Учебник английского языка
7 класс

Unit 1.
Russia, My Homeland

Reading for Discussion

10. Elizabeth, a teacher from Britain, has just visited Moscow. This is a page from her diary. Read it, then listen to the text, 1, and say if she liked the capital of Russia.

A Page from a Diary

When I first arrived in Moscow, everything appeared to be rather grey and dark, but as I came to the city centre, there was a dramatic¹ change. There were so many fantastic buildings with very interesting architecture. I found Red Square and the Kremlin very impressive and was surprised by the number of churches and cathedrals in and around Moscow. I got the impression that religion is still at the heart of the Russian culture. Although a large number of churches are not used for services, they are beautifully kept. The frescoes and icons are brilliant.²

My first journey by Metro was unforgettable. Some of the stations are beautifully decorated. At one of the stations I thought I was in a palace. There were huge chandeliers¹ and wonderful artwork all around. I felt important.

Moscow is definitely a city of contrasts. So rich in many ways, yet in other ways, quite poor. There is so much history here, you can feel it everywhere you go. Everything tells a story: demonstrators inarching² through Red Square, people reading books, magazines and newspapers in the Metro, modern buildings, shops and the things they sell, street markets ... the list is endless! The dramatic changes over recent years are quite evident.³

Russia has produced a great number of very creative⁴ and talented people. Theatrical performances, museums and picture galleries in fact all aspects of Russian life prove that. Moscow is one of the cities of the world that must be seen, I think, and this is what I’ll tell my friends when I come back home.

11. Explain why:

1. Elizabeth’s impression of Moscow was “rather grey and dark” at first;
2. her idea of Moscow changed when she saw the city centre;
3. Elizabeth got the impression that religion is still at the heart of the Russian culture;
4. Elizabeth thought she was in a palace when she was having her first journey by Metro;
5. she calls Moscow a city of contrasts;
6. Elizabeth says there is much history in Moscow;
7. Elizabeth thinks that Moscow is the city that must be seen.

12. Say if you agree with Elizabeth on these statements and explain why.

1. Moscow is definitely a city of contrasts.
2. Religion is still at the heart of the Russian culture.
3. There are many fantastic buildings in Moscow.
4. A large number of churches not used for services are beautifully kept.
5. The Moscow Metro looks like a palace.
6. People read a lot in the Metro.
7. The dramatic changes over recent years are easy to notice.
8. Russia has produced a lot of very creative and talented people.
9. Moscow is the city that must be seen.

13. In her diary Elizabeth has mentioned only a few things about Moscow. What else can you add? Imagine you are giving your impressions of Moscow. What places will you describe and what will you say about them? What other things will you mention?