③ What were the palaces used for after the Czars' rule over the city ended?

④ What did the Germans do as they leftthe city?

⑤ Was it easy for the people of St Petersburgh to rebuild the city? And why?

⑥ What did the people do to bring the city back to life?

5. Reading aloud Play the tape and ask the Ss to read along in a loud voice.

Step four Post-reading

1. Ask the Ss to discuss the following questions in groups:

① Why do people think St Petersburgh is a great city?

② Why was it so difficult for people to rebuild the old palaces?

③ What did people use to help them rebuild the city?

④ Why are the people of St Petersburgh heroes?

Step five Interview

Ask the Ss to work in pairs, playing the role of a newspaper reporter and a citizen of St Petersburgh and finally invite some pairs to act out their interview in the front.

【Model】R-- reporter C--citizen of St Petersburgh

R: Good morning, I'm from Shaoxing Daily. May I ask you several questions?

C: Sure.

R: When was your city built and and who built the city?

C: ……

Step six Debate

Divide the whole class into two groups, asking them to collect as much information as possible according to the following situation (topic).

Discussion

With the fast development of economy, many parts of our old city is being rebuilt.In the area where you live, the city government plans to pull down quite a few low old buildings and put up some high buildings. There is an old building, which dates from the Ming Dynasty and in it there’re a lot of famous carved paintings.

Do you think it necessary to pull down this old building or to leave it as it is?

Step seven Summary and homework