Environmental Protection

Since ancient times Nature has served Man, being the source of his life. For thousands of years people lived in harmony with environment. But with the development of civilization man's interference with nature began to increase.

Large cities with thousands of smoky industrial enterprises appear all over the world today. They pollute the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we live in. Many cities suffer from smog. Vast forests are cut and burnt in fire.

As a result some rare species of animals, birds, fish and plants disappear forever.

Environmental protection is a universal concern. That is why serious measures to create a sistem of ecological security should be taken.

Some progress has been already made in this direction. As many as 159 countries-members of UNO- have set up environmental protection agencies. The accident at Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986 caused radioactive pollution of a vast area.

The international organization Greenpease is also doing much to preserve the environment.

The Earth is our home. We must take care of it for next generations and ourselves.

My Favorite Video Film.

My favorite video film is "Titanic". It tells the story of the famous ship, "Titanic", which sank in 1912. The "Titanic" was a colossal ship even by modern standards. Its tragic sinking will always be remembered, for the ship went down on the first voyage with heavy loss of life.

The director of the film is Jeremy Cameron. The main parts in the film are played by young actors Leonardo De Caprio and Kate Winslet. To my mind their acting is superb. The camerawork is fantastic, too. I've heard that for this film they made a full-size model of the "Titanic". It's a very spectacular film. It is also a moving love-story.

I advise all my friends to see this film. It was awarded 11 Oscars and I'm sure the film deserves every one of them. "

My Future Profession.

Finishing school is the beginning of the independent life for school leavers. Many roads are open before them: technical schools, institutes and universities. But it is not easy thing to choose a profession out of more than 2.000 existing in the world. Some pupils follow the advice of their parents, others can't decide even after leaving school. As for me I have made my choice long ago. I want to become a teacher of the Russian language and literature. My choice of this occupation didn't come as a sudden flash. During all school years literature was my favorite subject. I understand that reading books helps people in self-education and in solving different life problems. Teachers do not only teach their subjects. They develop their pupils' intellect, form their views and characters, their attitudes to life and to other people. It's a great responsibility.

I'm applying to the Philological Department and I am sure my dream will come true sooner or later.

Sport in my life.

Watching sport events and going in for sports are 2 different things. When you listen to the radio you can always hear sport news. When you open a newspaper you will always find information about sport events.

TV programs about sports are always very popular, and you can watch something very interesting every day.

Personally I prefer to watch figure-skating competitions.

Sports help people to keep fit. At the same time those who go in for sports try to achieve good results and win victories in sports competitions. Practically speaking all kinds of sports and games are popular in our country. People go in for athletics, gymnastics boxing, fencing, and tennis - sports and games for any season, for any person, for any taste.

It goes without saying that football and tennis enjoy the greatest popularity in our country.

As for me I go jogging every day and I attend fitness center 3 times a week. But I am not crazy about sports. I am much happier sitting on the sofa with a book or in front of the computer.

Travelling.

Modern life is impossible without travelling. People can travel by rail, by sea, by road, by air.

As for me I prefer travelling by car. Every year my parents and I go somewhere to the South for holidays.

The Black Sea is one of the most wonderful places, which attracts holidaymakers all over the world. We often go on excursions. It's interesting for me to go sightseeing and to see ancient monuments and many places of historical interest. As a rule I make new friends there. I never feel bored when I travel, because I always have good companions. Time passes quickly and soon we have to make our way back. We return home sunburnt and full of impressions. I think travelling and sightseeing help me get to know the world around us.

Books and libraries.

I usually take books from school library. The library is helpful when I have to make a report, when I need information on some subjects. The choice of books in our school library is very good. There are many short stories and novels, textbooks and reference books, dictionaries and encyclopedias there. All books are arranged in alphabetical order. I pay attention to the cover of the book, its illustrations, the name of the author, the title of the book and the contents.

When we take a book, we mustn't do dog's ears, we mustn't write anything on the pages, and we must return books to the library in time.

I think it is necessary to follow these rules. I'm extremely fond of reading. I often read for pleasure and sometimes for information.

So I'm interested in different kinds of books. I like to read stories about heroes, great travelers, explorers, and courageous men. These books excite my imagination. I think I devote much time to reading.

Famous people.

Andrei Sakharov, an outstanding scientist and public figure, was born on the 21^st of May 1921. He graduated from Moscow University in 1942. In 1947 he defended his thesis for the degree of Candidate of Science. In 1953 he defended his Doctorate thesis and was elected member of the Academy of Sciences.

Sakharov played a decisive role in developing the Soviet hydrogen bomb. While working on the bomb he came to the conclusion that any atomic and nuclear weapons should be banned.

He fought courageously for human rights in the former USSR and in 1975 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His international repute as a scientist kept him out official, but in 1980 he was deprived of all his titles and orders and exiled to the city of Gorky. There he continued to work for peace, justice and human rights.

Only in 1985 Sakharov was allowed to come back to Moscow. He was given back all his titles and 3 years later he was elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet. But soon he died in 1989.

A.D. Sakharov is remembered by everybody as an outstanding humanist and philosopher.