3. Make up a list of Wooden structures in Ukraine. Text 6. Farmhouses

The Ukrainian farmhouses were, at first, chiefly built of wood. In recent times wood was occasionally replaced by other materials, such as, clay, bricks and stones – particularly in Southern Ukraine.

The so-called ‘Osidok’ in Hutsulshchyna may be considered the oldest and original type of building on the Ukrainian countryside. ‘Osidok’ is a group of buildings, constituting a farmyard, surrounded by a fence. These peasant-houses are characterized by great originality of design and skillful wood-carving, in general, the farmhouse presents a similar picture throughout Ukraine: a neatly whitewashed little house, under slaw-thatched roof, towers out of gardens and flower-beds. The beauty of a farmhouse is accentuated by a gaily painted foundation, known as the ‘prysba’ and by paintings around windows and under the eaves.

Less uniform is the inner arrangement and furnishing of the rooms. The farmhouse of an average farmer consists of a large entrance hall with rooms on both sides. The arrangement of the living rooms is usually such: A large fire-place, of interesting design, stands in one corner; shelves for kitchenware are

Fitted into another corner: in the third corner a large bed is placed, while the fourth corner, ‘pokuttia’, is reserved for holy pictures, a dining table, benches and chairs.

The furniture of the farmhouse is generally plain and made according to the size of the room. The shelves for dishes are often adorned with beautiful carving. In every farmhouse there is a huge ‘treasure chest used for clothing, expensive materials. carpets, linens and valuables. Such a chest is always beautifully-carved and painted.

1. Answer the following questions.

1. What building materials were used by the Ukrainians to erect farmhouses?

2. What is the oldest and the most original farmhouse on Ukrainian countryside?

3. What are the national features of Ukrainian farmhouse?

2. Read the text and decide if the statements after it are true (t) or false (f).

1. ‘Osidok’ is a group of buildings on a farmyard, surrounded by a fence. ( )

2. The farmhouses (‘Osidok’) are characterized by great originality of design and skillful wood-carving, but the peasant house does not present a similar picture throughout Ukraine. ( )

3. The fourth corner, ‘pokuttia’ is a place of holy pictures. ( )

4. The furniture of the farmhouse is often adorned with beautiful carving and painted. ( )

3. Write down the main features of Ukrainian farmhouse.

‘WORLD WONDERS’

Text 1. Egyptian Pyramids

The Great Pyramid at Giza is one of the world’s most amazing landmarks. Rising high above the Sahara Desert in the Giza region of northern Egypt, the Great Pyramid stands some 450 feet into the burning desert sky and occupies of an area of 13 acres. The rough climate of the Sahara has actually caused the pyramid to shrink 30 feet from its original height. The pyramid was such an amazing feat of engineering, that it remained the tallest structure in the world for over 3800 years! The entire pyramid was originally faced with polished limestone to make it shine brilliantly in the sun.

Most Egyptologists, scientists who study ancient Egypt, agree that the Great Pyramid was built around 2560 BC, a little more than 4,500 years ago. It took tens of thousands of workers twenty years to build. The pyramid contains over two million stone blocks. Although most of the blocks weigh two or three tons, some weigh up to 80 tons!

The Great Pyramid of Giza was ordered built by the Pharaoh Khufu as a magnificent tomb. His vizier (advisor) Hemon is credited with being the pyramid's architect. Khufu's pyramid is actually part of a complex of pyramids that includes the Pyramid of Khafre, the smaller Pyramid of Menkaure, a variety of smaller pyramids and structures, and the Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World.