Устные темы

The Republic of Belarus

Belarus is situated in the middle of Europe. It borders on Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

The area of Belarus is 207,600 square kilometers. Belarus is much larger than Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece and a number of other countries. The population is more than 10 million people. There are 3,000 rivers and more than 11,000 lakes in Belarus. The largest rivers are the Dnieper, the Pripyat, the Nieman and the Western Dvina. The largest lake is the Naroch and the deepest is the Dolgoye.

Belarus is a broad plain. One third of the Republic’s territory is covered with forests. The climate of the Republic is moderate, with warm summers and mild winters.

A great deal of suffering befell the people of Belarus in its century-old history. During the World War II in the course of German occupation more than 209 cities and towns, 9,200 villages, over 10,000 industrial enterprises were destroyed. Nearly every third citizen of the Republic fell in the fight against fascism. After the War the Republic was rebuilt.

The nation declared its independence as the USSR was coming apart in the summer of 1990. A year later it changed its name to Belarus.

Belarus has great environmental problem because of Chernobyl. It suffered worse more than any other region.

The Republic of Belarus has a developed industry, agriculture, advanced culture, science and technology. The biggest enterprises are the Automobile Works in Minsk, Mogilev and Zhodino, the Minsk Tractor Plant and a number of others. They produce tractors, automobiles, computers, radio equipment, TV sets, refrigerators, watches and other manufactured goods.

Agriculture specializes in milk and meat production, the main crops are potatoes, flax and vegetables.

There are more than 40 higher educational establishments in Belarus. The Republic has its own Academy of Sciences and a number of research institutions.

Belarusian art is successfully developing too. There are a lot of professional and amatour theatres.

The Republic of Belarus is divided into 6 regions: Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Mogilev, Minsk. Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is the newly emerging cosmopolitan centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States

1. Ответьте на вопросы

1. Where is Belarus situated? 2. What countries does it border on?

3. What is the territory of the Republic? 4. Is Belarus a mountainous country? 5. Are there many rivers and lakes in Belarus? 6. How many regions does it consist of? 7. Did the war cause enormous losses in the economy of Belarus? 8. Are there many educational establishments in Belarus? 9. What does Belarusian agriculture specialize in? 10. What do the biggest enterprises of the Republic produce?

MINSK

Minsk is the capital of Belarus. It dates from the 11th century. It was first mentioned in 1067. Its name was Mensk. During its long history Minsk was often destroyed by foreign invaders. Therefore there are few historic sights in the city. During the World War II Minsk was almost fully destroyed. When on July 3, 1944 Minsk was liberated it was difficult to recognize it. There were practically no houses, no streets. In the postwar years the city was rebuilt anew. The residents of Minsk raised the city out of the ashes and made it more beautiful than it was.

Minsk today is the main economic, industrial, scientific and cultural centre. Modern Minsk is a city of numerous plants and factories, modern buildings, broad avenues, beautiful public gardens and parks. The main thoroughfare of Minsk is Nezalezhnosty Avenue.

The goods produced in Minsk have a good reputation not only in the Republic but abroad as well. Minsk is famous not only for its industrial output. It is known as a city of science and students. Important problems in physics, chemistry, biology, economics and other branches of science are studied at the research institutions of the Belarusian Academy of Sciences. There are many higher educational establishments in Minsk.

Our capital is the biggest cultural centre of the Republic. There are many cinemas, theatres, concert halls and other cultural establishments. The Belarusian Opera House and the Ballet Theatre, the Yanka Kupala Academic Drama Theatre, the Russian Drama Theatre, the Puppet Theatre are well known in the Republic and abroad.

Minsk is a beautiful modern city. It is the pride of the Belarussian people. A lot of tourists from different countries come to Minsk to see its sights.

1. Ответьте на вопросы .

1. What is the capital of Belarus? 2. How large is the population of Minsk? 3. When was Minsk first mentioned? 4. Are there many historic sights in Minsk? 5. What is the main street of the city? 6. What theatres in Minsk do you know? 7. What problems are studied at the research institutions of the Academy of Sciences? 8. What reputation do the goods produced in Minsk have? 9. When was Minsk liberated? 10 What can you say about modern Minsk?

MOSCOW

Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, is the largest political, industrial, scientific and cultural centre of Russia. It is one of the oldest Russian cities. The oldest manuscripts connect the foundation of Moscow with the name of Yuri Dolgoruki, who founded Moscow in 1147. There is a monument to Yury Dolgoruki in Moscow.

Already in the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle for the unification of the Russian lands. During the whole history of Moscow the city always occupied the leading place in the cultural and scientific life of the Russian people. The first Russian public theatre, the first hand-written Russian newspaper, the first Russian University started their activity in Moscow. World-known writers and poets, scientists and many others lived and worked here. At the end of the 19th century Moscow became a large industrial centre. In 1918 Moscow became the capital of Russia.

There are a lot of places of interest in Moscow. Everyone is impressed by the Moscow Kremlin, Red Square, Moscow’s straight and broad streets and avenues.There are a lot of theatres, museums, big supermarkets, hotels, beautiful squares and parks in Moscow. The size and the beauty of the capital make great impression on Russian and foreign people. The Moscovites are very hospitable and friendly.

1. Ответьте на вопросы

1. Have you ever been to Moscow? 2. Is Moscow an old or young city? 3. When was Moscow founded? 4. Who founded Moscow? 5. Where did the first University start its activity? 6.What famous people lived in Moscow? 7. When did Moscow become the capital of Russia? 8. What are the people who live in Moscow and come to see its sights impressed by? 9. What can you say about the Moscovites. 10. Can you describe the center of Moscow?

Учебное издание

Автор-составитель:

Гомза Светлана Хрисанфовна

Методические указания и контрольные задания

по английскому языку

для студентов 1 курса заочной формы обучения