1. Ben writes:

…We’ve moved house and now I have to go to a new school. It’s a pity because I liked my old school and I had a lot of friends there. Now I feel a bit lonely but I hope to find some friends here too….

…What do you like most about your school? Have you got a lot of friends at school? What do you usually do with your school friends in your free time? …

2.Ben writes:

…I am so fond of Japanese cartoons, that I’ve decided to learn Japanese. Mum says it’s hard, but I think it’s worth it. Besides, their writing is cool! …

…What languages do you learn at school? What other language would you like to learn, why? What do you think about my choice of Japanese? …

3.Ben writes:

…I am a bit sad because I have just quarrelled with my mum. I didn’t want to wash the dishes and make my bed because there was an interesting film on TV…

…Do you think children should help their parents with the housework, why/why not? What do you do about the house? What do you usually do in your free time? …

4.Ben writes:

…My cat is getting old. But he’s still able to jump on the fridge and he likes to watch Mum making dinner for him. And he is so cool: big, white and furry! He is such fun! I can’t understand people who prefer to live without pets…

…Why don’t some people want to have any pets? Do you approve of keeping exotic pets like spiders or snakes, why? What pets are popular in your country? …

5.Ben writes:

…Sometimes I hate our school radio because they talk about things everyone knows. And news should be fresh! One day I will be a reporter and will show them how to produce really good news…

…How do you get to know what’s happening in the world? What are you going to be? Do you think English will be necessary for your future career, why? …

6.Ben writes:

… I can’t imagine my life without my computer and the Internet! Now I can write all my stories and immediately send them to my friends to read...

…What do you use your computer for? How much time do you spend working on your computer? What else do you do in your free time? …

7.Ben writes:

…and then she gave me a present: two tickets to the theatre. It was a great performance and the actors were wonderful. I am not a theatre goer but even I was impressed. …

…Do you think it’s exciting to be a famous actor, why? When did you last see a theatrical performance? What do you like to do in your free time? …

8.Ann writes:

…Oh, my friend is so charming! Everybody in the class is ready to help her. But, you know, I sometimes think she’s just using people to get what she wants…

…What kind of person is your best friend? When and where did you meet? How do you spend time together?…

9.Ben writes:

…What an awful task – to read boring books all summer! And the list is so long! I like reading but the books I like are usually not my school’s choice…

…How long is your school’s list of books? What kind of books do you like to read? Do you think an electronic book is a good choice when you’re travelling in the summer, why? …

10.Ben writes:

…Yesterday was a special day – we had the Earth Hour. My town (and lots of towns around) went dark for one hour. It’s one of the ideas of an ecological group called the Green Movement. We switched off the lights to draw people’s attention to the poor ecological situation on the planet …

…Do people have the Earth Hour in your country? What can people do to save energy in their everyday life? Do you approve of the Green Movement, why? …

11.Ben writes:

…. My older brother has decided to collect mugs, imagine that. He has already got eight mugs from different places he has visited. It’s a nice collection but it takes up so much room …

 …Why do people collect things? What do you collect or what would you like to collect? What other hobbies are popular with teenagers in your country? …

12.Ben writes:

… I’m having a very busy time now as I have to get ready for my exams. As far as I know, all students in Russia have to take school exams too…

…When are you going to have your exams? What exams have you chosen and why? What are your plans for the summer holidays? …

13.Ben writes:

… Today is Sunday, but I feel bored and unhappy. It’s already been raining hard for two days and there’s nothing to do at home…

…What is your favourite season and why? What do you do when the weather is rainy? How do you usually spend your weekends? …

14.Ann writes:

…My friend has decided to become a model and has just gone on a diet. I told her that it could be dangerous but she wouldn’t listen. Besides, she is a vegetarian, so there are not many products she can let herself eat now…

…Why do people become vegetarians? What do you do to keep fit? What food do you try to avoid? …

15.Ben writes:

...I’ve just joined our school Drama club. We give performances in English and in French. Our parents and classmates think that our performances are very good. After all, school is not only about learning...

…What do you like most about your school? What school clubs do you have? Have you joined any of your school clubs, why? …

16.Ben writes:

…Yesterday I did a test to see which job is the most appropriate for me. According to the results I should become a doctor. But it would be absolutely impossible because I am afraid of blood…

…What future career would you like to have, why? Do your parents agree with your choice? In what way will English be useful for your career? …

17.Ben writes:

...What a journey! We went by car to Brighton and spent a couple of days at the seaside. I wish we could go there again! ...

…Why is travelling so popular? Where would you like to go? How do you prefer to travel and why? …

18.Ben writes:

… My mum always says “There’s no bad weather, there’re bad clothes!” That’s why she keeps telling me to put on warm clothes even in spring. …

…Do you agree with the English proverb about bad weather and bad clothes, why? What clothes do you prefer to wear out of school? What are your favourite colours for clothes? …

19.Ben writes:

…Yesterday our teacher asked us to stay after classes. A basketball star came to us to talk about sport in everyday life. The way he spoke about being a teenager was funny. He said he didn’t like getting up early!…

…When do you get up in the morning? What do you do to keep fit? Would you like to go in for sports professionally, why? …

20.Ben writes:

…I’ve just been to the zoo. What lovely animals are there! Bears, tigers and even sharks! When I look at them in the zoo I can hardly imagine that they could be dangerous or eat other animals…

… What do you think is better for animals – to live in the zoo or in the wild, why? What animals are common in your region? Have you ever seen any animal in the wild? …

21.Ben writes:

...One of my friends gets ill very often. The doctor says that it’s because he lives in a big city with a poor environment...

…What ecological problems are the most serious in your country? What can teenagers do to make their hometown cleaner? Would you like to live in a big city or in the country, why? …

22.Ben writes:

...My friend was very impressed by the Moscow Kremlin. He said that Russian architecture is fascinating.  I'd like to go to Russia for my holidays, too...

…How do you usually spend your holidays? What is the best season for travelling in Russia, why? What tourist attractions would you recommend seeing in your country? …

23.Ann writes:

… My older brother has got a new hobby – he has become a mountain biker. I know that mountain biking is a dangerous kind of sport and I worry about him. I would like him to spend more time at home. I wish he had chosen a safer entertainment…

…What indoor sports are most popular with teenagers in your country? Why do teenagers often do extreme sports? What kind of sport is your favourite? …

24.Ben writes:

… Last year I started learning Russian. It’s a very difficult language but I’m trying my best. I’d like to come to Russia one day to practise it. …

…Which season would you recommend for the trip? What places are worth seeing in Russia? What country would you like to visit, why? …

25.Ben writes:

…My granny is such a kind person. She always brings us presents for everything we celebrate. And I love all her presents! For example, at Christmas she gave me the coolest computer game, it was something I had been dreaming of …

…What holidays do you celebrate with your family? What is your favourite holiday and why? What is the best present you’ve ever received? …

26.Ben writes:

… I am very busy now preparing for my exams, but yesterday I went to the cinema with my friends. We saw a new film about Sherlock Holmes. You’ve probably seen it, too. …

…What kinds of films do you like? Where do you prefer watching films – in the cinema or at home and why? What would you make a film about if you had a chance?…

27.Ben writes:

….I have decided to take up collecting stamps as my new hobby. My uncle is a traveller and often brings me stamps from different countries….

…What hobbies are popular with Russian teenagers? What hobby would you like to take up, why? What do you usually do in your free time? …

28.Ben writes:

…I’ve just been to Australia. I saw kangaroos and koalas! I even learned surfing at one of the Australian beaches! That was unbelievable! I definitely want to go there again!

…Where did you spend your last summer? What did you like most about it? Which country would you like to visit one day, why? …

29.Ben writes:

...I’ve just returned from China. They were celebrating the Chinese New Year there. Lots of people were dressed like dragons...

…What holidays are the most popular in Russia? What is your favourite holiday and why? How do you celebrate it? …

30.Ben writes:

...I saved some of my pocket money and have bought a new computer game. I’m glad that I didn’t have to ask my parents to buy it for me. It would be great to find a job next summer ….

…How do you get your pocket money? What do Russian teenagers usually buy with their pocket money? Would you like to get a summer job or not, why? …

31.Ben writes:

…As you know, I am a tennis club member. I go there regularly, but my best friend doesn’t want to do any sport…

…Should people do sports, why? What sports do you like? What do you do in your PE lessons? …

32.Ben writes:

… I live in the centre of the city.  But I’ve always dreamed about living in the country.

…Where do you live: in the city or in the country? What are the best things about living in your place? Where would you like to live, why? …

33.Ben writes:

… I want to be a scientist and I would try to discover a new medicine for cancer. That’s why I’m interested in Science.

…What job would you like to do in the future? What school subjects are important for your future career? Which subjects have you chosen for your exams and why? …

34.Ben writes:

… I’m very busy preparing for my school exams in Literature and History. To pass them successfully, I have to remember a lot.

…What subjects have you chosen for your exams and why? What type of exam do you prefer – oral or written? How do you prepare for exams? …

35.Ben writes:

… I like summer because I can give as much time as I want to my hobby – reading. I know it sounds strange nowadays.

…Why do teenagers read less than their parents did? What kind of books do you like reading? What do you do in your free time? ...

36.Ben writes:

… Most of my classmates like summer. But I like winter holidays. I’m keen on skating, and in winter I’ve got lots of opportunities to do my hobby.

…When do you have your school holidays in Russia? Which holidays are the shortest? Which holidays are your favourite and why? …

37.Ben writes:

… and everything went  wrong today. Tuesday is always the hardest day for me. Besides everything else, there’s lots of homework for Wednesday. …What is your favourite lesson, why do you like it?  How long does it usually take you to do homework? What else do you usually do after lessons?...

38.Ben writes:

… We moved and I had to go to a new school. It’s a good school but I feel very lonely as I don't know anybody there. It’ll take me ages to make new friends.

…Have you got a best friend? When and where did you meet? What do you like most about your friend? Why? ...

39.Ben writes:

… My brother sent his best photos to a young photographers' competition and won a camera. It was cool! I'll try my luck one day too.

…What kind of competition would you like to take part in?  What prize would you like to win?  Do you think participating in competitions is worth the time and effort, why? …

40.Ben writes:

… Yesterday, I took part in a competition for those who speak French. I hope to win first prize.

…How many foreign languages do you learn at school? What language besides English would you like to speak? What English-speaking country would you like to visit and why? …

41.Ben writes:

… I enjoy travelling, and I travel a lot with my family.

…Do you like travelling, why? Where would you like to go? What is your favourite means of transport, why? ...

42.Ben writes:

… Lots of people do sports but I’m not keen on any sport. I prefer reading detective stories. My parents keep saying that everyone should do some sport.

…Do you agree with them and why?  What sport do you do? What else do you do to keep fit? ...

43.Ben writes:

… My older brother spends too much time playing computer games. His passion for computers worries the whole family.

…Are you keen on computer games? What do you use your computer for? How long do your parents let you use a computer a day? Why? …

44.Ben writes:

… I have found a summer job in the pizzeria and I hope to earn enough money to buy a guitar.

…How do teenagers get pocket money in your country? What summer jobs are popular with Russian teenagers? What kind of summer jobs would you choose for yourself and why? …

45.Ben writes:

… We moved and I had to change school. In the new school, they wear uniform. I don’t like the uniform but I have to wear it.

…Do Russian schoolchildren wear uniform in school?  Do you have a uniform in your school? Do you think wearing uniform is necessary for students, why?  …

46.Your friend writes:

... You’ve probably seen the photos which I took on my holiday. During the rainy day we are having now they bring back good memories! The countryside, the mountains, and I could ride my bicycle all day long! ...

...Where did you spend your last summer holidays? What did you do during your holidays? What holidays do you like more (summer or winter holidays) and why?...

47.Your friend writes:

...It may sound unusual, but my friend likes reading very much.  He reads not only popular books but classics as well. As for me, I read only books from the school list…

... What books do you like to read? Do you prefer e-books or paper books and why? What hobbies apart from reading are popular with your friends?...

48.Your friend writes:

... You know, I love history so much that maybe I’ll become a historian in the future. I think it is very interesting and important to know and understand your past. …

... What school subjects do you find the most important? Is there any school subject that you’d like to study more and why? What career would you like to choose in the future?...

49.Your friend writes:

… My parents say that I watch TV too much. And they are not always happy with the programmes I watch. I understand that often watching TV is waste of time but I can’t live without TV anyway. ...

…How much do you watch TV? What do you prefer: watching TV or browsing the Internet, why? What else do you do in your free time?...

50.Your friend writes:

…Time has come to choose a profession for the future. I’m still thinking about it but I really don’t know what career to choose…

…What would you like to be in the future?  Will you use English for your future job? What do your parents advise you to be? …

51.Your friend writes:

...My parents want me to do music. It’s not what I really want to do but I have no choice. I’ve promised my parents to take at least 20 lessons. It means I won’t have any free time for about three months! Awful, isn’t it?...

…What do you do in your free time? What kind of music do you like? What musical instrument would you like to play, if any?...

52.Your friend writes:

…You’ll never believe it but I tried to run a marathon last Saturday. It was awful and in half an hour I was out of the race. So, now I realized how weak and unfit my body is. It’s probably because I watch sports on TV much more often than do it...

….What do you do to keep fit? What sports facilities do you have in your school? What kind of sport do you find ideal for young people? Why?

53.Your friend writes:

…My mum still can’t download new music into her mobile phone. She says when she was young, there were no mobile phones at all. I just can’t believe it!…

... What do you use your mobile phone for? Can you do without your mobile phone and why? What other digital do you find the most important for you?...

54.Paul writes:

… Yesterday we had a class where we discussed different ecological problems. Our teacher suggested opening an eco-club, where we can do something useful for the environment ...

…What ecological problem do you consider the most serious? What can young people do to protect the environment? Do you think ecological problems should be discussed at school, and why?

55.Your friend writes:

….Frankly, I don’t understand why some people like classical music. I adore rock and usually listen to it on my way home from school. If my favourite band comes to our town, I’ll definitely go to their concert...

….What kind of music do you like? Do you think it is necessary to have music lessons at school, why? What musical instrument would you like to play?...

56.Your friend writes:

… I’ve just returned from our local museum. I have seen lots of curious things and I have learned some new information about our town. I was  surprised that a visit to a museum could be so enjoyable...

...Do you find visiting museums interesting and why? What museum would you like to set up, if any? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?...

57.Your friend writes:

... Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving.  This is one of our favourite family holidays when we all get together. And my mother makes a wonderful pumpkin pie!…

...What holiday do you like most and why?  How do you celebrate your birthday?  What present would you like to get for your next birthday? ...

58.Your friend writes:

… We are having a Maths test tomorrow. It makes me feel scared! I would rather have three language tests instead of one Maths test. I really find learning foreign languages interesting and not difficult at all. ...

…What subject is the most difficult for you? What do you do to improve your English?  What language apart from English would you like to learn and why?...

59.Your friend writes:

…  I’ve just watched a TV series about robots, their past and future. Robots are so cool! If only they could do my homework…

...What jobs would you like a robot to do at your home? What else can robots be used for? Do you find science fiction films interesting or not, and why?....

60.Your friend writes:

… The end of the school year is usually a very stressful time for me. We have to take lots of tests and exams. The only thing that makes me happy is that the holidays are coming. ...

…What exams do you take this year? How do you prepare for your English exam? What are your plans for the coming summer holidays?...

61.Your friend writes:

… I had to change school because we had moved to a new house. My new school is right next to it. It is very convenient but everything is so strange here: new rules, a new uniform, new people. I haven’t made any friends yet  ...

…How long does it take you to get to your school? What clothes do you wear to school?  How do you spend time with your school friends? …

62.Your friend writes:

… Last month I was late for my classes several times. Though I wasn’t late on purpose and it wasn’t actually my fault, I was punished. ...

…Do any students in your class sometimes come too late to school? What are their usual reasons for coming late?  Is there any punishment for late comers at your school and what is it?...

63.Your friend writes:

...I’ve just changed school. I’m fond of Mathematics and it’s the major subject in my new school. The only thing I don’t like here is too much homework! ...

…What is your favourite subject? How long does it take you to do your homework? What do you do in your free time?...