Monday We’re waiting at the airport now. There are lots of shops, but I’m not spending my money here. I want to save it for New York. It’s 10.00 p.m. and I’m tired, but I’m also excited about the trip! I can’t wait to get there. Tuesday We’re finally in the Big Apple! Our hotel is perfect because it’s next to Times Square. We can see lots of skyscrapers from the window. They’re so tall! Right now I’m having a typical American dish for breakfast – pancakes with maple syrup. It’s yummy! 1Wednesday Today I’m cycling in Central Park with my mum. It’s a huge park in the middle of Manhattan. The weather is great – it’s hot and sunny. My dad isn’t here with us. He’s shopping on Fifth Avenue with my sister. Thursday It’s our last day in New York, but I don’t want to go home! At the moment, we’re standing at the top of the Empire State Building. From here, I can see the Brooklyn Bridge. What a beautiful view! I love New York! Write “Yes” or “No” next to the given questions. 1. Does Sam go shopping at the airport? 2. Do Sam and his family stay at the “Big Apple Hotel “? 3. Are there many skyscrapers near the hotel? 4. Does Sam try pancakes for breakfast? 5. Can Sam’s mother ride a bike? 6. Does his sister go shopping on 5th Avenue? 7. Does Sam visit the Empire State Building on the first day?

series Star Trek. Despite being on TV tor a short time (from 1966-69), the senes was a hit and still has many fans today , 40 years after its creafron Star Trek led to ten feature films, an animateo senes. novels and comic books. So why was it so popular and why did they need a Russian star? Executive Producer Gene Roddenberry decided to introduce a character with ‘youth appeal', that is to say a character young people could understand. Best known as the young, enthusiastic navigator on board the starship Enterprise. Chekhov hao a haircut similar to one of The Monkees (a very popular pop group in the USA at that time). But he certainly was no Amencan' He was a proud Russian with a thick accent and had the surname of the famous Russian playwright. Actor Walter Koenig played the role, an American with Lithuanian Russian parents. We can view the character of Chekhov as symbolic one introduced to present a better world. Created in the 1960s during the Cold War the series was set in a very different time - in the 23 century. There was a rumour that the Russians themselves came up with the idea of including a Russian character, writing an article in Pravda criticising the absence of a Russian in the series One thing is sure - it made sense to have a Russian on board as the Soviet Union was one of the leaders n space exploration. Other characters of the multinational crew included Scotty (of Scottish heritage) Sulu (from Japan), Uhura (from Africa) and Spock. the half-human, part alien (Vulcan). All were on the same mission To explore new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilisations, to boldly go where no man has gone beforeas the series states in its opening. Chekhov and the crew certainly five through many exciting adventu es. mysterious illnesses, capture by aliens, time travel - even romance. In the course of the two series we get to know Chekhov quite well. We see that he has many positive qualities he is young, good-looking and has a good sense of humour. He regularly jokes (and boasts) about Russia's achievements. He even claims in one programme that the fairy tale Cinderella came from Russia! However, he himself was less lucky in love. While training at the Academy in the 2260s Chekhov had a romance with another Russian, Irina Galliulin. But their characters were too different (Irina criticised Chekhov for being too rigid) and disappointment followed. Chekhov's character develops in the programme and he begins to take on some of the traits of the ship's captain, Captain James T Kirk. We understand that he has strong principles and can pay close attention to detail. He is also a loyal member of the team. As a result he is able to work himself up the ranks, working first as a junior officer, then as navigator. In the first Star Trek film he becomes lieutenant; in the second he is the commander on another spaceship, The USS Reliant. In this film Chekhov's character is severely tested. Villain Khan Noonien Singh puts eels inside Chekhov's head in attempt to control his brain. However, our hero recovers and lives to fight another battle. The character's final appearance takes place in the year 2293 when he is a guest on board a new ship called Enterprise S. Another ship, The USS Chekhov, was named in his honour, but is destroyed at the Battle of Wolf 359. But the Star Trek legend lives on. Trekkies' or Trekkers' as the fans are called, can see another film, out in 2008, or watch Star Trek webisodes online.

Dear Sasha, Thank you for your letter! Sorry for haven’t written to you for so long but I was busy all this time. Well, I am very glad that you have passed all the exams! Congratulations! (I am very happy for you!) I guess, you should relax your body and mind after exams. And the best way to do it is to go for a walk! You know, my favourite sports are baseball and swimming, but your mum gave you a good piece of advice! Basketball is a good choice for you! As well, all teens in Russia prefer hockey and football. But everybody can choose something else… Wow! Your brother has just come from Australia! That must be great! So, how was his trip? Was it successful? Did he enjoy the weather there? Sorry, I must finish now, because I have to revise for my tomorrow exam. Hope to hear from you soon. Best wishes, Sergey Перевод письма на русский язык: Дорогой Саша тебе за твое письмо! Прости, что я не писал тебе, но я был очень занят. Так, я очень рад, что ты сдал все экзамены! Поздравляю! (Я очень счастлив за тебя!). Я думаю, что тебе следует расслабить как тело, так и душу после экзаменов. Лучший путь сделать это - ходить на прогулку! Ты знаешь, мои любимые виды спорт - бейсбол и плавание, но твоя мама дала тебе хороший совет! Баскетбол - это хороший выбор для тебя! Так, все подростки в России предпочитают хоккей и футбол. Но каждый может выбрать что-то свое ... Вот это да! Твой брат только что прилетел из Австралии! Это, должно быть, круто! Так, как его путешествие? Какие успехи? Понравилась ли ему там погода? Извини, я должен заканчивать, потому что я готовлюсь к завтрашнему экзамену. До скорой связи.(возьми что нибудь от сюда;)удачи!)