Text 2 Barnaul

Barnaul is the capital of the Altai territory. It stands on the left bank of the Ob. It was founded in 1730. In 1937 Barnaul became the center of the Altai Territory.

The total area of Barnaul is about 30 thousand hectares. About 700,000 inhabitants live in the city. The city is divided into 5 districts.

There are several universities in the city. There are several theatres in the city. There are many art and musical studios and cinemas in Barnaul.

We have several museums in the city. There are more than 80 libraries in the city. There are several sports buildings in the city. Barnaul has some swimming pools.

There are 4 stations in Barnaul.

III. Read, translate and reproduce the dialogues: Dialogue 1.

• Excuse me, I am lost. Can you tell me the way to the Central Hotel?

• I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't help you. I'm new here myself.

• Thank you, anyway.

Dialogue 2.

• By the way, what are your plans for tomorrow morning?

• Nothing special.

• Would you like to take a walking tour of the city?

• Thanks. I'd love to. What shall we start with?

• Let's start with the Glory Memorial on Victory square. We'll take an hour walking tour from there to the October square and then down Lenin's avenue to the River station.

• Is the museum of Fine Arts far from there?

• It's only a few blocks north. We'll be able to visit it tomorrow.

Dialogue 3.

• What should I see first, N?

• You should start with the museum of Local History. I'll stop by and pick you up at your hotel tomorrow morning. Will nine o'clock be all right?

• Yes, it suits me fine. Will we see the Pokrov Cathedral tomorrow?

• Sure. It's not so far from the museum.

Dialogue 4.

• What should I see next?

• Have you been to art gallery?

• No, I haven't.

• You should visit it. They have a rich collection of modern painting there.

• Can I go there tomorrow?

• Sure. Moreover you can go to the Musical Comedy theater in the evening.

• Is it far from here? How can I get there?

• Oh, it's quite easy. Go down this street for three blocks, turn left and then go straight ahead for one block. You can't miss it.

• Thank you very much.

Dialogue 5.

• Where were you born?

• I was born in Russia, in the Altai territory.

• What is your home city?

• My home city is Barnaul.

• Is it a big city?

• Yes, it is. It takes the 19^th place in citizenship among 2,200 cities of Russia.

• You said Barnaul is a capital city. What do you mean?

• I meant that in 1937 Barnaul became the capital of the Altai Territory.

• Are there any places of interest?

• Yes, there are many of them: the Museum of Local History, Glory Memorial, Arboretum, Planetarium, and so on.

• What is the center of Barnaul?

• The center of Barnaul is the Soviet Square.

• Are the streets wide or narrow?

• They are both wide and narrow.

• Are the houses modern?

• Yes, they are. But there are old wooden and brick houses that are being reconstructed or pulled down.

• What is the area of the city?

• It is about 30,847 hectares.

• What is the population of the city?

• It is over 700,000 people.

• What stations are there in Barnaul?

• There are four stations in Barnaul: the airport, the river port, the railway station and the bus station.

• Are there many shops?

• Yes, there are. There are many shops, department stores and supermarkets especially in the main street of the city- Lenin’s avenue.

• What cultural facilities are there in the city?

• The city has many cinemas, theaters, palaces of culture, the Palace of Sport and Entertainment, the Concert Hall with the organ, more than eighty libraries.

• Where can citizens go in for sport?

• Dozens of Sport buildings are at the disposal of our sportsmen: ten stadiums, five swimming pools, 163 sport-halls, special track-and -field halls, a hippodrome and sport airfield.

• Is Barnaul a students' city?

• Yes, 43,000 students study at Higher Educational Establishments of Barnaul.

• Do you like the city?

• Of course. I am proud of being a Barnauler.