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Ask your British friend about his school traditions.

×èòàéòå òàêæå:
  1. A Anyway, I suppose ___ heard about Mark and Sonia?
  2. A FEW WORDS ABOUT OPERATING A BUSINESS
  3. A FRIEND IN NEED
  4. A letter to a friend
  5. A pop-quiz. How much you know about the movies? If you are not sure about something, find the information out.
  6. About Business - Developing your career
  7. About business - Outsourcing
  8. About Halliburton
  9. ABOUT MYSELF
  10. About the author

4. Which school club would you advise your classmate to join?

We have a very good tourist club at our lyceum and students enjoy going on trips. After the trips it is veryenjoyable to sing tourist songs and to chatter about our impressions there. I would advise everybody to join this club.

5. Do you think it is easy to organize a good school party? What problems can you face?

I don’t think it is easy to organize a good school party. You should take many things into consideration. First of all there are some technical and organizing problems connected with the place, the time, the music, the decorations for the party and so on and so forth. Then you should do your best to make the party interesting for everybody. There may also be a problem with the audience for the party as many students are too pressed for time to attend parties.

8. Let’s talk about choosing a career.

1) Let’s talk about choosing a career. What would you like to become?

Well, it goes without saying that it’s not easy for a school-leaver to decide on his future career. There are very few boys and girls who are certain of what they are going to be. Usually, their plans for the future change many times during the school years. New subjects appear on the curriculum or maybe a new teacher comes and makes the old subject more interesting. Anyhow, a teacher’s influence on pupils’ minds is always great.

I guess I wanted to be a teacher before I began learning English. Many junior schoolchildren adore their first teacher, and a teacher’s work seems easy and fascinating. Now I understand the difficulties of this profession, its advantages and disadvantages. Of course, it takes a lot of patience and effort. No doubt a teacher ought to have perfect knowledge of his subject. On the other hand, he has to know how to teach, how to make difficult things easy and understandable.

As I am interested in English most of all, I have made up my mind to become a teacher of English. I think that a good teacher of English should possess the following qualities: a good command of English, a tactful way of dealing with pupils, an even temper and a cheerful manner, a good sense of humour and imagination.

To be a good teacher means to be a good actor. A teacher must be able to hold the attention of his audience. Unlike an actor who says the words which he has learnt by heart, a teacher cannot learn his part by heart, but must invent it all the time. His audience takes an active part in his play. A good teacher must be quick to adapt himself to any situation and be able to improvise, if necessary.

A teacher should always want to go on learning. Teaching is a job in which one will never be perfect. There is always something more to learn. There are three principal objects to study: the subject which the teacher is teaching; the methods by which it can be best taught to his pupils; and the children to whom it is taught.

I believe teaching is my calling. I want to work with children and to have a job that will keep me interested. And though the profession of a teacher involves immense responsibility, it is no doubt a very interesting and important profession. It is my cherished desire to become a good teacher of English.

 

2) Does a person need to possess special qualities to become a good specialist in this or that particular field? Why?

No doubt a person needs to possess special qualities to become a good specialist in this or that particular field. Let’s take the profession of a teacher, for example. I think that a good teacher of English should possess the following qualities: a good command of English, a tactful way of dealing with pupils, an even temper and a cheerful manner, a good sense of humour and imagination.It’s common knowledge that an ignorant teacher teaches ignorance, a fearful teacher teaches fear, a bored teacher teaches boredom. But a good teacher has a great influence on his pupils’ lives. So it is an incredible responsibility to be a teacher.

 

3) What questions will you ask your future employer about your future job?

4) Give me some advice on what I need to think about when choosing a job.

When choosing a job you should ask yourself if you are suitable for it. You should also find out if you are expected to possess certain qualities needed for the job and whether you will be able to develop these qualities in the process of training and education. It is necessary to consider all pros and contras so as not to regret your decision afterwards. Actually, it’s not a pleasant thing to stay all your life in the job which you don’t like. So the most important thing is to have interesting and creative work. And if it’s well-paid at the same time, then it looks even more attractive.

5) Some people think that it is necessary to have a good command of a foreign language to get a good job. Do you agree with this?

At present many professions, such as a pilot, a programmer, an engineer, a businessman and many others, require a working knowledge of at least one foreign language. All sorts of diplomatic, business and cultural contacts involve the use of foreign languages. English is the main language of communication in such areas as science, computer technology, mass entertainment and international tourism. Soif you have a good command of a foreign language, you will have many more job opportunities.

 

9. Let’s talk about life in the city and life in the country.

1) Let’s talk about life in the city and life in the country. Describe your place.

I live in Mogilev. It is a regional town which lies on the picturesque banks of the Dnieper. ThepopulationofMogilevisabout 4 hundredthousandpeople.

Mogilev is a very old town. It was founded in 1267, so it is more than seven centuries old. Some legends say that Mogilev was named after Masheka, a very strong and courageous man, whose burial place was called “The Grave of the Lion”, which sounds in Russian as “MogilaLva” or Mogilev.

Pervomayskaya street and Mir Avenue are the main thoroughfares of our town. A lot of shops and offices are located there: the Central Department store, the Main Post-office, the town library and others. The centre of our town is Lenin Square with a huge beautiful building. In fact, it’s a replica of Minsk Government House. It was built in the thirties when it was planned to make Mogilev the capital of Belarus. Most of the town offices are located there.

There are many industrial enterprises in Mogilev: the synthetic fibre plant, the automobile works, the lift-making plant and others. They produce machines, lifts, chemical products, textiles and many other useful things. Unfortunately, some enterprises increase our ecological problems.

I suppose we can say that Mogilev is a big cultural centre. There are several universities, many technical and secondary schools, colleges, lyceums and gymnasiums. We have a good drama theatre and a puppet theatre. There is a picture gallery and several exhibition halls. The museum of Byalynitsky-Birulya has a rich collection of pictures.

