Give me some advice on what I need to think about while choosing my future career

For most people choosing a career is not an easy task. It is one of the most important decisions one makes in life. The properly chosen career makes a person happy and successful for the rest of his life.

Planning one’s career involves three definite steps: self assessment, using labour market information and making decisions. The first step – self assessment – is most important. Only by knowing yourself you will be able to make the right decisions about your career. It means learning about your interests, values, goals, aptitudes and skills.

Self-assessment is difficult on your own. Career counselors in schools can offer assistance to students, they can help to make a list of the skills and abilities they think you possess.

To avoid mistakes, it is necessary to start thinking about the future profession as soon as possible.

5. Some people think that it is necessary to speak a foreign language well to get a good job. Do you agree with them?

I’m absolutely positive about it. Modern world is a global community. So as to be a member of this community you should know a universal language. Only in this case you’ll be in process and keep pace with the time. English is a universal language. It’s the language of the Internet, all international conferences, different instructions for modern devices and so on. That’s why you’ll be a good candidate for any job if you speak a foreign language.

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Let’s talk about different types of houses

There are many types of housing: detached houses, semi-detached houses, terraced houses and flats. Some of the detached houses are cottages and bungalows.

It must be understood that a detached house can take on any form or style. It does not matter if the house is a bungalow, a cottage or a mansion. As long as it is not joined to another house, it is a detached house. One advantage of a detached house is the fact that the free spacesurrounding the building belongs to the family. You can do whatever you would like to be done in your house. The disadvantage is that all repairs in the house should be made by the owner.

A semi-detached house is a pair of houses that share one common wall. The two houses are built to mirror each other. One advantage of living in a semi-detached house is that there is still some privacy even if one wall is shared by the two houses. A disadvantage is that you are responsiblefor the upkeep of your side of the house. Another disadvantage is that you cannot just plan repairs or renovationsas you have to consider your twin house.

Terraced housing is also known as townhouses. A row of identical looking houses share side walls. One of the major advantages of terrace housing is that it is relatively cheaper than a semi-detached built in the same location. One great disadvantage is that there is typically no yard or garden that comes with a unit. As two walls are shared, there is less privacy too.

A flat or an apartment is a part of a larger building. Such building is called an apartment building or a block of flats. A flat can be a studio unit, a one-bedroom, two-bedroom or three-bedroom unit.

1.Tell me about the house/ flat you live in.

We have a nice flat in a new block of flats. Our flat is on the fourth floor. It has all modern conveniences: central heating, gas, electricity, cold and hot running water, a lift and a chute to carry rubbish down. There are three rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a hall in our flat. The living-room is the largest and most comfortable room in the flat. In the middle of the room we have a square-table with six chairs round it. To the right of the dinner-table there is a wall-unit. Between the two large windows there is a little table with a colour TV set on it. Near the TV set there are two cosy armchairs. A small round table, a sofa and a standard lamp are in the left-hand corner. This small table is for newspapers and magazines. My father is used to having a rest sitting on this sofa reading books, newspapers, magazines or watching TV.

The bedroom is smaller than the living-room and not so light as there is only one window in it. In this room there are two beds with a bedside-table between them. An alarm-clock and a small lamp with a pink lamp-shade are on the table. In the left-hand corner there is a dressing-table with a big mirror. In this room we have a built-in wardrobe with coat-hangers to hang clothes on. There is a thick carpet on the floor and plain light-brown curtains on the window.

It’s really wonderful to have a room for yourself. My room is not large but very cosy. There isn’t much furniture in it, only the most necessary. It has a writing-table and an armchair before it. In the right-hand corner there is a bookcase full of books, magazines and newspapers. A small table with a tape-recorder is standing in the left-hand corner. Near it there is a sofa with some cushions. In my opinion, the study is the best room in our flat. But the warmest place in our flat is the kitchen, I think — the place where the whole family gathers every evening not only to have supper together, but also to speak and rest. I like the English proverb: “My home is my castle” because my flat is, indeed, my castle.

2. Does the place where a person lives reflect his/ her personality? Why (not)?

Some people think that one’s home is as much a reflection of his personality, as the clothes he wears, the food he eats, the friends he spends his time with. I agree that many homes reflect the ways of life and habits of their owners. In my view to live comfortably doesn’t mean to live in luxury in a detached house with all modern conveniences and appliances, which is well furnished and nicely decorated. Certainly it won’t do any harm to have all these things, which make our life easier, more enjoyable and pleasant. Good housing conditions are very important for creating a good quality of life. But I’m convinced that all these things are not so important as the relaxing friendly atmosphere at home.

3.What questions will you ask your friend who is going to move about his/ her new home?

- Is your flat far or close to the centre of the city? -How many rooms are there in your flat?

- Is it far from our school? -How much time will it take you to get to your school?

4.Your friend wants to decorate his/ her new flat. Give him/ her some advice how to furnish it.

I think it will be reasonable to surf the Internet in search of some examples of a design. If you choose a certain style then it will be easy to decide about the furniture. I wouldn’t recommend to overcrowd the room with the furniture. There should be everything that is necessary. In this case you’ll have enough space and air in your room. Besides it’s easier to clean such rooms.

But the most important thing about the design of any room is to make it cosy.

5.What type of house would you prefer to live in? Why?

I would like to live in a detached house with a big garden …

First of all there are/is …. Secondly,…

On the one hand …, on the other …. Another thing is that … As a result

№10

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

The environment where a person grows up and lives molds his personality to a greater degree. He becomes a part of the culture of that community where he lives and the ideals, the line of thinking, the way people dress, the way they speak, the types of food they like, all of these are influential and somehow makes the person what he is.

Both a city and a village have advantages and disadvantages.

One of the advantages of living in a city is that everything is close to home: shops and supermarkets, schools and hospitals and other facilities. Besides, life in the city is more comfortable. There are more opportunities to find a good, well-paid job and make a successful career or it is easier to open a company. Moreover, if you are a city-dweller you have a better choice of schools and higher quality of education. There is a good selection of entertainments, for example, cinemas, theatres, discos, water parks, museums, galleries and sport facilities. In addition, cities have better and more convenient infrastructure.

On the other hand, living in the city has also disadvantages. The air in the cities is polluted with carbodioxide and sulphur generated by car fumes. There is heavy traffic and it is difficult to find a parking place, especially in the centre. Another point is that the cities are overpopulated. Shops, streets and public transport are overcrowded. People feel mental discomfort connected with living conditions. At the same time, in a small town, you have to own a car to ensure a comfortable living. You can’t get around without one because there isn’t any kind of public transportation. There aren’t many entertainments in the country. It is sometimes difficult to get to school, hospital or shops. In the country it is difficult to find a good job.

At the same time life in the country is quieter and more peaceful, there is no traffic, no noise. People can relax, go to the forest, enjoy beautiful landscapes, the air is also much cleaner. The life in the country is safer and not as expensive as the life in the city. When you want to save your health and to have a healthy family you must live in the country!

1. Where would you like to live: in a city or in the country? Why (not)?

My home town isGrodno. I feel really lucky to live in my town. But if I chose I would prefer to live in a big city. From my point of view life in the city is much more interesting. I love the excitement of big cities. Small towns have a slow pace. I always find wonder and adventure in cities. Large cities mean you have to adapt to a variety of situations, like finding a new route to work or trying a new restaurant. I enjoy that challenge very much. Another aspect of the excitement of city living is the variety of cultural activities available. There is a wide assortment of theatres, music and dance performances available in big cities. These things are rare in small towns.

If a person has an appreciation of architecture, a city can be as visually exciting as theHimalayas. A modern metropolis is a mountain range of height, light and solidness. And then there are the old buildings: the quaint, unspoiled side street or shops and homes from a distant age. If a person lived all of his life in one large city, he would continue to discover its architectural secrets into his old age.

Of course, security is a concern, and that’s one area where small towns are superior to big cities. Still, I would rather be a bit more cautious and live in a large city than to feel secure but bored in a small town.

The final thing I like about large cities is the diversity of people.

2.Do you find your town a comfortable place for living?

Grodnois our ancient and ever young town. It’s an eye-witness of many events that happened in it and its surroundings.Grodnois one of the most picturesque cities inBelarus. It is attractively situated on both sides of the River Neman. The town impresses by its greenery. We may call it a town-garden, a town-park.

Grodnois a regional center with the population of about 350.000 people. There are about 50 enterprises inGrodno.Grodnois a big cultural centre: there are three state institutions of higher education, many schools, technical colleges, vocational training schools. Besides we have plenty of cinemas, clubs, palaces of culture, libraries, two theatres. There’s a variety of museums inGrodno- theHistoryMuseum, houses-museum, appeared in Soviet square.The citizens of Grodno are very fond of their ZOO. Here you can see animals and birds from all geographical regions of the world.Grodno has a lot of sports facilities: sports-grounds, stadiums, tennis courts, swimming pools, a big Palace for winter sports and games. All people have a possibility to keep fit and healthy.Grodnois an important transport centre. It has a new large airport, a modern railway terminal, and a bus station.

