенский Собор и Грановитая  палата, где цари устраивали приемы, Большой Кремлевский дворец, Царь-пушка и Царь-колокол.

3. Красная площадь первоначально  была рыночной площадью и местом  проведения народных собраний, на  ней находятся Мавзолей В. И.  Ленина и захоронения советских  политических деятелей, а также внушительный Собор Василия Блаженного с многочисленными куполами.

4. Около Кремля простираются  старый район Китай-города, который  когда-то был кварталом купцов, и Белый город с Храмом Христа Спасителя, восстановленным в 1990-х годах.

5. К другим достопримечательностям Москвы относятся широкие бульвары, образующие концентрические кольца, семь небоскребов в стиле, напоминающем готику, Останкинская телебашня и Ботанический сад.

6. Богато украшенное  московское метро считается самым  красивым метро в мире.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. When was Moscow founded? 2. Is there a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Moscow? Where is it? 3. When did Moscow become the capital? 4. In 1712 the capital was moved to St Petersburg, wasn't it? When did Moscow become the capital again? 5. Was ancient Moscow a big city? What's the total area of modern Moscow? 6. What's the population of Moscow? 7. What places of interest in the centre of Moscow do you know? 8. What do you know about St Basil's Cathedral?

9. What can you see on the territory of the Kremlin? 10. What are the most famous Moscow museums? (art galleries?) 11. What theatres in Moscow do you know?

12. What is your favorite place in Moscow?

 

 

 

Text 7. ST. PETERSBURG

Vocabulary

the Neva – Нева

the Hermitage Palace – Эрмитаж

the Winter Palace – Зимний дворец

Petrograd – Петроград

the Russian Museum – Русский музей

St Isaac's Cathedral – Исаакиевский собор

the Peter-and-Paul Fortress – Петропавловская крепость

the Admiralty – Адмиралтейство

swampy – болотистый

mouth – устье (реки)

to drop dead – упасть замертво

by the hundreds – сотнями

ruler – правитель

empire – империя

rapidly – быстро

to lay out – планировать

harmonious – гармоничный

granite – гранит

equal – равный, не уступающий

to rename – переименовывать

to suffer – страдать

to lay siege to – осадить

starvation – голод

shelling – бомбежки

air raid – воздушный налет

to destroy – разрушать

to catch smb's eye – привлечь внимание, поразить

to attract – привлекать, притягивать

arm – рукав (реки)

canal – канал

artistically – мастерски

to decorate – украшать

bridge – мост

 

  St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as the "Window on the West". Thousands of workmen were brought from all parts of Russia to build a new city on the swampy land at the mouth of the Neva River. Peter the Great was in a hurry. The work was fast and hard, and workmen dropped dead by the hundreds. But the work went on.

In 1917 St Petersburg, a city of great beauty, with palaces, cathedrals, churches, government buildings became the capital. Under later rulers the new capital of the Russian Empire grew rapidly in wealth and beauty. Architects were brought from western Europe to lay out the city in harmonious squares. Buildings were constructed of grey and rose-coloured granite. The Hermitage Palace and the Winter Palace, the homes of the tsars, were equal to any in Europe.

When the First World War began in 1914, the German-sounding name, St Petersburg, was changed to Petrograd. After the October Revolution the city was renamed after Lenin.

During the Great Patriotic War the city suffered a great deal. The German armies laid siege to it in 1941, and for the next year and a half it was cut off from the rest of the country. No food could be brought in, and people died of starvation. Daily shelling and air raids destroyed parts of the city. Thousands of people were killed. Rebuilding took years.

Now St Petersburg is an important industrial, cultural and educational centre. The population of the city is over 5 million.

St Petersburg is indeed a wonderful city: at every turn there's something to catch your eye. The Winter Palace, the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, St Isaac's Cathedral, the Peter-and-Paul Fortress, the Admiralty building attract thousands of tourists from every corner of the world.

Petersburg's many museums house some of the world's most famous art collections. The Hermitage, for example, contains the richest collection of pictures in the world.

