Holidays in Russia

As you know every country and every nation has its customs, traditions and holidays.

There are many national holidays in Russia, when people have special celebrations. The main holidays in our country are New Year’s Day, Christmas, May Day, Victory Day and Independence Day. They appeared many years ago.

The first holidays are New Year’s Day and Christmas. There are a lot of New Year’s traditions in Russia. In every home there is a New Year tree; children always meet Father Frost and Snow Maiden with presents. People celebrate this holiday at midnight on the 31^st of December.

We celebrate Christmas on the 7^th of January. It is a religious holiday and many people go to the church this day.

The greatest holiday of our country is Victory Day on the 9^th of May.

Independence Day is a new holiday in our country; we celebrate it on the 12^th of June.

We also celebrate Women’s Day, Shrovetide, Easter, Day of Knowledge and lots of professional holidays.

We like our traditions and holidays very much and enjoy celebrating them. We are proud of our traditions and carefully keep them.

the traditions of Great Britain

As you know every country and every nation has its customs, traditions and holidays.

In Britain traditions play more important part in the life of the people than in other countries. Englishmen are very proud of their traditions and carefully keep them.

People in Great Britain prefer to live in the cottages with the fireplace in it. They are fond of gardening and animals, and collect almost everything: cards, coins, stamps and books. Also they wear bowler hats, drink tea and speak about the weather. These traditions appeared many years ago.

There are a lot of national holidays in Britain. For example, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, May Day, Easter.

They celebrate Christmas on the 25^th of December. It is the most exciting day for English children. They put stockings at the end of their beds and hope that Father Christmas will come and bring special presents.

Also Englishmen celebrate such holidays as Halloween, St. Valentine’s Day, April Fool’s Day.

They like their traditions and holidays very much and enjoy celebrating them.

Sport

Sport is very important in our life. Sport helps people to be healthy. Many people do morning exercises, jog in the morning, go to clubs and take part in sport competitions. Children and grown-ups must take care of their health and do morning exercises regularly.

Some people like sports too, but they only watch sports games, listen to sports news.

There are summer and winter sports. People prefer different kinds of sports: swimming, football, volleyball, hockey, gymnastics, skiing, skating, athletics.

For example, Britain is surrounded by water, that’s why swimming, water skiing are very popular in this country. Also football and golf are traditional British sports.

As for me, my favourite sport is swimming. I go to the swimming-pool twice a week. I can play football and tennis. But I’m not good at basketball.

So, sport helps people to keep fit.

Hobby

Hobby is something you like to do in your free time. If you have a hobby, your life is more interesting and exciting.

Some people have animals as hobbies. They keep rabbits or go fishing. They train dogs to do tricks. Some are crazy about plants. They grow rare tropical flowers. Others are mad about their cars or motorbikes. The most popular hobby is collecting things. People collect stamps, coins, medals, toys, books and many other things. Some people are fond of traveling, gardening and growing flowers. Many boys and girls are fond of sports and music.

As for me, I enjoy listening to music, too. 3 months ago my parents bought me a CD player and I decided to collect compact discs. I like different music. I collect discs of my favourite groups and singers. I try to find everything about my favourite singers. Also I like to watch music programmes on TV.

Of course, I am fond of sports. As for me, my favourite sport is swimming. I go to the swimming-pool twice a week. I can play football and tennis. But I’m not good at basketball.

You see, hobbies nowadays are very different and you can choose what hobby to have.

London

The Romans went to England many, many years ago. They built a town on the river Thames. The name of the town was Londinium. In Roman times Londinium was a small town. But when William the Conqueror became King of London, he built a lot of new buildings.

Now London is the capital of Great Britain. Its population is more than 7 million people. London is a cultural centre. There are many cinemas, museums, libraries and parks in the city. St. James’s Park is one of the royal parks. Here you can see pelicans and ducks. In Regent’s Park there is the London Zoo. It is one of the biggest parks in the world.

Also here you can see Big Ben, one of the most famous clocks in the world. Westminster Abbey is a royal church and St. Paul’s Cathedral is the second famous church. It was built by Sir Christopher Wren.

The heart of London is Trafalgar Square. It is a very beautiful city and I would like to visit it one day.

My native town Chelyabinsk

Chelyabinsk is situated in one of the most picturesque parts of Russia – in the Urals. The history of Chelyabinsk goes back to the 18^th century. It was founded in 1736 as a small fortress on the right bank of the Miass river.

In the 19^th century Chelyabinsk was a small provincial town, but now it is a great industrial city and important cultural centre. Its population is more than 1 million people.

There are many plants, factories and business centers in our city. I advise everybody to go to Drama Theatre, Picture Gallery and some museums. There are a lot of historical monuments, parks, squares and beautiful streets in Chelyabinsk, one of them is Kirovka. Opera and Ballet House is the most attractive building in our city. Chelyabinsk Opera House is well known all over Russia. And in my free time I try not to miss a chance to enjoy good performance.

I like my native city and Chelyabinsk region, because of its old and modern buildings, its picturesque places, lakes, rivers, forests and mountains. Welcome to our city!

My friend

Friends are very important in our life. I have a very good friend. His (her) name is ... My friend is my classmate. We are in the 5^th form. He (she) lives not far from my house, in Kalinina Street.  

My friend is a very good, kind and clever boy (girl). ….. is tall (short) and thin. He has short dark (fair) hair, thick lips and a round face. (….. is short (tall) and slim. She has got long (short) blond (dark) hair, thick lips and an oval face).

As for her (his) hobby, she (he) likes to play computer games. 3 months ago her (his) parents bought her (him) a very interesting game and she (he) decided to collect them. ….. (he) likes different games, but they should be good and not only entertaining but useful. She (he) collects games of strategies, football, people’s life in the city and country, wildlife and many others.

We often spend our free time together. When we have some free time, we go for walks, read and discuss books, watch films or play computer games. Both of us are fond of sport. We often go to the swimming pool together. We are football fans and we like to watch and discuss football matches on TV or to go to the stadium.

I love my friend very much. I think he (she) is a true friend