VILLAGE WITH HISTORY OF A CITY
Rakov is a wonderful place. Once it was a big city — a cultural, religious and economic centre. Today, it's just a village located 40 km from Minsk.
I've heard plenty of stories about the origin of this unusual name — Rakov. Some connect the name with the Belarusian word 'raka', or the first settler, named Rak, or, even, the ancient Egyptian sun god Ra.
Rakov was first mentioned in written chronicles1 in the 15th century — noted as a place owned by the great Lithuanian dukes. 150 years later, it became a town at the centre of Rakov county, with a castle, governor and constitution. A famous Belarusian nobleman and composer Michal Oginski also owned Rakov county for some time.
Rakov reached its height of power in the 17th century, when it was owned by the Sanguszko family. Anna Sanguszko — the wife of one of the Radziwills — set up in her native city the manufacture of ceramic ware2 that enjoyed great popularity all over Belarus. Ceramic pots, angel figurines and baking dishes are still found buried beneath Rakov.
Today, Rakov has neither factories nor workshops. However, its residents are proud of their clean air and wonderful landscapes. A complex of several-storey red-brick buildings, constructed in an unusual style in a Rakov residents' garden, stands out against the village's architectural landscape. A large inscription3 on the facade reads: 'Museum. Art-Gallery'.
Felix Yanushkevich — a restorer and a famous artist (his pictures are hung even in the Tretyakov Gallery) — owns the place. The gallery shows Felix's works, as well as pieces by his no less talented brothers. Moreover, it holds ancient documents, furniture, musical instruments, ceramic ware. Today, the gallery has over 12,000 exhibits.
Silver water of the Rakov holy spring4 is running through my fingers again. What will happen if I drop a coin? They say it means that you're sure to return. I certainly wish to come back, since I've truly enjoyed seeing this unusual village with the history of a city.
1 a chronicle ['krɒnikl] хроника; летопись
2ceramic ware [si'ræmik we(ə)r] керамика
3 an inscription [in'skripʃ(ə)n] надпись
4a spring [spriŋ] источник, ключ,родник
2. The author tells us when Rakov was first mentioned in the chronicles and some facts about the town's history. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What museum is situated in Rakov?
4. Why will it be interesting for people to visit Rakov?
|
|
|
II. Listen to the telephone conversation between a woman and a receptionist from Go-World Home Delivery service and answer the questions below.
1. What’s Jessica’s surname and address in Byford?
2. What does the woman want to order?
3. What gift has she chosen?
III. Let’s talk about weather and climate.
№ 24
I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
NEVER FORGOTTEN
The new building of the Museum of Great Patriotic War History was opened in 2014. The architects had done their best to make the five-storey, multi-level building, with each of its four sections symbolising a year of the war.
The decision to set up a museum dedicated to the fight against Nazi fascism1 was taken in 1942. It opened its doors in Minsk in July 1944. Millions of people have visited it since and, with the passing years, the need for a new, more spacious and well-equipped building has become clear. Each year, over 150,000 people visit the museum. Of course, they hope to find objective information and leave with a lasting impression.
The new museum will be located near the centre of the Belarusian capital, on a hill near the Minsk-Hero-City Memorial and Pobedy Park. It will primarily reflect the heroic deeds of the Belarusian people and the big role of the Red Army in defeating Nazis2. However, technical innovations, such as dynamically lit electronic maps, electronic catalogues, interactive facilities will help visitors to receive brighter impressions.
We cannot change the fact that fewer witnesses of those dramatic military battles survive today, but we can preserve the past for new generations. Most schools in Belarus have a small museum of military glory, set up by enthusiasts. Professional historians have done much to develop this patriotic movement, preparing dozens of educational textbooks for pupils and teachers, helping to explain the events of 1941 — 1945.
Why is interest in these distant events so keen? The territory of contemporary Belarus has seen over 200 wars in the past centuries and our nation showed heroism and patriotism on so many occasions. From 1941 — 1945, we fought against Europe's strongest army. Belarus paid a high price for its victory — 9,200 towns and villages were burnt and there were millions of victims. This can never be forgotten.
|
|
|
1fascism ['fæʃiz(ə)m] фашизм
2Nazi ['na:si] нацист
2. The author explains when the museum was created and how it has changed over the years. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What will the visitors be able to see in the new museum?
4. Why are people interested in the Museum of Great Patriotic War History?
II. Listen to the three people speaking about how they spend their weekends and answer the questions below.
1. What does the first speaker do at the weekend?
2. What does the second speaker do at the weekend?
3. What does the third speaker do at the weekend?
III. Let’s talk about the Republic of Belarus.
№ 25
I. 1. Read the article and say in 2-3 sentences what it is about.
SURPRISE PARTY
Liz was just finishing the final details for the surprise party she was planning for her husband. She had been thoroughly preparing for this event, designing every aspect of the party from the invitations to the food, and she was very excited about it. Family members whom Andrew hadn't seen in years were flying in from Poland in a few days. Liz had tracked down several college friends, and they were coming from various places across the country. A band and dancers were invited.
The best part for Liz was that she knew Andrew did not have any idea about the party. She could not wait to see the look on his face when he walked into a big "Surprise!" in his own home.
The party was supposed to be on Saturday. As Liz was daydreaming about picking relatives up at the airport the next day and taking them to their hotel, Andrew walked into the kitchen and said, quite certainly, "Sweetheart, I don't want anything special done for my birthday."
"What do you mean?" Liz responded calmly, though her heart began to beat.
"I mean that I don't want a surprise party."
"Okay," Liz said. "Not a problem."
|
|
|
Liz's mind raced. There was nothing she could do about Andrew's request now. And, frankly, she didn't want to. Liz had been planning this for more than a year. The party would go off as she intended. She did not want all of her effort to fail.
When Andrew came home Saturday evening from playing soccer with friends, he was shocked. Tears filled his eyes. This response was something Liz had not predicted. Among the crowd he saw friends whom he had not seen in nearly 20 years and family members who had come from Poland just for this evening. But along with being deeply moved, he was also angry with his wife. He knew he could be emotional, and he did not like people to see him that way. That was why he did not like being surprised.
Salsa music filled the home of Liz and Andrew. Liz whispered "I love you" in Andrew's ear, they shared a kiss, and the two danced the whole night.
2. The author describes the preparations Liz made for the birthday party. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What did Andrew ask Liz for?
4. How did Andrew feel at the party?
II. Listen to the three people speaking about things that make them angry about mobiles and answer the questions below.
1. What makes the first speaker angry?
2. What annoys the second speaker?
3. What does the third speaker complain about?
III. Let’s talk about Great Britain.
Дата добавления: 2018-04-04; просмотров: 534; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!