Гроза, 9. Students book. Unit 4. Lesson 4-5. Exercise 1

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Charles: I was so excited when I first arrived. The city seemed so beautiful. But I’m really disappointed with the food. There is too much pork, and too many mushrooms and eggs. And it’s too heavy and oily for my taste … Why do they fry everything?
Lynsey: I feel really at home with my Russian host family. My host mother is so warm and caring, and she never lets me do anything to help around the house. And when I try to wash the dishes she yells, “Have a rest!” Misha, my Russian “brother” is just 14. He is really bright and lively but he doesn’t like doing his homework much. I was very happy the first time he asked me to help him; to my surprise, he always wants me to do his English for him, or at least to tell him the answers.
Brian: I am surprised at how cultured and knowledgeable Russian students are. Lots of them can quote Pushkin by heart. Everyone is so proud of him and he seems to be a notional hero as well as a poet. But Russians have a real appreciation of the arts: they love theatre, ballet, opera, and concerts too.
Tiffany: Lots of things have struck me about everyday life in Russia. People dress so smartly in public even if they don’t own many clothes. There are lots of fur coats and hats in winter, but women often wear miniskirts even when temperatures are well below zero! In general people dress more formally than Americans.