Russian nobel prizewinners
MY MOTHERLAND
1. What do you know about present day Russia, functions of its Parliament, Government and President? Answer, then compare with the facts from the text below.
2. Match English to Russian word combinations.
1. to undergo changes a назначить министров
2. to enforce a law b одобрить законопроект
3. to improve the situation c претерпеть изменения
4. to become a law d улучшить ситуацию
5. to appoint ministers e проводить закон в жизнь
6. to approve a bill f стать законом
3. Read the text about the Russian Federation and answer the questions again.
The Russian Federation
The State System.
The Russian Federation was set up by the Constitution of 1993 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. According to the Constitution, Russia is a Presidential Republic. The President is elected for four years and is the head of the State. The President is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, he makes treaties, enforces laws and appoints ministers.
The Federal Government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. All of them are checked by the President. The legislative power is represented by the Federal Assembly. It consists of two chambers. The Upper Chamber is the Council of Federation. The Lower Chamber is the State Duma.
To become a law, a bill must be approved by both chambers and signed by the President. The President may veto the bill.
The executive power belongs to the Government which is headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister forms his Cabinet.
The judicial branch is represented by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and regional courts.
The state symbol of Russia is a three-coloured banner with three horizontal stripes.
The National Emblem is a two-headed eagle which is the most ancient symbol of Russia. It was borrowed by the Russian Tsar Ivan III from Bysanthy. In 1917 after the October Revolution the Russian Coat-of-Arms was abandoned. When Russia restored its independence and sovereignty, the State Duma approved in 1994 the Russian Coat of Arms (the golden two-headed Eagle) as the official symbol of our country.
Notes:
Coat of Arms – герб
Supreme Commander-in-Chief – Верховный главнокомандующий
Federal Assembly – Федеральное Собрание
Constitutional Court – Конституционный Суд
make a treaty – заключать договор
enforce a law – проводить закон в жизнь
4. Read the text and answer the question: what is the economic situation in Russia like?
Russia’s Economy
Russia has undergone significant changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union, moving from a globally-isolated, centrally-planned economy to a more market-based and globally-integrated economy.
Russian economic policy is increasingly based on exploitation of natural resources.. Now Russia is facing rather a difficult economic situation. It concerns the industrial production, the prices, the rate of inflation, the problems of unemployment and bankruptcy. Much is being done to improve the situation. But despite this complicated situation, Russia remains one of the leading countries in the world.
Note:
face rather a difficult economic situation – сталкиваться с довольно трудной экономической ситуацией
5. Speaking. Reproduce the following dialogue. Find the answers a-c to the questions 1-3.
| 1. What is the state symbol of Russia? 2. Can you describe it? 3. What do these stripes symbolize? | a. Certainly. It has three horizontal stripes: white, blue and red. b. The white stripe symbolizes the Earth, the blue one – the sky, the red one symbolizes liberty. c. The state symbol of Russia is a three-coloured banner. |
6. Rearrange the words to make a proverb. or, home, West, is, best, East.
What does it mean?
7. Look at the title of the text. Why is Novgorod called the Father of Russian cities?
The Father of Russian Cities
Novgorod
1. Novgorod (Newtown) is one of the most ancient cities in Russia. The town was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruki in the 10th century, near the Volkhov river and Lake IImen. It later became the Centre of the independent Novgorod Republic.
2. In medieval times, Novgorod was one of the greatest art centres in Europe. Its architecture, jewellery, painted icons and decorative art became famous all over the world. In the 1100s, Prince Yaroslav the Wise opened the first school in the city. Documents written on birch-bark, found by archaeologists, prove that the citizens of Novgorod had a high level of literacy and culture.
3. Novgorod’s good geographical position meant that the city was able to establish economic and cultural links with Western Europe. It became a go-between in the trade of Europe with oriental countries.
