Use these words and phrases in sentences of your own
3. Read the statements and say whether they are true or false. You’ll sound more English if you use these models:
If you agree you say:
You are absolutely right; I think so too; I’m of the same opinion; you are right in a way.
If you disagree you say:
Nothing of the kind; far from it; you are pulling my leg!; you are kidding!
1. As far as I remember sport in Russia has always been unpopular.
2. Russian sportsmen, as a rule, have good results in hockey, skiing, figure skating and other classical kinds of sport.
3. Russia used to pay big attention to physical education of the youth but nowadays the situation has changed.
4. Russian sportsmen have no right to perform abroad.
5. Today we can often see both Russian trainers and sportsmen fighting of medals for other countries.
6. Frankly speaking a healthy way of life is coming out of fashion in Russia nowadays. That is why just few people take an interest in sport.
7. It is a well-known fact that in modern kinds of sport Russians are not as successful as their contenders.
8. Tennis is considered to have become so popular in Russia just because of the fact that it was a hobby of Russian ex-president Boris Yeltsin.
9. The Russian hockey team won 9 world championships I a row.
10. We may say that the Russians are sport-lovers. They are keen on hockey, football, skiing, figure skating, volleyball and many others.
11. Russian supporters are famous all over the world for their sense of empathy and team spirit. In spite of this they do not like to overcome bi distances to support their favorite sportsmen.
Write a summary of the text.
Retell the text using the active vocabulary.
Getting about town
Read and translate the following text:
If only stones could speak!
The Moscow Diary
Moscow is the capital of Russia. The date of its foundation is the year 1147. Moscow began to rise in the 14th century. Under Ivan III the Great, in the mid- fifteenth century, Moscow became the principal city of the state of Muskovy. Nowadays Moscow is the largest city of Russia. It is a political, administrative, economic, industrial, educational and cultural city of the country.
Today Moscow is bubbling over with hospitality as never before. All you need to enjoy Moscow to the full is a sense of adventure, an appreciation of Russian history and several pairs of comfortable shoes! They say “Better to see once, than to hear much”. Well said, isn’t it? If you want to have a full idea what Moscow is today, go and see the city yourself!
So welcome to Moscow, its seat of government, its cathedrals, its entertainment, its monuments and above all its people.
The bustling capital city of Moscow lies in the Moscow River Basin, steeped in history and flowing with life. Moscow is a vast city. Famous buildings, offices, banks, department stores, markets, high-rise blocks, elegant squares, concert halls and parks are all part of Moscow. Different areas of the city have their own special character. It may take you a lot of time to get a better overall picture. But if you made up your mind to do the sights of the city, the best place to start is the Kremlin – the centre of the city: here we feel the pulse of Russian history. Its redbrick walls and towers were erected at the end of the 15th century. If only stones could speak! The former Senate building, the Kremlin Great Palace, and the modern Palace of Congresses are located within the walls of the Kremlin. The white bell tower of Ivan III the Great, the Armory Museum, and the Arsenal are grouped around Cathedral Square. The Kremlin contains several cathedrals designed by Italian architects in a style combining Renaissance details with Russian architectural tradition. A majestic sight!
An unforgettable day that includes Red Square walk! It is the ceremonial centre of the capital. The State Historical Museum closes off the northern end of the square. It is the main museum of the State history. A real highlight of Red Square is the Church of the Intercession, or Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed – a really unique creation! It was built for Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible from 1554 to 1560 by the architects Barma and Postnik. The Cathedral is the final expression of pure Russian architectural fantasy in which Byzantine elements detached from their original meaning, were multiplied in unbelievable extravagance. Without any doubt Red Square is a chance to walk through the history of Russia!
There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The State Tretyakov Gallery is the greatest museum of Russian art, one of the world’s leading museums. It was founded in 1856 by P.M. Tretyakov as a private collection but in 1892 was granted to the State. After1917 numerous private collections were added to create this wonderful museum. The main departments are the Russian icon-painting, fine arts of the 18-19 centuries, sculpture, drawings, Soviet art.
The Museum of Fine Arts named after Pushkin is the second (after the Hermitage) in Russia by its collection of antiques of Egypt, ancient world, Oriental art and Western Europe.
Moscow is also a city of theatres. There are more than 30 theatres, popular with both Moscovites and tourists. The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, Mali Theatre and Moscow Art Theatre are world-known. The Bolshoi Theatre was founded in 1776. It is famous for its vocal and ballet schools.
It is possible to trace successive epochs of the growth of Moscow by the Boulevard Ring and the Garden Ring – both following the line of former fortifications – the Moscow Little Ring Railway, and the Moscow Ring Road. They facilitate suburban commuter traffic. Beyond the Garden Ring is a middle zone dominated by 18th-19th-century developments; many factories, railway stations, and freight yards are located there. Since 1960 extensive urban renewal has occurred, producing neighborhoods of high-rise apartment buildings.
If I were you I would stop for a moment to think over what you have seen. Rome wasn’t built in a day; Moscow can’t be seen in a day. Hope to see you here again some day!
II. Wordshop. Translate and transcribe:
a.bubble over with hospitality (with jokes, stories); to enjoy to the full; a bustling city (area, child, woman, man); steeped in history (in fog, in study, in mystery, in heritage); high-rise blocks (buildings, towers, column); to do sights; to date back hundred of years, months; to date back to 1554; a really unique creation (book, novel, history); a highlight of the district (book, match, concert).
b. Match these Russian word combinations with those from the previous exercise:
неистощимый на гостеприимство (шутки, рассказы);
получить полное удовольствие;
суматошный город (деловой район; непоседливый ребенок);
богатый историей (окутанный туманом, погруженный в работу, окутанный тайной, богатый наследием);
многоэтажки (высокие здания, высокая башня, высокая колона);
осматривать достопримечательности;
насчитывать сотни лет (годы, месяцы, датироваться 1554 годом);
если бы камни могли говорить;
поистине уникальное сооружение;
великолепный вид;
гвоздь программы (острый момент матча, гвоздь концерта, «фишка»);
c. Learn to pronounce and spell properly:
cathedral, entertainment, bustling, incredible, medieval, unique, sightseer.
III. Restore the text with these questions to help:
1. What can you tell us about Moscow?
2. What does Moscow attract tourist with?
3. How can you enjoy Moscow to the full?
4. What is the best way to get an idea of Moscow?
5. What kind of city is Moscow?
6. Where does the bustling capital city lie?
7. What is the best place to start sightseeing?
8. If stones could speak what would they tell us about?
9. What is Red Square famous for?
10. Who is the author of the unique creation in Red Square?
11. What can you say about Moscow museums and galleries?
12. What is the Museum of Fine Arts famous for?
13. Why is Moscow considered to be a city of theatres?
14. Where is the growth of Moscow evident?
15. What is located beyond the Garden Ring?