My native city – ufa (shortened version)

Scientific ["saIqn'tIfIk] – научный commercial – торговый, коммерческий capacity – способность (к чему-л.) 2) tech. мощность concentrated – сосредоточенный; концентрированный number – насчитывать differ – различаться; отличаться represent – изображать; 2) символизировать; означать bright – яркий; блестящий; светлый mixture – смесь neighbour [`neIbq] – граничить; находиться у самого края (upon); 2) быть в дружеских/добрососедских отношениях the same – 1) одинаковый 2) тот же самый 3) таковой observe – 1) наблюдать, замечать (on/upon); следить busy circulation ['bIzI] ["sq:kjV4'leISn] – деловое движение trendy – модный, стильный prefer – предпочитать foundation – основание, основа refer – 1) посылать, отсылать 2) приписывать (чему-л.), объяснять (чем-л.); 3) иметь отношение, относиться fortress – крепость erect [I'rekt] – возводить devastating raid – опустошительный набег nomad ['nqVmxd] – кочевник anniversary – годовщина; юбилей numerous – многочисленный

graduate – 1) окончить учеб. заведение(from) 2) выпускать provide – давать, обеспечивать fashion – стиль, мода slanted [`slQ:ntId] – наклонный roof – крыша, кровля huge – огромный, громадный, гигантский to glisten ['glIsn] – блестеть, сверкать iceberg ['aIsbq:g] – айсберг remind – напоминать; быть похожим (of) unexpectedly – 1) внезапно 2) неожиданно appear – 1) показываться; появляться brick – кирпич magnificent – великолепный, величественный entertainment – развлечения, увеселения pompous – пышный, великолепный brewery ['bru:qrI] – пивоваренный завод oriental – восточный, азиатский fascinating – обворожительный, очаровательный edifice ['edIfIs] – дом, здание, строение apartment houses – жилые дома mosque [mOsk] – мечеть authentic – подлинный, истинный, настоящий pointed roofs – остроконечные крыши intensive – интенсивный, напряженный business appointment – деловая встреча

The city where I live and study now is Ufa. It is a large cultural and commercial industrialized centre of Bashkortostan. About 40% of the republic’s industrial capacity is concentrated here. Being the capital of a multicultural and multinational republic, the city counts its population in figures of more than a million people. With such a great number of citizens the variety of ages and interests differs greatly. People of many nationalities live in Ufa; many of them come from other regions and foreign countries with the aim to work and study.

Ufa represents a bright mixture of lifestyles, religions and cultures. Look at, for example, architectural buildings: old ones neighbour with those new possessing trendy and modern forms. The same you can observe on the busy circulation of the city life: clothes people wear, especially young, food they prefer to eat, places they choose to visit, the way they spend their time, languages they speak.

You may call Ufa the young city and you may not – the date of foundation refers to the year of 1574 when a fortress was erected to defend Bashkir people and their land from the devastating raids of the Siberian nomads. In 2014 we will celebrate Ufa’s 440-year anniversary.

Ufa numbers seven leading universities, numerous colleges, technical schools and other educational and scientific institutions and organisations. One of the most famous and prestigious is the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University graduating specialists in oil and gas industry. The Bashkir State University, the Medical University, the Aviation Technical University, the Pedagogical University, the Agricultural University and others provide specialists on a wide range of spheres.

You can also call Ufa the city of contrasts. Take a look at the city architecture and you will understand what I mean. Banks, shopping and entertainment centres, complexes are built in original and modern fashions: glass doors and walls, slanted and unusually shaped roofs, etc. They are huge, glisten in the sun and sometimes remind an iceberg or a block of ice that has unexpectedly appeared right in the middle of the street. At the same time very close you can find one- or two- storied old-fashioned houses made of brick and wood.

The house of entertainment complex “Ogni-Ufa” looks attractive and somewhat pompous outside as well as inside. It houses a disco-concert complex “Coliseo”, 2 restaurants – the “Brau Haus”, the “Chainaya Bashnya” and a bistro “Pit stop”where you’ll be treated with original sorts of bear made at a local brewery.

Some buildings have oriental motives in their architecture, for example, the shopping and entertainment centre “Gostiny Dvor”, where you can shop, dine, play in casino or just walk along the hall.

The fascinating mosque “Lya-Lya Tulpan” has unique construction design: bright-red pointed roofs with two minarets can be seen at a far distance.

