The Moscow English Team

July 4th 1776 — July 4th 2026 Today marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This means that today America celebrates its quarter-of-a-millennium anniversary! —————————————————— A short note on the Declaration of Independence: the (not so) long and winding road of the American state began with its signing. Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, this historic document severed the 13 American colonies' political ties to Great Britain and outlined the philosophical foundation for a new nation. Often overlooked historical fact: Russia, on the orders of Empress Catherine the Great, organized the League of Armed Neutrality in 1780, which aimed to protect neutral trade from British blockades in North America, indirectly benefiting American commerce and helping the newly-founded nation break free from British oppression. These events could be attributed as a friendly beginning of Russo-American relations. —————————————————— Don’t miss the official fireworks in front of the White House at 7-11pm Eastern Standard Time! The event will be live-streamed on YouTube and other social media recourses. #countrystudies

Our Summer Camp in Snapshots, 01.06-10.06 🇬🇧 Those 10 days were full to the brim with intelligence, talent, creativity, and infinite warmth thanks to our amazing students. They did not hesitate to tackle academic challenges and engage in various things, from writing a Met Gala article right off the bat to performing scenes from the renowned plays or historical events! We can’t wait to see you all again and meet new ambitious olympiadniks👥 #trainingcamp #highlights

Day XI. Arthur We hope your summer is still bright, charming, and full of unexpected discoveries, but after our sweet Italian detour, it is time to leave gelato behind and sail northwards 🌬️ Welcome to the Netherlands (the country that has recently been knocked out of the World Cup): the land of tulips, canals, bicycles, windmills, and, apparently, a surprisingly large number of English insults disguised as idioms 🌷 Before we start, let us address the elephant in the room: “Why do so many English expressions with the word Dutch sound mildly suspicious?” The story goes back to the seventeenth century, when England and the Dutch Republic were fierce commercial and naval rivals. Both nations wanted control over trade routes, colonies, ships, and money, which, as history repeatedly proves, is more than enough to ruin anyone’s mood. The rivalry eventually produced several Anglo-Dutch Wars, and the English did what they often do best: they turned politics into vocabulary 📚 As a result, the word Dutch became a convenient label for things considered fake, strange, cheap, blunt, or not quite proper. Of course, the old rivalry is long gone, and today these idioms are mostly harmless linguistic fossils. Still, they are useful, memorable, and slightly savage: just what we need for our Use of English! So, without any further ado, let us go Dutch! Or not… i. Go Dutch To share the cost of something, especially a meal, so that each person pays for themselves 💸 Example After three hours of discussing essay structure, we decided to go Dutch at the café. ii. Double Dutch Language, speech, or writing that is impossible to understand 🤯 Example I tried reading “Hamlet” at 2 a.m., but it turned out to be written in double Dutch! iii. Dutch courage Confidence that someone gets from drinking alcohol before doing something difficult or frightening 🥂 Example You do not need Dutch courage before your Olympiad. You just need practice, structure, and at least six hours of sleep. iv. Dutch uncle A person who gives you very direct, severe, but usually useful criticism 🧓 Example When I showed my essay to Marianna, she talked to me like a Dutch uncle: painfully honest, but absolutely right. v. Dutch auction An auction in which the price starts high and is then lowered until someone agrees to buy the item 🔨 Example Choosing a title for your essay should not feel like a Dutch auction: do not lower your standards until the first acceptable idea appears. Tags: #useofenglish #idioms

With independence being the flavOR of the week, I shall tell you about an event that adds great flavOUR to the topic. BRITISH HANDOVER OF HONG KONG On this day, 29 years ago, 1 July 1997, the Sino-British Joint Declaration came into effect, marking the end of 156 years of British rule, which started after the cession of Hong Kong in 1841. How it came about: In 1982 Margaret Thatcher made her first visit to the People's Republic of China, marking the beginning of negotiations regarding the Hong Kong Question. During talks with Thatcher, China planned to seize Hong Kong if the negotiations were to set off unrest in the colony. The British PM endorsed the Treaty of Nanking, the Convention of Peking, and the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, establishing the need to stick to the terms of the treaties. To quote Thatcher: "There are three treaties in existence; we stick by our treaties unless we decide on something else. At the moment, we stick by our treaties." However, the negotiations were far from one-sided. While Britain argued that the treaties granting Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories were legally binding, PRC maintained that the agreements were "unequal treaties" imposed during a period of foreign domination and therefore lacked legitimacy. Culmination: In the end, China largely won the negotiations. Although Hong Kong Island and southern Kowloon had technically been ceded to Britain in perpetuity, the New Territories (90% of HK land) were leased only until 1997. British officials concluded that retaining only part of Hong Kong was impossible. As a result, Britain agreed to return the entire territory to China. With the outcome being formalised by the Sino-British Joint Declaration. At midnight on 1 July 1997, the Union Flag was lowered around Hong Kong with government buildings now flying the colours of China, painting the city red. Footnotes: What was all the rage 30 years ago was that Thatcher reportedly lost her footing on the steps of the Great Hall of the People after a meeting in Beijing. This incident became the foundation for a strong Chinese position, with media on both sides painting the Brits as weak. #countrystudies

