3write comparative sentences. use the phrases in brackets
and your own ideas. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
1 (much bigger)
an elephant is much bigger than a mouse.
2 (far more expensive)
3 (much further from new york)
4 (much more interesting)
5 (far scarier)
6 (much smaller)

Russia is a huge country. Its territiory is really enormous. It occupies a large territory and when it is morning in one part of the country it's night in the other. Plant and animal world is also very rich. There are a lot of species of animals and plants that inhabit our country. It's impossible to name all of them and besides they are different in its different parts. The most famous ones are bears and birch trees which can be named symbols of Russia.There are a lot of big cities and the most famous of them are of course Moscow (the capital of Russia) and St. Petersburg. Among other big cities we can name  Rostov-on-Don, Kazan and many-many others which are by no means worth visiting. People of Russia are open-hearted and friendly. They are used to live in peace because Russia comprises many nationalities whose traditions and customs are different. I think that my native land is full of contrasts ant I love it very much.

If you go to school or university, you are faced with a number of exams. Basically, these exams are supposed to test your knowledge and skills. Also, they may motivate you to study harder.

In my opinion, it is really the case that exams motivate students to study harder. Firstly, exams are often a pass to a higher level of education. If you get good marks in examinations, you are admitted to further education. If you fail, you do not get the admittion. So, you make every effort to keep the right to study further. Secondly, exams are a good way to assess your learning efficiency and detect possible gaps in your knowledge. Bad marks mean that your knowledge is flawed and you need to be more disciplined and work harder to do away with the flaws.

But there are people who believe that examinations do not give real motivation to a student. They say that being a good student with excellent marks does not guarantee future prosperity.

Nevertheless, I cannot assent to the foregoing opinion, because being a good student is the beginning of being a good employee or worker who can earn a good living. Highly qualified professionals are always in great demand in any business sector.

In conclusion, exams play an important part in our life, although any exam is a kind of pain. But the saying is: no pain, no gain!