Moscow was founded in 1147 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. It stands on the Moskva River. Since the time of its foundation the history of Mos- cow is inseparable from the history of the country. At first it was a little town on the boundary of the Kiev Russia. Some time passed and it developed into a prosperous city. It became the capital of Russia during the rule of Ivan the Third. Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg, but Moscow still played an important role in the life of Rus- sia. In 1918 the Soviet government moved from Petrograd to Moscow, and thus the ancient city became the capital of the country for the second time. At present Moscow is the largest city in the Russian Federation, the seat of the government, the political, educational and cultural centre of the country. The population of Moscow is over nine million people, and the city is growing from day to day. Moscow being an ancient city, one can come across the sights on every step. The heart of Moscow is the Kremlin and Red Square. It is not only a historic centre, but also a unique architectural ensemble, famous all over the world. The Kremlin includes over twenty towers joined by the wall. Each tower has its own name; the most famous one is the Spasskaya Tower with its chimes. On the territory of the Kremlin there are beau- tiful ancient cathedrals, Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon and the Armoury Museum the exhibition of the treasures of the Russian tsars, includ- ing icons, crowns, coaches, presents from monarchs of other countries and ceremonial dresses. The Spasskaya Tower outlooks Red Square and the Pokrovsky Cathedral, which is famous all over the world for its exotic beauty. Not far from the Kremlin Arbat begins. It is the best-known street of the city. There is no traffic, so one can walk and enjoy watching the crowds of people strolling by. Arbat is the main tourist attraction after the Kremlin. But Moscow is not only the Kremlin and Arbat. The best way to describe Moscow is probably to say that it is like any other metropolis in the world – lines of cars (and traffic jams!), hurrying people, tall build- ings, elegant restaurants, night clubs and much more. Its appearance is not always attractive, but, beyond any doubt, fascinating and capturing!
2. How long has she been feeling unwell?
3. I've never met such a nice person before.
4. I have been waiting for you since four o'clock.
5. She has never written a letter by hand since she bought a computer.
6. I wonder where you have been all this time.
7. I have been learning English for five years.
8. You never know how he is going to react.
9. She has tripped over the cat and nearly fell over.
10. Look! I have found a ten-pound note! - Where did you find it?
11. Margaret is taking driving lessons now.
12. In recent years terrorism has become a greater threat.
13. The rain came suddenly and it has soaked all the washing.
14. Ever since we met, you have never asked me what I prefer to do.
15. How long have you lived here?
16. I have been interested in sports since my childhood.
17. What have you been doing since you left Cambridge?
Smile: When you smile, people think you are friendly and easy to talk to.
Develop passions: The best way to have interesting conversations is to be an interesting person!
Be positive: Everybody likes to be around happy people.
Be a good listener: Develop listening skills. Don't take over the conversation and don't only speak about yourself.
Get out there: Don't avoid being around new people just because you feel uncomfortable.