Ufa has grown intensive: new edifices, apartment houses have been built. Theatres, museums, cinemas, multiplexes (e.g. “Megapolis”, “Mir”, “Semya”, “Iskra-IMAX”, “Kinoprostor”), sport and fitness centres are popular among different age groups. Many other cultural and entertainment complexes, restaurants, bistros and night clubs (e.g. “A-Kafe”, “Ogni-Ufa”, “Jet” club, “Tinkoff”, “Veseliy Rodger”, “Pravda”, “Prospekt” etc.), have been built for the last several years.

LONDON

the Stock Exchange – Лондонская фондовая биржа the Old Bailey – Центральный уголовный суд St Paul’s Cathedral – Собор св. Павла Christopher Wren [ren] – Кристофер Рен The Tower of London – Лондонский Тауэр Julius Caesar [`sJzq] – Юлий Цезарь William the Conqueror [`kONKqrq] – Вильгельм Завоеватель, ВильгельмI Crown [kraVn] jewels – драгоценности из королевской казны Westminster Abbey – Вестминстерское Аббатство Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament – Вестминстерский дворец (здание английского парламента) Buckingham Palace [`bAkINqm `pxlqs] – Букингемский Дворец (главная королевская резиденция в Лондоне) Trafalgar [trq`fxlgq] Square [skweq] – Трафальгарская площадь capital столица population (народо)население; жители divide делить(ся); разделяться several несколько square 1) квадрат 2) прямоугольник; 3) площадь mile миля (= 1609 м) area площадь, пространство numerous многочисленный striking (по)разительный, замечательный cathedral [kq`TJdrql] кафедральный собор church [Cq:C] церковь

royal королевский; царский palace 1) дворец, чертог 2) роскошное здание; особняк prison тюрьма armour вооружение; доспехи; латы; панцирь crown 1) венец, корона 2)короновать jewel 1) драгоценный камень 2) pl. драгоценности rich 1) богатый (in - чем-л.) 2) роскошный symbol символ, эмблема wealth 1) богатство; 2) изобилие luxury [`lAkSqrI] роскошь memory 1) память; in memory of smb., smth. – в память кого-л., чего-л 2) воспоминание victory победа battle 1) битва, сражение, бой ­ pitched battle 2) борьба column [`kOlqm] колонна priceless бесценный; неоценимый governmental правительственный crown венчать; короновать (with) bury хоронить, зарывать в землю huge огромный among prep. посреди, среди, между century столетие; век depend 1) зависеть (on, upon - от) shipping 1) флот, суда 2) перевозка груза 3) судоходство unattractive непривлекательный appearance 1) появление 2) вид, наружность 3) видимость workshop мастерская; цех

London is the capital of Great Britain, its political, economic and commercial centre. It is one of the largest cities in the world and the largest city in Europe. Its population is about 8 million.

London is one of the oldest and most interesting cities in the world.

Traditionally it is divided into several parts: the City, Westminster, the West End and the East End. They are very different from each other and seem to belong to different towns and epochs.

The heart of London is the City, its financial and business centre. Numerous banks, offices and firms are situated there, including the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange and the Old Bailey. Few people live here, but over a million people come to the City to work. There are some famous ancient buildings within the City. Perhaps the most striking of them is St Paul’s Cathedral, the greatest of English churches. It was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. The Tower of London was founded by Julius Caesar and in 1066 rebuilt by William the Conqueror. It was used as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison. Now it is a museum housing The National collection of armour and the Crown Jewels.

Westminster is the historic, the governmental part of London.

Westminster Abbey has more historic associations than any other building in Britain. It dates back to 1049. Nearly all English kings and queens have been crowned here. Many outstanding statesmen, scientists, writers, poets and painters are buried here: Newton, Darwin, Chaucer, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, etc.

Across the road from Westminster Abbey is Westminster Palace, or the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British Parliament. The Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament is famous for its huge hour bell, built just over a century ago and known as “Big Ben”.

Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen.

The West End is the richest and most beautiful part of London. It is the symbol of wealth and luxury. The best hotels, shops, restaurants, clubs, and theatres are situated there. There are splendid houses and lovely gardens belonging to wealthy people.

Trafalgar Square is the geographical centre of London. It was named in memory of Admiral Nelson’s victory in the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The tall Nelson’s Column stands in the middle of the square.

On the north side of Trafalgar Square is the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. Not far away is the British Museum – the biggest museum in London. It contains a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts, coins, sculptures, etc, and is famous for its library.

To the east of the City is the Port of London. Here, today, are miles and miles of docks and the great industrial areas that depend upon shipping. This is the East End of London, unattractive in appearance, but very important to the country’s commerce. There are a lot of factories, workshops and docks here. The streets are narrow, the buildings are unimpressive. The East End is densely populated by working class families.

The capital has 14 bridges, the famous London Bridge being the biggest among them.