Министерство образования и науки Российской Федерации
Омский государственный университет
УДК 20
ББК 81.2
Х 680
Рекомендовано к изданию
редакционно-издательским советом ОмГУ
Рецензенты:
ст. преп. каф. англ. языка ОмГПУ Л.А. Бахмутская;
ст. преп. каф. англ. языка ОмГУ О.В. Гоголь
Х680
HOBBIES. LEISURE TIME
Учебно-методическое пособие
(для студентов гуманитарных специальностей,
изучающих английский язык)
Изд-во ОмГУ
Омск 2004
Hobbies. Leisure Time: Учебно-методическое пособие
(для студентов гуманитарных специальностей, изучающих
английский язык) / Сост.: Е.А. Бекерова, Е.В. Зайцева,
О.Ю. Казарина. – Омск: Изд-во ОмГУ, 2004. – 123 с.
ISBN 5-7779-0495-5
Учебно-методическое пособие содержит тексты и задания для чтения и аудирования, лексико-грамматические и
коммуникативные задания, словарь лексики и охватывает
все аспекты обучения устной речи – аудирование, монологическую и диалогическую речь. Предлагаются упражнения,
которые позволяют использовать как индивидуальную, так и
разные формы интерактивной деятельности обучаемых
(парную, групповую, фронтальную). Даны разнообразные
задания для самостоятельной работы студентов. Пособие
разработано с учетом принципа коммуникативной направленности и соответствует современным требованиям преподавания иностранных языков.
Для студентов гуманитарных специальностей, изучающих английский язык.
ISBN 5-7779-0495-5
© Омский госуниверситет, 2004
Warming-ups
TASK 1
TASK 2
Popular home-based leisure activities
An average family day
43% – Do-it-yourself
1. Study the diagram:
46% – Gardening
1 – Sleep
60% – Reading books and newspapers
2 – Breakfast travel
73% – Listening to music
3 – Start work, start school
3
88% – Listening to the radio
4 – Lunch
95% – Visiting friends or relatives
5 – Finish school
99% – Watching TV
6 – Finish work
7 – Free time, homework
8– Dinner
9 – Watching TV
2. Now answer these questions:
- How much do the people work?
- How much time do they spend on eating meals?
- How much time do they spend on eating meals?
- How much leisure time do they have?
3. Make comparisons for your own family/country.
4. Draw a similar diagram and complete it for your family.
3
1. Study the chart properly.
2. Describe a typical British Sunday.
3. Does it differ a lot from the typical Russian Sunday? Is there
a special Sunday atmosphere in our country?
4. Tick the activities that people do in your family. Make a
similar chart for your family. What is the most popular spare-time
activity?
TASK 3
Survey questions
1. Are you a member of a youth group?
2. Do you play video games?
3. How much time do you spend on playing computer?
4. Do you prefer outdoor or indoor pursuits?
5. How many hours do you spend on TV and Internet per day?
6. If you could take up a new pastime what would you do?
7. What are you favourite hobbies?
4
TASK 4
Look at the proverbs below, guess their meaning
1. Art is long, life is short.
2. Every man has his hobby-horse.
3. Tastes differ.
4. The busiest man finds the most leisure.
5. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
6. There is a time for everything.
7. The one who is first to act achieves success.
Explain the meaning of each proverb in English. Think of
Russian equivalents of these proverbs.
Do you agree or disagree with the proverbs? Do you follow any
of them?
TASK 5
Read the poem “Leisure” and answer the following questions:
1. What is meant by the word “leisure”? What does leisure
consist of? What activities does it include? How can you characterize
it?
2. What is the main idea of the poem?
3. What is your idea of leisure time? What does it include?
How would you characterize your leisure time?
Leisure
No time to see in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
A poor life this is if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Vocabulary
I. Hobbies
Ex. 1. Answer these questions:
1. Have you got a hobby? If so, what is it?
2. How long have you had this hobby? Why do you like it?
3. Is it an expensive hobby?
4. How much time do you spend on your hobby?
5. Is it a common hobby in your country?
6. Write down three other common hobbies in your country.
If possible, ask another person these questions.
Ex. 2. From the following list of pictures representing people’s
hobbies find out the proper ones to fulfill the table below. Before
doing this connect the pictures and the things they denote:
Things
Things
Outdoor
Creative hobbies
people play people collect
activities
by W.H. Davies
What is this life if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
5
6
Cards
Board games
DIY- do it yourself
Chess
Jogging
Hunting
Camping
Saxophone
Hiking
Rock climbing
Stamps
Photography
Sewing
Coins
Antiques
Guitar
Ex. 3. Here are some people talking about their hobbies. Can you
guess what the hobby is in each case?
1. I usually use colour, but sometimes you get a better effect
with black and white. It really depends on the subject.
2. I really enjoy going round the shops and markets looking for
a bargain.
3. I try to practise every day, but sometimes it's difficult because
I don't like to disturb my neighbours too much. And one
neighbour gets very angry if I play the same thing over and
over again.
4. The great thing is you can do it when you like. I usually do it
three or four times a week - either early in the morning, or
after school, I only go for about 25 minutes but it really
keeps me fit.
5. Obviously it saves me a lot of money; and in any case, I hate
buying things in boutiques because so many things are badly
made.
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6. I joined a club because I wanted to get better, and I now play
twice a week in the evenings. It has helped me a lot and I
have a much better memory for all the different moves and
strategies.
7. I think this is a very common hobby for people like me, who
have a house but don't have much money. That's why I
started, but now I think I do a better job than many
professionals.
Ex. 4. Complete these sentences with a suitable verb.
1. How often do you
jogging?
2. She………….. hiking because she wanted to get more
exercise. Unfortunately, she didn't like it and she it about six
months later.
3. She has always……….. her own clothes; it's much cheaper
than buying them.
4. He old coins.
5. I
……………. quite a lot of rock climbing when I'm on
holiday.
6. I learnt to
the piano when I was at school.
7. I wanted to improve my chess, so I
a chess club.
8. I don't really anything in my spare time.
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II. Sports
Ex.1 Give the names to the following ball games and equipment:
Ex. 2. Define the following sports and required equipment:
football basketball soccer
rugby
golf
squash
cricket
volleyball
table tennis
badminton
Ex. 3. Describe your actions while playing the ball games using the
verbs below:
Note: When you describe the playing area for
football and the area around for the crowd (people
who watch, also called ____4____), it is called a
____5_____.
Players: Some games are played by individuals,
others are ___6____ games. In a team, one player is
the ____7_____, and there is a manager (e.g. in
football) or a _____8____ (e.g. in basketball).
Officials: Football, rugby and hockey have a
_____9_____ but tennis, cricket and baseball have
an____10_____. In football the referee has a whistle
to control the game and two _____11______, in
tennis there are _____12_____ to decide if the ball
is 'in' or 'out'.
Ex. 5. Look through the table carefully and tell about some extra
sports and necessary equipment:
Name
athletics
motor racing
swimming
boxing
skiing
to throw
to pass
to catch
to hit
to head
to kick
Ex. 4. Complete the information about fans and places where sport
events take place:
The playing area for football, rugby, hockey and
cricket is called a ____1____; for tennis, volleyball,
basketball, squash and badminton it is a
____2_____; for golf it is a _____3____.
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Pitch
Stadium
Court
Team
Course
Coach
Umpire
Spectators
Captain
Referee
Linesmen
Line judges
Other sports
Equipment
vest, shorts, running shoes or spikes
crash helmet
swimming costume (women); trunks
(men)
vest, shorts, gloves, boots
sticks, ski suit, ski boots
Place
track
track
pool
ring
slopes (piste)
Ex. 6. True or false? If false, correct the sentence to make it true.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The people who watch a football match are the audience.
The official who gives the score in tennis is the umpire.
Athletes wear shorts.
You need a stick to play hockey.
Boxers wear gloves.
Tennis is played on a pitch.
The referee in football has a whistle.
Women wear trunks for swimming.
10
Ex. 7. Answer these questions. If possible, ask a friend the same
questions.
1. Are there any games or sports that you watch but don't play?
If so, what are they and where do you watch them?
2. Are there any games or sports you play/do yourself? If so,
which?
3. Are there any that you are good at?
4. Are there any that you hate?
5. Are there any that are not played much in your country?
6. Which game or sport is the most popular in your country?
7. Which game or sport is the most dangerous in your opinion?
8. Which game or sport requires the most strength?
9. Which one has the biggest crowds?
Ex. 8. Sport activities quiz
1. Which of these sports is not played with a racquet?
a. squash
b. badminton
c. tennis
d. cricket
2. Which of these sports uses an oval ball?
a. soccer
b. rugby
c. water polo
d. hockey
3. Which of these sports is not played over a net?
a. volleyball
b. tennis
c. squash
d. badminton
4. Which of these sports does not involve throwing something?
a. javelin
b. shotput
c. pole vault
d. discus
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5. Which of these is not a winter sport?
a. tobogganing
b. skating
c. jogging
d. skiing
6. Which of these is not an Olympic sport?
a. parachuting
b. rowing
c. shooting
d. archery
7. Where was the 1994 World Cup final held?
a. Los Angelos
b. Chicago
c. New York
d. San Francisco
8. Which of these games is not played on a table?
a. snooker
b. dominoes
c. darts
d. billiards
9. Which of these is not a martial art?
a. judo
b. karate
c. croquet
d. jujitsu
10. Which of these is not a water sport?
a. windsurfing
b. abseiling
c. rowing
d. snorkeling
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Ex. 9. Which of the mentioned above activities you find mostly:
amazing
boring
delighting
puzzling
popular
fascinating
embarrassing
interesting
exciting
captivating
frightening
extreme
ordinary
dangerous funny enjoyable challenging tiring draining exhausting
rousing
expensive
cheap
safe
remarkable
slow
unpleasant.
Ex. 10. Complete the sentences with the appropriate adjectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
It’s _________ to swim after a heavy meal.
It’s _________ to wear a helmet when you go cycling.
It’s _________ to wear a life-jacket when you go canoeing.
It’s _________ to take a guide when you go into the
mountains.
5. It’s _________ to buy good quality diving equipment.
6. It’s _________ to finish a Football World Cup with penalty
shots.
7. It’s _________ to shake hands with your opponent after a
tennis match.
Ex. 11. Read the short extract below. Use the words given on the
left of each line to form a word that fits the space on the same line.
After reading discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
running.
Running
In ancient Greece running had a special
importance at the opening event of the Olympics
and was a part of all public games. _____1____
runners were held in great respect and received
the ____2___ rewards. Running is natural
___3____ and as well as events like the marathon
that require very special ______4______ , it is
also a ______5_____ part of many other sports
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IMPORTANT
SUCCESS
HIGH
ACTIVE
PREPARE
CENTRE
like football and tennis.
If athletes are _____6_____ , they can use
opportunities to save vital seconds and increase
their lead over other ________7_______.
Regular running helps general health and
_____8_____, sharpening
the senses and improving the _____9_____ of the
heart and lungs. It can also improve stamina and
general _____10______.
SKILL
COMPETE
FIT
EFFICIENT
STRONG
III. Leisure activities
Answer these questions:
1. What type of character are you?
2. Are you an out-going person or not?
3. What is your favourite occupation in leisure time?
4. Did (or will you) you choose your job by economic necessity?
5. What is your friend’s hobby? What do passive people do
during leisure hours?
6. How does a creative type of character spend his leisure time?
7. Why should leisure be refreshment?
Music
Ex.1. Use the information given below to complete the chart.
Search for some additional information.
Classical music: e.g Beethoven's piano concertos, Schubert's
symphonies. Beethoven and Schubert are both composers (= people
who write classical music) and most of their music is played by an
orchestra (= large group of musicians including violins, cellos, etc.)
which is led by a conductor, e.g. Georg Soiti or Loren Maazel, as leader.
Opera (= a play in which the words are sung): e.g. La Boheme by
Puccini, Carmen by Bizet.
Rock and pop music: e.g. U2, Bon Jovi, Maria Carey. This music
is played by groups/bands, e.g. Bon Jovi, Simply Red; or solo artists,
14
e.g. Madonna. Many solo artists, e.g. Phil Collins, are singersongwriters (= they write and perform/play their own songs).
Jazz: e.g. Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Stan Getz.
Style
Instruments
Musicians
Popular
persons
Period
of time
Ex. 2. What types of painting are these?
a portrait
(= a painting of part of the
countryside)
(= a painting that is not realistic')
a self-portrait
(= a painting of a person)
= a painting of the artist
himself/herself)
Ex. 2. Create a list of different musical instruments and people who
play them starting from the information given at the pictures and
then adding some extra ones:
cellist
by
a landscape
an abstract painting
saxophonist
Theatre and Cinema
Ex. 1. Match the words from the left with the words from the right:
flautist
guitarist
saxophone
drums
Art
Ex. 1. Before speaking about arts and leisure read and analyze
these sayings.
Give your personal opinion:
1. Art if long, life is short. – Искусство вечно, (а) жизнь
коротка.
2. Every man has his hobby-horse. – У всякого свой конек.
3. Tastes differ. – О вкусах не спорят.
4. The busiest man finds the most leisure. – Самый занятой
человек находит больше всего досуга.
15
a) занавес
b) бельэтаж
c) номерок (гардероба)
d) композитор
e) суфлер
f) постановщик
g) гардероб
h) оперный театр
i) репетиция
j) место (в театре)
k) комедия
l) аплодировать
m) музыкант
n) сцена
o) актриса
p) декорации
1. actress
2. a musician
3. a prompter
4. a composer
5. a stage-manager
6. a cloakroom
7. a curtain
8. a check
9. a stage
10. scenery
11. an opera-house
12. a rehearsal
13. the dress-circle
14. a seat
15. the comedy
16. to applaud
16
Ex. 2. Say what they do.
enjoy (a party, a play etc.)
A dancer, an usher, an actor, a conductor, a singer, a clerk, a ticket
taker, an actress, a musician, a composer, a prompter, a producer, a
spectator, a playwright.
Ex. 3. Give words or word combinations for the definitions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
the part of the theatre where the audience sits;
a raised platform in a theatre where the actors appear;
the highest balcony where the cheapest seats are placed;
a place where hats and coats may be left;
a piece of wood or metal with a number on it given in return
for hat or a coat;
a set of actors in a play;
programme;
the main role;
a trial performance of a play;
a person who shows people to their seats;’
seats in the theatre behind the stalls.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
show
variety show
ballet
opera
musical comedy
drama
tragedy
concert
spectator
audience
be a success (be popular with the
public)
20. be a failure
21. film (picture; movie)
22. cartoon
23. feature
Ex. 4. Connect the topical vocabulary with the Russian translation:
1. leisure
2. spare time
3. go out
4.
5.
6.
7.
stay-at home
favourite occupation
hobby
entertain (v) (guests) entertainment
entertainment
8. enjoy oneself (have a good time)
17
балет
любимое занятие
бывать в обществе,
проводить время вне
дома
хобби
свободное время
домосед
развлекать, принимать
гостей
развлечение,
увеселение,
представление
хорошо
провести
время
получить
удовольствие от…
оперетта
эстрадный концерт
досуг
концерт
представление
драма
трагедия
опера
зрительная аудитория
зритель
иметь успех
провалиться, не иметь
успеха
мультфильм
кинофильм
художественный
(фильм)
Ex. 5. What do the words in italics refer to in the sentence below?
a. It was so boring I fell asleep in the first act.
b. I didn’t like his last one, but I couldn’t put his latest one
down until the last chapter.
c. It was excellent. Have you seen it yet? It stars Anthony
Hopkins and Emma Thompson.
d. She’s usually very good but I don’t think she was right for
this part.
e. I think they spoil them. They always give them whatever
they want.
f. It was a good break, but the weather wasn’t very good.
g. They were delicious. John had tomato and mozzarella
topping and I had ham and mozzarella.
h. It was really exciting, especially when Smith scored in the
closing minutes.
18
Ex. 6. The following questions are all asking for opinions. Match
them with the opinions given in the previous exercise.
Did you like the film?
What did you think of the play?
Did you enjoy your pizza?
Do you like Ben Brown’s novels?
What do you think of their children?
What was your holiday like?
What did you think of Hannah Smart?
What was the match like?
Ex. 7. Translate the names of the additional leisure activities. What
are they? Discuss the following ways of the pastime.
1. Games of chance
2. Spending time in the casino
3. To participate in talk shows in the capacity of spectators
4. To participate in talk shows in the capacity of the visitors
5. Clubbing in the night clubs
6. To keep personal diaries
7. The participation in the organizations
8. The participation in the young people’s movement
9. The survey of home video
10. Shooting, exposure
11. The guessing of crosswords
12. Collecting the recipes
13. To spend time sewing things
14. The study group of embroidery
ART
MUSIC
Ex. 9. Which of the following verbs can go with the nouns in
Exercise 8?
read write compose play
hum tune
play in
draw paint
conduct
Ex. 10. Complete each of the following sentences with a verb in the
right tense and a noun.
a. Agatha Christie _______ many famous _______.
b. I couldn’t put the book down until I _______ the last
_______.
c. I don’t know the words of the song but I can _______ the
_______.
d. The only _______ I can _______ is the piano.
e. Picasso often _______ unusual _______ of his girlfriends.
f. The _______ of Princess Diana _______ by the journalist,
Andrew Morton.
g. Listen! The show is starting. Can you hear the _______?
