Give me some advice on what to do in my free time

The simplest is to find something interesting to do. Here are some variants of activities to choose:

- Decide on making candles, knitting, cross snitching - in one word, create something new you can be proud of;

- Photography, drawing, painting, playing musical instruments are very special activities that you can do as a cure fore boredom;

- Read something exiting, encouraging, or anything that will enrich your knowledge;

- Join a health club or gum where you will be able to feel happy and keep fit;

- Try new recipes;

- Set your aims and keep a diary.

Following these simple advices you will never have a time to think about such problem as boredom.

5. Many parents often complain that teenagers don`t want to spend their free time with them. What do you think about this?

Family is very important for every person, because it gives you a sense of stability and tradition, a feeling of having support and understanding.Nowadays my parents and I are usually very busy during the weekdays and we seldom have a chance to spend time together. My parents spend as much time with me as possible but I think we would all love more time together.

We have some family traditions. All our family traditions are connected with some holidays. There are family holidays like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. During these holidays all my relatives gather to spend time together.

№15

1. Now let`s talk about Belarusian customs and traditions. What can you tell me about your favorite holiday in Belarus?

2. Are you proud of our national holidays and traditions?

3. What questions can you ask a British teenager about good manners in their country?

4. Which holiday celebration in Belarus will you recommend your British friend?

5. Do you think it is important to follow our grandparents`traditions? Why?

1. Now let`s talk about Belarusian customs and traditions. What can you tell me about your favorite holiday in Belarus?

My favourite holidays are the New Year.

New Year Day is the most exciting time of the year for the children and the adults. New Year has three marvellous aspects — both giving and receiving presents, making beautiful decorations and preparing the most wonderful food. The central decoration for New Year must be the fur tree decorated with toys and lights. Long before the New Year Eve people begin to buy New Year cards, toys and presents. Most families see the New Year in at home. A lot of delicious food is cooked for the night meal which usually starts at 10 o'clock. This day is a traditional family reunion day and a special day for children.

2. Are you proud of our national holidays and traditions?

Like other countries Belarus has its own holidays. They are of two kinds – traditional national holidays and religious holidays. National holidays are both – a public celebration and a personal event in the family.

We have some special holidays. For example, Kupalle, it is the most loved and celebrated pagan holiday in Belarus.People jump over the fire, bath in the river, roll in the grass dew. They dance in karagods, compet in strength and look for a blossoming fern flower – “paparats kvetka”.

Another interesting holiday is Belarusian Kalyady.Orthodox Christmas comes a week after the New Year and this week in Belarus is called Kalyady. During the Christmas week street festivals of all kinds take place in the cities and towns of Belarus. For religious people this holiday is of special meaning. So they go to churches and take part in different religious celebrations.

3. What questions can you ask a British teenager about good manners in their country?

- Should I hug or shake hands when I say hello?

- What should I bring as a present when being entertained at someone's home?

- Should I greet people with a kiss?

- How many times a day do you usually saythank you?

4. Which holiday celebration in Belarus will you recommend your British friend?

When people come from other countries they usually look for something special and traditional in this country. So I think it would be a good idea to recommend them to take part in Kalyady celebrations in winter and Kupalle celebrations – in summer.

Kupalle is the most loved and celebrated pagan holiday in Belarus. Kupalle is celebrated in the night from the 6th of July to the 7th of July. In ancient times young girls used to go into the meadows to collect plants and herbs.

The central part of Kupalle celebration is a fire, which symbolizes life. People jump over the fire, bath in the river, roll in the grass dew. They dance in karagods, compet in strength and look for a blossoming fern flower – “paparats kvetka”.

5. Do you think it is important to follow our grandparents`traditions? Why?

Belarusian national culture is rooted in old antiquity. Belarusian nation has stored tremendous spiritual treasures that reflect the versatility (многосторонность) of its intellectual, moral, aesthetical and other being. Belarusian culture has always maintained its national traditions, at the same time remaining an integral part of the world cultural heritage.

So we are responsible for this heritage and shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of those generations that destroyed our national treasures and forgot our history.

№16

1. Now let`s talk about customs and traditions of an English-speaking country. What can you tell me about your favourite holiday in Britain?

2. Do you find some British holidays and traditions special? Why (not)?

3. What questions can you ask a British teenager about his/her birthday celebration?

4. What national souvenirs will you recommend me to buy in Britain?

5. Nowadays more and more people are getting interested in customs and traditions of different countries. What do you think about it?

1. Now let`s talk about customs and traditions of an English-speaking country. What can you tell me about your favourite holiday in Britain?

As for me, one of the most interesting holidays in Britain is Easter. Like in our country, it is celebrated each spring. On this holiday, we remember the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people go to church on Easter Sunday.

Easter day is also associated with special food. The two important cakes at Easter are the Simnel Cake and Hot Cross Buns.

Boiled eggs are traditionally served at breakfast, then Easter cards and gifts may be exchanged.

Children dye Easter eggs and have Easter egg hunts. Small chocolate eggs are hidden for the children to find on the traditional Easter Egg Hunt.

The night before Easter Sunday, children set out their Easter baskets. They hope the Easter bunny will fill them with jellybeans, candy, and toys.

2. Do you find some British holidays and traditions special? Why (not)?

Though there are only six public holidays a year in Great Britain, the days on which people need not go to work. They are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Spring Bank Holiday and Late Summer Bank Holiday.

Besides public holidays, there are other holidays, anniversaries and simply days off, for example Pancake Day and Bonfire Night, on which certain traditions are observed, but unless they fall on a Sunday, they are ordinary working days.

Every year on the 5th of November Bonfire night is celebrated all over the UK. It goes back to the discovery of the so-called Gunpowder Plot. The event is commemorated by fireworks and burning “guys” on bonfires.

Traditionally, 41 days before Easter Sunday is a special day for Christians, called Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Lent starts. On Pancake Day people used to celebrate the last day before Easter when they could eat what they wanted. All over England there were pancake races on or near Shrove Tuesday. The tradition is still around today. The rules of pancake races are different in different places, but each participant, usually a woman, has to wear an apron and a hat or a scarf.

3. What questions can you ask a British teenager about his/her birthday celebration?

Birthdays are always happy events for all children and teens. And of course it’s interesting to know about these celebrations in Britain. So the questions may be:

- Where do you like to celebrate your birthday party?

- Do you prefer to invite your friends and relatives together?

- What presents do you usually get for your birthday?

4. What national souvenirs will you recommend me to buy in Britain?

Typical English presents (souvenirs) to take back home are rather various.

Common themes depicted on many English souvenirs include The Royal Family, Policemen, Royal Guards, London Transport, Union Flag and famous London buildings.

You can buy thimbles (напёрстки), bells, T-shirts, soft toys, models, magnets, pens and pencils, mouse mats, caps, pin badges, post boxes, aprons and much more.

5. Nowadays more and more people are getting interested in customs and traditions of different countries. What do you think about it?

So many countries so many customs, an English proverb says. The combination of the words tradition & custom means a usual manner of doing something, of conduct passed on from generation to generation.

By comparing the customs and cultures of people from other countries, we can learn how others view the world and why they think the way they do. By understanding others, we can not only form deeper friendships with others but can also learn more about ourselves and our own culture.

№ 17.

1. Let’s talk about modern means of communication. How do people communicate today?

2. Is there any means of communication you can’t live without? Why (not)?

3. What questions will you ask people who live without a TV set, computer or radio?

4. I’d like to watch an interesting programme on TV. What can you advise me?

5. Many people say that newspapers and radio are not as popular as TV and very soon they will lose their importance. What is your point of view?

1. Let’s talk about modern means of communication. How do people communicate today?

When we think about modern means of communication we cannot understand how people who lived some fifty years ago were able to keep in touch. Nowadays, with a mouse in one hand and a mobile phone in the other one, we cannot imagine human contacts without modern technology devices.

Thanks to the new technologies people are communicating more than ever before. Modern means of communication have made the distance between people unimportant.

Unlike 20 years ago, we usually call someone, not visit. This traditional way of keeping in touch has suffered a lot as people choose quicker and easier phone calls. Mobile phones are PORTABLE and let us contact others wherever they and we are. Furthermore, mobile phones offer the possibility of texting. Text messaging is the most convenient and the cheapest form of communication when we need to pass a quick note containing only a few words. Emails have replaced letters and postcards almost completely. People use video chats or chat –rooms to keep in touch with the families and friends that live abroad. Thanks to them they can talk for free and without time limits.

2. Is there any means of communication you can’t live without? Why (not)?

I wouldn’t say – I can’t live without any means of communication. To tell you the truth we should have rest from any form of communication. But I can’t imagine my everyday life without the Internet.

The Internet is a great source of information and entertainment for many people. It has made possible new forms of social interaction and has become a major source of leisure.