My city is beautiful in every part of a day, in every season.

When I hear the word “Grodno” I always feel something warm and special. I’m never indifferent while speaking about it because deep respect and love towards it fill my heart. Grodno is part and parcel of me. It’s in my manner to speak, to behave, to communicate with people. Grodno gave me everything I’ve got in my life. We are nothing without our family and friends. All of them are here, in Grodno. I feel very close ties with Grodno, especially where I’m far away from it. And if I’m to part with Grodno in my grown up life I will return here again and again to breath the air of my childhood, to walk along the shady green streets of my youth, to hug my Mummy and Daddy, to share my joys and sorrows with the city I love.

3.What questions would you like to ask a teenager who lives in the country?

- Would you like to move to a big city?- What is the greatest advantage living in the country?- Have your parents got a car?- Is your school close to your house?- How do you get to your school?

4.If your parents ask for your opinion where to move: to the city or to the country, what would you recommend them to do?

Hardly anyone could resist the clean atmosphere, the friendly neighbors, the closeness to nature and the gentle pace of living. Those who have enjoyed the first cock crow in the morning, the twittering of birds in the tress and the breathtaking sight of the rising sun would go into rapture at only mere mention of the idyllic life. Relaxed and suburban dwellers are able to hold a more positive attitude for life and achieve more accomplishment.

So I would recommend my parents to move to the country. Nowadays you can enjoy all modern conveniences in the country too.

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

Living in the metropolis means having more accesses to various people involved in multiple attractive cultures. Living in the metropolis also provides plentiful opportunities, both in career and studies. Nevertheless, the fact that city life makes it more convenient to purchase a job does not prevent us from concluding that country life is more enjoyable as well as healthful and placing a certain amount of reliance on the notion that country life is always the sensible choice, especially if it is close to the city.

№11

№12

11_Belarusian_cuisine

Food is obviously a very important part of peoples’ culture and if you want to understand the nation it is important to try national food.

Belarusian cuisine consists mostly of vegetables, meats and breads. The foods that are considered to be staples of Belarus include pork, cabbages, potatoes and bread. Traditional cooking methods are usually either slowly cooked or stewed food.

But the most popular Belarusian dish is draniki with machanka. Machanka is used as a traditional Belarusian sauce for draniki or blini. Most often it is made with pork, sausage, sliced onion, sour cream and flour.

Kvass is a type of soft drink that is made from either brown bread or rye flour that has been malted. Kvass can also be combined with sliced vegetables to create a cold soup called okroshka.

I think all these dishes will be rather tasty and unusual for a tourist.

1. What can you tell me about eating habits in your family?

Everybody knows we are what we eat. It is very important to include various products into your menu, such as diary products, starchy products, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs to ensure your body gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Usually people call it a healthy well balanced diet. You can improve your diet by eating smaller portions, especially at night.

But nowadays trying to follow all the necessary recommendations of our doctors we face one more problem – genetically modified food and products made of trans-fats, artificial ingredients and pesticides, which are very harmful for our health.

Not long ago I came across one more interesting fact about food: the food you eat can have a drastic effect on how you feel. For example, chocolate can lift your spirits and make you feel happier. The high fiber food can make people feel positive, energetic and think quicker. Nevertheless there is food that can make us sad, anxious and prone to panic attacks. This group of products includes coffee, eggs, sugar and something else which is used in unreasonable quantities.

My mother is a wonderful cook and her dinners are always delicious and various. To begin with we usually have some salad – tomato and cucumber salad or mixed salad. For the first course we have some soup – noodle, mushroom or cabbage soup, or maybe some fish soup for a change. For the main course we have meat, chicken or fish dishes, for example, steak or fried fish, spaghetti or potatoes (boiled or fried). We also have a lot of vegetables – green peas, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers. I prefer meat to fish but my mother makes me eat fish from time to time. She says it’s good for my brains. For dessert we have some fruit, fruit juice or a cup of tea with a slice of cake. Not very often we may eat out. But it usually happens for special occasions.

2. Do you like cooking? Why (not)?

Maybe yes. But it doesn’t happen very often because I’m very busy now. If I have a chance to spend time cooking I prefer to cook some special and tasty things: pizza, pancakes, stuffed cabbage, chops, roast chicken, hot pot (тушёное мясо с картофелем, овощами), biscuits and what not.

