7. Complete the following dialogue:

A: Sorry. I am a stranger in Kyiv and I've lost my way. Can you tell me the way to the Museum of Ukrainian Art? B: ...

A: Wouldn't it better for me to go there by trolleybus? B: ...

A: What is Kyiv famous for? B: ...

A: What would you recommend me to see first? B: ...

A: Thank you for your valuable advice.

7. Make up your own dialogues using the following expressions:

Sovereign state, proclaim, total area, population, rich deposits of iron, metals, coal, the geographical position, higher and local bodies of state power, national emblem, develop relations, high mountains, vast steppes, beautiful rivers, the flora and fauna.

7. Read and ask questions on the text:

UKRAINE

Ukraine is a self-contained, sovereign state. The Declara­tion of Ukrainian independence was proclaimed on August 24, 1991 by the Ukrainian Parliament.

Ukraine has its own territory, higher and local bodies of state power (the Supreme Council and local Councils), government, national emblem, state flag and anthem.

Ukraine is one of the largest European countries. Its total area is 603,700 square kilometres. Ukraine borders on the Russian Federation, Byelorussia, Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Our country is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and it has very important ports.

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The population of Ukraine is about 52 million people, among them are Ukrainians (73.6%), Russians (21.1%), Jews (1.3%), Byelorussians (0.8%). There are 24 administra­tive regions and the Crimean autonomous republic.

The territory of our country has an astonishing variety of landscapes. We have high mountains, vast steppes, end­less forests, beautiful rivers and lakes. The largest lake of Ukraine is Swytyaz, its total area is 24.2 square kilo­metres and the depth is 58.5 metres. Ukraine has 131 rivers, among them are the Dnieper with its tributaries such as the Desna, the Prypyat, the Dniester, the Bug, the Do­nets. The Dnieper is the main river in Ukraine which divides the country into Right-bank and Left-bank territories.

The flora and fauna of our country are extremely rich. Almost all kinds of European animals and birds can be found on the territory of our vast land. Ukraine has inex­haustible natural wealth. It possesses enormous tracts of woodland, vast tracts of fertile arable lands and fine pas­tures.

Our country has many industrial raw materials, it has rich deposits of iron, metals, coal, oil, gas, different ores, marble and other natural resources. Ukraine has metallur­gical and heavy industries.

The fertile black soil arid the favourable climate have long facilitated the growth of agriculture in Ukraine.

Ukraine has an ancient history. The State of Kyiv Rus situated on the territory of the present Ukraine was set up in the 9th century. It was a powerful feudal state with highly developed culture and various crafts widely known throughout Europe.

From the 13th century onwards Ukraine was continu­ously struggling against invasions by the Mongols, the Turks, the Crimean Tatars, Lithuanian and Polish rulers. The long struggle of the Ukrainian people for independence con­tinued victoriously under the leadership of B. Khmelnytsky.

Ukraine has its own original culture and art. Ukraine has many professional theatres and Philarmonic societies. The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, the Gryho- ry Veryovka Ukrainian People's Choir, the Dance Com­pany of Ukraine are known not only in the country but all over the world.

Over the last years people of Ukraine display a keen interest in the Ukrainian histoiy and artistic heritage. There is a new approach to the development of culture, arts and languages.

Ukraine pursues a policy of peace. Now Ukraine establishes new relations with countries throughout the world. It sets direct contacts with them signing agreements and treaties.

Ukraine has been and is being recognized by a vast num­ber of countries.

XIII. Read and reteil the text:

KYIV

Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and the seat of the Supreme Council and the Cabinet of Ministers.

Kyiv is one of the most ancient cities. In 1982 it was 1500 years old. It was called "the Mother of All Russian Cities". It has the population of above 2.5 million people. Its total area is 790 square kilometres.

Kyiv lies on both banks of the Dnieper, one of the longest rivers in Ukraine. Spreading over the picturesque hills of the Dnieper Kyiv is immersed in green parks and gardens. It is one of the greenest cities in the world, it has 18 square metres of greenery for a person.

Kyiv is an industrial, scientific and cultural centre of Uk­raine. Kyiv is one of the oldest cities and has many places of interest. Among them is the Golden Gate, which is about a thousand years old. Once it was the main entrance to the city. At that time Kyiv was the capital of the feudal state of Kyiv Rus, a large and powerful state. On the Sophia's Square there is St. Sophia's Cathedral. In the square, in front of the cathedral, there is the monument to Bogdan Khmelnytsky.

There is the monastery ensemble, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which was founded in the tlth century in Kyiv. Among the museums of Lavra is the museum of Ukrainian Folk De­corative Art, which comprises more than 50,000 exhibits. In the park of Immortal Glory there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, over which an eternal fire burns.

Also in Kyiv you can see the monument to T Shevchen- ko, the well-known poet and fighter for freedom. It stands in the park in front of the University. There are some other monuments in Kyiv — the monument to Lesya Ukrainka, the great Ukrainian poetess, the monument to N. Lysenko, the great Ukrainian composer and many others.

There are many fine museums in Kyiv: the State His­torical Museum, the Museum of Ukrainian Art and so on. Kyiv is a city of theatres. It is famous for its theatres such as the Taras Shevchenko Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre and others.

Kyiv is the centre of science and education. Many scien­tific research institutes, colleges and universities are in Kyiv. Kyivites are proud of their city.