2. My plans for future.

Hi! My full name is Alexander Gordeyev, but friends normally call me Alex. I am 17 years old. I was born in Vladivostok but we left for Novosibirsk in 1998.

I have finished a secondary school. It offers a number of courses: the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics. I specialized in mathematics and IT (information technologies). Good knowledge of mathematics is essential for my studies and professional career. As to IT, one can't imagine the XXIst century without them and I simply love computers as many of my friends do.

By the way, my elder brother works with computers. He spends most of his time, I really think I could say that more than 50 per cent of his time sitting in front of his computer screen working. He just gets completely lost in it. He is working from home, as a programmer. I think he's quite successful, or he manages to get by from it at list.

But my chief interest is ships. I love the sea and dream of visiting far away countries. My father works as a navigator. As a child, I listened to my father discussing professional matters and created the models of different vessels.

Later I began thinking of Navigation as my prospective occupation. I would like to have an interesting and challenging job, that would involve meeting people and going on business trips and would be a well-paid one. One needs to earn enough money to be independent.

One more thing about being successful in life concerns our ways with other people. I am sure that being sympathetic and friendly towards others is much better than disregarding and tramping down on competitors. That's why I am trying to foster patience and understanding in my character.

I am fond of many things. I usually read a lot of books. My favourite author is Agatha Christie. I have read a lot of her detective stories and novels. I like listening to classical and pop music. I and my friends often go for walk to the country. We also visit dance-clubs and shows quite often.

Twice a week I attend a sports section. I go in for wrestling. I'm sure everyone should keep fit and take part in some sports. Wrestling does me a lot of good as it helps me to be physically fit. I am stronger, faster and healthier now than I used to be. And I am strongly against smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs. These are detrimental and can simply ruin your life.

I have a lot of friends and enjoy my life. It is just great to be young and to have the whole life ahead of you!

3. Agree or disagree with the statements. Prove your point of view.

1.​ We should choose what is really close to our hearts and interests, something we are really good at.

2.​ It isn't so important to know what professions are in demand in your town or region.

3.​ My hobby (my studies/ my taking part in ..) is a step to my future profession.

4.​ My parents shouldn't insist on my becoming ...

Supplementary reading

About myself.

1. Read and translate the text

It's not an easy thing to speak about yourself, but at the same time who knows you better than you yourself do? So to begin with I should say that I am a boy of sixteen with dark hair and blue eyes. I am fairly tall, but not of a very powerful build. I am shortsighted and I have to wear glasses most of the time.

I was born on 25th of April 1996 in Novosibirsk where I live now together with my parents and my younger sister. I wasn't sent to a kindergarten because of my delicate health.

At the age of 7 I went to school and studied at this school for 11 years. In senior classes my favourite subjects were Russian Literature and Biology. And I think I was rather good at those subjects. Besides studying I did karate, attended a sports club and did a bit of photography. At school I got the qualification of a driver. All these things were interesting for me.

Several months ago I passed my final exams at school and faced a new life with a mixed feeling of sadness and joy. School wasn't just learning for me. I had made good friends there.

Now a few words about my character and interests. My friends say that I am sociable, honest, helpful and cheerful. But my parents and my teachers sometimes say that T am stubborn and hard to deal with. I often lose my temper but I am not aggressive. I appreciate people's honesty, kindness, sense of justice and intelligence. My favourite occupation is playing the guitar, reading and going to the theater. I am fond of sports as well. Of late I have hardly had any time to do it since I have been extremely busy at the University. That's all I can say about myself.