III. Find the English equivalents for the following words and expressions:

1. знак (line 1)

2. однако (line 1)

3. нетерпеливый (line 1)

4. быстро добиться успеха (line 2)

5. витать в облаках (line 3)

6. трудолюбивый (line 7)

7. требовать (line 9)

8. объяснение (line 9)

9. готовый помочь (line 11)

10. расслабиться (line 11)

11. усилие (line 14)

12. хорошо учиться (line 14)

13. поощрять (line 15)

14. находчивый, изобретательный (line 15)

15. точный, верный, аккуратный (line 16)

16. воображение (line 17)

17. заводить друзей (line 19)

18. льстец (line 20)

19. качество (line 21)

20. добиться успеха (line 22)

21. кстати (line 22)

IV. Explain the following expressions from the text:

1. an optimistic student

2. to make quick progress

3. to have one’s head in the clouds

4. to see everything so clearly

5. to let one’s hair down

6. without effort

V. Sum up all that you have learnt from the text about your zodiac sign. Is this information true for you?

VI. Give your own advice to the representatives of other zodiac signs facing problems in their studies. Take into consideration all the information given in the text.

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN RUSSIA

LEAD-IN

1. Now you are first-year students. You passed your entrance exams thanks to the knowledge you gained at school. Say a few words about:

1. the type of school you studied at;

2. compulsory and optional courses there were at your school (chemistry, drawing, history, geography, etc.);

3. how many times a week you had your lessons of English;

4. your favourite subjects;

5. the entrance exams you passed before entering the university.

2. Work in pairs. Match the questions in A with their answers in B:

A	B
I. What faculty are you in?	I’m a student.
2. How old are you?	I study at the State Technical University.
3. What are you?	I’m good at maths and poor at chemistry.
4. What’s your name?	I’m seventeen.
5. Where do you study?	My name is...........
6. What year are you in?	I’m in the (civil engineering) faculty.
7. What are you going to become (to be)?	I’m a first-year student (a fresher, in my first year).
8. What subjects are you good/poor at?	Yes, I do. I’m getting on well at the University.
9. Do you get a grant (scholarship)?	I’m going to become a (civil engineer).
10. What subjects are taught at the University?	Well, it depends on the faculty and the year.

Active vocabulary

Give synonyms or close meanings of the following words and word combinations and try to pronounce them correctly:

Secondary school, private school, natural sciences, higher education, total number, multitude, to enter, entrance exams, non-government, applicants, graduates, employers, links, fee-paying form, compulsory, optional.

Look at the photo and discuss these questions:

• What building is it?

• Where is it situated?

• When was it founded?

• Who was the founder of it?

Find out more: http://www.msu.ru/en