Teacher: Hello, Jake. You look great today.

Jake: Good evening, Miss Clark. Thank you for the compliment.

Teacher: I hope you’ll enjoy the party. After all, your classmates and you have certainly deserved it. You worked so hard during the academic year, and you passed your exams with flying colours. My colleagues and I are so proud of you all.

Jake: Oh, Miss Clark, of course we did a good job, but we are very grateful to our teachers. If not for you, our results wouldn’t be so good.

Teacher: It’s good to know that. Thank you. So, Jake, what are you going to do after the prom? Are you going to have a gap year?

Jake: Most of my classmates are going to travel somewhere, but I won’t be able to join them. I’m going straight to college.

Teacher: Why? Don’t you like to travel?

Jake: Of course, I do. Everybody likes to travel, don’t they? It’s just that this summer isn’t a good time to do it because I’ll have to help my brother. He’s just had surgery, you know.

Teacher: I hope your brother is doing fine. How did the operation go?

Jake: It all went fine, thank you. The full recovery will take some time, but he’ll be absolutely fine in a couple of months.

Teacher: Oh, that’s excellent news. So, what college did you choose?

Jake: I’m going to Birmingham University. I want to be a teacher, like you.

Teacher: Really? I would never have thought you had chosen this career.

Jake: Well, I think it’s the most rewarding job in the world, so...

Teacher: It is, but mind you, not every student will succeed in your class. Sometimes, when one of your students fails, you blame yourself for it.

Jake: I think that’s true about many jobs, like doctors, for instance. I believe that every student has the potential for success and it’ll be so exciting because each new academic year will present new challenges and new potential successes.

Teacher: Well, Jake, if you are able to look at it that way, teaching is definitely your cup of tea.

Jake: Thank you, Miss Clark. It’s you and your colleagues who have inspired me.

Teacher: Thank you. Now it’s high time for you to join your friends, and it’s time for me to wipe away the tears  — your words are so touching.

Jake: Sorry if I’ve upset you.

Teacher: No, that’s fine. It’s always good to hear such things, you know. See you later, Jake.

Jake: See you.

Consultant: Hello, how may I help you?

Tourist: Hello. You see, I would like to book a tour to Russia and I was just wondering if you could help me?

Consultant: And may I tell you that you have made an excellent choice! Russia is an amazing country with lots of exciting places to see. Is it going to be your first visit to Russia?

Tourist: Yes, it is.

Consultant: Well, for the first visit to Russia I would suggest starting with Moscow. You could spend about a week there and do all the sightseeing, plus visit the museums. If you are planning a longer trip, we can recommend going to Saint Petersburg next.

Tourist: I think I would like to see only Moscow this time. You see, I'm a theater lover, and I've read it on the Internet that Moscow is famous for it's theatres.

Consultant: You are absolutely right! We can help you book the tickets to the famous Bolshoi Theatre, if you wish.

Tourist: That would be great! Could you please tell me more about the tour.

Consultant: Yes, of course. Here is the suggested itinerary. When you arrive in Moscow, you'll check in the hotel and have some rest. In the evening, you can have a bus tour around the city, just to get a general impression. Moscow looks magnificent in the evening, so you'll enjoy it. The next day you'll be able to see Moscow's sights in daylight.

Tourist: Sounds good to me! Are we going to see the Red Square?

Consultant: Of course! It's impossible to imagine a trip to Moscow without seeing Red Square, as it's the heart of the country. You'll see Saint Basil's Cathedral. It's a gorgeous building. Make sure you go inside, as there are 8 tiny churches there, which look like fairy-⁠tale houses.

Tourist: Thanks, I'll remember that.

Consultant: You'll also see GUM  — Russia's number one department store. You'll have enough time to go shopping there, if you wish, or have lunch there in a café, with a view of Red Square.

Tourist: I always wanted to see the Kremlin. Will it be possible to get inside it?

Consultant: Yes! But make sure you do it before 4 pm, as the museums there close early. There you will see Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell and the State Kremlin Palace, initially known as the Palace of Congresses. It's vast 6000 seat auditorium was originally used to hold the congresses of the communist party of the Soviet Union. Today, it holds large social forums, theatrical performances, New Year's shows for children and student's balls.

Tourist: It all sounds so exciting! I think I'll order a tour right now.

