Vocabulary

1. apart from being... – будучи не только...

2. a vessel – судно

3. a river-to-sea-going vessel – теплоходы типа «река – море»

4. Mediterranean ports – порты Средиземноморья

5. railway junction – железнодорожный узел

6. agricultural machinery – сельхозмашиностроение

7. footwear – обувь

8. a helicopter – вертолет

9. a docker – грузчик в порту

10. an enlightener – просветитель

11. Conservatoire – Консерватория

12. a stadium (pl. stadia) – стадион

13. a joint venture – совместное предприятие

14. a joint stock company – акционерное общество

15. a twin-city – город-побратим

16. genuine – подлинный, истинный, настоящий

EXERCISES

1 Find the pairs of synonyms:

an artist, quickly, important, to give concerts, rapidly, celebrated, to perform, to be connected, well-known, a painter, significant, famous, to be associated with.

2 Match the pairs of antonyms:

a centre false

rich right

clean poor

genuine dirty

left a suburb

3 Make the superlative degree of the following adjectives:

beautiful, rich, green, busy, large, significant, important.

4 Speak on the topics:

1. Rostov is a port of five seas.

2. Rostov is «The Gates to the Caucasus»

3. Rostov is an industrial centre.

4. Rostov is a cultural centre.

5. Rostov is the centre of science in the South of Russia.

6. Famous people whose life was connected with this city.

7. Rostov is a city of business.

Text 13

The Symbols of Rostov

In December 1996 Rostov’s Duma (Rostov’s Municipality) adopted the main symbols of our city: the coat-of- arms, the flag and the mayor’s decoration. They are meant to symbolize continuity among the former and present organs of local government and many generations of the citizens. The Rostovites can be really proud of them as glorious traditions of the past and present-day peculiarities are represented in their design.

The Coat-of-Arms

For the first time the coat-of-arms of Rostov was designed in 1811 and was approved by the tsar. But in 1904 some changes were made in it. Now there is only one picture left of that coat-of-arms painted in oil; it is kept in the Regional Local Lore Museum but nobody knows if it is exact or not.

In June 1996 Rostov’s Duma decided to adopt the variant of the coat-of-arms where the tower represents the St.Dmitry Rostovsky Fortress. The ancient Russian arms remember about the role which Rostov had played in the defense of Russian borders. The coat-of-arms is located now on the mayor’s decoration, all other cases of its use are considered by the Duma.

The Flag

The Flag is a sacred object for the city’s community. It was approved by the Duma on the 20-th of September 1864. At the end of the 19-th and the beginning of the 20-th centuries the home guard regiments which defended the Southern borders of Russia were formed under this flag.

The Flag of Rostov is kept in the building of the City Municipality and protected by the glass case. Its length is 1370 mm and the width – 850 mm. The Flag is taken out of the building only on the Victory Day and City’s Day by guard of honour.

The Mayor’s Decoration

This beautiful decoration which has an oval shape was introduced in 1870. On its front side in the centre there is the city’s coat-of-arms; at the top – the inscription «Rostov-on-Don» and at the bottom – «Mayor of the City». On its reverse side the day of adoption is written: «April 9, 1996».

Mayor’s decoration should be worn over the suit on a big chain. It is done of precious or semi-precious white metal. It should be returned to the Duma when the Mayor retires as it is the city’s property.