They _______ their instruments.
h. My brother is a soldier. He _______ the bugle in the army
_______.
i. Before I painted the picture I _______ a quick _______ in
pencil.
Ex. 8. Look at the nouns below and write them in the correct
column.
composer poem author painter oil painting instrument
band palette sketch tune chapter orchestra bugle
biography brush detective story banjo portrait fiction
play drawing novel pianist pop group
19
LITERATURE
20
Reading
I. Hobbies
1. What is a hobby?
1.1. Pre-reading focus.
What is a hobby? What hobbies do you know?
- Work in two or three groups
- Brainstorm your ideas
- Write down the definition of the word “hobby”
- Make out a list of hobbies
- Exchange your ideas
1.2. Pre-reading task.
Now read the text “Hobbies”.
- Learn about the origin of the word “hobby”
- Compare your group’s definition of the word “hobby’ with the
definition given in the text
- Classify hobbies. Write down examples of hobbies. Compare
your group’s list of hobbies with the classification given in the text
1.3. Reading.
Hobbies
What is a hobby?
In the 16th century a favorite toy for children of all ages was the
hobbyhorse. In appearance a hobbyhorse could be as simple as a stick,
or it could have a decorated wooden framework with an imitation
horse's head attached. Whether simple or elaborate, children used them
for the games of the time involving war and knighthood, much as
children in the early part of the 20th century played cowboys and
Indians. In time the popularity of the hobbyhorse declined, but the
pleasure of doing something outside the routine activities of daily life
had brought a new word into the language, the word hobby which is a
shortened form of hobbyhorse.
21
Hobbies today include a vast range of activities. The definition
that best covers all these activities is probably constructive leisure-time
activities.
Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby according
to your character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes
more interesting.
Hobbies are divided into four large classes: doing things, making
things, collecting things, and learning things.
The most popular of all hobby groups is doing things. It includes
a wide variety of activities, everything from gardening to travelling and
from chess to volleyball.
Sport has always been popular in our country. There are different
sporting societies and clubs in Russia. Many of them take part in
different international tournaments and are known all over the world.
Our sportsmen take part in the Olympic Games and always win a lot of
gold, silver and bronze medals.
Millions of people watch figure skating competitions, hockey
and football matches, car races, tennis tournaments and other sports
events. Certainly watching sports events and going in for sports are two
different things. Now everybody knows that sport can be a profession
and a business. But sport can be fun as well. Besides, it helps to stay in
good shape, to keep fit and to be healthy. Doing sports is becoming
more and more popular. Some people do it occasionally - swimming in
summer, skiing or skating in winter - but many people go in for sports
on a more regular basis. They try to find time to go to a swimming pool
or a gym at least once a week for aerobics or yoga classes, body
building or just work-out on a treadmill.
Gardening is one of the oldest of man's hobbies. It's a wellknown fact that the English are very fond of gardening and growing
flowers, especially roses.
Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays
travelling, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change
of scene. It's always interesting to discover new things, different ways
of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to
different musical rhythms.
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Those who live in the country like to go to a big city and spend
their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows
and dining at exotic restaurants. City-dwellers usually like a quiet
holiday by the sea or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and
bathe and laze in the sun.
Most travellers and holiday-makers take a camera with them and
take pictures of everything that interests them - the sights of a city, old
churches and castles, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, plains,
waterfalls, forests; different kind of trees, flowers and plants, animals
and birds.
Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photos of
the happy time they have had.
People travel by train, by plane, by boat and by car. All means of
travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one
according to their plans and destinations.
If we are fond of travelling, we see and learn a lot of things that
we can never see or learn at home, though we may read about them in
books and newspapers, and see pictures of them on TV. The best way
to study geography is to travel, and the best way to get to know and
understand people is to meet them in their own homes.
Both grown-ups and children are fond of playing different
computer games. This is a relatively new hobby but it's becoming more
and more popular.
Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture,
designing costumes, handicrafts. Two of the most famous hobby
painters were President Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. Some
hobbyists write music or play musical instruments.
Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life:
stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches.
Some collections have no real value. Others become so large and so
valuable that they are housed in museums and galleries. Many worldfamous collections started in a small way with one or two items. People
with a good deal of money often collect paintings, rare books and other
art objects. Often such private collections are given to museums,
libraries and public galleries so that others might take pleasure in
seeing them.
No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the
opportunity of learning from it. By reading about the things he is
interested in, he is adding to what he knows. Learning things can be the
most exciting aspect of a hobby.
23
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1.4. Comprehension.
Answer the questions
1) What is the origin of the word “hobby”?
2) What is the definition of the word “hobby”?
3) What are 4 large classes? Hobbies are divided into?
4) What is the most poplar of all hobby groups?
5) What can sport be? (Can sport be fun as well?)
6) What is one of the oldest of man’s hobbies?
7) Why are people fond of travelling?
8) What is a relatively new hobby, which is becoming more and
more popular?
9) What famous and well-known personalities were 2 of the most
famous hobby painters?
10) What do people usually collect?
1.5. Discussion.
1) The text runs “If you have chosen a hobby according to your
character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes
more interesting”. Do you agree/disagree? Explain why.
2) The text runs “No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he
always has the opportunity of learning from it”. Do you
agree/disagree? Explain why.
3) Speak to your partner about you hobby. Keep in mind the
following issues:
- Has your life become more interesting?
- Have you learnt from your hobby?
2. Hobby: Collector
2.1. Pre-reading focus.
Do you know anything about collector?
What do people usually collect? What do you know?
- Work in 3 groups
- Brainstorm your ideas
- Make out a list of things people usually collect
2.2. Pre-reading task.
Now, read three texts about the collectors from Russia and the things
they collect.
The 1st group – read the text “Vladimir Andreevich Pelepenko”
The 2nd group – read the text “Alexander”
The 3rd group – read the text “Elena Lisina”
Add the things these Russians collect to you group’s list of
things people usually collect.
2.3. Reading.
Vladimir Andreevich Pelepenko
A collector, General chief of UMC «Nedra», owner of «Cameo»
shop, was born in Tumen in 1935. He has been living in Ekaterinburg
from 1957. In 1962 he graduated from Urals Polytechnical University
as an electrician engineer. His passion to natural stone and wish to
gather a collection appeared at the age of 36. At present time unique
collection includes more than 10 thousand exhibits. There are 1000
agates of Chukotka (the most complete gathering), minerals of
excellent beauty from whole USSR and many regions of the world. The
collection was first exhibited in Munich (1988) and later in Vienna,
Dortmund, Hamburg, Denver (1989), London (1993) and Athens
(1994).
Besides minerals the collection represents the products of stone
made by Urals masters: Anatoly Ovchinnikov, Aleksei Antonov,
Anatoly Zhukov, Jury Polovnikov, Viacheslav Obolensky. Their works
of crystal and precious stones are of equal or better quality than
25
masterpieces of Faberge firm. By the way, the collection includes about
100 works by Jury Bakhtin made of mammoth tusk and Eugene
Onishenko.
Alexander
My name is Alexander. I am a Russian policeman. I have my
own web-site, which is about me and my job in the investigative
service, it has some pictures of Russian militia and of my native city
Vladivostok and talks about many other interesting things.
I am often asked by my colleagues-collectors to send them
Russian police and army insignia. At present time my financial
situation does not allow me to give out these items as presents. The
reason for that is an extremely high price of postal services in Russia
and the expensiveness of the insignia itself. I have an access to
acquiring patches, pins, orders and uniforms of Russian police and
army at a low price. Besides, I have my own stock of these items. If
you are interested in getting Russian police, army and KGB patches,
pins, decorations and uniforms - I can help you with that.
Police collectors have a practice of exchanging patches from
their departments, and it is like a sign of friendship. I support this
tradition.
Elena Lisina
Elena Lisina is a designer, the member of the Union of
Designers of Russia since 1988. Since 1989 she has been making
unique, one-of-a-kind cloth dolls. She is a member of British Doll
Artists Association (BDA). Elena Lisina has been collecting dolls since
1989 and exhibiting them. In 1997, on the Convention of the United
Federation of Doll Clubs (UFDC) in Los-Angeles, Elena was awarded
with "The Award of Excellence" for the "Exhibit of Dolls".
Since 1992 Elena Lisina's dolls collection has been exhibited in
the Museum of Ural's Writers of Ekaterinburg, Elena also organizes
doll exhibits in the other towns - Tumen, Rezh and etc. In the process
of collaboration with the Museum of the Ural's Writers the unique form
of a Doll museum was found - the combination of doll exhibit with
literary themes that makes exhibits more educational and informative.
26
The exhibits that lasted for 1 year each, had such themes: "Dolls in
Russian & foreign Fairy Tales", "Russian Toys", "The Nutcracker and
the Doll Kingdom", "Tales for Alyonushka" and etc. made the
acquaintance not only with doll history, but with literature and tales as
well.
Every year they organized the children's contests of handmade
dolls & toys, the themes were: "My Favorite Literary Hero", "Doll as a
Literary Character".
2.4. Post-reading discussion
Now, read four texts about “strange hobbies” of Americans
The 1st group – read the text “Duct Tape Artist”
The 2nd group – read the text “Junk Craftsman”
rd
The 3 group – read the text “Skunk Enthusiast”
The 4th group – read the text “Clown”
Add strange hobbies these Americans have to your group’s list of
“strange hobbies”.
3.3. Reading.
• Now find a partner from each group. Work in groups of three.
Exchange the ideas.
• What do people usually collect?
What do people rarely collect?
Discuss in the class
Make a table on the blackboard
COMMON COLLECTIONS
3.2. Pre-reading task
UNCOMMON COLLECTIONS
• Do you collect anything? Are you a collector?
If your answer is a positive one, say what you collect.
If your answer is a negative one, say what you would like to
collect or explain why you wouldn’t like to collect anything.
3. Strange Hobbies
3.1. Pre-reading focus.
Do you know anything about “strange hobbies”?
What are strange hobbies? What do you think?
- Work in 4 groups
- Brainstorm your ideas
- Make out a list of “strange hobbies”
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Duct Tape Artist
Melody Williams, 17
Greers Ferry, Arkansas
As you can see, Melody's hobby is duct tape art. Her creations
include shoes, clothes, jewelry, cards and sculptures–even a model of
Shakespeare's Globe Theater (which later became a home for her pet
turtle, Shelley).
Most people aren't quite sure what to make of Melody's
fascination with duct tape. "They laugh and mock me, "she says, "but
they always come to me when they need an adhesive."
Laughter isn't the only "difficulty Melody encounters while
pursuing her hobby, "Duct tape is very sticky," she says, "When I was
making my skirt, I had a lot of problems with it sticking to itself in
places it wasn't supposed to. Also, wearing duct tape is slightly
uncomfortable. It's stiff and difficult to breathe very well"
Not that any of these drawbacks have diminished her love for the
"handyman's friend." She's even written a song about it:
I have to say that my world is gray,
not because of compromises made
or morals in the shade,
but because of a sticky tape
and the way it takes shape.
There are so many uses
and not many abuses
of this great sticky mess
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the component of my dress ...
Ode to duct tape, my best friend;
Ode to duct tape,
may the gray never end.
Junk Craftsman
Zach Duke, 19
Palatka, Florida
"Have you ever dreamed of having one thing in your life that
you could say you’ve made? Well, if so, this is the hobby to get into.
All you need is an imagination, some old junk, and a creative outlook.
This hobby is completely original: No one's junk is the same!"
Zach’s hobby includes making picture frames, clocks and little
storage boxes out of odd items ("junk" items). He uses materials
ranging from CD sleeves and license plates to an old snare drum. What
surprises him about his creations isn't just how well they turn out—he
can't believe that people want to pay for them.
"When I made the storage boxes," he says, "a few of my friends
offered me money for them. Then when I made a clock, people offered
to buy that, too. I was amazed that my small ideas to create something
a little out-of-the-ordinary would receive so much attention".
Skunk Enthusiast
Brittany Miller, 21
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Collecting stuffed animals is quite a common hobby. But
collecting skunks is something else. “I have never met another person
who even likes skunks–much less collects them”, Brittany says.
There aren’t too many collectors with Brittany’s taste, besides
the toys can be pretty tough to locate. "You can find plenty of
miniature dogs, stuffed bunnies and model horses, but skunks aren't as
common," she says. “It seems, though, that there are starting to be
more and more. Since I buy one every time I see one, skunk producers
are probably starting to think they’re a hot item!'' Which is fine with
her, as long as skunk supply continues to exceed skunk demand. "If
everyone collected skunks, my hobby wouldn't seem as special to me,”
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she says. "And besides, if everyone took up my hobby, there would be
fewer skunks out there for me to collect!”
Clown
Tracy Earley, 16
Richmond, Virginia
“Have you ever met anybody who wears a red nose and floppy
shoes for fun?” Tracy asks. “That’s me! I’m a clown!”
Tracy got into clowning as part of a church ministry. She's still a
part of that group, and she's also started clowning around at kids’
birthday parties. She can tie animal balloons, ride a unicycle, paint
faces, juggle and do magic tricks.
One of the toughest things about clowning, besides coming up
with new routines all the time, is the expense – a pair of clown shoes
alone costs over $200. But Tracy still loves her hobby. "I love making
people laugh!" she says. "In the serious, fast-paced world we live in,
clowning is a way to relax and have fun. Plus it becomes fun during
boring moments at school. Sometimes in the middle of a really slow
day, I gather up things to juggle from my friends' backpacks and liven
up the class a bit!"
3.4. Post-reading discussion.
• Find a partner from each group. Work in groups of four.
Exchange the ideas.
• What is the most unusual hobby of all hobbies discussed?
What do you think?
• Do you want to have this hobby? Why? /Why not? Explain.
• Do you have a strange hobby?
Vote and make a table on the blackboard
NO
YES
If you have an unusual hobby, say what it is.
• Do you want to have your groupmates’ hobbies? Why? /Why
not? Explain.
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4. Famous people’s collections
4.1. Pre-reading focus.
• Have you heard anything about famous and well-known
people’s collections?
• Who are these collectors?
• What do these personalities collect?
4.2. Pre-reading task.
Now read two texts about famous and well-known American
actors John Travolta and Robert De Niro.
Work in two groups
The 1st group – read the text about John Travolta
The 2nd group – read the text about Robert De Niro
Secondly, they are thrown about in disturbance all over the
house. De Niro says that it is done deliberately – it's easier for him to
choose the cut, corresponding to his mood. De Niro's collection is
"active" – now and then he puts on one of his hats and wears it. But the
most interesting fact is that all of his wives and girlfriends assure that
when De Niro puts on one of his hats, his image transforms thoroughly.
4.4. Post-reading discussion.
• Find a partner from the other group and exchange the
information about these collectors.
• Have you known about John Travolta’s and Robert De Niro’s
collections?
• Are these collections common or strange? Why or why not?
Explain.
4.3. Reading.
4.5. Project Time.
The psychologists assure that collecting stimulates the interest to
life and raises the feeling of self-esteem.
Using the Internet and personal web-sites of your favorite star or
person make a report about “Famous and well-known people’s
collections”. Represent your project in the class.
It is known about John Travolta that before he has become a
collector, he was a normal, cheerful lad that did all with appetite: ate,
rescued and loved his wife Kelly Preston. But once upon a time
Travolta has bought a plane – a small storm trooper, which initiated the
hasty disease. Travolta liked the new toy so much, that he has decided
to collect the flying machines. The storm trooper was followed by the
reactive "Golfstrim", then "Boing-707", all in all now he possesses 7
planes! Imagine how much space this collection occupies! And how
much money it costs? Last year Travolta ordered to install in each of
the airsheds the extremely sensitive cameras and the security system,
the central board of which is set into the back of his bed.
5. Prestige Hobbies
5.1. Pre-reading focus.
• Collections are known to become work sometimes. Do you
know anything about the collector who established a museum,
a gallery or a shop?
• Who were/are these collectors?
• What did they establish?
5.2. Pre-reading task.
Robert De Niro's collection is not so extravagant - it's just the
collection of hats. But, first, there are plenty of them – approximately
1500.
Now read the text “Prestige Hobbies”, dealing with the
experience of establishing so-called “Hobby City”. Do you like the
idea? Why/ Why not? Explain.
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5.3. Reading.
Prestige Hobbies
In 1955 the grounds of an old 3-acre chicken ranch were being
cleared. On this land the DeArmond family would build a growing city
with the hobbyist in mind. Within a few years, 3 additional acres were
added to the original location making room for more collector shops
and expanded free parking. In 1994, an additional 4 acres were
acquired, providing room for more parking and Adventure City, an
amusement park built just for kids.
Imagine a 10 acre little city filled with thousands of interesting
collectibles. The hobby and art shops in Hobby City are housed in
uniquely constructed theme buildings. Bear collectors will surely enjoy
visiting the old tree trunk towering into the sky almost 38 feet. Or visit
the 1/2 scale replica of the White House, in which you can find some of
the rarest dolls and toys.
BENEFIT
EXPLANATION
6.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the essay “Reading for pleasure” written by Bala Yahaya
in groups. (Each paragraph is of each student). Find benefits of
reading
- While reading the essay compare your group’s list of the
benefits with those given by Bala Yahaya.
- After reading the essay add the benefits of reading given in the
essay to yours.
6.3. Reading.
5.4. Project Time.
Work in two groups. Create your own project. It may be a
museum, a gallery, a shop, a club, a centre, etc. Represent your project
in the class. Keep in mind the following issues:
- Why have you decided to organize it?
- What will be exhibited there?
Why is it worth visiting?
6. Reading as a Hobby
6.1. Pre-reading focus.
1) Do you read for pleasure?
Vote and fill in the table on the blackboard
OFTEN
№
1
2
3
SOMETIMES
NEVER
2) What are the benefits of reading as a hobby?
Brainstorm your ideas in 2-3 groups. Write them down.
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Reading for pleasure
Bala Yahaya
Human beings have various ways of relaxation. Some prefer
spending their free time listening to music, while some prefer going out
to the beach to savour the good provisions of nature; to some others,
the best way to enjoy one's free time is to be glued to the TV set
watching soap operas, home videos, musicals, etc. One very good way
of enjoying one's free time is through reading. Unfortunately, the
number of people taking advantage of this wonderful hobby is fast
declining. Most people today see reading as a burdensome endeavour
that should only be embarked upon when 'chasing' degrees, diplomas,
or certificates. To this group of people, reading outside the classroom is
a way of stressing oneself. According to the Californian Department of
Education, "Professional educators and the public at large have long
known that reading is an enabling skill that traverses academic
disciplines and translates into meaningful personal, social, and
economic outcomes for individuals."
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Because of the society's growing apathy for reading, the number
of 'non-academic' visitors to our libraries has, over the years,
drastically reduced. This dearth of reading culture has contributed a lot
to our collective stagnation as a people. We tend to see things from
very myopic, sentimental and even outrightly uncivilised points of
view. This, perhaps, explains why we no longer appreciate the good
virtue of putting ourselves last and others first when such need arises. It
further explains why our national aspiration of establishing a strong,
virile, independent nation continues to elude us. At the local level,
inherited values of good neighbourliness, courage, honesty, and
industry are grossly discarded and in their place selfishness, laziness,
insincerity, and sycophancy become the order of the day. This is
because it is an established fact that reading of high quality materials
helps in moulding, in a positive way, the character trait of children and
to some extent, redirecting that of adults.
Lyon and Chhabra (1996) opine that, "It is common knowledge
that reading is the fulcrum of academics, the pivotal ability that
stabilizes and leverages children's opportunities to learn and to become
reflective, independent learners." A child who grows up in an
environment where the reading culture is alive and kicking, grows up
to, in majority of cases, become a fully enlightened, broadminded,
socially balanced, culturally aware, and philosophically outstanding
individual. Such individuals are, of course, the assets any country
needs to attain greatness.
Furthermore, reading is a good way of chasing away boredom.
This is because engaging oneself in reading of a well-written book,
piece, biography, play, poem, etc., could effectively divorce him from
any unpleasant realities of life that may be bedeviling him at any point
in time. Any person who makes reading a hobby would readily attest to
the fact that when he lays his hands on an interesting story, he finds
himself so carried away that he doesn't even remember that it is time
for lunch! Now if reading could divorce one from a reality like hunger,
the issue of boredom is certainly a minimal one.
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Moreover, reading of relevant materials avails us the opportunity
to fairly assess our condition, make comparisons, and come out seeing
our problems as very minor and thanking God in the process. For
example, a nagging wife who reads Isidore Okphe who's novel, "The
Victims", would transform to a good housewife and thank God for not
letting her into the shoes of Nwabunor, Ogugua, and all other such
characters and their plights that combine to make the story a tragic one.
In the same vein, reading George Orwell's "Animal Farm" could also
make a society to tread softly, the path of instigated rebellion against
constituted authorities because their supposed messiahs may turn out to
be their evil predators.
Reading also has the potential of bringing oat the best in us by
making us to be creative. Readers have the natural tendency of seeing
their favorite writers as role models thus wanting to become like them.
This ignites the urge in the individual to write in the characteristic style
of his own role model. Writing is said to be one percent inspiration and
99 percent perspiration. Thus an individual gets inspired by the works
of others and makes all the sacrifices to produce a unique work of his
own. This makes the society become an ocean of valuable ideas.
Another benefit of reading as a hobby is that, far more than other
pastimes, it develops one's intellectual capacity and understanding of
hitherto, strange things. Reading a good travelogue, for example, gives
one an insight into the lifestyle of people in other countries, continents
and even creatures in other planets. The knowledge of their culture,
religion and climatic conditions makes one to appreciate why they
dress in a particular way, why they eat a particular kind of food, why
they engage in a particular kind of trade among many other 'whys'.
Thus unlike, the unenlightened individual, he does not bring himself to
blindly copy the life style of others. Consequently, he becomes proud
of his own culture and becomes ready to claim his nationality with all
its peculiarities; and without any unjustifiable negative feeling of
inferiority. It also enables one to get acquainted with the meanings and
usage of several words and phrases. This aids the individual's
36
communication skills in his business and social dealings with other
members of the society.)
Having considered some of the benefits accruable to an
individual who adopts reading as a pastime, it will be appropriate to, at
this juncture, examine some of the ways through which the reading
culture can be revived among our people. In the first place, it is said
that 'charity begins at home', thus it is the humble opinion of this writer
that the inculcation of reading culture in our people should start from
the home.
This is because, any hobby good or bad adopted from childhood
automatically becomes part and parcel of the individual and will be
very difficult to discard. Therefore while it is recommended that
parents should try and arouse the interest of their children towards
reading, it is also necessary to add that they should, at the same time,
regulate the kinds of materials accessible to them. Secondly,
government should also set in motion, a pragmatic programme for the
resuscitation of the reading culture in our society. This could be done
through resuscitation of our library system, creation of reading centres
in our various relaxation spots, setting up of internet cafes where
people can have access to the net at affordable rates, subsidizing
reading materials, recognition and encouragement of writers through
sponsorship of writing competitions, publication of materials, and
funding of literary activities.
Many people allow themselves to ditch this great pastime relying
on the not-so-plausible excuse of "I don't have time for reading" and
thus allow even incisive and analytic newspaper features to pass them.
Thus, at the individual level, we should make conscious effort to
"create time for reading", knowing fully well that it is not only a good
way of keeping ourselves abreast of happenings around us and beyond,
but also an effective means of spending our free time. A way of using
one stone to kill two birds, if you like.
6.4. Post-reading discussion.
Now, exchange your ideas. Find a partner from another group
What group had found more benefits of reading?
Do the students of each group adopt reading as a pastime?
37
6.5. Discussion.
• Human beings have various ways of relaxation. Some prefer
spending their free time listening to music while others prefer
going out to the beach to savour the good provisions of nature;
for some others the best way to enjoy one’s free time is to be
glued to the TV set watching soap operas, homevideos,
musicals, etc. One very good way of enjoying one’s free time
is through reading. “Tastes differ”.
• What is your hobby?
• The text runs: “Any hobby good or bad adopted from
childhood automatically becomes part and parcel of the
individual and will be very difficult to discard”.
Do you agree/disagree? Explain.
If you agree, say, what parents should do to try and arouse the
interest of their children towards reading/ towards other
hobbies?
• The text runs “Many people allow themselves to ditch this
great pastime relying on the not-so-plausible excuse of "I don't
have time for reading (a hobby)"”
Is it an excuse? What do you think? Explain, why?
If you think, that it is not an excuse, say, what people should do
to manage their time?
7. Animal Lovers
7.1. Pre-reading focus.
1) Do you think that keeping pets is a good idea?
2) What pets are generally kept in town? In the country?
3) What are unusual (exotic) pets to keep? What is the most
unusual pet you have heard of?
4) What problems do people face if they keep pets?
5) Why do people keep pets nowadays?
6) Have you ever had a pet? What was it?
7) Are you keeping a pet now? What is it and what is it like?
38
That is interesting!
It is possible to use the personal pronouns he/she when talking
about pets. You can use
them when you treat your pet as a member of your family. Here are
some examples:
I have got a pet. She is a cat. Her name is Fluffy.
I’ve got a dog. His name is Snoopy.
8) It is not a secret that British people love pets to bits and would
do anything to make their life enjoyable. But just how far does
this love go? Do you know the answer?
7.2. Pre-reading task.
Now, read the text “Just how much do they love their pets?”
While reading fill in the vocabulary table. Then compare you
tables in the class.
to love smb. to
bits
Key vocabulary
7.3. Reading.
A Nation of Animal Lovers:
Do you have a pet? It is no secret that British people love their pets
to bits and would do anything to make their life enjoyable. But just
how far does this love go? The answer is QUITE far.
As you walk anywhere in Britain, you are greeted by hundreds
of literally smiling cat faces, which makes you think that the Cheshire
cat in Alice in Wonderland might not have been a mere product of
Lewis Carroll's imagination. Well, British cats have every reason to
39
smile. British pet owners spend around 3.5 billion pounds a year on pet
care and products. In the last five years, the amount spent on pet food,
toys and vet bills has risen by almost 25%.
There are some pet owners who spend thousands of pounds on
medical care to keep their sick pets alive. Pets can even have their teeth
cleaned and special pet contact lenses prescribed. Recently, it has
become legal to use organ transplants to treat serious pet illnesses,
such as kidney failure.
However, it has not yet been decided on the source of donor
organs. In America, organ transplants for pets have been allowed for a
long time. Normally, owners of pets receiving the organs are expected
to adopt the donor animal, usually a stray animal, and care for both.
There are a number of pet accessories available to pets and their
owners. Special flashing collars for walking at night, water-resistant
dog jackets, car ramps for old or overweight dogs - you name it, they
have got it! There are also special accessories designed to keep your
pet fit, such as treadmills for dogs to exercise indoors or orthopaedic
beds for dogs that suffer from a bad back. There is even a special pet
hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne that offers cats and dogs an opportunity
to exercise in the indoor gym, relax in the Jacuzzi or watch videos of
their owners on personal TV and video sets.
Unfortunately, in spite of Britain's reputation as pet lovers,
animal abuse and cruelty still happen. There are a number of
organisations that protect animals in Britain, but the most important is
the RSPCA – the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. The word 'Royal' indicates that the Society is under special
patronage of the Queen. Compare this to the National Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children and you will get a quick taste of how
serious the British are about animal welfare.
Although all pets are entitled to love and devotion from their
owners, there are some pets that deserve good treatment and care more
than others. These are assistance dogs. Endal, an assistance dog owned
by a Gulf-war veteran Allen Parton, who is confined to a wheel-chair
after suffering a serious head injury, has even won a number of awards
recognising the dog's achievements in helping people. Endal can use
cashpoint machines, buy bus tickets and do the shopping.
40
Endal is not the only dog that deserves a reward. For example,
Rosie, a search and rescue dog from Scotland, once helped find a threeyear-old boy who had gone missing. The list could be easily continued.
Well, the British may be crazy about animals, but isn't it nice to
know that the animals themselves play an increasingly important role
in British life?
M. Morris
to love smb to bits очень любить
literally буквально,
Cheshire cat Чеширский кот
vet (veterinary) bill счет от ветеринара
lens линза
to prescribe прописывать
organ transplant пересадка органов
kidney failure почечная недостаточность
to adopt усыновлять, принимать как члена семьи
stray [strei] бездомный (о животных)
accessory аксессуары
available доступный
flashing collar светящийся ошейник
car ramp пандус, приспособление для погрузки животного в машину
treadmill тренажер
orthopaedic ортопедический
to suffer from a bad back страдать от болей в спине
animal abuse and cruelty жестокое обращение с животными
patronage покровительство
to get a quick taste получить короткое представление
welfare благополучие
to be entitled (to) иметь право на
assistance dog собака-помощник
Gulf-war veteran ветеран войны в Персидском заливе
to be confined (to) быть прикованным к
wheel-chair инвалидная коляска
head injury ранение в голову
achievement достижение, успех
cashpoint machine банкомат
search and rescue поисковые и спасательные работы
increasingly все более
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7.4. Post-reading discussion.
- What is the author’s attitude towards British people, their pets
and their love?
- What is your attitude towards British people, their pets and
their love? Is it basically positive, basically negative, or
something in between?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard:
+
?
- What is your attitude towards pets? Is it basically positive,
basically negative, or something in between?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard:
+
?
7. 5. Writing.
There is the following saying: “The dog is a man’s best friend”.
Do you agree/disagree with it? Why/why not? Explain your view in
written form. If possible give illustrative examples.
7.6. Quiz.
Give honest answers to the following questions. The results of
the quiz will help you to figure out your real attitude towards pets.
Maybe taking care of animals is just what you need for your leisure
time.
Will you make a good owner?
So you decided to get a dog. And you prepared to devote a little
time to it? Will you make its life happy? Read the questions and
answer "yes" or "no":
1. A good owner must have a sense of responsibility.
2. A dog mustn't be aggressive.
3. Cross-breeds (mongrels) are not so clever as their pedigreed
brothers.
4. A dog depends upon its owner for all its needs.
42
5. Small dogs live longer than big ones.
6. Dogs can eat the same food their
owners have.
7. The normal temperature of the dog
is between 38-39 degrees.
8. Daily exercises are not necessary
for small dogs.
9. After a year, a dog can have two or
even one meal a day.
10. Regular check-ups by a vet are not
necessary for a healthy dog.
Check your score:
1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 – “yes”. 3, 6, 8, 10 – “no”.
Congratulations! You’ll be a good owner. Or, perhaps, you are
doing this test together with you faithful pet…
1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 – “yes”. One of 3, 6, 8, 10 – “no”.
You have a chance to become a good owner. Try to learn more
about dogs.
1, 3, 6, 8 – “Yes”. Three or more of 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 – “no”.
Stop! Are you really eager to have a dog? Start with a goldfish.
And don’t forget to ask your mum to feed it from time to time.
II. A Couch Potato
1. Do You REALLY ENJOY BEING A COUCH POTATO?
1.1. Pre-reading focus.
What are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? (Маке а list of
favorite hobbies and pastimes on the blackboard)
Do you have enough time to pursue the pastimes you really
enjoy?
Fill in the table on the blackboard
YES
NO
1.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the article “Do You REALLY ENJOY BEING A COUCH
POTATO?” and do the tasks below.
Give the definitions to the following words and phrases:
leisure
hobby pastime
socializing
roller coasting
orienteering
letterboxing
Answer the following questions:
- What are the top 5 leisure activities among Americans?
- What are 3 of the more unusual and interesting popular
hobbies?
- Why are they all so popular?
43
44
1.3. Reading.
Do You REALLY ENJOY BEING A COUCH POTATO?
A husband and wife
Are you having an exciting
come home from work,
time surfing, dear?
exhausted and stressed out.
They don't feel like preparing
a real dinner, so they pop
something in the microwave.
Then they sit down on the
couch for an evening of being
mesmerized by the TV set.
Hours later, after having
fallen asleep, they wake up
and stumble off to bed. Each
day they continue to do the
same thing: Get up, go to work, come home, grab a bite, then sit down
and vegetate in front of the TV set Does this sound like you? If so, are
you satisfied with your existence? Isn't there more to life than being a
couch potato?
Some people apparently don't think so. In their recent book Time
for Life, researchers John Robinson and Geoffrey Godbey state that the
average amount of time that people in the United States have to devote
to leisure activities is actually increasing. While this may sound
unlikely.
Robinson and Godbey claim that Americans now spend almost
forty hours a week doing leisure-time activities, and something similar
may be true all over the industrialized world. Here's what Robinson and
Godbey say are the top five leisure activities among Americans:
Watching television, at 15.0 hours a week, is by far the most popular.
Number two on the list is socializing – 6.7 hours a week. Number
three, at 4.4 hours weekly, is home communication. Reading, at 2.8
hours a week, ranks number four. And number five on the list,
engaging in hobbies, comes in at 2.7 hours a week. Judging from these
statistics, we might conclude that many Americans seem to enjoy being
couch potatoes. Now, if you want to spend your leisure time channel
45
surfing, that's your choice. There are, however, many rewarding
pursuits out there. With all the extra leisure time that we supposedly
have, it behooves us to know how to spend it interestingly. Here are
three of the more unusual and interesting popular hobbies.
Roller coasting has
become so popular that
there's even an organization
called ACE
(American
Coaster Enthusiasts) that is
dedicated to preserving,
appreciating, and enjoying
roller
coasters.
The
precursors of roller coasters
originated in Russia as ice
slides built high into the air, and the first actual mechanical roller
coasters were also constructed in Russia. From there the idea migrated
to Paris, where a kind of roller coaster with wheels was built in 1804.
Eventually the roller coaster made its way to the United States, with
more and more coasters being built until Depression times. Then they
began to fell out of fashion, and many were torn down. It was not until
the 1950s, with Walt Disney's opening of the first Disneyland, that
roller coasters began to make a comeback. Now they're being built at
breakneck speed. Marie Miller, a member of ACE now in her eighties,
is a major enthusiast. She figures she's ridden on most of the roller
coasters in the United States, saying, "There was a time when I rode
every wooden coaster in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but I
can't keep up with them. One thing's certain: I'll never stop riding until
I'm in my grave."
Another fascinating pastime is orienteering, a combination of
map reading and cross-country skiing or running. Orienteers are given
a map that shows where a set of "control points" are located. They try
to follow the map by interpreting it carefully and using a compass to
plot their course. Each time they succeed in finding a control point,
they stamp a card that validates their having completed that part of the
game. The sport is competitive: Participants get a starting time and
have a prescribed time period for locating all of the control points.
46
Orienteering has become extremely
popular. Why? There are several
reasons. It's interesting and healthy.
You get the chance to enjoy the
outdoors. Best of all, it taxes both
your physical strength and your
mental acumen.
Then there's letterboxing, a
hobby that is like a combination of
orienteering and treasure hunting. It
began in England in 1854, when an
English gentleman put his calling
card (a little like today's business
card) into a bottle and left it on the
bank of a pond. Someone else found
it and contacted him, and from this the hobby sprang up. What happens
is this: People put a notebook and a rubber stamp in a bottle (the
letterbox) and they provide special clues for finding the bottle.
Participants have to follow the clues by hiking in certain sections of the
English countryside until they finally locate the letterbox and stamp
their notebook. For some aficionados, letterboxing is so enjoyable that
it's become a way of life.
These are just three examples of captivating pastimes. Why are
they all so popular? One principal reason is that they're basically active,
not passive. Aficionados of these hobbies
get out and act rather than passively sitting
in front of the TV screen. Suppose that at
some future time we start engraving, on
our tombstones, not only the names and
the dates of people's births and deaths but
also their hobbies and accomplishments.
Which would look better on a gravestone:
JOHN L DOE, COUCH POTATO, or
JOHN L. DOE, ORIENTEER?
47
1.4. Post-reading discussion.
Compare your definitions with those given in the dictionary.
Leisure – 1) freedom from the demands of work or duty; 2) time
free from the demands of work or duty, when one can rest, enjoy
hobbies or sports, etc.
Hobby pastime –- something that serves to make time pass
agreeably; a pleasant means of amusement, recreation, or sport
Socializing - associating or mingling sociably with others
Roller coasting – spending time at a small gravity railroad, esp.
in an amusement park, having a train with open cars that moves along a
high, sharply winding trestle built with steep inclines that produce
sudden, speedy plunges for thrill-seeking passengers.
Orienteering – a competitive sport, originating in Sweden, that
tests the skills of map reading and cross-country running, in which
competitors race through an unknown area to find various checkpoints
by using only a compass and topographical map, the winner being the
finisher with the lowest elapsed time.
Letterboxing – a combination of orienteering and treasure
hunting.
Answer the following questions:
- What are the top 5 leisure activities among Americans?
What do Robinson and Godbey say?
#1 on the list is … at 15.0 hours a week
#2 on the list … 6.7 hours a week
#3 on the list … 4.4 hours weekly
#4 on the list … at 2.8 hours a week
#5 on the list … at 2.7 hours a week
- What are 3 of the more unusual and interesting popular
hobbies?
- Why are they all so popular?
What does the article run?
Continue:
- one principle reason is that they’re basically active, not passive
- …
- …
48
What do you think? Continue
- …
- …
- …
2. The Computer and the Internet
2.1. Pre-reading focus.
Do you use the Internet? If yes, how do you use it?
1.5. Discussion.
Work in groups of three or four. Make a list of:
a) the top 5 leisure activities
Are they similar or different in comparison with those given in
the article?
№
1
2
3
4
5
Leisure activities
Description
2.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the text “My Internet hell” and answer the questions after
the text.
2.3. Reading.
My Internet hell
As an experiment, four volunteers each lived alone for 100 hours.
They were dressed only in a bathrobe and had to get everything
that they needed from the Internet
b) 3 of the more unusual and interesting popular hobbies.
Are they similar or different in comparison with those given in
the article?
№
Popular Hobbies
Description
1
2
3
Compare your lists of preferences with the lists of the other groups.
Are they similar or different? Why are they all so popular?
1.6. Writing.
Write a few paragraphs about yourself. Tell about your interests and
hobbies. Keep in mind the following issues:
- your top leisure activities
- some more unusual and interesting popular hobbies.
49
A dazed but relieved Emma Gibson told of her 'seedy' ordeal
yesterday after four days trapped in cyberspace.
With three other volunteers, the out-of-work actress had agreed
to be locked alone in a small room with just a computer and the Internet for company.
One hundred hours, three marriage proposals and dozens of lewd
messages later, Miss Gibson, 30, emerged blinking into the sunshine
rather glad the experience was over.
With the eyes of the world quite literally upon her - small cameras broadcast her every move on the Web - Internet Heaven had become more of a nightmare at times. 'I wanted to get out at the end. Too
much Internet is bad for the health,' she said.
Net users were able to contact her using e mails or chat rooms electronic conversation forums.
Miss Gibson, from London, added: 'Chat rooms are a pretty
seedy experience in my view, especially if you are female and being
viewed by a web-camera. It attracts a few perverts. I was being looked
at and when someone was getting pervy with their language, a towel
went over the camera."
50
Miss Gibson was chosen from more than 250 applicants for the
experiment. Shut up in a secure room at a central
London hostel, she had to take off all her clothes and was given
a bathrobe, a credit card and a budget of £500 to feed, clothe and
amuse herself with all purchases ordered via the Internet. Organisers
eventually had to start deleting all the abusive mail before it appeared
on screen. Three men also offered proposals of marriage. 'I didn't accept any,' said Miss Gibson.
To keep sane during her confinement, Miss Gibson managed to
download software from an Australian radio station to pipe out constant music. 'Spending time on your own in a room in front of a computer does change the way you see the world. My thought processes
became quite obtuse. It was draining but I became quite addicted. I had
to get out.'
She was going straight out for a stiff gin and tonic and a walk in
the fresh air. 'I'm definitely not going on the Net for a few days.' Results of the experiment, organised by Microsoft, will be studied by Dr
Helen Petrie, of the University of Hertfordshire.
Despite their reservations she believed the volunteers coped 'better than we anticipated.' She added: 'Of course, there have been ups and
downs but overall they had a very positive experience."
Daily Mail
2.4. Comprehension.
1. How many volunteers were there?
2. How did they obtain what they needed?
3. How could people contact Emma?
4. What did Emma do to stop herself going mad?
5. In what ways did the experiment affect Emma?
6. On the whole, how did Helen Petrie describe the feelings of
the volunteers?
2) Do you use e-mail at home and at work? How has it changed
the way you communicate with people?
3) Do you use it for anything else, such as banking or booking
holidays?
4) Do you think the Internet is more male-oriented (used more by
men and aimed more at them)? If so, why is that?
5) What advantages does it have over other media, such as TV,
magazines and newspapers?
6) Whose responsibility should it be to check exactly what material goes on the Internet? Should it be the government or the companies
who provide the service (Internet Service Providers)?
7) Have you ever used a chat room? Do you think they might be
dangerous in any way? Why, why not?
8) Do you think that it is dangerous for certain people to have
access to sexual and violent material on the Internet? Why?
9) How do you think the Internet will develop over the next few
years?
Ammunition Box
Key words
proxy server an Internet Service Provider that filters out some incoming content;
some countries such as Singapore insist on this
to censor to remove material that is considered indecent, offensive
or a threat
to security
web site where people can find information about a certain topic
home page the first, guiding page of your site
e mail electronic mail
chat rooms a service where messages are written and exchanged
download to transfer data from a large computer system to a
smaller one
2.5. Discussion.
1) If you don't use the Internet, why not? Are you afraid of it, or
don't you have any interest in it?
51
52
2.6. Activities.
A. Read the letter written to a newspaper advice column. Discuss
possible solutions with a partner and then write a reply to the woman.
Dear Miriam
My husband’s addicted to the Internet. Day and night he chats to
an American woman, sometimes intimately. We’ve been married
for 27 years and a few months ago he told me he wanted a divorce.
I found out he’s been sending flowers to this woman he met on the
Internet and he intends to go over and visit her.
He’s 50 and all my friends have told me he’s probably going
through a midlife crisis. He talks all the time to this woman. I
know for sure he’s not seeing anyone else, it’s just the Internet
that’s got a stranglehold on him.
He’s always been a bully and has threatened that if I did anything
to get in touch with the woman, he’d set our two Alsatian dogs on
me. What can I do?
Daily Mirror
B. It is fair to say that people are getting addicted to the computer and the Internet. Children play computer games. Teenagers chat.
Grown ups go to different Web sites. What is your attitude towards the
computer and the Internet? Is it a positive/a negative one?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard.
+
–
С. Work in two groups and debate the following issue:
Can the computer or the Internet be a hobby?
Group 1 – You are to support this opinion
Group 2 – You are against this opinion
Share your opinions.
53
Vote again. What is your attitude towards the computer and the Internet? Has your attitude changed during the debate?
Fill in the table on the blackboard
+
–
Websites:
www.profound.cc.uk
www.hippy.freeserve.co.uk/censor/
www.birmingham.co.uk/english
III. Sports and Leisure Activities
1. Popular Sports and Leisure activities in Britain
1.1. Pre-reading focus.
1) It is fair to say that Russia as most Western countries has become a leisure-orientated society. Do you agree/disagree?
2) Russian people have also become extremely healthconscious and for many young people keep-fit is a very important part
of their lives. Do you agree/disagree?
1.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the essay written by a British teacher, Mrs. Penn, about
popular sports and leisure activities in Britain.
• When you have finished, give the definitions to the following
words and phrases:
to mushroom
health-conscious
keep-fit (a noun)
to be preoccupied with
aerobics
weight-lifting
54
to spring up
light exercises
exhilarating
addiction.
• While reading think of possible evidence to prove that the following statement are true:
“For many young people Keep-fit is a very important part of
their lives”.
“Many people say that aerobics is a very exhilarating experience”.
1.3. Reading.
Popular Sports and Leisure Activities in Britain
Over recent decades the number and range of available leisure
activities has mushroomed, in Britain. It is fair to say that Britain, in
common with most Western countries, has become a leisure-orientated
society. Western people have also become extremely health-conscious,
and for many young people Keep-fit is a very important part of their
lives. In addition there is a widespread preoccupation with healthy eating: trying to avoid fatty and fried foods, and cutting down on sugary
products, eating vegetables and fruit. Many young people, especially
young women, regularly go to the gym to do aerobics, weight-lifting,
and so on. Aerobics is equivalent to what the Russians call "Shaping".
Such Keep-fit centres offering these kinds of exercises have sprung up
all over Britain and there, mostly women-of all shapes, sizes, and ages,
gather together to do light exercises often to the latest hit records.
Many people say that the experience is a very exhilarating one, that
their adrenalin flows, and that attending aerobics classes becomes akin
to an addiction...but a healthy one at least!
1.4. Post-reading discussion.
Give the definitions to the following words and phrases:
to mushroom
health-conscious
55
keep-fit (a noun)
to be preoccupied with
aerobics
weight-lifting
to spring up
light exercises
exhilarating
addiction.
Compare your definitions with those given in the dictionary.
to mushroom – to spread, grow, or develop quickly.
health-conscious – aware of one's own health and body
keep-fit (a noun) – being in good physical condition; in good
health
to be preoccupied with – to be absorbed or engrossed to the exclusion of other things
aerobics – 1. also called aerobic exercises. (used with a pl. v.)
any of various sustained exercises, as jogging, rowing, swimming, or
cycling, that stimulate and strengthen the heart and lungs, thereby improving the body's utilization of oxygen.
2. (used with a sing. v. ) a physical fitness program
based on such exercises: Aerobics is a good way to get your body in
shape.
weight-lifting - the act, art, or sport of lifting barbells of given
poundages in a prescribed manner, as a competitive event or conditioning exercise.
to spring up - to grow rapidly
light exercises - of little weight; not heavy
exhilarating - enlivening; invigorating; stimulating
addiction - the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to
something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Prove that the following statements are true:
“For many young people Keep-fit is a very important part of
their lives”.
56
“Many people say that aerobics is a very exhilarating experience”.
"extreme sports"
1.5. Discussion.
With your partner (using the above vocabulary) discuss the following matter:
Are you a person who is preoccupied with keeping fit and are
you conscious about healthy eating?
2. Extreme Sports
windsurfing
While reading think of possible answers to the following questions:
- Why do most people like sports, at least a little bit?
- Why do people participate in extreme sports?
2.3. Reading.
2.1. Pre-reading focus.
1) What is your view of sports? Is it basically positive, basically negative, or something in between?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard
+
?
2) In recent years, "extreme" sports, such as bungee jumping
and skiing off cliffs, have become increasingly popular.
What is your view of these kinds of activities? Is it basically
positive, basically negative, or something in between?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard
+
?
2.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the article “Going to extremes?” and then fill in the table
"Extreme Sports":
57
Going to Extremes?
A pickup truck rolls to the center of a
deserted bridge. Several get out. Two of them,
a thirty-something young man and a twentysomething young woman, are both wearing a
strange-looking harness on their backs. The
others with them check their harnesses to make
sure all is well. As soon as they complete these
preparations, they attach a long cord to each
harness and securely fasten the cords to the
bridge. When that is finished, the young man
and woman climb up onto the bridge rail, wave
to the crowd below, and jump. No, this is not a
suicide attempt. The elastic cords attached to
their backs are so strong and flexible that the
young people will be able to drop close to the
canyon floor below without hitting it. This is
bungee jumping, one of a new set of sports that
bungee jumping
are being described as "extreme."
Most people, if they're really honest with themselves, will admit
they like sports at least a little bit. When the first Olympic Games began in Greece in 776 B.C., something within the human spirit was
tapped. Most of us like to be challenged, and many of us are at least
58
moderately competitive. Sports provide
benefits: they amuse and excite us, provide jobs for many people, and allow individuals who might not have other opportunities to achieve success. Although
sports have long been popular, something
significant has changed in the last ten to
twenty years. A whole new set of sports
has been created. They are called
"extreme" because participants are pushing themselves to extreme (and even
ski jumping
dangerous) levels.
Why do people participate in extreme
sports? Mark Musgrave, an "extreme"
sportsman who windsurfs all year around,
says people do it because it's a question of
attitude, not the activity per se. "These
sports are so hard," says Musgrave, "they
don't attract the masses; I think that's one of
the appealing things about it. You can excel
in it if you put your mind to it. There's not a
thousand people out there crowding you or
doing what you're doing." He adds, "There
is no right. There is no wrong. There are no
rules. You can do what you want and no one
cares."
windsurfing
mountain biking
So what are some of these new extreme sports? Musgrave's own sport of
windsurfing is one, though windsurfing on
a quiet summer day at a speed of 2 miles
an hour hardly qualifies. If you want to
become extreme, you'll have to travel
much faster, above the water, with a much
more powerful wind blowing while you're
trying to do a forward flip.
Then there's mountain biking, al59
though riding your mountain bike down a gentle
slope at a leisurely speed doesn't make you an
extreme biker. What does is piloting that bike
down a steep, rocky mountain path at a speed of
at least 35 miles per hour. You can also call
yourself an extreme sports enthusiast if you ski
off cliffs, jump out of a plane and sky surf, or
go in-line skating.
By now, someone somewhere is probably
mounting a campaign to make extreme sports
safer to save extreme sports enthusiasts from
themselves. Are these sports too dangerous? in-line skating
Perhaps. Even if they are, isn't a personal
choice involved here? It occurs to this
writer that the development of extreme
sports is understandable, even quite predictable. We live in such a globalized,
homogenized world today that a counterrevolution seems to have started. Wherever we go, we see sameness: a McDonald's in Moscow is only marginally different from one in Paris or in Pensacola,
Florida. There seem to be far fewer singusky surfing
lar, individualized experiences today than
there were in the past. Maybe extreme-sport people are merely striking
a blow for truly individualized and unique experiences.
2.4. Post-reading discussion.
Answer the following questions:
Why do most people like sports, at least a little bit?
What does the article run? Continue:
- Sports provide benefits: they amuse and excite us, provide jobs
for many people, and allow individuals who might not have other opportunities to achieve success.
-…
60
-…
What do you think?
-…
-…
Jumping for joy
Why do people participate in extreme sports?
What does the article run? Continue:
- Extreme-sport people are merely striking a blow for truly individualized and unique experiences.
-…
-…
What do you think?
-…
-…
2.5. Additional reading.
Now, read this personal web page “Jumping for Joy” and then
complete the table "Extreme Sports". What new items can we add?
extreme sports
bungee jumping
in-line skating
Hi, I'm Jason Barricelii and thanks for visiting my website. I've
been building this site for a while, and I'm almost finished. I've written
this page to introduce myself.
I've always been a
work-hard, play-hard kind of
guy. I grew up in Idaho, and
my family did a lot of adventure sports like rock climbing
and
white-water
rafting.
Lately, people have named
these
activities
"extreme
sports," but to me they've always seemed just like normal fun.
I've been working on a master's degree for a couple of years, but
I still take time out to play. Since I moved to San Diego, I've gone on
six scuba dives, and last year, 1 finally learned how to skydive. This
month, I've already completed five jumps.
Yes, I have a social life too. In fact, last month I got engaged to a
fantastic woman. Here's a picture of the two of us jumping together.
Joy hasn't been skydiving that long, but she wanted to celebrate
our engagement with a jump.
2.6. Answer the following questions:
windsurfing
ski jumping
sky surfing
ski off cliffs
What sort of person is pushing himself to extreme (and even dangerous) levels?
hardworking
What does the article run? Continue:
What do you think?
mountain biking
While reading think of possible answers to the following question:
What sort of person is pushing himself to extreme (and even
dangerous) levels?