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Throwback Monday! I am not letting you guys forget about the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution coming up in t-minus 5 days. Today we’re going to go one step further than polluting the Boston Harbor and terrorizing its fish by dumping one too many cartons of tea overboard. We’re galloping with Paul Revere to alert the American troops of the British and seeing history being made. I am, of course, talking about the shot heard round the world. The battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the Revolutionary War! When: April 19, 1775 Where: Pretty self-explanatory. In Lexington, MA and Concord, MA. Who: Massachusetts colonists Why: After Thomas Gage was appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts in 1774, he started harshly enforcing British authority and the Coercive Acts, which punished acts of defiance (including the Boston Tea Party). By April 1775, Gage found himself in hot water with his subjects and was facing the threat of an outright rebellion. So, in hopes of preventing a violent outbreak, he ordered a seizure of the weapons and powder stored by the colonists in Concord, Massachusetts, twenty miles northwest of Boston. What: But Mr. Gage underestimated the courage of the colonists, as news of the impending confrontation spread quickly and, thanks to Paul Revere and other brave riders, the future Continental Army quickly assembled to protect its supplies. Minute Men and militias rushed to confront them early on April 19. Though not an easy victory, the battles of Lexington and Concord saw the colonists first confronting the redcoats, and doing so successfully. This was a real boost of morale and a statement to England that colonists were no longer willing to be pushed around. Outcome: 8 years of war for what’s now an Independence Day Spotify radio, a special red, white and blue BBQ sauce and a 250-anniversary countdown. Neat! Fun fact: At the historic sites of Lexington and Concord, there are regular reenactments of the historical events! And the guys really dialed up the volume with the upcoming anniversary. It has gotten so intense, in fact, that I’m getting Instagram reel after Instagram reel of founding fathers, back from the dead, and roaming about Boston getting civilians to sign their little project called the Declaration of Independence, Boston-Tea-Party-themed date nights, and the Continental Army getting ready for battle with Ethel Cain playing in the background. Maybe that’s just my algorithm, though! #countrystudies

As we promised, every Sunday you - our dear subscribers - take the stage and share your inspiration with others! Our first and honored guest is Ian (@nurturng), a devoted member of the Moscow Team⚡️ Today, let’s talk about letters that are small but mighty — capitonyms! A capitonym is a word whose meaning (and sometimes pronunciation) changes when it gets a capital letter. In other words, never underestimate the power of Shift! Capitonyms are especially sneaky: one tiny capital can turn furniture polish into a language, a determined walk or a useful modal verb into a month, and ordinary words such as nice, china, and reading into names on the map. Let’s look at a few classics: 1️⃣ polish / Polish polish — a cream that you use to clean something Polish — relating to Poland or its people 🇵🇱 Example After moving to Warsaw, learning Polish helped him read the label on the polish used to restore the antique table. 2️⃣ march / March march — to walk somewhere with firm, regular steps March — the third month of the year 🌷 Example In March, we march bravely towards the final stage — armed with pens, highlighters, and far too little sleep. 3️⃣ may / May may — used to express possibility or permission May — the fifth month of the year 🌼 Example You may take a break in May, but you may not forget your phrasal verbs. 4️⃣ nice / Nice nice — pleasant, enjoyable, or satisfactory Nice — a city in France, pronounced /niːs/ 🇫🇷 Example Spending my holidays in Nice was so nice! 5️⃣ china / China china — fine porcelain, or objects made from it China — a country in East Asia 🇨🇳 Example The china on this table was made in Italy, not China. 6️⃣ reading / Reading reading — the activity of looking at and understanding written words 📚 Reading — a town in England, pronounced /ˈredɪŋ/ Example Yesterday, I was given an exciting reading task about Reading, Berkshire. And now it is time to put your capitonym-spotting skills to the test! I have prepared two tasks for you: some pairs will look familiar from today’s post, while others may hold a few new surprises. Fill in the blanks with the correct lowercase or capitalised form — and do not let the Shift key catch you off guard! 👻 Can you think of any other capitonyms? Share your favorites in the comments! 👀 #useofenglish #vocabulary #capitonyms

