Card 14 HOBBIES

In English hobby is something done during one's leisure time for rest and pleasure. That's why hobbies are so different - all people are different. The English say, "So many men, so many minds" and "Tastes differ". These proverbs mean that every man has his or her own likes and dislikes, so, he or she gets pleasure from doing different things.

I think one's hobby is the best way not to waste time. Hobbies help people to learn about the world around them. Some people choose their hobbies on the basis of considering different factors, such as their likes and dislikes, fashion, their financial state and education. Others begin doing something occasionally and finally get stuck to it. I think, any hobby can be entertaining and useful if you do it with wish and pleasure, otherwise it is just a waste of time.

There are many kinds of hobbies. One of the most popular hobbies is collecting. People can collect eve­rything. Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, badges, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, stickers, watches. Some collections have no real value. Others become so large and so valuable that they are housed in museums and galleries. Many world-famous collections started in a small way with one or two items.

A popular hobby is playing games starting from football and volleyball and finishing with computer games and chess. This can be a good hobby, if you do not train too much to ruin your health and if you do not spend too much time in-doors playing computer games. Hobbies can be good for your health and mind because such games as chess and checkers help you develop your thinking.

Sport helps people to keep fitand beatstress and negative emotions. Teenagers spend much time on the football ground, play basketball or volleyball, table tennis or badminton.

One of the newest ways of spending free time is playing computer games. Sitting in front of a screen you can make cars go very fast or move strange little green men about as they escape from dangerous enemies at the touch of a button. Some people prefer space settings, others prehistoric scenes and still others realistic situations in the present. You can pass several hours absorbed in new and unexpected situations. But, some experts say, excessive use of these games can be bad for our health. Besides some very violent computer games are now in circulation. Such games as “Grand Theft Auto” and “Mafia” are too dangerous. Often players forget reality and start to live the adventures of their imaginary “heroes”. However there are also educational computer games and programmes. These can stimulate imagination or help with the study of history, geography and natural sciences. Some of my favourite computer games are “Tony Hawk Pro’skater” and “Command and Conquer Generals”.

Outdoor activities are also popular and often become a hobby. In Russia there are many tourists who are fond of hiking and sailing. Some travel by car or by train.

Gardening is not very popular in Russia, but it is very popular in Britain. British kings and queens paid much attention to gardening and growing plants, especially roses since the rose is the symbol of Great Britain. Henry VIII, whom we remember as the first head of the English church, turned Hampton Court into a royal palace and ordered to make there gardens and grassy mounts. Queen Victoria loved gardening and planted many trees in Frogmore, a private house of the royal family. Her beloved husband Prince Albert planted numerous trees in their garden. There are many sorts of roses named after the members of the royal family, for example, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother and Silver Jubilee (marked 25 years of the present Queen's reign). Most English have a little lawn with flowers in front of their houses.

Costume designing, sewing, knitting are usu­ally considered to be women's hobbies. These hobbies are not only a pleasant way of spending free time, but also let every woman show her taste and talents, have an unusual, outstanding dress and save money. My mother sews and knits very well, she dresses all the family. My granny can knit wonderful sweaters, socks and gloves.

One more popular hobby is reading. Many teenagers are keen on reading. When you read you learn a lot about the world around you, about other people, history and life of other peoples. Many people, who like to read, collect books and learn the biographies of their favourite writers. People are different and they like different types of literature. Among the most popular books are “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift, books of Jules Verne, Herbert Well’s “Time machine” and “Invisible Man”, the vast Middle Earth trilogy “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien. “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell, published in 1936, became an immediate bestseller and in 1937 won the Pulitzer Prize. A film version of the novel, made in 1939, with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the roles of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, surpassed the book in popularity. It is a romance that includes elements of realism: it depicts the horrors of war and deep conflicts in personal relationships. Of course comedies and tragedies of William Shakespeare still appeal to readers of different ages as they are true masterpieces. So some teenagers prefer to spend a quiet evening reading their favourite novels or stories.

As for me I’m not a couch potato but I enjoy seeing all kinds of films: comedies, thrillers, westerns, actions, war films, even horror films. I like films if they are exciting and full of adventures. “Terminator 2” and “Terminator 3” directed by James Cameron are among my favourites. “Gladiator” has impressed me greatly too. It’s an amazing movie. Well directed and photographed it is really the best movie of the last decade. It’s really magnificent as the fight scenes are great, and the characters are well developed. The screenplay is excellent. It is a sweeping story of courage and revenge. Russell Crowe is fabulous as Maximus. His portrayal of the major character is superb. I admire his leadership, confidence, skill and heart.

Visiting theatres, museums and picture galleries is a hobby for many children and adults. Though I am not a great theatre-goer I don't mind watching an exciting play, a beautiful ballet or a talented opera. Last month I went to see a new production of King Lear. The sets were incredibly re­alistic and the costumes were wonderful. It was a good cast and I thought the direction was excellent.

Paraphrasing the famous saying, we can say "Tell me what your hobby is, and I'll tell you who you are". Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby according to your character and taste you are lucky because your life becomes more interesting. No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from it.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29