Rakov is a wonderful place. Once it was a big city — a cultural, religious and economic centre. Today, it's just a village located 40 km from Minsk. I've heard plenty of stories about the origin of this unusual name — Rakov. Some connect the name with the Belarusian word 'raka', or the first settler, named Rak, or, even, the ancient Egyptian sun god Ra.
Rakov was first mentioned in written chronicles in the 15th century — noted as a placc owned by the great Lithuanian dukes. 150 years later, it became a town at the centre of Rakov county, with a castle, governor and constitution. A famous Belarusian nobleman and composer Michal Oginski also owned Rakov county for some time.
Rakov reachcd its height of power in the 17th century, when it was owned by the Sanguszko family. Anna Sanguszko — the wife of one of the Radziwills — set up in her native city the manufacture of ceramic ware that enjoyed great popularity all over Belarus. Ceramic pots, angel figurines and baking dishes are still found buried beneath Rakov.
Today, Rakov has neither factories nor workshops. However, its residents are proud of their clean air and wonderful landscapes. A complex of several-storey red-brick buildings, constructed in an unusual style in a Rakov residents' garden, stands out against the village's architectural landscape. A large inscription on the facade reads: 'Museum. Art-Gallery'.
Felix Yanushkevich — a restorer and a famous artist (his pictures are hung even in the Trctyakov Gallery) — owns the placc. The gallery shows Felix's works, as well as pieces by his no less talented brothers. Moreover, it holds ancient documents, furniture, musical instruments, ceramic ware. Today, the gallery has over 12,000 exhibits.
Silver water of the Rakov holy spring is running through my fingers again. What will happen if I drop a coin? They say it means that you're sure to return. I certainly wish to come back, since I've truly enjoyed seeing this unusual village with the history of a city.
2. The author tells us when Rakov was first mentioned in the chronicles and some facts about the town's history. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What museum is situated in Rakov?
4. Why will it be interesting for people to visit Rakov?
1. This text is about the history of Rakov, which was once a town and now a village. The text tells us about some historical facts about Rakov and an unusual museum – the Art Gallery of Felix Yanushkevich.
2. The author tells us when Rakov was first mentioned in the chronicles and some facts about the town's history. Find this extract and read it aloud. (3 абзац) Rakov was first mentioned in written chronicles in the 15th century — noted as a placc owned by the great Lithuanian dukes. 150 ye
ars later, it became a town at the centre of Rakov county, with a castle, governor and constitution. A famous Belarusian nobleman and composer Michal Oginski also owned Rakov county for some time.
3. What museum is situated in Rakov? The Art Gallery of Felix Yanushkevich is situated in Rakov.
4. Why will it be interesting for people to visit Rakov? People will truly enjoy seeing this unusual village with the history of a city.
Билет 23 (61)
Man: Go – World Home Delivery. How may I help you?
Woman: Oh, hello. I’d like to place an order.
Man: Certainly. I’ll just take the details.
Woman: Right.
Man: Can I start by taking your name, please?
Woman: Yes, it’s Bowles, Jessica Bowles.
Man: Is that Jessica with a G or a J?
Woman: With a J. And then it’s B-O-W-L-E-S.
Man: Fine. And your address?
Woman: It’s number 18, Heath Street, Byford. That’s H-E-A-T-H.
Man: Good. And I need the post code.
Woman: Oh, yes, of course. It’s B-Y-1, er,7-R-X.
Man: R-X, thanks. Fine, right now, what was it you wanted to order?
Woman: Well, I’ ve been looking in the catalogue, and I’d like to get a travel bag.
Man: They’re great quality, yes. And good value. They’re available in a range of colours.
Woman: Yes, and I think it’s the yellow that appeals most.
Man: Very nice. You’ve seen the price?
Woman: Yes, they’re 24.99 pounds each, or 22.99 if you buy two.
Man: That’s right.
Woman: Well, I only want one.
Man: Fine. Now have you chosen your free gift? From the ones shown on page 20 in the catalogue.
Woman: Oh yes, a diary or a calculator. I think a calculator would be useful.
Man: Good choice. OK, well, I’ll put this straight through and then you should be getting the…
1. Jessica’s surname and address in Byford is Bowles, 18, Heath Street.
The woman wants to order a travel bag.
She has chosen a calculator.