3. What questions will you ask a friend who has invited you to a pot-luck party?

I have never been to a potluck party. It’s probably amazing. Of course I will have to find out some things beforehand:

- What is the theme of your potluck party?

- How many people have you invited to the party?

- Are you going to make a list of dishes?

4. Which cafes would you recommend to visit in your place? Why?

A very popular pastime is eating out in a restaurant or a café. In most towns there is a wide variety of restaurants, a number of bars and cafes where you can get sandwiches and other snacks. So is in Grodno. You may go to the center of the town and walk along a central street. You will see a number of cafes. It will be up to your taste what to choose, because they are rather different.

5. What is your favourite Belarusian national dish? What is its recipe?

Draniki is a traditional Belarusian potato pancakes recipe.

It is a traditional belarusian dish still very popular in present day Belarus. There are many variations of this simple recipe, on of them we present here.

Ingredients (2 servings):

5 Large potatoes;

1 Egg;

1 medium Onion;

Black pepper 0.5 tea spoon;

Salt to taste;

Sunflower Oil 7-8 tbl. spoons;

Cooking Instructions:

First of all you will need a grater to grate potatoes and onions. Be sure that you use appropriate side of grater as shown on the picture so you don’t grate potatoes into strips but rather into liquid mass. That what makes draniki unique.Prepare ingredients. Peel potatoes and onion.Grate potatoes and onions into a bowlAdd salt, pepper, egg and mix together. The substance should not be liquid, and should not be too thick, drain excess potato juice or add some flour to achieve required level of liquidity.Heat the frying pan, pour 1 tbl. spoon of sunflower oil onto it.Dump a full table spoon of mixture form the bowl onto the frying pan and from a small about quarter inch thick pancake. Cook on high for 2-3 minutes and then flip over.Cook another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.

Serve hot with sour cream.

Enjoy your meal!

English cuisine

I’d like to tell some words about British food. Traditionally English people have three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served in the morning. It used to be a large meal with cereal, eggs and bacon, sausages, tomatoes. But such a large breakfast takes a long time to prepare and is not very healthy. Nowadays,Britain’s most popular breakfast consists of cereal, toast with marmalade, juice and yogurt with a cup of tea or coffee. Lunch is a light meal. Most people have no time to go back home for lunch so they eat at school, cafes, pubs or restaurants. The main meal is dinner, which is usually between 6 and7 p.m.A typical evening meal is a meat dish with vegetables and dessert. The most important meal of the week is the Sunday dinner, which is usually eaten at1 p.m.The traditional Sunday dish used to be roast beef, but nowadays pork, chicken or lamb are more common. On Sunday evenings people have supper or high tea. The famous British afternoon tea is becoming rare, except at weekends.

Some people criticize English food. They say it’s unimaginable, boring, tasteless, it’s chips with everything and totally overcooked vegetables. If you ask foreigners to name some typically English dishes, they will probably say “Fish and chips” then stop. It is disappointing, but true that, there is no tradition inEnglandof eating in restaurants, because the food doesn’t lend itself to such preparation. English cooking is found at home. So it is difficult to find a good English restaurant with reasonable prices. In most cities inBritainyou’ll find Indian, Chinese, French and Italian restaurants. InLondonyou’ll also find Indonesian, Mexican, Greek… Cynics will say that this is because English have no “cuisine” themselves, but this is not quite the true.

1. What do you know about a very English custom of having tea?

Everyone knows that tea is the most popular drink inBritain. It’s even more popular than coffee, which is favoured throughoutEuropeandAmerica.

Nowadays, throughout the homes, tea shops and hotels ofBritain, the custom of tea-time continues. Tea inBritainis brewed in a teapot. Then the one spoonful of tea per person and one for the pot is added. Most people inBritainprefer a rich, strong cup of tea with milk and sugar is sometimes added to taste.

The whole art of tea-taking is a very elegant and a very English thing to do.

The Ritz hotel is one of the most famous hotels inLondon. The Ritz is especially well known for its wonderful teas but taking tea at the Ritz is not an everyday event – it’s usually reserved for a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary. And it’s not just a cup of tea either – it’s almost like having a 3 course meal.

