Task 1. Read the text about natural wonders of Russia and for questions (1-7) choose the best answer (a, b or c). NATURAL WONDERS OF RUSSIA Russia is the largest country in the world, sharing land borders with 14 countries. With its rich and exciting history, Russia boasts numerous historical buildings and ancient sites that attract tourists from around the globe. However, the country's attractions extend beyond its cultural heritage. Its vast territory and diverse climate have given rise to many breathtaking natural wonders that captivate every visitor. In fact, Russia is one of the premier destinations for nature tours. Lake Baikal Located in southern Siberia, Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater lake in the world, containing nearly a quarter of the world's fresh surface water. This massive high-altitude rift lake in Siberia is the oldest and deepest lake in the world - reaching a maximum depth of 1,642 meters and estimated to be about 25 million years old. Lake Baikal is also considered one of the world's clearest lakes. This is particularly noticeable in winter, when, in some areas, it's possible to see up to 40 meters down into the water - even though much of the lake's surface freezes over for up to five months a year. The lake was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The Valley of Geysers The Valley of Geysers is a geyser field on the Kamchatka Peninsula that has the second largest concentration of geysers in the world (90 in total) and many hot springs. Thirty geysers from this collection have been named, and the biggest geyser, Giant Geyser, has a water jet that reaches 40 meters. The Valley of Geysers is part of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, which is incorporated into the World Heritage Site known as the Volcanoes of Kamchatka. The area is not an easy-to-reach destination, as you can only access it by helicopter. Mount Elbrus Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in Russia and Europe, and it is the tenth most prominent peak in the world. A dormant volcano, Elbrus is located in the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia, near the border with Georgia. Elbrus has two summits, both of which are dormant volcanic domes. The western summit is 5,642 metres high, while the eastern summit is 5,621 metres. A total area of 53 square miles (138 square km) of Elbrus is covered by 22 glaciers, which feed the Kuban River and some of the headwaters of the Terek. Elbrus is a major centre for mountaineering and tourism in the Caucasus region. Manpupuner Rock Formations The Manpupuner rock formations are also known as the Seven Strong Men Rock Formations or Poles of the Komi Republic. These are a set of seven gigantic, unusually shaped stone pillars located west of the Ural mountains in the Komi Republic. These monoliths, formed through the weathering effects of ice and wind stand between 30 and 42 meters high. According to the local legend, the stone pillars were once giants walking through the mountains to Siberia to defeat the Mansi people. However, upon seeing the holy Mansi mountains, the shaman of the giants dropped his drum, and the giants froze into stone pillars. The Manpupuner rock formations are a very popular attraction in Russia, though they are not well known internationally and therefore relatively unspoiled by tourism. Kungur Cave The historical and natural complex of Kungur Cave is located in Perm Territory, Russia. This ice cave lies 100 km from Perm on the right bank of the Sylva River. It is one of the largest karst cave in the European part of Russia and the seventh longest chalk cave (8,153 meters) in the worl This cave, which is between 10,000 and 12,000 years old, has been known since 1703 and became a tourist attraction in 1914. Huge stalactites that hang like candles from the ceiling of 58 caves with glacial blocks underfoot and 70 underground lakes have made this place one of most popular attractions. 1. What approximate percentage of the world's fresh surface water does Lake Baikal contai a) 10%. b) 25%. c) 50%. 2. Why is the Valley of Geysers considered a challenging destination to access? a) It is located in a remote area of the Kamchatka Peninsula. b)It takes tourists a long time to reach. c)It can only be reached by one means of transport. 3. What is the difference between the western summit and the eastern summit of Mount Elbrus? It is 121 metres. It is 12 metres. It is 21 metres. 4. According to the local legend, the Manpupuner rock formations appeared because a wizard dropped his musical instrument. were the result of volcanic activity. were created by the Mansi people. 5. What feature of the Kungur Cave is mentioned in the text? It is the longest cave in Russia. It contains impressive stalactites. It has been a popular tourist attraction since the beginning of the 19th century. 6. Which of the natural wonders described in the passage is located in Siberia? Lake Baikal. Mount Elbrus. The Valley of Geysers. 7. What is the main purpose of the passage? To highlight the natural diversity of Russia's landscapes. To discourage tourism to Russia's most remote natural wonders. To compare the natural wonders of Russia to those found in other countries.