Thanks to it I have got an opportunity to access news, documents, images, sounds, video and games, to make friends, to book tickets and to purchase different things online. There are a lot of different sites for students, gardeners, businessmen, engineers, for people who are fond of music, cinema, theatre, sports and even for disabled people. What is more, the Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate. Sending electronic text messages is much faster and easier than writing letters. People use e-mail to stay in touch with friends worldwide.

3. What questions will you ask people who live without a TV set, computer or radio?

It’s very unusual to live without a TV set or a computor. And that’s why I would ask them such questions:

1. Why did you refuse to have a TV set at home?

2. What do you do if you want to watch a film?

3. Do you listen to music and where do you listen to it?

4. What do you do if you need to know a weather forecast?

4. I’d like to watch an interesting programme on TV. What can you advise me?

First of all, I would ask about your preferences and interests. Sometimes people watch TV just to relax. In this case my advice may be very different.

So, I personally would recommend you to watch any programmes on Discovery Channel or on Viasat History Channel. If you’ve got a pet you would enjoy watching special programmes about cats and dogs on Animal Planet Channel. If you want to listen to hot discussions, visit RTVI Channel and choose anything to your taste.

Also there are many programmes about education and culture. There are programmes on wide range of subjects — from physics and literature to cooking and yoga. Public TV also broadcasts plays, ballets, symphonies as well as programs about art and history. So you’ve got a great choice.

5. Many people say that newspapers and radio are not as popular as TV and very soon they will lose their importance. What is your point of view?

Maybe. But I don’t think they will lose their importance. Probably they will change the forms. Many newspapers will be transformed into electronic versions on the Internet. As for radio, it has already lost its importance in its initial way of existence. Nowadays we can listen to the radio through the Internet.

№18

1. Let’s talk about a healthy way of life. What can people do to keep fit?

2. Do you agree that bad habits, like smoking, can be dangerous? Why (not)?

3. What questions will you ask a fitness coach?

4. What can you advise a person who wants to lose weight?

5. Why is fast food unhealthy?

1. Let’s talk about a healthy way of life. What can people do to keep fit?

There are many opportunities for keeping fit. First of all it is necessary to do exercises. Running, jumping, swimming, bending and stretching are among the most popular exercises. Many people prefer jogging, or walking. For example, popular running competitions are now held everywhere. Television and newspapers report about them in detail. In order to keep fit some people do aerobics or yoga; others prefer some kind of weight training in a gym. People can easily learn more about fitness through popular books and videos that are sold almost everywhere. I think everyone can benefit from being a little more active. Making small changes like using the stairs instead of the lift or walking or cycling instead of taking the bus can help people live a more active, healthier and enjoyable life.

2. Do you agree that bad habits, like smoking, can be dangerous? Why (not)?

Of course I agree. Smoking is harmful for all people and especially for children. It’s known from statistics that smoking kills 2 million people a year. Many of them die from lung cancer. Some aren’t even smokers. They are people who live or work with heavy smokers. Also smoking may cause heart diseases and spoil your teeth and skin.

So it is better not to begin smoking because in future you will have to make a lot of efforts so as to get rid of this bad habit.

3. What questions will you ask a fitness coach?

- Have you got special programs for people who suffer from overweight?

- Do you advise to have special diets?

- How much time is it necessary so as to become fit?

4. What can you advise a person who wants to lose weight?

There are many books about different methods of loosing weight. I would advise for such people to analyze the way of life they have. They should have regular exercises and move as much as possible, eat more fruit and vegetables and reject junk food, eat in small portions at regular hours and be positive in your attitude towards your appearance. I think people should love themselves and take care of their souls and bodies.

5. Why is fast food unhealthy?

Everybody knows we are what we eat. I think that fast food can be a delicious killer because it can lead to health problems. Fast food is simply tasty, ready-cooked meals packed to go.

Eating too much fast food is bad for your health because fast food contains more calories, more unhealthy fat, and more salt. It has a lot of additives, artificial colours and flavourings. It can can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, weakness of your immune system and coronary heart diseases.

№19

1. Let’s talk about sport . What influences a person’s health?

2. Does smoking lead to serious health problems? What are they?

3. What questions will you ask a professional sportsman?

4. What activities can you advise a person who wants to have a healthy way of life?

5. Why is it important to do sports?

1. Let’s talk about sport. What influences a person’s health?

A considerable ingredient of a healthy way of life is sport and exercising. Sport helps people to keep fit and have good health. Doctors say that twenty minutes’ exercise three times a week is all you need to be fit. If you go in for sports you can’t catch a cold. All kinds of sports are useful and healthy but it is not compulsory to go in for sports professionally.

Of course, good eating habits, regular sleeping habits, and plenty of fresh air are all important parts of the way to keep fit.

2. Does smoking lead to serious health problems? What are they?

Smoking is harmful for all people and especially for children. It’s known from statistics that smoking kills 2 million people a year. Many of them die from lung cancer. Some aren’t even smokers. They are people who live or work with heavy smokers. Also smoking may cause heart diseases and spoil your teeth and skin.

So it is better not to begin smoking because in future you will have to make a lot of efforts so as to get rid of this bad habit.

3. What questions will you ask a professional sportsman?

First of all I’d like to ask some personal questions:

- Is it a pleasure or hard work to be a sportsman?

- Have you got any time for your personal life?

- What is the best moment in your life?

4. What activities can you advise a person who wants to have a healthy way of life?

5. Why is it important to do sports?

Sport is very important in our life. It is popular with young and old people. A lot of people do morning exercises, jog in the morning.

Sport helps people to keep fit and have good health. If you go in for sports you can’t catch a cold. Children and grown-ups must take care of their health and do morning exercises regularly.

Sport helps look beautiful, enjoy life and be free. Only being healthy people can enjoy life in its full beauty.

№ 20

1. Let’s speak about fashion. What style in clothes do you prefer and why?

2. Do you prefer fashionable clothes to comfortable ones? Why (not)?

3. What questions can you ask a shop assistant in a big shop?

4. What would you advise your friend who wants to buy some new clothes?

5. A famous person once said: "Fashions come and go, style is forever." What do you think about it?

1. Let’s speak about fashion. What style in clothes do you prefer and why?

As for me, it is always important to remember the rules of politeness, that there are different styles of clothes for different types of events. As one wise well-known proverb says, “People meet by clothes and set off by mind”.

From my point of view, things that you have in your wardrobe should be comfortable to wear.

My favourite clothes are jeans, shirts and sweaters or jackets. They are comfortable and I can wear them in any weather.

2. Do you prefer fashionable clothes to comfortable ones? Why (not)?

I prefer to wear comfortable clothes. My favourite clothes are jeans, shirts and sweaters or jackets. They are comfortable and I can wear them in any weather.

Sometimes I try to combine both comfort and fashion.

The explanation is quite simple I want to keep up to date and feel comfortable.

3. What questions can you ask a shop assistant in a big shop?

- How much is it?

- Can I try it on?

- Where are the dressing rooms?

- Have you got any discounts?

- What’s on sale today?

4. What would you advise your friend who wants to buy some new clothes?

Before any kind of shopping you have to plan everything carefully. You should decide what you need first of all. Then you should know how much money you can afford. After that go through some shops so as to find out the types of clothes and their prices.

Think everything over and then you may go to the shop you are going to make your choice at.

5. A famous person once said: "Fashions come and go, style is forever." What do you think about it?

I like this saying. Some people try to be fashionable at any cost. But they may not have their style. Fashion will not help you to look attractive if it is impersonal. Also there are cases when these or those fashionable clothes don’t fit you. In this case only your personal style will help you to avoid clumsy situations.

Besides, fashion is so changeable. As for your style it is unique and reveals your personality.

№21

1. Let`s talk about travelling and tourism. Do you like travelling? Why?

2. How do you like to travel?

3. What questions should you ask a travel agent to learn more about a tour?

4. What can you advise a person who doesn`t know where to spend his\her holiday?

5. Today people are tired of exotic countries and prefer to spend holidays in the countryside in Belarus. What can attract people to it?

1. Let`s talk about travelling and tourism. Do you like travelling? Why?

People are fond of travelling. So am I. I can spend my holidays travelling. Usually I visit Belarusian cities and towns. Sometimes I go to the sea with my family.

People travel to see other countries and continents, to learn a lot about people’s traditions, to enjoy picturesque places. I think it’s interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food.

Those who live in the country like to find themselves in large cities with their shops, cinemas, crowds of people. City-dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or in the mountains with nothing to do but walking and bathing, lying in the sun. Most travellers and holiday makers take a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them - beautiful views of waterfalls, forests, unusual plants and animals. These photos will remind them of the happy time of holiday.

As for me I’d like to have a coach tour to some foreign country. Coach tours are planned and I’ll have a chance to do a lot of sightseeings and have a good rest at the same time.

2. How do you like to travel?

As for me, I prefer travelling by car. I think it's very convenient. You needn't reserve tour tickets. You needn't carry heavy suitcases. You can stop wherever you wish, and spend at any place as much time as you like.

Travelling by train has its advantages. You can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Speed, comfort and safety are the main advantages of trains. That’s why sometimes travel by train.

3. What questions should you ask a travel agent to learn more about a tour?

- What documents do I need to carry with me when I travel?

- What is the best time of year to travel to this destination?

- Do you offer travel insurance or refunds?

- What are the emergency numbers I can call?

4. What can you advise a person who doesn`t know where to spend his\her holiday?

Some people go abroad to see new countries.

Summer may be the best time to visit Europe, and winter’s great in the Caribbean, but you should try to travel in the shoulder seasons – just before or after peak season. Prices are low, the weather is nice, shops and restaurants are open and happy to see you, and there are few other people around. Shoulder seasons might not be the warmest or sunniest, but the prices are far better.

If you like the country life you can stay on a farm or a country house. This kind of tourism is called agroturism. It is a type of both foreign and domestic tourism. You can pick fruit there, feed animals, buy produce direct from a farm land. It’s one of the growing forms of tourism in many countries.

5. Today people are tired of exotic countries and prefer to spend holidays in the countryside in Belarus. What can attract people to it?

Belarus is a small, beautiful country. It is a land of vast plains and picturesque hills, thick forests and green meadows, deep blue lakes and flowing rivers. One third of the republic's territory is covered with forests. The largest of them are called pushchas. The most beautiful are the Belovezhskaya, the Nalibokskaya which have rich flora and fauna. There are 3,000 rivers in the republic. The longest rivers are the Dnieper, the Nieman, the Western Dvina, the Pripyat and the Bug. There are 4,000 lakes in Belarus. The largest of the lakes is the Naroch, the pride of the republic. It is very popular recreation area in our country. There are many rest-homes, sanatoriums and tourist camps in Belarus. Spending holidays on the beach is a great rest though many people combine sunbathing with visiting museums and places of interest.

You can also go sightseeing. There are some historical places that you can visit in Belarus. They are Mir castle, Nesvizh castle and others. A lot of tourists come to see them.

№22

1. Now let`s talk about environment. People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

2. What do you think people should do to protect the environment?

3. What would you like to ask your British friend about measures that are taken to protect the environment in Britain?

4. A friend of your wants to develop a programme to protect the city where he lives. Give him a piece of advice.

5. Green School of the Year contest is held in the country and you want your school to enter it. Give ideas for some 'green events'.

1. Now let`s talk about environment. People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

People are more worried about the environment as a result of the harmful effects of human activity. Some of the activities cause pollution and some are destroying the environment.

One of the most important ecological problems is the water pollution. If a ship loses some of the oil, or waste from the ships is put into the ocean, the water becomes dirty. Many sea birds die because of the polluted water. Many fish are dying in the sea, others are getting contaminated. People may get sick from eating them. Lakes and rivers are becoming polluted, too. Some beaches are dangerous for swimming.

The second important problem is air pollution. Cars and factories pollute the air we use. Their fume also destroys the ozone layer which protects the Earth from the dangerous light of the Sun. Aerosols create large "holes" in the ozone layer round the Earth. Burning coal and oil leads to global warming which may bring about a change in the world's climate.

Another problem is that our forests are dying from acid rain. Deforestation, especially destruction of tropical forests, affects the balance of nature in many ways. It kills animals, changes the climate and ecosystem in the world.

2. What do you think people should do to protect the environment?

Environmental protection is a universal concern. There are different organizations and parties in Europe and America that actively work to protect the nature from harm.

To stop or at least reduce the amount of damage we bring to the environment we should follow these suggestions. We mustrespect the Earth’s biodiversity. We should reuse all recycled materials to reduce the demand.It’s good idea torecycle all used materials made with trees/plants to reduce deforestation. We should recycle all used materials with the available technologies.

3. What would you like to ask your British friend about measures that are taken to protect the environment in Britain?

- Are there any environmental organizations inBritain?

- What organizations reduce human activities causing pollution of water, air, forests and soil?

- Does your school take part in any programmes to protect the environment?

- Do you reuse all recycled materials to reduce the demand?

- Do you recycle all used materials made with trees/plants to reduce deforestation?

- Do you recycle all used materials with the available technologies?