We live in a technological era when computers have become an extremely important part of our life

Family and friends

H appiness consists of many components, including loving family and faithful friends. Both these social groups are very important for each person. Everyone needs support, love and attention. When we are happy, we need close people to share our happiness with them. When we are sad, we need family and friends to support us.

I think that those, who have at least two or three really close and trustworthy people beside them, are really lucky. In my opinion, family is much more important than money, success or fame. After all, parents are the only people who love us the way we are. They will always be on our side, no matter what happens. Friends are also important, but we can never be sure how true they will stay to us in different situations. Sometimes friends can betray. It isn’t easy to find true and faithful friends, but when we do, they stay for a lifetime and become as close as the family.

As for me, I have two best friends and we know each other from the nursery. Their names are Rose and Ella. Today we study together at the 10th form and I hope that we will all stay best friends forever. We all love foreign languages, so we might enter the same university. Last year, we took part in an international exchange program. During this event together with our teacher we visited USA and then hosted our English penfriends in Kazan.

Speaking about my family, it is always on the first place for me. Apart from parents I have a younger sister and a grandmother, who lives with us. They are always there for me, when I need help or support.

I have a very good friend. His (her) name is ... Friends are very important in our life. I think one cannot live without friends. The most important thing for being good friends, to my mind, is to be ready to help one another in any situation, nevertheless how difficult it is, to support one another and to solve all the problems together. And never mind, that the friends may have different interests and hobbies, different likes and dislikes. They say that the friend in need is a friend indeed. I think it is really so.

My friend and I always do our best to help one another. We discuss all our troubles and try to find the best decision in any situation. My friend is a very good, kind and clever boy (girl). We often spend our free time together. It is not very easy now, because both of us are very busy — we are going to enter institutes and have a lot of work to do.

My friend is going to become a doctor (a teacher, an engineer, a lawyer). Our future professions are different (the same) and the subjects we have to study are different (the same) too, but (and) we like to work together and to help one another in our study.

When we have some free time, we go for walks, read and discuss books, watch films, go to discos or play computer games. Playing computer games is our hobby. Both of us are fond of sport. We go in for swimming (tennis) and often go to the swimming pool (tennis court) together. We are football fans and we like to watch and discuss football matches on TV or to go to the stadium. I love my friend very much. I think he (she) is a true friend. Our friendship is very dear to me and I try to do my best to be a good friend too.

No doubt, everyone dreams of having a true and faithful friend but not all of us are lucky enough to find one. Frankly speaking, I'm rather sociable, that's why I have many friends. As for me I'm happy with my friends. Firstly, I don't have "fair weather" friends. Secondly, all my friends are very pleasant people, and I'm never bored with them.

My best friend is Masha. We study in the same class and though she doesn't live next door we manage to spend much time together. In appearance she is very attractive. She has an oval face, a straight nose, thick dark hair, big brown eyes and a pleasant smile. So people and, of course I, find her smart. Besides, Masha is known for her warm and friendly character. She is usually open-minded and interested in other people. More than that, she is considerate, supportive and responsible. I can always turn to her whenever I'm in trouble, and she never fails to help.I'd like to point out, that Masha is rather brainy, and that's why she is excellent at school.In general Masha is loyal, trustworthy, tactful and great at keeping secrets. For me it is very important that my best friend is an honest girl. I can fully rely on her and trust her everything. To tell the truth, we have never let each other down.In conclusion I'd like to add, that my friend is an interesting person. She is well-read. Her favourite foreign author is Julian Rowling and her creation Harry Potter.Besides, she is keen on modern music and enthusiastic with sport.To sum up, "A good friend is like the sun in winter", it's about Masha. I'm the happiest girl in the world, because I have such a wonderful friend.

My free time

Every person needs some free time, be it a kid or an adult. Most schoolchildren and employees usually rest at weekend. This is the best time for relaxing and doing what you like. Evenings of weekdays also offer some free time.

When I get back from school, I eat something quick and do my homework. After that I’m free to meet up with friends, to play computer games or to draw, which is my hobby. Sometimes, I play volleyball or other active games with my friends at the school playground. In summertime I also like playing ping-pong and I’m rather good at it. Weekends are a bit different.

My parents usually give me some pocket money each week. I try to spend them reasonably. During the week I pay for lunch at the school canteen. Sometimes I need to buy some stationery.

A t weekends I go out with my friends. Sometimes we go to the cinema, sometimes to the pizza place. However, my favourite pastime at weekends is bowling. I like this game. I think it is not only entertaining but also social. Bowling unites like-minded people and gives a chance to communicate with good friends, instead of sitting in front of the computer.

I don’t mind computer games, but they can get addictive and certainly spending long hours in front of the screen is not healthy. It influences eyesight and brain activity. I keep in touch with some friends through social networks or chats, but I understand that real life communication is much better. Apart from seeing friends, I spend my free time with my family members and relatives, especially on special occasions. On birthdays, anniversaries, public holidays we have family gatherings at my grandma’s place.

This material contains samples of short stories about free time, with Russian translation of words and phrases. Related words and phrases can be found in the material Typical Day in the section Vocabulary.

Данный материал содержит образцы коротких рассказов о свободном времени, с русским переводом слов и фраз. Другие слова и фразы по теме можно найти в материале "Typical Day" в разделе Vocabulary.

This material is intended as help for parents and their children studying English. The material can also be useful for other learners of English. Stories are given in two variants. Variant (1) is for beginning learners; variant (2) is for intermediate learners. Write stories about your free time using the stories below as examples.