English topics

04.07.2006 конецформыначалоформыART GALLERIES One of the best traditions in Russia was investing in culture by those, whose activity was in some other field. Pavel Tretyakov his brother Sergei were Russian merchants. They had some factories were successful in their trade. The love for art began growing in the brothers since the very childhood. Being a well-to-do merchant, Tretyakov decided to found a national gallery for Russian people.It was in 1860. The building, standing opposite the southern walls of the Kremlin, beyond the Moskwa River, was built at the beginning of the 20th century from a design by the famous Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov, a connoisseur знаток of old Moscow.

After the reconstruction in 1995 the gallery became a very large art place. Here the visitors can see Andrei Rublews Trinity 1422-1427, masterpieces of the 18-19th centuries.Among the painters whose works are exhibited in the gallery Id like to mention Kramskoi 1837-1887. His portraits of Leo Tolstoy, Nekrasov an Unknown Woman attracted great attentions.

I.Levitan 1860-1900 was famous for his landscapes. Being fond of Russian nature he reproduced it in paintings well-known dear to everybody. Aivazovski Levitan founded a school of realistic landscape painting.One of Repins pictures is They Didnt Expect Him. V.Serov. He was taught by Repin. Then Levitan, Surikov Vrubel taught him the technique of colours, the value of responding to a personal emotional experience. He became very famous.

His paintings Girl in Sunlight, Girl with Beaches made him known in the world. V.Surikov 1848-1916 is represented in Tretyakov Gallery by his Boyaryinia Morozova Menshikov at Beriozov, Norming of the Execution of the Streltsy. He is considered to be a historical artist.Many more painters are represented in the Gallery. конецформыначалоформыCAREER BLOCKERS AND JOB SUCCESS CAREER Sandeep, a credit analyst for a bank, got such glowing performance reports that he was sure the next promotion would be his - but instead it went to a less qualified co-worker.

When I asked my boss why he recalls, he just pointed at my shoes and said, this is a bank Sandeep, we do not want corporate clients wondering why a credit supervisor is dressed like a sports teacher Sandeep got his well deserved promotion eventually - after he started coming to work in more business-like clothes.Is something standing in your path to advancement Obviously if you constantly come in late or are absent dozens of days in a year, you are not going to move up and may even have trouble keeping your job. Let us look at the most common stumbling blocks, ways to manoeuvre around them and ways to make ourselves more visible.

DOING MORE THAN EXPECTED Be at your desk when the boss arrives in the morning. Stay there instead of visiting around, and skip your tea break occasionally. Take regulation lunch hours.Once a week or so, eat a sandwich at your desk. Besides looking busy, you should actually be busy. Sometimes this can be a problem.

If you are a race-horse type who plunges in and dispatches chores quickly and efficiently, you probably gallop through your work-load faster than your turtle-like co-workers.Then too, some jobs are cyclical - instead of a steady flow of tasks, there is a burst of activity followed by a lull. In any case, having company time on your hands is certainly not a signal to start doing a crossword puzzle or reading the latest best-seller.

Create work for yourself, ask your supervisor for additional assignments and projects. Or, if possible, within the framework of your job, volunteer to help someone else who seems snowed under. On the other hand, if everything senior department members do not want to do gets dumped on your desk, you may have to put in overtime or take work home. Do it cheerfully and do not expect or ask to be paid for your extra effort.INITIATIVE One of the best ways to improve your chances for promotion is to seek extra work and more responsibility.

Say, I will do this, or you can count on me, but do not take extra work unless it demonstrates that you are good at the job. The right kind of initiative can sometimes get you a better job even when the position does not yet exist.Understand where the business is going, and if you foresee an expanding area, say I think we should put more emphasis on such and such, and I would like to be the one to do it. This is infinitely better than asking for a promotion. SELF-CONFIDENCE Often people have the skills for a better job but cannot convince others because they do not really believe in themselves.

Or, they may be reluctant to appear too forward. It may seem unbelievable, but it is a fact that many people fear they will lose friends, that people on their current level will not like them if they get promoted.Employers looking to promote someone want to see self-assurance and confidence. One must learn to radiate an inner belief in oneself.

ORAL SKILLS Clumsy communication, not being able to express oneself is a major handicap. Your boss may feel that your poor speech does not meet his standards. Good oral skills are especially crucial if the job you want is supervisory.Leading, directing and motivating people requires a command of the language beyond the level that is good enough for most lower-level jobs. Being able to draft reports and letters is also vital.

BEING POSITIVE Every company has policies its employees think are dumb. Do not join in bad-mouthing these. Maybe it is common office knowledge that Junior, the Vice Presidents son is a bumbling ninny.As far as you are concerned, though, whenever Juniors name comes up it is wiser not to make any comment rather than a negative one. Though a Junior may be a bit dense, there is nothing wrong with his hearing and it may surprise you at how much he knows of what is said behind his back. When you speak to an audience, your positive attitude should be unmistakable.

Present your own ideas in a way that builds on, rather than tears down, earlier proposals, for example, what we have heard so far is so good, but may be we should consider. This neat little segue will allow you to take the flow without appearing to pass negative judgment on anybody. Sounding even mildly critical is to be avoided at all costs.When promotion time comes around you want to be remembered as someone who always has something positive and useful to say. GETTING ALONG WITH PEOPLE The hostile abrasive person or the one who loses hisher temper easily will have difficulty moving up, no matter how good hisher skills are. Fitting in well with your colleagues requires more than just being pleasant, you have to adapt yourself to their habits and procedures.

Beena remained a researcher at a television network for four years, while others who had started with her won promotions.

She recalls the executive producer told me I had been held back, because I did not seem willing to work within the system. I was so intent on being unconventional, that the writers and producers felt I was interfering more than helping. Beena moved up to Assistant Producer after she learned to develop a more accommodating attitude. Some people are more comfortable with machines, numbers and computers than with people.They get very confused if they have to deal with the ambivalence and emotions of their co-workers.

