Task 11. Chose the right answer for the following questions.

When was Tambov built?

A. in the 16-th century

B. in the 17-th century

Who was the 1-st governor of Tambov?

A. Roman Boborykin

B. G.R. Derzhavin

Task 12. Complete the following sentences:

Tambov is one of the oldest Russian towns built in 1636 as a fortress…

In 1781 Tambov received its emblem…

Opposite the Drama Theatre there is…

It is a special placeto commemorate the heroism of people…

In Sovetskaya Street behind the monument to Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya…

There are many other beautiful and unique buildings in our town such as…

Tambov is linked with the names of…

At present Tambov is an industrial centre…

There are two universities …

People of all ages like …

 

Task 13. Enumerate these items in the right order and tick the item which is not mentioned in the text.

· The origin of Tambov.

· Places of interest in Tambov.

· The emblem of Tambov.

· The Day of the Town.

· The total area and the population of Tambov.

· Tambov’s educational institutions.

· Tambov as a cultural centre

 

Task 14. Prove that Tambov is a cultural centre.

Task 15. Name the following sights:

The central square in Tambov.__________________________________________

The building facing the beginning of Internatsionalnaya Street._______________

A Modern building opposite the Drama Theatre.___________________________

A sanatorium in Naberezhnaya Street.___________________________________

A monument opposite the Hotel «Tambov».______________________________

 

Task 16. Write out key-sentences for each passage.

Task 17. Make up the summary of the text.

Task 18. Act out dialogues.

- Have you seen much of the town?

- Not much so far.

- Neither have I. I want to go sightseeing. Will you join me?

- With pleasure, but is it possible to see anything in one day?

- Not half enough. What are you interested in? Do you like museums?

- Yes, rather.

- If so, let’s start with our local museum.

- OK.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- Excuse me, where is the post office?

- It is over there across the city park.

- Thanks a lot.

- Not at all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- Pardon me, is it Nosovskaya Street?

- I am sorry. I don’t know.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- Excuse me, how can I get to the railway station?

- Oh, it’s rather far. Take bus 18. But if you are in a hurry, take a taxi.

- Thank you so much.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Task 19. Make up you own dialogues using conversational phrases of addressing people, asking the way, giving directions, expressing gratitude.

Addressing people: Look here! I say! Excuse me. Pardon me.

Asking the way: Would (could) you, please tell me how to get to… Tell me, please, what is the best way to… Will you please tell me how I can get to…

Giving directions: Walk (drive) up (down, along) the street until you get to… Take bus 50 and get off at … Turn left (right). On the left, (on the right, at the corner, across from, between… and…, not far from, of in the distance) you will see…

Expressing gratitude: Thank you. Thanks a lot. Thank you very much. Many thanks. Replies: Not at all, You are welcome.

 

Task 20. Write a letter to your pen pal describing the sights worth seeing of in Tambov.

Additional reading

Historic background of Tambov

Task 21. Read and translate the text.

Task 22. Answer the question. What new information have you learnt about the history of Tambov.

Task 23. Exchange this information with your partner using phrases expressing agreement (disagreement) and your opinion.

Agreement	Disagreement	Opinion
Yes, sure.	I am afraid you are mistaken.	As far as I know…
That’s right.	I don’t quite agree with you.	In my opinion…
Quite so.	You are not right.	I guess (think, believe)…

Like all ancient towns Tambov consisted of the Kremlin and the suburbs. The Kremlin was surrounded by a very high wall made of wood with 12 towers. Up to the 18-th century the majority of buildings in Tambov were made of wood and the town was built without any plan. The fifth governor of Tambov – a famous poet G.R. Derzhavin adopted a special plan of Tambov’s reconstruction and invited famous architects to build the town theatre for which he wrote first plays. Gerzhavin did a lot for the development of Tambov. In the days of his governing the first school was opened. Now there is a monument to this great person and one of the universitiesis named after him.