Do you feel like solving TRIOS today? 💫 Find ONE word which best fits the gaps in THREE sentences. Let the pictures on the slides serve you as clues 😉

Marianna’s here with a bouquet of idioms for you💐 Hopefully, you are having a wonderful summer; yet, do not forget - the olympiad season is creeping up little by little!🌸 Without any further ado, let’s recall our favorite flower idioms - some of you may remember them from our summer camp, while others might have encountered them at the beloved final stage (all of us had to grasp the nettle back in 2024) 🌸Grasp the nettle - to force yourself to be brave and do something that is difficult or unpleasant; Example Oh, come on, I know that the situation is complicated - it’s time you grasped the nettle! 🌸Shrinking violet - a person who is very shy/modest and does not like to attract attention; Example He is definitely not a shrinking violet - he talks freely and loves appearing on television! 🌸Gild the lily - to improve or decorate something that is already perfect, thus, spoiling it; Example Why did you edit your essay? It was literally flawless, you simply gilded the lily by adding those unnecessary references; 🌸Under the rose (from the Latin expression "sub rosa") - in secret; Example Lawyers need to make sure that their clients’ affairs are kept under the rose; 🌸Lead sb down the primrose path - if you do that, then you encourage a person to have an easy but at the same time bad life: you basically mislead them; Example You need to stop talking to Mary - she is negatively influencing you, slowly leading you down the primrose path! 🌸Pushing up daisies - to be dead; Example After solving all those brain teasers and wacky wordies, he was literally pushing up daisies. Do you know any other idioms with flowers? We are waiting for your ideas in the comments:) #useofenglish #idioms

Day IV. Arthur This summer certainly feels a little like Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn — bright, charming, and full of unexpected discoveries. Even though the idea of resting on our laurels during summer seems a bit too good to be true, getting a few new idioms under our belt while sunbathing and watching the World Cup may be just the right way to go! Speaking of bright and charming idioms, please stay tuned for Marianna’s exquisite floral post tomorrow! Do not forget to stop and smell the roses as her upcoming inspirational posts are as welcome as flowers in May! 🌸 Idioms are often best memorised in groups, and today’s post is no exception. The English are well known for their wit and sense of humour, especially when it comes to highlighting (or gently downplaying) other nations’ achievements. While some of our future posts will be devoted to the notorious beef of the English with the French or the Dutch, today’s idioms are mostly as sweet as Italian gelato and tiramisu. So buckle up, get ready to mix things up, and leave your dolce far niente for later! Our Eurotrip to Italy starts off with some English idioms that lead us straight to Rome. i. Rome wasn’t built in a day Great or important things take time, patience, and consistent effort ⏳ Example You cannot expect to master Trios in one evening — Rome wasn’t built in a day! See our upcoming Saturday post for more ii. When in Rome, do as the Romans do When you are in a new place or situation, it is wise to follow the customs and rules of the people around you 🍝 Example I had never written essays in that format before, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do — preferably the way Maryanne tells you to. iii. All roads lead to Rome Different approaches can lead to the same final result 🛣️ Example Some people learn vocabulary through flashcards, others through reading — all roads lead to Rome and olympiad glory, as long as you actually revise. iv. Cross the Rubicon To make an important decision after which there is no turning back 🏞️ Example The moment you become a part of the Moscow English Team, you cross the Rubicon — the preparation becomes serious. v. Fiddle while Rome burns To waste time on unimportant things while a serious issue needs attention 🐦‍🔥 Example Stop changing the colour of your notes when the regionals are around the corner — you are fiddling while Rome burns! • Do you know any other idioms connected with countries, cities, or history? Feel free to share them in the comments below! 🇮🇹 Tags: #useofenglish #idioms

Continuing our cultural enrichment, tonight will be dedicated to an entertaining stay-in evening of cinema. "CITIZEN KANE" One of the most influential works in American cinematography and part of the first 25 films selected for preservation by the United States Library of Congress. Plot: The movie follows the rise and fall of Charles Foster Kane, a wealthy newspaper magnate who builds a media empire yet dies alone in his estate. The story is relayed via flashbacks, as a reporter investigates the meaning of Kane's final word - "Rosebud." Backstory: The character of Kane was partly inspired by real-life media tycoons! The one and only Joseph Pulitzer of course, as well as William Randolph Hearst, who, enraged with the film, banned all mention of it in his newspaper. The film’s premise is exploration of such topics as wealth’s isolating character, the enigmatic nature of truth and power hungriness. Post release: Though a commercial disappointment on release, the script, written by a 25-year-old Orson Welles, was praised by critics and earned nine Academy Award nominations! His maiden work won Best Original Screenplay for the “rookie” and Herman J. Mankiewicz. The techniques used in “Citizen Kane” were groundbreaking and became pillars of modern directing: deep-focus cinematography, dramatic lighting, and non-linear storytelling. For decades this masterpiece topped the British Film Institute's Sight and Sound poll of the greatest films ever made. And I, Max, completely agree with the British people. #film #countrystudies

