Welcome to Mr Aslanov’s cefr lessons

 
Q4. Ples is a small town located in a picturesque area on the banks of the river Volga. It is an ideal place 
for a picnic or a walking tour, fishing or boat trips. There you can take a traditional Russian steam bath 
(called ‘banya’), have an opportunity to learn the art of Russian cooking or enjoy painting classes. Ivan 
Levitan lived in Ples and was inspired by the local nature to paint his famous landscapes. Activities in the 
area include visits to Levitan’s museum and the museum of medieval Russian family life. 
 
Q5. Kostroma, originated in the 12th century, is situated on the left bank of the river Volga. In 1613 
Mikhail Romanov came to Kostroma with his mother, a nun, called Marfa. They were hiding from Poles 
and numerous other groups of outlaws, who were roaming Russia at the time. After daylong talks with his 
mother, who was against the idea of her son ruling the country, Mikhail finally consented to take the crown 
and thus became the first Tsar of the Romanov dynasty. 
 
Q6. Yaroslavl is a large, quiet old town, which is much more metropolitan than the other cities of the 
Golden Ring. The main place of interest is the monastery, founded in the 12
th
century. The town itself was 
founded in 1010. According to legend, Yaroslavl the Wise wanted to have a trading town in this area. 
However, the locals responded by sending a sacred bear to stop him. Yaroslavl was not afraid of the bear 
and killed it with an axe. Then he founded a town on this spot and the symbol of the bear was included in 
his coat of arms. 
Q7. The village of Ivanovo was first mentioned in Russian chronicles in 1561. The in habitants were 
fishing, hunting and trading, but their main occupation was making cloths. The first cloth manufacture was 
built in the village in 1741 by a peasant who made a fortune from selling homemade cloths. That’s when 
the glory of Ivanovo took off: the village started to sell its fabrics all over Russia. Ivanovo is still one of the 
main textile centres of Russia. Interestingly, there are more women than men in the city as they all work in 
the textile industry. 

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