Many streets and squares in Tambov were renamed in the course of time. For example the present day Lenin Square was first named Pyatnitskaya and then Karl Marks square. In 1937 after the first monument to Lenin was put in the centre of the square it was renamed Lenin Square. The two longest streets in Tambov – Internatsionalnaya and Sovetskaya were namedDvoryanskaya and Bolshaya.

In the history of Tambov there were many rich noblemen who helped poor people and contributed to the development of Tambov a cultural centre. A wealthy nobleman Naryshkin invested his money in the building of the first public reading-room. Now the Art Gallery is situated there. He also bought books for Alexandrinsky Institute for the maidens of noblemen. It is now one of the university buildings. Technical university building opposite the building of classic university is the former gymnasium for boys where Chicherin and Sergeyev-Tsenskii studied.The first gymnasia for girls was in the 2-storeyed building (now the Institute for Teacher’s Professional Development) in the corner of Dvoryanskaya (now InternatsionalnayA. and Bolshaya (now SovetskayA. streets.

Besides Naryshkin there were some other honorary citizens like M.Aseyev, I Suvorov, A. Nosov, who offered their money and even houses for the needs of the town. They organized hospitals, refuges for poor people and orphanages. The leader of Nobility Kondoidi presented his house to the town administration. Now Mayor’s administration is housed there.

It is also interesting to know that the first building of the railway station was completed in 1869. In that year the railway traffic connecting Tambov and Koslov (now Michurinsk) was opened.

 

 

Lesson 8. Moscow.

Pre-reading

Task 1. Put a tick next to the correct answer.

1. When was Moscow first mentioned in the records?

A. 1380 B. 980 C. 1147

2. Who headed the liberation movement in the 14^th century?

A. Prince Dmitry Donskoy

B. Citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky

C. Ivan III

3. When did Moscow become the capital of Russia?

A. in the 15^th century

B. in the 12^th century

C. in the 16^th century

4. What happened to Moscow in September of 1812?

A. rebuilt B. set ablaze C. a great festival was held

Task 2. Compare Moscow with other capitals while reading the text.

Task 3. Read the text.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and the largest city of Russia. It is the largest city in Europe, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. Moscow is the country's political, economic, religious, financial, educational and transportation centre. It is located on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union and the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the pre-Imperial Russian state. It is the site of the Moscow Kremlin, which serves as the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. It is home to many scientific and educational institutions, as well as numerous sport facilities. It possesses a complex transport system that includes the world’s busiest metro system, which is famous for its architecture and artwork.

The first Russian reference to Moscow dates from 1147. At that time it was a small frontier post. In 1237 Moscow felt under the yoke of the Tatars. And it was Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy who led the Russian troops to a decisive victory over the invaders in the battle of Kulikovo field in 1380.

By the 15^th century Moscow turned into a wealthy city. It was under Ivan III that Moscow became the capital of state Muscovy. At that time the Kremlin Cathedrals were erected.

During the Time of Troubles Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders but they were routed by the popular levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky.

In 1812 the Napoleonic army entered Moscow. The city was set ablaze. The army retreated. That was a poor substitute for the military triumph in Russia so much desired by Napoleon.

In 1941 German Army Group Centre was stopped at the outskirts of the city and then driven off in the course of the Battle of Moscow. Moscow is awarded the title of the Hero City.

There are many places of interest in Moscow. The city is famous for historical monuments, museums, art galleries and theatres. The State Historical Museum of Russia, the Pushkin Museum of fine Arts, the Tretyakov State Picture Gallery are world famous. Moscow is proud of the Bolshoi, Maly and Art theatres. The Russian State Library, founded in 1862 is the national library of Russia. Moscow is an industrial centre with highly developed engineering, electric, light and chemical industries.

There are 1696 high schools in Moscow, as well as 91 colleges. Besides these, there are 222 institutions offering higher education in Moscow, including 60 state universities and the Lomonosov Moscow State University, which was founded in 1755.

Vocabulary