Leisure Time

14.  Leisure time

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

What is a hobby? It's something that you like to do when you have free time.

Hundreds of years ago there was no problem of what working people could do in their spare time. Their hours of work were so long that they had hardly any leisure. Nowadays it's very difficult to name all the activities, entertainments and hobbies run by people in their free time.

Hobbies are divided into four large classes: doing things, making things, collecting things, and learning things. The most popular of all hobby groups is doing things. It includes a wide variety of activities, everything from gardening to travelling and from chess to volleyball.

I have several hobbies which I enjoy doing after school, both indoors and outdoors. Sometimes I wonder how I fit them all into my schedule because I have a lot of homework. Every day I have not much time to relax. In that period I usually rest after hard school day, listen to music, watch TV and videos, read books and magazines.

 I like listening to music. I like different music, it just should be good. I collect discs of my favourite groups and singers. I carefully study the information printed on discbooklets. I try to find everything about my favourite singers. Also I like to watch music programmes on TV to keep up with the news in the world of music.

Of course, I like to spend my spare time with my friends. We talk about all sorts of things (politics, teachers, boys). We discuss films, books, TV programmes. In fine weather we like to be in the open air. We usually play games and have a lot of fun. When the weather is bad, my friends come to my place. We have a good time together.

I like watching television, though my parents are not very happy about my spending hours in front of the telly. I agree that there are many mindless programmes  but I, of course, watch TV selectively and have my own preferences. I like to watch some series and sports programmes, quiz shows and the news. And finally, I like scientific programmes, though some of them require background knowledge to enjoy them completely.

But I can say with confidence that reading is my favourite hobby. We’ve got a very rich library at home, and I’m glad I am able to enrich my mind by reading books of different genres. Books bring me pleasure and delight. Thanks to books people learn to express their thoughts and feelings more exactly and, of course, books are the richest source of information. Sometimes my friends and I exchange opinions about books, speak about them, exchange books. Among my favorite books are fantasy, philosophy and detectives.

To sum it up, I’d like to say that if you have chosen a hobby according to your character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes more interesting.

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

I think going to the theatre is a very unique experience.The atmosphere is always very different, for example, to that of a cinema. It is generally more electric, accepting and responsive. It is always very easy to be drawn into the spirit and nature of the audience.

 Seeing live performances, especially that of actors in a play, is completely different to watching them on screen. Live music is always a bonus. And of course the costumes – especially in some of the big shows – are just gorgeous.

What concerns cinema it plays an important role in the life of any society. The cinema has become part of the modern way of life. Its possibilities are unlimited.  It is considered to be one of the best ways of spending leisure time.

We can see films either in the cinema or on TV. As I am often short of time, I have practically no time for going to the cinema. For this reason I see films on television more frequently. But sometimes I manage to go to the cinema. I prefer feature films and amusing comedies. It’s a pity the life is so difficult nowadays and I want to relax a little, sometimes even to laugh. But at the same time I am fond of true-to-life films describing the life of the ordinary people, their feelings and problems. Such films move me deeply. They arouse the feelings of sympathy or hatred for the heroes. As a rule such films leave a deep and lasting impression upon me.

3. What questions can you ask a British friend about his/her free time?

Do you have a lot of free time?

What do you like doing in your free time?

Have you got a hobby?

Do you spend you free time with your friends or your family?

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

Nowadays it's very difficult to name all the activities, entertainments and hobbies run by people in their free time. It’s all about priorities, and you have to decide it for yourself what you really enjoy doing in your free time. You can simply watch TV, listen to the music, go to the cinema or theatre, enjoy reading a good book. Or you can have a good time with your friends or family, play games, go to some sports clubs and do many other things. Hobbies differ like tastes and it’s up to you what to choose.

5. Many parents think that children should spend less time playing computer games, that they should play outside or do some sport instead. What do you think about this?

50 years ago people didn't even hear about computers, and today we cannot imagine life without them.

Both grown-ups and children are fond of surfing the Internet and playing different computer games. This hobby is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Many young people all over the world sit glued to the monitor all day long, playing their favorite computer games. Some advanced gamers can take part in different competitions all over the world. I think it’s great! Although the problem is that children spend too much time in front of their computers. They do not go out much and it influences their health greatly, sometimes they become very reserved and can’t communicate properly with their relatives or friends. In my opinion parents are right and children’s time should be spent on playing computer games as well as playing sport and doing many other things.