These people should seek technical jobs, where they should do very well. MAKING FRIENDS It is not enough to have buddies just in your division or department, you need to be on the best terms with everyone in the company.People who have little or no influence at the moment may six months or a year from now, have the clout to recommend you. While you do want to be pleasant, friendly and helpful to everyone, you should proceed cautiously when it comes to choosing constant companions.

Those who are the firs to ardently court your friendship, are most apt to be troublemakers, backstabbersor perfectly nice folks who have plenty of time for socialising because they never do their share of work. Everybody knows this, of course, except the relative newcomer - you. If you are seen with such undesirables regularly, you are in danger of being perceived as the same type. TIMING Last, but very important, is timing.No matter how well placed you are for a promotion, you can miss out on it by asking at the wrong time. Do not bring up the subject when your boss is preparing the budget - he is under pressure and has probably already filled every slot by that name. Be aware of your companys finances.

You should not ask on the day when the quarterly report comes out showing a big loss Do not wait too long though.Before the time comes to fill a spot, the manager should know of your abilities, and your desire for he job. Figure out the cycle of progression, study past promotions, and if you see that people generally move up every 18 months, make your bid 6 months ahead.

These then are some areas which may give you food for thought.Analyse yourself, your abilities and the direction you want to head to thoroughly before you commit yourself to your chosen path. конецформыначалоформыFIVE STEPS TO SUPPORT YOUR LIFE Nothing grand was ever built on quicksand. In fact, the taller the building the deeper the foundation.

The foundation of the Empire State Building sets 55 below ground. So if you want to develop a great life of fulfillment, happiness, good relationships, and financial security it would make sense to begin by developing a strong personal foundation. If you have a business and think this is not for you, think again. Remember you can grow your business as big as you can grow yourself.The following tips are based on the 24 lesson Personal Foundation Program I took while training at Coach U. 1 - Zap the Tolerations - Make a list of everything you are putting up with at home, at work, in your family, and in your community.

There is a solution for each one even if you dont see it right now. Begin handling each toleration. Get to the source and handle it there so you do not have to deal with it again in the near future.Notice how you begin to feel happier and more energetic. 2 - Simplify your Life - Eliminate projects, responsibilities, habits, and tasks that absorb time and are not necessary in order to create more time and space in your life. These often are things you or others think you should do. The second part of simplifying is delegating and systematizing wherever you can. What systems can you set up to create space in your life for what you really want 3 - Restore your Integrity - To live being complete, undivided, and honest with yourself.

Accepting all of who you are adds richness to your life. You experience fewer problems, feel at peace, and respond to others vs reacting. List 10 ways you feel out of integrity wrong job, cheating, misrespresenting yourself, false promises, involved in something you dislike, living in debt, etc. Then list the simple actions you can take now to restore your integrity.

Follow it up with action. 4 - Get Your Needs Met - Think about when you are hungry.Its hard to think of anything else until that need is met. Your personal needs are the same. If you have unmet needs they dominate your life. This is always a tough one to look at as it is unappealing to think of ourselves as needy.

Yet we all have needs unique to us. When you identify your needs and get them met you can begin living your life based on your values rather than striving to fill needs. It is ok to get support 5 - Extend Your Boundaries - Boundaries are lines you draw to protect yourself. The more clear your boundaries, the more well protected you are from the damaging behavior of others.Drawing the line involves deciding what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior to you. Respecting your boundaries takes sensing when one is in danger of being crossed then taking action to protect yourself by making a statement, doing something, or walking away. Make a list of 10 things others can no longer do or say to you. Creating a strong personal foundation includes other steps such as getting clear of the past, handling the money, taking care of your body, strengthening your family, deepening your community, improving your attitude, creating reserves, becoming a problem-free zone, investing in your life, and more Take one step at a time to strengthen and deepen your foundation in order to support a grand life. Starting Now конецформыначалоформыHOLIDAYS IN BRITAIN Nearly all British people in full-time jobs have at least four weeks holiday a year, often in two or three separate periods.

The normal working week is 35-40 hours, Monday to Friday.

People who have to work in shifts with unsocial hours are paid extra for the inconvenience.

More overtime is worked at extra pay than in most other Western European countries, but there is relatively little moonlighting - that is, independent work for pay in leisure hours. Another way of saying this is that the black economy, involving work paid privately in cash and not officially recorded or taxed, is relatively small.There are only eight official public holidays a year, only one of them in the six months before Christmas.

None of them celebrates anything to do with state or nation, though the first Monday in May was made a bank holiday national holiday by a recent Labour government as the British holiday in honour of working people.The most obvious - and traditional-British holiday destination is the coast No place in the country is more than three hours journey from some part of it. The coast is full of variety, with good cliffs and rocks between the beaches, but the uncertain weather and cold sea are serious disadvantages.

Also, two weeks in a hotel room with balcony and private bath can now cost less in Spain or Greece, with flight included, than the same in a British hotel. Most of the hotels in the numerous seaside resort towns were built in the railway age, between 50 and 100 years ago, and seem now to be used as much by people going to conferences as by those on holiday.Going to a conference can be a sort of holiday, even in working time and with expenses paid. People who go for one or two weeks holiday to the coast, or to a country place, tend now to take their caravans or tents to campsites, or rent static caravans, cottages or flats.

Some take tents, but their optimism is usually disappointed. Many town dwellers have bought old country cottages, to use for their own holidays and to let to others when they are working themselves. People on holiday or travelling around the country often stay at farms or other houses which provide bed and breakfast.These are usually comfortable and better value than hotels.

By now the holiday resorts most popular with the British are on the Mediterranean coasts, or yet further south. In 1988 a third of all British people went abroad, mainly to places where warm sea and sunshine can be confidently expected. Most travel by air on package holidays, paying for flight, local tax and hotel or flat all together, others travel by car or bus and ferry.If affluence continues to grow and spread more widely, it seems likely that foreign travel will grow more quickly still, particularly in winter to places not too far from the equator. конецформыначалоформыLEARNING ENGLISH Some time ago some newspaper reporter called the modem Earth a world village.

It really means that year by year the earth is getting smaller with the development of communication and increase in international trade.People of different countries and nations have to get along well with the progress in world trade and technology as well as with each other.

