Методическая разработка "Мой город."
методическая разработка по английскому языку по теме

     Данная методическая разработка предназначена для студентов 3 курса всех специальностей, изучающих английский язык. Целью является развитие навыков чтения и устной речи по разговорной теме “ Наш город”. Разработка включает в себя несколько текстов об истории Екатеринбурга, его достопримечательностях, промышленности, науке, культуре и упражнения, направленные на развитие монологической и диалогической речи по данной теме. Упражнения содержат материал, который необходимо активизировать в процессе работы над темой.

LESSON 1

     Ex. 1. Translate the following international words:

Official, military, administration, colonization, metallurgical, standard, army, extremely, exploitation, expert, captain, construction, project, public, conservatoire, hospital, architect, industrialist, permanent, regular, decoration, malachite, rhodonite.

      Ex. 2. Check if you know the following words:

Birth, mining, government, enterprise, neighbouring, condition, inhuman, co-thinker, scientist, storey, educational establishment, important, development, stone-cutting art, responsible;

Единомышленник, камнерезное искусство, соседний, важный, рождение, развитие, ученый, ответственный, правительство, условие, учебное заведение, горный, этаж, предприятие, бесчеловечный.

     Ex. 3. Pay attention to the meaning of the following words:

stronghold- цитадель,

origin- происхождение,

mint- монетный двор,

lapidary- гранильный,

serf- крепостной,

regiment- полк,

suffer- страдать,

carpenter- плотник,

dam- плотина,

prominent=noted- выдающийся, известный,

dwelling house- жилой дом,

log frame- каркас из бревен,

clay- глина,

erect- сооружать,

peasant- крестьянин,

church- церковь,

contribution- вклад,

survive- вклад,

mansion- особняк,

merchant- купец,

flourishing- расцвет,

jasper- яшма

     Ex. 4. Read and translate the text.

From the history of Ekaterinburg.

     7 (18) November 1723 is the official date of the birth of Ekaterinburg, the industrial and military center of the mining administration, and the important stronghold set up by the government of Peter 1 for the colonization of the vast territory of the Urals and Siberia. The town owes its origin to a metallurgical and metal-working plant which rose on the banks of the Iset River and by the standards of those days was one of the best not only in Russia but also in Europe. Later, a mint and a lapidary factory were added to it to form one big enterprise.

     The plant and the town were built by an army and 2000 serfs recruited in the neighbouring villages and 960 soldiers from the Tobolsk regiment. The builders worked in extremely hard conditions suffering back-breaking labour and inhuman exploitation. They were led by talented Russian mining experts, master carpenters and dam-builders. Peter’s 1 servants and co-thinkers such as general Gennin and captain Tatishchev, prominent, statesman and noted scientist headed the construction project. The first shops, wateroperated machines, dwellings and public buildings were made of wood. By the way the log frames filled with clay that were used in constructing the dam of the city pond are well preserved to this day.

     The town’s first stone building was erected in 1739 to house Offices of the Management Board of Siberian and government- controlled plants. Today it forms the two lower storeys of the Conservatoire building.

     By the end of the XVII-th century the population of Ekaterinburg numbered 9000. Half of them were workers and peasants. The garrison of the town was 900-strong. There were 1872 dwelling houses and only 13 stone buildings (4 churches, a military hospital, an arsenal and others).

     A mining school, one of the largest technical educational establishments in those days, was opened shortly after the foundation of the plant.

     Since the beginning of the XIX-th century Ekaterinburg came to play an increasingly important role as an administrative, mining and machine-building centre of the Urals. A great contribution to the further development of the town was made by M. Malakhov, a prominent Russian architect. Over 60 houses were built to his project and some of them have survived to this day, for example the VIZ hospital, the Alexandro-Nevsky Cathedral, some mansions of rich merchants and industrialists. By the middle of the XIX-th century the population of the city was about 20000 and grew slowly.

     As a result of its development Ekaterinburg became a cultural centre. In 1845 a permanent company of actors was formed and began giving regular performances in a newly built theatre. This period of the history of the town was also marked by the flourishing of the stone-cutting art for which the Yekaterinburg lapidary factory was responsible. Especially popular in those days were decorations made of well-known Urals malachite, rhodonite and jasper.

     Ex. 5. Give the 3 forms of the following verbs:    

be, rise, add, build, work, lead, make, use, open, come, grow, become, begin.

     Ex. 6. Define the following grammar forms: 

is, were, built, worked, are preserved, forms, was opened, came, have survived, began, was made.

     Ex. 7. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the official date of the birth of Yekaterinburg?
2. Where was it built?
3. What were the first enterprises built in Yekaterinburg?
4. Who built the plants and the town?
5. What can you say about conditions of their labour?
6. Who were they led by?
7. What were the first machines, buildings and dam made of?
8. What was the population of Yekaterinburg by the end of the XVII-th century?
9. How many stone buildings were there in the town at that time?
10. Who was the most prominent architect of Yekaterinburg?
11. When did a permanent company of actors begin giving permanent performances in the town?
12. What kind of art was especially popular in Yekaterinburg in the XIX- century and why?

Ex. 8. Make up a short story on the history of Yekaterinburg. Mention facts that are really new and interesting for you.

LESSON 2

     Ex. 1. Keep in mind the meaning of the following words: 

martyr (`ma:te) - (велико)мученик

baptize - крестить

turn into - превращаться

intermediary - превращаться

non-ferrous (metals) - цветные (металлы)

introduction – введение

substantial – существенный

representative – представитель(ный)

joint venture – совместное предприятие

opportunity – возможность

(railway) junction – (железнодорожный) узел

public catering facilities – предприятие общественного питания

embody – воплощать

significance – значение

luxurious – роскошный

printing house – издательство

heritage – наследие, наследство

     Ex. 2. Insert the missing words from the list given above into the sentences. Translate them.

1. Our region is rich in all kinds of minerals and … metals.

2. Yekaterinburg was given its name in honour of the … Saint Catherine.

3. In the XIX-th century Yekaterinburg … a large industrial, commercial and cultural center of Russia.

4. If you are hungry you can visit one of the numerous … of our city.

5. A number of foreign firms set up … with Russian businessmen.

6. Yekaterinburg is a large … of the seven railway routes.

7. Where is the … “Uralski Rabochi” situated?

8. One of the most … mansions of our city is the Rastorguev Palace.

   Ex. 3. Read and translate the text.

Yekaterinburg today.

     It was nearly three hundred years ago when this town was founded on the eastern slopes of the Urals Mountains on the banks of the beautiful Iset River. It was given the name of Yekaterinburg in honour of the martyr Saint Catherine, after whose name the Emperor Peter the Greate`s wife was baptized.

     In the XIX-th century it turned into a large center of industry, commerce and banking. Lying on the border between Europe and Asia the city played an important trade- intermediary role. In 1923 Yekaterinburg became the administrative centre of the vast Urals region (it was called Sverdlovsk from 1924 to 1991). In the 1930-s, giant plants were constructed here, which brought about a considerable increase in the population. During the years of the World War II the city turned into a huge arsenal of military technology and armaments. After the war Sverdlovsk continued to develop as a major industrial centre in the Urals. In 1967 its millionth resident was born.

     Today Yekaterinburg is a city with the population a million and a half and a powerful industrial and research centre. Its heavy transport and chemical engineering plants, non-ferrous metallurgical works and military industrial enterprises occupy a leading place in the national economy. The city has about 15 institutions of higher education; it is the seat of the Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

     Yekaterinburg is a major business centre in Russia. Its financial and banking institutions take an active part in the introduction of a market-oriented economy, making a substantial contribution to the development of cooperation with foreign countries. Quite a number of foreign firms are successfully operating representative offices and joint ventures here. Yekaterinburg`s unique geographical position on the border of Europe and Asia offers broad opportunities for playing the role of an important centre of cooperation between East and West.

     Yekaterinburg is a large junction of seven railway routes. The daily life of the city is provided for by its social infrastructure. Its numerous shops, public catering facilities, trams, trolley-buses, buses and metro render services to its residents and visitors. The city has dozens of public libraries, cinemas, concert halls, children’s music and art schools. Its Opera and Ballet House, Drama Theatre, Musical Comedy Theatre, Theatre of Youth, Puppet Show Theatre, Philharmonic Society and Circus are well known in the country. The museums of Yekaterinburg are famous for their unique collections.

