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Unit 90 Easily confused words

readeralexey — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 18:48:50 GMT

Have you ever intervened to stop or settle a conflict? Did you succeed?

Give five (hypothetical) examples of actions or words which you would consider to be an unwarrantable interference in your affairs.

Is there anything happening continually that you wish had stopped?

Give three examples of things which need to happen continuously in order to succeed.

Have you watched any series online? Tell about it.

Have you watched any serial online? Tell about it.

Would you rather stay in the shade or cast a shadow in life? Explain.

Do you ever compliment people? Why (not)?

Do you believe you will need to enroll in another programme after graduation to complement your skills?

Unit 74 Apology, regret and reconciliation

readeralexey — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 20:00:40 GMT

Have you ever offered anyone a heartfelt (and I mean it) apology? What was the occasion? How was it received? Did it mend the situation?

What, in your opinion, is a perfect excuse for not attending classes? A lame excuse?

Have you ever had an occasion to think of an alibi? Of a pretext for your actions?

As a teenager, did you ever feel remorse when reprimanded by seniors?

Find a story of a posthumous pardon.

Find a story / literary account of a last-minute reprieve.

Tell a story of a crime victim who managed to forgive and forget.

Explain the difference between an armistice, a truce and a ceasefire. Give examples from recent or currant history.

Unit 51 Healthcare

readeralexey — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 15:46:39 GMT

What, in your opinion, are the advantages and disadvantages of free medicine? Of commercial medicine?

What is the principal difference between the traditional and the alternative medicine?

What is your view of alternative medicine? Have you ever been to a specialist who practises some kind of alternating medicine? What has been your experience and the outcome?

What are the strong and the weak points of Russian healthcare system? What are the challenges it faces?

What do you do to "keep the doctor away"?

Which doctor treated you when you were ill last? Why did you consult the doctor? Did you go to the clinic or did you call the doctor in? Why was it necessary for you to see a doctor? What were your symptoms? What did the doctor say? How long were you ill? Did you take a holiday after you recovered?

When did you see the dentist last? What was the matter with you? What did the dentist say? What did the dentist do? Was it painful?

What would you do if you fell ill? Would you follow the doctor's recommendations if he advised you to stay in bed for a couple of days? Who would take care of you if you were very seriously ill?

Have you ever had any operations?

Are you allergic to anything?

If you have had coronavirus, describe the way it developed and the way you recovered from it.

Describe the way someone attended to you when you were ill.

Describe your experience of being at hospital.

Unit 22 Talking about books

readeralexey — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:15:46 GMT

Write a blurb for a work of fiction (Russian or English) without revealing its title or character names for your classmates to guess what book it is.

Give an example of compulsive reading you have had recently.

Describe a book you know which was ahead of its time.

Have you read any memoirs? Did you like it? Why (not)?

Was there any book in your History of English Literature course that you would call compulsive reading? What was the most heavy going one?

Do you read in bed? What is good bedtime reading, in your opinion?

Unit 01 Cramming for success: study and academic work

readeralexey — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 20:36:26 GMT

Write about your most memorable (so far) composition, essay, or assignment, using words from the unit (include info on the topic, writing process and challenges, and the outcome).

Have you ever used mnemonics while preparing for your exams?

Did you ever cheat at your tests or exams at school? Did it work?

Do you ever read academic journals? Name them if you do.

Unit 038 Politics and public institutions

readeralexey — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:55:27 GMT

Are you interested in politics? Why (not)?

What theories about the source of political power do you know? What type of government corresponds to each theory?

Do you think Orthodox Autocratic Monarchy is still possible in Russia? Why (not)?

Do you subscribe to the definition of democracy given in the book: "government of, by and for the people"? Why (not)?
Do you know the source of this definition?

"Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…" (Winston S Churchill, 11 November 1947). Do you agree?

To what extent do you think is Russia an independent (sovereign) country? What about EU countries? The UK? The USA? Can you name other independent countries?