The city is called the Northern Venice because there are 65 rivers, arms and canals there with artistically decorated bridges. It's also famous for its beautiful white nights.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. Have you ever been to St Petersburg?  2. Is St Petersburg as old as Moscow?  3. Who was the city founded by and when did it become the capital of the Russian Empire? 4. Peter I thought that Moscow looked provincial in comparison with the capitals he had visited and decided to build a magnificent city equal to any European capital. Did he succeed? 5. How many times has the city been renamed and why? 6. Did the city suffer a great deal during the Great Patriotic War? 7. What is St Petersburg famous for? 8. Have you ever been to the Russian Museum? (the Hermitage?) 9. What other places of interest in St Petersburg do you know? 
10.  Why is St Petersburg called the Northern Venice?

 

 

 

Text 8. Ancient Russian Cities

Vocabulary

orthodox — православный

valuable — ценный

ancient — древний

attractive — привлекательный

to admire — восхищаться

Faceted Palace — Грановитая палата

Armoury — Оружейная палата

entire — весь, целый

convent — женский монастырь

attraction — привлекательность

iron — железный

sign — знак, вывеска

extended — расширенный

to attract — привлекать

Dormition Cathedral — Успенский собор

mediocrity — заурядность

to scare off — отпугивать

lack — недостаток, нехватка

coach — туристический автобус

authorities — власти, администрация

to restrict — ограничивать

ustainable — непрерывный,  постоянный

profit — прибыль, доход

resident — постоянный житель

height — пик

to draw — привлекать

accommodation — проживание

severe — строгий, суровый

Nerl — Нерль (река)

destination — цель путешествия

prosper — преуспевать

flourish — процветать

 

Nearly all Russian cities and towns have a lot of historic architectural monuments, such as Russian orthodox churches, cathedrals and monasteries. They are valuable symbols of ancient Russian culture. The most attractive city for foreign tourists Moscow. There is a lot to see in the capital but the most important place to visit is the Kremlin.

Here visitors can admire beautiful cathedrals, built in the 15th century, visit the Faceted Palace and the Armoury, and get a fantastic view of the city from the top of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which is the composition centre of the entire Kremlin. There are quite a lot of other examples of ancient Russian architecture outside the Kremlin, such as St. Bazil's Cathedral, Novodevichy Convent and Pokrova Church in Fili.

Moscow's attraction for tourists is not only its historical sites but the fact that it's a modern city with hundreds of museums and galleries, theatres and restaurants. In my opinion, it's impossible to be bored in Moscow, but if you want to enjoy some fresh sightseeing impressions, you may visit two major towns of the "Golden Ring of Russia", Suzdal and Vladimir.

Upon your arrival in Suzdal you will find yourself in a fairytale world. The town has a kremlin, a convent, two monasteries, dozens of churches, dating from the 12th to the 18th centuries and a nearly 200-year-old shopping arcade with traditional iron signs outside the shops. There are no high buildings here. The city is like an extended village of wooden houses, with lace curtains and geraniums in the windows.

Vladimir attracts tourists by the severe architecture of its white stone cathedrals and churches. The most famous of them are Dormition Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Demetrius and Pokrova Church on the Nerl.

These two towns are like two islands of beauty in a sea of mediocrity. Yet, there are very few foreign visitors there. Why? They are scared off by the lack of comfortable hotels, coaches, good roads with road signs and well-trained guides. Besides, some of the architectural monuments have become ruined by time and really have to be renovated. But local authorities usually lack funds and it restricts the possibilities for developing tourism in these towns.

It goes without saying that sustainable tourism could provide good profits for local residents, especially at the height of the tourist season. But to draw more tourists into Russian towns, we must provide good accommodation and eating facilities, build roads and parking places, develop outdoor activities and make these towns known to the public. If only Russian cities and towns could become popular tourist destinations, then they would really prosper and flourish.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. When was Moscow founded? Who founded our capital? 2. Is there a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Moscow? Where is it? 3. What can you see on the territory of the Kremlin? 4. What is your favourite place in Moscow? 5. What are the most famous Moscow museums and galleries? 6. Are you proud of your home town? 7. What ancient Russian cities and towns do you know? 8. What are the main problems of ancient cities and towns in Russia? 9. What are the main ways of drawing more tourists into Russian cities and towns? 10. Where would you rather live: in the city or in the village?