     The city has a unique appearance. It seems that history itself is embodied in its streets and avenues, architectural ensembles and sights.

     More than 600 monuments of history and culture are located in the city, and 43 of them are considered to be top national monuments because of their special significance.

     The heart of Yekaterinburg is its dam that permitted the initial development of the city’s industrial base. The dam was erected in 1723 and survived later two reconstructions. At present it is an impressive industrial monument of the XVIII-th century. Unfortunately very few buildings of the old factory area have been preserved. Now they house the Museum of History of Architecture and Technology of the Urals and the Nature Museum, both are located in the so-called Historical Public Garden. Situated here is also the oldest building of Yekaterinburg which dated from 1764 and that was recently reconstructed. At present this the Fine Arts Museum. Yekaterinburg of the XVIII-th century was a town made of wood. In the late XVIII-th and the early XIX-th centuries a new architectural style – classicism – influenced Yekaterinburg landscapes. The palace on Vosnesenskaya Hill with its luxurious park is the most famous example of this style. Many churches and chapels made the city’s panorama very beautiful and picturesque. At the beginning of the XX-th century there were 50 churches and of this number only 6 remain today. There are quite a few buildings in the constructivist style in the city. Typical of this style are such examples as the Main Post Office, the “Uralski Rabochi” printing house, the film studio, the famous White Tower, the “Dynamo” stadium, etc.

     New tendencies in the development of the world architecture have also affected the city. Some of the most well known of these structures includes the Military Headquarters, the Ural State Technical University, the Railway Administrative building and the Philharmonic Society.

     The dynamics of contemporary life does have its effect on the city. However good care of its cultural heritage has to maintain the historical continuity of times and confirm the right of Yekaterinburg to the status of a historical city.

     Ex. 4. Ask all kinds of questions to the text.

     Ex. 5. Find synonyms to the following words: 

Plant, resident, huge, to construct, town, sight, armament, to affect, wood, famous, contemporary, significance, to be located, to increase;

Giant, timber, to be situated, place of interest, works, weapon, well-known, importance, to influence, city, citizen, modern, to build, to grow.

     Ex. 6. Translate from Russian into English:

1. Наш город был основан около трехсот лет назад на берегу красивой реки Исеть.

2. Он расположен на восточных склонах Уральских гор недалеко от границы между Европой и Азией.

3. После второй мировой войны Екатеринбург превратился в один из крупнейших промышленных, торговых и культурных центров России с населением свыше одного миллиона человек.

4. Многочисленные предприятия, компании и банки нашего города принимают активное участие в развитии рыночной экономики и сотрудничестве с зарубежными странами.

5. В Екатеринбурге много библиотек, театров, кинотеатров, музеев, парков, где жители и гости города могут приятно провести свое свободное время.

6. Наш город известен своими историческими памятниками и особняками, где жили до революции богатые купцы и промышленники.

7. Многие здания в городе построены в различных архитектурных стилях, характерных для  XIX и XX веков.

8. Жители города бережно сохраняют культурное наследие прошлого, хотя город продолжает расти и развиваться.

LESSON 3

     Ex. 1. Read and translate the text without a dictionary.

Our city.

     I live in Yekaterinburg situated in the Central Urals near the border between Europe and Asia. Our city is one of the largest industrial, scientific and cultural centres of the country.

     It was founded in 1723 by the order of Peter the Great. Tatischev was its founder.

     Our region is rich in natural resources such as iron, non-ferrous metals, gold, precious and semi-precious stones and other minerals. So heavy industry prevails in our city including such brunches as metalworking, machine-building, chemistry and woodworking. There are about 200 large and small enterprises in Yekaterinburg. Some of them were evacuated from the west of our country during the Great Patriotic War; others were founded in our city during its long history. The largest plant is the Uralmash Works which produces all kinds of heavy machinery known all over the world. Among other big enterprises there are Electric Engineering Plant, Ural Chemical Works, Turbo-Motor Works, Cosmetic Concern, etc. Our city is also famous for its highly skilled jewelers and stone cutters. The factory “Urals Samotsvety” produces marvelous decorations made of malachite, rhodonite, jasper and other minerals, which are shown at the exhibition all over the world.

