Unit VIII. The russian federation

Task 1. Read and translate the text:

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. It occupies about 1/6 of the Earth surface. The country is situated in Eastern Europe, Northern and Central Asia. Its total area is over 17 million square km.

Our land is washed by 12 seas, most of which are the seas of three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific. In the south and in the west the country borders on fourteen countries. It also has a sea-border with the USA.

There is hardly a country in the world where such a great variety of flora and fauna can be found as in our land. Our country has numerous forests, plains and steppes, taiga and tundra, highlands and deserts. The highest mountains in our land are the Altai, the Urals and the Caucasus. There are over two thousand rivers in the Russian Federation. The longest of them are the Volga, the Ob, the Yenisei, the Lena and the Amur. Our land is also rich in various lakes with the deepest lake in the world, the Baikal, included.

On the Russian territory there are 11 time zones. The climate conditions are rather different: from arctic and moderate to continental and subtropical. Our country is one of the richest in natural resources countries in the world: oil, natural gas, coal, different ores, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other minerals.

The Russian Federation is a multinational state. It comprises many national districts, several autonomous republics and regions. The population of the country is over 140 million people.

Moscow is the capital of our Homeland. It is the largest political, scientific, cultural and industrial center of the country and one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. Russian is the official language of the state. The national symbol of the Russian Federation is a white-blue-red banner.

The Russian Federation is a constitutional republic headed by the President, the country government consists of three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. The President controls only the executive branch - the government, but not the Supreme Court and Federal Assembly.

The legislative power belongs to the Federal Assembly comprising two chambers: the Council of Federation (upper Chamber) and the State Duma (lower Chamber). Each chamber is headed by the Speaker. The executive power belongs to the government (the Cabinet of Ministers) headed by the Prime Minister. The judicial power belongs to the system of Courts comprising the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and federal courts.

Our country has a multiparty system. The foreign policy of the Russian Federation is that of international cooperation, peace and friendship with all nations irrespective of their political and social systems (from Коваленко 2002).

Task 2. Translate the following words and word combinations into Russian:

1) surface; 2) total area; 3) the Pacific ocean; 4) to border; 5) numerous; 6) desert; 7) to be rich in; 8) moderate climate; 9) coal; 10) multinational; 11) globe; 12) to be headed.

Task 3. In the text find English equivalents to the following words and word combinations:

1) омываться; 2) Северный Ледовитый океан; 3) едва ли; 4) равнина; 5) часовые пояса; 6) нефть; 7) автономный округ; 8) население; 9) научный центр; 10) судебная власть; 11) верховный суд; 12) многопартийная система.

Task 4. In the text find synonyms to the following words:

1) mountains; 2) to include; 3) flag; 4) to be placed; 5) plants; 6) animals; 7) many; 8) different.

Task 5. In the text find antonyms to the words:

1) the smallest; 2) the lowest; 3) the shortest; 4) the most shallow; 5) the poorest; 6) non-ferrous metals; 7) the ugliest; 8) the least influential; 9) land border.

Task 6. Give your own definitions to the words in the English language:

1) federation; 2) a sea-border; 3) flora; 4) fauna; 5) a time zone; 6) subtropical climate; 7) natural resources; 8) multinational state; 9) autonomous republic; 10) constitutional republic; 11) legislative power; 12) executive power; 13) constitutional court; 14) multiparty system; 15) foreign policy.

Task 7. Correct mistakes in the words:

1) the Eath; 2) the Pasific; 3) forteen; 4) numeros; 5) tyme zone; 6) sabtropical; 7) multynational; 8) konstitushional; 9) exekutive power; 10) frendship.

