Warm-up activity

Match the English equivalents of the following proverbs and sayings to the Russian ones:

1. By doing nothing we learn to do ill.

2. Work smart, not hard.

3. A good deed is never lost.

4. A Jack of all trades is master of none.

5. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

a) Безделье — мать всех пороков.

б) Доброе дело даром не пропадет (без награды не останется).

в) Умей дело делать, умей и позабавиться.

г) За двумя зайцами погонишься — ни одного не поймаешь.

д) Работай головой, а не руками.

Reading

1. Read the text and translate it:

A HOBBY

Different people like doing different things because their tastes differ. So people have different hobbies. “A hobby” is something that people usually do to get pleasure or to relax and to spend free time.

Usually people choose as a hobby something that they really like doing. Something for their character and their taste. You will never do something as a hobby if you don’t like it. If you have an interesting hobby your life becomes more interesting, of course.

Most people chose something “to do” as a hobby - doing means something active from traveling to taking pictures, from table tennis to football. Others choose something “to make”. Making things includes knitting, sewing, handicrafts, painting, drawing.

“Collecting things” is another popular pastime. People collect different things like books, toys, car models, plane models, coins, CD’s. There are more serious collectors of expensive paintings, rare things or art objects. Such hobbies are for rich people. We can often see such private collections in museums, art galleries or libraries.

Those people who live in big cities and town are fond of gardening, growing flowers and vegetables. This gives them a sense of being close to nature.

Very often a hobby helps people to choose their future occupation. A person is lucky, I guess if he or she can find a job similar to his or her hobby and get money for this.

Nowadays playing different computer games has become a popular pastime for both children and grown-ups.

As for me, I have got a hobby too. Many people go in for sports, they like jogging, walking, swimming, skating, skiing and working out in gyms. If you do sports you begin feeling much better. I personally go in for sports. It is a very important part of my life. I like playing volleyball and going to the gym. I do my morning exercises. Why do I like doing sports? Because I think that a man should be well-built and strong. (It is very important for a woman to be slim and in good shape).

When I have got some free time I also like listening to music. I like different music from classics to rock. I read a lot. Adventure books are among my favourites.

Taking pictures is my another passion. My parents presented me with a good camera last birthday. I never leave home without my camera because you never know when you see the moment that you need to capture. Once I took part in an exhibition. People said they like my photos. I love taking pictures of my family. We have tones of pictures now. But this is a good memory for all of us.

A "hobby" is defined as an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation. For many Russian people the main hobby is gardening especially in summer time. They spend all the weekends at their summer houses growing tomatoes, cucumbers etc. Some of them, who are not as lucky as those who have summer houses, manage to reach the same goal at the balcony.

A lot of men get obsessed with cars and bikes spending all their free time and spare cash customizing their “beloved ones”.

Pets and different exotic animals may also be considered as a hobby though a specific one.

Collecting postcards, stamps, coins, books or posters has always been regarded only as a hobby. But few people may know that those activities can be not only a hobby but a good business that will bring money.

The same story is true for fishing. If you prefer fishing, you can turn this into a good profitable business. You can sell angling gears and help amateur fellow fishers who have no idea on what gears are needed for angling. Gardening is also a hobby which you can easily turn into a business.

Actually anything that people do may become a hobby. Your hobby may not only define your character or taste but also your social status. For example, many wealthy people collect rare paintings, expensive cars, mansions, sculptures and other pieces of art.

In some cases people like to keep their hobbies at secret, because a hobby is something usually you'd like to do alone.

2. Learn the vocabulary by heart:

to define smth. определять что-либо

an activity занятие

to pursue заниматься

pleasure удовольствие

relaxation отдых, расслабление

an occupation занятие

to manage справляться

to reach the goal достичь цели

to get obsessed with smth. быть под властью чего-то

to customize "тюнинговать"

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