VI. A. Read the text and speak on Moscow

Moscow is the largest political, economic, scientific, cultural and industrial center of the coun­try and one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. Its popu­lation is over 10 million people. Moscow covers an area of about 880 square kilometres. It is situated in the centre of the European part of the country on the Moskva River.

Railways, numerous airlines and a system of canals link the city with all parts of Russia, with major cities of Europe and with all the countries of the world. The city has an up-to-date transport system. The quickest and the most convenient form of transport is the Metro famous for its marble-walled stations. Metro connects all districts, carrying more than 5 million passengers daily.

There are more than 150 museums and exhibitions filled with historical and artistic treasures. The Tretyakov Art Gallery and Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts are highly popular with visitors from other cities. The Tretyakov Art Gallery founded in the 18^th century has a wonderful collection of Russian Art. The Museum of Fine Arts contains works of prominent artists.

Moscow has over 3,200 libraries. The State Lenin library is the largest in the world. Its collection contains over 25 million volumes. Moscow is famous for its drama, opera and ballet. The Moscow Art and Vakhtangov theatres, the Bolshoy and Maly theatres have won universal recognition. The Moscow Chaikovsky Conservatoire is the country’s leading school of music.

Red square is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. On the southern side of Red Square is St Basil's Cathedral, a masterpiece of ancient Russian Architecture, famous for its unique architecture and coloured domes.

VI. B. A) Choose the right variant

1. Moscow is one of the (more / most) beautiful cities on the globe. 2. Moscow (cover / covers) an area of about 880 square kilometres. 3. It (is / was) situated in the centre of the European part of the country. 4. The city (is / has) an up-to-date transport system. 5. (A / The) quickest form of transport is the Metro. 6. The Tretyakov Art Gallery (was / were) founded in … 18^th century. 7. The Tretyakov Art Gallery has (a / the) wonderful collection of Russian Art. 8. The Museum of Fine Arts (contain / contains) works of prominent artists. 9. The Moscow Art and Vakhtangov theatres, the Bolshoy and Maly theatres (have / has) won universal recognition. 10. The State Lenin library is the (larger / largest) in the world. 11. Railways, numerous airlines and a system of canals (link / links) the city with all parts of Russia.

b) Insert articles where necessary

1. Moscow is … largest scientific and, cultural center. 2. Moscow is one of … most beautiful cities on the globe. 3. Moscow covers … area of about 880 square kilometres. 4. It is situated in … centre of the European part of the country. 5. It is situated on … Moskva River. 6. Railways link the city with all the countries of … world. 7. The city has … up-to-date transport system. 8. Metro is … most convenient form of transport. 9. The Tretyakov Art Gallery was founded in … 18^th century. 10. It has … wonderful collection of Russian Art.

c) Insert prepositions where necessary

1. Moscow is one … the most beautiful cities on the globe. 2. Moscow covers an area … about 880 square kilometres. 3. It is situated … the Moskva River. 3. Metro is famous … its marble-walled stations. 4. Numerous airlines link the city … all parts of Russia. 5. Metro carries more than 5 million passengers … daily. 6. 150 museums and exhibitions are filled … artistic treasures. 7. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts is highly popular … visitors from other cities. 8. The Tretyakov Art Gallery was founded … the 18^th century. 9. The Museum of Fine Arts contains works … prominent artists. 10. … the southern side of Red Square is St Basil's Cathedral.