There are finger sandwiches – these are small sandwiches filled with a variety of different things. Finger sandwiches have been a part of the traditional English afternoon tea for a long time. In the middle of the tier there are scones which are small round cakes which are often eaten with jam and cream which is known as a cream tea. And finally, at the top of the tier there are various cakes and sweet pastries.

But it’s not so easy to make a proper cup of English tea. The most “crucial” thing about tea making is to make sure that the water is “piping” hot – it is very hot and has just boiled. Then after pouring the water onto the tea leaves you let the leaves “stew” or absorb the water to make the tea. If you hear someone talking about “stewed tea” they are describing tea that has been left too long in the tea pot before being poured and tastes strong and bitter.

Well at the Ritz the etiquette – or the accepted way – is to add the milk afterwards so that the guest can decide how strong or weak they would like their tea.

The Ritz is so famous in fact that its name now appears in the dictionary as an adjective. If something is described as “ritzy” it is expensive and fashionable.

2. Scientists say that fast food is unhealthy but teenagers can’t stop eating it. What do you think about it?

Obviously, a diet of junk food is not the best thing for your health. In today’s fast moving world, people have less and less time to spend eating, let alone cooking. It’s probably for this reason that junk food has become so popular. Teenagers should know that people who prefer burgers and chips, crisps and hot dogs tend to become overweight. Besides, fast food is high in saturated fat. This type of fat is associated with a greater risk of cancer. Nevertheless, healthy eating habits do not mean giving up all your favourite food; it is all about choosing food wisely and preparing meals in a healthier way. The best advice for those who cannot live without hamburgers and chocolate bars, is to limit the amount of junk food they eat. A little now and then will probably do no harm.

3. What questions can you ask a British friend about their eating habits?

- How many meals a day do you have?

- Have you got lunch at school?

- What is your favourite dish?

4. Can you give a recipe of any traditional British dish?

Classic Yorkshire pudding

This dish is not usually eaten as a dessert like other puddings but instead as part of the main course or at a starter.

Yorkshire pudding, made from flour, eggs and milk, is a sort of batter baked in the oven and usually moistened with gravy.

The traditional way to eat a Yorkshire pudding is to have a large, flat one filled with gravy and vegetables as a starter of the meal. Then when the meal is over, any unused puddings should be served with jam or ice-cream as a dessert.

Ingredients:

225 g plain flour

salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 eggs

600 ml milk

55 g dripping

Preparation method:

Place the flour and a little salt and freshly ground black pepper into a bowl. Add the eggs, mixing in with a whisk, then gradually pour in the milk, mixing slowly to prevent lumps forming.Cover the bowl with clingfilm and chill in the fridge overnight.Preheat the oven to220C.Put a little of the dripping in four non-stick Yorkshire pudding tins. Place the tins in the oven until smoking hot.Remove from the oven and quickly fill the moulds with the batter. Return to the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes.Turn the oven down to190Cand cook for a further 10 minutes to set the bottom of the puddings.Remove from the oven and serve.

5. Scientists say that many people in America suffer from obesity? What may be the reason for this problem?

The Americans eat a lot. Most of the Americans don’t eat at home but prefer to go to restaurants. They can choose from many kinds of restaurants. There are a lot of ethnic restaurants in theUnited States: Italian, Chinese and Mexican food. But the most popular is the fast food restaurant. It is very convenient but not very healthy.

Recent research has shown that people who prefer burgers and chips to healthy dishes, tend to become overweight and may even suffer from obesity. Besides, almost all of the Americans have got cars. So they are deprived of the opportunity to walk to their work or other destinations.

№13

Let's talk about shopping

Shopping is a part of our every day life. There are many kinds of shops in every town or city: a department store, a supermarket, a local corner shop, a shopping outlet. Also there is a great variety of all kinds of specialized shops: a sweet shop, a greengrocer’s, a butcher’s, a dairy shop, a baker’s, a grocer’s, stationary, and so on.

A department store is a large shop which is divided into a lot of different sections and which sells many different kinds of goods: ready-made clothes, footwear, fabrics, cosmetics and perfume, hi-fi, tableware, china and glassware, electric appliances, furniture and what not. They are popular with customers because it’s convenient when various goods are sold under one roof. However, some people don’t like to shop in big department stores as they are often overcrowded.

A supermarket is a large shop which sells all kinds of food: fresh, frozen and canned meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, bread and groceries. You can buy here practically everything a family needs: a little bit of everything including household goods.

A shopping outlet is a shop which sells goods made by a particular manufacturer.

