A Note To Pedestrians

1 . Walk on the pavement only. Cross the street at special crossings when the light has changed to green. Look to the left before stepping off the curb and to the right when you have reached the dividing line. Don't stand between tram tracks. If you are caught in the middle of the street when the light changes, stay where you are. Drivers will thus have a better chance to steer clear of you. Cross only in back of parked buses and trolley-buses and only in front of parked tramcars, otherwise you may not notice moving vehicles. Remember that it is against the rule for a driver to signal except in emergencies.

а) Посмотрите налево, прежде чем сойти с тротуара, и направо, когда вы дойдете до середины проезжей части, б) Если смена сигнала светофора застала вас на проезжей части оставайтесь на месте. Таким образом, водителям будет легче объехать вас. в) Переходите улицу на специальных перекрестках, когда зажигается зеленый свет, г) Ходите только по тротуарам, д) Помните, что водителям запрещено подавать звуковые сигналы, кроме исключительных случаев, е) Не стойте между трамвайными путями, ж) Обходите стоящие автобусы и троллейбусы только сзади, а стоящие трамваи только спереди, иначе вы можете не заметить движущийся транспорт.

Exercise 8. After doing these exercises and memorizing the traffic rules make up a list of questions which might help you to teach your schoolchildren how to behave in the street.

Exercise 9. Translate the following sentences. Pay special attention to the words hi bold type.

1. I don't like to stay in town for summer. 2. The townsfolk are proud of their town. 3. I'll show you round the town. 4. There are many ways of getting about town. 5. This way, sir. 6. It's a long way from here. 7. Which is the best way there? 8. Are you going my way? 9. Shall I see you part of the way? 10. It's a long distance off. 11. The shop is no distance at all. 12. He lives within easy distance of his office. 13. It's within walking distance. 14. Traffic keeps to the left in England. 15. This is a busy traffic crossing. 16. Let's wait for a break in the traffic. 17. When you cross a busy street you should be careful. 18. A wide street is called an avenue. 19. That is a quiet street.

Exercise 10. Find the Russian sentence hi the right-hand column which is close in meaning to the English sentence in the left-hand column:

Go straight as far as the first (second) turning to the left (right). Take a № 2 bus. You should get off at the next stop but one (two). Ask the conductor (the driver) to put you down in Sadovaya street. A No. 56 bus will take you right there. It's a five minutes' walk from here. It's just round the corner. I'm afraid it's a long way from here. It's very far from here. It's just two steps from here. You'd better go by the underground. Get off in Theatre square and change on to a number 2 bus. Take the second turning to the left. Go straight ahead till you come to Anichkov bridge. Are you getting off at the next stop? There is some room in the middle. All fares, please. Move to the front, please.

а) Вы выходите на следующей остановке? б) Проходите вперед, пожалуйста, в) Сойдите на Театральной площади и садитесь на автобус № 2. г) Это прямо за углом, д) Вам нужно выйти через остановку, е) Боюсь, что это далеко отсюда, ж) Садитесь на "двойку". з) Идите прямо до первого (второго) поворота направо, и) Попросите водителя сказать вам, где нужно выйти, чтобы попасть на Садовую улицу. к) Это в пяти минутах ходьбы отсюда, л) Вам лучше проехать на метро. м) В середине есть место, н) Это в двух шагах отсюда, о) Платите за проезд, пожалуйста, п) Идите прямо до Аничкова моста, р) Второй поворот налево, с) Отсюда очень далеко. т) 56 автобус довезет вас прямо туда.

Exercise 11. Learn by heart the dialogues below.

1.

A: Excuse me, madam!

B: Yes?

A: Can you tell me the way to the Opera and Ballet Theatre?

B: Certainly. Take a No 2 bus and it will take you right there.

A: And where is the nearest bus stop?

B: It's just round the comer.

A: Thanks a lot.

B: You are welcome.

2.

A: Pardon me, is there a bus from here to Lenin prospect?

B: Yes, take a No 111 bus. It stops on the other side of the square, near the "Kirov Plant" metro station.

A: And can I get there by the metro?

B: Yes, of course. And what part of the prospect do you need?

A: I want "Narvsky" department store.

B: Then you should go by the metro.

A: Thank you very much.

B: That's all right.

3.

A: Excuse me, does a No 81 bus stop here?

B: Yes, it does.

A: Will it take me to the centre of the city?

B: No, it won't. You'll have to change on to a No 14 bus in Pushkin street.

A: Thanks.

B: That's all right.

4.

A: Excuse me, how can I get to Palace square?

B: Any bus or trolley-bus that goes along Nevsky prospect will take you there.

A: Will it take me long if I walk?