Can you name any famous US Presidents or UK Prime Ministers? What are they famous for?

Is there a politician (past or present) you would like to have met and conversed with? Why?

What parties represented in US Congress do you know? What is the difference between them?

What is a system of checks and balances?

What parties represented in British Parliament do you know? What is the difference between them?

What role does the monarch play in British political system?

Have you ever participated in parliamentary or presidential elections? Why (not)?

Do you support any political party? Why (not)?

Do you consider ever joining a political party? Why (not)?

Write a paragraph about the political system in your country. Make sure your paragraph deals with all the following aspects of the topic appropriate to your country:
kind of government, e.g. a republic or a monarchy chambers or houses
elections
terms of office
government leader

Unit 02 Education: debates and issues

readeralexey — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:51:34 GMT

Do you think there is equality of opportunity inherent in the Russian education system? Explain.

Have you had any experience of selective and/or comprehensive schooling? What was the difference?

Have you consulted any league tables when selecting a university to enter? Why (not)? What is your attitude towards top universities? What determined your choice to enter this university?

Have you received any scholarships or bursaries? What has been your experience with them?

Can you say you are literate and numerate? Why (not)?

If curriculum reform depended on your decisions, what would it be?

Do you think you will pursue continuing education and be a mature student one day?

Have you ever faced bullying?

Unit 030 Health and lifestyle

readeralexey — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:42:03 GMT

List the foods that you eat most regularly. How many are (a) healthy (b) not so healthy?

Do you consume any superfoods? Why? Why not?

Name a food / drink that caused you a short-term health problem.

Name a food / drink that has caused you a long-term health problem.

What do you do to boost your immune system?

What health risks are you particularly concerned about? What do you do to reduce them?

Do you ever eat food that you are 100% sure is not processed? If yes, where do you get it?

What is the difference between fasting and dieting?

What do you do to keep fit?

"People often do not realise how stressful their jobs are" (section B). Do you agree?

Which of your habits do you consider to be harmful? What harm do they cause?

Unit 067 Discourse markers in spoken English

readeralexey — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:25:26 GMT

Write 2-3 short dialogues using discourse markers from the unit, and be ready to present them in class. Ask another student to help you with the oral presentation. Use props in your performance, if possible.

Unit 008 Describing people: personality

readeralexey — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:03:41 GMT

1. Why do you think intelligent people are sometimes poor?

2. Have you ever met a shrewd person?

3. Do you consider yourself to be gifted?

4. Describe the most stupid thing you did over the last couple of weeks.

5. To what extent do you think the fear of looking foolish is an obstacle to being enquiring and ambitious?

6. How would you treat a person who never says a silly thing?

7. Have you ever met a crafty person and fallen prey to cunning?

8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an optimist? A pessimist?

9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an extrovert? An introvert?

10. When you feel wound up what helps you to relax?

11. Do you know a sensible person who you can consult in a difficult situation?

12. Have you grown more or less sensitive over the years?

13. To what extent do you think being gregarious and even-tempered is conducive to success in life?

14. How honest are you with yourself and others?

15. To what extent do you think envy contributes to one’s determination to succeed in life?

16. Write about your best friend or favorite family member. Describe their character. Why do you like this person, what makes him/her special?

17. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as determined. Then change it in such a way that the word "obstinate" is more appropriate.
18. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as thrifty. Then change it in such a way that the word "stingy" is more appropriate.
19. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as self-assured. Then change it in such a way that the word "arrogant" is more appropriate.
20. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as original. Then change it in such a way that the word "eccentric" is more appropriate.
21. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as frank. Then change it in such a way that the word "blunt" is more appropriate.
22. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as broad-minded. Then change it in such a way that the word "unprincipled" is more appropriate.
23. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as generous. Then change it in such a way that the word "extravagant" is more appropriate.
24. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as innocent. Then change it in such a way that the word "naive" is more appropriate.
25. Describe a situation in which a person can be characterised as assertive. Then change it in such a way that the word "aggressive" is more appropriate.