Shopping can be both a must and a pleasure. Some people hate shopping. So they make a list of what they need and run through stores. Others make a hobby of shopping tours. They go from store to store looking for a bargain.

Coming to the shop you become a customer. Shops are ideal places to spend your money. You can choose the way to do it: pay cash, by card or buy things on credit. Shopping, however, is an art of its own and you have to learn slowly where to buy various things.

1. Who does the shopping in your family?

My parents do most of the shopping in our family. They usually drive to the supermarket where they go to the grocery, greengrocery, meat and fish departments and buy all the food we need for our family. They usually do it once a week.

Shopping is also a chore for me. There is a small supermarket near our house so when my mum asks me I go there to buy bread or milk or something we’ve run out.

Sometimes shopping is a kind of pastime and even entertainment for me and my mother. We can spend hours walking from one shop to another in search of something special.

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

Some people hate shopping. So they make a list of what they need and run through stores. Others make a hobby of shopping tours. They go from store to store looking for goods of better quality and lower price. Like most girls I like shopping.

Modern shopping centres do their best to prove to you that shopping may be fun. That’s why they tend to combine shopping and leisure. A modern shopping centre often looks like a city under one roof. Besides a great variety of stores, shops and outlets one can find there theme parks with rides, amusements and games. If you are tired you can enjoy delicious food in a restaurant or just have a snack in a cafeteria or a café. Information desk will help you not to be at a loss and to save your time.

To make shopping convenient for all, shopping centres offer you free of charge: late night shopping, recreation areas, special facilities for the elderly and disabled and shopping trolleys and baskets.

3. What questions can you ask your friend about the best shopping places in his/ her native city?

· Is there any shopping centre in your city?

· What shops would you recommend to visit?

· Is there a market place in your city?

· What is the best hi-fi shop in your city?

4. What can you advise a teenager who wants to buy a birthday present for his/ her friend?

First I should say, buying gifts for teens is not easy. Teen’s ideas and interests are changing very quickly, which can make gift-giving a challenge. The steps of buying a present are as follows:

Find out as much as possible about his or her hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes. If you know they need something, it’s a good bet that they will be happy to get it.

Nowadays teens are much into communication so an inexpensive gadget will be a good idea.

At the same time teenagers like surprises so if you are a creative person think of something unusual.

Just say no to clothes. Teens are often very specific about what they wear.

Be practical! Be sure to include the receipt if you are unsure about your gift selection.

5. Parents usually give pocket money to their children. But some people think they shouldn’t do it as teenagers don’t work. What do you think about it?

I think parents should give their children pocket money because in this way they will learn how to budget. It is important to guide them when they first have money of their own. If you budget, you don’t just spend or save, you plan how to spend, you plan your expenses. In this way children will become more responsible. To my mind pocket money can give good experience. Children should understand that they can’t always have everything right away – sometimes they have to save up for things that they would like to buy.

Some of the rich are rich not because they have always had a lot of money but because they have been budgeting.

№14

Let's talk about leisure time

They say that "Life is a big headache on a long noisy road." This statement truly explains life nowadays. Life in the twenty first century is full of stress. From dawn to dusk, everyone has to go through a rigorous schedule. Even children are not exempt from this rush. Everyday there are deadlines to meet, reports to write, bills to pay, meetings to attend, papers to submit, etc.,. Life is a never-ending race to most people. Stress Reduction has become a priority with individuals as well as organizations. People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Really, there are many things in the world that help us to enjoy our life. Besides, if you have the money the world is your oyster. I can but dream about visiting exotic countries, helicopter tours, plane trips, parachuting and hot air ballooning and other stomach-churning activities.

1. What do you like doing in your free time?

It is known, that people can do all kinds of things in their spare time. They go shopping, play football, collect records or stamps. Of course, some of the time activities, like visiting relatives or taking driving lessons, may not be fun, nevertheless this is the way to spend your free time. In big cities people spend their free time by going to the theatre, cinema, museums, art galleries, concert hall, fitness or disco clubs. When I have some free time I can choose any of them. But when the weather is fine, I like to go for a walk along the boulevards and streets of the city with my friends, enjoying its architecture.Also I’m fond of …

