TEXT 5. Read and translate the article. Be ready to discuss. Name some more Russian personal qualities. Make a list of Russian good and bad character features, strengths and weaknesses, if any.

Russian Character

Most Russians are not very different from most westerners in the way they perceive things or in their desired lifestyle. However, there are certain peculiarities, which may emerge when you get to know your Russian friends closer. Below we tried to list the most common traits of the Russian character.

• We are a free nation. Here we despise all the rules. It’s an honor for our drivers to move on the red light or to bother other drivers and scorn pedestrians.

• It’s cool to do nothing and to just lie on the sofa thinking about how great you are. Really, Russia is such an amazing but lazy country.

• We value generosity. We can give you the last piece of bread we have if we believe you really need it. And we expect the same in return.

• Some of us are naturally indifferent; we don’t care too much about dirt on the streets, saving money, breaking the rules, risking without particular reason, drinking too much...

• Some of us are quite emotional, but somehow it’s all kept inside most of the time. We may seem a bit cold and too much to ourselves at first, but when you get to know us better, we're like a volcano.

• We don't feel easy about talking to strangers on the street, but if you start conversation saying that you're from another country or ask for some help, there's a good chance we will be very open, because we are naturally curious about foreigners.

• Women and old women are very respected here. It’s considered polite if while being in the metro and seeing a woman or an old woman coming in and there’re no free seats, man offers her his seat.

• Beware of the babushkas (old women). They are active, pushy and very proud of themselves, so if you do something not the way they think you should’ve done, better disappear.

• If you invited a girl or a woman somewhere be prepared to pay for her everywhere. If you invited a man, he’ll pay for himself, and there's a good chance he'll pay for you as well without telling you about it.

• Yes, we love vodka, but we're not alcoholics. Despite what some people think, Russians are not drunkards, they just have a special resistance to alchohol, that's why they can drink so much. And we actually get our strength from it and it warms us during the cold winters. By the way, if you drink with us, you'll have to drink as much as we do, or we will be offended.

• Russians are hooligans. It's not because we're bad - we just like everything extraordinary. That's why you hear our tourists singing folk songs at 3am and that's why we make a revolution every 80 years.

 

• We believe in magnetism. The thing is, that every so often the sun sends some electro-magnetic signals and this affects the whole course of events on the earth, including our mood and feelings. So, if you see two housewives discussing how bad their day went because of the electro-magnetic storm that happened in the afternoon - don't think they are adepts of some sort of new age philosophy, it's completely normal here.

• Yes, we are superstitious. And if you want to shake our hand, you can never ever do it through the door: you have to come in, otherwise we will quarrel. If you come back to your house just after you left - look at the mirror, it's for your own good. If you're sitting at the corner of the table, you won't be married for 7 years. If a fork falls, a woman is going to come, if a knife falls, a man will certainly appear.

• Most of us know a few words in English, but we are too shy to speak - no practice, you see... However, you will be surprised at how many things are written in English on the streets: it is used to show a shop or a cafe, to advertise a new product, and there's a lot of foreign goods. Also, almost more than a half of Russian products have their ingredients listed in English.

 

 

Questions

1. How do Russians differ from other nations?

2. What is meant by being free for you?

3. Do you agree with the opinion that most Russians are lazy?

4. Do you appreciate generosity? Are you a generous person?

5. What things are Russian people usually indifferent to?

6. Are most of your relatives and friends emotional or reserved?

7. Is it easy for you to talk to strangers?

8. Why are women and old women specially respected in Russia?

9. How can you describe Russian babushkas?

10. Is it a must to pay for a girl in the café or restaurant?

11. Why do Russians drink alcohol so much? Is it a problem for the nation?

12. Do you think that Russians are hooligans? Give examples.

13. What is the influence of magnetism on your lifestyle?

14. How superstitious are you? What superstitions do work?

15. Is your level of English good? Or does it leave much to be desired? Would you like to improve it?

TEXT 6. Read and translate the text. Make reports on famous Russians and their achievements.

