Exam. Belarus

Belarus

1) Let’s talk about our country. What can you tell me about our Motherland?

2) What parts of Belarus have you visited?

I was born in Belarus. Belarus is situated in the centre of Europe. It bor­ders on Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Ukraine and Russia. The population is about 10 million people. The climate of the country is moderately continental. Belarus is a country of vast plains, green hills, big forests, rivers and lakes.

The largest lake is Lake Naroch. The longest rivers are the Nieman, the Western Dvina, the Prypyat and the Sozh. The largest and the most beautiful forests and national parks are Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Braslavsky and Naro- chansky National Parks which have rich flora and fauna.

Belarus is often called a land of bogs. They are in the Guiness Book of Records. Belarus has a long and interesting history. According to some docu­ments Belarusian statehood started in the 10th century. On the 27th of July, 1991 our country proclaimed its sovereignty.

Today the Republic of Belarus is a sovereign, independent state with its own government and constitution. Belarus is a presidential republic, where the President is the head of the state, the guarantor of the Constitution and people's rights and freedoms. The symbols of Belarus are its national flag, national emblem and national anthem.

Belarus is a country of developed industry, education and culture. Bela­rus produces tractors, fridges, TV sets, watches and bicycles.

Our country is worth visiting. Belarus is an ancient country and there are many places of interest: monuments, museums and ancient towns.

Minsk, Nesvizh, Mir and Turov are the main tourist attractions.

Belarus is also a member of the UNO and many other international organi­zations. I am proud of our people, our courageous past and tolerant present.

3) What questions about Belarus do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

1.    What historic places are worth seeing in your country?

2.   What are the biggest industrial centres of Belarus?

3.   What problems is the country facing at present?

4.   What are the most popular holidays in Belarus?

5.   Do people of Belarus speak Belarusian?

4) What Belarusian sights would you advise a foreigner to visit?

Belarus is an ancient country with a long and interesting history. There are a lot of places of interest: ancient towns, monuments and museums. They are our national heritage. Among the main Belarusian treasures we can mention the cities of Nesvizh and Mir where you can see old castles.

The Radzivills' heritage consists of Nesvizh castle, the Farny Catherdral and parks. The castle is associated with mysterious legends about lost trea­sures and ghosts. 2 centuries ago there was one of the richest libraries and the richest collections of art and weapons. Now the castle is renovated and gathers tourists from abroad.

Musical festivals are held in Nesvizh castle every year.

Mir Castle near Grodno is built in a unique style. It was a fortress, a ghet­to and now it's a museum. In Grodno you can visit ancient Kolozhskaya Or­thodox Church and the Roman-Catholic Cathedral with the oldest European working clock. It's the masterpiece of the 17^th century.

If you want to visit Belarusian museums you should go to Minsk, our capital. Minsk is a very old city with many faces. You will love its avenues, numerous parks and churches.

Minsk suffered greatly during World War II and many museums and monuments are connected with this war. The Belarusian History Museum will tell about the history of our country. The Art Museum has a rich collec­tion of paintings and sculptures by old and modern masters.

If you want to get acquainted with Belarusian culture you may go to the Opera and Ballet Theatre or the Yanka Kupala National Theatre. But I'm sure that most tourists will remember the hospitality of Belarusian people.

5) They say that Belarus is at the crossroads of Europe. Explain why.

The Republic of Belarus is situated in the centre of Europe and borders on Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Ukraine and Russia. So, Belarus is situated at the crossroads of trade routes from west to east and from north to south. But the advantage of the country’s geographical position often turned into a disadvantage because Belarus was the arena of many wars and invasions.

References:

• To Belarus

• Your English Exam Support: Подготовка к экзамену по английскому языку: пособие для учащихся учреждений общего среднего образования / [сост. Н.А. Сергиенко]. – Мозырь: Белый Ветер, 2015. – 97, [3] с.