Russia · My Homeland — OGE Trainer

01

Russia, my homeland · reading + match facts 📖

Read the passage · then match the 8 facts with their descriptions.

Winter Palace · Saint Petersburg · Neva river

Reading + match · 8 pairs

Russia is the largest country in the world, located on two continents: Europe and Asia. Its rich history and unique culture have been formed over many centuries. We, the people of Russia, are proud of its nature, from the majestic forests of Siberia to its bustling cities.

Our country has made a tremendous contribution to world science, literature, and art. Russia is the homeland of geniuses such as Pushkin, Tolstoy, and Tchaikovsky.

We love our country for its spiritual strength, diversity of traditions, and the hospitality of its people. Despite a complex history, Russia continues to develop and preserve its uniqueness.

Match 8 facts ↔ descriptions

Tap a fact on the left — then its description on the right.

Matched 0 / 8

02

True or False · 11 facts ✅

Decide which statements are True / False. No penalty for mistakes — try them all.

11 statements · auto-check

Score 0 / 11

03

Russian geography · gap-fill 🗺️

Tap a word from the bank · then a gap.

Russian geography panorama · mountains, river, lake, forest

11 gaps · word bank

Russia is __, known for its incredible __ and vast territory spanning multiple __. It comprises 85 regions united into 9 federal districts.

Key cities include Moscow and St. Petersburg, along with __ like Novosibirsk in Siberia, Yekaterinburg in the Urals, and the Pacific port of Vladivostok.

Significant mountain __ stretch across the country: the Caucasus with Mount Elbrus as Europe's __, the Ural Mountains separating Europe from Asia, and the Southern Siberian ranges.

Major river systems define Russia's __: the Volga in European Russia, while Siberia is crossed by the great Ob, Yenisei and Lena __ to the Arctic Ocean.

Russia's __ include the world's deepest Lake Baikal. The climate ranges from severe __ in the north to subtropical warmth along the Black Sea coast, with predominantly __.

the world's largest country landscape diversity climate zones major centers ranges highest peak geography rivers flowing numerous lakes subarctic conditions continental conditions

Score 0 / 11

04

History · dates & rulers 🏛️

Key historical events + four iconic rulers.

Russia through the ages · ancient Rus to modern Moscow

Timeline + bio cards

Key dates

988

Baptism of Rus' — Prince Vladimir the Great accepted Orthodox Christianity, shaping Russian culture for centuries.

1147

First mention of Moscow in chronicles — Prince Yuri Dolgoruky founded the small fortress.

1703

Foundation of Saint Petersburg — Emperor Peter the Great built the new capital "window to Europe".

1917

Russian Revolution — end of the empire, beginning of the Soviet era.

1961

Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.

1991

Collapse of the USSR — Russia became the modern Russian Federation.

Four iconic rulers

Four iconic Russian rulers · Ivan IV · Peter I · Elizabeth · Nicholas II

Ivan IV (the Terrible)

1530-1584 · first Tsar

First ruler to be crowned "Tsar of All Russia"
Expanded the country eastward (Siberia)
Known for his harsh rule and unpredictable temper

Peter I (the Great)

1672-1725 · westernizer

Westernized Russia · built modern army and navy
Founded Saint Petersburg in 1703
Brought European architecture, science and customs

Elizabeth of Russia

1709-1761 · arts patron

Promoted arts, music and theatre
Founded Moscow University in 1755
Brought Baroque architecture to Saint Petersburg

Nicholas II

1868-1918 · last Emperor

The last Emperor of Russia
Executed with his family in 1918 during the Revolution
Canonised by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000

05

Russian symbols · tap to flip 🪆

Official + unofficial symbols. Tap any card to see the meaning.

Kremlin · Saint Basil's Cathedral · Russian flag · golden autumn

Russian symbols still life · matryoshka, samovar, balalaika, valenki, ushanka, bear

12 cards · flip to reveal

06

Famous Russians · biographies 👤

Read each short biography aloud. Then say which fact was new to you.

