Методическая разработка по английскому языку на тему "Культура и традиции России" (Russian Federation)

Тема: Культура и традиции России

Цель: изучение лексики, систематизация грамматического материала, обучение аналитическому чтению, формирование навыков устной речи.

Task 1. Choose the correct answer.

1. The official name of our country is…

1.                  the Russian Federation

2.                  the Republic of the Russian Federation

3.                  Russia

2. Russia stretches from …in the West to the Pacific Ocean in the East.

1.                  the Baltic Sea

2.                  the Caspian Sea

3.                  the Black Sea

3. The Altai Mountains are…

1.                  between the Black and the Caspian Seas

2.                  in the North of the country

3.                  along the border with Mongolia

4. … are the natural divide between Europe and Asia.

1.                  The Altai Mountains

2.                  The Ural Mountains

3.                  The Caucasus Mountains

5. The river Volga is situated…

1.                  on the East European Plain

2.                  on the West Siberian Lowland

3.                  in East Siberia

6. The five ancient Russian towns which are known as Zolotoe Koltso include Rostov Velikiy, Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Zvenigorod and …

1.                  Suzdal

2.                  Smolensk

3.                  Tver

Task 2. Read the texts, translate them

The Flag of the Russian Federation

The Russian flag is sometimes called the IMPERIAL FLAG. It consists of three equal stripes of white, blue and red. The first flag of this design appeared more than 300 years ago. Peter the Great adapted the flag from the National flag of the Netherlands. Later a black two-headed eagle on a golden background was added to the flag of Russia. The flag existed until the revolution in 1917. In the nineties, with the democratic changes, the three-colour flag was restored again. On 21 August 1991, the flag was officially adopted by the Russian President and the Russian Parliament. In Russia the colours of the current flag symbolize:

·                     white — frankness and generosity;

·                     blue — honesty and wisdom;

·                     red — courage and love.

The Emblem of the Russian Federation

The Russian National Emblem is the golden DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE with a horseman (St George) on a shield on the eagle's breast with a red background. Above the two heads of the eagle, there is an historical crown.

The first emblem of the double-headed eagle was introduced in 1480, by Prince Ivan III. It was at the time of the establishment of the Russian state system. It symbolized the supreme power and sovereignty of the state.

Since then, the double-headed eagle is the main part of the emblem of our country. But now the crown is a symbol of the sovereignty both of the Russian Federation (as a whole) and of its parts (subjects of the Federation

Task 3. Answer the questions

What are the biggest cities of Russia?

What is the capital of Russia?

When was Moscow founded?

Who was the founder of St. Petersburg?

Have you ever been to Moscow? St. Petersburg?

What sights of these cities do you know?

Task 4. Match the parts of the words

Task 5. Write these sentences in English.

1) Тихий океан находится на востоке России.

2) Россия – самая большая страна в мире.

3) Северный Ледовитый океан находится на севере России.

4) Озеро Байкал – самое глубокое озеро в мире.

5) Требуется 10 часов, чтобы добраться с востока до запада России на самолете.

Task 6. Write the correct names of the monuments under the pictures.

the Bolshoi Theatre , Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Tzar-Cannon

the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts,  the Tzar-Bell,  The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

a)____________________ b) _____________________ c)_____________________

d) ________________ e)______________________ f)______________________

Task 7. Complete the sentences

1. The territory of Russia is approximately the territory of ... to. … .

2. In the south, Russia borders on … .

3. The population of Russia is over … .

4. The longest river in Europe is … .

5. The deepest lake in the world is … .

6. The temperature in Siberia falls in winter to… .

7. The head of state is … .

8. The state symbol of Russia is … .

Task 8. Choose the correct variant.

1. The official name of Russia is … .

a) Russia c) the Republic of the Russian Federation

b) the Russian Federation

2. The national Government of Russia consists of … .

a) the President and the Prime Minister

b) the President and the Council of Ministers

c) the President, the council of Ministers and the Federal Assembly

3. There are … Houses in the Federal Assembly.

a) two c) four

b) three

4. The lower House of the Federal Assembly is … .

a) the State Duma c) the Federal Council

b) the Council of Ministers

5. The Head of the Republic of Russian Federation is … .

a) the President c) the Speaker of the State Duma

b) the Prime Minister

6. The Duma consists of … deputies.

a) 540 c) 400

b) 450

7. The Chairman in Russia is … .

a) elected c) appointed

b) invited

8. In Russia … can declare laws unconstitutional.

a) the President c) Constitutional Court

b) the Supreme Court

9. … elect the members of Federal Assembly.

a) the government c) the president

b) the people

Task 9. Read the text and make the presentation about symbols mentioned in it.

The official symbols of the Russian Federation are: a white-blue-red flag, a double-headed eagle and a national anthem.

But the is a number of unofficial symbols too.

A bear. They say a global warming can change Russian climate, but the stereotype of a bear on Red Square will never change. The bear symbolizes the Russian policy too.

Matryoshka – first wooden doll with a secret. But at the same time, no one disputes: matryoshka is associated only with Russia.

Vodka – a drink (of 40 degrees alcohol) – an indispensable element of foreign short stories about Russia. Russian vodka became legendary first “there”, and only then “here in Russia”. Honey braga and other local alcohol drinks could not compete with it.

Hat with-ear-flaps is seriously believed that the “hat ears” as it is written in foreign guidebooks, they say the Russians treat it as the Scots treat their kilts.

Samovar – an enormous size kettle with a tube in the twenty-first century is not separated from the Russian way of life.

Balalaika. “All Russians play the balalaika” these words correspond to the foreign notions of musical taste in Russia. It is pointless to argue, because they think that today even rock-n-roll is played on the Russian balalaika.

Spasskaya tower is an architectural symbol of Russia – it is a synonym of Supreme power, and a reminder of popular superstitions: With the first chiming it is customary to make a wish, with the last - to celebrate the New year.

Birch tree actually grows everywhere. But only in our history birch is a lyrical hero in poetry and prose, a bath broom, and dance ensemble – a symbol of advanced Soviet art.

Troika. “Bird-Troika — Rus” is taught in our school, and for foreigners it is also one of the unofficial symbols of Russia.

Task 10. Compare Russia and Germany. Draw the following table in your exercise book and fill it in, e.g.: