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Exercise 1. Read the dialogue and say what new information about Valaam you have got to know.

Sally: Sasha, can you tell us what is worth visiting in Russia?

Sasha: There are a lot of places of interest worth visiting. In Moscow, I suggest visiting the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, the Tretyakov Picture Gallery and the Bolshoi Theatre.

John: We also plan to go to St.Petersburg.

Sasha: If I were you I would go to the Russian museum. It has a wonderful collection of Russian paintings by famous Russian artists, such as Brullov, Vasilyev, Repin. Through their painting you’ll see and better understand the history of Russia.

Kevin: Is there anything else you could recommend?

Sasha: Yes, I also recommend you to visit the island of Valaam while you are in St.Petersburg. It is situated in the northern part of Lake Ladoga, the largest lake in Europe. You can get there by ship or helicopter from St.Petersburg. People have been living there for over 1 000 years.

Sally: What is there on the island?

Sasha: There is a monastery there. It was destroyed many times, but it was always rebuilt. The monks were very peaceful people, who loved God, nature and mankind. Whenever the island was invaded, the monks refused to fight and kill. The primary purpose of the monastery was to be a spiritual centre of Russian Orthodoxy, but it has also inspired Russian tsars, painters, poets and architects. Until the 20^th century the island was free of crime and alcohol.

John: Are there a lot of trees on the island?

Sasha: Yes. The nature on the island is unique. Although the soil on the island, which was brought from the mainland, is only 20-30 centimeters deep, the monks that lived there were able to grow watermelons, pumpkins, and more than 60 types of apples. They even grew melons! There are over 450 different kinds of plants on the island.

John: Does the island get a lot of visitors?

Sasha: Yes, visitors come from Russia, Germany, Great Britain, the USA and other countries.

Megan: Thanks for your advice, Sasha!

Sasha: Have a great time while you are here!

Exercise 2. Make up your own similar dialogue about any city or town in Russia.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-19