Dear Ben,

Thanks for your letter. It's nice to hear from you, I’m so happy you started learning Russian. I wish you luck, because it’s not that easy!

Visiting Russia if you learn the language is a brilliant idea! And I’m pretty sure that the best season is winter, because Russian winters are very beautiful, but cold as well, so don’t forget to take the warmest closes with you! The main tourist centers are Moscow and St.Petersburg and I guess you should visit them both, to see the Kremlin and to visit the famous Hermitage. I would recommend you to go to some theater (doesn’t matter in which city) and watch some classical Russian ballet. I would like to travel to Italy because of its culture, food and language.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Emma

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your last letter. I'm sorry for not writing you for so long. I was doing a school project.

It's great that you go to the trip, I'm sure that it will be very exciting. I believe that you should take a couple of extra socks, warm shoes and something to eat. Last month I was in a trip with my class, too. We were having a nice time nearby the local lake. We have different types of events at school. For example, we go to museums and theatres once a month and I enjoy such trips. Also we have different sport competitions.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Emma

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your letter, it is great to hear from you. I'm sorry I couldn't answer you earlier, I had some urgent work to do. It's awesome that you're coming to Russia. The best season to come to St. Petersburg is probably early summer. The weather is mostly warm and there are so-called White Nights which are an immensely beautiful sight you should definitely see. However, the temperatures can easily drop down to ten degrees Celsius even at summer, so take those autumn clothes with you. Asfor the transport, although I do not like our subway (we call it Metro here), it is, hands down, the most convenient means of transport that can get you almost anywhere around the city within an hour. I'm looking forward to seeing you.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Michael

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your letter; it's nice to hear from you.

No, I haven’t seen that film yet.

I like to watch many kinds of movies: from old ones to the moderns. My favorite genre is thriller, because it’s very scary and unpredictable. I watch films almost every day at home, but I have to admit that watching them on wide screen is much cooler. All the special effects and the way the actors play seems way more impressing. If I make a film one day it will be related with biography, my childhood and the people who surround me. In other words It will be very intimate.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Emma

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your letter, it is great to hear from you. I'm sorry I couldn't answer you earlier, I had some urgent work to do. The situation in my house is pretty much the same. Everyone is busy and often there's no one to clean up. I've grown used to this, so it does not bother me. However, I do realize this is not right. I'm most busy on mondays and fridays when I have to do my maths at school and at home. When I'm free, though, I vacuum the floor and sometimes tidy up the kitchen. And that is pretty much it. This weekend I'm going to ride my mountain bike. I'm out of practice. Hope you enjoy yours.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Michael

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your last letter, and sorry I couldn’t answer you earlier, exams as well. No, I haven’t seen that film yet.

I like to watch many kinds of movies: from old ones to the moderns. My favorite genre is thriller, because it’s very scary and unpredictable. I watch films almost every day at home, but I have to admit that watching them on wide screen is much cooler. All the special effects and the way the actors play seems way more impressing. If I make a film one day it will be related with biography, my childhood and the people who surround me. In other words It will be very intimate.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Emma

Dear Jil,

It's nice to hear from you, tell me more about your China trip!

In Russia we celebrate many holidays. The most popular are New Year, Easter, Christmas, Women’s day, the day of the defender of fatherland and so on. My favourite holiday is New Year, because since I was little it has been related to some kind of magic for me. I love to make a wish in the last seconds of the old year, and I’m sure that those wishes are coming true! I usually celebrate it with my family; we cook special holiday food, decorate a Christmas tree and make presents for each other.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Emma

Dear Andrew,

It's nice to hear from you. Seems like your brother did a great job! You should definitely try it by yourself.

I would like to take part in some sort of designer’s competitions, when everyone should make and present their individual project. I think that participating in competitions is worth the time and effort because it’s a great chance to show your individual abilities, obtain a new experience and if you win, it’s also a good reason to be proud of yourself. And it’s always a pleasure to receive a prize even if not a main one. I would like to win an opportunity to go studying somewhere.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Emma

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your letter, it is great to hear from you. I'm sorry I couldn't answer you earlier, I had some urgent work to do. I'm quite familiar with your situation, not so long ago learning was a nightmare for me too, especially learning maths, which is still the most difficult subject for me. Speaking of your school bus, you might want to double your alarms and ask your parents to wake you up just in case. As for me, I walk to school most of the time. I have being late and trust only myself with this. Still, I don't like it all too much, so my favourite day of the week is sunday, when I do not need to go anywhere.

Write back soon.

Best wishes,

Michael

Dear Andrew,

It's nice to hear from you. I'm so sorry you lost the game but I'm sure you'll win it next time. No one can win every time.

I've never played baseball — it's not very popular here but we have other games with a ball — football, volleyball, basketball. Football, I think, is the most popular. Lots of people play it and watch it. I usually watch football matches on TV, but being at the stadium is certainly better and much more exciting. My favourite sports celebrity is Andrei Arshavin — the captain of the Russian national football team. He's a very talented footballer and he seems to be a very nice person.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Best wishes,

Nikita