61
62
2.7. Discussion.
- Do you do any sports?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard
NO
YES
- Why do you do sports?
Example: Sports amuse and excite me.
- Do you participate in extreme sports?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard
NO
YES
- Why do you participate in extreme sports?
Example: There are no rules. You can do what you want and
no one cares.
3. Why do people risk?
3.1. Pre-reading focus.
1) Have you ever done extreme sports?
- Work all together. Vote. Fill in the table on the blackboard.
Never
Once
I do extreme sports
regularly.
- Have you got some friends who are very fond and interested in
extreme sports?
Work all together. Vote. Fill in the table on the blackboard.
YES
NO
63
- What is it that makes people regularly risk their own lives for a
short adrenaline buzz?
Why do people risk? What do you think?
3.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the text about extreme sports. The author of the article –
Nina Zavrieva – interviewed a few people on their opinions on extreme
sports.
Focus on people’s opinions.
3.3. Reading.
X-treme Sports
Why do people risk?
I’ve never done extreme sports and never really intended to, I
have some friends who are very fond and interested in them though. I
was always wondering what it is that makes people regularly risk their
own lives for a short adrenalin buzz, so I interviewed a few people on
their opinions on extreme sports.
The first person I talked to about it was my friend Peter. Here’s
what he said:
‘Personally I don’t understand why they do it. Maybe it’s like
a drug, they do it for the first time just because some of their friends
said it was great and then end up being addicted to it. The more they
do them the more they want to do it again. Or probably they start doing it because they want to show how strong and courageous they are
and then end up liking it and as I’ve said before become addicted. I’d
never try anything like that, I’m addicted to safety.’
I was having a conversation with a girl called Anna the other
day. What she said was this:
‘I’m just dying to do BASE-jumping. All my friends do it. It’s
a relatively new sport, base is an acronym for building, antenna, span
(bridge) and earth (cliffs). Jumpers leap from stationery objects and
deploy a parachute. Unlike skydiving, no aircraft is involved. They’ve
said it’s a feeling nothing can be compared to, in a short period of time
64
you experience so much. They go almost every month, I think they’re
obsessed. Even though it’s pretty dangerous I’m not a least bit scared,
the only problem is my parents – I’m afraid they will not let me do it.’
Then I spoke to my relative Michael who is a lot older than me.
He is interested in extreme sports so I wanted to know his opinion.
‘I work in a bank and I can’t say it’s a particularly exiting job.
You often want a change. You get bored with e-mails, faxes, deadlines, work challenges. I found the perfect escape in skydiving. When
I do it all my personal problems go away, and when I get back to real
life they don’t seem that bad anymore. And to add up to that skydiving
is an ultimate thrill and a real pleasure. I’ve also made a lot of friends
who share the same passion. I’d never abandon it. Never’.
Whatever you say Michael. Now it’s clearer to me why people
do extreme sports. I started to understand them better. But it definitely
doesn’t mean I’m going to do it. Too scared, and as well as Peter, I am
addicted to safety.
Nina Zavrieva
3.4. Post-reading discussion.
1) Speak out Peter’s, Anna’s, Michael’s and the author’s opinion on extreme sports. Who do you agree with? Why? Who do you
disagree with? Why? Explain.
2) What is your personal opinion on extreme sports? Is it
clearer to you now why people do extreme sports? Can you explain?
3) Have you got any stories on sports to share? (about you, your
group/former classmates, your friends, your parents and relatives, etc.).
Write a few lines. Keep in mind the following issues:
- Who is your essay about?
- What kind of sports/extreme sports is/was he/she fond of and
interested in?
- Why is/was he/she keen on it?
- What is your opinion on it? Do you like it or not?
- Do you understand him/her or not?
- Would you like to do it or not? Why/why not?
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4. Quiz
Answer the questions given in the following quiz. The results of
the quiz will help you to figure out whether “extreme sports” can be
your hobby or one of the ways of spending your leisure time.
Pop quiz
Are you the sort of person who loves adventure?
1. Which activity would you prefer?
a. Gliding
b. Horse-riding
c. Stamp-collecting
2. You are lost in a strange town. What would you do?
a. I'd panic. If I had enough money, I'd take a taxi.
b. I'd ask a passer-by for directions.
c. If I wasn't in a hurry, I'd explore.
3. You've been to a disco. It's past midnight and you have missed
the last bus home. What would you do?
a. I'd start walking home.
b. I'd hitch a lift from a passing car.
c. I'd phone home and ask to be collected.
4. You are invited to dinner by some Australian friends. They want
you to try a special dish: kangaroo steaks. What would you say?
a. I'd say 'Fantastic! I wouldn't miss it!'
b. I would make an excuse so that I didn't have to go.
c. I would accept the invitation, a bit hesitantly.
5. If your best friend dyed his/her hair blue, what would you think?
a. I would think about changing my own hairstyle to something a
little bit more original.
b. I'd think that they were mad.
c. It would depend whether or not the colour suited them.
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6. You win first prize in a competition: a trip to East Africa. What
would be the main attraction for you?
a. I'd enjoy staying in a luxury hotel and relaxing
b. I'd enjoy improving my sun-tan at the beach and joining a couple of sight-seeing tours.
c. The main attraction would be discovering a new country: the
people, the scenery, the wildlife.
Add up your points
to be lost потеряться
passer-by прохожий
to explore обследовать
to hitch a lift подъехать
kangaroo кенгуру
steak бифштекс
hesitantly нерешительно
to dye красить
mad сумасшедший
to depend зависеть
trip путешествие
sight-seeing tour осмотр достопримечательностей
scenery пейзаж
wildlife животный мир
to score набрать очки
confidence уверенность
common sense здравый смысл
well-balanced рассудительный
spirit характер; дух
sensible разумный
to blind ослеплять
How to score the quiz:
1. a = 3; b = 2; c = 1
2. a = 1; b = 2; c = 3
3. a = 2; b = 3; c = 1
4. a = 3; b = 1; c = 2
5. a = 3; b = 2; c = 3
6. a = 1; b = 2; c = 3
If you scored between six and ten points: You are not an adventurer. You don't like to take risks. 'You are the sort of person who feels
most comfortable with the people and places you know.
Our advice: Have more confidence in yourself and in other people. Try something new you might enjoy it!
If you scored between 11 and 14 points: You are the sort of person who is not afraid of adventure. But you have enough common
sense not to take unnecessary risks.
Our advice: You seem to be a well-balanced person. Enjoy yourself!
If you scored between 15 and 18 points: You have a very adventurous spirit. You are the sort of person who loves to try anything new.
You are happy to take risks.
Our advice: Be sensible. Don't let your enthusiasm for adventure
blind you to the danger of a situation.
adventure приключение
gliding планеризм
horse-riding верховая езда
stamp марка
attraction то, что привлекает
luxury роскошный
to relax расслабляться
sun-tan загар
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5. Fans
5.1. Pre-reading focus.
Hobby does not include only participating in sports but also
being a fan of your favourite sportsman or team. There are a lot of
people including some famous ones who are sports fans.
1) Are you a sports fan?
YES
NO
2) What is your view of sports fans?
Is it basically positive, basically negative, or something in
between?
Vote and write down your answers on the blackboard
+
?
5.2. Pre-reading task.
Read the article about football fans in England. Work in 4
groups. Each paragraph is for each student within the group.
While reading the article think of the answers to the following
questions:
- What sort of person can be a sports fan (a football fan)?
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- Why is there an epidemic of violence associated with football
in England today? Each group should explain it from different points
of view.
The 1st group gives the reasons, connected with culture.
The 2nd group gives the reasons connected with money.
The 3rd group gives the reasons connected with history.
The 4th group gives the reasons connected with nationalism.
5.3. Reading.
‘The Barmy Army’ – Football:
ENGLAND’S GLORY?
Solicitors, doctors, bankers, teachers... What do all these groups
have in common? Well, individuals from these professions have all
been arrested at some point for football hooliganism. Surprising? In
England today there is an epidemic of violence associated with football. But why is this? There are many reasons — connected with culture, money, history and nationalism.
Myth number 1:
Football is a working class game, for working class people.
Fact:
Probably more than in any other country in the world, football in
England has a national following. Just switch on the TV on a Saturday.
Much of the afternoon on the two major channels is taken up by football coverage. People from all walks of life watch, play, and go to
matches. It is also big business, with top players like Beckham getting
paid around $40000 a week, whether they are fit to play or not. Much
of the violence associated with football actually comes from the richer
supporters. People with prestigious, well-paid jobs often go to football
matches just in order to have a fight. It is as if they have the right to
lose control and go mad for a while — to forget they are respectable
people. This perverse situation even extends to semi-secret uniforms
among hooligans. Many fans interested in ultra-violence wear the same
checked Burberry clothing — an extremely expensive American brand.
Other hooligans are members of the shadowy Combat 18 neo-nazi organisation that has provoked huge race-riots in the north of England.
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Myth number 2:
Football hooligans follow a favourite team and especially their national team.
Fact:
Hooligans often don't even watch the match of the team they are
supposed to be following. They are more interested in 'having a go' at
supporters of the opposing team. They travel large distances in order to
attack anyone in the vicinity of the ground, or the town centre.
Sometimes they even fight their own supporters. Unfortunately this is
especially true of the England fans. At the recent Turkey-England
Euro2004 qualifier in Sunderland all the fighting was between rival
England supporters — in particular between club supporters of Sunderland and Newcastle: two towns about 15 kilometres from each other,
both premier division teams with an intense hatred and rivalry.
Myth number 3:
Football violence is unorganised and spontaneous.
Fact:
The police and the Home Office have tried to deal with hooligans travelling to England matches abroad by confiscating the passports of known hooligans and by monitoring ports and airports carefully. Groups of hooligans have recently gone as far as travelling
through third countries. For example: if there is a match in Holland,
then to avoid getting caught, hooligans have flown to Spain and caught
trains to Holland to escape detection.
Once near the football ground, rival groups of hooligans even
telephone each other by mobile to organise massive fights and to avoid
the police. One English club side has even begun to employ former
hooligans as security specialists, but this seems to have backfired, as
the club in question still has some of the worst violence and racism in
the country.
Myth number 4:
Football violence is an English problem.
Fact:
It is true that a lot of club violence takes place in England rather
than on the Continent. But much of the time it is limited in scope and
ferocity. At a recent UEFA match in Turkey between Galtasarai and
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Leeds, two peaceful Leeds supporters were stabbed to death in the city
centre.
Of course, 99% of supporters who travel to games are completely peaceful. 99% of supporters are not racist or neo-nazis. Unlike
many European countries, families including women and children
make up a large proportion of supporters who travel to games. Hopefully, this kind of tendency will improve the game and discourage hooligans. Hooliganism is not an English problem alone. It is just that English hooligans are perhaps the most visible (partly because of the effective British police campaigns against them). Football will continue to
be the 'beautiful game', the biggest spectator sport in the world. And
Britain will always be the birthplace of this most English game. As the
supporters of England like to sing: 'It's coming home, it's coming home,
it's coming. Football's coming home!' Hopefully, with an improved
reputation, England will sometime soon host a major championship
again.
Jeremy Morris
barmy ['ba:mi] спятивший, сумасшедший
glory ['glori] слава, гордость
solicitor адвокат
individual индивидуум
at some point в какой-то момент
hooliganism хулиганство
epidemic of violence эпидемия насилия
to associate ассоциировать, связывать
nationalism национализм
myth миф, легенда
to have a national following иметь поклонников, приверженцев по всей
стране
major channel центральный канал (TB)
football coverage освещение футбольных событий
people from all walks of life представители всех слоев общества
to be fit to play быть в форме, быть готовым к игре
supporter болельщик
prestigious престижный
respectable уважаемый, респектабельный
perverse порочный, извращенный
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to extend [ik'stend] распространяться
semi-secret полусекретный, подпольный
checked клетчатый
brand [ brænd] торговая марка
shadowy тайный, теневой
neo-nazi неонацистский
to provoke провоцировать
race-riot расовые столкновения, беспорядки
to have a go зд. выяснять отношения, устроить «разборку»
in the vicinity (of) поблизости (от)
ground (football ground) футбольное поле, стадион
qualifier отборочный матч
rival ['raivl] соперничающий, конкурирующий
in particular особенно
premier division teams команды премьер-лиги
intense [in'tens] сильный
hatred ненависть
rivalry соперничество, конкуренция
spontaneous спонтанный, неподготовленный
Home Office Министерство внутренних дел
to deal with бороться
monitoring мониторинг, наблюдение, контроль
to avoid [avoid] избегать
to escape detection избежать ареста
club side зд. руководство клуба, администрация
to employ нанимать на работу, пользоваться услугами
former бывший
security безопасность
to backfire иметь обратный эффект, привести к неожиданным последствиям
in question данный, упомянутый
Continent Европа (в отличие от Британских островов)
scope масштаб, размах
ferocity жестокость
to stab заколоть, зарезать
to discourage отбивать охоту
visible заметный
spectator sport зрелищный вид спорта
to host принимать у себя
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5.4. Post-reading discussion.
5.6. Class debate.
Now, after reading the article and discussing it within your
group, exchange your ideas in the class.
- What sort of person can be a sports fan (a football fan)? What
does the text run? Continue:
Work in 2 groups.
Group 1 – fans and people who approve their actions
Group 2 – those who don’t approve fans’ actions
Exchange your ideas trying to persuade each other that your opinion is
right.
At the end of the discussion vote again. What is your view of sports
fans now? Is it basically positive, basically negative, or something in
between? Has your view changed during the discussion?
Vote. Write down your answers on the blackboard
People from all walks of life
+
?
- Why is there an epidemic of violence associated with football
in England today? What does the text run? Exchange your ideas.
The 1st group gives the reasons, connected with culture.
The 2nd group gives the reasons connected with money.
The 3rd group gives the reasons connected with history.
The 4th group gives the reasons connected with nationalism.
5.5. Discussion.
- Is there an epidemic of violence associated with football in
Russia today? What do you think? What do you know? Give some
examples.
- Is there an epidemic of violence associated with any other kind
of sports? What is it?
- If there is any, explain: Why is this? Are there any reasons?
What are these reasons? Give your own attitude towards this.
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74
-
Listening
I. Hobbies
1. Happy people
READING AND LISTENING
Read and listen to the text.
The happiest person in Britain
The happiest person in Britain today is a professional married man between the ages of 35 and 54. He lives in the south of
England but not in London. He owns a comfortable, detached
house and has two children.
What does he do?
He has a steady job in an
office in London. After a hard
day at work, he relaxes in front
of the television or watches a
video. He doesn't go out every
evening, but two evenings a
week he meets friends for a
drink in the local pub. He owns
a pet, usually a dog, and takes it
for a-walk every day after work.
He spends on average £120 per
week.
Where does he go?
At the weekend, he regularly eats in restaurants, goes to
see shows, and plays a sport
(usually golf). Most weekends
he puts on a pair of old blue
jeans, and potters in the garden.
He usually goes on holiday
abroad more than once a year.
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What does his wife do?
His wife is happy, too, but not quite as happy. She runs the home
and has a job, but she doesn't earn as much as her husband.
Grammar questions
- What tense are all the verbs in italics? Why?
- Why do the verbs in the text end in -s?
- Which auxiliary verb is used to form questions and negatives
in the Present Simple?
PRACTICE
Speaking
1. Ask and answer questions about John Smith.
Example
... married?
Is he married?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Yes, he is.
Where ... live?
What … do?
How many children ...?
How ... relax after work?
How much ... per week?
What ... do at the weekend?
How often … holiday abroad?
Listen and check your answers.
2. Ask and answer the same questions with a partner.
Are you married?
No, I’m not.
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3. John Smith's lifestyle doesn't seem very exciting.
- Why do you think he is so happy?
- Why is his wife less happy?
- Do you think men are generally happier than women in your
country?
Now listen to Roger Dromard, also age 45, talking about himself.
[T.1]
1. Answer the questions.
1) What's the best thing that ever happened to him?
2) What was his
job before? What does
he do now?
3) Where does
he live?
4) Is he married?
5) What does
Fiona, do? Does Roger
earn more than Fiona?
6) What is
Roger's hobby? What is
Fiona's hobby?
7) Does Roger play any sports?
8) Are there any problems with his job?
9) Does he often eat out in restaurants?
10) Is Roger's life like John Smith's? Is he happy?
2. Listen again. Complete the sentences with the exact words Roger
uses.
a. In summer I usually ________________ home at about 5.30
in the morning.
b. I _________________ a small van, and I ______________
all my tools and equipment in that.
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c. It's autumn now so I ____________ the gardens and
_____________ leaves.
d. I ______________ lots of daffodils and tulips.
e. After work I always ___________ home and ___________ in
a hot bath.
f. I usually _______ our evening meal because she (Fiona)
_______ home from work after me.
g. At weekend we often __________ into the country and
____________ to antique shops and antique sales.
h. We ____________ a television! Everybody ___________ one
these days but we_________.
i. I ____________ old radios and Fiona ___________ old cookery books.
j. I've just bought two 1930s radios and I _____________ them
and ____________ them.
k. I never___________ any sports.
l. I ____________ much in autumn and winter so I
_____________ much at the moment.
Grammar questions
- What tense are the verbs in sentences a and b? Why?
