The EL Olympiad 9th grade: Listening

 

The EL Olympiad 9th grade: Listening - 2 stage 2024

The EL Olympiad 9th grade: Listening - 2 stage 2024

 Listening Comprehension Test 

Form 9, 2023/2024

 

Topics for discussion: Let’s talk about health. What does our health depend on? What do you do to be healthy?

Healthy lifestyle structure

• Introduction (What does our health depend on?)
• The importance of sport and exercises
• Healthy food
• Sleep
• Get rid of bad habits
• Mental and emotional health
• Conclusion

Nowadays our life is getting more and more hectic. People live under the press of different problems, such as social, ecological, economic and others. They constantly suffer from stress, noise and dust in big cities, diseases and instability. Our health is influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, lifestyle and habits, environmental factors, education, income level, and social support. A person should be strong and healthy in order to overcome all difficulties. To achieve this aim people ought to take care of their physical and mental health. There are several ways to do it.

The state of your body depends on how much time you spend doing sports. At least everybody must do morning exercises every day. The most healthy kinds of sports are swimming, running and cycling. For anyone who really wants to be healthy, fitness has become an integral part of their lives. A lot of health and fitness clubs, and public leisure centres that exist in our country indicate the popularity of sports. Families can spend their holidays at huge indoor water parks. In such places everybody will have much fun.

Besides there are many other opportunities for keeping fit. First of all it is necessary to do exercises. People of different ages can design exercises that will fit them. Many people prefer jogging, which is the cheapest and the most accessible sport. Walking is a very popular activity too. 

In order to keep fit some people do aerobics or yoga; others prefer some kind of weight training in a gym. People can easily learn more about fitness through popular books and videos that are sold almost everywhere. Even moderate physical activity can protect against heart disease and strokes as well as improve general health and the quality of life. Everyone can benefit from being a little more active. Making small changes like using the stairs instead of the lift or walking or cycling instead of taking the bus can help people live a more active, healthier and enjoyable life. 

As for me I try to follow all these recommendations and I have PE classes three times a week. I think it’s quite appropriate for me and helps me to be fit and healthy.

Healthy food is also a very important factor. Overeating causes many dangerous diseases. The daily menu should include meat, fruit and vegetables, milk products, which are rich in vitamins, fat, proteins and etc. Paying enough attention to hydration is really vital. Drinking enough water throughout the day is a good way to maintain optimal body functioning. You shouldn't forget about moderation and limit the intake of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and practise portion control. On the other hand, modern diets are very popular especially among women. Diets may be harmful, if they are used in the wrong way.

In order to be healthy it's really essential to have adequate sleep for 7-9 hours per night. I personally try to establish a regular sleep schedule and create a restful environment to improve my sleep quality.

To be healthy, people should get rid of their bad habits. It's necessary to give up smoking and drinking much. Everyone should remember that cigarettes, alcohol and drugs destroy both body and brain. Besides according to statistics most of crimes are committed by people under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

In addition it is recommended to maintain mental and emotional well-being by managing stress practising such stress-reduction techniques as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Social connections are extremely significant: having meaningful relationships and engaging in social activities help combat loneliness and improve emotional health.

What concerns me, I also try to stimulate my mind with learning activities, reading, or hobbies that challenge my cognitive skills, for instance, learning languages and playing computer games. Moreover, I do my best to avoid anxiety and observe daily routine. Certainly it's hard to follow all these recommendations, but every person has to choose between healthy life style and numerous illnesses.

13. Let’s talk about health. What does our health depend on? What do you do to be healthy?

1) What kinds of sports are popular with Belarusians?

2) What would you recommend to eat to be healthy?

3) Do you agree that smoking is an unhealthy habit? Why?

4) Why should a person sleep enough?

 20. Describe the way of life which you consider to be healthy.

1) What do you do to keep fit?

2) Do you agree that smoking is an unhealthy habit? Why?

3) Why should a person sleep enough?

4) What sports would you recommend me to go in for?