Ellen: Hey Nick, how's it going?

Nick: Hey, Ellen, it's going great! How about yourself?

Ellen: I'm doing well too. Just getting back from my trip to Karelia.

Nick: Really? Who did you go with and how long were you there?

Ellen: I was with my parents. We went camping there for 2 weeks. One week we spent an a camping ground near a small lake and the other way we went white water rafting down the river.

Nick: Wow, what an adventurous holiday! Did you stay in a cabin at the lake?

Ellen: No, we didn't. We had our tent. We always sleep in a tent when we travel. It's a lot cheaper.

Nick: Oh my! I wouldn't be able to do that at all. I'm such a hotel person myself.

Ellen: But why, Nick? Camping in a tent is so much fun! You can hear the birds in the morning, enjoy the fresh air and..

Nick: And mosquitoes? No, thank you! I'd much rather sleep in a comfortable bed, warm and clean. There isn't a bathroom when you sleep in a tent, is there?

Ellen: No, not in the tent, of course, but the campsite where we stayed at in Karelia had a public bathroom with showers, so that was convenient.

Nick: Well that's good to hear, but it's still hard to sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag, I think.

Ellen: Well, yes, at first, but then you get used to it. You can use a special soft mat to sleep on. It keeps you warm and comfortable.

Nick: I suppose I could try that, but I still think a hotel room is a nicer place to stay, Ellen.

Ellen: Well, Nick, tastes differ. So what have you been doing these last 2 weeks before the school starts?

Nick: Oh, I've been at home, shopping for school supplies, getting my books and uniform in order, you know.

Ellen: Sounds fun. I still have to try on my uniform and see if I need a new one. I've got all the other things, I think. Did you see that new history book for this year? It looks very interesting.

Nick: Yes, I did! I loved the maps and illustrations on it. I hope we have our history teacher from last year again this year.

Ellen: Yeah, me too. She was so nice and her lessons were so fun. History can be quite complicated sometimes.

Nick: So true! Especially when you have to memorise all the dates and names. I can never get it right who led what battle and which Tsar was at the throne at what time.

Ellen: Well, I'm afraid I have to go. There is still much to do.

Nick: Yes, me too. It was good to chat with you, Ellen.

Ellen: Bye, Nick! I'll see you soon at school.

Nick: Bye.

John: Hi, Sandra, I haven't seen you for ages! You have such a nice tan. Where have you been?

Sandra: Oh, hi, John! Thanks for the compliment. I thought you knew I was in Thailand. I came back only yesterday.

John: What a contrast it must be in terms of the weather.

Sandra: Yes, it's rainy here in London. When is it going to stop, I wonder.

John: The weather forecast is not very promising, I'm afraid. It says it's going to rain for a week or so.

Sandra: Oh, God.

John: At least you've soaked some sun in Thailand. So, tell me everything about your trip. Did you go with your parents?

Sandra: Of course! My mum loves the seaside holidays, you know, so she chose Thailand this time. The sandy beaches there are perfect and the sea is so warm and calm.

John: Oh, Sandra, I'll never believe you were lying on the beach the whole time. Did you see any places of interest in Thailand?

Sandra: Well, I couldn't travel around much, because my parents wouldn't let me do that. The only trip they agreed to was a trip to Bangkok.

John: So, what did you think of Bangkok?

Sandra: It's the capital of Thailand. In my opinion, it's a city of contrast. I was impressed with it's tall glass buildings, but behind them you will see the life of the locals much like it would have been a hundred years ago or something. I mean the canals, of course.

John: The canals? Does Bangkok have any canals?

Sandra: They were built in the middle of the 19th century and they are home to many Thai people, who live and work there. As for me, I especially liked the floating markets there.

John: That sounds very interesting! What are these floating markets like?

Sandra: Oh, they are fascinating places, very colourful indeed! There are four such markets in Bangkok, as far as I remember. They are very noisy places. You must come early, like 6 am, because when the buses with tourists come, it becomes overcrounded, so it's best to shop early.

John: Did you buy anything there?

Sandra: I've bought some tropical fruit and local food, just to feel the atmosphere of this place, but they sell not only food but also hats, silk dresses, shirts and whatnot. My mum bough a pink silk dress.

