Dialogues

a) Read the dialogues in pairs.

I

Foreigner. We’ve been touring Russia for about two weeks and I must say it is a very large country.

Russian. In fact it is the largest country in the world. It occupies about one-seventh of the earth’s surface. Its total area is about 17 mln square kilometers.

Foreigner. What countries does it border on? Does it border on the USA?

Russian. Russia borders on 14 countries. As far as the USA is concerned, it has a sea-border with Russia.

II

Foreigner. I’ve read that Russia is extremely rich in natural resources and mineral deposits.

Russian. That’s right. We have rich deposits of coal, iron, oil, gas, copper, tin, lead, gold, and so on. In other words, all the elements of the Mendeleev Periodic Table can be found in Russia.

Foreigner. But the climate of the country is severe.

Russian. That’s not quite so. The climate is different in different parts of Russia. It varies from arctic in the north to subtropical in the south.

Foreigner. And what type of climate is in the central part of Russia?

Russian. In the central part of the country the climate is temperate and continental.

III

Foreigner. What’s the political structure of Russia? Is it a federation or a unitary state as Britain for example?

Russian. Russia is a union of regions and territories, on the one hand, and autonomous republics, each representing a certain nationality, on the other hand.

IV

Russian. Have you ever been to Siberia?

Foreigner. Yes, I have. It was always my dream to see it.

Russian. What places in Siberia have you visited?

Foreigner. I’ve been to Novosibirsk, the industrial and cultural centre of Siberia. I’ve also seen powerful hydroelectric stations built on Siberian rivers.

Russian. What has impressed you most?

Foreigner. The Novosibirsk scientific centre and the people of Siberia.

V

Foreigner. What do you think are the main problems in Russia today?

Russian. Oh, there are a lot of them. The country’s economy is being transformed into a free market model.

Foreigner. Are you optimistic about the future of Russia?

Russian. Nowadays Russia remains a powerful state enjoying a high reputation among other nations of the world. Our country has great past and promising future.

b) Learn the dialogues by heart.

JUST FOR FUN

I. Here are some proverbs and sayings, beginning with the infinitive. Read them, translate and find the Russian equivalents. Use the proverbs in a natural context.

1. To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth.

2. To call a spade a spade.

3. To carry coals to Newcastle.

4. To cast pearls before swine.

5. To make a mountain out of a molehill.

6. To make both ends meet.

7. To kill two birds with one stone.

8. To take the bull by the horns.

9. To work with the left hand.

10. To put the cart before the horse.

1. Работать спустя рукава.

2. Делать шиворот-навыворот.

3. Сводить концы с концами.

4. Называть вещи своими именами.

5. Метать бисер перед свиньями.

6. Убить двух зайцев одним выстрелом.

7. Родиться в сорочке.

8. Ездить в Тулу со своим самоваром.

9. Взять быка за рога.

10. Делать из мухи слона.

II. Read the joke and retell it to a friend of yours.