So, it is very useful to learn foreign languages. Knowledge is power, one of the great men said. Speaking a foreign language you can not only read the papers, magazines and original books by great writers, but as well watch satellite TV programs, travel in the different parts of the world.Besides, understanding and speaking a foreign language or two became necessary while looking for a good job. First English language became widely spoken in the world with the rise of British empire.

Then success of American industry and the growth of exports in technologies cause increase in circulation of the language. And the third factor of the last decades is remarkable boom in computer- related equipment and technologies as well as the influence of British and American pop culture and video films.Fortunately, I began learning English even before I could understand the importance of speaking and understanding it. Now I know that it is very useful for a XXI century professional no matter what field you are in. The world is getting smaller and international connections tighter. One can not do well without one of the common European languages.

I learn English because I want to read Alan Milne and Ernest Hemingway in their native language. I like Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll. They are quite different when translated. Besides, I like to travel. Speaking English, I shall have no problems looking for a room or a meal anywhere in the world.I like to talk and make friends with people from different countries.

Last autumn I became a member of the Moscow City Pen-Pal Club and now I have much pleasure writing letters to my Swiss and American pen-friends. I hope, some day we shall meet each other and have a good time in Moscow. There are also international friendship camps both in Russia and abroad where you can meet boys and girls from around the world.They do not often can speak Russian which is much more difficult to learn than English.

In a word, I understand that I have to learn English hard and in a proper way. конецформыначалоформыMUSIC STYLES On concert representations people hospitably welcome workers of a stage. Such reaction is natural, as without these people the concert would not pass smoothly and the star - conductor or the pianist, would be lost in the world of music. Music is such a field of activity in which the number of people of the most different trades is involved hugely.The composer, the conductor, the musician of an orchestra, the publisher, the agent, the manager of a concert hall, all of them together represent the balanced structure which doesnt function properly in case any component is absent or invalid.

As a clever man said, music can transform primitive existence into life. In each performance the musical form is individual, however there are its rather steady types of various scale - the period, simple and complex forms, variations, a rondo etc. The least semantic and structural unit of the musical form is motive, two and more motives form a phrase, of phrases there is an offer two offers frequently form the period. Themes of musical performance are frequently stated in the period.

The main forming principles of musical compositions are - a statement of a thematic material exposition, its exact or varied repetition, development, comparison with new themes etc. These principles frequently cooperate.Nowadays there exist lots of musical currents and directions which are represented by different groups and solo singers. Lets mention some of the most famous ones. Pop music - area of musical art having commercial character with mass media and poetic language, entertainment, supposing ease of recognition.

It has arisen in 19 century as reaction to the complicated forms of serious music. Intensive development has received from the beginning of 20 centuries.It is distinguished by traditional old popular music and the new pop. Blues - a genre of the Afro-American musical folklore and a jazz carrying melancholy and despondency.

It formed in the beginning of 20 century. The blues tradition is submitted practically in all basic jazz styles. The blues reflects deeply personal experiences sated with dramatic nature and an internal conflictness, contains also elements of humor, irony, social satire.Specificity of a blues is shown, besides in a special structure of a poetic stanza строфа and an originality of the musical form, in use of the certain circle of expressive means, in a manner of performance.

It got popularity in 1914 thanks to U.K.Hendis creative activity as the father of a blues. The orchestral blues for the first time has been written down on a phonograph record in 1921. And the most outstanding singers and groups in this genre are The Rolling Stones, Cream, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Canned Heat. In the middle of 80 in Chicago there appeared a new kind of dancing music - house music.Now it seems usual and habitual, however then it was really extraordinary.

This music was created for dances and played by new electro-musical instruments. The Chicago DJs for the first time tried to mix singles of group Kraftwerk with sound devices giving cardinally new sounds. House music has roots coming of disco. In a word - music for happiness.The structure of a classical house is rather simple and the tempo isnt so fast. House tracks, as a rule, are filled with bright and beautiful passages, major chords and simple, but remembered melodies.

Rock-n-Roll - the earliest form of modern pop. It appeared in the middle of 1950 in the musical attitude representing the simplified variant of a rhythm-and-blues with elements of country music. For rock-and-roll as a whole the structural basis, sounding of several electro guitars, a piano, saxophone, brief melodic phrases, elementary enough text, a strongly pronounced dancing basis is characteristic.Executors of rock-and-roll were white musicians Elvis Presley, Bill Hejli, Whether Jerry Lewis, as well as black ones Chuck Berry. As the pair dance which received wide popularity in 1950s it differs with extreme expressionism, choreographic supports and deliberate negligence in relation to partner. конецформыначалоформыMY VIEWS OF THE THEATRE What is a theatre today The view according to this question are quite volatile.

Regular visitors come to Houses of Joint Arts and admire shows, feeling comfort and enchantment.

Some other people make a faint effort to exceed the bounds of their usual life visiting a theatre, but meet deception and disappointment which make those people forget the way to a true temple of art. Shall theatre become an outlet for entertainment or be a source of intellectual chauvinism Shall theatre pose itself as an honest dialogue or be a ground for just making money They say modern theatres dont have historic and artistic value, deep and thought provoking ideas.As I see it most of a play success is based on time, place and circumstance. Its out of the question that in this case the play is estimated as a great literary work as well. People come to watch a caring, entertaining and meaningful theatre.

Gut the cases when the audiences feel bored and badly cheated arent an exception nowadays.Does this prove the existence of so called bad theatres I guess, yes. Excellence modernism and social activism are some of the attempted veils that the bad players hide behind, although without any mass appeal.

The media too has to share its role in this folly. Any audience seldom likes to be taught lessons or be fed with ideas that are difficult even to comprehend. But, a not so good theatre would often love to do the same. Apparently, the images of a bad theatre are in multitudes the same irrelevant adaptations, shows for mere academic purposes, bored and deceived audiences.Besides, it seems to me there is too much talk of the stage craft, techniques and methods, yet the same lackluster appearances to cater.

The same temptation to gobble up state funds at the expense of artistic values.In retrospect we see that a bad theatre doesnt care much about those who watch a show. Its the secondary gains elsewhere that count more. Arguably, it fails to uphold even the spirit of theatre - the passion to perform and honesty to speak up. I still believe a good theatre is like speaking ones own heart out. Its easy to comprehend as well as to digest.

