II. Read and translate the text. Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, industrial and cultural centre
Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, industrial and cultural centre. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world.
Moscow was founded in 1147 when Prince Yuri Dolgoruky build a fortress on the bank of the Moskva River. Since the first quarter of the 12-th century Moscow is mentioned as the centre of the state. The heart of Moscow is the Kremlin, it is the greatest monument of Russian culture. The Kremlin is also the seat of the Russian Government.
The population of Moscow is over 9,5 million people.
Moscow looks like a huge out – of – doors museum. It has more than 1000 monuments. There are about 60 art, history and science museums. The museums, art galleries make Moscow very important for world culture. Many people visit the Tretyakov State Gallery, the Armoury Museum, the History Museum, the Central Military Museum and many others.
Moscow is a city of world – famous theatres. The Bolshoi Theatre, the Maly Drama Theatre, the Moscow Art Theatre, the Obraztsov Central Puppet Theatre enjoy great popularity.
Moscow is a scientific centre. It is the seat of the Academy of Sciences. It has hundreds of scientific institutions and higher education establishments among which is Moscow University. Among the numerous Moscow libraries is the Lenin State Library, one of the biggest in the world.
Moscow is an industrial city. Its leading industries are engineering, chemical and light industries.
Moscow is the largest transport centre. Moscow has 4 large airports and 3 river ports. Trains from all parts of Russia arrive at Moscow’s 9 railway stations. The Moscow Metro is the most beautiful underground in the world with its wonderful palace – like stations.
The Lenin Stadium and the Moscow Sports Complex “Olympijski” are the largest sports complexes in our country.
Moscow has become one of the world’s biggest international centres, where different festivals, scientific congresses, international exhibitions and world sport events take place.
III. Read the first part of the sentence in A and find its second part in B.
| A | B |
| 1. Moscow has become… 2. The heart of Moscow is… 3. Moscow has… 4. Moscow is… 5. The museums, art galleries make Moscow… 6. Moscow was… 7. Moscow looks like… 8. The population of Moscow is… | a)… one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world. b)… very important for world culture. c)… founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in1147. d)… over 9,5 million people. e)… a huge out – of – doors museum. f)… one of the world’s biggest international centres. g)… 4 large airports, 3 river ports and 9 railway stations. h)… the Kremlin. |
IV. Put in the missing words according to the text.
1. Moscow is the … of Russia. 2. The Kremlin is the greatest … of Russian culture. 3. Moscow has more than 1000 … . 4. … and … make Moscow very important for world culture. 5. Moscow is a city of world – famous … . 6. The Moscow Metro is the most beautiful … in the world with its wonderful … 7. Moscow has become one of the world’s biggest … .
V. Ask questions to the sentences.
1. Moscow is the capital of Russia.
2. Moscow was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1147.
3. Many people visit the Tretyakov State Gallery and the Armoury Museum.
4. Moscow has become one of the world’s biggest international centres.
5. Moscow’s leading industries are engineering, chemical and light industries.
SIGHTS OF MOSCOW
I. Words to learn
a symbol founder to erect in memory
to build (to rebuild) trading centre to design
a tower an ancient monument church
to put up to commemorate to destroy
to symbolize to erect in memory to overlook
to weigh
to cast
II. Read and translate the text.
The Kremlin
The Kremlin is the symbol of Russia, it is the greatest monument of Russian culture and art. The Kremlin is also the seat of the Russian Government.
The Kremlin was built on the left bank of the Moskva River at the decree of Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy. It was rebuilt several times. The brick Kremlin wall is 2,5 km long. There are 20 towers along the Kremlin wall. On the top of 5 towers you can see red ruby stars that turn with the wind and weigh a ton each. They were put up in 1937 to symbolize the peace und unity of five continents of our planet. The largest tower is the Spasskaya Tower. It was built in 1491. The tower is famous for its clock (the diameter is 6m 12cm and the figures are 72 cm long). The melody is produced by 10 bells (the smallest weights 320 kg and the largest – 2,160 kg).
The gates of the Kremlin are opened to visitors. Tourists can see Uspenskiy Sobor and Granovitaya Palata, Blagoveshchenskiy Sobor and The Grand Kremlin Palace, Patriarshie Palaty and the Armoury.
Among the historical monuments of the Kremlin are the famous the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon. The Tsar Bell weighs 200 tons. It was cast at the beginning of the 17-th century by two Russian founders Ivan Motorin and his son Mikhail. The Tsar Cannon weighs 40 tongs and it is more than 5 metres long. It was cast in 1586 by Andrei Chokov. The cannon ball weighs 2 tons. The Cannon has never been fired, just as the bell has never been rung.
III . Agree or disagree.
1. The Kremlin is the greatest monument of Russian culture and art.
2. The Kremlin was built on the right bank of the Moskva River.
3. There are 10 towers along the Kremlin wall.
4. The largest tower is the Spasskaya Tower. It was built in 1446.
5. The gates of the Kremlin are opened to visitors.