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Лексика английского языка для старших классов. Начинаем подготовку к ОГЭ и ЕГЭ
Why do you think family traditions are important?
Family traditions help bring everyone closer and create memories that last a lifetime. They remind us of what’s really important – spending quality time with the people you love.
How do you usually spend holidays with your family?
During the holidays, we usually stay home, decorate the house, and cook big meals together. We like to keep things cozy and spend time talking, playing games, or watching movies.
Family Hangouts
Story
Hi! I’m Dasha, I’m 17, and I want to tell you about something I look forward to every week – our family hangouts.
We don’t do anything super fancy, but it’s one of my favorite parts of the week. Every Friday evening, after school, my family gets together in the living room. My mom usually orders pizza or we make homemade sandwiches. My dad sets up the TV for a movie, and my little brother, Alex, gets all excited about choosing which movie we’re going to watch. Most of the time, we end up watching a comedy or an action movie, because Alex always picks something fast-paced and fun.
We don’t just watch movies, though. We talk a lot, too. Sometimes, my mom shares funny stories from work, and my dad tells us about his childhood. I don’t always understand everything my dad says (he can go on and on), but I enjoy hearing about the crazy things he did when he was my age. My brother and I make fun of him sometimes, but we know he’s just trying to connect with us.
We always end the night with a family game. It’s either board games or video games, depending on our mood. Last Friday, we played charades, and it was hilarious. My dad can’t act, and Alex’s guesses are always so wrong that it’s impossible not to laugh. We may argue over the rules sometimes, but it’s all in good fun. We always finish the evening by sitting together, chatting about our week, and planning what we’ll do next weekend.
Our family hangouts aren’t anything special to anyone else, but for me, they’re the highlight of the week. It’s our time to forget about school, work, and all the stress, and just enjoy being together.
Useful Phrases and Expressions
To get together – собираться вместе
To look forward to something – с нетерпением ждать чего-то
To set up the TV – настраивать телевизор
To make homemade sandwiches – готовить домашние бутерброды
To pick a movie – выбирать фильм
To be excited about something – быть в восторге от чего-то
To go on and on – говорить без конца
To share funny stories – рассказывать смешные истории
To make fun of someone – смеяться над кем-то
To try to connect with someone – пытаться наладить контакт с кем-то
To end the night – закончить вечер
To play board games – играть в настольные игры
To play video games – играть в видеоигры
To guess something – угадать что-то
To argue over the rules – спорить о правилах
In good fun – для веселья, с юмором
To be the highlight of the week – быть самым ярким моментом недели
To forget about something – забыть о чем-то
To enjoy being together – наслаждаться временем вместе
To plan something – планировать что-то
To relax and unwind – расслабляться и отдыхать
To laugh out loud – смеяться вслух
To get along with someone – ладить с кем-то
To have a good time – хорошо проводить время
To have a blast – отлично проводить время
Vocabulary Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrases from the list.
Every Friday, my family __________ and enjoys a movie together.
We always __________ for the family hangout because it’s our chance to relax.
My dad usually __________ the TV and sets up the movie.
Alex is always so __________ about picking the movie for the night.
We always end the evening by __________ playing video games or a board game.
Sometimes, we __________ when we talk about our past, but it’s all in good fun.
We don’t always agree on the rules, but we never get serious when we __________.
Our family hangouts are definitely the __________ of the week for me.
It’s so nice to just __________ and forget about everything else for a few hours.
After the movie, we usually __________ about the next family hangout.
Exercise 2: Matching
Match the phrases with their correct translations.
To get together
To be excited about something
To share funny stories
To make fun of someone
To argue over the rules
To laugh out loud
a) смеяться вслух
b) спорить о правилах
c) собираться вместе
d) быть в восторге от чего-то
e) рассказывать смешные истории
f) смеяться над кем-то
Exercise 3: Personal Questions
Answer the following questions based on your own experiences.
Does your family have any regular hangouts? What do you usually do together?
How do you like to spend your weekends with your family?
What’s the best part of spending time with your family?
Do you have any funny traditions or games that you play with your family?
How do you feel after a family hangout?
Answer Key
Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-blanks
get together
look forward to
sets up
excited
playing
argue over the rules
laugh out loud
highlight
relax and unwind
plan
Exercise 2: Matching
To get together – c) собираться вместе
To be excited about something – d) быть в восторге от чего-то
To share funny stories – e) рассказывать смешные истории
To make fun of someone – f) смеяться над кем-то
To argue over the rules – b) спорить о правилах
To laugh out loud – a) смеяться вслух
Example Answers to Personal Questions:
Does your family have any regular hangouts? What do you usually do together?
