Question

Elizabeth, a teacher from Britain, has just visited Moscow. This is a page from her diary. Read it and say if she liked the capital of Russia. Express your own opinion about the place you have visited.
^ A Page from a Diary
When I first arrived in Moscow everything appeared to be rather grey and dark but as I came to the city centre there was a dramatic change. There were so many fantastic buildings with very interesting architecture. I found Red Square and the Kremlin very impressive and was surprised by the number of churches and cathedrals in and around Moscow. I got the impression that religion is still at the heart of the Russian culture. Although a large number of churches are not used for services they are beautifully kept. The frescoes and icons ['aikonz] are brilliant.

My first journey by Metro was unforgettable. Some of the stations are beautifully decorated. At one of the stations I thought I was in a palace. There were huge chandeliers and wonderful artwork all around. I felt important.

Moscow is definitely a city of contrasts. So rich in many ways, yet in other ways, quite poor. There is so much history here, you can feel it everywhere you go. Everything tells a story: demonstrators marching through Red Square, people reading books, magazines and newspapers on the Metro, modern buildings, shops and the things they sell, street markets ... the list is endless! The dramatic changes over recent years are quite evident.

Russia has produced a great number of very creative and talented people.

Theatrical performances, museums and picture galleries in fact all aspects of Russian life prove that. Moscow is one of the cities of the world that must be seen, I think, and this is what I'll tell my friends when I come back home.
^ Explain why:

1) Elizabeth's impression of Moscow was "rather grey and dark" at first.

2) Her idea of Moscow changed when she saw the city centre.

3) Elizabeth got the impression that religion is still at the heart of the Russian culture.

4) Elizabeth thought she was in a palace when she was having her first journey by Metro.

5) She calls Moscow a city of contrasts.

6) Elizabeth says there is much history in Moscow.

7) Elizabeth thinks that Moscow is the city that must be seen.

Answer 1

1. Because when Elizabeth first arrived everything looked rather dull, most likely she had that impression after seeing the airport and the views on her way from the airport to the city. 
2. Because the city centre was completely different, it was beautiful with many fantastic buildings. 
3. Because she saw a lot of churches and cathedrals in Russia.
4. Because some Metro stations were beautifully decorated with huge chandeliers and wonderful artwork all around. 
5. Because there were both very rich and very poor things she saw in Moscow. 
6. Because everywhere you go and look, it tells a story. The changes that happened in Moscow over recent years are very noticeable. 
7. Because there are so many fascinating places to see like theatrical performances, museums and art galleries.