GRAMMAR FOCUS: THE PRESENT SIMPLE AND THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS 9 Read and remember.
The Present Simple
The Present Continuous
1. Don runs in the park every morning.
1. Hello. Don! Can you give me Sue's
telephone number? Sorry. I'm
running in the park at the moment.
I'll phone you back in half an hour.
2. Look: Antonio is buying flowers.
Who are those flowers for. I wonder?
3. My father is watching sports news on
TV now. Don't ask him any questions!
2. Antonio often buys flowers for his
grandma
3. My father usually watches sports news
on TV in the evening.
We se now at the moment, at present
tonight
We use: often, usually, sometimes, rarely,
every day (morning, evening, week, month
year)​

Биг-Бен
Perhaps even small children know what a Big Ben is. Firstly, it’s the symbol of Great Britain and one of the most beautiful sights of London. Secondly, it’s the largest and the most famous clock in the world. Originally, Big Ben is a tower. It’s one of the highest towers of Westminster Palace. Officially, the clock has started its work on 31 May 1859. According to one of the theories the clock has been named Big Ben after Sir Benjamin Hall, who directed work on the casting of the bell. Another theory claims that it has been named after Benjamin Caunt, who was one of the well-known heavyweight boxers of the 19th century. Surprisingly, the tower of Big Ben used to be a prison where over riotous parliamentarians were kept. Big Ben has become a popular souvenir for tourists. Almost all visitors of London buy a small souvenir in the shape of the world-famous clock. Also Big Ben can be often seen in famous films and ads. Official name of the tower is the “Westminster Palace Clock Tower” or “St. Stephen's Tower”. Big Ben is only the name of the clock itself along with the bell. The history of Big Ben dates back to 1288, when it was built for the first time on Ralph De Hengham’s money. He was the chairman of the Supreme Court of Queen's Bench. However, the contemporary tower of Big Ben was built according to Charles Barry’s project in the 19th century, as the old building was destroyed due to the fire of 1834. Although Big Ben is very popular with spectators, no one is allowed inside of the tower. All the Londoners who live close to Big Ben can hear how the bell strikes thirteen at New Year’s Night.

На английском языкеПеревод на русский языкSchool UniformШкольная формаSchool uniform is an integral part of school life in many countries. Most schools in Russia also require school uniforms. However, some school accept freestyle outfit. There are different opinions on how the standard school forms should look like. Some schools have dark blue uniforms, while others use dark red or dark green colours. Some schools in Russia accept white shirts and black skirts for girls and black trousers for boys. Nevertheless, all these school uniforms have something in common. They all look rather smart and strict. Children’s opinions on school uniform differ. Some say they like wearing it, while others prefer to wear a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. In my opinion, the school uniform has both advantages and disadvantages. First of all when children wear a school uniform, they realize that they are at school not at a swimming-pool or stadium. It adjusts them to school atmosphere and helps to study harder. Secondly, school uniforms prevent social inequality. It means that both rich and poor children wear the same clothes. Furthermore, children don’t have such problem as what to wear in the morning. The disadvantages of school uniform include the loss of individuality. Everyone becomes alike and children look similar. The second problem may be untidiness. As children wear the same clothes every day their uniform starts to look a bit untidy and faded. Last but not the least school uniforms have become rather expensive lately. So, not every parent wants to buy it. As for me, I support the idea of wearing a school uniform. I think that at home we can put on what we want, but at school we need to follow the rules.

Перевод на русский язык
Школьная форма является неотъемлемой частью школьной жизни во многих странах. Большинство школ в России также требуют школьную форму. Тем не менее, некоторые школы принимают свободную форму. Существуют различные мнения о том, как стандартные школьные формы школе должны выглядеть. Некоторые школы имеют темно синюю форму, в то время как другие используют темно-красный или темно-зеленый цвета. Некоторые школы в России принимают белые рубашки и черные юбки для девочек, черные брюки для мальчиков. Тем не менее, у всех этих школьных форм есть нечто общее. Все они выглядят довольно изящно и строго. Мнения детей о школьной форме расходятся. Некоторые говорят, что им нравится носить её, а другие предпочитают носить джинсы и футболку. На мой взгляд, школьная форма имеет свои преимущества и недостатки. Прежде всего, когда дети носят школьную форму, они понимают, что они находятся в школе, а не на бассейне или на стадионе. Это настраивает на школьный лад и учиться лучше. Во-вторых, школьные формы предотвращают социальное неравенство. Это означает, что и богатые, и бедные дети носят одинаковую одежду. Помимо этого, у детей не возникает такой проблемы, как, что же надеть утром. К недостаткам школьной формы относится потеря индивидуальности. Все становятся похожи, и дети выглядят одинаково. Второй проблемой может быть неряшливости. Так как дети носят одну и ту же одежду каждый день, их форма начинает выглядеть немного неопрятно и тускло. Последнее, но немаловажное, школьные формы стали довольно дорогими в последнее время. Поэтому, не каждый родитель хочет покупать её. Что касается меня, я поддерживаю идею ношения школьной формы. Я думаю, что у себя дома мы можем надевать все, что захотим, но в школе мы должны следовать правилам.