TEXT 8. Read and translate the text. Answer the questions below.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, industrial, scientific, financial and cultural centre. Moscow was founded in 1147 by the prince Yury Dolgoruky. In the 13^th century Moscow was the struggle centre with the tartar yoke. In the 16^th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That’s why it became the main target of Napoleon’s attack. Three-quarters of the city was destroyed by fire during Napoleon’s occupation, but by the mid-19^th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.

Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is more than 1000 square kilometers. The population of the city is over 10 and a half million people.

Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Red Square is considered to be the heart of the capital. The Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral (Vasily Blazheny) are masterpieces of ancient architecture. There are 20 towers on the top of the Kremlin but the most impressive one is Spasskaya Tower which became the symbol of the country. On the territory of the Kremlin one can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Palace of Congresses, the Tsar-Cannon and the Tsar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St. Basil’s Cathedral was built in the mid-16^th century. There’s a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn’t want them to create another masterpiece. Moscow is also proud of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

The Kremlin is also the seat of the Russian Federal Government. The city is situated on the banks of the Moskva River. Due to its location in the very centre of European Russia, Moscow is the starting point for all trade routes. There is even a special place called «zero kilometer».

Moscow is surely the main cultural centre of Russia. It’s the seat of the Academy of Sciences. Russia’s biggest University named after Mikhail Lomonosov is also situated in Moscow. Besides, there are numerous scientific research institutions, technical colleges and academies of music and art in Moscow. Therefore it’s recognized as a city of students. This city is the very place one can get acquainted with wonderful masterpieces of art. There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The most widely-known are The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. One can also find a great number of theatres in Moscow. The most famous one is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular with visitors.

 

Questions

1. When was Moscow founded? Who founded Moscow?

2. What do you know about the history of Moscow?

3. What places of interest are there in the capital?

4. What legend do you know about the construction of St. Basil’s Cathedral?

5. What museums, galleries and theatres can you recommend to visit?

TEXT 9. Read and translate the interviews. Be ready to discuss.

Foreigners in Moscow

John McDugall, 32 years old, USA, PR manager (1 month in Moscow)

- How would you describe Moscow with a single word?

- Cold. And I include all possible meanings in this word.

- What do you think about Russian cuisine?

- It’s good, particularly soups, pancakes and pies. Hot soups do help to reanimate oneself after a working day or a long walk. Hard to imagine, but after three weeks of training I can pronounce schi and borsch almost without an accent! But the only way to try it (as it should be) is to find friends in Russia and hopefully they will be competent and qualified in cooking something typical. I’d recommend to avoid the so-called restaurants of national cuisine as they are mostly a fake and attraction for tourists, in my opinion.

- What was your biggest shock in Moscow?

- Moscow is a 24 hour city where you can find regardless of place and time, open markets and services. Moscow never sleeps!

- Did you get lost in Moscow?

- Yes I did many times. One of the reasons is the subway. To foreigner’s ear, many of stations’ names sound similar and it’s not always easy to recognize the right station especially if you don’t have its name written on paper but were just told. Also it’s not easy to find an apartment house on the street. It makes me mad when one side of it there are buildings number 5, then 7, then 10, then 26, then 13 and finally 3! I’m not kidding! This is the order of houses on one of the lanes near Prospect Mira! No logic, just you need to know where that very building is. And as I had problems finding I had to ask people on the streets. Unfortunately, not many of them speak English. To tell you the truth – hardly 10% of Muscovites do and it’s better to have aside someone who can translate for you.

Hanna Swenson, 36 years old, Norway, designer (6 weeks in Moscow)

- What was your first impression of Moscow?

- It’s a melting pot of cultures not less than NY, London or Berlin. I travelled a lot, and comparing to many other cities and towns Moscow has both advantages and drawbacks. But anyway it’s not possible to say what kind of people Muscovites are in general. There are people who are friendly, lively and joyful but meanwhile there are also churlish ones. I can’t understand what the difference is because it doesn’t seem to be concerned with education or income or nationality. Chances to meet kind-hearted and open-minded people are quite high. I’d say that the key-factor in Moscow is people. If you have friends here, you will be protected from 90% of problems. Anyway, even if you are alone somewhere don’t hesitate to ask people questions. Here in Moscow you have to be curious and brave all the time as mentality differs from European and you have to accept conditions of the local game.

- Is there anything you can’t get used to in Moscow?

- That practically every car can be transformed into a taxi. When I was younger, I used to hitch-hike. So when I decided to catch a taxi the first time here and an ordinary car stopped I expected it to be for free, a kind of urban hitch-hiking. Later I realized it is just an additional source of money even if the driver owns a Volkswagen, BMW or Mercedes.

- Did you have problems with the police?

- They stopped me for a couple of times to check registration. But you just do not have to be afraid, simply look straight and behave with confidence.

- Are there any habits you’ve obtained in Moscow and would like to keep them when back home?

- Yes there are some. One habit is to present flowers to my friends. Another point is drinking cheap beer! That’s a thing I do really like in Moscow!

 

Questions

1. Is it difficult for a foreigner to live in Moscow?

2. Is it difficult for people coming to Moscow from other regions of Russia?

3. How can you describe Moscow in three words?

4. What do foreigners think about Russian cuisine?

5. Do you agree with the opinion that Moscow never sleeps? Prove it.

6. Is it easy for a foreigner to get lost in Moscow? Is it easy for you? Why?

7. What impression does Moscow make on foreigners?

8. What are your personal impressions of the city?

9. Why is Moscow called a melting pot of cultures?

10. How can you describe Muscovites in general?

11. What things can’t foreigners get used to in Moscow? What about you?

12. How do you find Moscow lifestyle?

13. Would you like to live and work in the capital of Russia?

14. What are advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?

15. What are the secrets of surviving in Moscow?

TEXT 10. Read and translate the text. Answer the questions below.

St. Petersburg

The beautiful city of St. Petersburg is built on water, which gives a magical and romantic atmosphere. Poets and writers often call it «The Northern Venice», «The Pearl of the Baltics». The city was born and grew up on 42 islands. Now they are linked by 363 bridges. It stretches along the Neva River.

It was the Tsar’s fancy to build a city on a swampy land at the mouth of the Neva River. Peter the Great believed that the new city would provide a port for trade through the Baltic Sea giving Russia a «window on Europe».