 

 

 

Text 8. Famous Russian Cities

Vocabulary

to get acquainted with — знакомиться с

wooden tableware — деревянная  посуда

log house — бревенчатый дом, изба

wood carving — резьба по дереву

orthodox — православный

treasury — сокровищница

to attract — привлекать

applied art — прикладное искусство

to stem from — происходить от

alteration — изменение

contribution — вклад

to excel — превосходить

medieval — средневековый

artistic value — художественная ценность

glorious — славный

completely — полностью

to ruin — разрушать

fighting — борьба

defense — оборона

common grave — братская могила

Eternal Flame — Вечный огонь

 

 

Millions of people all over the world are fond of travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, to discover different ways of life, to meet different people and to practise foreign languages. It goes without saying that travelling broadens the mind. While travelling, we can see and learn a lot of things that we can never learn staying at home and watching TV or reading books. That's why a lot of foreign people come to Russia to get acquainted with Russian culture, with Russian customs and traditions.

Russia has always been a country of mystery and attraction for foreigners. There are a lot of villages and towns in Russia famous for their specific crafts: painted boxes in Palekh, wooden tableware in Khokhloma and toys in Dymkovo. Thousands of foreigners visit Russia to enjoy typical Russian log houses, decorated with wood carving.

Tourists like to visit old Russian towns and cities famous for their ancient architecture. They are especially attracted by Russian orthodox cathedrals, churches and monasteries. One of the most interesting old cities in Russia is Novgorod, or Novgorod the Great, as it was called in the old times. It is a treasury of architecture, painting and applied art created over the 11th to 17th centuries. The first records of the city on the Volkhov River date back to the year 859. Now Novgorod has expanded far beyond its former limits. It is an important industrial and cultural centre, located on the busy highway linking Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The focal point of the city is the Detinets, or the Kremlin. The present-day Kremlin stems largely from the 15th century. Several alterations made in the 16th and 17th centuries were minor and did not affect its appearance. Novgorod's contribution to the development of Russian culture is outstanding. No other city excels Novgorod in the number of ancient monuments of architecture. The Novgorod Museum of History, Architecture and Art shows visitors the history of medieval Novgorod. Its artistic value lies primarily in its collection of medieval icon painting.

Of course, every foreigner should visit St. Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great at the mouth of the Neva River. Now it is an important industrial, cultural and educational centre.

St. Petersburg is indeed a wonderful city: at every turn there is something to catch your eye. The Winter Palace, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Admiralty building attract thousands of tourists from every corner of the world. Petersburg's many museums house some of the world's most famous art collections. The Hermitage and the Russian Museum, for example, contain the richest collections of pictures in the world.

The city is called the Northern Venice because there are more than a hundred rivers, arms and canals there with artistically decorated bridges. It's also famous for its beautiful white nights.

There are a lot of Hero-cities in our country. And I would recommend my foreign friends to visit one of them. Volgograd is a legendary city, because here in 1943 the Soviet Army won the great and glorious victory over the fascists. The city was completely ruined during the war, but now it is a beautiful city again. It stands on the banks of the great Russian river Volga. The symbol of Volgograd is the Mamaev Hill. It was the centre of fighting during the heroic defense of Stalingrad. Now there is a great memorial there. Besides, you can visit the Stalingrad Battle Panorama Museum, which is situated on the bank of the Volga. The centre of Volgograd is the Square of the Fallen Heroes. In the middle of it there is a granite obelisk and the common graves of the heroes of the Civil War and; the Great Patriotic War. At the foot of the memorial you can see the Eternal Flame. Now Volgograd is a big industrial and cultural centre.

There are a lot of other interesting towns and cities in Russia, which are all worth visiting.

 

Answer the following questions:

1. Do you think that travelling is one of the best ways of learning about the world? 2. "Travelling broadens the mind." Do you agree with this statement? 3. What arc the most popular attractions in Russia? 4. Which Russian cities would you like to visit? Why? 5. What places of interest would you like to see in St. Petersburg? 6. When was St. Petersburg founded? 7. Why is St. Petersburg called the Northern Venice? 8. What ancient Russian towns and cities do you know? What are they famous for? 9. What Hero-cities do you know in Russia? 10. What are the main places of interest in Volgograd?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIALOGUES

 

l.

 

— Mike, are you proud of your native country?

— Of course, I am. Russia is the largest country in the world and it is very rich.

