Task 1. Read and translate text

Simferopol is the capital of the Crimean Autonomous Republic, which include 15 districts, 16 towns, 55 settlements and 972 villages.

The population of the city is over 400 000.

The Tatar settlement of AkMechet (White Mosque) was established here in the 16th century. It became the residence of the Crimean Khan. After annexation of the Crimea by Russia this site was chosen for foundation of the central city of the Tauris Province. The city was called Simferopol — the city-Gatherer.

In 1784 the Taurianguberniya (province) was established, with its centre in Simferopol.

In 1850 there were 16 educational institutions in Simferopol; among them was the Provincial Crown Gymnasium for men.

Now Simferopol is the administrative, industrial, educational and cultural centre of the Crimean region. The food and light industries are the leading

industries of the city. Simferopol has a wide range of engineering industries, including the production of modern consumer goods and machine tools.

The city boasts of Tauris University, the Medical Institute, the Agricultural Institute, the three theatres, the Philharmonic Society and the Museum of Arts.

Tauris University boasts of the name of Volodymyr I. Vernadskyi (1863— 1945), the first Ukrainian Academician, an outstanding scientist who was its rector.

The Museum of arts was established in 1920. The museum is famous of the masterpieces of M. Levytskyi, V. Tropinin, O. Venetsianov, I. Aivazovskyi, I. Repin, T. Yablonska.

The Crimean Russian Drama theatre was established in 1921. The famous actors M. Tsariov (1903—1987) and FainaRanievskaya (1896—1984) worked in the theatre.

The Crimean Ukrainian Theatre of Drama and Musical comedy was established in 1956. The theatre boasts of the names of the noted Ukrainian actors M. I. Andrusenko, V. Boiko, M. Bondarevskyi, I. Burmenko.

The architectural image of the city is represented by the style of classicism. In 1820 Pushkin visited Simferopol. The monument to the great poet was erected in 1967 by sculptor O. Kovaliov.

VOCABULARY

consumergoods [kgn'sjuima gu:dz] —товары широкого портебления, потребительские товары

machine tool [тэ'Ш:пш:1] —верстак masterpiece ['ma:stgpi:s] —шедевр

Task 2. Answer the questions

1. What is the history of Simferopol?

2. What is the city's population?

3. How is the name Simferopol explained?

4. Why do we call the city the industrial, educational and culmralcentre of the Crimean region?

Task 3.Supplement the story about Simferopol

Task 4. Describe your favorite place in Simferopol according the plan.

1. Name of the place

2. Where is it situated?