Прочтите и переведите следующий диалог

Dialogue: Asking the way.

A:Excuse me, can you tell me the way to Red Square?

B: Sure. Go down this street two blocks straight ahead and you’ll see the Kremlin Stars.

A:Thank you very much. Is there a bus?

B: No, there isn’t. There is a trolley-bus. The stop is over there.

A:Well, I see a crowd of people there...

B: At rush hours the trolley-buses are overcrowded. I advise you to walk. It’ll take you a quarter of an hour.

A:Thank you very much. I’ll follow your advice. And how can I get to the railway station, please? Is it far from here?

B: You must take the underground. You can see it from here.

A:You have been most helpful. Thank you.

B: Don’t mention. Have a good time!

 

MOSCOW

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It is the largest city of our country and one of the largest cities in the world. More than 8 million people live there.

Moscow is situated in the valley of the Moskva river. It was founded more than 850 years ago by prince Yuri Dolgoruki. Moscow is a political, administrative, economic, industrial, educational and cultural centre of the Russian Federation.

Moscow is the seat of our Government. President of Russia lives and works there. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. All the ceremonies are held here.

The Kremlin is the oldest historical and architectural centre of Moscow. The Moscow Kremlin and St. Basil`s Cathedral are the most beautiful masterpieces of Russian architecture.

There are many other places of interest in Moscow. A lot of historical monuments, museums, art galleries and theatres are there in the city. The Historical Museum, the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the State Tretyakov Gallery are known all over the world. The Bolshoy, Mali and Art theatres are famous too.

During its long history Moscow was exposed to several invasions. In 1237 it fell under the power of the Golden Horde. In 1612 Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders but they were defeated by the national levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky. The army of Napoleon entered Moscow on September 15, 1812. In 1941 the German armies were defeated not far from Moscow. For heroism of the working people of our capital during the Great Patriotic War Moscow was awarded the title of Hero-City.

Moscow is the port of five seas. Four airports connect Moscow with other parts of our country and many other countries. There are 9 railway stations in Moscow.

Moscow is a city of students. The Academy of Sciences of Russia is also in Moscow.

Every day about one million people come to hospitable Moscow from all over Russia and other countries.

 

New words and expressions:

capital	столица
main	основной, главный
to be situated	быть расположенным, располагаться
to be founded	быть основанным
to be exposed	подвергаться
seat	зд. место нахождения
government	правительство
masterpiece	шедевр
goods	товары
invader	захватчик
to defeat	разгромить
national levy	народное ополчение
to be awarded	быть награжденным
to connect	связывать
traffic	движение транспорта
hospitable	гостеприимный

 

Прочтите и выучите следующий диалог.

Dialogue: At the Hotel

A: Good morning. Could I have a single room with a telephone, bathroom and colour TV?

B: Have you made any reservation?

A: No, I`ve just come from London.

B: I can offer you a single room on the twelfth floor.

A: Are there all modern conveniences there?

B: Sure. All rooms have modern conveniences.

A: How much does it cost?

B: 70 dollars including breakfast.

A: O`K. I`ll take it.

B: Here is the registration form. Please, fill it in.

A: All right.

a single room	одноместный номер
to make a reservation	делать предварительный заказ
to offer	предлагать
modern conveniences	современные удобства
to cost	стоить
including	включая
registration form	формуляр, бланк регистрации

GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK) consists of four countries which are: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. The UK is one of the world’s smallest countries. The country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Irish Sea. There are many rivers in Great Britain. The longest river in England is the Severn, and the deepest is the Thames, on which the capital of Great Britain, London, stands.

English is the official language. But it is not the only language which people use in the UK. Some people speak Scottish, Welsh and Irish.

The population of the United Kingdom is about 60 million people.

The climate in the UK is generally mild and temperate due to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The weather is so changeable that the English say that they have no climate but only weather. It is never too hot or too cold. It rains very often. Snow may come, but it melts very quickly. The thick fog is the worst feature of the British climate.

The formal name of the British national flag is Union Flag. It combines the St. George’s cross of England, St. Andrew’s cross of Ireland.

Great Britain is a highly developed industrial country. It exports machinery, vessels, motors and other goods. At the same time Great Britain imports some food products and raw materials from many countries of the world.

The United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy. The monarch (a king or a queen) is the Head of State, but his power is limited by the Parliament.

The Parliament consists of two chambers known as the House of Commons and the House of Lords and the queen as its head. The British parliamentary system depends on political parties. The party which wins the majority of seats forms the Government and the leader usually becomes Prime Minister.

Once the British Empire included a large number of countries all over the world ruled by Britain. An association of former members of the British Empire and Britain is called the British Commonwealth of Nations. The Queen of Great Britain is also the Head of the Commonwealth.

