Task 4. Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project “An ideal weekend”. You have found some photos to illustrate it but for technical reasons you cannot send them now. Leave a voice message to your friend explaining your choice of the photos and sharing some ideas about the project. In 2.5 minutes be ready to: explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences; mention the advantages (1–2) of the two ways of spending weekends; mention the disadvantages (1–2) of the two ways of spending weekends; express your opinion on the subject of the project – say which way of spending weekends you’d prefer and why. You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.

Возможный ответ: Hi Kate, I’ve found two photos which I think work really well for our project “An ideal weekend”, and I’d like to tell you about them. Both photos show people spending their weekends in different ways. One photo shows two young women relaxing at home on a sofa and watching something together. The other photo shows a group of young people playing football outdoors in a park. These ways of spending a weekend are quite different: staying at home is calm and relaxing, whereas playing outdoor games is active and energetic. Also, spending time at home does not depend much on the weather, while outdoor activities are more suitable when the weather is good. I think both ways of spending weekends have their advantages and disadvantages. Relaxing at home, for example, helps people recover after a busy week and does not require much preparation, but it can become boring if you spend the whole weekend indoors. As for outdoor activities, they help people keep fit and spend time with friends. On the downside, they can be tiring, and bad weather may ruin your plans. As for me, I would definitely prefer spending my weekend outdoors. I enjoy being active, getting some fresh air and having fun with my friends. That’s all I wanted to tell you. Bye!

Task 4. Imagine that you and your friend are doing a school project “Professions”. You have found some photos to illustrate it but for technical reasons you cannot send them now. Leave a voice message to your friend explaining your choice of the photos and sharing some ideas about the project. In 2.5 minutes be ready to: explain the choice of the illustrations for the project by briefly describing them and noting the differences; mention the advantages (1–2) of the two types of professions; mention the disadvantages (1–2) of the two types of professions; express your opinion on the subject of the project – say which of the professions presented in the pictures you’d prefer and why. You will speak for not more than 3 minutes (12–15 sentences). You have to talk continuously.

Возможный ответ: Hi Kate, I’ve found two photos which I think work really well for our project “Professions”, and I’d like to tell you about them. Both photos show people doing different kinds of professional work. One photo shows a teacher explaining something at the blackboard in a classroom. The other photo shows a car mechanic helping a customer and checking the engine of her car. These professions are quite different: teaching is mainly intellectual and involves working with students, whereas being a mechanic is more practical and technical. Also, teachers usually work in schools or universities, while mechanics often work in garages or service centres. I think both professions shown in the pictures have their advantages and disadvantages. Teaching, for example, allows people to share their knowledge and help students develop, but it can be stressful because teachers have a lot of responsibility. As for working as a mechanic, it gives people useful practical skills and the satisfaction of repairing things. On the downside, this job can be physically demanding and sometimes dirty. As for me, I would definitely prefer being a teacher. I enjoy explaining things to other people, and I think it would be rewarding to help students learn something new. That’s all I wanted to tell you. Bye!

You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions. Give full answers to the questions (2-3 sentences). Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Скрипт: Hello everybody! It’s Teenagers Round the World Channel. Our guest today is a teenager from Russia and we are going to discuss teenagers' attitude to reading books. We’d like to know our guest’s point of view on this issue. Please answer five questions. So, let’s get started. Do you agree that nowadays people read less than they used to in the past? What is better — to read a book or to watch its screen version? Why? How can good reading skills help teenagers in their future career? Who or what can help children shape their reading habits? What are your current reading preferences? Have they changed since you were a child? Возможный ответ: Do you agree that nowadays people read less than they used to in the past? Yes, I agree that people nowadays read less than they used to in the past, especially printed books. This is mainly because of the popularity of social media, video content, and streaming platforms, which compete for people's attention and free time. What is better — to read a book or to watch its screen version? Why? I think both have their advantages, but reading a book is better if you want to understand the characters and the story in more detail. Watching a screen version is more entertaining and visually impressive, but it often omits important plotlines or changes the original story. How can good reading skills help teenagers in their future career? Good reading skills can help teenagers in their future career by improving their vocabulary, writing skills, and critical thinking abilities. Being able to understand complex texts quickly is also essential for many professions, especially in law, medicine, and education. Who or what can help children shape their reading habits? Parents and teachers play a key role in shaping children's reading habits by reading to them, buying interesting books, and encouraging them to read for fun. Public libraries and school reading programmes can also help make reading a regular and enjoyable activity. What are your current reading preferences? Have they changed since you were a child? My current reading preferences are mostly modern fiction, science fiction, and non-fiction about history and psychology. When I was a child, I preferred fairy tales and adventure stories, so my taste has definitely become more varied and serious over time.

