Text 5 The Greys

There are six people in his family: Mr. John Grey, his wife Helen, John’s parents Jim and Margaret and their children Robert and Lucy. John is 36 years old. So is Helen. Their birthdays are late in September. They always have them at home. Jim Grey is 65. His wife Margaret is 17 years younger. She is Jim’s second wife. Susan, John’s mother, died when he was 5. Robert and Lucy are schoolchildren. Robert is 12. He is three years older than his sister. They are baptized like their parents and grandparents. They all were married in church. Jim Grey is a retired aircraft officer of the US air force. He has been a very experienced pilot of transport aviation for many years. Then he finished the US air force academy and became a top ranking commanding officer.

His wife Margaret is a former school cooking teacher. After finishing her teacher’s college she worked at a small elementary school teaching music to 7-8 year old children. At 25 she married a 37-years-old very handsome and gay military pilot who soon perished in an air crash. Margaret became a widow with a two years old son. She saw Jim Grey for the first time at the restaurant where she had her birthday party. Jim was among her guests, very joyful and bright. They got acquainted while dancing.

John didn’t want to take after his father in professions. He became a skillful lawyer working with Tomson’s firm. His salary is rather high. It is enough for the family’s good living standard.

Helen is at work only 3 days a week. She earns less money but she has more time for her family. Helen is a computer engineer by education. She is good at sewing, painting, cooking. She is not fond of staying in the kitchen for long hours. She usually cooks on holidays when the Greys receive guests, coming to their small town from other US places.

Margaret, John’s step-mother, can cook well. She has to cook almost every day. She is up and about since early morning. Jim, her husband, is always busy in their country house and kitchen garden taking care of their sheep, cows, pigs, hens, ducks and growing vegetables. Jim is a good farmer.

Answer these questions:

1. How many people are there in the Greys family? 2. Were they all married in church? 3. What is Jim Grey? 4. Was he a very experienced pilot? 5. Where did Margaret meet Jim for the first time? 6. What is Helen by profession? 7. What is she good at? 8. Who can cook well? 9. Where is Jim busy? 10. Is Jim a good farmer?

Studies

Text 1 Studies at University

I finished school last year and started University. Now I am a University student.

The academic year begins in September and ends in June. It has two terms. Each term ends with credit tests and examinations. Students have 2 examination periods a year: in January and in June. After examination periods students have holidays. The University course lasts 5 years.

During the academic year students do various subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History, Computing, Economics, Foreign Languages, Technology, Art, Psychology and others. It depends on the faculty they are in. Students have classes, lectures, seminars, laboratory works, and practical classes at the workshops. They also have classes of physical education. Students are very busy and have a lot of work to do. So they work hard during the academic year.

As for me I’ll finish University in five years. I would like to become a good specialist. I am going to be a teacher and teach pupils at school. The profession of a teacher is very noble but, to tell you the truth, it is not well-paid.

Answer these questions:

1. What is the text about? 2. How long does the University course last? 3. How many terms has the University? 4. The University trains good specialists, doesn’t it? 5. Are students very busy during the academic year? 6. Do they work hard? 7. What subjects do they do? 8. What do they have after exams? 9. What does each term end with?