Besides, the audiences identify themselves with a story on the stage, and hence a strong intimacy develops through any such effort. However, it cant be a commercial success always - something commonly seen with the lesser known groups. A good theatre is contemporary in its belief, irrespective of the traditions involved, both classified and modern.Moreover, it would always carry the complete story, the morals go in a transparent way. An audience, for that reason, doesnt find being lectured on. Theres an idea that at good theatre there is always a two way process - a dialogue between the stage and its listener, and I support that. In a good theatre, the characters played are intensely woven together. And you have the freedom to fascinate, and at the same time a deep realization to reconcile with. So I think that good actors are those, who not only do a performance, but also display out the same energies through their off stage behavior as well. These all are my views of the theatre. конецформыначалоформыWHAT IS HAPPINESS What is happiness Thinking of it we all feel the same but every one means a different thing. Its even not so easy to answer the question at once, because theres no concrete notion of the word. A person draws happiness making conclusions of his own life experience.

There may be a large number of intriguing conclusions contained in this word. As for some people happiness is more an attitude to life than the state of things, for the rest its an opposite viewpoint.

If a person suffers from diseases all life hell be the happiest man to recover. His health will be the most important thing, and not just for a moment.

What concerns a healthy man, I guess its rather more his characteristic to think not of health, but of wealth, as some people consider money to open many doors in this life. For old parents it must be the top of happiness when all their children safe and sound come to visit them, to help them and gather around a big table.

For an ordinary student like me real happiness is sucessfully passed exams with the time to have a rest from awful tornmets of studying. конецформыначалоформыWHY TO LEARN ENGLISH Generation of 90-th is really lucky because it has new oportunities and great future. Ferreous curtain fell down, so now young people can travel all over the world, can consort to the people of the same age from different countries, can study culture of capitalistic nations.Certainly, it is impossible to do it if you dont speak foreign language. I suppose, that the most usefull language in modern world is English.

It is spoken in many countries, millions of people speak English because it is their own language, millions of people study it, because it is probably impossible to make a good career in any branch if one doesnt speak English. In Russia just few last generations realized the necessity of studing English.I think, it partly dependes of computerizing of our country.Now computers are used everywhere in banks, offices, shops, hotels etc. Certainly, no one can live without computers in present time. Also a lot of people cant imagine their life without using World Wide Web Internet.

But using Internet and computers is connected with studing English, because English is mostly used in programmes. For example I decided to study English when I had got a computer. Since that time Ive been studing English at school.I had my first lessons of English in the fifth form. Those lessons interested me very much so I understood, that English - is what Im really fond of. As I remember, our teacher of English did everything to make us interested.

She used toys and pictures, also we learned songs. But some months or probably a year had passed and our lessons became rather monotone and alike. Day in day out we read similar stories about celebration of different holidays or about heroes of revolution.The strangest thing was, that we read topics about the USSR, which already didnt exist, and even the memory about that country gone away from our minds.

I think that communication with English-speaking people is very important and unvalued for pupils, who learn English. Opportunity of comunication with English-speaking, was a real luck for me. And Id like to have meetings with guests from England in my own school.My parents remember Even in soviet time we had meetings at our schools, where we could talk to foreigners, though we lived far away from the capital.

Now, when Russia is opened for the West, it is not really difficult to invite to school foreigner, isnt it Moreover we live in Moscow, which is full of foreigners. Im sure, that such a meeting could be very interesting for pupils. Teachers of English in our school are great professionals. They speak English perfectly.Certanly, they are always ready to teach and help us, but as the matter of fact they has no opportunity to do it. For example, my group even cant use the same classroom.

And we havent got any tape-recorder and tapes. We use textbooks, which are far not new ones. Is it possible to study language with old textbooks, if the language changes as the water in the river I do not think so. Besides, I suppose, that it is impossible to have a good pronunciation without listening to the speech of English-speaking people. The most of pupils has no opportunity for travelling abroad or talking to foreigners in their motherland.Thats why it is really necessary to have a tape-recorder at the lessons.

In our school teachers, unfortunetly, have nothing ,exept old textbooks. It is clear, that there is the crisis in Russia, but the education is one of the most important problem. The future and the well-being of our country depend on the quality of the education of our generation. Thats why I think those problems of education must be discussed and solved.Certanly it is very important, because the solving of those problems will help teachers as much as pupils.

English - is one of the most important lessons in school. If I speak English, it is easy for me to read books of English writers. Reading of originals helps to understand the ideas of the novels, stories, etc. And I also suppose that it is very exiting to find something new in our favorite characters, such as Tom Sawyer, Jane Eyre, Romeo and Juliet or Sherlock Holmes. The opportunity of communication, which English gives me is also a great thing.So I think that English will help me not only in my fiture life, but it helps me now in my school life. My good marks in some subjects partly depend on my marks in English lessons.

In my composition I discussed some questions, which interest me very much. I found some problems, but inspite of them I think Im really lucky because it is possible in our country to get free education. And I am happy that Im studying English.I suppose that every problem will be got over. I really think so конецформыначалоформыENGLISH PROVERBS AND SAYINGS A tree is known by its fruit.

От яблони яблоко, от ели шишка. Дерево познается по плоду. А watched pot never boils. 3a которым горшком наблюдают, тот не скоро вскипает. Nothing venture, nothing gain. Попытка - не пытка. Волков боятся - в лес не ходить. Out of sight, out of mind. С глаз долой, из сердца вон. After the dinner comes the reckoning. Любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить. Still waters run deep. В тихом омуте черти водятся.All is not gold that glitters.

He все то золото, что блестит. An idle brain is the devils workshop. Праздность - мать всех пороков. An unfortunate man would be drowned in a teacup. Когда не везет, утонешь и в ложке воды. На бедного Макара все шишки валятся. Art is long, life is short. Век живи, век учись. Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves. Копейка рубль бережет. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. He по-хорошему мил, а по-милу хорош.Better a glorious death than a shameful life. Лучше умереть стоя, чем жить на коленях.