5 biographies · read + discuss

Alexander Pushkin

1799-1837 · poet

Born in Moscow into a noble family
Composed his first poem at age 8
Published "Ruslan and Lyudmila" in 1820 and became famous
Created literary Russian language
Died after a duel
Best-known work: "Eugene Onegin" (1823–1831)

Peter Tchaikovsky

1840-1893 · composer

Born in a village near modern Izhevsk
Composed symphonies, operas and ballets
Operas: "Eugene Onegin", "Iolantha", "The Queen of Spades"
Ballets: "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty", "The Nutcracker"
International Tchaikovsky Competition started in 1958

Isaac Levitan

1860-1900 · landscape painter

Born in August, had two sisters and a brother
Began painting in 1873
Had to earn his own living after his parents died (1875, 1877)
Famous work: "Autumn Day. Sokolniki Park" (1879)
Chekhov called him "Russia's best landscape painter"

Georgy Zhukov

1896-1974 · marshal

Born into a poor shoemaker's family
At 11 went to Moscow to find a job
Became a general in 1940
Led armies at Moscow, Stalingrad, Leningrad, Kursk
Hero of the Soviet Union four times

Yuri Gagarin

1934-1968 · first cosmonaut

Born in a village near Smolensk
One of four children in a big family
Finished a school of aviation and Air Force Academy
12.04.1961 · made the first space flight on "Vostok"
Flight around the Earth lasted 1 h 48 min

Discussion: Which fact was new to you? Who is your favourite Russian person? What other famous Russians do you know?

07

Reading · "Swan Lake" 🦢

Read the text · answer True / False / Don't know · then form 9 questions.

Reading · T/F/DK · question-making

"Swan Lake" is one of the best-loved ballets the world over, and it is very difficult to imagine that its first performance in 1877 was not a success.

Since that time, however, the ballet has won the hearts of ballet lovers. "Swan Lake" is a powerful story of the love of a Prince for the beautiful Odette, transformed by a wicked magician into a swan.

Set to Tchaikovsky's immortal music, "Swan Lake" offers an evening of passion and beauty, leaving an unforgettable impression.

The St Petersburg Ballet Theatre now makes its first appearances in Scotland, visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. The beautiful Russian city of St Petersburg is the place where Russian Classical Ballet was born. The city has produced some of the world's greatest ballet dancers. The St Petersburg Ballet Theatre was founded in October 1994 by Konstantin Tatchkin.

Many members of this young company came to the Theatre from the Ballet Academy of Vaganova and other leading Russian ballet companies. Now this Theatre includes over eighty dancers, musicians and technicians.

True / False / Don't know · 10 statements

Score 0 / 10

Make up the questions

Answers given · write the question that would produce each answer.

1. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. · 2. No, it's famous the world over. · 3. In 1877. · 4. A wicked magician. · 5. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen. · 6. St Petersburg. · 7. In 1994. · 8. By Konstantin Tatchkin. · 9. Eighty dancers, musicians and technicians.

💡 Sample questions (open after attempt)

Who composed the music for "Swan Lake"?
Is "Swan Lake" famous only in Russia?
When was the ballet first performed?
Who turned Odette into a swan?
Which Scottish cities is the company visiting?
Where was Russian Classical Ballet born?
When was the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre founded?
Who founded the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre?
How many dancers, musicians and technicians does the Theatre include?

08

Russian holidays · match descriptions 🎉

Match each holiday with its description.

10 holidays · match descriptions

Matched 0 / 10

09

Articles with geographical names 📐

Choose the · a · or zero article (–) before each place / object.

15 sentences · MCQ select

Score 0 / 15

10

Word formation · 10 transformations 🔤

Transform the word in CAPS to fit grammatically and lexically.

10 gaps · type the right form

Score 0 / 10

11

Verb tenses · 12 sentences ⏰

Put the verb in brackets into the correct tense (across all main tenses).

12 gaps · tense drill

Score 0 / 12

12

Vocabulary recap · gap-fill 15 ✏️

Type the right Russia-themed word in each gap.

15 gaps · type the word

Score 0 / 15

S1

OGE Speaking · Task 1 · Read aloud 🎤

1.5 min preparation · 2 min reading. Press 🔊 for a model · then record your own.

