ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

MOSCOW

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It was founded by Prince Yury Dolgoruky in 1147. There is a monument to him in the very center of Moscow.

During the whole history of Russia Moscow has occupied the leading place in its cultural and political life. Now Moscow is a big industrial, cultural and political centre of the country. Moscow is the large educational and scientific center. Moscow University was founded by M. Lomonosov in the 18^th century. It is the highest building in Moscow.

Moscow is beautiful. We admire its fine buildings, magnificent palaces, architectural monuments, beautiful green parks and squares. The centre of Moscow is the Red Square. One can see there St Basil's Cathedral, famous for its unique architecture and coloured domes.

The Moscow Kremlin is one of the world’s largest collections of historical and art treasures. Situated on the north bank of the Moskva River, it is the dominant landmark of Moscow. A stone wall up to 21 m in height surrounds this triangular complex of former palaces, cathedrals, and other monuments. The Great Kremlin Palace is the most imposing structure within the Kremlin. Other notable Kremlin palaces are the Granovitaya Palace (1491) and the Terem (1636).

The cultural life of the capital is very rich. There are plenty of cinemas, theatres, museums and art exhibitions here. We can see world famous pictures by Russian and foreign artists in the Tretyakov Gallery and in the Pushkin Art Museum. The Moscow underground is no doubt the best in the world. It is famous for its marble-walled stations.

Moscow is also called golden-domed because of a great number of churches and cathedrals with gilded domes, for example the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Archangel Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

ADD TO YOUR ACTIVE VOCABULARY:

to found – основать

prince – князь

in the very centre – в самом центре

to occupy – занимать

leading – ведущий

educational – образовательный

century – столетие, век

to admire – восхищаться

magnificent – великолепный

art – искусство, художественный

treasure – сокровище

plenty of – много, множество

exhibition – выставка

underground – метрополитен

no doubt – без сомнения, несомненно

golden-domed – златоглавая

cathedral – собор

Ex.1. Answer the questions:

1. What is the capital of Russia?

2. Who was its founder?

3. Is Moscow an educational centre? Give some examples to prove it.

4. What places of interest do you know in Moscow?

5. Why can we say that its cultural life is very rich?

6. Can you name the main art galleries in Moscow?

7. What is the quickest means of transport in Moscow?

Ex.2. Translate the words and make up sentences with them:

a) art, artistic, artist, artificial, artful, artless;

b) to lead, leader, leading, leadership;

c) science, scientific, scientist.

Ex.3. Agree or Disagree. Read in pairs. Use the phrases:

You are right. I agree with you. – You are not right. You are mistaken.

1. Moscow was founded in 1743.

2. It was founded by Prince Yury Dolgoruky.

3. Now Moscow is a big sea resort.

4. Moscow University was founded by Peter 1.

5. Moscow University was founded in the 18^th century.

6. The centre of Moscow is the tall Ostankino Tower.

7. The cultural life of the capital is very rich.

8. The Moscow underground is world-known.

9. We can see world famous pictures by Russian and foreign artists in the Great Kremlin Palace.

10. St Basil's Cathedral is a notable Kremlin cathedral.