Darwin had not planned to be a scientist. He wanted to become a doctor. But he was interested in plants and animals. A friend who knew about Darwin’s interest in nature invited him to take the trip. Charles was 22 when he left England for a five-year trip around the world. This trip is a very important one in the

The USA is the most powerful and highly developed country of the world. It is situated in the central part of the North American continent. Its western coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean and its eastern coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The USA is separated from Canada in the north by the

There are dates and events in the life of our country that are memorable to every Russian citizen. The dates of this kind are: the Victory Day, May the Day the Constitution Day, the women’s Day, the Independence Day. These are national holidays, people do not work on these days. The most memorable date is the Victory Day which is

Thomas Gainsborough is a famous English portraitist. He was born in 1727 in large family. From the early childhood the boy was attracted to painting. He has got a perfect memory, and he drew every tree, rock or ditch from his memory. At the age of 13 Thomas goes to London. Here the boy learns from the famous portraitist Francis

I usually have two or three meals a day on weekdays and four meals on my day off. Because I don’t often have an opportunity to have a dinner when I’m at school. My meals are: breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper or tea. Some of my friends have a snack rather than a meal in the morning. But my breakfast

While some countries have too much history, Canada has too much geography. From Sea to Sea Occupying the northern half of the North American continent, Canada has a landmass of nearly 10 million km2. Canada’s motto, ‘From Sea to Sea’, is geographically inaccurate. In addition to its long coastlines on the Atlantic and Pacific, Canada has a third sea coast

Almost everybody knows «The Nutcracker Suite» with its «Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy» and «Waltz of the Flowers» «The Nutcracker Suite» was written as a ballet, but many more people have heard the music than have seen the ballet. Some of Tchaikovsky’s other compositions are well-known too. Among them are the «Swan Lake» and «Sleeping Beauty» (ballets), the «Romeo

On July 4 the Americans celebrate their national holiday — Independence Day. The United States gained independence as a result of gradual and painful process. By the mid 1700’s, it became difficult for thirteen British colonies in the New World to be ruled by a king 3000 miles across the ocean. The British empire imposed high taxes upon the colonies.

I get up at 7 o’clock in the morning. I do my morning exercises, wash and dress. Then I have my breakfast. At 8 o’clock I leave home and go to the Institute. As a rule I come to the Institute at a quarter to 9. The lessons begin at 9 sharp. Today we have two lectures, a seminar and

What I would like to become? This question puzzles me greatly. Everyjob has its difficulties and challenges. I think that nearlyall the professions are very important in life. But to choose the rightoccupation is very difficult, because we must take in to considerationmany factors. We must consider our personal taste and our kind of mind. At the same time we

More people are abusing drugs today than in any other time in history of mankind, and many of those people are youth. Understanding what drugs are is fundamental for understanding their potential abuse. Drugs are a psychoactive substance. A psychoactive substance is something that people take to change the way they feel, think or behave. Some of these substances are

I want to become a doctor. I like this profession and I am eager to get a medical education and work at a hospital. It is a good tradition in our family. My mother is a doctor, my grandfather is a doctor and I want to be a doctor, too. When I was a little boy my grandfather worked at

Musical activity in Britain has reached in 20th century its highest level since Tudor times. An unusual amount of new composition has included the operas of Sir Benjamin Britten and the symphonies of Sir Edward Edgar and Ralph Maughan Williams who can be considered as the greatest symphonic composers Britain has produced. The musical public has grown steadily larger, and

Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in England. The art of gardening is a very old tradition in England which started in the 18th century. The English gardeners of those times did not like the rich and unnatural gardens of French palaces. They wanted to create their own kind of gardening. Their wish was to express in their

Among different types of films (that is comedy, romantic drama, western, adventure film, police drama or detective film, psychological thriller, horror film, historical film) best of all I like comedy and romantic drama, because such films are very cheerful and full of life. I don’t like horror films and I find them quite disgusting. Sometimes I may watch a police

Saint Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as the windowto Europe. Thousands of workmen were brought from all parts of Russia to build a new city on the swampy land at the mouth of the Neva River. Peter the

May Day is the holiday of the first day of the month of May. But before 1752, when the calendar was changed, it was 11 days earlier. It is the time of year when warmer weather begins and flowers and trees start to blossom. It is said to be a time of love and romance. It is when people celebrate

The first of January, New year’s Day, is a big holiday in Scotland. Scottish people celebrate New year’s Eve in every family. Friends usually come on that day. They have a good dinner. After dinner there are apples, other fruit, and different sweets to eat. Then all the family and the friends begin to play games and dance. Before twelve

Long ago ancient Greeks often waged wars. Small states suffered and lost much even if they did not take any side and stayed out of wars. The ruler of such a small state, Elis, wanted to live in peace with all neighbours. He was a good diplomat because his negotiations were successful and Elis was recognized a neutral state. To

«Do you speak English?» — with this phrase begins the conversation between two people, that speak different languages and want to find a common language. It’s very good when you hear: «Yes, I do», and start talking. People of different countries and nations have to get along well with the progress in world trade and technology as well as with