4. Novgorod is connected with many great people. One of these people is Alexander Nevsky, the famous prince of Novgorod who defeated the Swedes and defended Russia in the 13th century. After this victory, he was given the nickname ‘Nevsky’ because the battle had taken place on the Neva river.
5. Visitors to Novgorod will be fascinated by the cathedral of St. Sophia, the oldest surviving stone monument in Russia, built in 1045, and the Kremlin of Novgorod, which is Russia’s oldest Kremlin. You can also visit a unique complex of ancient Russian architectural monuments from the 11th to 17th centuries. Novgorod is a beautiful town, full of history and culture.
8. Read the text again and match the paragraphs to the headings.
History □
Trade □
Famous Citizens □
Novgorod Today □
Art and Education □
9. What do these numbers in the text stand for?
10th century, 13th century, 1100, 1045
10. Speaking. In pairs, ask and answer questions about Novgorod.
11. Read the text “The Golden Ring” and say what you think the Golden Ring is. Have you been to any of the towns of the Golden Ring?
The Golden Ring is a group of ancient Russian towns and cities that form a curved line that begins and ends in Moscow. These towns and cities are an important part of Russian culture as they are places that have seen the main events of Russian history. A tour of the Golden Ring gives visitors the opportunity to learn about Russia’s past, culture and traditions.
VLADIMIR – Vladimir was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomach in 1108 and became the capital of North-Eastern Russia in the 12th century. It is famous for its beautiful architecture and its peaceful atmosphere.
SUZDAL – Suzdal was established in 1024 and is one of the best-preserved towns in Russia. Visitors will see building styles from different epochs and will enjoy exploring the city on foot. If you like camping, you can pitch your tent on the banks of the river Kamenka.
KOSTROMA – Founded in 1152 and located on the Volga River, Kostroma was the birthplace of the Romanov Dynasty. It is well known for its Fire-Watch tower and the Church of the Resurrection.
YAROSLAVL – This town was founded at the beginning of the 11th century (1010) in the place where the Volga and Kotorosl rivers meet. The city has wonderful architecture and a heroic past. One of the main tourist attractions of this town is the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour.
ROSTOV THE GREAT – Founded in 862, this ancient Russian town is located on lake Nero. The Rostov Kremlin, the Cathedral of Assumption and the Bell Tower will impress visitors. The largest of the Rostov bells weighs 32,000 kg and the sound of its chimes can be heard for 20km!
PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY – Established in 1152 and halfway between Moscow and Yaroslavl, on the bank of the Pleshcheevo Lake is Pereslavl-Zalessky. In 1693 Peter the Great constructed a prototype of the first Russian fleet here. Now the lake has National Park status.
SERGIEV POSAD – Founded in 862 and named after Saint Serguis who founded the largest Russian monastery, The Holy Trinity – St. Sergius Lavra. The monastery contains a huge library of religious books as well as icons and other treasures.
12. Read the text again and mark the sentences T (true) or F (false). Then correct the false statements.
1. Vladimir was founded by Prince
Vladimir Monomach and became the capital
of South-Eastern Russia in the 12th century. …………
2. Suzdal is a great place to visit if you
like walking. …………
3. Kostroma is situated where three rivers
join together. ..……….
4. Lake Nero has National Park status. ………...
5. Peter the Great founded a library of religious
books at the largest monastery in Russia. …………
13. Match the place with the description.
| 1. Peace and quiet and lovely buildings 2. A place where ships were built 3. A very large, very loud bell 4. Architecture from different periods of history 5. The Romanov Dynasty started here | Kostroma Vladimir Suzdal Rostov The Great Pereslavl-Zalessky |
14. In pairs, ask and answer questions about the towns in the Golden
Ring.
The Capital of Fountains
15. Read the text and say where in Russia the capital of fountains is. Do
you know why it was built there?
Peterhof is located 30km west of St.Petersburg on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. It was the summer residence of Peter the Great, built to commemorate victory over the Swedes in 1709 and to show the strength of the Russian Empire.
