Step 1. Listening Practice

Ex. 1. Listen to the dialogue and make notes. What information have you heard?

Ex. 2. Follow the transcript below. How different is the transcript from the dialogue

you’ve heard?

Dialogue: Raubichi is a Wonderful Place!

Remember: for rent напрокат

folk art народное искусство

Note the pronunciation: sauna [

pizzeria [

Pete: What are you doing this week-end?

John: Nothing particular. Why?

P.: You see, one of my British friends is coming to Minsk on Thursday.

I think, I’ll take him to Raubichi. Would you like to join us?

J.: That would be great! I’ve never been there myself. Is it far from Minsk?

P.: About 20 km. In 1966 it gained a license¹to hold the highest level

competitions.There is much to see there.

J.: They say it is a wonderful place. Some people even call it Belarusian

Switzerland.

P.: I’ve got some pictures of Raubichi at hand. Have a look! There are

all possible facilities for rest and rehabilitation here: six saunas, two

comfortable hotels, ski tracks, a skating roller ground ², tennis courts,

football, volleyball, basketball and handball grounds and even a rowing

channel³.

J.: Oh, the hotels look fantastic!

P.: Besides there are two restaurants, a pizzeria and two bars.

J.: How about exercising?

P.: There is a lot of sports equipment for rent.

J.: What are we going to do in the evening?

P.: I would like to invite you to a concert of one of Belarusian folk groups.

There is a concert hall in the Krestogorsk church, which crowns the highest

Raubichi hill. The Museum of Belarusian folk art is located here too.

J.: Agreed. That sounds very attractive. I’m looking forward to this trip ⁴

¹it gained a license - получил лицензию…

²a skating roller ground - площадка для катания на лыжероллерах

³a rowing channel - гребной канал

⁴I’m looking forward to this trip - Я с нетерпением жду этого путешествия

Step 2. Oral Practice

Ex. 1. Read the dialogue in pairs. Trade the roles.

Ex.2. a. Note how Pete expresses invitation to visit Raubichi. Study the different ways of expressing and accepting (refusing) invitation:

Invitations: Possible Replies:

May I invite you to… Thank you, I’d love to…

I’d like to invite you to… Agreed. Settled.

Would you join us for… O.K. All right.

How about….. I’m afraid, I can’t.

I’d be glad, but I can’t

b. Make short dialogues with your group-mates to invite each other to: a discoteque

a museum a theatre a sports ground

Ex. 3. Complete the dialogue. Give the questions according to the answers below:

A: Hi, Bob. What are your plans for the week-end?

B: Hi, Ann. I haven’t decided yet. Let’s think together.

A:………………………..?

B: A good idea. I have never been to Nesvizh.

A:………………………?

B: I heard there is an interesting historical museum and two parks of the 18th century there.

I am interested in Belarusian history, you know.

A:………………………?

B: Yes, I go in for recreational sports.

A:……………………..?

B: Of course I swim. I like to play table-tennis and football too.

A: Nesvizh has good leisure facilities. We’ll have good time there.