Find some more examples of this tense.
- What tense are the verbs which complete sentence c?
Why? Find some more examples.
- What part of speech are the words in italics? Which
tense do they (nearly always) go with?
Note-taking and speaking
Write notes about John Smith and Roger Dromard under the
headings.
John Smith
Work
Leisure
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Home & Family
Roger Dromard
Work
Leisure
Home & Family
Talk to a partner. How many similarities and differences can you
find?
2. Collectors
LISTENING AND SPEAKING
Pre-listening task
1. What kinds of things do people often collect?
2. Do you collect anything? Did you use to when you were
younger?
Listening
You are going to listen to two people who are both keen collectors. Divide into groups.
Look at the picture about your person. What can you see? What
does she/he collect? What questions would you like to ask her/ him?
Listen and answer the questions.
Group A
[T.2a] Listen
to
Margaret
Tyler. She lives in Wembley,
north London. Her children
have now grown up and left
home, and so she lives alone
with her incredible collection.
Group B
[T.2b] Listen to Ted Hewill. He
lives with his wife and three
small children in Chorleywood,
a village between London and
Oxford. He owns a coach business.
Comprehension check
1. Where does she/he live?
Who with?
2. What does she/he do for
a living?
3. How big is her/his collection?
4. How long has she/he been collecting?
5. How many rooms of the house are taken up with the collection?
6. What’s her/his favourite piece?
7. How much has the collection cost?
8. Where do the pieces come from?
9. Is she/he in touch with other people who share the same
hobby?
10. What ambitions does she/he have?
When you have answered the questions, find a partner from the other
group. Compare and swap information.
Guessing Game
Your teacher will tell one student what he or she collects. The others
must ask questions to find out what it is.
Can you buy them?
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80
How big are they?
When you’ve guessed what it is, ask some of the questions in the Comprehension check above.
How long have you been collecting?
3. ‘Pet Hates’
Listening [T.3]
Most people have something in particular that they dislike doing –
maybe getting up early or waiting in queues. We call these things ‘pet
hates’.
A. Some friends are discussing their pet hates. Listen to the
dialogue and answer the following questions:
1. How many people are talking?
2. Are they enjoying themselves?
3. Are the speakers students or working women?
4. Do they all hate paying taxes?
5. Do they hate going to the cinema?
B. Read the list of pet hates. Listen to the cassette again and
put a tick by the pet hates the speakers mention:
10. having to wear smart
1. cleaning the bath
clothes to work
2. queuing for the bus
11. playing sports
3. cooking cabbage
12. going to the dentist
4. cleaning fish
13. doing exams
5. being late
14. eating out alone
6. going for interviews
15. meeting people
7. going to see their bank
16. getting up early
manager
17. cleaning the lavatory
8. paying tax
9. queuing for the cinema
С. Now underline your pet hates. You will need this for the
Development exercise.
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Pronunciation
On the tape you will hear some phrases we use to agree and disagree
with each others’ opinions and experiences. Listen and repeat.
Development
In pairs, discuss your pet hates, and the pet hates of members of your
family and friends. Use the list to give you ideas. Discuss in pairs, and
give your opinions and experiences.
Vocabulary Bank: life style, to bear, to be crazy about, to dislike, to
be fond of, to hate, to be keen on, to mind
II. A Couch Potato
Are you a couch potato?
VOCABULARY & READING
1. Look at these words to express likes and dislikes. Put them in
order from positive to negative.
all right awful boring brilliant dreadful dull exciting
great nice OK relaxing superb terrible terrific wonderful
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fun
2. Look at the leisure activities in the box below. What's your
opinion of them? Use the words in the box in 1.
football
tennis
cricket
do-it-yourself (DIY)
fishing
gardening
entertaining
shopping
going to nightclubs
watching television
reading
painting bird-watching
train spotting playing cards swimming running walking
I think football is boring.
Which other leisure activities do you like and dislike?
3. “Are you a couch potato?” is about leisure activities. Read it and
choose the best definition for a couch potato.
1. Someone who enjoys energetic sports and active hobbies.
2. Someone who takes little or no exercise, and who spends their
free time doing very little.
3. Someone who doesn't like doing sports but is active in other
ways.
4. Someone who likes indoor gardening.
Are you a couch potato?
Centuries ago, people didn't have much free time, because everybody
was working too hard. In Britain in the nineteenth century, people had
more spare time, but because the Victorians hated relaxing and doing
nothing, they invented football, rugby and cricket. People took up
more gentle activities too, like gardening, bird-watching and train spotting, and it was even possible simply to watch a sport and give the impression that you were actually doing something. Gradually, leisure
activities have become less and less demanding and most people have
a variety of more or less energetic interests and hobbies But now there
is a new type of person who thinks that lying on the sofa watching
television on Sunday afternoon or reading the newspaper from cover to
cover is the most exciting activity they can manage. This is the twentieth-century couch potato. For them, every activity is too much trouble,
and laziness is an art form! So how do you spend your free time?
Are you a couch potato?
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4. Work in pairs. Decide how energetic the activities in the box in 2
are. Give them a score from 1 (= lazy), to 10 (= energetic).
LISTENING [T.4]
1 . Listen to nine people talking about what they like doing. Put
the number of the speaker by the activity in the box in Vocabulary and
reading 2 which they like doing.
2. Work in pairs and decide how old each person might be.
Which person or people would you describe as a couch potato? What
else did they say about their leisure activities?
Listen again and check.
FUNCTIONS AND GRAMMAR
Adverbs and adverbial phrases of frequency
Adverbs of frequency usually go before a full verb, but after be or
an auxiliary verb.
I always spend the weekend doing housework.
She sometimes likes playing cards.
I am often out in the evening.
I’ve never enjoyed football.
I hardly ever go to the cinema.
Here are some common adverbial phrases of frequency. They usually go at the end of a clause.
every day, week, month, year, two days, other day, now and then
once/twice/three times a day, a week, a month, a year
most days, mornings, once in a while
Talking about likes and dislikes
You can put an -ing form verb or a noun after the following expressions.
I adore shopping. I love entertaining. I enjoy watching television.
I hate running. I can't stand staying at home.
I detest collecting the leaves.
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I don't mind spending Saturday with the children.
Verb patterns (1): to or -ing
Like and love + -ing means enjoy doing something.
I like going shopping. = I enjoy it.
Like and love + to + infinitive suggests that you choose to do something because it's a good idea.
You may or may not enjoy it as well.
I like to go shopping on Mondays. = Mondays is the best time for me to
go shopping.
Remember that you can use would love/like to + infinitive to talk
about ambitions, hopes or preferences.
I'd love to learn to ski. I’d like to have lessons this winter.
Exercises
1. Write sentences saying how you feel about these activities.
– shopping
– bird-watching
– swimming
– train sporting
2. Choose the best verb pattern. If two answers are possible,
explain the difference in meaning.
SPEAKING AND WRITING
1. Work in groups of three or four and find out if there are any
couch potatoes in your class.
1. Make a list of your five favourite free time activities.
2. Give each activity a score from 1 (lazy) to 10 (energetic).
3. Add up the scores for your activities. Is the person with the
lowest score a couch potato?
2. Go round the class asking and talking to people in other groups
about your favourite and least favourite leisure activities. Find out
if there are any other couch potatoes in your class.
3. Write a paragraph about what three or four people in your class
enjoy doing. Use linking words and, but and because.
- Say what they like doing.
Federico likes going to football and tennis matches…
- Say why they like doing it.
... because he thinks they're very exciting.
- Say if they dislike anything.
... but he can’t stand the crowds.
Say how often they enjoy doing it.
He goes five or six times a year.
1. I like to go/going to the dentist every six months.
2. She likes to get/getting home before it’s dark.
3. She likes to visit/visiting her parents.
4. He likes to do /doing the washing on Mondays.
3. Write sentences saying how often you do the following activities.
Make sure you put the adverb or adverbial phrase in the right
position.
1. have a holiday
2. read a newspaper
3. listen to the radio
4. go to the cinema
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III. Sports and Leisure Activities
Leisure Time
Speaking
Work in groups of four. On the right is a list of leisure-time activities. Tick (√) the activities that you are interested in. Then record
the preferences of the other students in your group.
When you have collected the information from your group, work
with your teacher to produce an overall preference for your class.
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Activity
Students
who like
this
Group preference
(Number)
Class preference (Number)
Skiing
Camping
Hiking
Swimming
Sailing
Cycling
Other:
Collecting:
- stamps
- coins
Going to:
-the cinema
-the theatre
-concerts
-museums
-zoos
-parks
-the seaside
Reading
Listening to music
Watching TV
Meeting friends
Playing cards,
chess
Listening [T.5]
1. Listen to a young person talking about an unusual leisure activity and tick (√) the picture which best illustrates his hobby.
88
Language Focus
Future continuous
Use a suitable verb in the future continuous tense to complete the
following sentences.
1. While most of the cyclists going to Brighton are going by the
main road, Alan and his friends _______ on bridle paths and footpaths.
2. Next week, Rachel _______ another speaker to her programme and he/she ____ listeners about his/her spare-time interests.
3. I'm so happy I'm going on holiday. This time next week _____
on a beach in Greece.
4. I (not) _______ for my food, because it's all included in the
package holiday.
5. I ______ all that lovely Greek food and drinking their exotic
drinks.
2. Now study the questions below. Choose the correct answers
from the choices given. Then listen to see if you were right.
1. Alan Ainslie is riding to Brighton this weekend:
а) for charity;
b) by an unusual route;
c) with 25,000 others;
d) with some friends from a cycling club.
2. According to the law, cyclists are not allowed on:
a) bridle paths;
c) river banks;
b) footpaths;
d) disused railway tracks.
3. Alan has not published his routes because:
a) they would be used by people on motor bikes;
b) they are only suitable for mountain bikes;
c) it would be a nuisance to hikers and ramblers;
d) it would spoil the pleasure of rough cycling.
Speaking
Making a speech
Prepare to give a two-minute talk to the class about a spare-time
activity you are interested in. Use the questions below and Alan's answers (when he gave a similar talk) to help you form a rough plan.
Type of information to cover
Alan's answers
1 What is your spare-time inter- Rough cycling.
est?
2 Why does it interest you (in
Get out of the city - finding new
general terms)?
routes - sense of adventure.
3 When and why did you start
Cycling club - bored - too much
this hobby?
traffic - no time to enjoy view.
4 What does it consist of?
Finding routes - cycling off roads
through countryside.
5 What do you do? Is it a hobby Go along footpaths, bridle paths you do alone or with others?
can go alone, but with friends.
6 How often do you participate in Every weekend.
this sport?
7 How do people interested in
Ring Central Office for informathis sport become involved?
tion.
89
90
Video
Aerobics
“A Piece of Cake”
ACT I
In this episode, you will study
VOCABULARY
aerobics
kidding
bet
twist
GRAMMAR AND EXPRESSIONS
ACT III
It's a snap.
No sweat.
It's a piece of cake.
How much? and How many?
PRONUNCIATION
ACT III
can (cn)
What do you . . . ? (Waddaya)
did you (didja)
don't you (dontcha)
U.S. LIFE
What do Americans do to stay
healthy?
ACT I
Outside the Stewarts' house early Friday evening. Marilyn Stewart
rides to the house on a bicycle. Inside, her husband Richard is
looking at photos in his album. Marilyn enters and sits on the floor.
Marilyn:
I am exhausted.1 My new exercise class is so hard.
Richard:
Your new exercise class?
Marilyn:
Yeah, My new advanced2 exercise class.
Richard:
Why advanced?
Marilyn:
My instructor thought that the beginner's class was too
easy for me.
Richard:
[He laughs because she looks so tired.] Too easy for
you? [He helps her stand up.]
Marilyn:
Don't laugh. In the beginner's class, they give you a
chance to rest between exercises.
Richard:
So?
Marilyn:
The advanced class is nonstop.3
Richard:
[He teases4 her.] I lift weights every morning for
sixty minutes without stopping. [He shows her his arm
muscle.] No problem. 5
Marilyn:
Listen, Richard, doing aerobics6 for an hour is a lot
different than7 lifting weights.
The better form is different from. Like Marilyn, some Americans use
than after the word different.
Richard:
Yeah. Quite a bit different. I think aerobics is easy. I
could8 work out9 in your class with no problem.
Marilyn:
You think so?
1
exhausted: very tired
advanced: more difficult
3
nonstop: without stopping
4
teases: annoys by joking with someone
5
No problem. - It's easy.
6
aerobics: exercises for good breathing and a strong heart
7
different than
8
I could ... = It is possible for me to...
9
work out: to exercise
2
YOUR TURN
What kinds of exercises are popular
in your country?
Here is the complete script with
study material. Use these materials
before or after you watch.
91
92
Richard:
Marilyn:
Richard:
Oh, without a doubt.10 When's the next class?
Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. Try it.
Tomorrow morning after lifting weights, I'll try aerobics. [He snaps his fingers.] It's a snap.11 Tomorrow
morning at ten o'clock.
In Richard and Marilyn's room the next morning. Richard is lifting weights. Marilyn is sewing.
Marilyn:
Aren't you going to the aerobics class this
morning?
Richard:
[He finishes exercising and puts the weights on the
floor.] Of course. Easy. [He snaps his fingers.) No
sweat.12
Marilyn:
You are not going to be able to move after this and the
aerobics class.
Richard:
Are you kidding13 me? It's going to be a piece of
cake. 14
[Marilyn shakes her head no.]
Richard:
You want to bet? 15
In Do you . . . questions, it is common not to say Do. Also, Richard
pronounces want to as wanna. This is a common informal pronunciation.
Marilyn:
Richard:
Yeah. What's the bet?16
I bet I can go17 one hour in your class this morning and
not feel a thing!
The bet is – I win, and you cook dinner for the entire18
family. Or you win, and I cook dinner for the entire
family.
Richard:
[He shakes her hand.] It's a bet.
Marilyn:
OK. Call my instructor, Jack Davis, right now. His
number is 555-8842. The advanced class starts at ten
o'clock.
Richard:
Well, it's eight twenty now.
Marilyn:
It only takes eight minutes by bicycle to the aerobics
class. Give him a call.
[Richard calls Jack Davis.]
Jack:
Davis Aerobics Center for Good Health
Richard:
Jack Davis, please.
Jack:
This is Jack Davis.
Richard:
Hello. This is Richard Stewart. My wife, Marilyn
Stewart, is a member of your program. I'd like to
come to the ten o'clock advanced class this morning.
Jack:
Oh, fine, fine. Be here a few minutes early. You
need to complete some forms before the class.
Richard:
Thanks. I'm on my way over.19
Jack:
Good-bye.
Richard:
Bye-bye. [He hangs up.] It's all set.20 I'm going.
[He puts his camera bag over his shoulder.]
Marilyn:
Bye. Richard: See you later. [They kiss.]
Marilyn:
Good luck.
Richard:
Don't forget about the bet. Dinner for the entire family. And that includes Susan.21
Marilyn:
10
without a doubt: sure; of course
It's a snap. = 12No sweat.
12
Both expressions mean "It's easy."
13
kidding: joking with
14
a piece of cake: easy
15
You want to bet? = Do you want to bet?
bet (verb): to agree to pay or do something, as in a game
16
bet (noun): an agreement between two persons to pay or do something if
one person is wrong
11
93
17
I can go ... = I can exercise ...
Pronunciation: I cn go. When can has a verb after it, we do not usually pronounce the a in can because the word is not stressed. It is not a strong syllable
in the sentence. (Here, go means "to exercise.")
18
entire: whole
19
on my way over: leaving for a place
20
set: arranged
94
Marilyn: Don't you forget.
[Richard snaps his fingers and leaves. Marilyn snaps her fingers and
smiles.]
END OF ACT I
U.S. LIFE
Aerobic exercises are very popular in the United States. Today,
millions of Americans are exercising for good health. One out of
every ten Americans exercises every day to stay in shape (in good
physical condition). This fitness craze (interest in exercising and
eating healthy foods) is popular all across the country.
Each year in many cities,
including Boston, New
York, San Fransisco, and
Honolulu, there are longdistance races, or marathons. Even ordinary people run in these events.
Every day in the United
States, thousands of men,
women, and children run
through parks or city streets for good health.
More than ever before, a good diet and exercise program are important
in the United States. Today, fitness is part of the American way of life.
YOUR TURN
• What kinds of exercises are popular in your country?
• What exercises do you do every day?
21
And that includes Susan. (Susan is Richard's sister. She doesn't live with
the family. She has her own apartment in Manhattan.)
95
ACT I
ACTIVITIES
Here are some activities to help you check your understanding of Act I.
IDIOMS IN ACTION
Answer each of the following questions. Tell the truth about
yourself. Circle a, b, or c.
1. Can you run a mile?
a. Yes, it's a piece of cake.
b. Yes, but it's rough for me.
c. No, I can't.
2. Can you swim for half an hour without stopping?
a. Yes, it's a snap.
b. Yes, but it's tough for me.
c. No, I can't.
3. Can you touch your toes without bending your knees?
a. No problem.
b. Yes, but it's not easy for me.
c. No, I can't.
4. Can you lift thirty pounds?
a. No sweat.
b. Yes, but it's difficult.
c. No, I can't
5. Can you hold your breath for a minute?
a. Yes, it's a piece of cake.
b. Yes, but it's hard.
c. No, I can't.