There are some places of interest in Mogilev. One of them is a field in Buinichi with a monument to Konstantin Simonov. During the Great Patriotic War 39 tanks were destroyed there. The defence of Mogilev, which stood against the enemy for 23 days when the whole of Belarus had already been occupied, was described by Konstantin Simonov in his book “The Living and the Dead”. Simonov often visited our town, and after his death the ashes of his body were scattered over this field.

In Soviet square one can see the building where the headquarters of the last Russian tsar was. There are also some war memorials and monuments to heroes of war and to other outstanding people in our town.

2) Do you find your city/town/village a comfortable place for living?

I think that Mogilev is quite a comfortable place for living. It is a beautiful town and I love it very much. But, of course, though the beauty of nature and good facilities for living are important, there are things which we value much more. Our place is dear to us because there are people who care for us and who are dear to us. “There is no place like home”, an English proverb says, and really our home is always the best place for us.

 

3) What questions will you ask a person who decided to move to the country?

4) Your friend doesn’t know what to choose: to live in a city or in the country. Give him some advice.

I think it’s a matter of preference. If you want to escape from the noise of a big city and enjoy the beauty of nature, if you are tired oftraffic jams and crowds of people everywhere, then you may choose the country. But you must bear in mind that you may soon be bored there as there are no sports clubs, theatres or discotheques. You must decide for yourself what is more important for you – quietness and the beauty of nature, a peaceful atmosphere or the opportunities and entertainments of a big city.

5) They say that living in the country is better than living in a city. What do you think about this?

Frankly speaking, I can’t decide for sure where it is better to live.Cities and towns offer better job and education opportunities, a wide choice of entertainments and various places of interest. On the other hand, those who live in big cities have to put up with crowds of people everywhere, constant noise and pollution and traffic jams. Life in the country has a number of advantages. First of all you can escape from the noise of big cities and enjoy the beauty of nature. Then there are no traffic jams and there is no pollution. Life is much safer and cheaper in the country. But on the other hand, life is sometimes quite boring there. There are no sports clubs, theatres, discotheques. There are no schools in some small villages and children have to travel a long way to schooland back. Well, in my opinion, both the city and the country can be attractive places to live in as soon as they are well-preserved by people who live in them. People living in clean and beautiful places are happy there.

 

10. Let’s talk about different types of houses.

1) Let’s talk about different types of houses. Tell me about the house/flat you live in.

There are many different types of houses: detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, cottages, bungalows, mansions, etc. But in our country people mostly live in blocks of flats. Our family is not an exception.

I live in Mogilev (in Krichev) in Dimitrov Avenue (in Pervomayskaya Street, in Nepokoryonnykh Boulevard). Our flat is on the ground floor (the second floor) of a five-storeyed (nine-storeyed) block of flats. It’s a three-room (two-room) flat with all modern conveniences, such as central heating, electricity, gas, hot and cold running water and a telephone.

Our living room is quite large. We have a suite [swi:t] of furniture with a carpet to match. In the centre of the room there is a big pull-out table used when guests come. Near the window there are two arm-chairs and a sofa facing the TV-set.

The bedroom isn’t large. The walls are light pink. There are two beds, a bedside table, some chairs and a wardrobe in it. There is a grey rug on the floor between the beds. Mother and father occupy the bedroom and I have a room to myself.

My room isn’t large either. As a matter of fact, my room is my haven. I have everything I need in it. I live by the motto ‘My room is my castle’. It is a place where I can relax. When I want to be on my own, I can just shut my door and tell everyone not to bother me.

I try to keep my room tidy and cosy, but it’s not very easy as it holds most of my personal belongings. I’m sort of a hoarder, I think everything is worth keeping. As a result, my room is rather cluttered. But that is the way I like it.

There is a book-case, a writing-table, two chairs and a sofa-bed where I sleep at night. To the right of my sofa-bed there is a little table with a computer and an entertainment centre. I enjoy listening to music and playing computer games.

Our entrance-hall is small. There are two built-in wardrobes and a mirror there. The bathroom is down the hall on the right. The lavatory is near the bathroom.

Our kitchen isn’t very large. There is a gas-stove with an oven, a table, four stools, a refrigerator and a cupboard where we keep cups, plates and other dishes. The kitchen serves us as a dining-room. But when we receive guests or have our family celebrations we have meals in the living room.

The windows of our flat face the yard, so it isn’t noisy (face a busy street, so it is rather noisy).

2) Do you like the place where you are living now?

Our flat is quite an ordinary one, but I like it all the same. I think everyone loves his home. I think that it doesn’t really matter where we live. Our home is always the loveliest, the dearest and the best place for us, because we live with those who love us and who we love, and there is no place like home for us.

3) Ask me what my flat looks like.

4) Your friend wants to decorate his room. Give him some advice on how to furnish it.

I can give only general advice.I think everyone wants to have a cosy place to live in. So this is what my friend should bear in mind when furnishing his room. It is aplace where he can relax, so it is better not to make it too cluttered.

5) How do you see an ideal house/flat?

I haven’t made up my mind yet what house or flat would be ideal for me. As for my future house I want it to be a flat in the centre of a big city. I think three rooms will be enough for me. And besides I want to have a summer cottage somewhere at the seaside. I want it to be a big modern one-storeyed house.

 

11. Let’s talk about Belarusian national cuisine.

1) Let’s talk about Belarusian national cuisine. What can you tell me about eating habits in your family?

They say you are what you eat. I quite agree with it. Our health depends on our eating habits. In our family we try to eat healthy food, not junk food. The first meal of the day is breakfast. A traditional breakfast in our family, and I think in many Belarusian families as well, is a cooked meal which may contain porridge, mashed potatoes with meat or an omelette. The most common drinks are some juice or a cup of tea or coffee.

For lunch I usually buy a bun or smazhanka and some juice at the lyceum cafeteria.

Dinner is the most substantial meal of the day. We usually have dinner at the lyceum canteen. It consists of 3 courses. We have chicken or cabbage soup for the first course, meat and vegetables for the main course and some juice or stewed fruit for dessert.

Supper is the time when all our family gather at table. Mother makes some salad, some fish or pasta. We drink tea and talk about our day.

 

2) Do you know any recipes of our national dishes?

We have some national dishes which I like very much. First and foremost it is draniki. They are made from grated raw potato. I cook them in a very simple way. I peel some potatoes, grate them, add a little salt and fry them on vegetable oil. I never add flour. They are tasty as they are without any additives. If we put meat inside, we call them kolduny. If we put grated potato into a pot and put it into an oven to bake, we call it babka. We can use machanka as a traditional sauce for draniki or pancakes. There are different recipes for machanka. Most often it is made with pork, sausage, sliced onion, sour cream and flour. As a matter of fact, I like cooking, and I know many recipes. I learned them from my granny and mom.

3) What questions will you ask a friend about his favourite dish?

4) Which national dishes can you recommend a tourist to taste in Belarus?

I think I can recommend draniki and kolduny first and foremost. They are very tasty and I’m sure tourists from other countries will enjoy eating them. Then they can be treated to pancakes and machanka. I think they will like them too.

5) Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but people go on eating it. What do you think about it?

Nowadays many people enjoy fast food, but I agree with the scientists that it is unhealthy. Fast food looks nice and tasty, but if you eat it very often, you will easily become overweight. Fast food is inexpensive because it is made with cheaper ingredients such as fat meat, refined grains, sugar and fats, instead of nutritious foods such as lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. It doesn’t provide any benefits to the body and the harm it causes is numerous.

 

12. Let’s talk about the national cuisine of an English-speaking country.

1) Let’s talk about British national cuisine. What can you tell me about eating habits in Britain?

I know that in Britain eating habits differ from our eating habits. At breakfast some people have toast with butter and jam and a cup of tea with milk. Others eat a bowl of cereals with milk or porridge. Or they may have bacon and eggs.

They have lunch in the middle of the day. Or if a meal is eaten in the late morning instead of breakfast and lunch, it is called brunch. They usually eat meat, cheese or other sandwiches, or soup and bread. Drinks at lunch time are very different: fruit juices, coca-cola, sprite 7up and others.

At lunchtime on Sunday a traditional meal is the Sunday roast, for example, roast beef with roast potatoes, peas, green beans, Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

They have dinner between 7 and 8.30. It is a cooked meal of meat or fish and two vegetables, one of which is often potato. It is common to eat dessert (also known as pudding) after the main dish. They don’t have supper, as a rule.

2) Do you know any traditional British dishes?

I know that traditionally the British make a wide variety of puddings and cakes. Some of them, like plum pudding, have beef fat as a base, others, like apple pies and fruit tart use pastry. Black Pudding, made from pig’s blood, is a specialty of North England.

3) What questions can you ask a British friend about their national cuisine?

4) Your British friend can’t stop eating fast food. Try to persuade him that is unhealthy.

You should stop eating fast food because it is unhealthy. Fast food looks nice and tasty, but if you eat it very often, you will easily become overweight. Fast food is inexpensive because it is made with cheaper ingredients such as fat meat, refined grains, sugar and fats, instead of nutritious foods such as lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. It doesn’t provide any benefits to the body and the harm it causes is numerous.

5) Does British cuisine differ from Belarusian cuisine?

I suppose that British cuisine doesn’t differ much from Belarusian cuisine. Both our cuisines differ much from oriental cuisines, for example, but not from each other. Our eating habits are different, but the food we eat and the way we cook it are often alike. In both cuisines meat, fish, potatoes, dairy products are widely used. Both the British and Belarusians fry, roast or boil meat, fish and vegetables.

13. Let’s talk about shopping.

1) Let’s talk about shopping. Who does the shopping in your family?

Well, it goes without saying that we can’t do without shopping. My mother usually does the shopping in our family because she does most of the cooking, so she knows what she needs to buy. But when it concerns everyday things like bread and milk it is usually me who buys them. There is a supermarket near our house, so it doesn’t take me much time to do the shopping. I usually drop in there on my way from school.

 

2) Do you like shopping? Why (not)?

I can’t say that I’m very fond of shopping, but it is a part of our daily life and it is a chore that needs to be done. As I have already said I usually drop in at the supermarket on my way from school and buy some foodstuffs there. What I really enjoy doing is calling at the confectionary department. I have a sweet toothandI nearly always manage to talk mother into buying me some sweets, a bar of chocolate, some biscuits or the like.

3) What questions will you ask your friend who has bought an expensive telephone?

4) What can you advise a person who wants to buy many things (clothes, foodstuffs, etc.) but has little time?

I’m sure that a supermarket is a good place for those who want to buy many foodstuffs but have little time. They can buy bread and buns at the baker’s counter; milk, cottage cheese or sour cream at the dairy department; pork or beef at the butcher’s; and potatoes, onions and cabbage at the greengrocery.

Those who want to buy clothes or other things can go to the Central Department Store. You can buy everything you need there. It is composed of many departments: ready-made clothes, fabrics, footwear, headgear, leather goods, hosiery, china and glass, household goods, electric appliances and so on. Thereisusually a widechoiceofgoodsthere.

5.Parents usually give pocket money to their children. How do you usually spend your pocket money?

Nearly all teenagers can afford to buy small things because parents give them pocket money. I think it is quite reasonable. We spend a lot of time at school and we need money to buy something to eat during the day. We can also buy some small things for ourselves, like exercise-books, toothpaste, or perfume. My parents are quite happy about the way I spend my pocket money because I don’t spend money on trifles, I try to be thrifty.

 

14. Let’s talk about leisure time.

1) Let’s talk about leisure time. What do you do in your free time?

Sunday is my day off. On Sundays I stay away from school but that doesn’t mean that I have a lot of spare time. Just on the contrary, I often have more work than on my working days. One Greek philosopher said, “The three things most difficult are — to keep a secret, to forget an injury and to make good use of free time.” And the teachers of our lyceum probably think that the best way of making good use of our free time is to give us as much homework as possible. So, in fact, it is next to impossible to have spare time if you study at Mogilev regional lyceum. But remembering the proverb “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, I sometimes manage to have some fun.

I usually do some sport, read a book, play a computer game or go for a walk.

2) Do you find it useful to go to the theatre, cinema or a museum? Why (not)?

It goes without saying that man cannot live by bread alone. Any human being needs nourishment for his soul as well. The theatre, the cinema or a museum are certainly places where one can get spiritual food. I certainly find it useful to go there as visiting such places is not only a pastime but a means of education as well.

3) What questions can you ask a British friend about his free time?

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

Don’t be a couch potato, do something active and enjoyable, like in this song:

You get out and smell the flowers, do the things you like.

Read a book or see some friends, take a ride on your bike.

Have a picnic, take a picture, get out and count the stars.

Just go fishing, take a walk or play your guitar.

Go and see the sights, take a ride in the park.

 

5) Many parents complain that teenagers don’t want to spend their free time with them. What do you think about this?

I think that it is not very easy to spend free time with parents. At least it is true about our family. You see, planning how to spend week-ends is always a difficult question for our family because everyone has a hobby of their own. And our favourite pastimes differ greatly. For example, mother is a home sort. She likes watching TV and knitting. Father is always ready to go fishing, snow or rain. My favourite recreation (ðàçâëå÷åíèå) is listening to music (playing computer games), but unfortunately I’m too pressed for time now and I can’t indulge in my hobby.

15. Let’s talk about customs and traditions of Belarus.

1) Let’s talk about customs and traditions of Belarus. What can you tell me about your favourite holiday in Belarus?

Every country has its customs and our motherland is not an exception. We have a lot of very interesting customs and traditions. Some of them date back to ancient times. But my favourite tradition is of comparatively recent origin. It is the tradition of celebrating the New Year. I suppose it is the favourite holiday of most Belarusians. This holiday is so colourful and beautiful that everybody looks forward to it months beforehand. I’ll tell you how we celebrate it and I’m sure that the majority of Belarusian families celebrate it in the same way. First of all, we decorate a real fir tree, not an artificial one. Father is responsible for bringing home a nice New Year tree and I’m in charge of decorating it. We go on long shopping rounds trying to buy beautiful toys. We also make paper chains and some other decorations ourselves. Mother is busy with cooking tasty things for the New Year festivities. She is especially good at cakes. Traditionally, her special dish is cake “Napoleon” and there is nothing like that cake for me. It is so delicious that I can never resist the temptation (óñòîÿòüïðîòèâñîáëàçíà) to have a slice of it, however full I am.

As a rule, we see the Old Year out at 11 p.m. to the chimes of the Kremlin clock. We see the New Year in to the Belarusian time. When the clock strikes 12, we raise our glasses with champagne. My parents allow me to drink only a drop of it. We certainly think of some wishes but it is not traditional for our family to write our wishes on paper and then burn it and pour the ashes into the glasses as most people do.

I always look forward to this holiday because everybody is in a good mood, we do everything together, and my ideas and suggestions are taken into account too. There is a lot of music, tasty food and very good company.

 

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

There are quite a number of national holidays and traditions that I’m proud of. For example, Kupalle is a very spectacular holiday that dates back to pagan times. Calling the spring is another interesting holiday. Probably, the favourite Belarusian holiday is Christmas carols or ‘Kalyady’. Songs, performances of the traditional Belarusian puppet theatre ‘Butleika’, fortune-telling and many other exciting events take place on this holiday. ‘Radunitsa’ and ‘Dzyady’ are connected with paying tribute to the dead. ‘Dozhinky’ is a harvest festival which takes place every year in a different place. There are many more interesting traditions and holidays in our republic that we all can be proud of.

3) What questions about our traditions do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

4) Which holiday celebration in Belarus will you recommend your British friend to see?

I would recommend my British friend to take part in celebrating ‘Kupalle’. I’m sure it will be exciting for him to jump over a fire, to watch girls throw wreaths into the river and do a lot of other interesting things.

 

 

5) Do you think it is important to follow our grandparents’ traditions? Why?

Ithinkitisimportanttofollowourgrandparents’ traditionsbecausetraditions strengthen family relations, they are passed from generation to generation and they have a positive influence on people.

16. Let’s talk about customs and traditions of English-speaking countries.

1) Let’s talk about customs and traditions of Britain. What can you tell me about your favourite holiday in Britain?

Great Britain is a country of customs and traditions. Some of them date back to ancient times like St. Valentine’s Day, for example. As a matter of fact, it is my favourite holiday. I think it is a very romantic holiday. St. Valentine is considered a friend and patron of lovers. For centuries St. Valentine’s Day has been a day of choosing sweethearts and exchanging Valentine cards. At first a Valentine card was hand-made, with little paintings of hearts and flowers, and a short verse composed by the sender. Now they are sold in shops brightly coloured, with verses and decorations. The tradition of sending Valentine cards is widespread all over the country, and lots of Valentine cards are posted and received every year on the 14-th of February.

 

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

There are many festivals and celebrations in Britain which are quite special and are worth visiting. One of them is Lord Mayor’s show which takes place in November. It is a colourful street parade in which the newly elected Lord Mayor travels along the streets of the City in a golden coach.Another very interesting festival known as the National Eisteddfod [ai’stedfod] is held in Wales. Poets, singers and musicians compete in bardic songs and poems. Itattracts a lotofpeople.

3) What questions can you ask a British teenager about his birthday celebration?

4) What British festivals would you advise your friend to visit?

I would advise my friend to visit a very popular festival called Guy Fawkes Night which takes place on the fifth of November. It commemorates the so-called Gunpowder plot. It is traditionally celebrated with fireworks and a bonfire on which the figure of a man called Guy is burnt. I would also advise visiting a very colourful ceremony – the Changing of the Guard, which takes place at Buckingham Palace every morning. It attracts a lot of tourists.

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

I think that it is only natural that nowadays more and more people are getting interested in customs and traditions of different countries. People travel all over the world and if theywant to avoid problems connected with cultural issues they should learn a few things about the country they are going to visit.They should remember that every country has its customs and it’s necessary to respect its history and culture.

17. Let’s talk about modern means of communication.

1) Let’s talk about modern means of communication. What are they?

When we think about modern means of communication, it is mostly the Internet and mobile phones that come into our minds. People can easily socialize on the internetusing Skype, video-chats, chat-rooms and instant messaging. Emails have replaced letters and postcards almost completely. They are quicker to write and send, and more sure to reach the addressee. Mobile phones let us contact others wherever they are. Furthermore, they offer the possibility of texting. It is the most convenient and the cheapest form of communication when we need to pass a quick note.

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

Nowadays we use a number of means of communication. The internet, Skype, mobile phones, have become part and parcel of our life. People are becoming more and more dependent on them. I don’t think it’s bad. As a matter of fact, they make our life much easier, so why not use them? Personally, I can’t live without my mobile. Due to it I’m always in touch with my friends and parents. It also has the Internet, so it is very useful for me in many ways.

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

4) Give me a piece of advice on how to convince my parents of the necessity of a mobile phone for a teenager.

I think that mobile phones are necessary for every teenager. Due to them parents can know where their children are and what they do. Many phones have the internet, so students can get the necessary information for their lessons. They also have a calculator, a calendar and what not. So why forbid them?

5) Can the internet replace all the other means of communication? What is your point of view?

In my opinion mobiles and the Internet have already replaced the other means of communication for most people. Of course, the Internet may lead to poor health through rushed meals, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, eyestrain when used too often, but we can’t stop progress and it’s up to us to decide how to use it to the utmost advantage.

 

18. Let’s talk about a healthy way of life.

1) Let’s talk about a healthy way of life. What can you do to become a healthier person?

I suppose that one of the main ingredients of a healthy way of life is physical activity. Personally I go in for volleyball (football, tennis). It is a very emotional game. It needs mobility [mou`biliti] (ïîäâèæíîñòü), stamina [`stæminә] (âûíîñëèâîñòü) and quick thinking. Volleyball (football, tennis) and my daily dozen help me to keep fit. Regular physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle but, of course, it’s not enough. To become a healthier person you should also sleep not less than 8 hours, eat more fruit and vegetables, drink more water, have positive emotions because they prolong life. And last but not least – you should avoid bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, taking drugs or overeating.

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

No doubt, bad habits, like smoking, can be dangerous. Smoking is a very unhealthy habit. It increases the risk of cancer, bronchitis, heart diseases. Vitamin C is destroyed by smoking. That’s why active smokers usually look older than non-smokers. Smoking not only affects active smokers but the so-called passive smokers as well.

 

3) What questions will you ask a person who keeps to a slimming diet?

4) What can you advise a person who cannot give up a bad habit?

It is never too late to start anything or stop anything. Deciding to stop smoking is deciding to choose a healthy way of life. But, of course, it is not easy to give up a bad habit. I think that the best thing is to stay away from peers who smoke or drink. You can also find an occupation that you enjoy, it will distract you from bad habits.

5) What health problems does fast food lead to? What should you do to avoid them?

One more ingredient of a healthy lifestyle is proper nutrition. We should choose what we eat more carefully, keep to a well-balanced diet and eat less fast food. Fast food leads to obesity, it is very unhealthy. Junk food has additives which make it much tastier, but which are dangerous for our health. People who often eat fast food easily become overweight. In order to lose weight they should do regular exercise and keep to a well-balanced diet.

19. Let’s talk about sport.

1) Let’s talk about sport. What is your favourite kind of sport?

A lot of people all over the world are fond of sports and games. Sport helps them to keep fit and healthy. Many sports are popular in Belarus. They are: football, basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, tennis, track-and-field, boxing, wrestling, fencing, figure skating and others.

I’ma great sports fan. I’m simply crazy about figure skating and gymnastics. I think these are the most beautiful kinds of sports. I look forward to all the competitions in figure skating and gymnastics, and I usually watch them from beginning to end. And I’m very proud when Belarusian athletes show high results. I always root for them. I’m proud of our Belarusian gymnast VitalyShcherbo who became the Olympic champion at the 25th Olympic Games. VitalyShcherbo won 6 medals in Barcelona. No athlete has ever won so many gold medals in the history of the Olympic Games.

Our most famous gymnast is Olga Korbut, of course. She created a stir at the Munich [`mju:nik] Olympic Games. American coaches have even divided the history of gymnastics into 2 periods – prior to Olga and post Olga. Some of her original complicated parts are named a la Korbut.

There are many more famous athletes in our republic. We are proud of YuliyaNesterenko who received a gold medal in running at the Olympic Games. We also take great pride in Darya Domracheva who shows high results in biathlon.When we watch tennis competitions, we always root for Maxim Mirny and Victoria Azarenko. We hope our athletes will always be among the best.

 

2) What do you do to keep fit?

Personally I go in for volleyball (football, tennis). It is a very emotional game. It needs mobility [mou`biliti] (ïîäâèæíîñòü), stamina [`stæminә] (âûíîñëèâîñòü) and quick thinking. Volleyball (football, tennis) and my daily dozen help me to keep fit. Regular physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

3) What questions will you ask a professional sportsman?

4) Are there any sports clubs at the lyceum? Which of them will you advise your friend to join?

There are several sports clubs at our lyceum. They are very popular. We all enjoy going on boat trips and on hikes, and our tourist club is our favourite place in the lyceum. We talk about our trips and sing tourist songs there.

Both boys and girls attend the body-building and arm-wrestling clubs. Our coach gives us sound advice how to keep the body in good shape. He himself is a real advertisement of the body-building club, he has a splendid figure and looks like Arnold Shwarzenegger [`∫wכtsәnegә ].

 

5) Some pupils try to skip PE lessons thinking they are of less importance than other school subjects. What do you think about it?

I think that PE lessons are as important as other school subjects. They help us to keep fit.

The PE lessons at our lyceum are a must for all of us and we attend them with pleasure. Our lyceum has a well-equipped gym and out-of-doors sports grounds. Our PE teachers help us to master the fundamentals of track-and-field athletics, gymnastics, skiing and different games.

20. Let’s talk about fashion.

  1. Let’s talk about fashion. What clothes do you prefer to wear in different situations?

I think that in different places we need to wear different clothes. At school we have a dress code and our clothes should be businesslike. So I usually wear trousers, a shirt and a pullover (trousers or a skirt and a jacket or a blouse). If I go out with my friends, I can wear something casual and comfortable, for example jeans and a sweater. But if I go to the theatre or to some formal event, I try to look elegant, so I put on a suit, a shirt and a tie (a beautiful dress).I believe that one of the most important things is to look neat and clean and always have clothes that fit you.

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

Frankly speaking, I prefer comfortable clothes.(Of course, I try to follow the latest trends in fashion but some fashionable clothes can be unsuitable for everyday wear. For example, it can be quite difficult to walk up the hill to our lyceum in some fashionable high-heeled shoes or boots.) I think when you are comfortable you have confidence, and when you feel confident you look more attractive.

3. What questions would you ask a fashion designer?

  1. What can you advise a person who wants to change something about his/her style but doesn’t know how to do it?

I believe that one of the most important things is to look neat and clean and always have clothes that fit you.

One should also remember about proportion in clothes. The general rule of fashion proportion is that a big top needs a small bottom part and a small top needs a big bottom part.

Wearing only one colour is boring and wearing all the colours of the rainbow at once is too much. You ought to find a balance.

And last but not least, you should remember that accessories are as important as your clothes and your footwear.

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

I agree that fashions come and go. In certain periods of time mini- or maxi- skirts were all the vogue; women wore high-heeled shoes, the so-called ‘shpilki’, then platform shoes became fashionable, then ‘shpilki’ again. Banana jeans, ripped jeans, well, it’s simply impossible to enumerate everything that was in fashion at one time or another. Some youth groups such as punks, goths, emos, hip-hop fans and others dressed in their own way. Yet, whatever the fashion, it’s important to remember some style tips that are universal. (see #4)

 

 

21. Let’s talk about travelling and tourism.

1.Let’s talk about travelling. What role does it play in your life? (Do you like travelling? Why?)

Well, it goes without saying, that modern life is impossible without travelling. Thousands of people travel every day either on business or for pleasure. Most people are fond of travelling and I’m not an exception. Travelling plays an important role in my life because it helps me to escape routine and fills me with new emotions and experience. It is so interesting to meet different people, to enjoy picturesque places and to discover new things.

2. How do you like to travel? (What means of travel do you prefer and why?)

Some people travel by car, others by air and a good many by train. Trains are more convenient for most people. With a train they have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. Personally I prefer travelling by train. The fare is usually quite reasonable and the trains almost always leave and arrive on time. To be on the safe side, I always book tickets in advance. I usually buy some fresh newspapers to while away the time during the journey. When I hear the arrival of my train announced, I get aboard and occupy my seat. I prefer an upper berth because I can just relax there absorbing (âïèòûâàÿ, ïîãðóæàÿñüâ …) the beauty of the changing scenes that fly past me.

But of course the fastest way of travelling is by air. The biggest advantage is the speed of the plane. Sometimes it takes you longer to get to the airport than to the town you are flying to. But travelling by air has some disadvantages. First of all many people can’t afford the fare. Then flights often depend on the weather. They are sometimes delayed or even cancelled because of bad weather. Besides some people feel airsick when the plane takes off, or lands, or falls into the so-called “air holes”.

3. What questions will you ask a tour guide on a tour to London?

4.You’ve visited some foreign countries. Which of them did you like most and would recommend your friend to visit?

I have visited some foreign countries and I liked them all. (I have never been to a foreign country, but I hope to visit some countries when I become a grown-up person). Though I haven’t been to England I would recommend my friend to go there first and foremost. I’ve read and seen so much about this country that it has become a country of my dream. I would advise my friend to visit the most famous sites in this country, such as Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge and many others.

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

Today many people prefer to spend holidays in the countryside in Belarus. Spending holidays in the countryside has a lot of advantages. First of all you can escape from the noise of big cities and enjoy the beauty of nature. There are many beautiful rivers and lakes which are noted for their transparent water and delightful banks. On the whole, our republic is known for its inexpressible beauty and picturesque landscapes, so a holiday in the countryside of Belarus will be really enjoyable. Besides it is much cheaper than going to some exotic country. And as we all know East or West home is best.

 

 

22. Let’s talk about environment.

1) Let’s talk about environment. People say that our planet is in danger. Do you share this opinion?

No doubt the protection of nature is a matter of paramount importance. Ecological problems are so acute nowadays that mankind may soon face the problem: to be or not to be. On the one hand, our life has become much more comfortable due to the progress of science and technology, but on the other hand, our environment is being more and more polluted with every passing day. There are different types of pollution: air pollution, water pollution, nuclear pollution, even noise pollution. Factories, plants and cars pollute the air in big cities. Rivers that used to be so beautiful and full of fish are poisoned by industrial waste. It is not always pleasant to bathe in the sea because the water is not blue but brown with rubbish floating in it. Besides, millions of tons of oil are released into the seas every year and a lot of seabirds and animals die because of it. It is dangerous for human beings too.

Nuclear power stations are hazardous too. They can cause nuclear pollution as in the case of Chernobyl or Fucusima. Our republic and our Mogilev region in particular have greatly suffered from the after-effects of the Chernobyl disaster.

The ozone holes present a serious problem as well. The ozone layer that protects the Earth from the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun is constantly destroyed. The dangerous rays penetrate through the atmosphere and cause skin cancer and other diseases.

The problem of deforestation is also very acute. Deforestation destroys the environmental balance and reduces biodiversity. More and more species of animals and plants are becoming extinct. It also has a big impact on the world climate because the rain forests are natural recyclers, protectors and providers for our planet.

The most dramatic of the environmental issues is, probably, climate change. It is caused by the so-called “greenhouse effect” which is the result of a massive release of carbon dioxide [dai’oksaid] into the atmosphere. When living creatures breathe out and when things are burnt, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. Until recently it was absorbed by trees and plants, which converted it back into oxygen. But now factories, power stations and cars are burning more and more coal, oil and natural gas. And the destruction of forests means that there are fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. It acts like the glass in a greenhouse, allowing sunshine and heat to pass in but not out again. As a result we have hotter and drier summers, warmer and wetter winters, morestorms and rainfall, extreme weather conditions and raising sea-levels.

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

We must realize that the problems of ecology are everybody’s concern and we must do everything in our power to protect nature. Members of Greenpeace set us a good example how to do it. They get information about activities harmful to the environment and try to prevent them. I think that our authorities must do more when it concerns environmental problems. For example, some factories and plants can be removed from cities, purifying systems should be improved, environmentally friendly sources of energy such as wind or solar energy should be used. Well, I suppose there are many more things that can be done by our authorities, but I’m too young to see all the aspects of the problem on a large scale.

There are many things that every person can do to protect nature. We must review our wasteful, careless ways, we must consume less and recycle more. We must plant more trees and we mustn’t break them. We must not do any harm to our lesser brothers – animals. Cars are major polluters, so it is much better for us and for other people if we walk or bike. We should not smoke as smoking is harmful to us and those around us. To reduce noise pollution we must not make our CD players sound too loud. Well, there are many more things we can do to protect nature. We should always remember that the Earth is our home and we must take care of it for ourselves and for the next generations.

 

 

3) What questions would you ask a Greenpeace member?

4) A friend of yours wants to develop a program to protect the city where he lives. Give him a piece of advice.

I think that this program should include removing some factories and plants from the city, improving purifying systems, using environmentally friendly sources of energy such as wind or solar energy.

5) Your school is going to take part in the contest ‘Green School of the Year’. Give ideas for some green events.

One of the items of the contest can be helping to find a shelter for stray animals. Another item can be connected with recycling. Some green events can be connected with planting trees and some other practical things. As they say: Don’t fight for cleanliness, just take a broom and sweep the streets.

23. Let’s talk about weather and climate

1) Let’s talk about weather and climate. What is your favourite season and what is the weather like during this season?

Frankly speaking, I like all the seasons of the year. Every season has its own charm and is beautiful in its own way. But it is generally considered that the most beautiful season in our republic and in Europe in general is spring. When spring sets in, nature is extremely lovely. The sun shines brightly and the air is fresh and fragrant with the sweet scent of lilacs and jasmine.

Some people prefer summer to any other season. In June the trees and flowers are in full blossom. The fields and meadows are very beautiful, the wheat and rye are golden, the grass is green. It is warm and even hot. If the heat gets too oppressive people enjoy bathing in the river or in the lake. It is very pleasant to lie on the sandy beach and get sun-tanned.

Some people like autumn as there is nothing more beautiful for them than an Indian summer. Nature looks beautiful during this spell of sunny weather in late September or early October.

But sunny days are rare. The weather is very changeable in autumn. The sky is grey and is covered with clouds. It often drizzles or even pours or, as they say, it rains cats and dogs. There are sometimes storms with thunder and lightning. Everything looks gloomy. The days become shorter. Winter sets in. Strange as it may seem but some people like this season of blizzards and piercing winds, frozen rivers and slippery streets. They enjoy skating and skiing. In snowy weather tobogganing is a favourite pastime of many children. Personally I can’t decide whether I like winter or not. On the one hand, we can enjoy the sparkling snow in fine weather or have a lot of fun making snowmen with our friends. But on the other hand, I don’t like sleety and slushy mild winters because, firstly, I don’t know what to wear and, secondly, my boots always get dirty in such weather. Besides I often suffer from flue and a running nose.

2) Are you weather dependent?

I presume I’m too young to be weather dependent. But my Granny is weather dependent and she usually suffers from splitting headaches when there are so-called magnetic storms.

3) What questions will you ask your British friend about the weather in his country?

4) Your friend wants to know what climate change is caused by. Can you explain it to him?

Climate change is, probably, the most dramatic of the environmental issues. It is caused by the so-called “greenhouse effect” which is the result of a massive release of carbon dioxide [dai’oksaid] into the atmosphere. When living creatures breathe out and when things are burnt, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. Until recently it was absorbed by trees and plants, which converted it back into oxygen. But now factories, power stations and cars are burning more and more coal, oil and natural gas. And the destruction of forests means that there are fewer trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. It acts like the glass in a greenhouse, allowing sunshine and heat to pass in but not out again. As a result we have hotter and drier summers, warmer and wetter winters, more storms and rainfall, extreme weather conditions and raising sea-levels.

5) They say there’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes. What do you think about it?

I agree that there’s no bad weather, there are bad clothes, but only to some extent. For example, if the heat is too oppressive, no clothes will help you. As for rainy weather, you can even enjoy it if you have an umbrella and a raincoat. Some people like walking in the rain. But if it is a storm with thunder and lightning, clothes won’t help you either.

24. Let’s talk about Belarus.

1) Let’s talk about Belarus. What can you tell me about our Motherland?

The Republic of Belarus is situated in the centre of Eastern Europe. The capital is the city of Minsk. Belarus borders Poland, Lithuania [,liθju’einjә], Latvia, Russia and Ukraine. Its population is about 10 million. Belarus is made up of 6 regions with the major cities of Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Mogilev and Vitebsk.

Belarus is a country of rich history and ancient culture. The forebears of the Belarusians were the krivichi, radimichi and dregovichi. There are two versions of the origin of the name of Belarus. According to one of them the white clothes of the ancient villagers, their fair hair and the whiteness of their skin gave the name to our republic. The other version says that the name came from the fact that “to be white” meant “to be free”, and as our land wasn’t under the Tatar-Mongol yoke it was called “Belaya Russ”.

Belarus is at the crossroads of Europe. It connects the Baltic and the Black Seas, the East and the West. So the busiest trade-routes lay through Belarus. But this advantage often turned into disadvantage. During wars Belarus was the first to be attacked by various conquerors. The black pages of Belarusian history tell us about terrifying wars which took place on its territory. For example, World War II wiped out one third of the country’s population.

Belarus has a mild climate. Our winters are not very severe and our summers are not too hot. So natural conditions in the republic are favourable for life and economic activities of its people.

The natural world of our republic is a mixture of forests, swamps and grasslands. There are also numerous lakes and rivers. The most beautiful lake is Lake Naroch. The largest rivers are the Dnieper, the Western Dvina and the Neman. Everybody who comes to Belarus can’t but admire our vast forests and green fields, our lakes and pushchas.

2) Do you know any symbols of our country?

Belarus is a democratic presidential republic. Our state symbols are the National Flag, the National Anthem and the National Emblem. Some other symbols of our republic are a bison, a stork and a cornflower.

3) What questions about Belarus do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

4) What Belarusian sights would you advise a foreigner to visit?

There are many places of interest in our republic.A great number of them are connected with the Great Patriotic War. One of the most impressive is the memorial in Khatyn, a village burnt together with all its inhabitants by the fascists. There are many historical places in Polotsk, some of them are connected with FranciskSkaryna, the first Belarusian printer, and with EfrosiniaPolotskaya, who is considered to be the protectress of Belarus.

There are some places of interest in our town too. One of them is a field in Buinichi with a monument to Konstantin Simonov. During the Great Patriotic War 39 tanks were destroyed there. The defence of Mogilev, which stood against the enemy for 23 days when the whole of Belarus had already been occupied, was described by Konstantin Simonov in his book “The Living and the Dead”. Simonov often visited our town, and after his death the ashes of his body were scattered over this field.

5) What sights in our country belong to world heritage?

There are four sights in our country that belong to world heritage. They are the BelovezhskayaPushcha, Mir and Nesvizh Castles and the Struve Arc. I have visited the Palace in Nesvizh, which used to be the residence of the Radzivils, and I was really fascinated by it. (I have visited the castle of Mir and I was fascinated by this miracle made of red bricks). I would like to visit the BelovezhskayaPushcha and enjoy its rich flora and fauna. I would also like to see the mysterious Struve Arc, or rather the points with special plaques [pla:ks] that show where it is located.

25. Let’s talk about Great Britain.

1) Let’s talk about Great Britain. What do you know about this country?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is situated on the British Isles, which consist of more than 5000 islands. The biggest of them is Great Britain. There are also the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Hebrides, the Isle of Man and many others. The North Sea, the Strait of Dover and the English Channel separate Great Britain from the Continent. Its west coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea.

The mountains in Great Britain are not very high. The highest peaks are Ben Nevis in Scotland and Snowdon in Wales. The main mountain chains are: The Grampians in Scotland, the Cheviot Hills, which separate Scotland from England, the Penninechain [`penain], which is called “the backbone of England” and the Cambrian Mountains in Wales.

There are many rivers in Great Britain, but they are not very long. The longest river is the `Severn.

The mountains, the Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate of Great Britain. It is mild and temperate.

The capital of Great Britain is London. It is also the seat of the British Government and the capital of the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a free association of 54 states, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Malta, Bermuda and others. The population of the country is about 57 million.

Birmingham is the second largest city in Great Britain. The district round Birmingham is known as the Black Country. There are many factories and plants there, and very few trees.

Manchester and Leeds are the centres of the British `textile industry. Glasgow and Liverpool are big seaports. Edinburgh [`edinb∂r∂] is the capital of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in Great Britain. `Cardiff is the capital of Wales, and the capital of Northern Ireland is `Belfast.

The most famous educational centres in Great Britain are Oxford and Cambridge Universities. They are considered to be the intellectual centres of Europe.

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary `monarchy, and the Queen is the head of the state. But in practice it is ruled by the elected government with a Prime minister at the head. The British Parliament consists of two chambers, the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

The state symbols of Great Britain are the national flag, which is often called “the Union Jack”, the coat of arms and the national anthem “God Save the Queen”.

2) What part of Great Britain would you like to visit? Why?

I would like to visit the lakes of Great Britain. There are numerous lakes in Scotland and in England. The most beautiful of them is Loch Lomond and the most famous is Loch Ness. It is famous for its monster, though nobody knows for sure whether it really exists. The Lake District in the north-west of England is known for its beauty. It is here that the great English poets of the famous Lake School lived and wrote their magnificent poems. There are 16 lakes there, the most beautiful of them is Lake Windermere. It’s a very good place for holiday-makers and I would like to have a holiday there too.

3)_What would you like to ask a British teenager about Britain?




Äàòà äîáàâëåíèÿ: 2015-09-11; ïðîñìîòðîâ: 41 | Ïîìîæåì íàïèñàòü âàøó ðàáîòó | Íàðóøåíèå àâòîðñêèõ ïðàâ

Young people are fond of different styles of music. What kinds are popular now? What kind of music do you like? Why? | What are traditional British kinds of sports? Are they popular in Russia? What kinds of sport, is your family interested in? | Some people go in for sports, while others like to watch sports competitions? Which is better: to watch or to participate? | What does a healthy way of life mean? How do you look after your health? | The problems of ecology are very important now. Which problem is the most urgent, in your opinion? What can you and the people around you do to protect the planet? | Growing up can cause problems. Do you have any problems with your friends, your parents and other people around you? How do you cope with these problems? | Òîïèê: Òåìû ïî àíãëèéñêîìó çà 10 êëàññ | Travelling by air .Give your counter reasons in fever of flying. | Speak about shopping in GB. | Fill in the blanks with a suitable word. |


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