Vocabulary:

to conquer – завоёвывать, покорять boundary –граница

tribe – племя, род pretext – предлог, отговорка

to settle – поселять, заселять rumor – слух

fortification - укрепление ore – руда

temple – храм, святилище demand – требовать

to exist – существовать representative –уполномоченный

attempt – попытка detachment – отряд

to advance – продвигаться brigadier – бригадный генерал

to confront – встречать to tear – вырывать(ся)

obstacle – препятствие raid – налёт, набег

to dwell on – подробно останавливаться deliver – доставлять

to comprise – включать annually – ежегодно

inhabitant – житель foodstuff – пищевой продукт

to extract – извлекать plough – пахать

• Put the points of the outline in a correct order:

1. The expeditions to the Altai Mountains.

2. The Dzhungars.

3. The status of a town.

4. The legend about the Altai.

5. Attempts to conquer East Kazakhstan in the 15-17^th centuries.

6. The mission to the Irtish.

• Answer the questions:

1. Why did the Russian government’s attempts to advance to the Upper Irtysh fail?

2. When did Ust-Kamenogorsk start dwelling on the history of our city?

3. What did the correspondence from Moscow contain?

4. What did Peter the Great demand to build along the Upper Ob and the Irtysh?

5. Who were the inhabitants of the Ust-Kamennaya fortress?

6. Where were several expeditions equipped to go to in 1786?

7. What remarkable events interrupted the monotonous life in Ust-Kamenogorsk?

• Work in pairs. Ask questions to which these are answers:

1. In the second half of the 15^th century.

2. They began to call themselves Dzungars.

3. It consisted of 30,000 men.

4. It was built for protection from Dzhungarian raids.

5. They were generous and hospitable.

6. They became to plough land and develop bee-keeping.

7. It became an oblast center in 1939.

• Explain why:

1. … Peter the Great sent his people to the Upper Ob and the Irtysh.

2. … several expeditions were equipped to go from Ust-Kamenogorsk fortress to the Altai Mountains in 1786.

My Native City

To begin with, I should underline that my friend and I live in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Speaking about this beautiful city, I can’t help telling you some words about its position and history. Then, it goes without any saying, I would like to describe you some sights of our city. Last, but not less important, I have a great desire to give you a little information about the people of our city, because it is people who make it modern and attractive.

As for the history of our city, I should remind you that it dates back to the beginning of the 18th century when Peter the Great sent the expedition to our future city in 1720. Thus, our city began with a fortress that was built on the right side of the Irtysh River. Two centuries later it became the centre of metallurgical industry in the East-Kazakhstan and the centre of educational, cultural and scientific life. There are many old plants and factories, such as Lead and Zink Plant (now it’s KazZink Company), the Accessories Plant, the Groups of Silks, the Altai Power Company, the Furniture Factory, and the Light Joint-Stock Company on one side, and there are numerous museums, palaces, parks and squares on the other side.

Keeping to the sightseeing in our city, it is interesting to note that in our city the Modern rubs shoulders with the Old, the Present is ever conscious of the Past, the Great and the Small live side by side in mutual tolerance and respect. Ust-Kamenogorsk has buildings and places that reflect different events of its history.

I am proud of those who gave their lives for a better life of the future generations; people of our city honour the memory of them. They commemorate them in the names of our streets, squares and parks. They try to follow their best features of character such as kindness, truthfulness, bravery and love to our Motherland. The names of Kirov, Auezov, Permitin are well-known to everybody. No wonder that the most beautiful and attractive places of interest are the Common Grave, the Monuments to the Soldiers who died during the White Guard reaction, the Monument to Soldiers-Internationalists where you can see the Eternal Fire.

The Central Square, Kirov, Dzhambul and many other places of attraction add to the city’s beauty. There are a lot of wonders in one of the parks. Swings, merry-go-rounds, American hills are for those who want to have fun at their free time. All big concerts of bands and meetings on different occasions are held in the Central Square. It is decorated with a beautiful fountain and the figures of zodiac around it. The Mosque has been recently built there too. It is an architectural masterpiece of contemporary architects. It is a tradition with young Kazakh couples to come there when they have a wedding day. The Central Square is the finest and the dearest place in our city.

If you are interested in history and art you have a chance to visit our museums or the Drama Theatre which is not far from the Central Square. Our museums are also not far from it. There is no doubt that their collections give us interesting facts about the history of our region from old times to our days. Dzhambul Theatre and Kirov Park are nearby, too. Classic and modern plays are performed there with great skill and success as the actors of our theatre try to penetrate into the inner world of their heroes and they do it well.

All sport competitions and big concerts are shown at the Palace of Sports on the bank of the Ulba River. It is one of the most modern buildings of our city, even though it was built more than 30 years ago. There is also the Palace of Youth or the Central Palace of Culture where different clubs and studious such as photography, drawing, knitting, folk and sport dancing, pop and rock bands are organized. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this Palace is busy with wedding days but in the evenings different discos are held for young people and teenagers.

If you are a great cinemagoer, the city cinemas are open for you. If a holiday or a birthday is coming you have the opportunity to visit different kinds of shops or you may drop in at the central market not far from the Central Square. Many restaurants, big and small cafes welcome you if you prefer eating out at your leisure time.

I have forgotten to tell you that two bridges, which connect two city districts, also attract visitor’s attention.

To sum it up, I would like to add that our city is located at a picturesque place and I wish it were better, cleaner, safer and we can do a lot to come our wish true. It is our must and it’s up to us to make our dream true.