Task 8. Say whether the statements are true or false. Correct false statements:

1. The RF is the second largest country in the world.

2. Russia is washed by four oceans.

3. Russia doesn’t have a sea-border with the USA.

4. The flora and fauna of RF are very diverse.

5. The deepest lake in the world is situated in Russia.

6. We have 12 time zones.

7. The climate of our country is moderate.

8. The population of Russia is 140 million people.

9. Tambov is the largest industrial and cultural city in Russia.

10. We have two national languages: Russian and English.

11. The President controls the executive and legislative branches of power.

12. The members of State Duma are elected at federal elections and members of Council of Federation are appointed.

13. The judicial power belongs to the police.

14. Our country was a one party system.

15. The foreign policy of RF is aimed on cooperation, peace and friendship.

Task 9. Put proper words in to the blanks:

1. The Russian Federation … (occupy, occupies, occupied) 1/6 of the Earth surface.

2. Russia is situated in Eastern Europe, Northern and … (Southern, Western, Eastern, Central) Asia.

3. Russia … (has, had, have had, has had) borders with fourteen countries.

4. Russia has a … (sea-border, land-border, air-border) with the USA.

5. There are 11 time … (areas, zones, belts) in the RF.

6. Our country … (includes, consists, comprises) eighty-nine regions.

7. St. Petersburg is considered to be the second … (capital, centre, largest city) of our country.

8. Our national flag is a … (blue-red-white, red-white-blue, white-blue-red) banner.

9. The Russian Federation is a … (monarchy, presidential republic, constitutional republic, parliamentary republic).

10. The legislative power belongs to … (the State Duma, the Council of Federation, the Federal Assembly).

Task 10. Connect the words and their definitions:

1. population	a. the average weather conditions at a particular place over a period of years
2. river	b. a large area of land without trees, especially in Russia and parts of Asia and Southeast Europe
3. surface	c. a town which is the centre of government of a country or other political unit
4. stepp	d. a cold treeless plain in the far north of Europe, Asia and North America, which is frozen hard in winter
5. tundra	e. the number of people living in a particular area or country
6. climate	f. the outer part of an object, especially when considered with regard to its roughness or smoothness
7. continental climate	g. a particular system of words, used by a people or nation
8. capital	h. a wide natural stream of water flowing between banks into a lake, another wider stream or the sea.
9. official language	i. mild climate

Task 11. Answer the questions:

1. What is the total area of Russia?

2. How many seas is Russian territory washed by?

3. Could you name geographical zones of our country?

4. What are the highest mountains?

5. What is the deepest lake in the world?

6. What climate zones are there in our country?

7. Could you name Russian natural resources?

8. Is Moscow a scientific centre of our country?

9. What other big cities are there in Russia? Which of them are situated in Central Russia, in Siberia, in the Far East?

10. What does the government consist of?

11. What does the Federal Assembly consist of?

12. What political parties are there in Russian political life?

13. How could you describe Russian foreign policy?

Task 12. Put prepositions in the blanks where necessary:

1. Russian foreign policy is aimed … international cooperation … all nations.

2. The judicial power belongs … the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and federal courts.

3. Each Chamber … the Federal Assembly is headed … the speaker.

4. Moscow is the capital … Russia and the most beautiful city … the globe.

5. Russia comprises … many national districts.

6. Climate conditions vary … arctic … moderate and subtropical.

7. Russia is rich … mineral resources.

8. The longest rivers … our land are the Volga, the Ob, the Yenisey and some others.

9. Russia is washed … 12 seas.

Task 13. Think over the crossword puzzle. Words are written across. In one of the vertical lines you can read another word connected with Russia:

1. A kind of metal. 2. A model of the Earth. 3. The head of our state. 4. A place where a person was born and lives. 5. An administrative part of the country. 6. Flat land. 7. An ocean situated in the North. 8. The largest river in the Siberia. 9. A part of the continent where Western Russia is situated. 10. A member of government.

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3
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Task 14. Read and translate the text “Moscow – the capital of our country”:

Moscow is the capital of Russia. It was first mentioned in the records dated back to the year 1147. At that time it was a small frontier post. The history of Moscow is connected with the history of Russia. In 1237 Moscow fell under the yoke of Tatars. And it was Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy who led the Russian troops to a decisive victory over the invaders in the battle of Kulikovo field in 1380.

By the 15^th century Moscow turned into a wealthy city. It was under Ivan III that Moscow became the capital of the state Muscovy. At that time the Kremlin was built and the largest Kremlin Cathedrals were erected.

During the Time of Troubles Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders but they were routed by the popular levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky.

In 1812 the Napoleonic army entered Moscow. The city was set ablaze. The army had to retreat. That was a poor substitute for the military triumph in Russia, so much desired by Napoleon.

Nowadays Moscow is the largest city of Russia. It is a political, administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of the country.

