1. Read and learn these words and expressions.

to get acquainted – познакомиться

to get married – жениться, выйти замуж

to be married – быть женатым (замужем)

to be single – быть холостым

to be born – родиться

to come from – происходить

surname (second name, family name, last name) – фамилия

nearly (about, under, over) 18 – почти 18 (около, менее (еще нет и ..), более)

in his/her early forties – чуть более сорока (за сорок)

in his/her late forties – почти пятьдесят (около пятидесяти)

to look her/his age – выглядеть не старше своих лет

to look her/his best – прекрасно выглядеть

to look like – быть похожим на кого-либо

to be of the same age – быть одного возраста

five years older/younger than – на пять лет старше/младше, чем

elder/younger brother – старший/младший брат

twin – близнец

the only child – единственный ребенок

to get on well – быть в хороших отношениях, ладить друг с другом

to be deeply attached to smb – быть сильно привязанным к кому-либо

spare time – свободное время

to be fond of – увлекаться чем-либо

be interested in – интересоваться чем-либо

to play chess (tennis, golf, volleyball)

to play the piano (the violin)

to share his/her interests – разделять интересы

to be good at – быть способным к

even-tempered - невозмутимый

chore – повседневная работа по дому, по хозяйству

2. Read and translate the text. My Family

I am Alex Sidorov. Alex is my first name and Sidorov is my surname. I am seventeen years old. I want to tell you a few words about my family. My family is large. I have got a mother, a father, a sister, a brother and a grandmother. There are six of us in the family.

First of all some words about my parents. My mother is a teacher of biology. She works at a college. She likes her profession. She is a beautiful woman. She is a brown-eyed dark blonde. Mom is in her forties but she looks much younger.

My father is a computer programmer. He is very experienced. He is a broad shouldered, tall man with brown hair and grey eyes. He is forty-six. My father often sings and when we are at home and have some free time, I play the guitar and we sing together. My father is good at gadgets and likes to repair them. He is also handy around the house. When he was small, he liked to take everything apart. Grandma told me a story that once Dad tried to "repair" their kitchen clock. He managed to put all the gears and screws back together - but the clock did not work. They had to give it to a repairman. But that happened a long time ago. Now he can fix almost everything: a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a fridge and what not. He's got any spare parts he keeps in the closet.

My parents have been married for twenty-six years. They have much in common, but they have different views on music, books, films, sports. For example, my father likes horror films and my mother likes "soap operas". My father is fond of tennis. My mother doesn't like sports. Although my parents have these differences they have the same opinion about my education and upbringing.

My parents are very hard-working. My mother keeps the house clean and takes care of my father and me. She is a wonderful cook and good with her hands. She is very practical. My father and I try to help her around the house. I wash the dishes, go shopping and tidy up our flat.

My grandmother is a pensioner. She lives with us and helps to run the house. She is fond of knitting.

My sister Helen is twenty-five. She is married and has a family of her own. She works as an accountant for a joint venture company. Her husband is a scientist. They have got twins: a daughter and a son. They go to a nursery school.

My brother Boris is eleven. He is a schoolboy. He wants to become a doctor but he is not sure yet. Three months ago he dreamed of being an astronaut.

As for me I am a first-year student of the Vologda State Technical University (VSTU). I am fond of programming. I’m good at special subjects and yet I'd like to know English better. It’s a very useful language for my future.

I think I take after my father. I'm tall, fair-haired and even-tempered. I am going in for sports, twice a week I play basketball with my friends. I always try to have a good mood.

We have got a lot of relatives. We are deeply attached to each other and we get along very well.