TEXT A The Russian Federation

Stretching over 11 time zones – from the Baltic Sea in the West to the Pacific Ocean in the East and from the Arctic Ocean in the North to the Black Sea and the Caucasus in the South - and two continents – eastern Europe and Northern Asia, Russia has always puzzled and fascinated. In territory, it is the largest country in the world occupying the total area of about 17 million square kilometres. Taking up an immense space, a home to different nationalities and cultures, it’s often called a bridge between the East and the West.

A foreigner can spend a lifetime exploring it without ever unveiling all its mysteries. It’s a country of snow-covered plains and sizzling seaside, never-ending forests and high peaks, vibrant cities and forlorn villages. Everything’s on a grand scale. The Russian Federation is located on two plains, Great Russian Plain and West Siberian Lowland. The longest mountain chains are the Urals, separating Europe from Asia, the Caucasus, the Altai. Russia’s most important rivers are the Volga, Europe’s biggest river, the Ob, the Lena, the Yenisei, the Amur. The world’s deepest lake – Lake Baikal, with the depth of 1600 metres, is situated in Russia, too.

Russia’s climate varies dramatically, from the deep Arctic chill of the far north to the searing desert heat of some inland areas further south. Yet, throughout much of the country there are only two distinct seasons – winter and summer. Spring and autumn are only brief spells of change in between.

A blend of cultures and religions, Russia has one of the world’s most diverse societies – as many as 160 ethnic groups live here. The population of about 142 million may look like a lot but its density is low because of the country’s vast size. It’s also very unevenly spread, with most people clustered in European Russia, near the Ural Mountains and in southwest Siberia.

Most Russians are an urban breed – three-quarters of them live in cities. The two major ones are the capital Moscow with more than 10 million people, and St. Petersburg with more than four million.

Russia is made up of 84 federal entities. Some of them are called republics, others are regions and there are also autonomies. They all have equal representation in the Russian parliament but differ in the degree of autonomy they enjoy. Their administrative heads are often referred to as “governors”, although their official titles vary – several republics have presidents. Moscow and St. Petersburg are federal cities and function as separate regions.

The Constitution adopted by national referendum on December 12 1993 states that Russia is a federal presidential republic. The executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, but the President is the dominant figure. The President is the head of the state and is elected by popular vote every six years for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The President’s working residence is in the Moscow Kremlin. The President determines the basic domestic and foreign policy, is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, can veto legislative bills, resolves issues of citizenship of the Russian Federation, awards state decorations and grants pardons. The legislature is represented by the Federal Assembly of Russia. It has two chambers: the State Duma – the lower house, and the Federation Council – the upper house. The judicial power is vested in courts and administered by the Ministry of Justice.

The economic development has been uneven throughout the country, and while the Moscow region booms, the rest, especially rural areas, lags far behind. Poverty has declined steadily and the middle class has grown. So has the number of Russia’s super-rich. Russia emerged as the world’s leading natural gas exporter and the second largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia. The bulk of Russia’s manufacturing base dates back to the Soviet era. The country inherited most of the USSR’s defence industry, making it one of the world’s major weapons exporters. The country is now pushing to diversify its economy, develop small business and invest in human capital. The government launched a multi-billion investment program in nanotechnology and started an ambitious social scheme to boost the sectors of housing, agriculture, healthcare and education.

Currently Russia is rapidly reforming. Russian citizens have positive vision for the future. The democratic reforms carried out now in Russia are aimed at long-term projects and developments in scientific, economic, cultural and political spheres. Russia is paving its own way to democracy and prosperity. 3840

Task 4. Answer the questions to the text: 1)What territory does Russia occupy? 2)Why do you think it is called a bridge between the East and the West? 3)How does the landscape vary? 4)What important water reservoirs can you name? 5)What is the population of Russia? How is it spread? 6)What is the administrative division in Russia? 7)What is the political system like? 8)What power is vested in the President? 9)What is the industrial role of the country in the world? 10)What is your opinion of Russia investing in human capital? 11)What do you think is the new place in the world Russia is going to take?

Task 5. Match the words and their definitions:

1)to fascinate	a) receive or be left with something from a former owner
2) to decline	b) choose to follow an idea or action
3) to occupy	c)form a distinction or boundary
4) to separate	d)a person having power and influence over others
5) to inherit	e)fill or take up (a space)
6) a dominant figure	f) become smaller
7) to adopt	g) attract the strong attention and interest

Task 6. Speak about: the territory the Russian Federation occupies;the landscapes of our country; climatic variety; people living in Russia; administration and political system; economic development in recent years.