Russians

There are about 145 million people in the country, 13 towns and cities with more than a million inhabitants - the largest of which are Moscow and St. Petersburg. Eighty per cent of the whole population are ethnic Russians (Slavs). More than a hundred different peoples or ethnic groups speak their own languages, but everybody knows Russian as well. Lots of Russians are atheists. Most believers are Orthodox Christians.

The most widespread Russian surnames are Kuznetsov, Ivanov, Petrov, Smirnov and Popov. First names – Elena and Alexey. There are more women in Russia than men. Russian brides are famous in the whole world not only for their looks but also for their household skills. Many foreigners come to Russia with the special aim of finding beautiful Slav wives and taking them away to their homes.

«The Russians harness slowly, but they ride fast». It's interesting to mention that these words, characterizing the Russian style pretty accurately, were said by the prominent German politician Otto von Bismark about one hundred and fifty 7 years ago. The Russians are a talented nation. We are proud of our famous fellow-countrymen. Russia gave the world Tolstoy, Dostoevsky and Chekhov. Five Russian authors – Bunin, Sholokhov, Pasternak, Solzhenitsin and Brodsky – were awarded with the Nobel Prize in literature. Music by Russian composers is played throughout the world – Tschaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Shnitke. Malevich and Kandinsky – representatives of the so-called «Russian avantguard» – became famous for their innovations in painting.

Discoveries and achievements by Russian scientists in chemistry, nuclear physics and aviation – they're common knowledge. Some firsts of invention are regarded in Russia in a way different from that generally accepted. For example, foreigners become genuinely surprised when they learn that Russians consider themselves inventors of the first steam locomotive, electric bulb or radio. Nevertheless, there are lots of things where Russian firsts are of no doubt.

In 1961, Russia (then the USSR) first sent a man into space. Russian tanks, battle air-craft and famous Kalashnikov tommy-guns are definitely the best in the world, as well as the Russian classical ballet. The names of Anna Pavlova, Galina Ulanova, Maya Plisetskaya, Rudolf Nuriev and Mikhail Baryshnikov are known to each and every educated person. Equally obvious are the achievements of Russia in sports: traditionally high places in team scores at the Olympic Games, world records and titles of our swimmers, weight-lifters, gymnasts, figure-skaters. Among the world champions in chess there are more Russians than all others put together.

TEXT 7. Learn the info. Name three things you closely associate with Russia.

National Symbols of Russia

The national symbols of Russia are a part of the cultural heritage of the country which has given the country its national identity. These national symbols of Russia represent the significance of the traditional values and customs which have been a part of this country since ancient times.

National Flag of Russia

The national flag of Russia is a tri color flag-white color which lies on the top, blue in the middle and red on the bottom. White stands for nobility and frankness; blue symbolizes loyalty, honesty, chastity and scarlet represents self-sacrifice, generosity and love. While some Russians believe that red means the land, blue stands for sky, and white symbolizes heaven.

National Anthem of Russia

In 1944, the national anthem of Russia was accepted. The music was composed by Alexander Alexandrov and the lyrics were written by Russian Federalist Sergey Mikhalkov. In 2000 some minor changes were made in the Russian national song.

Two-headed Eagle

The two-headed eagle first appeared in Russia, during the time of Moscovia, in the 15th century. Two-headed eagle has been the symbol of the monarchy of Russia for more than four hundred years. But with the advent of Russian revolution and dethroning of the Tsar Empire, it was on the verge of extinction. In 1993, under the initiative of President Boris Yeltsin it was again adopted on 30th November 1993. The two heads of the eagle stands for the two parts of vast Russian empire - European and Asian, which are believed to be an important part of the country of Russia.

Thus, an analysis of the background of the national symbols of Russia gives you an idea of the rich historical heritage of the country.