2. What is the most popular pastime with the people of Belarus?The weekends have always been the time for families in Belarus. Saturdays are busy time for shops with many families going to markets and department stores. Sunday is believed that it’s important that families have time to be together. People today enjoy various indoor and outdoor activities. According to the results of Eurostat survey people in Belarus spend about 45 per cent of their free time watching TV. The addiction to digital devices is constantly growing in Belarus as well. About 24 per cent of the free time of Belarusian people is spent on socializing. Also people enjoy visiting and entertaining with friends and relatives. Going to the grandparents at the weekend has become quite a traditional point on the weekend plan. About 3,5 million people have been to the cinema this year making it the most popular cultural activity in Belarus. Eating out has also grown in popularity with Belarusian people spending a part of their household money on food outside home. Another popular pastime is gardening. Many people in Belarus have a dacha, a country house where they go in order to run away from a noisy city. Gathering wild berries and mushrooms hasn’t changed over the centuries. It’s real fun to leave the city and go to the forest and enjoy the beauty of our Belarusian nature. More and more people practice active ways of spending the weekend. Sports and physical recreation have become widely spread around the country. People of different ages take up cycling and swimming in summer and ice-skating in winter. Also some people prefer to spend Saturday or Sunday morning on a horse farm. Horseback riding is a unique way of keeping fit and also has psychological benefits. Today Belarus is becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination. Different exciting routes have been offered to travelers. Mir and Nesvizh Castles have already been visited by thousands of people. The main medieval festivals and knights tournaments in Belarus are held in Novogrudok, Zaslavl, Mir and Nesvizh. There it is possible to meet young men and girls in medieval costumes and watch knights tournaments.Museums and art galleries also give people entertainment. Even if you are not interested in art or history, there is always something to catch your attention. Many museums now have what they call "interactive" exhibits

3. What questions can you ask a British friend about his/ her free time?Have you got a lot of free time? Do you often go to the theatre or to the cinema? Have you got a hobby?

4. Give me some advice on what to do in my free time.As I have already told there are a lot of things to do in your free time. Your plans may depend on several factors: time, your mood, money and may be weather or some other details. To my mind the best way to relax at the weekend in summer is to go somewhere to the country and enjoy nature and quietness. Sometimes it is very pleasant to go for a walk to the park, to eat out, to go to the cinema or to the museum. If you are in certain mood you may stay at home with a nice book or a pile of magazines.

5. Young people of your age complain that they are short of free time. Can you think of ways to economize some time for rest?In my opinion it is always better to plan our free time because there are lots of things that need to be done and not all of these things are for fun. Leisure time is not only about waking up late, spending the whole day in bed or in front of the television and reading some magazines. In fact if it is well planned, free time can be used to meet our friends, go to a club, go to the cinema, go shopping or even read a nice book. Also I may use it to do more important things such as taking up a new hobby or visiting a museum or an exhibition hall. Thus my free time needs to be organized very well. By making a careful plan I can do more things, because I am more organized and I do not waste time. Moreover, with a plan I can enjoy myself more. If I have planned ahead I am fully prepared for the activities I wish to engage in, and I have nothing to worry about. So I prefer to plan my free time and take into consideration some aspects: my mood, the time I have, the plans of my parents and so on.

Nevertheless, sometimes I will go over the advantages of not to making any plans for my free time. Then I do not feel restricted by a preset routine, and my activities can be more spontaneous. In addition, when I have no plans of my own, it is easier to adapt to what my friends and family members may be doing. For instance, if I find out that a friend wishes to go to the cinema or to the beach, I can adjust myself to his or her plans with perfect freedom.

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Let's talk aboutBelarusian customs and traditions.

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.

Having a holiday is great fun in many ways. Firstly, people have a day off. Secondly, it’s a variety and change from everyday routine. Every country has got its own national and religious holidays. In our country there are several public holidays that are observed nationwide and are official days off.

There are many traditions connected with such holiday as the New Year, Christmas and Easter. The preparation for these holidays starts long before they come. About a fortnight before the New Year the streets in our city are decorated with colourful lights, the shop windows display a wide choice of New Year decorations and Christmas gifts. Of course different people choose different ways of celebrating them. New Year is traditionally a family holiday with a New Year tree, plenty of delicious food, presents and good wishes. Some people either take part in festivals arranged in parks and squares or go to parties or restaurants.

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.

1. What can you tell me about your favourite holiday?

My favourite holidays are the New Year, Christmas and Easter. Though we are not a religious family and we don’t go to church regularly, but we respect national traditions and my grandmother always dyes eggs red and makes Christmas cakes and Easter pies. These holidays are always connected with warm feeling and pleasant emotions.

