Additional study: Astrakhan
I. Read the text “Astrakhan’s cultural life” Astrakhan’s cultural life
The cultural life of Astrakhan is very rich and many aspect. First of all we have the Kremlin, a very beautiful architectural monument. Many tourists come to see it from many other cities. The Kremlin has a great church.
There are also many museums in Astrakhan. People that visit a museum always find out something very interesting in the sphere of history, traditions and customs. The most popular and visited museums are Museum of Local Lore, Museum of Military Glory, Museum of Chernishevskyi, Kustodiev’s Picture Gallery and many others.
There are also many theatres in Astrakhan – Drama Theatre, Theatre of Young Spectator, Summer Touring Theatre, Puppet Theatre and so on.
As for young people and teenagers it’s obvious that nowadays they know what to do in the city. In the afternoon hundred of clubs and sport sections are opened for them. In the evening they may have fun in a thousand of cafes or go to see a movie, play bowling, billiard, slot machines. At night during weekends young people of the city like to spend in a night club, where you can dance, rest, communicate with the others.
So there are a lot of cultural places to visit in Astrakhan.
II. Answer the questions
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What ancient architectural monument is there in Astrakhan?
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What are the most popular and visited museums?
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Are there any theatres in Astrakhan? Name them.
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What can teenagers do in the daytime in the city?
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Where can one go and enjoy oneself at night?
III. Make up dialogues about your cultural life in Astrakhan
For example: “I like to go to the cinema center ‘October’. I think it’s a great place to have a rest, see a new movie”
“I agree. When I go there I always visit winter garden. I like the exotic trees and birds”
IV. Read, translate and play out the dialogue
Anna: “Hey, how are you?”
Dima: “Good, thank you. And you?”
Anna: “Just great. I haven’t seen you for ages. Where were you hiding?”
Dima: “Well, you know here and there. I spend most of the time in my college”
Anna: “Yes, I know. Education takes a lot of time. Do you remember when we were in school we used to spend so much time together”
Dima: “I know what you mean. When it was warm in the spring right after the classes we went to the Swan Lake and did our homework there”
Anna: “Sometimes we could spend the whole Sunday in the center of the city. We met on the Lenin’s square near the large fountain, went for a walk to the Kremlin, and then went shopping in the Central Mall …”
Dima: “Right! Then we had a lunch in a cafe. Then we bought ice-cream and sat on a bench. And when it was getting darker we bought tickets and there …”
Anna: “Went to the cinema “October”, where we played in slot machines, got popcorn and went to see a movie’
Dima: “Those were very good times, don’t you think?”
Anna: “Absolutely. I think we should do it one more time. Let’s call our old classmates and have the best day n our life”
Dima: “What a great idea”