Weather and climate
The year is divided into four seasons: they are spring, summer, autumn and winter.
When winter comes, we spend more time at home, because it is cold outside. Ponds, lakes, rivers and streams are frozen and the roads are sometimes covered with slippery ice or deep snow. We may get fog, sleet and frost. The trees are bare because better winds striped them off all leaves.
In spring nature awakens from its long winter sleep. The trees are filled with new life. The weather gets gradually warmer. The fields and meadows are covered with fresh green grass. The sky is blue and cloudless. At night millions of stars shine in the darkness.
Билет № 24(68)
NEVER FORGOTTEN
The first stone has been laid in the foundation of the new building of the Museum of Great Patriotic War History. A time capsule has been laid into the foundation and, by spring 2013, the building is to open. Architects have done their best to make the five-storey, multi-level building, with each of its four sections symbolising a year of the war.
The decision to set up a museum dedicated to the fight against Nazi fascism was taken in 1942. It opened its doors in Minsk in July 1944. Millions of people have visited it since and, with the passing years, the need for a new, more spacious and well-equipped building has become clear. Each year, over 150,000 people visit the museum. Of course, they hope to find objective information and leave with a lasting impression.
The new museum will be located near the centre of the Belarusian capital, on a hill near the Minsk-Hero-City Memorial and Pobedy Park. It will primarily reflect the heroic deeds of the Belarusian people and the big role of the Red Army in defeating Nazis. However, technical innovations, such as dynamically lit electronic maps, electronic catalogues, interactive facilities will help visitors to receive brighter impressions.
We cannot change the fact that fewer witnesses of those dramatic military battles survive today, but we can preserve the past for new generations. Most schools in Belarus have a small museum of military glory, set up by enthusiasts. Professional historians have done much to develop this patriotic movement, preparing dozens of educational textbooks for pupils and teachers, helping to explain the events of 1941 — 1945.
Why is interest in these distant events so keen? The territory of contemporary Belarus has seen over 200 wars in the past centuries and our nation showed heroism and patriotism on so many occasions. From 1941 — 1945, we fought against Europe's strongest army. Belarus paid a high price for its victory — 9,200 towns and villages were burnt and there were millions of victims. This can never be forgotten.
2. The author explains when the museum was created and how it has changed over the years. Find this extract and read it aloud.
3. What will the visitors be able to see in the new museum?
4. Why are people interested in the Museum of Great Patriotic War History?
1. This text is about the Museum of Great Patriotic War History, its foundation in July 1944 and about plans of the foundation of the new building of the museum on a hill in the centre of Minsk. The text emphasizes the role of heroism and patriotism of our nation during the Great Patriotic War.
2. The author explains when the museum was created and how it has changed over the years. Find this extract and read it aloud. (2 абзац) The decision to set up a museum dedicated to the fight against Nazi fascism was taken in 1942. It opened its doors in Minsk in July 1944. Millions of people have visited it since and, with the passing years, the need for a new, more spacious and well-equipped building has become clear. Each year, over 150,000 people visit the museum. Of course, they hope to find objective information and leave with a lasting impression.
3. What will the visitors be able to see in the new museum? They will be able to see a number of technical innovations, such as dynamically lit electronic maps, electronic catalogues, interactive facilities which will help visitors to receive brighter impressions.
4. Why are people interested in the Museum of Great Patriotic War History? Because our nation showed heroism and patriotism during many wars including the Great Patriotic War and this can never be forgotten.
Билет 24 (60)
Speaker 1: I’m interested in many aspects of political life, especially international relations. I believe it’s unfair that people in the third world, in Africa, for example, have to face so many problems they just cannot cope with and, at the same time, all the economically developed countries become richer and richer. There’s so much food wasted in one place, and, in another, people are dying.
Speaker 2: Well, what I dislike about our politicians is that they constantly criticize previous governments but they don’t really do anything to improve the situation. They seem to have no idea about how to rule the country; some of the latest laws passed by the government are stupid. What is more, they don’t really care about the people who chose them and their only aim is to earn as much as possible.
Speaker 3: Politics is important because it affects our life. If you want to be a responsible citizen, it’s your obligation to participate in the political life of your country. It’s a chance to influence the decisions that are important. Besides, if you don’t do anything, you have no right to criticize anybody. I have quite strong political views. I read the papers and watch the news. I know quite a lot about the views of various parties.