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Skim the text and define the general message of this text. The wooden fort of Omsk was erected in 1716 to protect the expanding Russian frontier, along the Ishim and the Irtysh rivers against the Kyrgyz nomads of the
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The wooden fort of Omsk was erected in 1716 to protect the expanding Russian frontier, along the Ishim and the Irtysh rivers against the Kyrgyz nomads of the Steppes. In the late 1700s, stronger works of brick were erected on the right bank of the Om, of these, the original Tobolsk and the restored Tara gates still stand, along with the original German Lutheran Church, an armoury, a military jail, and commandant's house.
In the 19th and early 20th century, Omsk became the administrative center of Western Siberia and the Steppes 
(Kazakhstan). It acquired a few churches and cathedrals of various denominations, mosques, a synagogue, the governor-general's mansion, a military academy. Ink was joked to have been sold by the buckets. As the frontier receded and military importance diminished, the town fell into lethargy. It was during the mid-1800s. That was the time when Dostoevsky lived and wrote in exile here.
Answer the questions to the text.
1. What for was the wooden fort of Omsk erected?
2. What works were erected on the right bank of the Om in the late 1700s?
3. Why do you think Omsk became an administrative centre of Western Siberia in the 19th century?
Work with your partner.
| Dates | Places | Rivers | Buildings |
Vocabulary Training
19. Read and remember the following words and word combinations:
merchant – купец
flock – стекаться, собираться
junction – место пересечения, соединения
elaborate – тщательно, детально разработанный, продуманный
hustle-and-bustle – энергично развивающийся, передовой
pinnacle – вершина
20. Skim the text below and say that in English:
транс-сибирская железная дорога, место пересечения рек и дорог, иностранные державы, огромная выставка, вершина успеха, сибирский Чикаго.
Reading
Scan the text quickly.
The new boom
The new boom began with the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway in 1890s, when the merchants flocked to the city on the rail-and-river junction. Many trade companies opened stores and offices here. They built an elaborately decorated district of the city and brought the hustle-and-bustle of modern transportation, means of communications and entertainment here. Foreign powers, including the British, Dutch and Germans, opened consulates to represent their commercial interests. The pinnacle of success came to Omsk with the lavish Siberian Exposition of Agriculture and Industry in 1910. For this Exposition a complex of buildings and fountains was constructed. The constructions as well as the “wonders” of that Exposition influenced the observers greatly so Omsk was called as "Chicago of Siberia".
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Read the statements and say whether they are true or false.
1. The new depression began with the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway.
2. The merchants flocked to the city to hide out from the gendarmes.
3. Trade companies built an elegant district of the city.
4. Foreign Governments opened consulates in Omsk to represent their commercial interests.
5. By 1910 a complex of buildings and fountains had been constructed.
Give answers to the questions below.
1. What was the new boom of Omsk connected with?
2. What modern achievements of those days were there in Omsk?
3. What was called as the pinnacle of success?
4. Why was Omsk called as "Chicago of Siberia"?
Vocabulary Training
24. Read the following words and word combinations:
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Shortly after, pro-monarchy, forces, Provisional Government of Russia, decorated war hero, Imperial gold reserves.
25. Remember the following words and word combinations:
key to power – островок власти
eventually – в конечном счете
retreat – отступить
seize – захватить
Reading
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