Лучше славная смерть, чем позорная жизнь. When the cat is away, the mice will play. Без кота мышам раздолье. Birds of feather flock together. Рыбак рыбака видит из далека. Blood is thicker than water. Свой своему поневоле брат. Brevity is the soul of wit. Краткость - сестра таланта. Let the dead bury their dead. Кто старое помянет, тому глаз вон. Предать прошлое забвению. You cant eat your cake and have it. Один пирог два раза не съешь.Calamity is mans true touchstone.

Человек познается в беде. If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain. Если гора не идет к Магомету, то Магомет идет к горе. Charity begins at home. Своя рубашка ближе к телу. Claw me and Ill claw you. Рука руку моет. Услуга за услугу. Curses like chickens come home to roost. He рой яму другому, сам в нее попадешь. Как аукнется, так и откликнется. Cut your coat according to your cloth.По одежке протягивай ножки. Deeds, not words.

Нужны дела, а не слова. Diamond cut diamond. Клин клином вышибают. Нашла коса на камень. Dont halloo till you are out of the wood. He говори гоп, пока не перескочишь. Dont pull all your eggs in one basket. He рискуй всем. Let sleeping dogs lie. He буди лихо, пока оно тихо. While there is life, there is hope. Пока человек жив, он надеется. Empty vessels make the greater noise. Пустая бочка пуще гремит. Good health is above wealth. Здоровье дороже богатства.There is many a slip between the cup and the lip. He говори гоп, пока не перепрыгнешь.

Близок локоть, да не укусишь. Видит око, да зуб неймет. First come, first served. Кто первый пришел, того первым и обслужили. Fore warned, forearmed. Заранее предупрежденный - заранее вооруженный. Предупреждение - то же береженье. Не dances well to whom fortune pipes. Кому счастье служит, тот ни о чем не тужит. Hell is paved with good intentions.Благими намерениями вымощена дорога в ад. Не should have a long spoon that sups with the devil. Связался с чертом, пеняй на себя. Bad news travel fast. Плохая молва на крыльях летит.

When the fox preaches, take care of your geese. Когда лиса ведет сладкие речи - загоняй гусей. Time and tide wait for no man. Время не ждет. A wonder lasts but nine days. Все приедается. Second thoughts are best. Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь. Хорошая мысля приходит опосля. Great boast and small roast.Похвальбы много, толку мало. На брюхе шелк, а в брюхе щелк. Lost time is never found again.

Потерянное время не воротишь. Familiarity breeds contempt. Чем ближе знаешь человека, тем яснее видишь его недостатки. Не who pleased everybody died before he was born. На всех не угодишь. Great cry and little wool. Шуму много, а дела мало. Faint heart never won fair lady. Робость мешает успеху. Смелость города берет. Live and learn. Век живи - век учись. Least said, soonest mended. Разговоры только вредят делу. Лишнее говорить - только себе вредить.Necessity is the mother of invention. Необходимость - мать изобретательности.

Голь на выдумки хитра. Half a loaf is better than no bread. На безрыбье и рак рыба. Лучше хоть что-нибудь, чем ничего. Appetite comes with eating. Аппетит приходит во время еды. In for a penny, in for a pound. Взялся за гуж, не говори, что не дюж. Семь бед - один ответ. Business before pleasure. Делу время, потехе час. If the cap fits, wear it. На воре шапка горит. It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. Нет худа без добра.Catch the bear before you sell the skin. He убив медведя, шкуры не продавай.

Цыплят по осени считают. There is no use crying over spilt milk. Слезами горю не поможешь. Misfortunes never come alone. Пришла беда, отворяй ворота. It is not the gay coat that makes the man. He одежда красит человека. Dont kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. He руби сук, на котором сидишь. Let bygones be bygones. Кто старое помянет, тому глаз вон. Предать прошлое забвению.One nail drives out another. Клин клином вышибают.

Like master, like man. Каков поп, таков и приход. Prevention is better than cure. Предупреждение лучше лечения. Hunger is the best cook. Голод - лучший повар. Little strokes fell great oaks. Терпение и труд все перетрут. Капля по капле и камень точит. Look before you leap. Семь раз пример, один раз отрежь. Не зная броду не суйся в воду. Love me, love my dog. Любишь меня, люби и мою собаку. Кто гостю рад, тот и собачку его накормит. Many a little makes a mickle.Из мелочей составляется крупное.

С миру по нитке, голому - рубашка. Many a true word is spoken in jest. Во всякой шутке есть доля правды. Spare the rod and spoil the child. Пожалеешь розгу, испортишь ребенка. Кто боится, что ребенок будет плакать, сам наплачется. Many words cut more than sword. Злые языки - острый меч. Не ножа бойся, а языка. Слово пуще стрелы разит. Dont cross the bridges before you come to them. He следует создавать трудностей заранее. Наперед не загадывай.Murder will out. Шила в мешке не утаишь.

No living man all things can. Нельзя уметь делать все. У всякого свое уменье, свое прегрешенье. Тоо many cooks spoil the broth. У семи нянек дитя без глазу. No sweet without sweat. He вкусив горького, не видать и сладкого. None is so deaf as those who wont hear. Хуже всякого глухого, кто не хочет слышать. Не тот глухой, кто глух, а тот, кто не желает слышать. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. Была бы охота, а возможность всегда найдется.Its easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than Легче верблюду пройти в угольное ушко, чем What will Mrs. Grundy say Что скажут люди The cobbler must stick to his last. Всяк сверчок знай свой шесток.

Dont teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Teach the dog to bark. Яйца курицу не учат. Не учи ученого. Не учи рыбу плавать. A good beginning makes a good ending. Лиха беда начало. A great ship asks for deep waters. Большому кораблю большое плавание. A friend in need is a friend.Друзья познаются в беде. All is well that ends well. Все хорошо, что хорошо кончается.

