Україна 

Listen and read the dialogue. Then act it out. Talk about other places of interest in Kyiv.

Teacher: Most big cities in the world have their national attractions. What do we have here in Kyiv?

Ann: Kyiv can boast lots of beautiful cathedrals and churches. Some of them are included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. So St Sophia’s Cathedral is a national attraction, isn’t it?

Teacher: It is indeed, Ann. What can you tell us about it?

Ann: Let me see... It’s gorgeous in its design and decorations. It dates back to the 11th century and contains some great mosaics and frescoes. It’s worth visiting.

Teacher: Good job. Can you think of some other examples, Dan?

Dan: Yes. In my opinion, it’s the Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra.

Teacher: But why do you think it’s a national attraction, Dan?

Dan: I think so because it’s a symbol of Kyiv. It attracts many tourists all year round.

Read and complete the sentences.

1. Most big cities in the world have.......

2. St Sophia’s Cathedral is worth visiting because ……..

3. Many of the Kyiv’s landmarks are included into……..

4. The Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra is.......

Read the text and order the paragraphs (A-E).

PODIL, THE JEWEL OF KYIV

A Kontraktova Square has become the market place since 1798. Merchants from all parts of the country visited the trade fairs there. For the needs of customers the Merchants’ Yard was put up. There were fifty stores in it with various goods and products.

B People loved their native Podil very much and rebuilt the district after the fire. The Merchants’ Yard didn’t survive the fire either, so a new building of the same look was built.

C The jewel of Kyiv is Podil. The word literally means “the place in the valley”. Craftsmen and fishermen used to live there. The craftsmen produced different goods for sale. Fishing was one of the most important occupations of the inhabitants at the dawn of Kyiv’s history.

D Next to the Merchants’ Yard there is the Fountain Samson. It was designed in 1749 by the Ukrainian architect Ivan Hryhorovych-Barskiy. One of the legends says that the person who tastes “Samson’s water” will stay in Kyiv forever.

Read and match the parts of the sentences.

1. Podil	A became famous because of the fairs.
2. Craftsmen and fishermen	B was destroyed by the fire.
3. Kontraktova Square	C you will stay in Kyiv forever.
4. The old district	D is situated in the northern part of Kyiv.
5. People rebuilt Podil	E lived there many years ago.
6. If you drink “Samson’s water”,	F because they loved it very much.

Ask and answer questions given below. 

1. How is Podil called in the text? Why?

2. Where is Podil situated?

3. Who used to live there?

4. What did the craftsmen produce?

5. Why has Kontraktova Square become famous since 1798?

6. When was the old district burnt down?

7. What did people do after the fire?

8. What does one of the legends say about the Fountain Samson?