Christopher Columbus was a 15th-century . He discovered America. EXPLORE Isaac Newton was a British . He discovered gravity when an apple tell on his head. SCIENCE Alfred Hitchcock, the British , was a master of horror films. DIRECT Charles Dickens was the greatest English of the Victorian period. WRITE Afanasy Nikitin was a Russian merchant (купец) and who visited India in the 15th century. TRAVEL Beethoven and Mozart were famous . They created lots of beautiful pieces of music. COMPOSE Feodor Shaliapin was one of the greatest Russian opera . He had a deep and SING expressive bass voice.

1. Her brother said he HAD never SEEN that film before. 2. He came home and listened: his son WAS PLAYING the piano. 3. They didn't worry too much because they HAD LOCKED the door. 4. I asked her when she WOULD GIVE me that book to read. 5. We wanted to know if they HAD ENJOYED the meal. 6. She supposed she WOULD LIKE the hotel. 7. I am afraid they HAVE NOT COME yet. 8. He wanted to know if the station WAS far away. 9. Eric doesn't know who PHONED him at five o'clock. 10. He admitted he HADN'T BEEN  here for weeks. 11. She was sorry she HAD ARRIVED so late. 12. Jean promised she WOULD never SPEAK to me again. 13. Andy said he HAD just BOUGHT a new car. 14. My mother decided that she WOULD never DRINK coffee late at night. 15. I hear you HAVE already FOUND a new job. 16. We were sure our children WERE SLEEPING. 17. I didn't think they WERE still DISCUSSING that problem. 18. It is remarkable that you HAVE COME at last. 19. My doctor thinks I AM allergic to pineapples. 20. Sophia knew her aunt WOULD BE glad to visit her in two days

My Favourite Writer (M. Lermontov)

One of Russia's most celebrated poets of all times, Michael Lermontov was born in Moscow in the family of a nobleman. He spent his childhood and youth in Tarckany, in the province of Penza.

In 1830 Lermontov entered the Moscow University, but very soon he had to leave it. Then he entered St. Petersburg School of Cavalry Cadets. He finished it and served in the Hussar Regiment of the Imperial Guard.

In 1837 the poet was exiled to the Caucasus for his poem "Poets Death". In 1840 Lermontov was exiled to the Caucasus for the second time. He was provoked into personal quarrel with his schoolmate. The quarrel led to a duel. On July 15th, 1841 the poet was killed. He was not even 27 at that time.

Lermontov began writing when he was very young. One of his first writings to be published was his verse tale "Hadji Arbek".

But he won fame as a poet after his poem "Poets Death" was published. Lermontov's poems "Demon" "Mtsyri" his great novel "A Hero of Our Time" and his play "Masquerade" are masterpieces of Russian literature.

Whether he wrote poetry, drama or prose, the stamp of his genius was to be found on his works. Lermontov's influence as of a poet and a thinker on all Russian writes can't be overestimated.