I.    Read the text and decide whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).

Symbolic Meaning of Matryoshka

      Everyone knows that a Matryoshka is a nesting doll. It is a set of typically seven wooden dolls of decreasing sizes that all fit inside of each other, one by one. Each stacking doll splits in half at the midsection and opens to reveal another smaller doll nested within. Each Matryoshka is handmade, for this reason, it is unique: you cannot find two Matryoshka identical.

      Matryoshka is made by different dolls. The biggest doll is called “mother”, the smallest one is called seed. Originally, the biggest doll represents a strong female matriarch who is the main symbol of the Russian family. In itself, the doll fits inside little dolls which represent daughters and sons. For this reason, Matryoshka represents fertility and motherhood.

      The Matryoshka is also the symbol of Russia: the big doll represents Russia mother, and in itself she hosts children, women, men, but also feelings like pain, happiness, joy. It is a mother who can host all these things. Matryoshka can represent also our life: we are like a big doll with other dolls inside which represent our stories, relationships, experiences. We are one person with different experiences. The seed represents our soul which is innocent and it is the real essence of ourselves.

1.   Russian doll matryoshka is composed of dolls of different sizes fitting into each other.

2.   It is true that you can find two Matryoshka identical.

3.   Matryoshka is a symbol of motherhood and fertility of nature.

4.   The biggest doll represents a powerful woman in a family.

5.   Matryoshka shows the role of members in a family.

6.   Dolls inside the Matryoshka depict different aspects of human life, such as our stories, relationships and experience.

7.   The seed, the smallest doll, represents the purity of childhood and our nature.