I. Complete the sentences.

1. Our country is washed…

2. The lowlands cover…

3. There are some peaks…

4. There are also lowlands…

5. … the Volga, the Yenisey, the Ob;… the Baikal, & the Ladoga.

6. Russia is rich…

II. Answer the questions.

1. Where is Russia situated?

2. What two main regions can Russia be divided by the Urals?

3. What rivers & lakes are there in Russia?

4. What is the climate of Russia?

5. What is a capital of Russia? When was it founded?

III. Retell the text.

Ryazan

Ryazan is one of Russia’s most ancient towns. It was founded in 1095. As early as 1096 it was mentioned in the annals. The Oka -“the great river of the Slavs & the Rus”, as the Arabs called it – linked the trade centres of the Baltic lands with the countries of the Orient up to China. Ryazan was one of the most important towns along that trade route. It was the first in Early Russia to bear the full brunt of the invasion of Khan Batu’s Golden Horde. Ryazan was plundered & burnt down & the population was almost completely wiped out.

Now Ryazan is a modern industrial town & cultural centre. Ryazan lies on the right bank of the Oka River where the Trubezh River falls into it. On a high bank of the Trubezh you can see the wonderful ancient Kremlin & a church of the 17-th century. Cathedral of the Assumption is the oldest among the Kremlin buildings. Today the Kremlin houses the Museum of Local lore & an Art Museum. Ryazan Kremlin is a masterpiece of architecture.

There are many places of interest in Ryazan such as Pavlov House-Museum, the wonderful building of the Drama Theatre, the modern building of Puppet Theatre, the Esenin Concert Hall, a Circus. One can find here a large number of modern cinemas & clubs. There are a lot of monuments in Ryazan, which architecture graces the town. But Ryazan is famous not only for its historical places & monuments. A lot of great people lived & worked here. We are rightfully proud of the great physiologist Pavlov, the founder of rocket theory Tsiolkovsky, the naturalist Michurin, the geographer Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, the great poet Esenin & many others.

1. Complete the sentences.

1. Ryazan is one of…

2. In 1237 Ryazan was…

3. Ryazan lies on…

4. On a high bank of the Trubezh…

5. There are many places of interest in Ryazan such as…

6. …which architecture graces the town.

7. We are rightfully proud of…

1. Answer the questions.

1. When was Ryazan founded?

2. Where is Ryazan situated?

3. Is Ryazan famous for its history?

4. What places of interest in Ryazan attract visitors?

5. What great people lived & worked in Ryazan?

III. Retell the text. Ryazan Radio -Engineering Academy

Ryazan Radio-Engineering Academy was founded at the end of 1951. It is a specialized radio engineering higher educational establishment that trains engineers for the most important branches of modern science & technology.

More than 7000 students study at the Academy. The Academy has all the necessary facilities for teaching: auditoriums with closed-circuit TV, well-equipped laboratories where students get practical skills, computer centre, libraries, reading halls.

The teaching staff of the Academy consists of professors, Doctors of Sciences, assistant professors, Candidates of Sciences & experienced teachers.

The students study at different faculties: Radio-Engineering faculty, Automation & Control faculty, Electronics faculty, Computer Science faculty, Engineering & Economics faculty, Humanitarian faculty…They study higher mathematics, physics, descriptive geometry, electro-engineering, theory of mechanisms & machines, social sciences, history, foreign languages & many other subjects.

Admission to the Academy is by examinations & selection. The course of study lasts from 4.5 to 5.5 years depending on the faculty. The academic year is divided into 2 terms. Terminal examinations are held in January & June. At the end of studies the students are to submit a graduation paper.

At the Academy students are engaged in scientific research work. Advanced students carry out their research under the guidance of experienced supervisors. After graduation they can continue their scientific research work while taking postgraduate courses.

The Academy gives good engineering education & provides industrial enterprises & scientific centres with well-qualified engineers.