Yes, my family has a regular hangout every Saturday. We usually have a barbecue in the backyard, play some music, and just relax together.
How do you like to spend your weekends with your family?
I enjoy spending my weekends with my family by going for walks in the park or having a movie marathon at home. It’s a great way to catch up and have fun.
What’s the best part of spending time with your family?
The best part is just laughing and talking together. It’s nice to forget about everything else and be in the moment with the people I care about.
Do you have any funny traditions or games that you play with your family?
Yes, we have a tradition of playing charades every Christmas. It’s always hilarious because we act out the most ridiculous things, and no one ever guesses correctly!
How do you feel after a family hangout?
I feel happy and relaxed after spending time with my family. It’s nice to be able to just unwind and enjoy each other’s company.
Comfort at Home
Story
Hey, I’m Katya, I’m 16, and I want to tell you what makes my house feel really cozy and special to me.
For me, comfort at home isn’t just about having a nice sofa or a fancy TV. It’s about the little things that make the atmosphere warm and inviting. My favorite part of the house is the living room. It’s not the biggest room, but it’s the one where I feel the most at home. There’s a huge, soft couch where we all sit together to watch movies, and I love how it’s surrounded by plants. My mom is really into plants, so we have a lot of them. They give the room a fresh feel, and I find it really relaxing just to sit there and look at them.
Another thing that makes our home cozy is the smell. It sounds strange, but I think smell is such an important part of creating a welcoming environment. My mom always bakes on weekends, and the smell of fresh bread or cinnamon rolls fills the house. When I walk in after school, the first thing I notice is that smell. It instantly makes me feel relaxed and safe, like I’m home.
The lighting is also a huge factor. We don’t use bright overhead lights much. Instead, we have soft lamps that give off a warm glow. My mom likes to light candles too, especially in the evening. I love how the soft, flickering light creates a calm atmosphere. It feels like a mini escape from the busy world outside.
Of course, comfort at home is also about the people you share it with. My family is always around, and there’s always someone to talk to or hang out with. Whether it’s my dad telling jokes or my younger brother running around, there’s always some kind of activity happening. Even on the busiest days, it’s nice to come home to a place where you feel loved and at ease.
For me, home is the place where I can truly relax and be myself. It’s where I feel safe, comfortable, and happy.
Useful Phrases and Expressions
To feel at home – чувствовать себя как дома
A cozy home – уютный дом
To create a warm and inviting atmosphere – создавать тёплую и гостеприимную атмосферу
To be surrounded by something – быть окружённым чем-то
To find something relaxing – находить что-то расслабляющим
To feel safe – чувствовать себя в безопасности
To notice something – замечать что-то
To instantly feel relaxed – сразу почувствовать расслабление
To give off a warm glow – излучать тёплый свет
A soft glow – мягкое свечение
To light candles – зажигать свечи
To escape from the busy world outside – убежать от суеты внешнего мира
To hang out with someone – проводить время с кем-то
To tell jokes – рассказывать шутки
To have someone to talk to – иметь с кем поговорить
To be around – быть рядом, находиться в близости
To feel loved – чувствовать себя любимым
To be yourself – быть собой
To come home – прийти домой
To make something special – сделать что-то особенным
A fresh feel – свежая атмосфера
To fill the house with a smell – наполнять дом запахом
A welcoming environment – гостеприимная обстановка
A soft lamp – мягкая лампа
To create a calm atmosphere – создавать спокойную атмосферу
Vocabulary Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrases from the list.
The smell of cinnamon rolls __________ every weekend, and it makes the house feel warm and cozy.
I love the __________ of the living room, with its soft light and plants everywhere.
When I come home after a long day, I instantly __________ and feel at peace.
My mom likes to __________ in the evenings, especially when we have family dinners.
The living room is a place where we __________ after school to watch movies or talk.
Having plants around the house really __________. They make everything feel fresher and more relaxing.
The soft lighting from the lamps creates a __________ that helps me relax after a busy day.
I feel completely __________ when I’m at home because it’s a place where I can be myself.
Our house is always __________ with the smell of fresh bread, which is my favorite thing.
After school, I like to __________ with my family and chat about our day.
Exercise 2: Matching
Match the phrases with their correct translations.
To feel at home
To create a welcoming environment
To light candles
To have someone to talk to
To come home
A cozy home
a) создать гостеприимную атмосферу
b) иметь с кем поговорить
c) прийти домой
d) уютный дом
e) зажигать свечи
f) чувствовать себя как дома
Exercise 3: Personal Questions
Answer the following questions based on your own experiences.
What makes your home feel cozy and special to you?
How do you usually spend your time at home after school?
What’s your favorite part of your home and why?
How do your family members contribute to creating a cozy atmosphere at home?
Do you think the smell of food or candles can make a big difference in how a home feels? Why?
Answer Key
Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-blanks
fills the house with a smell
feel
feel relaxed
light candles
hang out
gives off a fresh feel
soft glow
feel safe
fills the house
hang out
Exercise 2: Matching
To feel at home – f) чувствовать себя как дома
To create a welcoming environment – a) создать гостеприимную атмосферу
To light candles – e) зажигать свечи
To have someone to talk to – b) иметь с кем поговорить
To come home – c) прийти домой
A cozy home – d) уютный дом
Example Answers to Personal Questions:
What makes your home feel cozy and special to you?
I love how my room is always warm and how there’s a big window where I can see the trees outside. My family also has a tradition of making hot chocolate on rainy days, which always makes the house feel extra cozy.
How do you usually spend your time at home after school?
After school, I usually go to my room to relax, do my homework, and listen to music. On weekends, I like to spend time with my family in the living room, watching movies or just chatting.
What’s your favorite part of your home and why?
My favorite part of the house is the kitchen because it’s where everyone gathers to cook and talk. It feels really warm and inviting, especially when my mom is baking something.
How do your family members contribute to creating a cozy atmosphere at home?
My mom likes to keep the house clean and adds little touches like fresh flowers or candles. My dad often plays music in the living room, which makes the space feel comfortable and lively.
Do you think the smell of food or candles can make a big difference in how a home feels? Why?
Yes, definitely! The smell of freshly baked cookies or a scented candle makes the house feel inviting and warm. It immediately makes you feel like you’re in a place where you’re welcome and safe.
Conflict Situations
Story
Hey, I’m Ivan, I’m 18, and I want to tell you about a conflict I had with my best friend, Max, and how we managed to sort it out.
It all started last month when we were planning a trip to the mountains. We’ve been friends for years, and we’ve always done everything together, so I was really excited. Max and I are very different, though – he’s spontaneous, and I like to plan everything down to the smallest detail. So when he suggested we go hiking without a specific route or any preparation, I got really upset. I tried to explain that it was important to me to have a plan so we wouldn’t get lost, but Max just brushed it off and said, «Don’t worry, it’ll be fun!»
That really got on my nerves. I started thinking that he didn’t take me seriously and that he was ignoring my feelings. We had a huge argument about it, and for the next couple of days, we didn’t speak at all. I was so frustrated that I didn’t even want to talk to him. It felt like our friendship was falling apart.
After a few days, I realized that holding onto my anger wasn’t going to solve anything. So I decided to talk to him. I told Max how I felt, and he actually listened. He apologized for not considering my concerns and explained that he didn’t want the trip to feel too stressful. Max admitted that he often rushes into things because he doesn’t like overthinking them. I understood where he was coming from, and I apologized too, for getting too upset.
We both agreed that we needed to find a balance between his spontaneous nature and my need for planning. We ended up planning the trip together, with some flexibility, and it turned out to be an amazing experience. We learned that sometimes it’s important to express your feelings and find a compromise, rather than letting a small disagreement ruin a good friendship.
Useful Phrases and Expressions
To have an argument – поссориться, спорить
To get upset – расстраиваться
To try to explain something – пытаться объяснить что-то
To brush something off – отмахиваться от чего-то, игнорировать
To get on someone’s nerves – раздражать кого-то
To ignore someone’s feelings – игнорировать чьи-то чувства
To have a huge argument – сильно поссориться
To be frustrated – быть разочарованным, расстроенным
To fall apart – разрушаться, распадаться (о дружбе, отношениях)
To hold onto anger – держаться за злость
To talk it out – поговорить, обсудить ситуацию
To listen to someone – выслушать кого-то
To apologize for something – извиниться за что-то
To rush into things – бросаться в дела, не обдумав их
To overthink something – слишком много думать, переживать
To find a balance – найти баланс
To find a compromise – найти компромисс
To express your feelings – выразить свои чувства
To ruin a good friendship – разрушить хорошую дружбу
To turn out to be – оказаться, получиться
To be flexible – быть гибким, адаптироваться
To come to an understanding – прийти к взаимопониманию
To take someone seriously – воспринимать кого-то всерьез
To solve a problem – решить проблему
To be angry at someone – злиться на кого-то
Vocabulary Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrases from the list.