A man can die but once. Двум смертям не бывать, а одной не миновать. As you sow, you shall mow. You reap what you sow. Что посеешь, то и пожнешь. Better late, than never. Лучше поздно, чем никогда. Better to do well, than to say well. Меньше слов, больше дела. Every man has his own hobby-horse. У всякого свой конек. Everything is good in its season. Все хорошо в свое время.Не laughs best, who laughs last. Хорошо смеется тот, кто смеется последним.

Its never too late to learn. Учиться никогда не поздно. Its never rains but pours. Пришла беда, отворяй ворота. Make hay while the sun shines. Куй железо, пока горячо. One man, no man. Один в поле не воин. Rome wasnt built in a day. Москва не сразу строилась. So many men, so many minds. Сколько людей, столько умов. Time does fly. Время летит. Two heads are better than one. Одна голова хорошо, а две-лучше. When two Sundays come together.When pigs can fly. После дождичка в четверг.

Where there is a will, there is a way. Где хотенье, там и уменье. Easy does it. Тише едешь, дальше будешь. So near and yet so far. Близок локоть, да не укусишь. There is nothing like home. East or West, home is best. В гостях хорошо, а дома лучше. In at one ear and out at the other. В одноухо вошло, в другое вышло. There is a black sheep in every flock. В семье не без урода. The more, the merrier. В тесноте, да не в обиде.When in Rome do as Romans do. В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят.

One sees the speck in another eye and ignores the log in his own. В чужом глазу сучок видим, в своем бревна не замечаем. The grass is always greener on the other side. Там хорошо, где нас нет. Every snipe praises its own bog. Всяк кулик свое болото хвалит. Better fed than taught. Вырос, а ума не вынес. A man can do no more than he can. Выше головы не прыгнешь. Anger is a short madness. Гнев - недолгое безумство.A hungry belly has no ears. Голодное брюхо ко всему глухо.

Dont make promises you cant keep. Давши слово, держись, а не давши - крепись. Know - how gets the job done best. Дело мастера боится. Well begun is half done. Хорошее начало - уже полдела. Tastes differ. There is no accounting for tastes. О вкусах не спорят. To look for a needle in a haystack. To look for a needle in a bundle of hay. Искать иголку в стоге сена. Its an early bird that catches the worm. Кто рано встает, тому бог подает.The devil is not so black as he is painted.

The devil is not so ill as he is called. Не так страшен черт, как его малюют. конецформыначалоформыAbout the Statue of Liberty The Statue was first conceived in France by Edouard Rene Lefebvre, an authority on America and a legal scholar. He wanted to let American know of Frances shared common interest in republican ideals and to strengthen the two countries friendship.Edouard Rene Lefebvre enlisted the help of his friend sculptor Augutus Bartholdi to travel to America to propose the monument and select a suitable site. Construction of the statue began in 1875. After creating Liberty as a clay model Bartholdi enlarge the model in plaster until he had 300 full-sized sections.

Using the repousse process, 2.5 mm thick copper sheets were hammered by hand into shape against wooden forms to match the contours of the plaster sections and assembled over flexible iron bar framework on four steel supports designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel. Then in 1885 it was dismantled and sent to America.

America was responsible for creating the pedestal the statue stands on. With the help of Richard Hunt and Joseph Pulitzer, money was raised for this purpose and the Statue was re-assembled on this new pedestal. The Statue which contains an elevator to the balcony level and a 22 story climb to the crown, was dedicated in Oct. 28, 1886 by President Cleveland. She stands 92 m 302 ft. high including her base pedestal.This remarkable statue was created in the image of a woman holding a torch uplifted in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand bearing an inscription proclaiming Liberty the date July 4, 1776. The Statue was restored with funds from a private French-American committee for her Centennial celebration in 1986. A team of French and American craftsmen repaired and replaced bad rivets and her corroded iron ribs with stainless steel while strengthen her incorrectly installed arm. The old flame was replaced with a gold-plated copper flame that is lit by reflection.

This new flame can be seen lighting up the harbors shores day and night.

Страноведение Customs and traditions of English speaking countries Обычаи и традиции англоязычных стран Every country and every nation has its own traditions and customs. Its very important to know traditions and customs of different people. It will help you to know more about the history and life of different nations and countries.One cannot speak about England without speaking about its traditions and customs .They are very important in the life of English people . Englishman are proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. There are six public holidays a year in G.B. Christmas day is one of their favorite holidays .Its celebrated on the 25-th of December.

There are some traditions connected with it. One of them is to give presents to each other. It is not only children and members of family.Its a tradition to give Christmas presents to the people you work with. Another tradition is to send Christmas cards.

All these cards are brightly and colored. Most of big cities of G.B especially London, are decorated with colored lights and Christmas trees. On Trafalgar Square, in the center of London stands a big Christmas tree. It is a gift from the people of Oslo. It is over 50 feet high. Many families celebrate Christmas day in the open air near the Christmas tree in order to catch the spirit of Christmas.Children find Christmas presents in their stockings.

The traditional English dinner on Christmas is turkey and pudding. Other great holidays are Father s day, Mother s day, Halloween and other.Страноведение USA Holidays Праздники в США Holiday is a day set apart for religious observance or for the commemoration of some extraordinary event or distinguished person, or for some other public occasion.National holidays are days set aside by official government proclamation to celebrate different occasions.The U.S. has no national holidays.

Legal holidays days on which banks, schools, or other public institutions and most places of business are closed.Memorial Day is a legal holiday, observed annually on the last Monday in May in most of the United States, It honours the nations armed services killed in wartime. The holiday, originally called Decoration Day, is traditionally marked by parades, memorial speeches and ceremonies, and the decoration of graves with flowers and flags.Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. It was observed on May 30 until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.Independence Day is an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia.

Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organised firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.Thanksgiving Day, a legal holiday in the U.S was first celebrated in early colonial times in New England.

The actual origin is probably the harvest festivals that are traditional in many parts of the world.

After the first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists in 1621, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving.In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving, and since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, generally designating the fourth Thursday of November as a holiday.New Years Day is the first day of the year, January 1 in the Gregorian calendar.

In the Middle Ages most European countries used the Julian calendar and observed New Years Day on March 25, called Annunciation Day and celebrated as the birth to the Son of God. With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, Roman Catholic countries began to celebrate New Years Day on January 1.The custom of visiting friends, relatives and neighbours on New Year s Day is one of the Old World traditions that has taken on a new form in the United States.

