2. Read the following words and word combinations and learn them by heart.

to pass entry exams	сдать вступительные экзамены
to provide promotion	обеспечивать продвижение по службе
to apply one's skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity	применять на практике умения и навыки в других сферах человеческой деятельности
to do one's best	делать все возможное
to be at the top of sth. with sth.	быть лучшим где-л. в чем-л.
to go in for sports	заниматься спортом
to get along	ладить
to work late	работать допоздна
fair	порядочный, справедливый
to bring up	воспитывать
to be interested in	интересоваться чем-л.
to be fond of	увлекаться
to keep house	вести домашнее хозяйство
to get much knowledge	получать много знаний
to wash up	мыть посуду
opinion	мнение
event	событие

3. Read the following words and word combinations and translate them into Russian.

to make the right choice	to feel affection	as well
to acquire proficiency	to spend a lot of time	to wash up
well-bred	generous	discuss the news
reserved	perfectly	common sense
in spite of

4. Make up your own sentences using words and phrases from tasks 1, 2, 3.

5. Read and translate the text using a dictionary.

***

First of all let me introduce myself: my name is Sergey. I am 17 years old. This year I left school and I entered the Murmansk State Technical University. I still feel excited at the thought that I managed to pass entry exams successfully and now I am a first year student of the faculty of Natural Sciences. My specialized field is Water supply and water diversion / Environmental Engineering/ Civil Engineering. I decided long ago where to study. I wanted to be an engineer and to continue my father's career. I am sure that this profession guarantees good living conditions and provides promotion. I think I will avoid unemployment or at least I will be able to apply my skills and knowledge in other fields of human activity. I believe that I have made the right choice and I will do my best to acquire proficiency.

So, as I have just started studying, I do everything possible to get as much knowledge as I can. I should say that being a school boy I was not at the top of the class with my study, but I am a very hard worker, I am used to doing everything well. My favorite subjects are chemistry and mathematics. In fact I am rather good at them. Besides I am very interested in reading. I am a regular visitor of the library where I spend a lot of time. I also go to the reading hall to get ready for seminars and practical classes. I go in for sports as well. I play volleyball. I like yachting and windsurfing.

Now I'd like to tell you some words about my family. We are the family of three. I live with my parents. But I have got the elder brother. He is married and has a family of his own.

In my opinion, family is an emotional center of a person's life, transmitter of culture. In happy families parents are honest with their children without moralizing, and children, in their turn, learn how to get along with other people. It is true to my family, I think.

My father's name is Vadim. He is 50. He works as an engineer at a water treatment plant. He is strong both in body and character. He is generous and full of joy. He has a lot of work to do in his office. He often works very late. He likes to do everything perfectly. He can make different things with his own hands.

My mother's name is Olga. She is well-bred, tactful and fair. She is warm-hearted and at the same time practical, reserved and full of common sense. She is a housewife and she does all the housework. Besides she helps my brother to bring up his sons. She is very concern about them and the boys feel affection for their Granny. My father and I try to help her about the house, though we are always short of time.

My brother Igor is 30. As I have already said, he is married and has two sons Alex and Boris. He is a lawyer by profession.

We are all on friendly terms. We like to spend time together. In the evenings we watch TV, read books and newspapers, listen to music or just talk about the events of the day. My parents don't always agree to what I say but they listen to my opinion. So, we are the family and we get along fine.