     The population of our city is about two million residents. Many thousands of students study at its higher schools such as the Ural State Mining Academy, The State University, The Pedagogical University, The Ural State Forest Engineering Academy, etc. There are a lot of secondary schools, technical colleges, scientific research institutes and the Ural Centre of the Academy of Sciences of Russia. Our scientists take part in international scientific conferences all over the world and contribute to the progress of the Russian science.

     Yekaterinburg is also an important cultural centre of the country. The citizens and guests of the city can visit 5 theatres and see a lot of plays of classic and modern authors such as Shakespeare, Bernard Shaw in Drama Theatre, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Bize in Opera House, Offenbach and Strauss in Musical Comedy. Many famous singers and actors are invited to give concerts in our city. The favourite place of little children is the city circus of course.

     Our city is rather beautiful in its own way. It is not very old but there are some splendid mansions of the XIX-th century. Many rich merchants and industrialists lived there before the revolution. The Rastorguev Palace, the most luxurious old buildings is situated in the centre of the city on a large hill. Just opposite it there was the famous Ipatyev House. One of the most tragic events in the Russian history is connected with the place. In July of 1918 the last Russian Tsar and his whole family were shot there by the order of Bolshevik government. The house was then destroyed but not long ago a wooden cross was erected on the spot of the tsarist family’s execution. Now there is the Temple on Blood built in memory of all victims of the bloody civil war on that very place.

     There are some other places of interest in our city: the Art Museum, the Picture Gallery, the Mansions of the famous writers Bazhov and Mamin-Sibiryak, Geological and Historical Museums, a lot of monuments and parks. The main street is the Lenin Avenue which is 4 kilometers long.

     I like my city but I’d like to travel and see many other cities of the world.

     Ex. 2. Translate the following word combinations. Make up sentences using them.  

по приказу, полезные ископаемые, цветной метал, полудрагоценный камень, деревообработка, Великая Отечественная Война, тяжелая (легкая) промышленность, искусный камнерез, чудесное украшение, профессиональное училище, научно-исследовательский институт, международная научная конференция, современный автор, великолепный особняк, трагическое событие, деревянный крест, достопримечательность.

     Ex. 3. Make up sentences from separate words.

1. situated, near, Asia, Yekaterinburg, is, Urals, in the, Europe, between, border, and, the Central.

2. industry, because, rich, heavy, iron, prevails, our, non-ferrous, region, is and, city, metals, in.

3. stone-cutters, decorations, who, city, famous, make, malachite, our, marvelous, rhodonite, is, for, jasper, its.

4. students, colleges, secondary, many, study, technical, vocational, thousands, at, higher, and, numerous.

5. theatres, see, modern, guests, and, plays, citizens, of, city, the, visit, classic, can, the, authors.

6. family, shot, the, tsar, were, last, his, Ipatyev, in, Russian, 1918, house, whole, and.

     Ex. 4. Put the verbs into correct grammar forms:

1. Yekaterinburg (to found) in 1723 by the order of Peter the Great.

2. There (to be) about 200 large and small enterprises in our city.

3. Many famous singers and actors (to invite) to Yekaterinburg to give concerts.

4. Many rich merchants (to live) in our city before the revolution.

5. A church (to build) on the place of the Ipatyev House.

6. I (to like) to travel and see different cities of the world.

     Ex.5. Here are the answers. What are the questions?

1. Near the border between Europe and Asia.

2. It was renamed in 1924.

3. It’s about 2 million people.

4. The Uralmash Works of course.

5. Yes, it is.

6. In 1918.

7. I don’t know.

8. No, we haven’t.

     Ex. 6. Read and then stage the dialogue:

A: Sorry, I’m a stranger here. Could you tell me how to get to the central Post Office?

B: Let me see. Well, I think you’d better take a number 31 bus. It’s quite a distance.

A: how long will it take us to get there?

B: Not more than 20 minutes, I suppose.

A: At what stop do we get off?

B: Get off at the bus stop “Sovkino”, as far as the traffic lights, cross the street and go straight ahead.

A: Thank you very much indeed.