You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions. Give full answers to the questions (2-3 sentences). Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Скрипт: Hello everybody! It’s Teenagers Round the World Channel. Our guest today is a teenager from Russia and we are going to discuss teenagers' attitude to shopping. We’d like to know our guest’s point of view on this issue. Please answer five questions. So, let’s get started. Do you like shopping? Why or why not? Why do you think so many people enjoy the sales? What are the main advantages and disadvantages of shopping online? Who do you love shopping with? Why? What are your favourite shops? Why do you like them? Возможный ответ: Do you like shopping? Why or why not? I like shopping, but I wouldn't say I'm crazy about it. I enjoy it when I'm looking for something specific, like clothes or gifts, but I find it tiring when I have to spend hours in crowded malls without a clear goal. Why do you think so many people enjoy the sales? Many people enjoy the sales because they offer a chance to buy products at much lower prices, which makes them feel like they're saving money. There is also an exciting atmosphere during sales, with discounts and limited offers that encourage people to buy more than they usually would. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of shopping online? The main advantages of shopping online are convenience and variety, as you can shop from home and choose from a huge range of products. However, the disadvantages include the inability to see or try the product before buying, as well as possible delivery delays and extra costs. Who do you love shopping with? Why? I love shopping with my friends because they give me honest opinions and make the process much more fun and enjoyable. Shopping together also feels like a social event rather than a chore, and we can have a good time trying on clothes and laughing. What are your favourite shops? Why do you like them? My favourite shops are large clothing stores like Befree and Gloria Jeans because they offer modern, stylish clothes at affordable prices. I also like online platforms like Wildberries and Ozon because they have a huge selection and often offer discounts and fast delivery.

You are going to give an interview. You have to answer five questions. Give full answers to the questions (2-3 sentences). Remember that you have 40 seconds to answer each question.

Скрипт: What do you think schools will look like in some 20 years? What kind of teachers will work at these schools? What subjects will be taught at these schools? How different will these schools be from today's school? Will it be boring or fun to study at the school of the future? Why? What do you think schools will look like in some 20 years? I think schools in 20 years will look very different from today — they will probably have fewer traditional classrooms and more open spaces with advanced technology like interactive whiteboards, virtual reality headsets, and 3D printers. Many lessons might be held online or in hybrid formats, with students using tablets instead of heavy textbooks. What kind of teachers will work at these schools? Teachers at these schools will be more like guides or mentors rather than strict lecturers, helping students find information and develop critical thinking skills. They will need to be tech-savvy and adaptable, able to use digital tools effectively while still providing emotional support and motivation to their students. What subjects will be taught at these schools? I believe students will still study traditional subjects like maths, literature, and sciences, but there will be a much greater emphasis on digital literacy, coding, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, subjects like financial literacy, environmental studies, and mental health education will likely become compulsory to prepare students for modern life. How different will these schools be from today's school? These schools will be drastically different because learning will become much more personalised and student-centred, with each student having their own learning pace and individual curriculum. The rigid schedule of 45-minute lessons will probably disappear, replaced by flexible project-based learning where students work on real-world problems. Will it be boring or fun to study at the school of the future? Why? I think it will be much more fun to study at the school of the future because lessons will be interactive and hands-on, using gamification and virtual reality to make learning engaging. However, there is a risk that some students might miss traditional face-to-face communication, so it will be important to balance technology with social interaction to keep it both fun and meaningful.