Task 7. Do the quiz and find out how much you know about the capital city Moscow: 1. When did Moscow become the capital of Russia? a. in the 14^th century b. in the 16^th century c. in the 18^th century 2.What is the oldest square in Moscow? a. Red Square b. Sobornaya Square c. Staraya Square 3.Who was the first Russian tsar to be crowned in the Uspensky cathedral in Moscow? a. Dmitry Donskoy b. Peter the Great c. Ivan the Terrible 4.What is the biggest square in Moscow? a. Red Square b. Mayakovsky Square c. Pushkin Square 5.What is the longest street in Moscow? a. Leninsky Avenue b. Profsoyuznaya street c. Kutuzovsky Avenue 6.What is the widest street in Moscow? a. Leninsky Avenue b. Profsoyuznaya street c. Kutuzovsky Avenue 7.What is the shortest street in Moscow? a. Lenivka b.Solyansky tupik c. Venetzianov street 8.Which of these is the tallest? a. the Eiffel Tower in Paris b. the Empire State Building in New York c. the Ostankino TV Tower in Moscow 9.When did the first street lamps appear in Moscow? a. 1730 b. 1812 c. 1905 10.When was Moscow University, the first university in Russia, founded? a. 1710 b. 1755 c. 1770 (See answers at the end of the unit)

Task 8. Read the text and find out more facts about Moscow.

TEXT B Moscow

Moscow is the capital and the largest city of Russia, its major political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre. It is a city where every stone breathes history. It was founded in 1147 by the Prince of Suzdal, Yury Dolgoruky. The wise founder, he built the city in the middle of a densely populated country where it is protected by rivers and a fortress. Moscow stands on seven hills, the principal of which is the Borovitsky, the hill where the Kremlin stands.

Moscow’s early architecture was simple, as the larger part of the city was occupied by wooden houses, though fortress walls, bridges, cathedrals were of brick and white stone. Large-scale stone construction was performed during the reign of Catherine the Great when the first-class foreign architects were invited to build a number of architectural monuments in Western style. Some of them have survived to our days. As the time passed, the city’s boundaries expanded considerably and new districts on the outskirts of the city appeared.

A major feature of Moscow’s present development is the establishment of the industries requiring highly-skilled labour, as well as the development of new technologies and know-how. Alongside industrial development much attention is paid by the city administration to the construction of cultural, educational institutions and sport facilities.

In recent years the population of Moscow reached more than 10 million and it is still growing. An increasing number of people are moving to the capital in the hope of having a better life. This results in several big problems every megacity is suffering from. Transport problem is the priority. According to some experts, Moscow can get stuck in several years due to incredible traffic jams. Although the total amount of the roads is constantly increasing, the permanent need for new ways of solving the problem is urgent.

Moscow today is an enormous city whose infrastructure is traditional for every megapolis with first-rate hotels, restaurants, theatres, exhibition halls, shopping malls and gigantic transport arteries. But in spirit Moscow remains its old self, open, hospitable and festive, and, consequently, has the right, as ever, to be called the heart of Russia. 1907

Task 9. Summarize the information and talk about Moscow

Answers to Moscow Quiz: 1 – b; 2 – b; 3 – c; 4 – a; 5 – b; 6 – a; 7 – c; 8 – c; 9 – a; 10–b.

UNIT 4

GREAT BRITAIN

Task 1. Do the quiz and find out how much you know about Great Britain: 1.The capital of Northern Ireland is a) Dublin; b) Cardiff; c) Belfast. 2.The British flag is often called a) the Union Jack; b) the Stars and Stripes; c) the Maple Leaf. 3.Ben Nevis is a) a famous footballer; b) a sort of whiskey; c) a mountain. 4.The national currency of the UK is a) the euro; b) the dollar; c) the pound. 5.The most popular sport in Britain is a) ice hockey; b) baseball; c) football. 6.Britain’s national drink is a) tea; b) Coca-Cola; c) coffee. 7.The mysterious Loch Ness Monster is from a) Wales; b) Ireland; c) Scotland. 8.The famous British newspaper which is printed on pink paper is a) The times; b) The Guardian; c) The Financial Times. 9.The Beatles started their career in a) London; b) Liverpool; c) Birmingham. 10. The kilt is a) a shirt; b) a skirt; c) a pair of trousers.

KEY VOCABULARY

attitude – отношение

to deter – удерживать, отпугивать

identity – (зд.) отличительная черта

medieval – средневековый

extend - простираться, тянуться

antiquity – древности, древние артефакты

enormous - громадный, обширный

Task 2. Read the following words and pay attention to their pronunciation: London, AD (Anno Domini), Julius Caesar, William the Conqueror, St. (Saint) Paul’s cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, Gainsborough, The Severn, Birmingham, Liverpool, monarchy.

Task 3. Read the texts and answer the questions after them: