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For centuries the south-eastern part of present-day Kazakhstan has been known as Zhetysu, which means ’seven rivers’ in Kazakh (the Russian name, a literal translation, is Semirechye). The reason for the name is - surprise - the numerous rivers, large and small, stream down the slopes of the Tien Shan and the Jungar Alatau mountains.
The fertile river valleys of Semirechye have been inhabited for millennia, which explain the huge number of sites of archaeological importance dating from - among others - the Sak epoch (which include the Issyk burial mound and the Bes-Shatyr barrows). The Turkic period is also well represented: in the heyday of the Silk Route’s Kazakhstan branch, a number of Semirechye cities were highly developed. It was in these lands that the Kazakh Khanate arose.
Semirechye is richly endowed with natural attractions, some of which are afforded state protection in national parks at Ile-Alatau, Charyn, and Altyn-Emel, and in nature reserves at Alakol and Almaty. Geology and climate are varied, with the snow-covered mountains of the Tien Shan and the Jungar Alatau descending into the hot and arid expanses of the Saryyesik-Atyrau, Moyinkum and Taukum deserts. The highest peak in Kazakhstan, Khan-Tengri (6995 meters) is located in Semirechye.
This wealth of historical and sociological places of interest, combined with the natural magnificence and ecological diversity of the region, make Semirechye a paradise for the tourist, with whom only South Kazakhstan can seriously compete - but South Kazakhstan has no Almaty, a city of immense appeal to visitors to Central Asia. The beauty of the city, its convenient location and its climate all combine to make Almaty an excellent starting point not only for explorations of Zhetysu itself, but of the whole vast region.
Zhetysu stretches from Lake Balkhash in the north and west to the Alakol Lakes in the north-east. The region’s southern border is formed by the mountain ranges of the Northern and Central Tien Shan. In the east, Zhetysu is bounded by the Jungar Alatau massif and the Ketmen range, while in the west the border follows the Chu river valley.
The name of the region bears testimony to the large number of rivers that flow through it.
The biggest waterway in south-eastern Kazakhstan is the Ili River, which feeds into Lake Balkhash. In the mid-20th century the Kapshagai reservoir and a hydroelectric power station were built on the Ili, and the reservoir remains a favorite destination for Almaty residents in need of a little waterside relaxation. Other major rivers of the region include the Karatal, the Aksu and the Lepsy (also emptying into Balkhash), as well as their numerous tributaries such as the Charyn, the Chilik and the Koksu.
Administratively, the lands of Zhetysu constitute Almaty oblast and the city of Almaty, the latter the largest city in the region and the former capital of Kazakhstan. Because of its national prominence the city is administratively independent of the oblast of the same name, whose capital is the city of Taldykorgan.
5.1 Write complete answers to these questions:
a) What can you tell about the origin of the name of Zhetysu?
b) How can you describe the location and landscape of Zhetysu?
c) What can you tell about the administrative location of Zhetysu?
5.2 Which of the following sentences are true and which of them are false?
a) Zhetysye have been inhabited from Sak epoch.
b) The Issyk burial mound and the Bes-Shatyr barrows belong to Turkic epoch.
c) Zhetysu was a part of the Great Silk Way at Turkic epoch.
d) There is no desert in Zhetysu, only mountains and rivers valleys.
e) The highest peak in Kazakhstan is located in Zhetysu.
5.3 What is the biggest waterway in Zhetysu?
a) Ili river;
b) Charyn;
c) Koksu river;
5.4 What is the capital of district (oblast’) where Zhetysu is situated?
a) Almaty;
b) Taldykorgan;
c) Zhetysu;
5.5 The name of the region bears testimony to the large number of rivers that flow through it. Find a synonym for “bears testimony”:
a) gives evidence;
b) discounts testimony;
c) discounts evidence;
5.6 Find a sentence in Passive Voice Present Perfect Tense:
a) The Turkic period is also well represented.
b) A number of Zhetysu cities were highly developed.
c) Zhetysu has been inhabited for millennia.
5.7 Put in the following sentence missing articles: Zhetysu stretches from __ Lake Balkhash in __ north and west to __ Alakol Lakes in __ north-east.
a) __/the/__/the;
b) __/the/the/the;
c) the/the/__/the.
6 Silk Road Bazaar
One of the most exciting experiences for a traveler to the Silk Road is a traditional bazaar.
In a world where business transactions have become virtually devoid of human contact, Central Asian bazaars remind us of how vibrant and exciting commerce can be. The bazaars are no more collection of shops. They have always been a dynamic center of the community, a place where goods and produce as well as ideas, news, philosophies, culture and politics are traded.
Here, people still trade in the open air and bargaining is a way of life. Goods are displayed on the ground or in stalls. These bazaars have always been central to life in cities along the Silk Road. They are organized into different sections depending on the type of goods you’re looking for. You can find anything here - from fresh fruits and vegetables to fine jewelry and gold embroidery, hand-tempered knives, handmade musical instruments, ceramic bowls and painted cradles. Every item is offered by salespeople who can tell you how it is grown, where it is made or all the intricate details of its history.
6.1 Write complete answers to following questions:
a) What can you tell about the traditional bazaar?
b) How can you describe the way of trade in this bazaar?
6.2 Bazaars have always been a dynamic center of the community.
Which of the following Tenses is used in this sentence?
a) Present Perfect Tense;
b) Present Perfect Continuous Tense;
c) Past Perfect Tense;
6.3 Which of the following sentences are true and which of them are false?
a) Bazaar is a place where also ideas, news, philosophies, culture and politics are traded.
b) Bargaining is a way of life in bazaar.
c) Goods are showed only on the ground.
6.4 Find an antonym for the word “salespeople”:
a) customer;
b) seller;
c) shopper;
6.5 Find a synonym for the word “devoid”:
a) vacant;
b) full;
c) avoid.
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