 

New words and expressions:

to be situated	быть расположенным, располагаться
to consist	состоять
total area	общая площадь
to be washed	омываться
to be famous	быть знаменитым
to be limited	быть ограниченным
highly developed	высокоразвитый
food products	продукты питания
raw material	сырье
due to	вызванный, обусловленный
the Commonwealth	Содружество

 

Dialogue: In the shop

- What kind of suit are you looking for?

- I’d like a light suit for summer wear.

- What’s your size, sir?

- I’m afraid, I don’t know my English size.

- You will have to try on this one in the changing room.

- I think it’s my size.

- The suit looks fine on you and it fits you perfectly.

- Well, I’ll take it.

- Do you pay by cash?

- Yes. Here you are. Thank you.

- Thank you too. Good bye.

- Good bye.

 

LONDON

London is one of the biggest cities of the world. It is the capital of Great Britain. Its population is more than 11 million people. London is situated on the river Thames. It is divided into three main parts: the City, the West End and the East End.

London is where the invading Romans first crossed the River Thames. They built a city, surrounded it with a wall and called it Londinium. This original site of London is now called the City of London and is Britain’s main financial and business centre.

The saying “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” (Dr. Johnson) is a cliche, but you can’t be bored in London. There are hundreds of historic buildings, galleries and museums. There are parks and street markets, over 80 theatres and even more cinemas.

If you want to discover London, it is best to start with a tour on a sightseeing bus. It is also fun to go on a guided walk.

The West End is the part where rich people live. The main streets and squares, historical monuments and beautiful parks are in the West End. Theatres, clubs, museums, restaurants, shops and hotels are situated there. The East End is the part of London where poor people live.

There are many places of interest in London: Buckingham Palace - the residence of the Queen, Trafalgar Square with a tall Nelson Column in it, Saint Paul`s Cathedral, the Highgate Cemetery where many famous people were buried and, of course, the British Museum.

Whitehall is the political centre. The Houses of Parliament - the seat of the British Government- are situated here. There one can see a famous Clock Tower- Big Ben, the symbol of London. Big Ben is really the bell which strikes the hour. Not far from the Houses of Parliament there is Westminster Abbey where many great Englishmen such as Darwin and Dickens are buried.

 

New words and expressions:

the invading Romans	римляне-захватчики
population	население
to be divided	быть разделённым
cliche	избитая фраза
can’t be bored	зд.: не заскучаешь
place of interest	достопримечательность
to be situated	быть расположенным
symbol	символ
famous	известный
cemetery	кладбище
to be buried	быть похороненным
government	правительство

Dialogue:

A: Is it possible to see anything of London in one or two days?

B: It is very difficult, but the main sights you can see.

A: What do you think I ought to see first?

B: If you are interested in historical places you should go to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul`s Cathedral and the Tower. Do you like Art Galleries?

A: Rather.

B: Then why not to go to the National Gallery?

A: Is it far from here?

B: Not very. But if you hurry take a taxi. In a few minutes you will be there.

A: Thank you very much.

B: You are welcome.

 

to be possible	быть возможным
ought to	следует
to be interested	интересоваться
rather	довольно-таки
to hurry	спешить

TATARSTAN

The Republic of Tatarstan is a subject of the Russian Federation. The Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Republic was signed on the 30^th of August, 1990. The official languages are Tatar and Russian.

The population of the Republic of Tatarstan is around 3.8 million people. 2.7 million people live in towns and cities. One million people live in the countryside. The are 19 cities and towns and more than 3000 settlements in Tatarstan. The largest cities are: Kazan, Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk, Almetyevsk, Zelenodolsk and Bugulma.

Tatarstan is one of the largest economic, scientific and political centres of the Volga Region. It is located at the center of the Russian Federation. It connects East and West, North and South of the country. Its area is more that 67 thousand square kilometers.

The geographical position of Tatarstan is favourable for the development of industry, agriculture, trade and other economic fields.

Tatarstan is a multinational republic. People of 115 nationalities live there in peace and harmony. The two main nationalities are the Tatars and the Russians. The important national values are tolerance, consensus and compromise.

Tatar cuisine is a result of the historical development of the nation and its geographical location. Long relationships between the local people and their neighbours, trade partners influenced the people’s taste. The Bulgars were good cattlemen, hunters, fishermen and farmers. This is the basis of the food traditions in modern Tatarstan.

Meat is widely used in Tatar national dishes: beef, lamb and horseflesh. The Tatars like the pastries of all kinds very much. One of their favourite ones is, perhaps, “ishpishmak”. And, no doubt, sweet pastries: “chuk-chuk”, “kosh tele”, “talkysh keleve” and much more. But the main thing about the Tatar cuisine is not only that it’s varied and very delicious. It is more than only food. It’s a meal that unites family and friends.

New words and expressions:

countryside	сельская местность
settlement	поселение
scientific	научный
to connect	соединять
area	площадь
tolerance	терпимость
development	развитие
local people	местные жители
to influence	влиять
cattleman	скотовод
hunter	охотник
beef	говядина
lamb	баранина
horseflesh	конина
pastry	изделия из теста
varied	разнообразный