II. Read the text and get the main idea of it.
There is nothing better in the world like Native Land. Pskov is my native city, where I have been living for many years. Pskov is one of the most ancient Russian cities. It was founded in the 8th century and first mentioned in the chronicles in the year 903. People began to settle in the territory of the present Pskov region after the Ice Age, approximately 10-12 thousand years ago. People were primarily involved in agriculture and various domestic crafts, such as spinning. They were aware of metals and stone working.
Trade meant a lot to the Pskov economy. Its special role was developed because of the border position of Pskov. Pskov’s favorable location on the border of the Russian state made the city flourish. Pskov was engaged in trade with Western Europe. In the Pskov market the pskovites sold broadcloth, precious stones, silk, wax, honey, flax, hemp, fur and leather.
The medieval history of Pskov is connected with the names of Saint Princess Olga, Alexander Nevsky, Prince Doumonts. Medieval Pskov was one of the important centers of Christianity, culture and education.
The city of Pskov arose on an elevated, rocky cape at the point where the Pskova River flows into the large, calm Velikaya River. The city received its name from a small river on the banks of which there was an ancient settlement. The Pskova River was originally named Pleskova - i.e. "splashing" - and the town was called Pleskov. The wooden walls of the Kremlin, called the Krom, were built in the 9th century, and its stone walls can be dated to the 11th century. In the 15th century, Pskov had five stone fortified rings.
The Kremlin crowned the city. It was Pskov public centre with the city's veche square and Trinity Cathedral. Trinity Cathedral was the symbol of the entire Pskov land, for Pskov was regarded as specially protected by the Holy Trinity. Trinity Cathedral was erected in 1699. The original stone church was put up in 1138. The church was rebuilt in 1367. Trinity Cathedral as we see it today was built at the end of the 17th century and received the same site and the same dynamic outlines by heritage. The cathedral stands exactly 72 meters high, that is as high as 28 storey modern building.
Pskov ecclesiastical school was formed in the 13th century. Its monuments of pskovian architectural style are: the churches of St.Basil-on-the-Hill, St.Nickolas-on-the-Usokha, the Assumption-by-the-Ferry, St.George-on-the-Ascent.
Numerous historical monuments attract many tourists. They also visit Pskov Historical museum housed in the Pogankin Chambers. It includes Art Gallery, Archeological expositions and collections of icons, silver coins. To have a good idea of the history of Pskov one should see numerous objects on display there.
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Pskov suffered greatly during the Second World War. On July 9, 1941, it was occupied by German forces and largely destroyed. Pskov was liberated only on July 23, 1944. When the city was liberated, it was laid in ruins. After the war it was rebuilt and reconstructed. New residential districts appeared, new buildings and parks decorated the city. A monument in honour of victory in the Second World War has been erected on Victory Square. An Eternal Flame was lit at the base of this monument on July 23, 1974 - the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Pskov. Pskov long ago outgrew its ancient boundaries.
Nowadays Pskov is an industrial, cultural and educational center in the North-West of Russia. Its population is more than 200.000 people now. I enjoy living in my city!
II. Be ready to answer the questions:
1. When was Pskov first mentioned in the annals of history?
2. Why did trade mean a lot to the Pskov economy?
3. Describe the modern city. What do you like more in it?
4. What is your favourite place in Pskov? Why?
4. If you live in another place, tell us the history of it.
Moscow
1. Read the words and expressions aloud:
Original, original settlement, Chronicles, though, Tatar, Tatar invasion, religious, religious center, heart;
Heart, main target, three quarters, center, scientific, leading, leading cultural, leading cultural, scientific and political center,
USSR, theatres, landscapes, churches, scientific, research, scientific research institutions;
Technical, technical colleges, foreigners, high, highest, highest buildings, the highest buildings.
2. Read the text and get the main idea of it.
Moscow is the capital of Russia. It is one of the biggest and most beautiful cities in the world. Moscow is an administrative, economic, political and educational center.
Moscow was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky. The original settlement of Moscow was first mentioned in the Chronicles in 1147. It is the official date of the foundation of Moscow, though the settlement had been there some time before.
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Then it was fortified and in the late 12th century it became a market town. The town was almost totally destroyed in 1237 and 1239 during the Tatar invasion. In the early 14th century Moscow became the political and religious center of the north-eastern part of Russia. It was again captured by the Tatars in 1382. By the end of the 15th century Moscow extended its rule over most of central and northern Russia.
In the 16th century, under Ivan the Terrible, Moscow became the capital of the state of Muscovy. In the 18th century Peter the Great transferred the capital to St.Petersburg. This transfer brought a period of decline to Moscow. But it remained the heart of Russia. That is why it was the main target of Napoleon’s attack in 1812. During the war three quarters of the city were destroyed by the fire. But by the middle of the 19th century Moscow was completely rebuilt and it became the center for industry and commerce, as well as a leading cultural, scientific and political center.
After the October Revolution Moscow received again the status of capital of the USSR, and then, in 1991, of Russia. The present day Moscow is the seat of the government of the Russian Federation. President of Russia lives and works here; government offices are located here, too.
The population of the city is about 9.8 million people. The total area of Moscow is about nine hundred square kilometers. The Bolshoi Theatre is one of the famous theatres all over the world. If you are fond of painting you can go to the Tretyakov Art Gallery or to the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum and see a lot of interesting portraits and landscapes there. Young people like to visit the Central Military Museum. There are many tanks, guns and war documents there.
One can see the Kremlin and Red Square in the city. There are many fine buildings, wide streets, green parks, large squares, churches and monuments in Moscow.
Moscow is a leading cultural center as well. It is the seat of the Academy of Sciences. Russian largest University, over 80 scientific research institutions, technical colleges and academies of music and art are situated here. There is the Lenin Library with one of the largest and richest archives in the world, over 80 museums, the famous Bolshoi and Maly Theatres.
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It is necessary to mention such famous monuments as monuments to the great Russian writer Alexander Pushkin and to the first Russian printer Ivan Fedorov. Visiting the capital a lot of foreigners from all over the world come to see these monuments. One of the highest buildings in Moscow is the State Moscow University. It was founded in 1755 by the great scientist Mikhail Lomonosov.
The Moscow metro began its work on the 15th of May, 1935. There were 13 stations at that time. Now it has more than 190 stations. Moscow is the capital we can be proud of.
3. a) Read the following expressions and give Russian equivalents to them:
to be founded by, to be first mentioned, to be captured by, to be located, to be proud of
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