C. Dialogue (р.264)

A. Hello, Tom. Will you come to our party tonight?

T. Thank you, Alec, I'm afraid not. I shan't be able to come because I have to prepare for my exams.

A Yesterday I saw you in the reading-room during the break. You were working hard.

Г. Yes, I was, but still I have got a lot of material to learn, that's why I'll be reading the whole evening today.

A. Oh, I see. You are such a hard-working student. When will the exams end?

T. We'll have our last exam on the 23rd of January.

A. Will you be able to join us for a skiing trip on Saturday morn­ing at 11 o'clock?

T. I think not. I'll be taking my exam in the technology of mate­rials at that time.

A. How are you going to spend the holidays?

T. If I pass the exams successfully, on the 25th I'll leave for a holiday home.

A. Is it far from Moscow?

T. No, it's quite near. But the place is beautiful.

A. That's a fine idea.

T. Yes, I hope to have a good time and to rest there.

A. Dialogue (р. 285)

N.: Hello, Bob. Glad to see you. How are you?

В.: Hello, Nick. I'm fine, thank you.

N.: Have you passed the examinations yet?

В.: Yes, they are over now. I've passed all of them successfully.

N.: Has anybody failed?

В.: No, nobody in our group.

N.: What about the holidays? Are you going anywhere?

В.: I'm leaving for St. Petersburg tomorrow. I've already booked my ticket.

N.: Have you ever been there before?

В.: No, never. I'm going there for the first time. My friend Alec invited me to spend the holidays in his native city.

N.: And you accepted his invitation with pleasure, of course.

В.: Certainly, I am glad to have the opportunity to visit this wonderful city famous for its history and great art treasures. N.: What time does the train start? В.: At 10 p. m.

N.: Have a nice trip.

В.: Thank you.

A Trip to St. Petersburg (р.286)

It is the 4th of February today. I have just come back from St. Petersburg where I spent my holidays. I had a very good time there and I am full of impressions. St. Petersburg is simply a wonderful city!

Founded in 1703 by Peter-the-First it remained the capital of Russia for two centuries. Now we call St. Petersburg the second northern capital of Russia.

I am sure St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its great art treasures, its historical and architectural monuments and remarkable collections of art are known all over the world. A great many visitors from foreign countries come to St. Petersburg to admire its beautiful sights, its magnificent buildings and outstanding art treasures.

I came to St. Petersburg on the 25th of January and the same day we went sightseeing. I saw various places of interest con­nected with the history of Russia and the Great Patriotic War. The city made a great impression on me. I admired its straight streets, beautiful palaces, squares and outstanding monuments. I especially admired the Palace Square surrounded by beautiful buildings, with the Alexander Column in the middle. Great his­torical events took place on this square and are connected with this place. Now holiday manifestations and meetings take place here.

I am fond of art and my friend took me to different art mu­seums and exhibitions. I could see many wonderful works of Russian and world realistic art collected in the museums. We spent a few days in the Hermitage famous for its masterpieces. It has the richest collection of classic and modern painting and sculpture. It numbers more than 2,000,000 exhibits.

We were also able to see different places of interest situated in the suburbs, such as Peterghof and others where one can admire wonderful masterpieces of art and architecture. Of course I haven't seen much of St. Petersburg and its sub­urbs yet. There are still many places of interest to see, that's why I decided to spend my next summer holidays somewhere near St. Petersburg again.

Though my friend and I were very busy visiting various places of interest we found some time for sports and fun. We went skating, skiing and dancing. I had a very good time during my holidays and I greatly enjoyed my trip to St. Petersburg. I'm thankful to my friend for his kind invitation.