IN FACT
Reread Act I to find the answers to these questions. Write the answers on the lines. Try to find all the answers in two minutes!
1. How long does Richard lift weights every morning?___________
2. What time is the next aerobics class? ____________
96
3. How long does Richard think he can exercise in the class?
___________
4. What is Jack Davis's telephone number? ________________
5. What time does Richard call Jack?
_____________
6. How long does it take to get to the class by bicycle?
____________
Jack:
Richard:
Jack:
Richard:
Jack:
Richard:
THE BET
Marilyn and Richard make a bet about the aerobics class. Which two
sentences explain their bet? Circle the numbers of the two correct answers
1. Richard will be able to
do aerobics with no problem,
and Marilyn will cook dinner.
2. Richard will not be able
to do aerobics, and Marilyn
will cook dinner.
3. Marilyn will be able to
do aerobics with no problem,
and she will cook dinner.
4. Marilyn will not be able
to do aerobics, and she will cook dinner.
5. Richard will not be able to do aerobics, and he will cook dinner.
Jack:
ACT II
Outside, on a busy street in Riverdale. Inside, the Davis Aerobics
Center for Good Health. Jack Davis is taking Richard's blood
pressure.
Jack:
OK, Richard. That's terrific. Your pressure is 120 over
75,1 and that's fine. Now stand up, please. [Richard
stands up, and Jack takes his blood pressure again.]
Good, it's 122 over 80.2 You can sit down now. When
was your last complete physical?
Richard:
[He thinks.] Six months ago.
1
2
120 over 75; 2 122 over 80
120 over 80 is perfect blood pressure.
97
Richard:
Jack:
Richard:
Jack:
Richard:
Jack:
Richard:
Jack:
Good. Do you have any back or knee problems?
Nope.3 I am in perfect health.
What do you do for a living,4 Mr. Stewart?
I'm a photographer.
Interesting. What do you photograph?
Everything. The American scene. People, places,
events.
Did you5 ever think of photographing an aerobics
class?
No ... I can't remember taking pictures of people exercising.
But don't you6 think it'd be a good subject?
Sure.
I need some good photos for my advertising, Mr.
Stewart. Maybe you can photograph a class, and I can
give you and Mrs. Stewart a month of classes-free.
When can I photograph a class?
Anytime.7
How about today? Terrific!
Terrific!
U.S. LIFE
Many Americans have a complete physical once a year. During a
complete physical, the doctor checks the patient's pulse and blood pressure. The patient may also have blood tests and a chest X-ray. At the
end of a physical, the doctor may recommend a fitness program (a
diet and exercise) for good health.
3
Nope. = No.
This is a very informal word.
4
What do you do for a living? = What is your job
A common pronunciation of What do you is Waddaya.
5
did you
Jack uses the common informal pronunciation, didja
6
don't you
Jack uses the common informal pronunciation, don
7
Anytime. = It's not important when; you decide.
98
YOUR TURN
When was your last complete physical?
In the exercise classroom at
the Davis Aerobics Center.
Jack Davis and another instructor are about to teach a
class. Richard is taking
many photographs.
Jack:
[He enters.] Hi.
Instructor: Oh, hi.
Jack:
Are we ready to go?
Instructor: Yeah. Yeah, [to students] Let's get in our lines. We're going to take it slow first. Stretch up ... and we're going to go
left first... 2, 3, 4 ... now switch.8 . . . OK, hold to the right.
Sunrises. Stretch it out. Flat
back. Bring it up ... and
twists9 . . .and side ... 2, 3 ...
and left ... push ... push . . .
turn ... hit the floor. Take it
side again.... OK, and switch.
Stretch it out. And we're going
to warm down with a tango. 10
Left, right. Enjoy it.
In Richard and Marilyn's room later that day. Marilyn is alone,
waiting for Richard. She is folding some towels. Richard sings and
dances into the room.
Marilyn: Richard, did you go to the Davis Aerobics class today?
Richard: [He takes off his camera and film bags and dances around
the room.] Yes, I went to the aerobics class today. Marilyn:
What is wrong with you?
Richard:
Nothing. I am in excellent health. [He starts dancing with
Marilyn.] I have ideal11 blood pressure. A perfect heart.
In other words, I'm in wonderful condition.
Marilyn: Richard, did you go to the aerobics class, really?
Richard: Don't forget to invite Susan for dinner. Marilyn: [not paying attention] And your legs don't hurt?
Richard: [He jumps up and down.] Hurt? What do you mean?12
Marilyn: What about your arms? Lift your arms up like this. [She
lifts up her arms to show him, and he lifts his arms.] And
they don't hurt—not even a little?
Richard: Nope.
Marilyn: You are in great condition.13 I can't believe it!
END OF ACT II
ACT II
ACTIVITIES
Here are some activities to help you check your understanding of
Act II.
PRONUNCIATION
Each of the following four sentences shows a typical pronunciation. What is the correct spelling for each word or phrase in italics?
Circle a or b.
1. Waddaya mean?
a. What do you
b. What did you
2. Didja ever think of that?
a. Did he
b. Did you
3. Dontcha like the idea?
a. Don't you
b. Doesn't he
11
ideal: perfect
What do you mean?
The informal pronunciation is Waddayamean?
13
You are in great condition. = You do have a very strong and healthy
body.
12
8
switch: change
twists: turns from side to side
10
tango: a dance from Argentina
9
99
100
4. I cn do it.
a. couldn't
Anytime
b. can
WHAT'S THE ORDER?
Put the following sentences in the correct order. Rewrite them on the
blank lines.
1. __________
2. __________
3. __________
4. __________
The class begins.
Richard goes home.
Jack asks Richard to take photos of the class.
Jack takes Richard's blood pressure.
AFTER CLASS
What happens after the class? Circle a, b, or c.
1. Richard sings and dances because
a. he is happy that he won the bet, and he doesn't have to cook dinner
for the entire family.
b. he enjoys doing exercises, and he wants to teach some exercises to
Marilyn.
c. he wants Marilyn to think that he feels fine after exercising.
2. Richard makes Marilyn believe that
a. he didn't really exercise.
b. he photographed the class.
c. he exercised with no problem.
3. Richard
a. tells Marilyn the truth.
b. doesn't tell Marilyn the truth.
c. doesn't remember the truth.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Terrific
Nope
1.
Jack
asked, "Do you have any back or knee problems?"
2. Richard answered, " ______ Nope. "
3. _________ asked, "When can I photograph a class?"
4.
answered, "
."
5.
asked, "How about today?"
6.
answered, "
."
ACT III
In the Stewarts' kitchen a little later. Richard is drinking a
soda. Marilyn is writing a grocery list.
Marilyn: [counting] Grandpa, Ellen, Philip, Robbie, you and me.
That's six steaks.
Richard: Don't forget Susan.
Marilyn: Seven steaks. Cooking dinner for the entire family is not so
easy. [She points to her list] The shopping: the salad: tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and onions. The main course:
steak and potatoes. Richard, how much broccoli1 do I
need for seven people?
Richard: Marilyn, I have to tell you something. At today's exercise
class .. .
Marilyn: Yes, Richard.
Richard: Well, I didn't really exercise.
Marilyn: I knew it!
Richard: I wanted to, but Jack Davis needed a photographer. [He
laughs.] I'm sorry, Marilyn.
Marilyn: I don't understand. Did you exercise or not?
Richard: No. Instead of exercising, I photographed the class.
Marilyn: And you didn't exercise?
1
Who asked each question, and who answered it? Fill in the
blanks with the correct names and answers. Choose the answers to the
questions from the box. The first one is done for you.
How much broccoli...? We ask how much with uncountable nouns like
broccoli, lettuce, water, and traffic. We ask how many with countable nouns
like tomatoes, onions, glasses, and cars.
Later, at the aerobics class. Marilyn and Richard are exercising to music.
They are following the instructor's and Jack's directions.
101
102
Richard:
Marilyn:
No.
There's another advanced class today at four o'clock. We'll
go together.
Richard: What about the bet?
Marilyn: Oh, the bet is still on, but you shop for the groceries. Remember, you win, and I cook dinner for the entire family.
Richard: You win, and I cook dinner for the entire family.
Marilyn: Including Susan. Four o'clock at the advanced exercise
class. With me. [They shake hands and laugh.]
Jack:
Don't forget to breathe.
Instructor: Skip, hop, front. Twist. . . again. . . . OK, now . . . scissors.2
Richard: This is fun. It's a piece of cake.
Marilyn: Yeah. Just wait.
Instructor: 5, 6, 7, go right, 1, 2, back, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, pony,3 pony . . . 1,
2, 3, kick ... 1, 2, 3, kick . . . pony. And twist, twist.
Jack:
OK. Let's pick up
the pace.4
[Richard is getting tired.]
Marilyn: How are you doing, Richard?
Richard: I can barely5
move.
Instructor: 2, 3, 4, front.
Now we're going
to run it off.
Front. . . knees up, knees up. OK. Finish off by jogging6 in
place.7 OK. Keep those knees up. All right. That's it8 for
today. Thank you, everyone. See you next week.
Richard: [to Marilyn] Thank you, Jack, but no thank you.
Marilyn: The advanced exercise class is not so easy, huh? 9
[Richard slowly falls to the floor.]
Richard: No, no, you were right. I was wrong.
Marilyn: Come on, Richard. Get up. Let's go. You have to cook dinner for the entire family.
Richard: Marilyn, I'm exhausted. I can't move.
Marilyn: Oh, you'll do it. It's a piece of cake. [She snaps her fingers.]
Jack:
Excuse me, Richard, Marilyn.
Richard: You are a terrific instructor, Jack.
Jack:
Thanks. But I have a question. Is this your very first advanced aerobics class?
Richard: [He laughs.] Yes. It is.
Jack:
You are in great shape,10 Richard. Very few people last11
in this class for the full hour the very first time.
Marilyn: It's true. You are in great shape.
Richard: Thanks!
Marilyn: I think we'll cook dinner together. [They smile and kiss.]
END OF ACT III
2
scissors
Here, the instructor means a kind of exercise.
3
pony: a young horse
Here, the instructor means a dance step.
4
Pick up the pace. = Move more quickly.
5
barely: almost not at all
6
jogging: running slowly for exercise
103
7
in place: in the same position
That's it. = That's the end.
9
Huh? = Right?
10
in great shape: in good physical condition
This is an informal use.
11
last: can stay
8
104
9. It's easy! It's a piece of______.
10. It's easy! It's a _________.
11. Richard jokes with Marilyn about being tired. He________
ACT III
ACTIVITIES
Here are some activities to help you check your understanding of this episode.
"HOW MUCH" AND "HOW MANY"
Marilyn asks, "Richard, how much broccoli do I need for seven people?"
Use how much with uncountable nouns such as water and nee. Uncountable nouns do not usually appear the plural form. Use how
many with countable nouns such as apples and oranges.
Write How much or How many at the beginning of each of the following questions.
1. _____________
tomatoes does she need?
2. _____________
lettuce does she need?
3. _____________
cucumbers does she need?
4. _____________
onions does she need?
5. _____________
salad does she need?
6. _____________
potatoes does she need?
7. _____________
does she need?
WORD SEARCH
Read the clues. Then find the words and circle them. The answers are written across, down, or at an angle. The answers are circled
for you.
Clues
her.
12. It's not a beginner's class; it's an _________ one.
13. Marilyn's husband's name is ____________.
14. Richard and Marilyn make a _________ about the class.
15. Jack takes Richard's blood ___________.
16. Richard shows Marilyn the muscle in his________.
W
A
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R
O
B
I
C
S
L
M
P
E
O
D
L
E
S
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O
N
S
B
H
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B
R
V
Q
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C
A
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Y
G
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A
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B
P
R
T
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H
J
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N
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D
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C
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1. Aerobics are exercises for good breathing.
2. Jack Davis.
3. To exercise means the same as to work out.
4. A doctor's exam is a_______.
5. Jack offers a month of free ______ in his class.
6. Exercise and a diet are important for good ______.
7. Richard life _______.
8. Richard has a strong _______ in his arm.
105
106
Speaking
1. Dialogue Time
1) Let’s imagine it’s a Sunday morning. You’ve decided to call
round to see a friend of yours, to see whether or not she’d like a day
out in your native city/town.
- Where would you like to go?
- Think of your favourite hobbies and leisure activities.
- Brainstorm your ideas in the class
а. Go around the class. Ask as many group-mates as it’s
possible:
- Where would you like to go?
- What are your favourite hobbies and leisure activities?
b. Fill in the following table:
№
Name
Place
Hobby
1
Di
The Royal Opera House A keen theatre-goer
2
3
- What are your group-mates’ preferences? Make out a list of
preferences.
№ 1 preference
№ 2 preference
№ 3 preference
2) You are going to read the dialogue “Di and Angie deciding
to have a day out”.
• Look at the following words and expressions. Do you know
their meaning? Give synonyms.
- to pop round
- to fancy going somewhere
- down in the dumps
- in the mood
- to be a sport
- the world of good
- for a change
- smb’s cup of tea
107
-
about as interesting as watching grass grow
to talk smb. into smth.
a compromise
to grit one’s teeth
to put up with smth.
• In the dialogue, find the words and phrases which express:
a. the mood of a person
b. approval
c. invitation/ persuasion
d. agreement/hesitation/disagreement
e. attitude to smb./smth.
Dialogue: Di and Angie deciding to have a day out
It’s a Sunday morning and Diane has decided to call round to see
Angie, to see whether or not she’d like a day out in London.
Diane: Hi ya Angie! I thought I’d pop round to see if you’d like to go
out somewhere for the day. Come on, where do you fancy going then?
Angie: That’s really thoughtful of you Di, but I’m feeling a bit down
in the dumps. I’m not really in the mood. My boss has been
so ratty with me lately, he’s making my life a misery.
Diane: Never mind, be a sport. Go on, it would really cheer you up
and take your mind off things. It would do you the world of
good to get out of this dump and go out somewhere interesting
for a change.
Angie: Where did you have in mind, then?
Diane: Well, in a place like London we’ve got a lot of choice. There’s
the British Museum, with the Egyptian Mummies… then
there’s the Tate with so many fabulous painting… you’ve
never been there, have you?
Angie: No, but you know that art galleries are not really my cup of tea.
I feel out of place there, and I can’t even tell Gainsborough
108
Diane:
Angie:
Diane:
Angie:
from Picasso, you know that! And anyway, museums are
about as interesting as watching grass grow.
Angie, you’re so narrow-minded, so negative all the time.
Why don’t you try something different for once in your life?
You never know you might enjoy it. OK, if you don’t like that
idea how about Covent Garden then? There’s a really brilliant
market there… we could grab a bite to eat and have a coffee.
Now you’re talking, that sounds a whole lot better than some
stuffy gallery. I could do with a new frock. I want something
not too dear, but classy. Hey, a girl at work was telling me that
Covent Garden’s number one in London for unusual stuff, for
bargains.
At long last, I’ve talked you into it. If we go to Covent Garden
you’ve got to make a compromise. You and me are going to
watch an opera at the Royal Opera House after we’ve been
shopping and had something to eat. Is it a deal or not?
Do we have to Di? – I can’t stick those high-pitched voices,
and I can’t understand a word they’re singing about… Oh, alright then, if you insist. I suppose I’ll just have to grit my teeth
and put up with it, if it makes you happy and it means I’ll get
that new dress.
3) Now, try to explain the meaning of the following words and
expressions with the help of synonyms. Compare you list of synonyms
with the one given below.
- to pop round – to pop out/ to nip out, to drop by
- to fancy – to like, to have a wish for
- to feel down in the dumps – to be blue, to be low
- in the mood – in a good temper
- to be a sport – to be a good chap
- the world of good – a lot of good
- to do smth. for a change – to do smth. different
- smb’s cup of tea – to/for smb.’s taste
- about as interesting as watching grass grow - boring
- to talk smb. into smth. – to persuade
109
- a compromise – settlement of a dispute by making concessions
- to grit one’s teeth – to decide to carry on in a difficult situation
- to put up with smth. – to endure, to tolerate
4) Give your illustrative examples from the dialogue. Fill in the
table:
the
mood of
a person
attitude to
smb./smth.
invitation/
persuasion
to be (to
be not)
really in
the
mood
Never mind,
be a sport
Would you
like to go
out somewhere
agreement/
hesitation/
disagreement
Oh, alright
then, if you
insist
attitude to
smb./smth.
To be (to be
not) smb.’s
cup of tea
5) Work in pairs. Act out the following situations.
Situation 1: One student is not really in the mood. The other
student tries to cheer him/her up. Use the words
and expressions from the exercises above.
Example:
Student 1: I’m feeling a bit down in the dumps. I
am not really in the mood. My boss has
been so ratty with me lately, he’s making
my life a misery.
Student 2: Never mind, be a sport. Go on, it would
really cheer you up and take you mind of
things. It would do you the world of
good to get out of this dump.
110
Situation 2: One student has decided to call round to see
his/her friend and to see whether of not he/she
would like a day out. The other student agrees.
Use the words and expressions from the exercises
above.
Example:
Student 1: I thought I’d pop round to see if you’d
like to go out somewhere for the day.
Come on, how about Covent Garden?
Student 2: Now you are talking.