Reading aloud · ~10 lines

Moscow is the capital and the largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at over 13 million residents. It is one of the world's largest cities, being the most populous city entirely in Europe. Moscow is not only the political but also the cultural and economic centre of Russia. It is famous for the Kremlin, Red Square, the Bolshoi Theatre, and many other attractions. Millions of tourists come here every year to enjoy its history, architecture and modern life.

Your turn — read aloud:

Listen for: pronunciation of Moskva · centre · attractions · architecture · politcal. Don't pause between common words like "the largest". Stress content words, glide over grammar words.

W35

OGE Writing · Task 35 · Letter to James ✉️

Reply to James about Russia · 100–120 words · standard letter format.

Personal email · ~30 min

From: James@mail.uk To: Russian_friend@oge.ru
Subject: Travelling to Russia

… My friend was very impressed by the Moscow Kremlin. He said that Russian architecture is fascinating. I'd like to go to Russia for my holidays, too.

How do you usually spend your holidays? What is the best season for travelling in Russia and why? What tourist attractions would you recommend seeing in your country? …

Write a letter to James. Answer his 3 questions · 100–120 words · standard format (place / date · greeting · opener · body · sign-off).

Target: 100–120 words · 5 paragraphs · answer all 3 questions words: 0

Moscow, 24 June 2026 Dear James, Thank you for your recent email. It was great to hear that you'd like to travel to Russia. To answer your questions, I usually spend my holidays at our family dacha in the countryside or sometimes in Saint Petersburg with my grandparents. The best season for travelling in Russia, in my opinion, is summer — the days are long, the weather is warm, and there are festivals everywhere. As for attractions, I would definitely recommend Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow, the Hermitage and Peterhof in Saint Petersburg, and Lake Baikal if you want true nature. By the way, how long can you stay? Will you come alone or with your family? And are you planning to visit just Moscow or other cities too? Hope to see you here soon! All the best, Daniella

S3

OGE Speaking · Task 3 · Monologue 🇷🇺

2-minute talk on Russia · use the 3 prompts below.

Monologue · 12+ phrases · 2 min

Topic · Russia, my homeland

"Imagine you are doing a project «Russia, my homeland». You have found some information and would like to share it with your friends."

Speak about:

The most beautiful place in Russia you have visited or would like to visit;
A famous Russian person (writer, composer, scientist, sportsman…) and why you admire them;
One Russian tradition or holiday that you consider especially important and why.

Your turn — record your 2-min monologue:

Hi everyone! Today I'd like to share what I have found about my country, Russia. First of all, the most beautiful place I have ever visited is Lake Baikal. It is the deepest lake in the world, and the water is so clean that you can see the bottom even when it is very deep. The mountains around the lake make the view truly amazing. Secondly, the Russian person I admire most is Pyotr Tchaikovsky. He is one of the greatest composers in world music history. His ballets — "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty" and "The Nutcracker" — are performed in theatres all over the world. His music sounds emotional and very Russian at the same time. Finally, the tradition that I consider especially important is Victory Day on the 9th of May. It is the day when we remember our great-grandparents who fought in the Second World War. There are parades, concerts, and the famous "Immortal Regiment" march. I think it is important because it keeps our family memory alive. So in conclusion, Russia is a country with stunning nature, brilliant people and meaningful traditions — and I'm proud to call it my homeland. Thank you for listening!

Discussion · 10 + 10 questions (pair work)

🅰️ Student A

What images spring to mind when you hear the country Russia?
What are the good things and bad things about Russia?
What is Russia most famous for?
What do you know about Russian history?
How is Russia today different from Soviet times?
What do you think about Russians?
What has Russia given to Europe and the world?
Would you like to visit or live in Russia?
What do you know about Russian geography?
Who are the most famous Russians you know?

🅱️ Student B

How is Russia different from other European countries?
Will Russia become a top global power?
What do Russia's neighbours think about Russia?
What will Russia look like 50 years from now?
Does your country have good relations with Russia?
What do you think about Russia's leaders?
What is your idea of a "real Russian"?
What things about Russia are Russians proud of?
What do you know about Russian politics?
What would you like to ask a Russian about Russia?