The Use of Leisure

By the way in which a man uses his leisure his character can be told more surely in all probability than by the way he does his work. For most men work is necessity in order to gain a living. Vast numbers of men have not even been able to choose what work they would do, but have been forced by economic necessity to take the first job that came their way. But in their leisure time they do what they really want to do and their real selves are reflected in their actions.

Some people are completely passive during leisure hours. If such people go out they go to some place of entertainment where no effort is required by them, a cinema or a dancing hall, and if the latter, they do not dance but simply sit and watch others dancing.

A different type of person hurries home from work full of eagerness to begin on some scheme which he has been planning for his leisure time. Perhaps his hobby is carpentry or model engineering, or gardening-, or he might wish to write, or to study some subject in which he is interested..This is the creative type of character. For him, his leisure hours are full of promise and he can look back on them with satisfaction when he reviews what he has achieved in them.

Leisure should be refreshment; it should send a man out with fresh spirits to battle with the problems of life. Sometimes this freshness comes not from doing anything, but by filling one's mind with fresh springs of duty. Many a man gets full value from his leisure by contemplating nature, listening to music, or reading noble books. By this sort of occupation he may not have made anything that he can show, but he has none the less recreated his own source of inspiration and made his own mind a richer fuller treasure house. This is the true use of leisure.

Topical vocabulary

1. go out проводить время вне

2. treasure сокровище

3. film(picture, movie) кинофильм

4. adventure приключенческий фильм

5. favourite occupation любимое занятие

6. hobby хобби

7. feature художественный фильм

8. enjoy oneself,(have a good time) хорошо провести время

enjoy (a party, a play etc) получить удовольствие от...

9. be on идти (о пьесе, фильме в определенный день)

10. run (v) демонстрировать, показывать (фильм,пьесу)

11. run (n) период показа (пьесы, фильма)

12. poster (AmE: bill-board) афиша

13.news – real хроника, киножурнал

14. ballet балет

15. opera опера

16.drama драма

17.tragedy трагедия

18.show представление, сеанс

6.Travelling

The scientific and technological progress of the 20-th century has allowed people to overcome time and distance, to cover in the twinkling of an eye the vast expanse of our planet. The whole world is open now. The limitations of former times have ceased to exist.

Modern life is impossible without travelling. Most of us in big cities begin every day with travelling to our schools, offices and factories. For some people it is quite a trip to get from home to work. They go by underground, they change to a bus or they take a taxi. From time to time we have to go to another city or country on business. Then after a year’s work people go on holiday and they do not like to spend it at home.

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places or just for a change of scene. It is always interesting to discover new things, to see different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

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 on the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and lie in the sun.

People who wish to travel either for pleasure or on business have at their disposal various means of transport. If you want to get somewhere as quickly as possible the best way is to travel by plane. It is better to book tickets in advance. On the appointed day you go to airport by car. Soon you’ll be boarding the big airliner and it will carry you to new lands. When on the plane you may look around. In front of you in the cockpit you’ll see the pilot and his crew. Some of the passengers are already reclining in comfortable armchairs. There is a kitchen in the rear part of the plane where the stewardesses are preparing the meals. Presently we take off and in a few minutes the pilot informs us of the altitude. Sometimes it is possible to see land. It is like a geographical map. Our plane is due to arrive in eight hours. The time passes quickly. The plane arrives at the airport on time.

Travelling by train is slower than by plane but it has its advantages. When on the train you can always see the country side around you, so you are not simply travelling, but your holidays have already begun. To have a good trip by train you must book the tickets in advance. When the day of your departure comes, you go to the railway station, which is usually closer to your home than the airport. The porter helps you with your luggage. You go to your carriage and find out if you have a lower or upper berth in your compartment. Each compartment has its own window, a place for your suitcases and, of course, four berths.

Travelling by sea is mostly for those who are going on holiday and want a pleasant voyage. On board of a large cruise ship people traverse oceans and visit other countries. The ship stops for a day or two in different ports and people go ashore on excursions. Crossing the ocean is a magnificent and very long voyage, with enormous waves before you and a 4-deck liner under you.

Many people prefer travelling by car. This way you can explore the nearby towns and cities. The greatest advantage is that you can stop whenever you like and that you are not bound by any schedule. You start from your own front door and take any road you like.

Coach tours are not expensive and very popular. There is a chance to do a lot of sightseeing and have a good rest at the same time.

One of the cheapest and the most popular ways of travelling is hiking. It is always a great experience for a lover of nature.

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