Focus on word order. Choose the answer that correctly completes the sentence.

1. Dombra is a long-necked stringed instrument possessing a wooden resonating chamber _______ to a banjo or a lute, and especially popular in the Central Asian nations.

a. somewhat similar

b. similar somewhat

2. For playing fast, masterly musical pieces ________to have the left hand moving and sliding freely along the neck.

a. necessary was

b. it was necessary

3. The magnificent instrument was broken, the melody died, but there ______on the stone.

a. was a print left

b. a print was left

4. After long silence music was ___________in the settlements.

a. again played

b. played again

5. One day passed, another one and ____________.

a. still another

b. another still

Discussion

Discuss these issues with your classmates

1. Can you play any musical instrument? If not would you like?

2. Why do you think dombra can be found in every Kazakh home?

3. What are other Kazakh national musical instruments do you know?

Writing

Write some sentences or a short compositions about this topic.

Describe your favorite musical instrument. Why is it very important for you?

Yurt

A yurt was always an object of special cares for nomadic people. It is the most convenient and practical place for living adapted to climatic condition and the specific way of life. A yurt is a portable, felt-covered, wood lattice-framed dwelling structure used by nomads in the steppes of central Asia. All achievements of domestic crafts and trades were concentrated in the yurt, its decoration and furniture. This mobile architectural type, originated form round stationary dwellings made of wood and stone, has been known in Kazakhstan since the end of 2000 B.C. A yurt is easily constructed and dismantled. It can be conveniently transported. It is waterproof in stormy weather. It keeps cool in hot weather and gives safe shelter from strong autumn winds. All this makes a yurt a unique sort of dwelling.

The Kazakh word used for yurt is “киіз ү й” which means “felt house”. Traditionally yurts consists of a circular wooden frame carrying a felt cover. The felt is made of the wool of sheep. The frame consists of one or more lattice wall sections, a door frame, roof poles and a crown. The wooden frame is covered with pieces of felt. Depending on the availability the felt can be additionally covered with canvas. The wooden lattice crown of the yurt, shanyrak in the Kazakh language, is itself emblematic in many Central Asian cultures. In old Kazakh communities the yurt itself would often be repaired and rebuilt but the shanyrak would remain intact, passed from father to son after the father’s death. A family length of heritage could be measured by the amount of smoke on the shanurak accumulated by many years of its usage. A stylized of the crown is in the center of the national emblem of Kazakhstan

The form and internal furniture of the yurt varied depending on its functional purpose. The largest and most magnificent were the so called smart yurts (ақ ү й, ақ орда, боз ү й). There are also special yurts for guests (қ онақ ү й) and made with peculiar elegance and grace are the dwelling of newlyweds (отау ү й).

The yurt is divided inside into two halves. The northern part is thought to be the female and the southern part is the male. The men’s half is closer to the door, which means closer to the ground. There is a bed for the owner there. Weapons and horse’s harnesses are hanged out here. In the women’s half there is a bed for a bride, the owner’s daughter. Near the door a dresser is situated as well as barrel for kumis churning which is a symbol of prosperity. There is a hearth in the center of the yurt. This is a worship place for the Spirit of Fire, which is believed to be the keeper of the hearth. Fire worship is one of the most ancient religions on the earth. Fire has given the man warmth and hot food. The other important symbol in the yurt is a saddle. Every nomad ornaments, which personify the idea of time and space. The jewels on it are symbols of beauty and wealth. Silver chasing ornaments serve as a talisman against the devil and the evil eye.