Никоненко Тамара Петрівна

   The first railway in our country was opened in 1837 and since that time people have covered millions of kilometers travelling from one part of the country to another by train.
   Trains carry people in passenger trains, goods are car­ried in goods trains and mail trains carry passengers and mail. In Britain and America there are also special coaches attached to some trains, called Travelling Post Offices.
   Long-distance trains are fast trains. Local trains make the stops, and you can get on or off a train at a very small station, even if it is only a platform. If you are going to a distant place, a sleeping compartment is very comfortable, but local trains have carriages with wooden seats as passen­gers make only short trips.
   It is obvious that from time to time one should leave the place he likes or works in for a while to change the scenery because one does get tired of the same surroundings and daily routine. Hence some relaxation is essential to restore your mental and physical resources. And the best way of relaxation is to go to a place where you have never been before. And it is by means of travelling that you get to that place.
   There is no doubt that modern life is impossible without travelling. To understand how true it is, you’ve got to a railway station, a sea or a river port or an airport. There you are most likely to see hundreds of people hurrying to board a train, a ship or a plane.
   To be on the safe side and to spare yourself the trouble of standing long hours in a queue, you’d better book tickets in advance. Before getting off you make your preparations; you visit your relatives and friends and settle your business. On the eve of your departure you pack your luggage, and when the day of your departure comes you call a taxi and go to the railway station.
   When the loudspeaker announces that your train is in, the passengers are asked to take their seats. The carriage and compartment are appointed in your ticket, and you find them easily. And now it is time for you to find your berth. It may be a lower berth, which is more convenient, or an upper one, a corner seat or a seat facing the engine or back to engine one. After finding your seat you put your luggage into a special box under the lower berth. Soon the train starts off. You sit in a cozy compartment and marvel at the country you are travelling through. It’s much more convenient to travel by express trains for it takes you less time to get to your destination.
   There is no denying the fact that travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. Modern trains have very comfortable seats in all passenger carriages and there are sleeping-cars and dining-cars that makes even the longest journey enjoyable.

   Man’s desire to fly first found expression in fantasy and legend. Then he began to understand the air and true flight became possible. Today travelling by air is a common thing. Many people prefer this kind of travelling because it is more convenient, more comfortable, and, of course, much quicker than any other means of transport.
   If you are in a hurry and want to save up your time, you’d better travel by air because it is the fastest way of travelling. But there is one unpleasant thing about travelling by air — the price of the tickets is too high, the seats are rather expensive. But when you travel on business it makes no difference for you.
   On a flight day after packing your things you get to the airport. There is a bus service from the air-fleet Agency, and the best way to get to the airport is by bus. If you are short of time, you may take a taxi. You must check in your luggage and after the procedure of registration you board the plane. Now you can hear the engines start their work. The plane is taking off. It gains speed very quickly and in a few minutes you are already above the clouds. The land below looks like a small geographical map. After the plane has gained its regular height, the stewardess brings passen­gers some mineral water, sometimes tea and sandwiches. The seats on board the plane are comfortable, and you can sit in a cozy armchair and read a book, magazine or a newspaper, look through the window to see the passing clouds change their colour from white to black. You may just as well have a sleep until you arrive at your airport. While you are sitting in the armchair you must fasten the seat belts. You may also lower the back of the seat and feel yourself comfortable, “as snug as a bug in” a rug”, as the saying goes. In front of you there is a cockpit where a pilot and a mechanic sit. They both and a stewardess are the crew of the plane.
   If you are travelling by plane, there is one thing you’ve got to bear in mind. Some people can’t stand flying and they get airsick, in this case they have to take a pill for airsickness, and in some time they will feel much better. The stewardess will help them with their problems.
   Soon the plane will land and arrive at its destination exactly on time.

   Millions of people — from school children to middle-aged and even old people go in for some kind of sport.There are numerous children’s sports centres in our coun­try. They play an important part in the training of future champions. Extensive facilities are placed at the disposal of our sportsmen: sports grounds, football fields, volley-ball and basket-ball courts, yachting and boating stations, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and skiing bases.
   As for me, football is the most popular game. You can see it if you go to one of the important matches. Young people and old people shout and cheer for one side or the other. Nearly every school in our country has its football team and every boy knows much about the game. Football is a good team game. Boys learn to work together with others to help the team. Besides, football is a good exercise for the body; it makes the players quick and strong.
   Tennis is very popular too. There are tennis courts in many schools where pupils can play the game. My brother is fond of basket-ball. It is an indoor game that people can play in winter and in summer. Basket-ball is played all over the World. Boxing is a very popular sport. But I don’t like it. Of course, sport in some form or another is an essential part of our life. It makes us healthy and strong.

   The highest legislative body in Ukraine is the Verkhovna Rada. There are 450 people’s deputies who are elected on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The deputies of the Verkhovna Rada are elected for 5 years.
   The President of Ukraine is the head of the state and speaks on behalf of it. He is elected directly by the voters for a term of five years with no more then two full terms.
   The highest body of the executive power is the Cabinet of Ministers. It is responsible to the President and is accountable to the Verkhovna Rada. The Cabinet of Ministers carries out domestic and foreign policy of the State, the fulfillment of the Constitution, as well as the acts of the President, develops and fulfils national programs on the economic, scientific, technological and cultural development of Ukraine.