1. English–Russian translation topic: Gorbachev’s leadership in 1985, Western comparison of living standards, policies of glasnost and perestroika, differing views on USSR collapse, Chernobyl disaster’s political consequence 2. Literary analysis: The Queen of Spades (Pushkin) – depiction of societal change in 19th-century Russia, realism in Hermann–Countess relationship; The Government Inspector (Gogol) – centrality of corruption theme, Khlestakov’s character portrayal 3. Literary analysis: The Cherry Orchard (Chekhov) – Trofimov’s significance, liberation theme; One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Solzhenitsyn) – narrative structure impact, Shukhov’s social interactions and GULAG survival 4. Literary analysis: A Week Like Any Other (Baranskaya) – contrasting roles of two Lusias, realism in Olga and Dima’s everyday life; Sonechka (Ulitskaya) – Tanya’s character traits, loneliness as core theme 5. Film analysis: Wings (Shepitko) – Nadya’s relationships and nostalgia theme; Burnt by the Sun (Mikhalkov) – role of Marusya, symbolism revealing 1930s Soviet repression 6. Film analysis: Prisoner of the Mountains (Bodrov) – realism in Sasha–Vanya relationship, use of comedy in war setting; Leviathan (Zvyagintsev) – religion in modern Russia, Kolya as flawed protagonist or tragic figure