II. Read the text:

Volzhsky is a young town. Its history began with the construction of the hydro-electric power station on the Volga. Firstly, there was a settlement for hydroelectric station builders. In July 22, 1954 the settlement was renamed Volzhsky. This date is considered the birthday of our town. Chief of the construction site F.G. Loginov is rightly considered the founder of Volzhsky. Now the town is inhabited by more than three hundred thousand people of different nationalities, who have come from other regions of our country. Thousands of residents from the Urals, Siberia, the Ukraine, Kasakhstan and Tatarstan, from the Caucasus and middle Asia came to our rapidly developing town. Volzhsky is a major industrial centre of Russia. One can find here not only the largest hydro-electric power station in Europe, but also the pipe works producing pipes of different size and type used in mechanical engineering.

In many foreign countries there are regular buyers of various chemical, oil, machinery, metallurgical, wood working and electronics products produced in Volzhsky. World famous are grinding products and abrasive instruments, bearings, thermal insulation materials, braking lines, etc. Volzhsky beer, soft drinks and beverages have often won international and Russian prizes. The town is proud of its assembly bus line. Many foreign enterprises and companies have invested and are eager to invest in our town. This testifies to a most perspective economic growth of the region.

Though Volzhsky is situated in a desert, the number of trees here exceeds their number in many large and small towns with a more favourable climate in Russia. One can see a beautiful park with fountains and statues which are worth photographing. The river and the canal are used for rowing and boating. There is a yacht club as well. Football fans have a great opportunity to see the games of their favourite football team “Energy”.

Volzhsky is an important educational centre with several branches of Volgograd and Moscow Universities.

A suburb of Volgograd has now grown into an industrial, cultural and educational centre.

But there are more plans, cherished wishes and dreams to come true.

III. Complete the sentences using the words from the text:

1. … … is considered the birthday of our town.

2. Now the town … … by more than three hundred thousand people.

3. Volzhsky is a … … centre of Russia.

4. World famous are … …, … .

5. The town is proud of its … … .

6. Many foreign enterprises and companies have invested and … … in our town.

7. The river and the canal are used for … .

8. Volzhsky is an important … … .

9. A suburb of Volgograd … … an industrial, cultural and educational centre.

10. One can see a beautiful park with fountains and statues which are … … .

IV. Answer the questions:

1. What began the history of Volzhsky?

2. What date is considered the birthday of our town?

3. The town is inhabited by more than five hundred thousand people of different nationalities, isn’t it?

4. People of what nationalities can we meet in our town?

5. What industrial enterprises of Volzhsky are considered to be world famous?

6. Our town has a favourable climate to live in, hasn’t it?

7. Is Volzhsky an educational centre?

8. What sports can you do in our town?

9. Where is it possible to spend our free time in Volzhsky?

10. What is the pride of Volzhsky?