There are many places of interest in Moscow. The city is famous for its historical monuments, museums, art galleries and theatres. The Historical Museum, the Pushkin Museum of fine arts, the Tretyakov State Picture Gallery are world famous. Moscow is proud of the Bolshoi, Mali and Art theatres. Moscow is an industrial city with highly developed engineering, electric, light and chemical industries.

Moscow is a scientific centre too. The Russian Academy of Sciences, the oldest university, many schools of higher learning, colleges and scientific institutions are located here.

Moscow is the country’s largest sports centre. It often becomes a scene of international sports festivals (from Миньяр-Белоручева 1999).

Task 15. Translate the words into Russian, use the text “Moscow”:

1) to mention; 2) frontier post; 3) troops; 4) wealthy city; 5) the Time of Trouble; 6) to be routed; 7) to retreat; 8) scientific institution.

Task 16. In the text “Moscow” find English equivalents to the Russian words:

1) записи; 2) монголо-татарское иго; 3) окончательная победа; 4) возводить; 5) ополчение; 6) поджечь; 7) гордиться.

Task 17. Answer the questions:

1. How can you describe Moscow of 1147?

2. When did Moscow fall under the yoke of Tatars?

3. How long were the Tatars masters of Russia?

4. Under whose rule did Moscow become the capital of Muscovy?

5. What invaders were routed by levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky?

6. What are the places of interest situated in Moscow?

Task 18. Say whether the statements are true or false, correct false statements:

1. Prince Yury Dolgorukiy won the decisive battle over Tatars in 1380.

2. The Kremlin and the largest Kremlin Cathedrals were erected during the reign of Ivan the Great.

3. During the Napoleonic war Moscow was set aflame.

4. Today Moscow is the largest industrial city of Russia.

5. Hermitage is situated in Moscow.

6. The Russian Academy of Sciences is the oldest in Europe.

7. Moscow is connected with many sport events in our country.

Task 19. Put proper words into the blanks:

1. The history of Moscow … (is linked, connected, connects) with the history of Russia.

2. Prince Dmitry Donskoy … (loose, lost, win, won) the battle of Kulikovo field in 1380.

3. The levy against the Polish invaders was led by … (Dmitry Donskoy, Minin and Pozharsky, Alexander Nevsky).

4. Main branches of industry in Moscow are … (heavy industry, machinery, engineering, light industry).

5. Moscow is the country’s … (large, the largest, largest, small) sports centre.

Task 20. Put these events in the proper chronological order:

1) Napoleon was in Moscow; 2) Moscow University was founded; 3) Moscow fell under the Tatars; 4) the Great Kremlin Palace was completed; 5) first mentions of Moscow; 6) Ivan III’s reign; 7) victory over fashism parade on the Red Square; 8) St. Basil’s Cathedral was built; 9) building of Lenin Mausoleum; 10) the Russians won the victory over the Tatars.

Task 21. Read the abstracts. Connect them with the right titles. Two of the titles are extra (from Игнатова 1992):

1. The Moscow Metro

2. The State Tretyakov Gallery

3. The Kremlin

4. St. Basil’s Cathedral

5. The Bolshoi

a) It is now both a piece of living history and an ensemble of masterpieces of Russian architecture. The first thing that meets the eye is the red-brick walls of the Kremlin, reinforced by 20 towers, five of which are also gates. The total length of the walls of the Moscow Kremlin equals 2.25 kilometres with a thickness varying between 3.5 and 6.5 metres. The Kremlin’s towers are unique in appearance. Built in 1485, the Tainitsky Tower is the oldest. The highest of them is the Trinity Tower which is 80 metres tall. Its building designed by Kazakov dates back to 1782. It was rebuilt in postwar years.

b) The gallery’s works of Russian fine arts range from unique mosaics and icons of the 11^th century to works of contemporary artists. The gallery is named after great Russian connoisseur Pavel Tretyakov who left his collection as a gift to the nation. It has become one of the most popular places of interest in Moscow since then.

c) It marked its 70^th anniversary in 2005. It is not possible to imagine today’s Moscow without its metro. The underground expresses seem to bring the outskirts of the city nearer to the centre, and make the work of the surface transport easier. No other form of city transport can compete with the Moscow Metro.

