**My Family

I believe a family is one of the most important things in our life. The things we need in our lives: love, communication, respect and good relationship, begin in the family.

Happy to say, I have a stable and happy family. My family is neither large nor small. I would say, it’s an average Russian family. It consists of four people. We are my mother, my father, my brother and me. The head of our family is my father. His name is Pavel Ivanovich. He is 43 years old. He is a businessman by occupation. He works at his own firm. Fortunately he has a steady well-paid job. It’s he who provides for the family. My Dad is very industrious and devotes much time to his work. At the same time he is a good father and devoted husband. Whenever he is free we spend our time together. He has a good sense of humor. He knows many funny stories and always ready to share them with us. He is a man of character and I can’t but feel proud of him.

The heart of our family is my mother. Her name is Anna Victorovna. She is 40 years old but she doesn’t look like her age, she looks young for her age. She is very attractive. Her eyes are expressive, her hair is short. She is tall and slender. My Mum is a teacher at school. She works a lot but manages to be a loving mother and a good house-keeper. Besides she is a very good cook. She always cooks tasty things. She is communicative and wise. I can share any problems with her. I can’t but admire such a tender, good-natured woman.

My brother, Ilya by name, is 20 years old. He studies at the Institute. He is not married yet and has no family of his own. He is capable and very cheerful. He is good to get along with. We have good relationship. My brother and I look very different. He takes after our father and I resemble our mother. But we have much in common. We both like to play computer games and to watch video films.

We have many relatives: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins who live in various parts of our country. Bur best of all I like my grandmother Ekaterina Grigorievna as she is very kind and understanding.

Our parents give us a very good example of being decent persons and having good relations. I would like to be strong-willed and clever like my father, tactful and cheerful like my mother. Besides it would be nice to have such friendly relationship as my parents have.

My family is everything for me. It gives me emotional support and security. Whenever I have difficulties I can ask my parents for help. If they have problems I am ready to give them a helping hand. We also share all happy moments of our life. Paraphrasing the English proverb I would say “My family is my castle”.

1. Why is the family one of the most important things in life? 2. What kind of is Nick’s family? 3. Whom does it consist of? 4. Who is the head of the family? 5. Where has the father a steady well-paid job? 6. What does he devote much time to? 7. Why can we say that he is a good father? 8. Who is the heart of the family? 9. What does the mother look like? 10. Where does she work? 11. Why can we say that she is good mother and a good house-keeper? 12. What is the brother’s name and age? 13. What is his occupation? 14. Has Ilya the family of his own? 15. What is his character? 16. Does Ilya resemble his mother? 17. Why does the family give a good example for their children? 18. Why is the proverb “My family is my castle” right for this family?