Dictation 11 In Autumn

Autumn begins in September and lasts till December which is the first winter month. The weather in autumn is not always the same. As a rule the first part of it is so warm and sunny that people call it the Indian Summer.

But this year the weather in September was different. The sky was usually covered with heavy clouds and it very often rained. I can recall only a few really pleasant days.

One of such good days was Sunday. I called on my friends in the morning and we all started to the forest which is situated not far from the town. None of us wanted to stay at home on this wonderful day.

As we were going to spend the whole day in the forest we took some food with us—bread and butter, cheese and even roast meal.

The forest is famous for its mushrooms, but that Sunday so many people had come there before us that we could not find a single mushroom. We only gathered some berries and picked several autumn flowers on the meadow.

We walked and walked and suddenly we found ourselves in the thicket. It was awfully quiet there. We did not stay long in the thicket as it was rather cold and wet there.

When we returned home it was already growing dark. Though we fell tiled we had all enjoyed our excellent walk. I went to bed at once as on Monday I had to get up early and hurry to my work.

We were very disappointed that next Sunday was quite a different day, cold and foggy. It was impossible to go anywhere so we all spent this day indoors.

Dictation 12 In Abramtzevo

A friend of mine lives out of town in Abramtzevo. She is fond of the plaice and is always excited when she describes if to us. She says that many people call it the most beautiful place round Moscow.

It is situated to the North of Moscow on the bank of the Vorya, a narrow hut beautiful river. When you get off the electric train at the station, you are surprised to feel how fresh and cool the air is.

If you turn to the left you will find yourself in a wonderful pine forest which stretches very far.

The forest is very thick and you can always hide yourself in the shade there when the weather is extremely hot. There are a lot of mushrooms and berries in the forest. My friend always gathers them together with her elder sister who knows the forest well.

I prefer to go to Abramtzevo on week days as on Sunday the trains are overcrowded — thousands of people are anxious to spend their free day in the country.

Abramtzevo is famous not only for its beauty but also for its museum. Before the Great October Socialist Revolution the place belonged to Mamontov. He had many friends among Russian talented painters, writers and singers and he often invited them to his place. There they rested, painted and discussed their work.

At present Abramtzevo is the favourite place of work of many painters. They come there all the year round as in winter the place is not less beautiful than in spring and in summer.