1. what public holidays in great britain do you know? what are they?
2. why are some holidays called bank holidays?
3. what is the most popular holiday in britain?
4. when and how do the british celebrate christ-
mas? where do they spend time on this day?
what do they usually have for christmas din-
ner? do the british decorate christmas trees?
5. what is the service on christmas eve called?
when does it start?
6. why is the day after christmas called boxing
day?
7. is new year's day popular in britain?
8. when is st. valentine's day celebrated? what
do people usually do on this day?
9. what important christian holiday do the brit-
ish celebrate in march or april? whom do
christians remember on this day? what is
most popular emblem of easter?
10. when do the british celebrate may spring fes-
tival? what do the british girls usually do mar.
this day? how is the most beautiful f
crowned?
il why don't most british go to work on the terms
monday in may? where do they go on this 3
12. when is the time for big sports meetings
over the great britain? what holiday do en
british celebrate on this day?
13. what do you know about guy fawke's bay
when is this holiday celebrated? what happens
on this day in 1605? what do the british -
ally do on this day? what do the childres
going about the streets? ​

Great Patriotic War.
The Great Patriotic War is a huge emotional distress for many people. It’s hard to find a family in our country which didn’t lose somebody in this awful war. The tragic event started in 1941 in the month of June and lasted for almost four years. The 9th of May, 1945 is considered to be the end of the murderous war. Each year Russian people celebrate this day as a Victory Day with numerous commemorative processions, fireworks and concerts. Perhaps, the Great Patriotic War was the most horrible war in human history. Thousands of courageous soldiers have died, leaving their children orphaned and wives widowed. It’s hard to imagine that even 13 or 14 year olds were involved in this war. People sacrificed their lives to save the country from outer invasion, to save their comrades and families. Each city that withstood all the pressure coming from Hitler’s army was awarded with the heroic title. Today every family keeps and honors the photos of their ancestors, who fought at that inhuman war. My mother also keeps a framed picture of her two grandfathers. It’s been more than 60 years ago, but people still remember and commemorate this global event. Russian people suffered a lot during these four terrifying years. To think about the situation in Leningrad, when citizens had to stay strong for nine hundred days and defend the city. People had to survive the severe cold, the hunger, sleepless nights, the bombardments, etc. I’m convinced that our generation should be appreciative for all that our great-grandfathers did for us.                                
Великая Отечественная война - это огромная душевная рана для многих людей. Трудно найти семью в нашей стране, которая не теряла кого-либо в этой ужасной войне. Трагические события начались в 1941 году в июне месяце, и продолжались в течение почти четырех лет. Девятое мая 1945 года считается концом этой кровопролитной войны. Ежегодно в России этот день отмечают как День Победы с памятными шествиями, фейерверками и концертами. Возможно, Великая Отечественная война была самой ужасной войной в истории людей. Тысячи мужественных солдат погибли, оставив своих детей сиротами и жен вдовами. Трудно себе представить, что даже 13 и 14-летние дети были вовлечены в эту войну. Люди жертвовали жизнью, чтобы страну от внешнего вторжения и чтобы своих товарищей и семьи. Каждый город, который стойко выдержал все давление со стороны гитлеровской армии, был награжден званием героя. Сегодня каждая семья хранит и чтит фотографии своих предков, сражавшихся в этой бесчеловечной войне. Моя мама также хранит рамку с фотографией своих двух дедушек. Это было более 60 лет назад, но люди все еще помнят и чтят это глобальное происшествие. Русский народ перенес ужасные страдания в течение этих четырех лет. Взять только ситуацию в Ленинграде, когда горожане должны были отстаивать и защищать свой город на протяжении девятисот дней. Люди пережили ужасные холода, голод, бессонные ночи, бомбардировку и т.д. Я убежден, что наше поколение должно быть благодарно за все, что наши прадеды сделали для нас

Dear Sergio,

There is nothing better than travelling by a fast car. Travel by car is a more personal experience, for there you can drive yourself.

You just sit down at the steering wheel, start the motor, step on the accelerator with your foot and off goes the car. You can go as slowly or as fast as you wish, stop when and where you choose; you park the car on the side of the road, get out and go wherever you like.

It is quite true that driving a car has some disadvantages. In town it is rather a nuisance with all those traffic «jams» or «hold - ups», round-abouts, detours and so on. It is not pleasant at all when you ride on a bumpy road or get a flat tyre, or still worse, when you get stuck in the mud.

But what can be better than a spin in a car on a week-end with your friends? As soon as you get out of the crowded town and see a long wide road in full view, what a thrill it is to feel the car rush forward at a touch of your foot, to feel the wind in your face, to see houses, trees find people flash past, to feel the real joy of speed.

Then, of course, you see much more of the country than you do in a plane.

Suppose you are on vacation and have decided to take a trip in a car. What magnificent views you behold on your way — green fields, a road winding its way up the mountain with steep, grey cliffs on one side and a deep precipice on the other, a shining expanse of the sea wrapped in a blue noonday haze, the woods, the rows of acacia that stretch along the streets of the towns you pass through. Indeed your impressions are unforgettable.

Love,
Benita.