Task I
Read the text about Pereslavl-Zalessky and answer the questions:
Not many Russian towns can match the beauty and scenic location of Pereslavl-Zalessky, which lies in a wide valley where the quiet Trubezh River flows into Lake Pleshcheyevo.
Pereslavl was founded in 1152. After the break-up of the Vladimir State it became the capital of an independent principality (1212 - 1302) and a major political centre. It was one of the first cities to join the State of Moscow in 1302.
Pereslavl was the home town of Alexander Nevsky, Russia's great military and political leader.
Pereslavl was also the cradle of the Russian navy. In 1688 - 1692 Peter the Great launched his ``sporting flotilla'' on Lake Pleshcheyevo. Three kilometers away from the town on the shore of the lake there stands a museum called ``The Boat of Peter I'', which displays a boat of Peter's flotilla and various riggings.
Pereslavl's features are its old buildings. One of the earliest specimens of
the famous Vladimir-Suzdal architectural style is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky
Cathedral (1152 - 1157). South of it rises the graceful church of
Metropolitan Pyotr (1585). Another point of interest is the ensemble of the
Goritsky Monastery, which was founded in 1337 - 1340. The surviving
monastery buildings were constructed in the 17
and 18
centuries. There is the museum of
history and fine arts on the grounds of the Monastery, presenting an
interesting collection of icons of the 15 - 17 centuries,
various historical relics, works of Russian art and works by Soviet
painters.
En route to Pereslavl you will see a red-brick monument decorated with tiles - the Cross Chapel, built on the spot where a son (Fyodor) was born to Russian tzar Ivan IV.
1. What ancient city is situated to the south-west of Rostov the Great?
2. What century does its foundation date back to?
3. Who was the founder of Pereslavl?
4. Did the town have a favourable geographical position and a beautiful location?
5. Has it ever played an important position in the life of Russia?
6. When did the town join the State of Moscow?
7. What famous Russian people were connected with this town?
8. Why is Pereslavl called the cradle of the Russian navy?
9. What museum is situated not far from the town on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo?
10. Now Pereslavl is a superb monument of medieval Russian architecture and painting, isn't it?
11. What kind of collection does the museum of history and art house?
12. What other museums attract thousands of tourists?
Task II
Translate the text and get some new facts about the history and the modern life of Pereslavl-Zalessky: