1. My last day off
Yesterday it was Sunday, that’s why my last day off
was not long ago and I
remember it quite well. I always try to do my best to make my holidays
really
exciting, because we have only few days in a week for relaxation and
rest.
Yesterday my friends and I agreed to meet at my place. First
we watched a
very interesting TV show “What? Where? When?” .
Then we went took a
videocassette and watched an outstanding movie “The
Independence Day” . This is
a story about strangers from the other planets that were trying to
conquer the
whole Earth and about the struggle against them. The movie is full of
visual
effects and computer graphics that takes your breath and makes you
admire the
modern technologies in the cinema. I wish our studios and directors
made such
movies. “The Independence Day” can be added to the
genius pieces of modern art
– that is my opinion.
Having watched the film, we decided that it was a time to go
outside. The
first place we went to was the sports ground. Though it was rather
cold, we put
on warm clothes and had fun. Almost all day long we played soccer and
basketball.
As for me, I like weekends and holidays, as the majority of
other people.
And I like telling about my holidays. It’s dull to listen
about the ordinary
working day, how do you think? Every working day looks like another,
but every
weekend is different from the other. During the weekend we have an
opportunity
of enjoying the life and having rest.
2. The library of our institute
“Library is a temple of books” , --
somebody said. And I fully agree with
these wise words. Every person in our country elder than 14 years old,
I’m
sure, was at least one time in the library. The majority of young
people have
subscriptions to the libraries they like. The libraries not only give
us a vast
choice of books, but also offer excellent opportunities of having rest.
As you know, I study at the Far-Eastern State University, and
I’m very proud
that its library is thought to be the one of the largest in Primorye
and even the
whole Far-East.
Soon after our studies began, we had heard for a course of
lectures about
the university library. We were told about the rules of using books we
take
from the library and about its catalogues. Having listened to this
course, we
passed an examination that showed everything we had learnt.
Soon I had to visit our library the first time, as I needed a
textbook on
economics. I went downstairs (as library is situated in the ground
floor) and
found a room I was searching for. But I didn’t get the
immediately as it was
many students. So I waited for my turn. I asked to a librarian if I
could get
the book on economical theory. She answered affirmatively and soon
brought me a
book which name was “Modern economics” . Than the
librarian asked me if it was
for the first time I used the library’s services. I answered
that it was true,
and she suggest me to receive reader’s ticket. I was
interested to know what
documents I had to provide for this. She told that she needed only my
photo 3x4
cm and some money. Fortunately, I had picture with myself and two
minutes later
I was the owner of reader’s ticket, which proves that I am a
real member of the
university library.
So, that is my story about our library. By the way, I want to
say you that I
was greatly surprised the level of service in it. It was very pleasant
to meet
kind librarian that was eager to help in everything you ask.
3. A visit to a sick friend
Everybody can fall ill with any disease. Fortunately, only
cold and flu are
quite frequent in our city among infectious illnesses. They are rather
easy for
the modern medicine and various pills can help you a lot in overcoming
this
trouble. But, of course, being sick isn’t a pleasant way of
spending your time.
In such situation friend’s participation in this trouble can
encourage you,
give you moral support and even can make yourself feel better.
That’s why you
always should visit your sick friends. You must remember that tomorrow
this
illness may happen with you.
I always try to follow this rule. Fortunately, my friends
don’t fall ill
frequent. But I remember such case that happened about 12 months ago.
One of my
best school friends had fallen ill with hard form of flu. Soon I went
to his
place to see him. I took some things that, as I was expecting, were
interesting
for him. Among them I brought a videocassette with best game moments of
National Basketball Association. He was very glad for this present and
soon we
both were enjoying the outstanding games of the strongest basketball
league in
the world. Then I told him all last school news and everything about
the
material we had passed when he was absent. Then we tried to entertain
ourselves
and started to solve crosswords in the newspapers, to watch TV set, so
we began
to do all that everybody makes when he doesn’t know what to
do. To my surprise,
I lost the feeling of time and there was deep evening, when I
understood, that
it was a time to go to the home. When I was leaving for the home, my
friend
promised that he would be all right soon and he kept his word. In two
days he
came to school and started to study various subjects with new energy.
Sometimes
a little interval is useful for a person.
Modern medicine helps us a lot in an illness treatment. It
also gives us
many advises of how not to fall ill. Please follow these
recommendations, and
don’t be sick.
4. My family
We are 4 at our family: my mother, father, my elder brother
and I. I think,
our family is friendly, united. We spend much time together, go for a
walk in
the woods, visit theaters, museums, and go to the cinema. My
mother’s name is
Luidmila Mikhailovna. She is an engineer, she works at an office. She
is a
kind, nice woman. She can cook very well. She is fond of reading. My
father’s
name is Konstantin Alexeevich. He is a sailor. He is a strong, clever
man. He
often tells me interesting stories about different countries. Father
can do a
lot of things. He teaches me to repair furniture, to drive a car. My
brother’s
name is Alexei. He is 22 years old. He have been studied in Far-
Eastern State
Marine Academy for 5 years. Now it is a very difficult period for him:
he is
passing through state exams.
I have my duties about the house. I must go shopping, clean
the rooms. It’s
not difficult for me. I like our home to be clean and tidy. I think
home is the
nicest place. As proverb says, “East or West, home is
best” . There is no place
more delightful than home and there are no people dearer than your
relatives.
5. The working day of an engineer
One of my friends, Dmity Shevelev, lives in Vladivostok now
though he was
born in Nakhodka. Some years ago he graduated from the one of our
institutions
and became an engineer. Now he lives near his office. He usually walks
there.
He works on weekdays. I can’t say that he work hard, but all
his mates like him
because he is a good mixer or, as you may say, he is very communicable
person.
He doesn’t work on Saturday or Sunday. His working day
usually lasts for eight
hours. His duties are to answer all incoming letters and calls, to meet
with
different specialists, to help young engineers. He often tells me that
he likes
his job. I usually meet him after the work and we speak about life. He
is very
glad that he found such work where he can show all his talents. Though
there is
a difference between our ages, we have much in common. He is among my
best
friends.
By the way, my friend knows English rather well (he finished
school #13) .
It helps him a lot as every year various foreign delegations come to
their
office. These delegations change different technologies with our
specialists
and discuss many problems. All foreigners thought Shevelev to be the
best
translator in their institute.
6. My working day
I usually start my day with getting up and doing all things
that everybody
does in the morning: washing, having breakfast, etc. Also, I got used
to gather
my learning tools: pencils, exercise books, and textbooks in the
morning. Then
I usually go to the university. Fortunately, father takes a car every
morning
and he often picks me up and drives me to the doors of our university
building.
And soon the lectures and lessons begin... We have from 2 to 4
lectures
every time, depending on day. I like studying in the university more
than in
the school because in university it is mostly allowed to miss some
lectures (of
course, later you should take a summary from your mate and copy it) .
So, a
student is much more free, than pupil is.
After the lessons I usually return home where I have dinner
and start
thinking about my ways of spending the rest of the day. Very often I go
to my
friend’s places. During the early autumn and summer I often
go to the sports
ground or on the beach. I also like visiting different sports events,
for
example, soccer matches of “Luch” in Russian
championship. So, the world is
full of enjoyable things to do.
On returning home I usually start doing my homework (perhaps,
it is the most
dull part of the day) . Having finished it, I open a book and read it
or watch
TV. At last, I go to the bed.
Of course, I would like to tell you more about my working day,
and myself
but, unfortunately, my time is rather limited and I have got a lot of
homework
to do. Generally, now you know about my working day enough.
7. My grandmother country house
You are lucky if you have grandmother in the country to go to.
Visiting our
old relatives gives us excellent chance to become children again. Every
time
you are at your grannies they start to take care of you.
That’s why everybody
loves his grannies very much. Countryside is always the nicest place
for everybody
as its fresh air cheers you up and the low level of noise helps you to
have
real rest.
My grandmother lives at Oceanskaya station. Every summer I got
used to spent
my summer vocations at her place. It is the nicest place for me. There
is sand
beach and deep forest – it is all I need for the rest. Every
day is full of
adventures – you may investigate woods, get sunburn or swim
in the sea. And if
you also find good friends to spend time with – you may call
this place real
paradise. And all this pleasures one can get only in 25 kilometres of
the city!
My grandmother is kind old woman. Her name is Lidia Federovna.
All her life
she worked hard and now she is still very industrious and
tender-hearted. I
love her very much. All best moments in my life I spent at her place at
Okeanskaya station. I will never forget my grandmother’s
house and I am sure
the impressions I got there will be among the brightest in my life.
8. The lesson of English
As you know, our group has two English lessons a week: on
Tuesday and
Friday. When the teacher come and opens the door, we come in and sit
down at
the tables. Then we open our bags and take our exercise books and
Bonk’s
textbooks.
And soon the lesson begins... We usually start it by
pronouncing different
words and sounds. Then we are usually invited to the blackboard by the
teacher
and Oksana Victorovna asks us the words we were to teach by heart.
After that
we usually do some exercises from the textbook. These exercises teach
us to ask
questions, or how to make negative sentences and so on. Then, having
got our
exercise books for tests, we usually write spelling, two tests and a
quiz.
During the lesson we speak mostly English, but sometimes, when the
students
don’t understand the teacher or the task in the textbook, we
start speaking
Russian.
What I like best of all in our English lessons is the gay,
friendly
atmosphere in the class. The funny joke is always greeted.
To the end of the lesson the teacher always gives us a huge
homework. It
usually consists of learning new words or a text by heart and making
several
exercises in a writing form. Then we all say good-bye to our teacher
and begin
preparing to the new lesson.
Here I want to end my small composition about the English
lessons in the
university, where I study. And I want to say you that all English
lessons are
between the most interesting and the most exciting lessons;
that’s why I like
them very much.
9. What will be there in my new flat
Every young man wants to live independently. And I’m
not an exception. Of course,
the time will come, when I will alone in my flat. I wait for this
moment and
imagine, that my new flat will be at least three roomed. There will be
a study,
a bedroom, a dinning-room. Of course, there also will be a kitchen and
a
bathroom. The dinning- room will be big comfortable room with big table
in the
centre. There also will be several armchairs, and a big TV set in it.
In this
room I shall receive guests. I also shall put a piano in the one of
corners of
the room and shall start taking piano lessons cause I like this musical
instrument very much.
The bedroom will become my favourite one because it is a room
of rest where
everybody can spend several hours without noise and fuss. There I shall
put my
PC that helps me very much.
Another room – study will be the place where I shall
do all my work. There
will be a large table full of papers and several shelves. I am going to
gather
big collection of books, so they won’t stay empty.
That’s how I imagine my future flat. I hope that
these dreams will become
true.
10. How did I spend last summer?
I think summer is the best season for rest because it is warm,
the nature is
beautiful and we have great opportunities for rest. Summer is a time of
holidays. We can go for a walk all day long, watch the clouds, swim,
sit down
by a river or a lake on fresh, green grass, climb high hills, play
different
games, ride a bicycle and so on.
I spend my summer holidays at my granny. There were many
things there to
enjoy. I swam in the sea, lay in the sun and did many other things.
Sometimes I
made a fire with my friends at the seaside and cooked potatoes there.
It was
wonderful. We told anecdotes to each other, and did everything we
wanted. I
also got used to walk alone in the forest.
When the August was coming to the end, I went on a small
voyage by ship. The
ship name was “Olga Sadovskaya” .
But the last summer wasn’t for me only sugar and
honey. I have passed
through the graduating exams in school and entering exams in the
university and
technical university. So the bigger part of my summer vocations I spent
at the
books. Of course, it was not interesting, but I’m glad that I
did it because
now I’m a student of the best university in Primorye and the
whole Far-East.
11. My first journey
For some people there is nothing so exciting as travelling,
and I’m not an
exception. And I’m happy that I have travelled a lot and I
hope that my first
journey wasn’t the last one.
First I bought a ticket for plane. Many people think, that
nothing can be
compared with travelling by air, because it is the most comfortable,
and, of
course, the quickest way of moving. There is none of the dust and dirt
of a
railway or car journey, none of the trouble of changing from train of
another
to streamer and then to another train. But booking tickets in summer is
a
problem. The airfare is quite expensive and not all people can afford
it.
Then I continued my way by the train. This kind of transport
has also many
advantages. With a train you have a comfort and speed combined. From a
comfortable
corner seat of a railway carriage you have a splendid view of
countryside. If
you are hungry you can have a meal in the dinning-car and if the
journey is
long one can have a bed in a sleeper.
But I believe that there is no travel so fine as by ship.
It’s wonderful to
feel the deck of the ship under the feet, to see the rise and fall of
the
waves, to feel the fresh sea wind blowing in the face, hear the cry of
the sea
gulls. Of course, the voyage isn’t exciting for those who are
seasick when the
sea is a little bit rough.
Many people say: “Give me a walking tour any
time” . And it is not
surprising. The walker leaves the dull, broad highway and goes along
little
winding lanes where cars can’t go. He takes mountain paths
through the heather,
he wonders by the side of quiet lakes and through the shades of woods.