B: I think, about 20 minutes.

A: Thank you.

B: You are welcome.

Exercise 12. Answer the following questions.

A.

1. Where is the nearest bus-stop? 2. Where do I get off for the "Passage" department store? 3. Can you tell me the way to the Central post office? savings-bank? airlines agency? snack-bar? 4. Is the nearest hotel far from here? 5. How can I get to Moscow railway station? the Hermitage? the Drama theatre? 6. Will it take me long if I walk to the Russian museum? 7. Is there a direct bus from here to the University? 8. Where is the nearest tram stop? metro station? taxi stand? 9. Am I on the right bus (tram)? 10. Where do I change on to a No 7 bus? 11. What's the public transport fare in St.Petersburg?

B.

1. Do you know the city you live in very well? 2. How do you get to the University? 3. How long does it take you to get to the University? 4. What number bus do you take when you go to the Hermitage? the Russian museum? the zoo? the public library? Moscow railway station? 5. What kind of public transport do you like best? 6. From what time in the morning till what time at night do buses ran? 7. What's the difference between the traffic rules in Great Britain and on the Continent? 8. What is the main street in your home town? 9. What is your home town remarkable for?

Exercise 13. The scene is laid in Nevsky prospect. Explain to a stranger how he can get to: 1) the University; 2) the hotel "Astoria"; 3) Baltic railway station; 4) the airport "Pulkovo"; 5) the circus; 6) the Russian museum; 7) Victory square; 8) the Peter and Paul fortress.

Exercise 14. Finish up the dialogues below.

1.

- Excuse me, can you show me the way to Palace square?

- ………..

- How long will it take me to get there?

- ………..

- Thank you very much.

- ……….

2.

- Can I help you?

- ………..

- Are you here for the first time?

- …………

- What place are you looking for?

- …………

- Oh, it's not far from the centre of the city. Any bus will take you there.

- …………

- It's ... roubles.

- …………

- That's all right. You are welcome.

- …………

Exercise 15. Translate into English.

1.

А: Извините, Вы не можете мне помочь?

В: Весьма охотно. Чем я могу быть Вам полезен?

А: Как мне попасть к Петропавловской крепости?

В: О, это нетрудно. Мы сейчас на Садовой улице. Недалеко отсюда трамвайная остановка.

А: Я могу сесть там на любой трамвай?

В: Нет, Вы можете сесть на трамваи № 2, 3, 34.

А: Сколько времени понадобится, чтобы доехать туда?

В: Около 10-15 минут. Первая остановка после моста будет Ваша.

А: Большое спасибо.

В: Не стоит благодарности.

2.

А: Извините, как пройти к гостинице "Санкт-Петербург"?

В: К сожалению, отсюда нет прямого транспорта, Вам придется делать пересадку.

А: Мы приезжие и не знаем системы городского транспорта. Вы не объясните нам дорогу?

В: Охотно. Сначала Вам надо доехать до Финляндского вокзала. Вы можете сесть на автобус 107 или 137.

А: Автобусная остановка далеко отсюда?

В: Нет, она за углом.

А: Где мы должны выйти?

В: Вы выйдите у Финляндского вокзала. Это конечная остановка.

А: Сколько стоит проезд в автобусе?

В: ... рублей. Но в автобусе нет кондуктора, Вам придется купить талоны (tokens) на автобусной остановке или у водителя.

А: На какой транспорт нам сесть у Финляндского вокзала?

В: Оттуда можно дойти пешком. Это займет у Вас минут 15. Или садитесь на трамвай № 6. Он доставит Вас прямо до гостиницы.

А: Большое спасибо.

В: Пожалуйста.

Exercise 16. Read and translate the following text.

St.Petersburg

The name of our city is well-known throughout the world. Many historic events of crucial importance took place in this city.

Unlike other European cities St. Petersburg is only 290 years old. Founded by Peter I in the early 18th century St. Petersburg was growing so rapidly that by the end of the century it became one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Travellers were astounded by the unique and charming beauty of its broad avenues, majestic squares, magnificent architectural ensembles, gilded spires and cupolas, numerous rivers and canals, gold-winged lions and stone sphinxes.

The city is situated along the banks of the Neva where it flows into the Gulf of Finland and on the 42 islands in the Neva delta. The largest islands are Vasilyevsky, Petrogradsky, Decembrists', Yealagin and Gutuyev. The length of the river is 74 km of which 32 fall within the the city boundaries. St. Petersburg is the northern-most of the world's greatest cities. It lies in the same latitude as Alaska and the southern tip of Greenland. The mean annual temperature is comparatively high +4,2° С largely due to the warm atlantic streams. However in winter the temperature can drop below 40 degrees of frost, while in summer it can rise above 30 of heat.

Inner St.Petersburg has an area of over 600 square km. There are about 2000 streets, squares and thoroughfares in St.Petersburg. Its population is about 5 million. By its area and population St.Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is one of the major industrial, scientific and cultural centres of the country, an important railway junction and airport. St.Petersburg is also a major river and sea port on the Baltic.

By the number of rivers, islands and bridges it excels any other city in Russia and is among the first in the world. There are 86 rivers and canals and over 100 ponds in the city.

St.Petersburg is often called a museum of bridges and rightly so, for it has more than 300. The longest bridge over the Neva, one km-long Alexander Nevsky bridge was built in our times.

Present-day St.Petersburg is not only a city of beautiful ensembles and historical monuments, but also of huge factories and shipyards, one of the most important centres of scientific and technological progress in Russia. Its enterprises produce turbines and turbogenerators, tractors, ships, instruments and apparatus, unique machinery as well as fabrics, clothing, footwear and other consumer goods.

St.Petersburg has more than 300 research institutes, design and technological organizations and 30 institutes of the Academy of Science. Petersburg scientists have made new discoveries in the fields of physics, mathematics, chemistry, geology and medicine. About 300 thousand students attend 41 education establishments of St.Petersburg.

Our city is also one of the major cultural centres in Russia. There are more than 30 theatres and concert halls there, including such well-known corrtpanies as the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theatre, The Musorgsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet, The Tovstonogov Academic Bolshoi Drama Theatre, The Shostakovich Philharmonia and many, many others. There are 70 cinemas and 2500 libraries in St.Petersburg.

The large-scale construction that has taken place in the city in our times has greatly changed its appearance. Comfortable residential houses, schools, stadiums, gardens and parks have transformed the former outskirts into beautiful, well-appointed districts. In the post-war years new housing development was concentrated in the east, southeast, south and southwest of the city. In recent years a large number of buildings have been erected to individual designs, with expressive facades, improved layout and modem conveniences. Extensive construction is being carried on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.

Exercise 17. Look through the text and find the English for:

к концу столетия; быть пораженным красотой; великолепный архитектурный ансамбль; в пределах города; промышленный, научный и культурный центр; главный речной и морской порт; превосходить любой другой город; музей мостов; исторический памятник; сделать важное открытие; крупномасштабное жилищное строительство; изменить облик города; превратить бывшие окраины в благоустроенные районы; в послевоенные годы.

Exercise 18. Consult the text and answer the following questions.

1. How old is St.Petersburg? 2. How did it change its appearance by the end of the 18th century? 3. What were foreign visitors astounded by? 4. How long is the Neva within the city boundaries? 5. Why is our city often called the museum of bridges? 6. What does it excel any other city in Russia by? 7. Why is St. Petersburg regarded to be one of the most important industrial, scientific and cultural centres in our countiy? 8. What has greatly changed the appearance of our city? 9. When did large-scale housing construction begin in St.Petersburg? 10. What were the former outskirts of the city transformed into in the postwar years?

Exercise 19. Check up your memory. How many questions can you answer off hand?

Теst:

Do you know St. Petersburg?

1. What day is considered to be the day of the foundation of our city?

2. What memorial places associated with the founder of the city, Peter the Great, do you know?

3. What monuments to Peter the Great can you name? Where are they? Who designed them?

4. What are the oldest buildings in the city?

5. Who designed: The Peter and Paul Fortress? The Winter Palace? the Smolny? What does the name of Smolny come from?

6. On how many islands is our city situated?

7. How many rivers and canals are there in our city?

8. What does the name of the Fontanka river come from?

9. When was the first permanent bridge across the Neva built? What is it?

10. What colour bridges are there in St.Petersburg? Where are they?

11. What is the longest bridge in our city?

12. Where is Prachechny (Laundry Yard) bridge and why is it called so?

13. What was the first regular garden in our city and when was it laid out?

14. What is Summer Garden especially famous for? Who designed it? What historic event took place there?

15. What does Alexander Column in Palace Square symbolize?

16. What other monuments associated with the victory over Napoleon are there in St.Petersburg?

17. What streets have the names of outstanding Russian writers and poets? Where are they?

18. What name was given to Nevsky prospect after the October Uprising?

19. When were the heaviest floods in our city?

20. What part of the city do we mean when we say "Petersburg of Dostoevsky"?

Exercise 20. Make up a test on places of interest in St.Petersburg. Follow the example of exercise 19.

Exercise 21. Consult a guide-book or a reference book on St.Petersburg and make a report on some place of interest (to your choice).