Peterhof was designed to resemble Versailles in France and architects from all over the world were involved in its design. Over 4,000 peasants dug the gardens, parks and canals, and Peter the Great himself helped to plan the layout of the gardens and fountains. Vasily Tuvolkov, Russia’s first hydraulics engineer, built the fountains in 1721-1722.
The Great Cascade fountain in the gardens has 17 waterfalls, 142 water jets, 66 fountains, 29 bas-reliefs and 39 gilded statues, including the famous five-ton Sampson Fountain. It is surrounded by eight dolphins and is wrestling the open jaws of a lion from which a jet of water shoots over 20 metres into the air. Another fountain, the Chess Hill, contains some of the best waterfalls cascading over bronze dragons. The Triton Fountain shows Neptune’s son wrestling with a sea monster. The Pyramid fountain was designed by Peter the Great and is made up of seven tiers and 505 jets.
Some of the fountains are there to surprise and amuse visitors. The Little Umbrella fountain sprays out water from 164 jets as soon as anyone sits on a bench underneath it. The Little Oak fountain sprays out water if it senses any weight approaching it and the Pebbles fountain also drenches visitors who sit on a nearby bench.
To feel happy and make their spirits high, Russians and foreign visitors come to Peterhof to enjoy its magic charms.
Notes:
commemorate victory – праздновать победу
resemble – походить
layout – расположение
bas-reliefs – барельеф
wrestle – бороться
tier – ряд, ярус
16. What do these numbers in the text stand for?
30, 4000, 17, 29, 142, 39, 66, 505, 20.
Example: “30” stands for a distance from St. Petersburg in km.
17. Read and replace the pronouns with information from the text.
1. It was the summer residence of Peter the Great. – Peterhof.
2. He built the fountains.
3. It contains some of the best waterfalls cascading over bronzed
dragons.
4. He designed the Pyramid fountain.
5. It sprays out water from 164 jets.
18. Speaking. A foreign visitor would like to learn about Peterhof. What
can you tell him/her?
19. Read and act out the dialogue. Which phrases are useful to make a conversation? Find and learn them. What view of Saint-Petersburg do you like best?
| Mary: What a marvelous view! Liz: Fantastic, isn’t it? St. Petersburg is the most beautiful city in the world. Mary: It’s beautiful. But don’t forget you haven’t been to Rome. Liz: As far as I know Rome is much older than St. Petersburg. Mary: It’s much older. St. Petersburg is a relatively young city. Liz: When was it founded? Mary: It was founded in 1703. | Liz: By Peter the Great? I’ve read a lot about that king. Mary: He was not a king, Liz. He was a tzar. All kings in Russia were called tzars. Liz: I’m well informed about Russian history. Peter the Great was a very democratic, energetic and business-like man. Mary: I agree. By the way, we’ve spent the whole day here and we haven’t seen anything of St. Petersburg yet. Liz: We are going sightseeing at last! Mary: OK! I am ready. Let’s go. |
20. Learn the useful phrases.
Thanking. Possible replies are:
Thank you. Not at all.
Thank you very much. You’re welcome.
Thanks a lot. That’s OK.
I’m very grateful to you. Never mind.
How kind of you. Don’t mention it.
It was a pleasure.
21. Write about your native place according to the plan:
… is a big city/small town in the north/south/west/east of the country.
Its population is … .
Its area is … .
It’s far from/not far from/near St. Petersburg.
It’s (much/a little) smaller than St. Petersburg.
It’s (much/a little) younger/older than St. Petersburg.
Pay attention to the use of prepositions in and to:
in the west (east, north, south) – на западе (востоке, севере, юге)
to the west (east, north, south) с западу (востоку, северу, югу)
22. Read the text about Russian Nobel prizewinners and say if the statements are true (T) or false (F).
RUSSIAN NOBEL PRIZEWINNERS
Every year, six Nobel prizes are awarded for outstanding work in science, literature, economics and the promotion of peace. This international prize was founded by the Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite and built up companies and laboratories in countries all over the world.
