About myself

Hello, friends. Let me first introduce myself. My name is Ann or Anya for my friends. My surname or last name is Sokolova. I was born on the 2^nd of October in Sochi, Krasnodarsky Krai. This is the most beautiful city in Russia situated on the Black Sea coast. Now I am a first-year student at the Technical Academy. In five years I’ll be an engineer.

Now let me describe my appearance. I am tall and slim and have fair hair and blue eyes. My friends say that I am pretty. I think I am just good-looking. I love sports and music. I was very serious about a career in gymnas­tics when I was in the 5^th form. But then I broke my arm and doctors didn’t let me go in for gymnastics. I love to listen to modern music and dance. I dance a lot and I hope I am good at it. I also love swimming. I always swim in the Black sea when I visit my parents, my dear family.

I would like to tell you about my family. There are five people in our family. My father’s name is Vladimir Stepanovich. He is a mathematician by education and businessman by profession. My mother’s name is Tatyana Petrovna. She is a housewife. She has much work about the house because I have a younger sister. She is a schoolgirl. My sister Natasha is in the fifth form. My grandmother, my mother’s mother, lives with us. She is very kind and helps us a lot.

Our family is very friendly, we have many friends. In summer many relatives come to visit us. And, of course, they use a chance to spend several weeks in beautiful Sochi.

In May I have finished school No 5 in Sochi. I did well in all the subjects but my favourite subjects at school were Physics and Computer Science. I also enjoyed English lessons.

I am very interested in learning English because I always wanted to become a programmer or maybe a businesswoman. I also think that the knowledge of foreign languages helps in everyday life and career.

Two years ago I travelled much around Europe. I have visited France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. There the knowledge of English helped me a lot.

Vocabulary.

Black Sea coast – побережье Черного моря

a first-year student – студент(ка) первого курса

to describe – описывать

appearance – внешность

career – карьера

to go in for gymnastics – заниматься гимнастикой

mathematician – математик

housewife – домохозяйка

to do well – зд. успевать

the Netherlands – Нидерланды

Exercise 11: Answer the questions:

1. Where and when was Ann Sokolova born?

2. How old is she?

3. Can you describe Ann’s appearance?

4. Has she got a family?

5. How many people are there in her family?

6. Did she study well at school?

7. What school did she finish?

8. What were her favourite subjects at school?

9. What sport did she go in for when she was in the 5^th form?

10. What does she want to become?

11. Is Ann interested in learning English? Why is she interested in it?

Exercise 12: Translate the following English words and word combinations into Russian:

To introduce smb.; surname; the most beautiful city; in some years; to describe smb’s appearance; tall and slim; to go in for gymnastics; to be good at smth.; mathematician by education; a housewife; to have much work about the house; to help a lot; to spend several weeks in Sochi; to do well in all the subjects; to be interested in learning English; the knowledge of foreign languages; to travel much around Europe.

Exercise 13: Please, imagine that Ann Sokolova is your friend. Introduce Ann to your group mates: describe her appearance, tell some words about her family, her studies, hobbies and interests.

Exercise 14: Read and translate the text about the biography of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Answer the questions after the text.

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin – the head of the RF government

Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad, October 7, 1952.

In 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from Leningrad State University. Later he earned a Ph.D degree in economics.

After graduation, Mr. Putin was assigned to work in the KGB. From 1985 to 1990 he worked in East Germany.

In 1990, he became assistant to the rector of Leningrad State Univer­sity responsible for international affairs.

His next position was an advisor to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.

In June 1991, he became chairman of the St. Petersburg City Council’s International Relations Committee and, starting with 1994, he combined this post with the position of First Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg City Government (First Deputy Mayor).

In August 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the President’s Administrative Directorate (Property Management Directorate).

In March 1997, he became deputy head of the Executive Office of the President (Presidential Administration) and head of the Central Supervi­sion and Inspections Directorate.

In May 1998, he was promoted to first deputy head of the Presidential Administration.

In July 1998, he was appointed director of the Federal Security Serv­ice and, as of March 1999, he combined this position with that of Secretary of the Security Council.

In August 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister.

On December 31, 1999, he became acting President.

On March 26, 2000, he was elected President of Russia and was inau­gurated as president on May 7, 2000.

On March 14, 2004, he was elected President of Russia for the second term.

In 2008 he became the head of the Russian Federation government.

Speaks German and English.

Married to Lyudmila Putina. They have two daughters: Maria (1985), Katerina (1986).

VOCABULARY

Ph.D. degree in economics — кандидат экономических наук

to assign — назначать на должность

to be responsible for smth. — быть ответственным за что-л.

position — положение; должность

to appoint — назначать (на должность), утверждать (в должности)

to promote — выдвигать; продвигать; повышать в чине/звании

Exercise 15: Answer the questions.

1. When and where was Vladimir Putin born?

2. What education has he got?

3. Where did he work and what positions did he hold?

4. When was he elected the President of Russia for the first term?

For the second term?

5. What can you say about his family?

6. How many languages does he speak?

Тексты для самостоятельной работы студентов:

1. Л.В. Хведченя, Р.В. Хорень «Английский язык для поступающих в вузы», Минск, 1996, стр. 164 – My biography; стр. 170 – My family.

2. И.В. Цветкова, И.А. Клепальченко, Н.А. Мыльцева «Английский язык для школьников и поступающих в вузы», Москва, 1996, стр. 96 – My family; стр. 102 – My friend; стр. 152 – Mozart; стр. 158 – Albert Einstein.

3. И.П. Агабекян, П.И. Коваленко «Английский для технических вузов», Ростов-на-Дону, 2004, стр. 23-25 – My biography after Mark Twain.

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