2. What can you tell about Kupalle celebration in Belarus to your British friend?

Kupalle is the most loved and celebrated pagan holiday in Belarus. Kupalle is celebrated in the night from the 6^th of July to the 7^th of July. In ancient times young girls used to go into the meadows to collect plants and herbs – cornflower, ferns, etc. It was believed that the plants gathered at that time had special magic and strength and could protect people and their homes from illnesses and evil spirits. That’s why some of these plants were used in food, some were put up on the walls of the houses, and some – in the wreaths worn on the head by young men and women during the Kupalle celebration.

The central part of Kupalle celebration was a fire, which symbolized life. There were a lot of purification rituals during the celebration – jumping over the fire, bathing in the river, rolling in the grass dew. There would be a lot of dancing in karagods, competing in strength, fortune-telling and looking for a blossoming fern flower – “paparats kvetka”.

Special ritual food was cooked on the fire – fried eggs, kulaha (a sort of pudding made of wheat flour), vareniki (stuffed with blueberries, raspberries, cherries).

A lot of this tradition is followed today.

3. What questions can you ask your friend about her best school celebration?

- How often do you have school celebrations?

- Do you decorate the assembly hall?

- Do you organize any contests?

- What prizes do you prepare for the winners?

4. What national souvenirs will you recommend a British tourist to buy?

Straw weaving is a very old craft that has been known in our country for many centuries. It has become an identity card for Belarusian art. Straw horses, spiders, as well as beautiful and useful objects of everyday life were made out of straw and used both for decorating homes and for the storage of goods and foods. Even Belarusian children’s toys and dolls were often made out of straw. And, of course, we can’t forget traditional straw hats of Belarusian men – a”bryl”. In the gallery of straw art you can not only see and buy a fantastic straw souvenir, but also visit Belarusian Festival of Straw and try making a straw item with your own hands with the help of the best Belarusian masters of straw art and crafts.

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.

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Let’s talk about customs and traditions of an English-speaking country

The British have many traditions, manners & customs of which they can be proud. English traditions can be subdivided into the traditions dealing with private life of the English national & religious holidays, public celebrations, traditional ceremonies & traditional sporting events. To know the customs & traditions means to understand the people, their art & culture better.

England has preserved its old ceremonies & traditions to a greater extend than any other country in the world. Most of these traditions have been kept up without interruption since the thirteenth century. Foreigners coming to England are impressed by a great number of ceremonies which seem to be incompatible (несовместимый) with the modern traffic & technical conditions of a highly developed country.

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. In Scotland, the New Year’s Day is also a public holiday. Most of these holidays are of religious origin, though it would be right to say that for the greater part of the population they have long lost their religious significance and simply days on which people relax, eat, drink and make merry.

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.

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

When people come from other countries they usually look for something special and traditional in this country.

Every year on the 5^th 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.

2. Would you like to take part in a British holiday celebration? Why?

If I had such a chance it would be Christmas.

Christmas is the main public holiday in Britain. It is celebrated on the 25^th 0f December. Christmas is a Christian festival to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. This holiday is celebrated together with family, relatives and friends who share the much loved customs and traditions which have been around for centuries.

Long before Christmas time shops become very busy, because a lot of people buy Christmas presents. People also buy Christmas cards to send to their friends and relatives, whatch nativity plays and go carol singing. They put up Christmas decorations inside and outside homes and decorate Christmas trees too. The traditional Christmas decorations are evergreens, such as holly, mistletoe and ivy.

On Christmas Eve (the 24th of December) some people go to a special church service called Midnight Mass which starts at 12 o’clock at night. In churches people sing Christmas carols – special religious songs. Sometimes groups of people walk along the streets and sing carols at the doors of houses. One of the well-known carols is “Silent Night”.

Young children are told that Santa Claus will bring them presents if they are good. Before going to bed on Christmas Eve the children hang stockings at the back of their beds, for Santa Claus to put the presents in when he comes in the middle of the night through the chimney.

Christmas is the day when people stay at home, open their presents and eat and drink together. The most important meal is Christmas dinner. The typical meal consists of turkey with potatoes and other vegetables, followed by a Christmas pudding. Other traditional foods include a special Christmas cake and mince pies — small round cakes filled with a mixture of apples, raisins and spices.

The day after Christmas, the 26th of December, is also a public holiday. It is called Boxing Day. The name goes back to the old tradition: some time before Christmas, boxes were placed in churches for the people to put some money or presents for the poor. On the day after Christmas, the 26th of December, the priest opened the box and gave the contents away to poor people.

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 would you 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?

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