Use the words from the table. Mind the possessive case of the noun!

Underselling is probably one of the easiest and most effective ways to plant an idea in someone's mind. This is another version of reverse psychology but at a less aggressive level. Let's say you're trying to sell someone a hard drive. They could buy a 250GB, 500GB, or 1TB hard drive. You want to sell the largest hard drive possible because those cost more and mean more money for you. Your buyer is coming in with the idea that they want to spend the least money possible. You're not going to get very far by telling them they should spend more money when you know they don't want to. Instead, you need to cater to what they want: the cheap option. Here's a sample dialogue:

Buyer: Can you tell me about this 250GB hard drive? I want to make sure it will work for me.

You: What kind of computer do you have and what do you want to use it for?

Buyer: I have a 2-year old Windows laptop and I need it to store my photos. I have about 30GB of photos.

You: 250GB is definitely more than enough for just storing your photos, so as long as you don't have many more files you might want to put onto the drive it should be just fine for your needs.

This last sentence instills doubt in the buyer. You could even add "you'd only need a larger drive if you wanted to be absolutely sure you'll have enough space in the future" but that might be pushing it a little bit. The point is, if you appear to have their best interests at heart it can be easy to make them think they want to buy more from you.

Again, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that planting ideas in the minds of others is not necessarily a nice thing to do. Use this information to detect when someone's doing it to you and not necessarily as a guide to do it to somebody else.

 

Make up your own sentences using these expressions.

 

7. Tell about yourself. Use these key-phrases:

My name is...

I’m a... student of the MSTU.

My specialized field is...

My favourite subjects are...

I’m good at...

I’m interested in...

I’m fond of...

 

8. Match the words and phrases:

Broad-shouldered	Сдержанный
Even-tempered	Добрый
Warm-hearted	Воспитанный
Well-bread	Уставший
Reserved	Честный, справедливый
Exhausted	Широкоплечий
Fair	Уравновешенный

 

Use these adjectives to describe Sergey’s relatives.

9. Fill in the blanks with the corresponding words:

 

Husband	Wife
Father
Grandmother
Son
Sister
Niece
Aunt
Mother-in-law

 

Speak about Sergey’s relatives. What relationship is Sergey to Andrey? Oleg? Anna? Max?...

e.g. Andrey is Sergey’s father. Oleg is Sergey’s...

Use the words from the table. Mind the possessive case of the noun!

 

10. Fill in the necessary preposition where it is necessary:

1. Sergey’s parents have much... common but they have different views... music, literature, sport.

1. His dad watches football matches... TV and listens... rock music.
2. Svetlana follows... fashion and goes...... sports.
3. Sergey’s sister is crazy... animals and she takes care... their dog.
4. Oleg graduated... the Murmansk State Technical University last year. He is a marine engineer... profession. Now he works... the Murmansk Shipping Company.

 

11. Make up questions to which the following sentences could be the answers:

1. She is 15 years old.

2. He is interested in reading.

3. She works in the local newspaper.

4. They live in their own flat.

5. Yes, they get along fine.

 

12. Translate from Russian into English:

1. Мы делаем все возможное, чтобы помочь маме с посудой и уборкой квартиры.
2. Моя тетя – домохозяйка, но у нее очень много дел по дому. Она ведет хозяйство и воспитывает сына и дочь.
3. Я провожу много времени со своими родственниками. Мы хорошо ладим друг с другом. Они воспитанные, добрые люди, обладающие здравым смыслом и хорошим чувством юмора.
4. Кто этот широкоплечий высокий мужчина с темными волосами? Твой муж? Нет, это мой двоюродный брат.
5. Ты занимаешься спортом? Да, я увлекаюсь баскетболом. Я смотрю все матчи по телевизору и играю за команду нашего университета.