To help him write his novels. 5. Zola spent a lot of time
A finding out about different places
B visiting coal mines
C going to the theatre
6. Zola
the government.
A was friendly with
B had problems with
C didn't worry about

I have never had a proper hobby, except reading. Reading is my favourite pastime, as it helps me to relax and forget about worries of the day. At the same time while reading I transfer to the world of the author and live through the events that main characters experience. To be honest not all books can capture my attention and engage me. I usually understand whether a book is worth reading after several passages, but I never judge a book by its cover. Some young people choose books only with glossy and shiny new covers thinking that these books will be interesting to read. I often choose the ones with old and shabby covers at the library. For me it means that the book was often read and thus it probably has interesting content. When I was little, my mum used to tell me that books are like people. If a person is wearing rich and attractive outfit, it doesn’t mean that he or she is going to be an interesting companion. And there are many people in humble clothes who are rather interesting to talk to. The same refers to books. Personally, I pay more attention to the title of the book. It instantly tells me what the author’s main idea is and what he is trying to convey through this book. However, some titles can also be uninformative or ambiguous. That’s why I like choosing a book at the library or at my friends’ recommendations. At the library you can always spend time reading the beginning of the book before borrowing it. At the same time, I fully trust my best friends’ tastes as we have the same views on certain life matters.

I often asked myself about person who has influenced my life the most, so I can confidently say that this person is my mother. Love at first sight exists because I have loved my mother since I opened my eyes. My mother’s name is Olga. She has been living in Ternopil for more than 30 years. She used to be a dressmaker. I remember when I were coming  to her workroom, looking as she was making  dresses. She made the most beautiful dresses, I had ever seen. Moreover, my mother had been reading me the fairy tales for hours, when I didn’t sleep at night. She was my first teacher.  She has been teaching me everything since I was young. And now my mother also  helps me , gives me advice, takes care of me, shows me the right way, always supports me greatly and does many things just for me. She has always told  me to be who I am. She is trying to find new ways and ideas to improve her family’s life because she wants the best for us.  Now my mother is nurse. She loves her job so much.  My mother is kind of person everyone looks up to in his/ her community.  “I want to be like Mrs. Olga” said our neighbours very often because my mother had touched the lives of so many people.  My mother can be described as a kind hearted, caring and loving soul.  She is still a best friend, I think, she is the greatest psychologist that I have known. She  has always told me: “No matter what happens to you in life pick yourself up and keep going strong as you were.” She  also  says “What don't hurt you makes you stronger.”There is a woman who takes an important part in my life and changes my thoughts and actions. I am a happy person because I have such a great mother.