B: That’s all right.

Ex. 7. Make up dialogues of your own asking the way:

1) from the railway station to the hotel “Bolshoi Ural”;

2) from the hotel “Bolshoi Ural” to the Central Department Store;

3) from the Opera House to the Ural State Forest Engineering Academy;

4) from the Ural State Technical University to the railway station.

     Ex. 8. Speak about your favourite place in Yekaterinburg. Use the following text as a model.

I enjoy walking along the main avenue of our city. It’s the longest and the most beautiful street of Yekaterinburg. I often go shopping to the Central Grocery and Department Store. Sometimes When I have free time I visit the Opera House or the Musical Comedy and enjoy performances there. If I’m hungry I can have lunch in one of the numerous cafes or restaurants. There are a lot of green trees and beautiful flowers in the parks of the city in summer. But I like it in all seasons of the year.

     Ex. 9. Answer the questions:

1. What is the name of your native town?

2. Where is it situated?

3. When (and by whom) was it founded?

4. What is its population?  

5. Is there a river or a pond in your town?

6. What is situated in the centre of your town?

7. What places of interest are there in your town? (museums, galleries, monuments, cathedrals).

8. How many theatres or cinemas are there in your town?

9. What educational institutions are there in your town?

10. What branches of industry are highly developed in your town?

11. What are the largest enterprises there?

12. What do they produce?

13. What historical events took place in your town?

14. Are there any new districts there?

15. What kind of transport run about your town?

Ex. 10. Speak about:

1. Yekaterinburg.

2. Your native town (if it is another one).

Additional text

     Ex. 1 Judging from the title and the following words try to guess what this article is about.

grave – могила,

remains – останки,

corpse – тело,

burial – захоронение,

excavations – раскопки,

eyewitness – свидетель,

investigation – расследование,

skull – череп,

suffer – страдать,

bullet – пуля,

pit – колодец,

evidence – показание,

elucidation – выяснение,

circumstance – обстоятельство,

acid – кислота.

Sensation. What was found near Yekaterinburg?

     A grave which, experts believe contains the remains of the last Russian tsar and his family was found not far from Yekaterinburg. The bones belonging to nine corpses have been carefully withdrawn from the earth, photographed, described in the greatest details, and sent to the city for further investigation.

     All work was done in the presence of an armed guard, and conducted in the strictest secrecy, as was the transportation of the content of the grave. The remains took the same road from the site as they did to the grave 73 years ago ( the Romanov family was shot in July), in an atmosphere of a similar, if not greater secrecy, and again under guard.

     The group supervising the excavations was formed by geologist A. Avdonin, an enthusiast who had spent many years searching for the place of their burial. Together with writer G. Ryabov he found the grave in 1979. They based their efforts on eyewitness statements of participants in the execution, materials of earlier investigations such as those of the White troops when they entered Yekaterinburg.

     The documents mentioned the exact place of burial, but there is a description of the place where the truck carrying the corpses got stuck. Basing themselves on this and other evidence A. Avdinin and G. Ryabov found skulls which, in their option, were the skulls of the executed. At the time, for obvious reasons, they could not announce their find. They measured the skulls, described them and again buried exactly where they had found them.

     Thus, the work done in July was the continuation of a search started many years ago. A skilled team was formed, including historians, archeologists, forensic medical experts, militiamen and officials of the procurator’s office. Excavations were conducted professionally under the guidance of Urals archeologist L. Koryakova. Forensic experts had stated that the quantity and quality of the find allowed them to conduct a whole range of tests which made it possible to say for certain whether the unearthed remains belong to the Romanov family.

     But at the stage, experts needed material on the everyday life of the tsar’s family, about the diseases its members suffered from and so on. The elucidation of the execution details greatly helped this investigation.

      It was difficult to identify the remains to sex or age. The bones had damage consistent with bullet traces. Also found were splinters of ceramic vessels which may have contained acid. The pit into which the bodies were thrown was covered with slippers. No signs of clothing had been found. All this fully corresponds to previous statements about the circumstances of the burial.

     Ex. 3. Answer the questions:

1. Have you ever heard about the execution of the tsarist family in Yekaterinburg?

2. What do you think of this tragic event?