Leisure-Time Activities (My Days Off and Holidays )

Many people think about holidays in January. They begin to make plans. They talk about places and ideas. So people begin to dream. Not everybody likes winter holidays. Many people dream of the sun and warm beaches. And other people like to do things when they are on holiday. They want to learn a foreign language or visit famous places, or go climbing. Some people like to spend their holidays with a lot of other people; other prefer to go on their own.

Even if we all have different ideas about an ideal holiday, we all have to face two problems: time and money.

On weekdays I usually go to the University but on my days off I prefer to rest. I think it is important for us to rest after hard work. At our leisure time we go in for sports, read books, go to the library, cinema, theatre, park, museum or exhibition. As a rule, we try to spend most of the time outdoors. Some students prefer to go to the country to see their relatives and friends. In winter we like to ski and skate. We like to watch an interesting TV programme. In summer and spring picnics are popular with young people.

We are fond of picnics chiefly because we have an excellent opportunity to admire the beauty of nature and have a bite without observing table manners.

Many people like to go to the cinema and theatre at the weekend and holidays.

As for me, my days off are normally like this. I don’t like to get up early and at weekend I wake up late. As a rule I get up at 10 o’clock. Then I do my morning exercises, wash my face and hands and brush my teeth. After that I relax a little: listen to a lovely stereo music and try to forget about all my problems. Then I visit my friends and have a chat with them about our lives. Sometimes my friends and I go to the museum or art exhibition. As a rule, my activities at the weekend depend on my plans, but in any case I manage to do a lot of things and to have a rest. I always try to do my best to have a really good time. But unfortunately time flies very quickly at the weekend, and the next Monday morning come, and I am looking forward to my next days off.

Word List

to dream of smth. ― мріяти про

to go climbing ― займатися альпінізмом

to face the problem ― зіткнутися з проблемою

leisure ― дозвілля

to spend time outdoors ― проводити час на свіжому повітрі

to have an excellent opportunity ― мати пречудову нагоду

to have a bite ― під’їсти

normally ― звичайно

in any case ― у будь-якому разі

unfortunately ― на жаль

time flies quickly ― час впливає швидко

to be looking forward to ― нетерпляче очікувати

without observing ― брутально поводячи себе за столом

Exercise 2. Complete the sentences

1. Not everybody likes … .

1. Many people dream of … .
2. Other people like … .
3. We all have to face … .
4. At our leisure time we … .
5. At the weekend I usually… .
6. But unfortunately … .

Exercise 3. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1.Many people think about holidays in May.

1. Not everybody likes winter holidays.
2. At the weekend I usually prefer to rest.
3. As a rule, we try to spend most of the time in doors.
4. At our leisure time we go to the University.
5. In winter we like to stay at home.
6. In summer and spring picnics are popular with undergraduates.

Exercise 4. Ask questions to get these answers:

1.They begin to make plans.

1. Not everybody likes winter holidays.
2. It is important for us to have a rest after hard work.
3. We are fond of picnics.
4. Sometimes my friends and I go to the museum or art exhibition.
5. Time flies very quickly at the weekend, and the next Monday morning comes.

Exercise 5. Put the sentences of the text into the logical order. Retell the text.

1. I don’t like to get up early and at the weekend I wake up late.

1. Monday morning comes, and I’m looking forward to my next days off.
2. I think it is important for us to rest after hard work.
3. We are fond of picnics chiefly because we have an excellent opportunity to admire the beauty of nature and have a bite without observing table manners.
4. Even if we all have different ideas about an ideal holiday, we all have to face two problems: time and money.
5. Some people like to spend their holidays with a lot of other people, others prefer to go on their own.

Supplementary Reading

heir ― наследник • спадкоємець

abdication ― отречение • зречення

enthusiasm ― увлечение • захоплення

to make one’s broadcast ― выступать в радиопередаче • виступати у радіопередачі

duke ― герцог • герцог

to crown― короновать • коронувати

signify ― выражать • виражати

monarchy ― монархия • монархія

annual ― годовой • річний

widespread ― распространенный • розповсюджений

keen promoter ― ярый защитник • завзятий захисник

mass media ― средства массовой информации • засоби масової інформації

commitment ― приверженность • прихільність