1. Some people think that school years are the happiest days in people's lives. Can you say that you have been happy at school? Why? School is the traditional place for acculturating children into our national life. In the modern age, the role assigned to our schools is to prepare children for the literate public culture. Some students like school, others don't; but they all study for eleven years and gain knowledge by doing different tasks. For students who are doing well in most subjects and who want to get higher education, school is an attractive place. But those who are not successful at school, and who are always pressed by teachers and their parents, school is boring and uninteresting. I think that the most important role of school is giving knowledge. I can say that my school gives such knowledge, and that's why I'm happy at school. Most of my teachers have a lot of teaching experience; they understand very well the difficulties of the learning process. They help us to learn all subjects well. They also guide us and advise us on all aspects of our study and life. They share their knowledge and experience with us, and we respond with love. If you want to study well, you must feel relaxed and happy with your family, school and your social life. Your parents should understand you and help you when you need their help. My parents usually help and support me when I need it. We have our school psychologist who also helps us to overcome difficulties and cope with our problems. The main purpose of our school is to create a supportive and caring atmosphere for students. The standard of education in our school is very high. I'm a rather good student really. I don't have many problems with the work; but I usually get into trouble for talking, especially when I speak at the same time as the teacher. However I think that sometimes we have too much homework. Teachers and parents insist that doing homework develops the student's ability to work without assistance, or that additional work could help us complete our education successfully. But I believe, in many subjects, homework is totally unnecessary, because it doesn't do me any good. I think it's really stupid to copy from a textbook, and there is no point in duplicating the textbook. And if we could get rid of unnecessary homework, we would have more time to take up hobbies and interests. School is not only a place of education; it is a place where we develop our relationships, increasing tolerance and respect to each other. At school we can enjoy different activities and demonstrate our individual talents. Everyone has an opportunity to take part in different performances at a school or class party, or to take part in different sport competitions. These activities help us with our education and relationships among our classmates. We want to have harmony in our class and among our classmates, but it is rather difficult to achieve. Of course, we try our best to do it, and in many cases we overcome our problems and solve them. And only sensitive teachers can help us, because boys and girls are not passive lumps of clay; they are living, pulsating, developing, mysterious beings who must be studied and understood before they can be taught in the true sense. So a teacher plays an important role in our education, and when we remember our school years we usually remember our teachers, if they were fair and intelligent or not. I think that I'm a lucky person - almost all my teachers are very interesting and intelligent. When our teachers criticize us, they follow such rules: they try to correct a student's action, not him; they do not impress upon him that he has no abilities; they try to contribute to the minds and souls of their students; they try to be a path for their students to go through a dark forest of school rules. But I can't judge all teachers, because there are as many opinions how to treat a child as there are people. Teachers must choose their methods themselves, but they should remember that they influence and shape the student's opinion about their school. As for me, I think that in our school almost all teachers understand the students and become like parents to us. They support us and care for us. I'm happy at my school and so are my classmates. 2. If you want to continue your education, what kinds of institution will you attends? Explain your choice. At the age of fifteen, students in Russia have to make some important decisions. Will they continue on at school? Or will they enter a lyceum or a gymnasium? Of course, it's not easy to make the right choice. In our country a nine-year education is compulsory and after the ninth form students have an opportunity to choose. To enter a university or a college it is necessary to study two more years, and take five examinations on finishing the eleventh form. To get a professional education, students have to enter a technical college or a vocational school and study for three years. Finally, they may finish their education, leave school, and get a job. The choice depends on their likes and dislikes. When choosing a place for future studies, it's a good idea to consider a number of factors. First of all, we should take into account our own preferences and find out what our talents are. We can do this through aptitude tests, interviews with specialities, and consulting reference books on the subjects that interest us. Different types of schools, for example lyceums and gymnasiums, often specialise in various fields. They can offer a good choice of subjects that will be useful in a future profession. Most of them are affiliated with universities and colleges and help pupils to prepare for their entrance examinations. I am not sure what I am going to do when I leave school. By the time I finish school I will have already formed a much better idea of what I'd like to do. But the problem is we have to decide which subjects to study for university or college two years before we finish school. It's not easy to make the right choice. ............