Dialogue 1:

- When was Moscow founded?

- Moscow was founded in 1147 (eleven forty seven).

- Is there a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Moscow? Where is it?

- Yes, there is. It is in the centre of Moscow.

- When did Moscow become the capital?

- In the 16th century. It was under Ivan III that Moscow became the capital of the State of Moscovy.

- In 1712 the capital was moved to St. Petersburg, wasn't it? When did Moscow become the capital again?

- After the Great October Revolution Moscow became the capital again.

- What do you know about St Basil's Cathedral?

- St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan.

- There is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky in the Red Square. What can you say about it?

- During the Troubled Times Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders, but they were routed by the popular levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky.

- What can you see on the territory of the Kremlin?

- On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great (Колокольня Ивана Великого), the Palace of Congresses, the Tzar-Cannon (Царь-пушка) and the Tzar-Bell (Царь-колокол) - the biggest cannon and bell in the world.

- What is your favorite place in Moscow?

- Red Square is.

Reproduce dialogue 1 in parts.

Dialogue 2 About Moscow

- What date is accepted as the start of Moscow history?

- Moscow was the first mentioned in the records dated back to the year 1117. So it was founded more than eight centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year 1147 as the start of Moscow's history. At that time it was a small frontier post at the edge of Suzdal lands.

- Who led the Russian troops to a decisive victory over Tartar invaders in the battle of Kulikovo field?

- Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy did in 1380.

- When did Moscow become a wealthy city and a capital of the State of Moscovy?

- By the 15th century Moscow turned into a wealthy city. In the 16th century, under Ivan III, Moscow became the capital of the State of Moscovy.

- When were the largest Kremlin Cathedrals erected.

- At that time the Kremlin was rebuilt and the largest Kremlin Cathedrals were erected. Under Dmitry Donskoy the Kremlin was built of white stone. During the reign of Ivan III the walls of white stone were replaced by new redbrick walls and towers. The Prince invited Italian architects to construct the cathedrals. The Assumption Cathedral was built in 1475—70. The Russian Tzars and Emperors were crowned there. The Archangel Cathedral was the burial place of the Russian Princes and Tzars. The Annunciation Cathedral was erected in 1484. It is famous for the icons painted by Andrei Rublov and his apprentices.

- What can you see on the territory of the Kremlin?

- On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Palace of Congresses, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world.

- What the Kremlin is?

- The Kremlin is the heart of Moscow. It is the oldest historical and architectural centre of Moscow.

- What is your favorite place in Moscow?

- Red Square is.

- What can you see in Red Square?

- There is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Red Square. During the Troubled Times Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders, but they were routed by the popular levy headed by Minin and Pozharsky. St Basil's Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century, in memory of the victory over Kazan.

- What happened to Moscow in the beginning of the 18th and 19th centuries?

- Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon's attack. Three quarters of the city were destroyed by fire during Napoleon's occupation, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored.

- When did Moscow become the capital again?

- After the Great October Revolution Moscow became the capital again.

- What is it Moscow now?

- Now Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre, one of the largest cities in Europe, its total area is about nine hundred square kilometers (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 10 million. Moscow is the seat of the Russian parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country.

- Is Moscow a beautiful city?

- 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 (Vasiliy Blazhenny) are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country.

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 become even more beautiful.

- Are there museums in Moscow?

- There are more than 80 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, Michail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.

- What is Moscow famous for?

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

- Can you say Moscow is the centre of Russia education?

- Yes, I can. Moscow is a city of students. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in it, including several universities.

Tasks:

1. Read and translate Dialogue 2.

2. Make up a story about famous places of interest in Moscow on the basis of the dialogue.

3. Learn the names of all the places of interest and proper names by heart.