I was so upset when Max just __________ my concerns about the trip.
After our argument, I realized I couldn’t __________ my anger forever.
We had a __________ about the trip, and it felt like we weren’t friends anymore.
I decided to __________ and talk to Max about how I was feeling.
Max apologized for __________ my feelings and promised to consider my thoughts next time.
We finally agreed to __________ between Max’s spontaneous ideas and my need for plans.
It was a difficult situation, but we were able to __________ and work things out.
I was so __________ because I felt like he wasn’t listening to me.
I tried to __________ why I felt uncomfortable with his idea of hiking without a plan.
We both realized that a small disagreement shouldn’t __________ our friendship.
Exercise 2: Matching
Match the phrases with their correct translations.
To have an argument
To listen to someone
To rush into things
To apologize for something
To find a compromise
To get on someone’s nerves
a) извиняться за что-то
b) раздражать кого-то
c) поспешить с чем-то
d) спорить с кем-то
e) найти компромисс
f) выслушать кого-то
Exercise 3: Personal Questions
Answer the following questions based on your own experiences.
Have you ever had a conflict with a friend? How did you resolve it?
How do you usually deal with arguments in your family or with friends?
Do you think it’s important to express your feelings during a conflict? Why?
What is more important for you: to find a compromise or to stick to your opinion? Why?
How can conflicts sometimes improve relationships?
Answer Key
Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-blanks
brushed off
hold onto
huge argument
talk it out
ignoring
find a balance
come to an understanding
frustrated
try to explain
ruin
Exercise 2: Matching
To have an argument – d) спорить с кем-то
To listen to someone – f) выслушать кого-то
To rush into things – c) поспешить с чем-то
To apologize for something – a) извиняться за что-то
To find a compromise – e) найти компромисс
To get on someone’s nerves – b) раздражать кого-то
Example Answers to Personal Questions:
Have you ever had a conflict with a friend? How did you resolve it?
Yes, I had a conflict with my best friend over a school project. We both had different ideas about how to approach it, but we solved it by talking openly and agreeing to combine our ideas.
How do you usually deal with arguments in your family or with friends?
I usually try to stay calm and listen to the other person’s point of view. After hearing them out, I express my own feelings, and we try to find a solution together.
Do you think it’s important to express your feelings during a conflict? Why?
Yes, it’s really important to express your feelings because if you don’t, you might end up bottling everything up, which could lead to bigger problems later on.
What is more important for you: to find a compromise or to stick to your opinion? Why?
For me, finding a compromise is more important. Sticking to my opinion can be important, but listening to others and finding common ground helps maintain healthy relationships.
How can conflicts sometimes improve relationships?
Conflicts can improve relationships because they allow you to understand each other better. Once you talk things out and solve the problem, you often feel closer to the other person and more comfortable sharing your thoughts in the future.
Finding Friends
Story
Hi, I’m Liza, I’m 17, and I want to tell about how I found my best friend, Anna.
It wasn’t always easy to make friends. When I was younger, I was pretty shy and didn’t always know how to start conversations with people. I remember in middle school, I would sit alone at lunch and watch everyone else talk and laugh. It felt like I didn’t belong. I wanted to find someone to talk to, but I didn’t know how to break the ice.
One day, everything changed. I was sitting in class when Anna, a girl from my math group, turned around and asked if I wanted to join her for lunch. I was a little surprised, but I said yes. We started talking, and she told me about her love for reading, something we both had in common. We talked about our favorite books, and from that day on, we started meeting for lunch every day.
At first, it was awkward, and we didn’t have much to say. But over time, we found more things we liked to do together. We both loved going to the movies and trying new cafés in the city. Slowly, I realized that Anna was someone I could trust, someone who made me feel comfortable being myself. We shared a lot of laughs, talked about everything under the sun, and soon became inseparable.
Looking back, I realized that finding a good friend isn’t about having everything in common or being exactly the same. It’s about being open, being yourself, and showing that you care. A good friendship takes time, but it’s worth the effort. I’m so glad I didn’t give up, because now I know that true friends are the ones who support you, understand you, and always make you feel welcome.
Useful Phrases and Expressions
To make friends – завести друзей
To break the ice – разрядить обстановку, начать разговор
To start a conversation – начать разговор
To feel like you don’t belong – чувствовать, что не принадлежишь
To feel comfortable – чувствовать себя комфортно