He sees the real country, the wild flowers, the young birds in
their nests,
the deer in the forest; he feels the quietness and calm of nature. And
besides,
you are saving a lot of money by travelling on foot. No one can deny
that
walking is the cheapest method of travelling.
12. My work at the foreign trade company
Hello, my name is Maxim Sviridov. I work as a manager at the
“Star tour”
company. It is Russian company, which works on the business travel
market. Two
weeks ago I was sent by the administration of our company to London
where I
studied the English travel companies, their traditions, their marketing
and
management. Now my business trip is coming to the end and I want to
share with
you my impressions of English business world. First of all English
businessmen
are well known all over the world for their honesty and decency. If an
Englishman gives you his word he will keep it in any case. Besides
that,
nothing can prevent him from refusing the once taken decision. Of
course, there
are some exclusions, but they are so rare that nobody should put
attention on
them.
During the last two weeks my working day was approximately the
same. Early
in the morning I took a taxi to my hosts’ headquarters, which
is situated in
the City – the business heart of London. First of all I
usually asked Ms.
Lapital – my secretary if there were any letters or cables
for me. Then she
gave me my correspondence and fresh newspapers and I followed to my
office-room.
There I studied all documents that had come for my name and wrote a
short
report about previous business day and then faxed it to my native
company in
Vladivostok. After that I went to Mr. Forsberg’s office-room
to get tasks for
the new day and ask some questions about their company, its history,
traditions, clients, and so on. After that I usually did what Mr.
Forsberg
asked. My usual job was meeting with potential clients, discussing
their rest
plans and offering the services of Mr. Forsberg’s company. I
usually met with
10 or 12 people a day. They were representatives of different social
groups and
communicating with them increased my knowledge of England and
Englishmen, their
psychology greatly. This business trip was a great chance for me and I
hope I used
this chance fully. Now I know a lot about Western business world, about
travel
business and this knowledge will, of course, help my in my future
career.
13. My breakfast
It is not a secret that our meals influence much on our health
and our mood.
That’s why I consider breakfast to be the most important meal
in the day as it
is the first our meal and it can put us in good spirits or it
can’t. Now I
shall tell you about my breakfast.
In the morning I usually have porridge. I often start my
breakfast with a
cereal which is not cooked, it is something dry, ready to be eaten or
muesli –
some grain or porridge which is not cooked with dried fruit, nuts and
so on.
I also like eggs (cooked in different ways) . I
don’t practically eat
butter; I prefer soft margarine – made of vegetable fat,
which is not heavy and
creamy. I don’t eat jam at breakfast, I eat marmalade which
is not sweet, there
is slight bitterness; it’s rather pleasant.
I usually don’t have substantial breakfast on
weekdays; I do it on weekends
when I get up late. Very often I have just tea or coffee with
sandwiches. I
usually take tea with milk. I like very strong tea without sugar.
Sometimes when I am in hurry I don’t have time to
have proper breakfast and
I go to the university being hungry. In such case I usually buy
something like
“Snickers” or “Mars” on my way
to the Alma Mater.
14. My district and my flat
As you know, Vladivostok, the capital of the Primorsky region,
occupies the
peninsula of Murav’ev-Amursky, which is washed by Amur and
Ussuri gulfs. One
part of this peninsula, called Egersheld (it was named after one of the
explores of Russian Far-East) , is my native district. Egersheld is
known from
the foundation of Vladivostok. More then one hundred years ago the
first houses
for the seamen appeared in it. Since that time Egersheld is known as
the
working center of the city. Now, for example, the territory of the
commercial
port is situated in this district. Egersheld is the most environmental
friendly
district in the city as it is open to strong sea winds, which blow out
all
harmful substances in the air and clouds of dust. Of course, this has a
negative side – the average temperature in the district in
winter is lower than
in the other parts of Vladivostok. As my native district occupies very
special
geographical position (in fact, Egersheld – is a small
peninsula of
Murav’ev-Amursky peninsula) so its citizens may admire
beautiful sea scenes
every evening when the sun is hiding for the horizon. These seascapes
are
really breathtaking and very often you may see dozens of artists trying
to
carry this wonderful sight to paper or canvas.
Now about my flat. I live in Sipyagina, 31. Our flat is not
very large, its
double-roomed. If you know the word “khrushovka” ,
you may imagine what is our
flat looks like. Besides these two rooms we also have a kitchen and a
bathroom.
I think there is no any outstanding thing in our flat that is worth
describing.
We have a TV set in one of the rooms, two wardrobes, two working
tables, and
small bookcase where our home library is kept.