— What do you mean?

— I mean that it has thick forests and high mountains, long rivers and deep lakes. What is more, it is rich in mineral resources: oil, gas, coal, diamonds and gold.

— That's great! And what are the longest rivers in your country?

— The longest river on the European territory of Russia is the Volga, and the main Siberian rivers arc the Ob, the Yenisei and the Lena.

— And what about the mountains? Are they very high?

— The Caucasus is the youngest and the highest mountain system in Russia, whereas the Urals are the oldest mountains and they are not very high.

— Every country is proud of its people. What can you say about the Russians?

— Whoever comes to Russia, they all say that Russian people arc wonderful. They are kind and hospitable, clever and inventive. There arc a lot of talented people in my country. People all over the world know the names of A. Pushkin, P. Tchaikovsky and Yuri Gagarin.

— I can't but agree that Russia has produced a galaxy of outstanding people.

 

2.

 

— The land of Russia varies greatly, doesn't it?

— Yes, it does. We have thick forests and vast plains, high mountains and deep valleys.

— And what are the main mountain systems?

— The main mountain chains arc the Caucasus, the Urals and the Altai. The Caucasus is the highest mountain system and Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in the Caucasus, in the Russian Federation and in the whole Europe.

— And what about the Urals? Are these mountains high?

— Oh, no! This mountain chain is rather old, that is why the mountains arc not very high. The Urals form a natural border between Europe and Asia. They are famous for their valuable minerals and gemstones.

— Well, I know that vegetation in Russia is as diverse as its landscapes. Is that true?

— Yes, you are right. Russia is so big that there are six vegetation zones stretching across the country. In Russia you can find almost all kinds of trees: birches, maples, oaks, cedars, larches, fir-trees, pines, iron and cork trees, and even lianas.

— And what about animals?

— Oh, Russia is rich in animals too. You can find white bean? and polar foxes in the north; wolves, elks and roes in the forest zone; and tigers and leopards in the Far East.

— Really? That's great!

 

3.

— Hello! Where are you from?

— Hello! I'm from Russia.

— What is your home city?

— My home city is Moscow, the capital of Russia.

— Are there any places of interest in Moscow?

— Of course. There are many of them: the Kremlin, Red Square, Arbat Street, a lot of museums, galleries and monuments, churches and cathedrals.

— What is the centre of Moscow?

— It's Red Square. There are a lot of interesting places in Red Square. The most ancient monument of Red Square is St. Bazil's Cathedral. You can see Lobnoye Mesto near the Cathedral. It was erected in the 16th century.

— What was it used for?

— The tsar's orders were read from it. It was also used as a place for execution. The Lenin Mausoleum is in the centre of the square too. It was originally made of wood and in 1930 it was rebuilt and made of stone, brick, marble and granite.

— Are the streets wide or narrow in Moscow?

— They are both wide and narrow. There are a lot of modern houses in Moscow but you can see old houses too. They are being reconstructed or pulled down.

— And what is the area of the city?

— It's over 1,000 square kilometres.

— What is the population of your city?

— It's over 10 million people.

— You live in a great country. Who is your country proud of?

— My country is proud of its people who brought fame to their country. My country was the first to launch a man into space. Nobel prizes for science, literature and peace have been won by Russian citizens. In the fields of art, media and sport Russia enjoy international reputation. Russia has nuclear weapons, a strong army and remains a widely-respected country.

— What traditions do people in Russia keep?

— People in Russia keep their old traditions and are very proud of them. They celebrate religious holidays such as Easter, Christmas and Maslenitsa. They eat traditional food for Maslenitsa such as pancakes with honey, caviar or sour cream. They colour eggs, bake kulich cakes, make a paskha out of cottage cheese for Easter.

— Are the Russians religious people?

— Many of them are. The main church in Russia is the Orthodox Church, but there are other religions too. The Orthodox Church has survived during the hard times and now we speak about a rebirth of religion in our country.

— What are the symbols of Russia?

— The national emblem of Russia is the double-headed eagle. Our national flag is made up of three stripes: white, blue and red. Another symbol of Russia is the Spasskaya Tower, because the Kremlin clock made in the 16th century is on it. You see, you have a lot of questions. That's why I invite you to visit my country and to see everything with your own eyes.