Step 1. Read the text and do the activity that follow.

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine is one of the oldest cities in Europe. According to the old legend Kyiv was founded by the three brothers Kyi, Shcheck and Khoriv and their sister Lybid. It happened more than 2000 years ago. The city was named after Kyi, the eldest brother. The monument erected in their honour stands on the bank of the Dnieper. In the 9^th century with the establishment of Kyivan Rus, Kyiv became its capital.

At present Kyiv is a large political, cultural, scientific and industrial centre of modern Ukraine. Its population is three million inhabitants.

The capital of Ukraine is in itself a huge monument. The famous St. Sofia’s Cathedral (1037) is the unique masterpiece which survived all the invasions and fires and still charms with its beauty. Opposite St. Sofia’s Cathedral there is an impressive monument to Bohdan Khmelnitsky, the 17^th century outstanding Ukrainian statesman and military leader who played an important role in Ukrainian history.

Kyievo-Pecherska Lavra was an outstanding cultural centre of Kyivan Rus. Another famous place in Kyiv is the Golden Gates, which were one of the entrances to the city and were opened to welcome very important guests.

You will be amazed by the beauty of Volodymyr Cathedral whose icons and frescoes were painted by the famous artists V. Vasnetsov, N. Nesterov, M. Vrubel. In Andriyivskiy Uzviz your attention will be attracted by Rostrelli’s masterpiece – Andriyivska Church and Bulgakov museum. Khreshchatyk, the beautiful many-faced, brightly-lit main street of Kyiv, leads to Independence Square, the main square of Kyiv.

The cultural life of our capital is rich and varied. There are a lot of fine museums: the Museum of Ukrainian Fine Arts, the Museum of Russian Arts, the Taras Shevchenko Museum, the Museum of Western and Oriental Art and many others.

Kyiv is also famous for its theatres such as the Ivan Franko Ukrainian Drama Theatre, the Lesya Ukrainka Russian Drama Theatre, the Taras Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theatre and many others.

The present and the past live side by side in Kyiv, and both lovers of history and people who are interested in the contemporary life of the capital, will find something to their taste in the busy streets of Kyiv.

Step 2. Imagine you are a guide of the British tourists visiting Kyiv. Make a walking tour of the city centre for them. You can start your sentences with:

· Now we are near……

· We are standing at……

· We are going along……

· We are going to……

· In a minute you will enjoy the beauty of…….