Vitebsk is an Ancient Town

Mr. Adans, an American businessman, has come to Vitebsk on a business trip. He is looking for prospects of setting up a joint venture here. He decides to spend his afternoons seeing the sights of the town. Mr. Adams visits the Travel Agency where he meets Kate who works there as a guide during her summer holidays. They decide to start their sightseeing next afternoon.

Mr. Adams and Ann meet again and go on with their conversation about the history of Vitebsk.

Mr. Adams - So nice to see you again. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.

Kate - No. We are both right on time.

Mr. Adams - What would you say if I asked you some more questions

about Vitebsk?

Kate - I am at your disposal.

Mr. Adams - Where does the word “Vitebsk” come from?

Mr. Adams - Vitebsk has taken its name from the river Vitba as it was

founded on the high banks of the Vitba where it flows into the

Dvina river.

Mr. Adams - I see. And when was your town founded?

Kate - More than a thousand years ago. According to old chronicles

Kiev princess Olga founded it in 947 or, according to other

data, in 974. The town lay on the ancient trade route from the

Varagians to the Greeks and that’s why it developed quickly.

Mr. Adams - Vitebsk is an ancient town, but it looks quite modern.

Kate - It really does. You see, so many wars swept through this land.

Vitebsk, in particular, was ruined and burnt to ashes 30 times.

It also suffered greatly during the Second World War. On the

day of its liberation from the Nazi invaders in 1944 only 118

residents remained in the town that was ruined almost

completely.

Mr. Adams - And still, are there any monuments of the past in Vitebsk?

Kate - Yes, there are some, but not many. In addition to the ravages

of the war, some parts of the town were reconstructed and

many old houses were pulled down. That’s why very few

places in Vitebsk remind us of its past. And if you like I shall

show them to you.

Mr. Adams - Oh, yes, thank you. I’d love to.

Ex. 4. Put questions to the words in italics minding the place of the

prepositions.

Model: Mr. Adams is looking for prospects of setting a joint venture.

What is Mr. Adams looking for?

1. Vitebsk has taken its name from the river Vitba.

2. Vitebsk has been called after the river Vitba.

3. The town lay on the ancient trade route from the Varangians to the

Greeks.

4. Only a few places in Vitebsk remind us of its past.

Ex. 5. Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions given below.

1. I have come here ... a business trip. 2. Kate works for the Travel Agency ... a guide. 3. Let’s go on ... our conversation. 4. You are right ... time. 4. All the data of the old chronicles are ... your disposal. 5. The word “Vitebsk” comes ... the name of the river it was founded ... . 6. According ... old chronicles Vitebsk was founded ... 947. 7. Vitebsk suffered greatly ... its long history because so many wars swept ... it. 8. Only 118 residents remained in Vitebsk ... the day of its liberation ... the Nazi invaders. 9. In recent times some streets were reconstructed and a lot ... old houses were pulled ... .

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on, on,on, on, as, at, in, of, from, from, with, during, through, down

Ex. 6. Your groupmate thinks that he/she knows a lot about Vitebsk. Do you agreewith his statements? If not, prove your point of view.

Work in twos. Begin your answer with: