2. Read and discuss the text about Kyiv and learn the new vocabulary.

The city of Kyiv is an industrial, scientific, administrative and cultural center of Ukraine. It is the capital of Ukraine and the seat of Ukrainian Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers. In olden days, the city was the capital of ancient Rus and was called the Mother of Rus cities and the cradle of all Rus culture.

The city is very old. Archeological excavations give data referring to the time of 3000 before Christ's birth. There is a legend about three brothers and their sister who settled there. The city got the name Kyiv after the elder brother Kyi. Two hills were named after the two younger brothers Scheck and Khoryv, and the river was named after their sister Lybid.

Kyiv is situated on the picturesque banks of the Dnipro river, which flows through the middle of the city, making it even more beautiful.

During winter the Dnipro freezes, the ice breaks in March and at about the end of April the ice-drift begins. The climate of Kyiv is mild continental. The average temperature of January is -5-6 C and in July, it is+19 C.

As one of the oldest cities of Europe Kyiv has many places of interest. Among them there is Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, St. Sofia's Cathedral, the Golden Gate, a lot of monuments, museums and theatres.

Among the most popular sights is the Golden Gate. It was built in the XI century (1037) during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. It was the time when Kyivan Rus reached the height of glory and might. In 1982, when Kyiv celebrated its 1500^th anniversary the Golden Gate was basically restored and assumed its original shape and beauty.

Vydubichi Monastery attracts people's attention as one of the most mysterious relics of the past. The legend says that it was just on that spot, on a little amphitheater among the high hills along the Dnipro that the wooden idol of Perun was nearly washed ashore and the people pleaded their god to come out of the water. That sounded "Vydibai!". The idol had been thrown into the Dnipro after the adoption of Christianity.

St. Sofia's Cathedral is a magnificent example of ancient Rus architecture. The foundations of its multi-domed church with an open gallery were laid by Knia Yaroslav the Wise in honour of his victory over the Pecheneegs and it was erected by unknown masters in 1037. St. Sofia's Cathedral was the center of the ancient Rus state's social and cultural life. It has lived through nearly a millennium and its fresco work is considered to the unique specimen of Byzantine art.

St. Andrew's church is an outstanding creation of the architect Bartholomew Rastrelli. It stands on the steep Starokyivska Hill and rises nearly 90 meters above the Dnipro. It seems to be floating in the air. The church's interior is really magnificent.

Kyiv offers a great choice of various museums. One of the best of them is the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts. There one can see displays of paintings of outstanding Ukrainian artists of the past and present, reflecting the basic stages in the development of art from the XII century till nowadays.

Taras Shevchenko State Museum contains unique pictures and documents that tell about the life of the great Ukrainian poet. Besides, it there is Shevchenko's Memorial Museum, which is really worth visiting.

The theatres of Kyiv attract both citizens of the city and all those who come to visit the city. The Taras Shevchenko State Opera and Ballet Theatre occupies a small square on the corner of Volodymirska Street. It was built in 1898-1901. In 1939 to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of Shevchenko's birth the theatre was named after the Great Ukrainian poet.

The name of Mykola Lysenko, the founder of Ukrainian classical music is closely connected with the theatre. Many of his creations were performed here. His monument was unveiled in 1965 in front of the theatre.

Kyiv is not only one of the oldest cities of Europe, it's a monument of virtue and pride of the nation that could not be destroyed by numerous enemies. They have vanished, Kyiv lives.