По­яс­не­ние. При­мер диа­ло­га.

S: Hi, Monica/Mark! Nice to see you!

I: Hi. How are you?

S: Fine. Look, Monica/Mark, I’ve got two tickets to the concert. It’s tonight but I can’t go. Would you like to have them?

I: Thanks, but I can’t go either. I wish I could, but I’m taking an exam tomorrow and have to study for it till late tonight.

S: I see. It’s a pity to waste the tickets.

I: It is, but nothing can be done about it. I have to think about my grades. When do you take exams in your school in Russia? And what are they?

S: We take exams in May and June when we complete the 9th grade. There are four exams. The exam in Russian and the exam in Mathematics are compulsory  — everyone has to take them. As for the other two exams  — we can choose the subjects.

I: Have you chosen yet?

S: Yes, I’m going to take English, because I like it and I’m quite good at it.

I: And the fourth one?

S: As for the fourth one, I haven’t made my final decision yet.

I: I see. Exams are always so stressful. It’s good that school is not only about exams…

S: Yeah.

I: It’s also about holidays and school events. Do you have any school celebrations? I mean do you celebrate any holidays at school?

S: Yes, certainly.

I: Which ones?

S: My favourite holiday is New Year. We arrange concerts and parties in school. Sometimes we stage plays in our School Theatre. It’s always fun because we make special costumes.

I: Right. And some other holidays?

S: We also celebrate St. Valentine’s Day  — we give each other little cards with warm wishes. Then the 23rd of February. It’s the day when we honour army veterans and soldiers. In schools, the girls give the boys small gifts or cards. On the 8th of March, the situation is the opposite  — the boys wish the girls a happy Women’s day and celebrate the coming of spring by giving them flowers. We also arrange concerts and performances for our teachers. Lastly, we arrange joint birthday parties. It’s when we celebrate all the birthdays of people who had them in the previous month.

I: Sounds nice. And it reminds me  — we are having a party to celebrate my friend’s birthday on Saturday. Would you like to join us? It’ll be fun.

S: I’d love to but I can’t. Sorry. A friend of mine is taking part in a swimming competition on Saturday. He swims for our school and I’ve promised to go and to support him.

I: It’s ok. There’ll be lots more parties.

S: Right. Look, Monica/Mark, I have to be off I’m afraid. My class is about to start. See you around.

I: See you. Have a nice day.