Many Russians have been nominated for the Nobel Prize since it started in 1901 and 19 of them have received the Nobel Prize for their outstanding contributions, particularly in the field of physics, but also in other areas.
The first Russian Nobel winner for medicine (1904) was Ivan Pavlov. He made many remarkable discoveries about blood circulation and the central nervous system and he discovered the conditioned reflex through his research on the digestive system. His experiments on dogs had a great impact on behavioural psychology.
Mickail Sholokhov, the outstanding 20th century Russian writer, wrote and published a number of short stories while completing his most famous work And Quiet Flows the Don, which took him fourteen years to finish. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1965.
In 1978, Russian physicist Pyotr Kapitza shared the Nobel Prize in Physics. He founded the Institute for Physical Problems in Moscow, and he was the oldest scientist ever to win the award.
The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded over the years to individuals and organizations that work actively for peace and greater understanding. It was suspended during both World Wars. It has been awarded to Russian physicist and civil rights campaigner Andrei Sakharov (1975) and to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev (1990).
1. □ The Nobel Prize is awarded annually.
2. □ Ilya Mechnikov is the only Russian who has won the Nobel
prize for medicine.
3. □ Pavlov’s work promoted the development of psychology.
4. □ Pyotr Kapitza was the only physicist to be awarded the Nobel
Prize in 1978.
5. □ The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 1901.
6. □ Two Russians have been the Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Test 1
23. Put in the numbers of descriptions of Russian Nobel Prizewinners 1-5
in the right boxes.
| Nobel Prizewinners | Boris Pasternak | Ivan Bunin | Alexander Solzhenitsyn | Nikolay Semuonov | Nikolay Basov and Alexan-der Prokho-rov |
| № |
1. A Russian writer wrote “The Gentleman from San Francisco”,
which won him a Nobel Prize in 1933.
2. In 1964, two Russian physicists shared the Nobel Prize in Physics
with Charles Touwns from the USA.
3. Many of his works are autobiographical, he was awarded the Nobel
Prize in Literature in 1970.
4. He made a great contribution to the study of chemical chain
reactions, and in 1956 he became the first Russian to gain the
Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
5. A Russian poet and novelist is also known for his translations of
Shakespeare’s tragedies; in 1957 he wrote the novel “Doctor
Zhivago”, which was followed by a Nobel Prize.
Test 2
24. Read and complete the dialogue with the phrases given.
OK. Yes, it was. Red Square and the Kremlin. Of course, we will. You see. Of course not. I see. Spasskaya.
| Misha: You haven’t forgotten we are going sightseeing today? Colin: _____. What will be the starting point of our sightseeing? Misha: _____. I think it is the most interesting place in Moscow. Colin: When was it built? Misha: _____, Moscow began with the Kremlin. And it was founded in 1147. Colin: I was told that the Kremlin had been rebuilt many times. | Misha: _____. Originally the Kremlin was a fortress. Colin: _____, its walls are very high and thick. What is the biggest tower of the Kremlin? Misha: _____. It often serves as a symbol of the country. We can hear the bells of the clock on the radio. Colin: Just like Big Ben in London. Can we go inside the Kremlin? Misha: _____. You’ll see many interesting things there. Colin: _____. Let’s go. |
Vocabulary
| ancient a. approve v. approach v. award v. belong v. collapse n. concern v. defeat, v. defend v. dig v. establish v. executive a. involve v. judicial a. legislative a. literacy n. represent v. set up v. undergo v. unemployment n. | - древний - одобрять - приближаться - награждать - принадлежать - крушение, крах - касаться, иметь отношение - наносить поражение - обороняться, защищаться - копать - основывать, создавать - исполнительный - включать - судебный - законодательный - грамотность - представлять - учреждать - испытывать, переносить - безработица |