1. Getting about a town

• Is it possible to see anything of Moscow in one or two days?

• Well, yes, but of course not half enough.

• What do you think I ought to see first?

• Well, if you are interested in historical places you should go to Red Square and see the Kremlin. Do you like art galleries?

• Rather.

• Then why not go to the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts?

• I think I will. And what about theatres?

• If you are staying in Moscow for a few days, you’ll have no difficulties whatever in finding somewhere to spend an enjoyable evening. You’ll find opera, ballet, comedy, drama, operetta, circus and so on.

• Oh, that’s fine. I’m told one ought to see the Exhibition of Economic Achievements. Do you think I shall have time for that?

• Well, you might, but if I were you, I should leave it for some other day. You could spend a whole day there. It is much too big to be seen in an hour or so.

• I suppose it is. What about taking a trip on the Moskva River?

• That’s not a bad idea. What could be better than a couple of hours on board of a motor launch.

• I think I’ll go for a short trip to have a view of Moscow.

2. Asking the way

• Excuse me, can you tell me the way to Red Square?

• Certainly! Go down Gorky Street, turn to the right and in less than five minutes you’ll be in Red Square.

• Thank you very much. How far is it from here?

• If you walk, it’ll take you ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

• Is there a bus or a trolley-bus?

• There’s sure to be. But you’d better ask the policeman over there. He’ll give you all the information you want.

• Thank you. Excuse me, is there a bus or a trolley-bus from here to Red Square?

• Yes, any bus will take you. There’s a bus-stop just over there.

3. Sightseeing in Moscow

Mr. Brown: Well, the business part of my visit is over – and I have a whole day before I leave for London. Do you think I could see any places of interest in Moscow?

Ivanov: Of course, but not very much. One day for sightseeing in Moscow is not enough.

Mr. Brown: What do you think I ought to see?

Ivanov: It depends on you. If you are interested in the history of the city, you should begin sightseeing from Red Square, which is the heart of Moscow. It is the oldest and the most beautiful square of Moscow.

Mr. Brown: Sure, it is really very impressive. And what is that cathedral close to the Kremlin in Red Square?

Ivanov: Oh, that’s St. Basil’s Cathedral, a unique monument of old Russian architecture.

Mr. Brown: I should see the Kremlin I think.

Ivanov: Certainly. Within the walls of the Kremlin you can see wonderful monuments of Russian architecture: Uspensky Cathedral, Blagoveshchensky Cathedral, which was decorated by Andrey Rublyov and his followers …

Mr. Brown: Well, thank you for your interesting information. That’s exactly what I wanted to know. I’ll try to visit the Kremlin.

14. Develop these dialogues using the topical vocabulary and conversational phrases:

1. Er… I wonder if you could tell me the nearest way to Tverskaya Street. – I’m terribly sorry. I really don’t know. I’m a stranger here myself. You’d better ask the policeman over here.

2. Er… Could you help me, I’m not quite sure where the nearest metro station is? – Well, let me see. It’s round the corner.

3. Er… Excuse me, could you tell me if this is the right way to Petrovka Street? – Oh, no, you are quite wrong. You’d better go back and then ask again.

4. Er… Will you please tell me how far the nearest metro station is? – If you walk, it’ll take you about twenty minutes to get there. You’d better take a bus.

5. Do you happen to know the way to the Tretjakov Gallery? – Well, let me see … Go straight on and then take the second turning to the left (right).

6. Excuse me, is there a bus from here to Red Square? – I’m terribly sorry, I’ve no idea, I’m afraid.

XV. Pretend you are an English news writer. Write an article about the most interesting or beautiful place you’ve visited or would like to visit in Moscow (See Appendix 1).

XVI. You’re accompanying a group of foreign visitors on a guided tour of Solikamsk (See Appendix 1). In your talk about the sights concentrate on the following questions:

1. Which sights and tourist attractions would you show them?

2. Which less known architectural monuments (historical buildings) and parks would you include in your tour?

3. Which old traditions and modern developments would you mention?

17. How well do you know Solikamsk? Show the group a postcard, describe the place depicted in it and tell how to get there from our Institute (See Appendix 1).