Listening for ideas 6:38.1 Listen and complete the gaps.
20
Name: Toktar Aubakirov
When/Where born: 1946 in the 1
region of Kazakhstan
Early years: he left school at age 2 ; started working in a
3
Achievements: joined the Armavir Military Aviation Institute in
4
; flew as a 5
in the
Soviet Air Force, tested over 6
aircrafts, became the first Kazakh to go into 7
Later years: became the director of the National Aerospace Agency
of Kazakhstan (KazCosmos) in 8
types of​

Hi, Maggie!
I'm so glad to hear from you! Thank you very much for your letter! You asked me about our weather. Well, it is still very cold here and though it is already spring, there are no flowers and the trees are not green as it is very cold. How is the weather in your city?
School here is as boring as you described. Tests, tests all the time. But I try to get good marks anyway as I want to pass my exams well. Sure, I have to work hard but I hope it;ll help me in my future. So I completely agree with your parents that you should work harder. And not only with the subjects you like but with all the rest as well.Sorry for my short letter, but I really have to go now. I have some extra classes and my teachers are waiting for me. Write back as soon as you can, I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. Hope it'll get better with your studies.
Love
Igor.

Computers have drastically changed everyone’s lives. Several decades ago people haven’t even known anything about these electronic devices, whereas nowadays even a small child can operate this machine. Almost all modern technology depends on computers, which are used for data storage: files, secret information, bank transactions and else. Computer technology belongs to the fastest-growing industry. Computers of different types and sizes are used by modern society. It is interesting that the first computer was the size of a minibus and weighed almost a ton. Whereas now it can be a small chip the size of a pin. And computer technology is not standing still, it’s rapidly progressing. Soon we might have the computers which will be built-in our glasses, earrings, and other objects. Perhaps, the next generation of computers will have the ability to talk and think just as people do. Many people find computers dangerous and time-consuming. On the other hand, computers are very fast and they seldom make mistakes. They save lots of time, and besides all the necessary information can be found on Internet. So, instead of going to the libraries or other institutions, we can simply surf the worldwide web. Another advantage is the instant possibility to send letters, whereas some time ago we had to wait for weeks and months to have them delivered. Moreover, with the help of computers and Internet, shopping has become much easier. Firstly, we can find what we exactly want, secondly we can choose the affordable price, and thirdly, we can have the chose items delivered. After all, computers have become the most useful tool in everyone’s homes nowadays and they have certainly changed our lives for the better.