Task 22. Choose proper words to fit the blanks:

Moscow is the capital of … (Russia, Russian, Russians), its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded eight centuries … (late, ago, later) by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow’s … (historical, historian, history). Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13^th century Moscow … (was, were, has) the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the Tatar yoke. In the 16^th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow … (become, became, becoming) the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the … (hot, heat, heart) of Russia. That is why it was the main target of … (Napoleon’s, Napoleon’, Napoleons’s) attack. Three-quarters of the city were destroyed … (after, by, before) fire during Napoleon’s occupation, but by the mid-19^th century Moscow had been completely … (restore, restored, to restore). After the October … (revolutionary, revolution, revolutioner) Moscow became the capital again.

Now Moscow is one of the … (large, largest, larger) cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine … (hundred, hundreds, hundred’s) square kilometres – ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin. The population of the city is over 9 million.

Task 23. Read the text and choose proper answers to the questions:

Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. The Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral (Vasily Blazheny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world. St. Basil’s Cathedral was built in the mid-16^th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There’s a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn’t want them to create another masterpiece.

There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city will be even more beautiful.

There are more than 100 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of fine arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow include the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum, Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.

Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.

Moscow is the city of students. There are over 100 higher education institutions in it.

Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country (from Цветкова, Клепальченко, Мыльцева 2006).

Questions:

1) What is the heart of Moscow?

1. Bolshoi Theatre

2. Red Square

3. St. Petersburg

2) What is the main Kremlin Tower?

1. Bell Tower of Ivan the Great

2. Kutaphya Tower

3. Spasskaya Tower

3) What is the Tzar-Bell?

1. the biggest bell in the world

2. the biggest cannon in the world

3. the biggest bell in Moscow

4) In commemoration of what event was St. Basil’s Cathedral built?

1. victory over Kazan

2. a century of Romanovs’ rule in Russia

3. victory at Kulikovo field

5) When was St. Basil’s Cathedral built?

1. beginning of the 16^th century

2. end of the sixteenth century

3. middle of the sixteenth century

6) Who were the architects of St. Basil’s Cathedral?

1. Minin and Pozharsky

2. Postnik and Barma

3. Ivan Motorin

7) What is the best known theatre in Moscow?

1. Malyi Theatre

2. Bolshoi Theatre

3. Grand Opera

8) How many higher education institutions are there in Moscow?

1. less than 100 thousand

2. over 10 thousand

3. over one hundred

Task 24. In the text find sentences with articles. Explain the rules of their usage in the English language:

Исчисляемые существительные в английском языке употребляются с артиклями: определенным или неопределенным. Неопределенный артикль a (an) происходит от числительного one (один), определенный – от указательного местоимения that (тот). Артикль употребляется перед каждым нарицательным существительным. Артикль не употребляется, если перед существительным стоит:

1. указательное или притяжательное местоимение (This is my bag. This film is interesting).

2. другое существительное в притяжательном падеже (It is my brother's pen).

3. количественное числительное (This is flat 17. This is 17^th flat).

4. отрицание no (I have no ruler).

Упоминая предмет впервые, необходимо использовать перед ним неопределенный артикль. Упоминая этот же предмет вторично, перед ним используется определенный артикль.

Неопределенный артикль употребляется перед единичным, отдельным предметом, который не выделяется из класса ему подобных. Значение неопределенного артикля передается словами «какой-то, один из, один». неопределенный артикль имеет две формы – a, an. Форма “a” употребляется перед существительными, начинающимися с согласной (a pen, a knife). Форма “an” употребляется перед словами, начинающимися с гласной (an apple, an egg). Неопределенный артикль используется только перед исчисляемыми существительными, стоящими в единственном числе.

Определенный артикль выделяет предмет или предметы из класса ему подобных. Определенный артикль употребляется как с исчисляемыми, так и с неисчисляемыми существительными в единственном или во множественном числе.

Определенный артикль употребляется:

1. когда из контекста известно, о каком предмете идет речь (Shut the window, please),

2. когда речь идет о единственном в своем роде предмете или явлении (The executive brunch is headed by the President),

3. если перед существительным стоит ограничивающее определение, чаще всего с предлогом (I don’t know the name of this pupil),

4. если перед существительным стоит прилагательное в превосходной степени (This is the most interesting film).