A favourite place to see the old year out is New York City s Time Square.Christmas is an annual festival, held on December 25, to celebrate the Nativity, or birth of Christ.The Christmas tree, an evergreen trimmed with lights and other decorations, is derived from the so-called paradise tree, symbolising Eden.Saint Valentines Day, a holiday honouring lovers, is celebrated on February 14. There is a custom of sending greeting cards or gifts to express affection.

The cards, known as valentines, are often designed with hearts to symbolise love. The holiday probably derives from the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalis February 15. The festival gradually became associated with the feast day February 14 of two Roman martyrs, both named St. Valentine, who lived in the 3rd century. St. Valentine has traditionally been regarded as the patron saint of lovers.Страноведение English language Английский язык Concerns to West-German group Indo-European of languages.

In English speak and use in state office-work, literature and science, about 200 millions the person - in Great Britain and Ireland, in USA, Canada, Australia New of Zealand, partially in Southern Africa and India. One of five official and working languages accepted ООН. The English language conducts the beginning from language Old German племен, moved in V-VI centuries from continent in Britain.The complex interaction Old German tribes of adverbs brought in Britain, occupied celtes tribes, and formation, developing in conditions, English nationality, has resulted in formation territorial dialects on old tribes to a basis.

Due to economic and political influence Wessecs kingdom in IX-X centuries in cultural life of England the greatest meaning has got wessecs a dialect.The ambassador penetration into England in VI century of a christianity the latin alphabet has replaced Old German runes, and the influence of latin language was reflected in English lexicon.

From subdual Anglosaxons celts of the population of Britain, thus, geographical names were kept. Forays Scandinavians, finished by submission of England in 1016 to the Danish king, have caused creation of Scandinavian settlements in the country.The interaction kindred of languages - English and Scandinavian - had an effect available in modern English language, significant quantity of words of a Scandinavian origin, and also some fanatical features describing dialects of northern England.During formation a nation there was a formation of national English language developing on the basis of a London dialect, which combined in itself southern and western-central dialect features.

The introduction in England book-printing 1476 promoted fastening to distribution of the London forms, to that popularity of product of a large writer D. Choler 1340-1400 writing on a London dialect has helped much. In second half XVII century and especially in XVIII century is issued sets of managements on and normative grammar, which authors aspire to order grammatic norms of language one - on the basis of rational grammar, others - proceeding from the alive use of the forms of language.Colonians the expansion of England in XVII-XVIII centuries has caused distribution of English language outside Great Britain and has resulted in occurrence of some regional differences.

It is possible to explain differences of American variant of English language from British to that first settler in northern America of the profit from London and his vicinities, and laster were birthes from northern Great Britain and Ireland.

The distinction between American and British variants of English language most of all has an effect in lexicon and somewhat in phonetics difference in grammar insignificant География Great Britain Великобритания Great Britain has several different names.Some people say Britain, or the United Kingdom, or just UK. There are four different countries in the United Kingdom England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.Altogether more than 56 million people live in Britain, many of them in big industrial cities like London, Liverpool and Manchester, but people are often surprised by how much of Britain is open country, with lonely hills and woods, quiet rivers, lakes and farmlands.Many people think that the weather is cold and wet in Britain all the year round.

But it isn t True, it sometimes rains and even snows for days and days, but every year there are weeks of beautiful sunny weather then the British take off their sweaters and go out to sunbathe.Britain is only a small country, but every part is different.

Scotland is a land of mountains, lakes and romantic castles. The winters are cold, with plenty of snow, but the summers are often warm and sunny. Most farmers keep sheep, and they re many small factories, which make fine sweaters from their wool. In some parts of Scotland, there are very few people.Deer live in the hills, and the rivers are full of salmon.

But Glasgow and Edinburgh are both large and busy, with all that is good and bad in modern cities.Northern Ireland has it problems, but it has beauty, too. In the warm, wet climate, the grass grows a brilliant green, and much of the land is farming country. Belfast is a large industrial city with many fine buildings and big port from which ships come and go to Scotland and England.But Belfast has had many difficulty years, and it is not the busy place it once was.A hundred years ago the north of England was industrial heart of the country.

From the factories came cloth, wool, machines, engines and china. The old factories came have gone now and the workers have to look for jobs in the new high-tech industries. Outside the towns, much of this part of England is beautiful countryside, with green hills, lakes and sandy beaches.Fishing is still a big industry in the North East, and every night except Sunday the fishing boats go out to sea.The centre of England the Midlands is also an important industrial area, especially near the huge cities of Coventry and Birmingham, the centre of the car industry.

But everyone, even in the heart of the modern city, there are buildings from older Britain cathedrals, castles, and houses built hundred years ago.Wales is a special place, a country of high mountains and pretty valleys. But Wales has plenty of industry, too, with many factories and coal mines.The west of England is rich farming country.

It produces milk, cream, butter, cheese and apples, which go to make cider, a popular drink. In the villages, country people often grow their own fruit, vegetable width100s and flowers.Some areas of Britain are very crowded. Around Manchester, in north west England, and Glasgow, in Scotland, are large city areas of houses and factories. The south east of England, too, has many towns and cities, including London, the giant capital.But quiet near London there are still some quiet villages and peaceful farms.Britain is an island, of course, and you are never far from the sea. Some of the coast, especially in the west, is wild and rocky, with small, sandy beaches, and romantic old harbours.

Other parts are industrial. The East Coast of Scotland, for example, is busy with oil rings and fishing boats. The most popular beaches are near the many holiday towns on the south coast, where the weather is usually warmer. It is here that Londoners come to relax.География UK Соединенное Королевство Великобритании и Северной Ирландии The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island is situated on the British Isles not far from Europe.

It consists of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of Ireland and a great number of small islands. Such as the Orkney, the Hebrides, the Isle of White and many others.If you look at the map of Europe you will see that Great Britain is not large.It takes 6 hours to travel in a fast train, from London, the capital of England, to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.

