Task 2. Now read the text again and answer these questions in your own words
1. What aspects of the Russian economy increased in the 19th century?
2. Give three reasons why Russia’s economy was underdeveloped?
3. What two things helped the Russian economy grow?
4. How did ordinary people’s lives change after industrialization?
Задача 2. Теперь прочитайте текст еще раз и ответьте на эти вопросы своими словами.
1. The main aspects contributed to an increase of the economy in Russia in the 19th century
were the abolition of serfdom and the creation of their industries.
2. Russia's economy was underdeveloped for three reasons. Firstly, the availability of
feudal economic system. Secondly, the poorly-developed production base of the
Empire. Thirdly, the Crimean war of 1853-1856.
3. Growth of economy of Russia contributed to two factors of production: land and labor.
4. The former serfs became operated factory workers. The majority of the population
remained illiterate and poor.
Task 3. Complete each sentence with a word from the box.
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1. In a ….system, landowners owned the land and the people who worked on it.
2. The Eiffel Tower is an amazing piece of …………. .
3. A person who makes their living from farming a small piece of land is often
called a …….. .
4. People who cannot read or write are ………… .
5. Someone who owns property and rents it to others is a ………… .
6. A ………. was a person who belonged to the owner of land.
7. The aristocracy own large areas of land called ………….. .
8. ……………. farming means you only just manage to survive on what is
produced.
9. The …….. industry produces cloth, cotton and wool.
10. The people who rule the country are sometimes called the ……..
11. …….. People have to be free – their …… is necessary.
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1. In a feudal system, landowners owned the land and the people who worked on it.
2. The Eiffel Tower is an amazing piece of engineering.
3. A person who makes their living from farming a small piece of land is often called
a peasant.
4. People who cannot read or write are illiterate.
5. Someone who owns property and rents it to others is a landlord/landlady.
6. A serf was a person who belonged to the owner of land.
7. The aristocracy own large areas of land called estates.
8. Subsistence farming means you only just manage to survive on what is produced.
9. The textile industry produces cloth, cotton and wool.
10. The people who rule the country are sometimes called the authorities.
11. Serf people have to be free – their emancipation is necessary.
Writing
Imagine that you are a factory inspector for the Russian government in 1890. You visit a textile factory and you are shocked by the conditions. Write a letter to the Finance Minister Sergei Witte telling him what you saw and what you want him to do about it.
Letter from history
Remember, this is a formal letter:
Begin ‘Dear Sir’, and finish ‘Yours faithfully’ or ‘Dear Mr.Witte’, and finish
‘Yours sincerely’,
Do not use contractions (eg. ‘is not should be used instead of ‘isn’t’)
Use some or all of these words and expressions:
I am writing in order to …..
Furthermore ….
It was disgraceful to see …..
I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter.
Greeting
Paragraph 1
Say that you are writing to complain about conditions in the factories.
Paragraph 2.
Explain where you went and why. Say what you saw there (age of the workers,
conditions of the factory, conditions of accommodation for workers).
Paragraph 3.
Explain more about the pay workers receive and the hours they have to work.
Paragraph 4.
Say what you want the Minister to do in order to improve conditions.
Thank him and sign off.
Write 150-200 words.
The Minister of Finance of the Russian Empire
Sergey Y. Witte
Dear Mr. Witte!
I am writing to complain about the conditions in which the workers of the Moscow textile factory. Recently visited with the revision on one of such enterprises and was very indignant of the exploitation of the workers. Minimum age of the employee 5-6 years. The duration of the working day is 12-18 hours a day. However, their salary, in spite of such a long day's work, very low. For example, working - men earn on average per month 14 rubles. 10 kop., women - 7 rubles. 52 kop., adolescents - 7 rubles. 22 kop., underage - 4 rubles. 25 kopecks. Furthermore, unbearable working conditions, diseases, epidemics, high mortality and complete lawlessness. His life they call "the bondage of", "slavery". In the shops of the factory damp and cold, dark and stuffy and dusty.
I would like You to consider a question about the restriction of the employment of children, teenagers and women and limitation of the working day at factories and plants.
I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter.
Sincerely, factory inspector
Timoshkin Evgeny Alexandrovich.
on April 28, 1890