Situation 3: One student has decided to call round to see his/her
friend and to see whether or not he/she would like
a day out. The other student disagrees. Use the
words and expressions from the exercises above.
Student 1: Well, in a place like London we’ve got a
lot of choice. There’s the British Museum… then there’s the Tate… you’ve
never been there, have you?
Student 2: No, but you know that art galleries are
not really my cup of tea. I feel out of
place there. And anyway, museums are
about as interesting as watching grass
grow.
Situation 4: One student wants to know where the other student
wants to go. The other student explains and proposes his ideas. Use the words and expressions
from the exercises above.
Student 1: Where do you fancy going?
Student 2: How about Covent Garden? There’s a
really brilliant market there… we could
grab a bite to eat and have a coffee.
6) This time you are to act out your own dialogue according to
the following structure:
Step 1 – Student 1 invites Student 2 to go out somewhere.
111
Step 2 – Student 2 doesn’t want to go out anywhere because
he/she is not really in the mood.
Step 3 – Student 3 insists and proposes to go to:
a) the junk shop because he/she is a collector;
b) the museum/the art gallery because he/she is an
arts-lover;
c) the theatre because he/she is a keen theatre-goer;
d) the gym, because he/she does sports/ extreme
sports;
e) the library because he/she is fond of reading;
f) the zoo because he/she is an animal-lover.
Step 4 – Student 4 disagrees and proposes:
a) to go shopping because he/she is a shopaholic;
b) to be out clubbing;
c) to go to the café where they could grab a bite to eat
and have a coffee.
Step 5 – Student 1 and Student 2 make a compromise.
7) Now, act on the spot. Together with one of the students in
the class make a dialogue. Imagine it is a Sunday morning. You’ve
decided to call round to see a friend of yours, to see whether or not
he/she’d like a day out in your native city/town. Keep in mind your
favourite hobbies and leisure activities. Don’t forget to use the words
and expressions from the exercises above.
2. Role-play
Form of the role-play: Talk-Show
List of participants:
- a moderator
- studio guests
- public authorities
- journalists
- a writer
- a film director
- an X-sportsman/woman
112
- an actor/actress
- a chief manager of a popular TV-Channel
Problem to be discussed:
“Leisure in the future: would be the traditional pastime activities
substituted by new and modern ones?”
Some helpful quotes:
o “Some books are to be tasted, others are to be swallowed, some
few to be chewed and digested.”(Francis Bacon, British philosopher and essayist)
o “In a very good restaurant we have a dinner that is specially
cooked for us, in a canteen we are merely served with standard
portions of a standard meal. And this is the difference between
the living theatre and mass entertainment of films, radio and
television. In the theatre the play is specially cooked for
us.”(J.B. Priestly)
o “TV is the miracle of the XX century”
o “We live in such a globalized, homogenized world today that a
counterrevolution seems to have started. Wherever we go, we
see sameness: a Mc Donald’s in Moscow is only marginally
different from one in Paris or in Pensacola, Florida. There
seem to be far fewer singular, individualized experiences today
than there were in the past. Maybe, X-sport people are merely
striking a blow for truly individualized and unique experience.”
113
Tapescripts
don, in the suburbs. I'm not married but I live with my girlfriend,
Fiona. I usually cook our evening meal because she gets home
from work after me. She's a
graphic designer and earns a lot
of money, much more than me!
She earns more but I think I enjoy my work more.
At weekends we often drive
into the country and go to antique shops and antique sales. I
collect old radios, you see. We
don't have a television! Can you
believe it? Everybody has one
these days but we don't! Yes,
er..., er ... I collect old radios and
Fiona collects old cookery
books. We take our dog, we have
a lovely dog, and we like taking
her on long walks. I've just
bought two 1930s radios and I'm
cleaning them and mending
them. All my radios work, you
know! I never play any sports. Is
this unusual?
I think there is only one problem with my job. It's seasonal, so
I don't earn much in the autumn
and winter, so er ... I'm not earning much at the moment. I earn
most money in spring and summer. But it's OK, I earn enough,
not enough to eat out often in
expensive restaurants or go to
Tapescript 1 [Headway Intermediate (Unit 2) – Tapescript
12]
Roger the gardener
D'you know the best thing that
ever happened to me? D'you
know what it was? It was when I
lost my last job. Yes, really! I
never liked it -hated it in fact stuck in an office all day with
computers and a telephone. Now
my hobby is my full-time job! I
start work very early, er ... in
summer I usually leave home
about 5.30 in the morning, but in
winter not until about 8.00. I
have a small van, and I carry all
my tools and equipment in that.
It's autumn now so I'm tidying
the gardens – I'm picking up
leaves and pulling up old summer flowers, Oh, and I'm planting bulbs as well. I'm planting
lots of daffodils and tulips.
Every season is so different, and
I love them all. I just love working outside in the open air after
all those years in a stuffy office.
I never noticed the seasons
there! After work I always go
home and relax in a hot bath. I
have a flat in London but most
of my work is outside of Lon114
shows, but enough for my dog
and my hobby. I'm a very happy
man!
sat in front of the screen,
mesmerized. But it wasn't
until later that I started collecting. I've been collecting
for eighteen years. The first
things I bought were a dish
with the Queen's head in the
centre, and a few Coronation
mugs to go with it.
I What sort of things have you
got?
M Oh, everything! Oh, pictures, paintings, ashtrays,
hundreds of mugs, um .... er
... tea-pots, tea-cloths, biscuit tins, posters, books,
flags, toast racks, egg cups,
candle sticks, the lot! I've
got over four thousand
Royal souvenirs.
I All in this house?
M All in this house, yes. The
house has been extended
three times to fit it all in.
They're in all the rooms
downstairs, and in the four
bedrooms upstairs, and in
the attic, too.
I Incredible!
M It takes all my spare time to
keep everything clean and
dusted. I'm always playing
around, making a special
area for one of the Royals or
another. Er ... It keeps me
amused for hours, and the
Tapescript 2a [Headway Intermediate (Unit 10) – Tapescript 75a]
I = Interviewer M — Margaret
Tyler
I Margaret, may I ask you
what you do for a living?
M Well. I work for a children's
charity. That's a full-time
job, but I also have guests
coming to stay with me at
weekends.
I You mean ... paying guests?
M Yes. This house, which is
called Heritage House, is a
bed-and-breakfast place, too.
I What I can see around me,
Margaret, is amazing! How
long have you been collecting all this royal memorabilia?
M Well. I first got interested in
the Royal family when I saw
the wedding of Princess
Margaret on TV in 1960.
Urn, my father wouldn't let
us have a television in the
house because he said it
would stop me doing my
homework, so on the day of
the wedding, I went round to
a friend's house, and I just
115
visitors who come, mainly
foreign visitors, never get
tired of talking about our
Royal family.
I Is there one piece that's your
favourite?
M Yes. I was desperately upset
when Princess Diana and
Prince Charles split up, and I
wrote to Princess Diana, saying I hoped they might get
together again. I got a lovely
letter back from her Lady-inWaiting. Sarah Campden,
and that's the most important
part of my whole collection.
I Have you had to spend a lot
of money on your collection?
M Oh. I don't know. I've never
thought about it. No, I don't
think so. Once, when Prince
Andrew married Fergie, a
shop filled its windows with
nothing else but mementoes
of them, and I walked in and
bought the lot.
But I ... I can't remember
how much it was.
I And where do you get it all
from?
M All over the place. There are
lots of people who collect
this stuff. I go up and down
the country. We have conventions where we swap
things. And there are specialist magazines and shops,
and ... and jumble sales.
I Have you ever had to fight
to get something you really
wanted?
M Well, once I was in a shop
and the shop keeper was
drinking his tea from a
lovely Coronation mug. I offered to buy it from him but
he wasn't interested. So off I
went to a shop nearby and
bought a plain mug and presented it to him. 'Now will
you do a swap?' I said to
him. And he did. Oh. it was
driving me mad, the thought
of him using this mug every
day! I wanted to give it a
proper home!
I Is there anything you haven't
got that you'd really like to
have?
M Not a thing, but a person.
Princess Diana is my favourite Royal. She's warm, wonderful, giggly, real. I'd love
to meet her.
I Well. I hope your dream
comes true! If she ever came
to your house, she'd feel
very at home!
116
T I haven't counted them for a
long time, but there must be
at least five hundred. I
should think.
I Which is your favourite?
T Well, my favourite is probably what is also the oldest,
and that's a er ... little tinplate double-decker bus,
loosely based on a London
Transport double-decker of
the period.
I And how old is that?
T Er ... that would have been
manufactured in the ... in the
late thirties, early forties...
I And ...
T ... I think.
I And we've got it here. It's
lovely. And it ... and it ... it
... it winds up. Will you ...
will you ...?
T Yes. It’s …
I …do it for us?
T It’s a clockwork. So, er…
winds up like that.
I Oh, it’s marvelous. How
long have you had that? Did
you have it as child?
T Er… no, no.
That one
doesn’t date from that period. Erm… probably about
ten years I’ve had that one.
I Hmm. Do you keep your
collection all in here? Is this
the complete collection?
Tapescript 2b [Headway Intermediate (Unit 10) – Tapescript 75b]
I = Interviewer T – Ted Hewitt
I Ted, we're silting in your
dining-room, surrounded by
a wonderful collection of
miniature coaches. When did
you start collecting them?
T Well, some of them date
back to when I was a child,
and they were given to me as
toys, so ... at the age of five
or six. But the bulk of them
I've added er ... in the last
ten, fifteen years.
I Now, I can understand a
child enjoying playing with
them, but why did you carry
on, and
actually make
this collection?
T Well, it's because of my
family background, em ...
I'm the third generation in a
family coach business, so
I've been ... lived with and
been brought up with
coaches all my life.
I Mmm. So you've got the real
thing, and ... and the miniatures as well?
T That's right, yes.
I How many miniatures do
you think you've got?
117
T The bulk of it is here, but
er… I have others in other
rooms of the house, and
some stored up in the attic,
as well.
I Do many people collect
miniature coaches? Where
… where do you get your
coaches from? Where do
you find them?
T Yes, There are a surprisingly
huge number of people collect buses and coaches, and
erm… there are specialist
shops that sell them. And
then there’s also a… a net
work of what are called
swapmeets, where people go
and trade in either current
models or old models. So
there’s no difficulty in finding… models at all.
I Are they expensive? If I
decided that I wanted to collect… ?
T No, not necessarily. You
can… you can but contemporary models… anything
from about two ninety-nine
upwards. And the sky’s the
limit.
I Give me a figure.
T Oh, some people pay thousands and thousands for a
special model.
I
T
I
T
I
T
I
T
I
T
118
Which do you think was
your most expensive?
Don’t really know. Erm…
I’ve never paid more than…
probably about fifty, sixty
pounds. I think, yes.
Have you got any very rare
ones that people would fight
for?
I’ve got some that have...
have become rare. Weren’t
particularly rare when…
when I bought it. It’s…
there’s no rhyme or reason,
but there… there is one that
I bought probably for seven
or eight pounds which is
now worth about a hundred
and eighty. And that’s quite
good in… sort of seven or
eight years. That’s not bad.
Would you ever… would
you ever sell it?
No, I don’t think so. Unless
I had to. No.
No.
No. I’m too attached to them
to sell them. It’s like the
real ones.
Are there any that you would
really like to have that you
haven’t got. that you… you
look for when you go to
these swapmeets?
There’s a lot that I’m
tempted by, but er… no, no
one specific model erm…
financial constraint is the…
is the problem, I’m afraid.
However, if a model appears
of an actual vehicle that I …
that I own, then financial
constraint or not… no, I
would have to have it, I
think.
I Well, I think they’re all
lovely.
Thank you very
much, Ted.
T
Thank you.
Tapescript 3 [см.
Waves 2 (p. 105)]
we all meet up for a game of
football. I belong to the Southfiekl Superstars, which is part of
the Southern Sunday League.
We play every Sunday from
September to May.
try to go out every night if I can,
because, I can't stand staying at
home. I usually stay out until
about, two or three, unless I'm
going to work, Then I try to be
in bed by midnight.
3 We always have
people for dinner on Saturday
nights, or we get invitations to
have dinner with friends. Sometimes we go out lo restaurants.
We like Chinese food, and there
are also plenty of good Indian
restaurants.
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Making
4 I go shopping. I
adore it and I go shopping for
clothes at least twice a month.
And if I haven't got any money, I
go window shopping and decide
what I'm going to buy when I'm
rich.
SPEAKER
Tapescript 4 [Reward Intermediate (Unit 4) – Listening,
activity 1]
SPEAKER l I spend most of my
time doing odd jobs around the
house. I really like painting and
decorating, although I can do
most things. If I run out of things
to do at home, I usually offer to
help the neighbours. I hate having nothing to do,
5 In the summer, I
watch the cricket, I adore it, it's a
very relaxing game. I like watching local matches on the village
green, but I also like to go to the
Test matches if I can. And if I
can't, I listen to the radio commentary on the BBC.
SPEAKER
2 Well, I go to the
match on Saturday afternoon,
and then go out with my mates
for a drink in the evening. If it's
a home game, I can usually get
back to watch Match of the Day
on television. Then on Sunday
SPEAKER
6 I go round the clubs,
meeting friends, dancing, listening to music, that sort of thing. I
SPEAKER
119
And it gives you something to
talk about when you're at work
the next day.
Tapescript 5 [Synthesis Plus
(Unit 3) – 3.2]
Rachel Crane runs a weekly radio programme giving listeners
information about leisure activities. Every week she invites
speakers to talk about their interests.
Crane My first guest this week
is Alan Ainslie, who's going to
talk about an interesting new
cross-country activity, rough
cycling. Alan, this weekend
there's going to be a charity bicycle ride from London to
Brighton, and over 25,000 riders
will be taking part, but you're not
going with them, I gather.
Ainslie No, I'll be going to
Brighton with a group of about
forty others, but we won't be going along the main road. We'll be
cycling off the road. In fact the
whole attraction of rough cycling
is to ride on roads as little as
possible.
Crane How did you get involved in this?
Ainslie I used to belong to a cycling club, but one day some
friends of mine and I suddenly
said to ourselves: 'We're not en-
7 I go down to the
river at least once a week, usually on Sunday because that's
when I want to get away from
the children at home. I don't
mind spending Saturday with the
children, but I get bored if it's
the whole weekend. My wife
doesn't mind. She says she prefers me out of the house. Rut
she's pleased when I catch
enough fish for supper.
8 I spend a lot of time
there now that I'm retired.
There's always something to do,
cutting the grass, weeding the
flower beds, planting bulbs. I
like the spring best of all - not
much lo do and lots to look at.
But I detest collecting the leaves
in autumn.
SPEAKER
9 In the evenings we
watch television, mostly. We
don't go out much because our
children are still quite young.
We've got satellite TV so there's
plenty of programmes to watch.
SPEAKER
120
joying this any more. There's so
much traffic on the roads nowadays that you can't even stop or
look round to enjoy the view. If
we could get off the roads and
into the country, we'd have much
more fun.' So we began by finding our way through London,
keeping to parks, river banks,
sometimes riding on disused railway tracks. Then we began to
make our own route maps to get
out of the city so that we'd be
able to get out into the country
and ride along bridle paths and
footpaths.
Crane I thought cyclists were
restricted to bridle paths, like
riders on horseback. Isn't it illegal to ride bikes on footpaths?
Don't country people object?
Ainslie As long as you keep off
the well-known paths used by
hikers and ramblers, you shouldn't have any problems. It's a mat-
ter of common sense and good
manners. Kids on motor bikes do
far more harm. They're a real
nuisance.
Crane Is any bike suitable? Do
you need a racing bike, for instance?
Ainslie Oh, no, they're no use.
You see, it's not speed that matters, it's being able to deal with
tall grass or bumpy surfaces.
You need a mountain bike.
Crane Are you going to tell us
your route to Brighton?
Ainslie No, we never publish our
routes because if we did thousands of people would follow
them, and it would take away the
spirit of adventure. Finding your
own way, that's one of the most
enjoyable things about rough
cycling. But if listeners would
like some further information
they could get in touch with me
...
121
Contents
Warming-ups ...................................................................................... 3
Vocabulary
I. Hobbies ............................................................................... 6
II. Sports ................................................................................. 9
III. Leisure activities ............................................................ 14
Reading
I. Hobbies ............................................................................. 21
II. A Couch Potato ............................................................... 44
III. Sports and Leisure Activities.......................................... 54
Listening
I. Hobbies ............................................................................. 75
II. A Couch Potato ............................................................... 82
III. Sports and Leisure Activities ......................................... 87
Video (Aerobics) .............................................................................. 91
Speaking ......................................................................................... 107
Tapescripts ...................................................................................... 114
122
Елена Александровна Бекерова
Евгения Викторовна Зайцева
Ольга Юрьевна Казарина
HOBBIES. LEISURE TIME
Учебно-методическое пособие
(для студентов гуманитарных специальностей,
изучающих английский язык)
Технический редактор Е.В. Лозовая
Редактор Л.Ф. Платоненко
______________________________________________________________
Подписано к печати 26.10. 2004. Формат бумаги 60х84 1/16.
Печ. л. 7,7. Усл.-печ. л. 6,1. Уч.-изд. л. 6,6. Тираж 100 экз. Заказ 551.
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