And the June from London to Plymouth takes a little over 4 hours by train.There are 4 part of Great Britain England, the capital is London, Scotland the capital is Edinburgh, Wales the capital is Cardiff and Northern Island the capital is Belfast. Great Britain lies not far from continent. It is separated from Europe by the North Sea and England Channel.The channel in its narrowest part The Strait of Dover is only 32 kilometers.Great Britain has a very good geographical position, as it lies on the crossways of the sea routes from Europe to other parts of the World.The sea connects Britain with most European countries such as Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Russia and some other countries.

The main sea route from Europe to America also passed thought the channel.British climate is mild and damp. It often rains frogs are quit frequent especially in the West and south-west. The Gulf Stream a warm ocean current warms to seas around the British coast moderating the climate, giving it cold Summers mild winters.

The temperature in winter seldom falls below zero and the field and meadow are green all year round. География Russia Россия Russia occupies a large territory. It stretches almost 10 000 ten thousand kilometers from east to west and nearly 5 000 five thousand kilometers from north to south. Its population is 150 000 000 one hundred and fifty million people.From spring till autumn the sun never sets over Russia in Kaliningrad people see it sitting in the Baltic, while in Kamchatka it rises out of the Pacific Ocean at the some time. People in our country see the New Year in eleven times in one night.If you begin to travel in the Far East by air and fly 8 000 eight thousand kilometers towards the west, you will land in Moscow on the same hour same day that you left the Far East.It is a wonderful sight you see our country from the plane.

One can hardly imagine a country more interesting to travelers than Russia.Siberia covers millions of square kilometers.

You fly over mountain, endless forests, large and small rivers, railways, motorways. You leave behind the lights of young and small towns, plants and factories. Siberia is a region of untold riches.Father West are the Ural Mountains the border between Asia and Europe.The Urals are riche in different minerals.The countrys European part covers the territory from Urals to the Baltic Sea. The largest cities of the Russia are situated between the Black Sea in the south and the Black Sea in the north.

Such as our country from East to West. There is no over countries in which the climate differs so much from one part to another. When it is still winter in the northern regions of our country the first warm days arrive in the south. In the central regions show storms and cold are still in power, while in the south people begin to think of spring crops.In the same season nature looks different in different parts of our country.Russia is rich in oil, coal, iron, gold, silver and other minerals.

География London Лондон London has been a capital city for nearly a thousand years, and many of its ancient buildings still stand.The most famous of these are the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept, Westminster Abbey and St. Pals Cathedral, but most visitors also want to see the House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the many magnificent museums.Once, London was a small Roman town on the north bank of the Thames, but slowly it grew into one of the world s major cities with more than seven million people.

Fewer people live in the centre now, but the suburbs are still growing. Places now in the heart of London once stood in the middle of green fields. Many small villages, like Hampstead, Chelsea and Mayfair, became part of London, but they still keep some of their old atmosphere. Different areas of London seem like different cities.The West End is a rich man s world of shops, offices and theatres. The old port area is now called Docklands.

The great ships have gone, and the area is changing very fast. There are huge new office buildings, and thousands of new flats and houses.Other parts of London are changing, too. Some of the poor areas have become fashionable, and people with money are moving into them.A hundred years ago, the river was crowded by ships, leaving for Java and Japan, New Zealand and New York, but now people travel by air, and London s main airport, Heathrow, is one of the busiest in the world.Like all big cities, London has streets and concrete buildings, but it also has many big parks, full of trees, flowers and grass.

Sit on the grass you re allowed to in the middle of Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, and you will think that you re in the country, miles away.Many people live outside the centre of London in the suburbs, and they travel to work, in the shops and offices by train, bus or underground.

The trains are full and expensive and the roads are crowded with cars, but every day a million people come from far out of London, even from the coast, and spend up to four hours travelling every day.Most people work from 9 am to 5 pm. From 8 till 10 every morning, and 4.30 to 6.30 every evening, the trains are crowded with people, and after the morning rush hour the shoppers come. By the day the whole of London is busy. At night, the offices are quiet and empty, but the West End stays alive, because this is where Londoners come to enjoy themselves.

There are two opera houses here, several concert halls and many theatres, as well as cinemas, and in nearby Soho the pubs, restaurants and nightclubs are busy half the night.Many people think that London is all grey but in fact red id the London s favourite colour. The buses are red, the letterboxes are red and the mail vans are all bright, bright red. London is at its best when people are celebrating.Then the flags, the soldiers uniforms the cheering crowds and the carriages and horses all sparkle in the sunshine if it s not raining, of course География London is the capital of the UK Лондон - столица Соединенного Королевства London is the capital of the United Kingdom, its economic, political and cultural center.

It is one of the world s most important ports and one of the largest cities in the world.London with its suburbs has a population of about 11 million people.London has been a capital for nearly a thousand years.

Many of its ancient buildings still stand. The most famous of them are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul s Cathedral. Most visitors also want to see the Houses of Parliament and the many magnificent museums.Once London was a small Roman town of the north bank of the Thames.Slowly it grew into one of the world s major cities.Different areas of London seem like different cities. The West End is a rich man s world of shops, offices and theatres.

The City of London is the district where most offices and banks are concentrated the Royal Exchange and the Bank of England are here, too. The East End is a district where mostly working people live. The old port area is now called Docklands.There are now new office buildings in Docklands, and thousands of new flats and houses.By the day the whole of London is busy. At night, offices are quiet and empty, but the West End stays alive, because this is where Londoners come to enjoy themselves.

There are two opera houses here, several concert halls and many theatres, as well as cinemas. In nearby Soho the pubs and restaurants and nightclubs are busy half the night География Moscow Москва Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic and cultural center. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow s history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful.In the 13th century Moscow was the center of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state.

Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia.Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about 900 square km. The population of the city is over 8 million people. Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.The heart of Moscow is Red Square.

The Kremlin and St. Basil s Cathedral are masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of the country. On the territory of Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower, the Palace of Congress, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world.St. Basil s Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There is a legend, that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn t want them to create another masterpiece.

Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.Moscow is a city of students. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in it, including several universities.Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament and the center of political life of the country.