John: Thank you for your story, Sandra. The floating markets in Bangkok seem to be a perfect place to feel the spirit of Thailand.

John: Hi, Sandra, I haven't seen you for ages! You have such a nice tan. Where have you been?

Sandra: Oh, hi, John! Thanks for the compliment. I thought you knew I was in Thailand. I came back only yesterday.

John: What a contrast it must be in terms of the weather.

Sandra: Yes, it's rainy here in London. When is it going to stop, I wonder.

John: The weather forecast is not very promising, I'm afraid. It says it's going to rain for a week or so.

Sandra: Oh, God.

John: At least you've soaked some sun in Thailand. So, tell me everything about your trip. Did you go with your parents?

Sandra: Of course! My mum loves the seaside holidays, you know, so she chose Thailand this time. The sandy beaches there are perfect and the sea is so warm and calm.

John: Oh, Sandra, I'll never believe you were lying on the beach the whole time. Did you see any places of interest in Thailand?

Sandra: Well, I couldn't travel around much, because my parents wouldn't let me do that. The only trip they agreed to was a trip to Bangkok.

John: So, what did you think of Bangkok?

Sandra: It's the capital of Thailand. In my opinion, it's a city of contrast. I was impressed with it's tall glass buildings, but behind them you will see the life of the locals much like it would have been a hundred years ago or something. I mean the canals, of course.

John: The canals? Does Bangkok have any canals?

Sandra: They were built in the middle of the 19th century and they are home to many Thai people, who live and work there. As for me, I especially liked the floating markets there.

John: That sounds very interesting! What are these floating markets like?

Sandra: Oh, they are fascinating places, very colourful indeed! There are four such markets in Bangkok, as far as I remember. They are very noisy places. You must come early, like 6 am, because when the buses with tourists come, it becomes overcrounded, so it's best to shop early.

John: Did you buy anything there?

Sandra: I've bought some tropical fruit and local food, just to feel the atmosphere of this place, but they sell not only food but also hats, silk dresses, shirts and whatnot. My mum bough a pink silk dress.

John: Thank you for your story, Sandra. The floating markets in Bangkok seem to be a perfect place to feel the spirit of Thailand.

Jack: Hello Mary, I haven’t seen you in ages! How are you?

Mary: Hi, Jack! It’s so good to see you! It’s been a year since I last saw you.

Jack: When did you come back?

Mary: I arrived in London a week ago and stayed there at my aunt's place for a couple of days, and then took a train to Birmingham.

Jack: So, how was your exchange program? Which country did you go to?

Mary: Oh, Jack, I stayed in Russia for a year and I absolutely loved it!

Jack: Russia? Well, it’s great, I mean, it’s exotic. Not many people here in Birmingham can boast of having visited Russia.

Mary: Well, Jack, I chose Russia not to show off, but to study Russian culture more deeply. You know, I’ve always been interested in visiting Russia  — I have Russian roots. I was even given my name after my great-⁠grandmother Maria, who immigrated from Russia in the 19th century.

Jack: I didn’t know that. So, did you stay in Moscow?

Mary: No, I just visited Moscow as a tourist, but I stayed in a small provincial town. However, the school I went to was great and I didn’t have many language problems. Everybody seemed to at least understand English, and that was convenient.

Jack: How did you find Russian people?

Mary: Oh, they were simply amazing! They are very friendly and hospitable. If you are their guest, they’ll treat you to the most delicious pastry you can imagine. They seem to be quite reserved at first, but as you get to know them better, you understand that they are very friendly.

Jack: That’s great! Did you travel much around Russia?

Mary: Yes, I did. I can’t say it’s very cheap though. Still, it’s affordable. I’ve visited Moscow, Saint Petersburg, the Golden Ring, and I also went to Sochi with my host family.

Jack: Sochi? It is the city which hosted the Winter Olympics of 2014?

Mary: Yes, that’s right.

Jack: Your Russian must have improved greatly.

Mary: I hope so. My host parents said I have done a great job learning Russian. I shared a room with their daughter, Anna, whose passion is English, so we were able to learn from each other.

Jack: You must invite them to the UK!

Mary: I did. They hope to get their visas and visit us for Christmas. My mother is looking forward to meeting them already. Look, Jack, I must go. See you later.

Jack: See you!