Howdy, Alex here. This evening will be dedicated to the world of British & American literature — a core pillar of not only the English Olympiad country studies section, but also of the very nature of British & American cultures. I will begin this series of small articles with an award-winning American novel: “ALL THE KING’S MEN” — Robert Penn Warren This work is considered by many to be one of the greatest pieces of American literature. ——————————————————— Themes, plot, and essence of story: • Published in 1946 in the USA • The novel follows the charismatic populist governor Willie Stark and his political machinations in the Depression-era Deep South (a cultural and geographic region in the South and South-East of the USA, spanning from Texas to South Carolina). The story is narrated by political reporter and Stark’s right-hand man Jack Burden. The novel not only portrays the dramatic and theatrical game of politics, but masterfully interweaves personal plots and philosophical reflections into the story. • The novel was inspired by the real-life story of U.S. Senator and Louisiana Governor Huey P. long, who was assassinated in 1935. • The book explores such themes as the corrupting nature of power, the complexities of personal responsibility, and the inescapable weight of the past. ——————————————————— After release: • The book was generally well received by critics. The “New Republic” magazine wrote that the novel was “in the tradition of many classics”, comparing the novel with “Moby-Dick” and “The Great Gatsby” • Robert Penn Warren’s novel won the esteemed Pulitzer Prize in 1947 • Motion picture adaptations of the novel were released in both the United States in 1949 and in the Soviet Union in 1971 ——————————————————— Noteworthy commentary: • In 2001, the 1949 American film adaptation of the novel was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. #books #countrystudies

Without further ado let's jump headfirst into our olympiad shenanigans. Today I want to tell you about my favorite historical event - The Boston Tea Party! When: December 16, 1773 Where: On three British ships in Boston Harbor, Boston, Massachusetts Who: The Sons of Liberty, a secret underground organization of American colonists What: They dressed up as native Americans, got on board of the three ships of the British East India Company carrying 46 tons of tea and dumped it all in the Boston harbor! The damage that they had done would now be worth nearly $3 million. Why: This rebellion was triggered by the Tea Act of 1773, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on the American tea trade. Even though most of the taxes imposed on the colonies following Great Britain's severe debt after the Seven Years' War had been lifted by that time, the Bostonians were determined to rebel against this corporate favoritism. Driven by the undeniably catchy slogan, “Taxation without representation is tyranny” they made the fish in Boston Harbor get a taste of that sweet, sweet Earl Grey. Outcome: The demonstration provoked Great Britain to pass the Intolerable Acts of 1774, closing the Boston Harbor and revoking Massachusetts self-governance, leading directly to the convening of the first Continental Congress (and the Revolutionary War!) Fun fact: In the famous musical “Hamilton”, King George III, played by Jonathan Groff, has a direct reference to the event in his song “I’ll be back” You say the price of my love is price you're not willing to pay / You cry in the tea which you hurled in the sea as you see me go by / Why so sad? #countrystudies

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the channel. Hope you're enjoying your stay so far! Before we start, I'd like to familiarize you with a couple ground rules. Every day you will be supplied with a new post on one of the various topics listed above, provided by one of our amazing admins. Today it’s me - Maria! The most attentive readers will notice, however, that there are 6 of us and 7 days of the week. And that's exactly why Sunday will be the coveted "featured speakers" day, when we will feature posts sent in by one lucky reader ⭐️🍀⭐️ So don't be afraid to try your luck and get your work featured in the official Moscow English Team Channel!

Dear friends, welcome to the official Moscow State Team Telegram channel, your number one stop for all updates on the All-Russian English Olympiad. Our team of experienced members and alumni will keep you updated with relevant news, interesting facts, and inside glimpses into the life of an olympian and everything that surrounds it. To get to know them a bit better, look no further than their introduction cards above! All posts will be labeled to make navigation easier, and here’s a sneak peek at what lies ahead: Skills: #listening #reading #writing #speaking #useofenglish #integrated Language: #idioms #phrasalverbs #words Insight: #coaches #trainingcamp #olympiadhacks #interviews #АЮТАquotes Culture: #countrystudies #books #usefulmaterial Updates: #news #highlights Sit back, relax, get your pen and paper, and let us guide you through the sometimes complicated and intimidating world of the All-Russian English Olympiad!