Choose the right answer, please: 1. When we came into the house we ___ hear strange sounds. *
can
could to
could
2. I ___ stay up all night when I was young. *

can
can to
could
3. I ___ speak English but I can’t speak Arabic. *

can
could
4. I ___ help with repairing your car if you want to. *

could
can
5. My granny ___ knit when she was little. *

can
could
6. Mary is really talented. She ___ draw beautiful landscapes. *

can to
can
could
7. In 1910 people ___ watch television. *

can't
couldn't
8. Translate into English. Он умел плавать. *

9. Я не могу тебе

10. Я ничего не могу обещать, но я сделаю все, что смогу. *

Russian Holidays.Every country has its own customs, traditions and holidays and Russia is no exception. It is almost impossible to list all the holidays of the country but I’d like to tell you about the most important and traditional ones. At the beginning of each year Russian people celebrate New Year and Christmas. Both children and adults love these public holidays. People don’t work or study for several days. They relax at home, visit relatives and exchange presents. New Year starts at midnight on the 31st of December and Russian Christmas is on the 7th of January. It is a religious holiday and many people go to church services on that day. Next holidays are “Men’s Day” on the 23rd of February and “Women’s Day” on the 8th of March. These holidays are rather important. On “Men’s Day” women prepare small gifts for their loved men. On “Women’s Day” men do everything around the house and cook all the meals. In such way all women of the country can take a rest from household duties. They also get some presents on this day. Easter is one of the widely celebrated holidays in Russia. Its date changes from year to year but usually falls on April. Children exchange coloured eggs and women bake traditional cakes called “paska”. The 1st of May is the Day of Labour in Russia. It is an official public holiday when people don’t work but go on demonstration instead. One of the greatest national holidays is Victory Day on May the 9th, which commemorates the victory of Russia at the Second World War. On this day the veterans take part in military parades. One of the newest holidays in Russia is the Independence Day, which is celebrated on the 12th of June. It was the day when the first Russian President was elected in 1992. All pupils and students of the country start their school-year on the 1st of September. This holiday is considered to be the Day of Knowledge. Students usually present their teachers with flowers. Next national holiday is celebrated on the 12th of December. It’s the Constitution Day. Today, Russians also celebrate many foreign holidays, such as St. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, Chinese New Year and so on.

The most important thing in life - is to understand yourself, to find your inner harmony. To do this, you need to understand - why some people do not like me, and others I adore. How it happens? Why are some I consider my best friends, and some just good friends? Why comes disappointment in your loved ones? There are people who annoy me at all and I can not stand them. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances. With some friends of mine since kindergarten. And it is wonderful when there is something to talk when you can meet in a long time and share their secrets.

My best friend should be only with a positive attitude to life. I love optimists. Typically, these people always go straight ahead, do not worry about trifles have an interesting hobby. With friends like to live, to enjoy, to spend time together, have a common cause. Only this optimism should not overstep. It is necessary to have a measure throughout and really look at things happening. Most people I respect in the justice and fairness. These qualities should be each person necessarily. Fair and honest friend always correctly judge their friends. He can always give me competent advice and tell an honest opinion on their part. I love people who have their own goals and desires in life. If very much want something, it's sure to come true. Desire motivates people to act. If you do not have any specific purpose, you can simply degenerate into a houseplant. I like to communicate with the open people. This feature is one of the most important for me. It is impossible to be friends with a person who in the sixth month of dating does not trust me. For me is very important culture of man, his attitude to his family, to animals, to the environment. I do not like those who spits on the streets, rude old women, scoffs at the watchdogs. These "creatures" are not even people. In today's world without a lot of crime and fraud. Why should generate even more evil? Conversely better help each other, support, care about nature, animals that do not have at home. I sympathize with people who know how to find simple words and explanation of his actions, bold decisions, do not pretend "mysteriously unavailable" and do not hide anything. Even if a good man has done wrong, then he can always apologize and rectify the situation. Compassion plays a very important role in a person's character. If not, then absent, and all of these qualities. I do not like bad people. They have no respect for other people and love only themselves.