II. Read, translate and reproduce the dialogues:

peculiarity feature to be situated equal crossing ancient trade routes besides search freedom century silver treasury it seems to me no wonder according scientist researcher engaged study origin development emergence various as a proof unique species insects to found as far as I remember to become in former times to include province famous motherland sharply to call corner of paradise landscape varied hilly mountainous smooth plane surface to turn pine to stretch lake the others salina water chestnut relict one raspberry pink pink-crimson shade due to planktonic crustaceans saline consistent to lie to sink bottom reservoir salt crust to possess curative properties border district to mean meat kind sandy beach it’s worth it to be treated foothills to flow to wash to link

особенность черта располагаться равный пересечение древние торговые пути кроме того поиск свобода век серебро сокровищница мне кажется не удивительно согласно ученый исследователь занимающийся изучение происхождение развитие появление различный как доказательство уникальный виды насекомые основать насколько я помню становиться в давние времена включать губерния знаменитый родина резко называть уголок рая ландшафт разнообразный холмистый горный гладкий равнинный поверхность сменяться сосна простираться озеро другие соленое озеро чилим реликтовое растение малиновый розово-малиновый оттенок из-за планктонные рачки соленый плотный лежать тонуть дно водоем соленая корка обладать лечебные свойства граница район означать мясо вид песчаный пляж это того стоит расцениваться подножье течь омывать соединять

Dialogue 1

• Could you tell me a few words about Altai and its peculiarities?

• One of the peculiar features of Altai is that it is situated at an equal distance from the four oceans, as the crossing of ancient trade routes. Besides it was the place where people came in search for land and freedom. In the XVIII century the territory of Altai was "the Silver Treasury of Russia".

• It seems to me already, that Altai is the heart of the land.

• No wonder. According to some scientists and researchers, engaged in the study of the origin and development of biological life forms on the Earth, Altai was the centre of the emergence of various forms and kinds of life. As a proof of this there are unique species of insects, animals, birds and plants in Altai Krai.

• When was the Altai territory founded?

• As far as I remember, Barnaul became the center of the Altai Territory in 1937. But in former times Altai was included in Tomsk province.

• How many towns are there in Altai?

• The territory has 12 towns, and the capital city is Barnaul.

• Is Altai famous for talented people?

• Yes, Altai is the motherland of many talented people such as German Titov, Vasily Shukshin, Valery Zolotuhin, Michail Kalashnikov and others.

• Thank you, it was very kind of you to tell me about your territory.

Dialogue 2

• What is the climate like in the Altai Territory?

• The climate is sharply continental with long and cold winter, which lasts as long as six months, and hot summer due to which Altai is called "a Corner of Paradise".

• What can you say about the landscape of Altai?

• The landscape of Altai is varied. It's hilly and mountainous in the east; the smooth plane surface turns into steppe in the west. The unique pine forests stretch for hundreds of kilometers.

• Are there many lakes? What are they famous for?

• Altai is famous for thousands of blue lakes. Some of them have fresh water, the others are salinas. The largest is Kulundinskoye lake. One can see water chestnuts in the lake, this plant is a relict one and is put in the Red Book.

• Have you ever been to the lake?

• No, but I’ve been to Malinovoye Lake.

• Is it really raspberry pink?

• It’s true. The water in the lake has a pink-crimson shade. Such a colour is due to a special kind of small planktonic crustaceans living in the lake. The water is very saline and consistent; you can lie on the surface of the water and not sink. At the bottom of the reservoir there is a salt crust, possessing curative properties.

• It’s very interesting!

• Yeah, and last year I rested near Utkul Lake. It is situated on the border of the Troitsky and Zonalny districts. The name of the lake from the Tatar language means «meat lake» which is the lake with a lot of fish. And it is really so. It has very many different kinds of fish. The lake is warm, the water is fresh, and has sandy beaches.

• Oh, I’d like to visit this lake one day.

• I think it’s worth it.

• Why is the Ob treated to be the most important water route?

• There are few such rivers on the globe. Its length is five thousand kilometers. It begins at the foothills of the Altai Mountains and flows up to the Arctic Ocean. It washes the area of about 3 million square kilometers and links Altai with the Northern territories of Western Siberia.