Week 61, Lesson 121, Thursday
Moscow, the capital
Moscow grew out of a fortress on a hill: the Kremlin. Today you walk from the Kremlin to Red Square, and learn to compare one city with another.
1Recap 5 minutes
Three questions from Month 15, before anything new.
2Goal 1 minute
I can describe Moscow's main sights and compare two cities.
3The lesson 20 minutes
In this lesson
- The heart of Moscow
- Comparing cities
The heart of Moscow
Three places at the heart of Moscow.
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Москва — столица России. | Moscow is the capital of Russia. |
| Кремль и Красная площадь | the Kremlin and Red Square |
| храм Василия Блаженного | St Basil's Cathedral |
| Большой театр | the Bolshoi Theatre |
Moscow is first mentioned in the chronicles in 1147.
Comparing cities
| Russian | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Москва старше Петербурга. | Moscow is older than St Petersburg. |
| Москва больше, чем Петербург. | Moscow is bigger than St Petersburg. |
| Москва — самый большой город России. | Moscow is the biggest city in Russia. |
For age: старше, моложе. After the comparative, either чем or the genitive.
4Listen and say 5 minutes
Sound of the lesson: Кремль
Кремль: one syllable, a soft ль at the end.
- Кремль [KRYEML'] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
- столи́ца [sta-LI-tsa] Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)
5Phrases and words 5 minutes
Phrases to learn whole
Learn each one as a single unit, the way you would learn a word. They come back in your Daily 10.
- Москва́ — столи́ца Росси́и.Moscow is the capital of Russia.
- ста́рше, чем …older than …
- са́мый большо́й го́родthe biggest city
Words to read aloud
Read each one aloud, then open it to check.
столи́ца
Кремль
the Kremlin
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)Кра́сная пло́щадь
Red Square
собо́р
Большо́й теа́тр
the Bolshoi Theatre
ста́рше, моло́же
older, younger
са́мый большо́й
the biggest
побыва́ть
to visit, to go and see
Hear it on Forvo (opens in a new tab)6Class exercises 15 minutes
Checked instantly. Get one wrong and you can try it again.
Role-play
Take one card each. Swap roles for a second round.
You
- Describe three sights in Moscow, and compare Moscow with your city.
Ника
- Play a guide: ask what you want to see first.
7Your turn 5 minutes
Compare Moscow with another city in two sentences.
See a model answer
Москва старше, чем Петербург. Москва — самый большой город России.
Saved as you type. It goes to Ника together with Homework 121.
8Mini questionnaire required, 80% to pass
9Feedback 5 minutes
10Check your goal 1 minute
I can describe Moscow's main sights and compare two cities.
Can you do this now? Be honest: the answer decides your next step.
11Homework
Homework 121 on Saturday: Moscow.
I can describe Moscow's main sights and compare two cities.