Topics for discussion: Do you think your school is special? Describe your school.

My school structure

• Introduction
• Difference from other school
• School facilities
• The ground floor
• Two wings 
• Assembly Hall and classrooms on the 1st and 2nd floors
• Teachers
• My favourite subject
• Atmosphere at school
• Extra-class activities (holidays, sport)
• School leavers' Reunion Day
• Relations among classmates
• Conclusion 

 I think I can make a long speech about my school. School is a very special place. It's a temple of knowledge, a place where you grow up and take courage, make friends and develop your abilities and your personality. You come here as a youngster of six, happy, shy, full of expectations and leave it as a grown-up of 17.

I study at secondary school in Soligorsk. It is famous for its high quality of education. It differs from all ordinary schools from the point of view of language study. Firstly, the children begin learning English in the first form. Secondly, the classes are split into 3 groups for language study. Thirdly, the number of English lessons is greater.

Our school looks nice and lovely, It's a clean and attractive three-storeyed building. The school building itself is of a typical design with the same layout and the distribution of classrooms, administrative offices, canteens, gyms and libraries as you can see in most other schools. Our school has all modern facilities which are fully-equipped with all the necessary stuff like computers, whiteboards, TVsets and so on.

When you enter the school you will see a large entrance hall, cloakrooms, on the left there is a gym, a library, Headmaster's office, and straight is the canteen.

There are two wings in our school. One is given to primary school children. During the breaks they rush along the corridor making a lot of noise to which everyone got used.

On the first floor there is the Assembly Hall where all kind of performances, concerts and meetings are held, a teachers' room, a computer class, and a lot of classrooms to study. Our classrooms are well-equipped, cosy and home-like. On the second floor you can find physics and chemistry labs which are also equipped with many devices for carrying out experiments and scientific projects.

It is common knowledge that success of school education depends mainly on the teachers, their professional skill, their attitude to the subjects they teach and the kind of relationship they can establish with the pupils.

Here I'd like to say that my teachers are highly educated and experienced. They are strongly devoted to their work and their attitude to the pupils is always friendly and tolerant. My favourite subject at school is ... . We have a very good and enthusiastic teacher who inspired in me an interest of ... . She is a very fair person and the manner of her teaching is perfect. The pupils are well-disciplined and well-behaved at her lessons. The atmosphere in the school is based on common sense, tolerance, and mutual respect. Poor behaviour especially any form of bullying is treated very firmly.

Our school has a busy and eventful life. There are a lot of extra-class activities. We arrange parties and concerts, hold different contests and competitions. The school has got good volleyball and basketball teams and pupils willingly participate in sporting matches against other schools.

Of course such parties as New Year, the 8th of March are celebrated with great amusement.

We also get acquainted with the traditions of the English-Speaking countries and celebrate such holidays as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St Patrick's Day and many others.

There are many traditions in our school. The most interesting of them is the School-Leavers Reunion Day which is observed on the first Saturday in February. School leavers of different years come to our school and speak about their school years and share their life experience with us. Then the school children give a concert. It is usually a very interesting and useful event.

I like the friendly atmosphere at my school. It gives me a real pleasure to go here and to communicate with my classmates. I like my class. I always feel at home here. Everybody is so friendly and easy to get along with. I am on good terms with my classmates and we often spend our free time together.

I'd like to say once again that school means a lot to me, and now my heart is full of gratitude to most of my teachers and many of my friends who make my school life enjoyable.

8. Do you think your school is special? Describe your school.

1) What are your school lunches like?

2) What do you dislike about your school?

3) Does your school have any traditions?

4) Is it important to study at school well?

16. Let’s talk about school. Do you like to go to school? What would you tell your friends from other countries about your school?

1) What subjects are you good at?

2) What do you dislike about your school?

3) Ask me about my school life.

4) Why is it important to speak foreign languages?

Topics for discussion: What is your typical working day like?

"My Working Day" Structure

• Introduction 
• Start of the day
• Dressing, breakfast and going to school
• Time after school (lunch, rest and homework)
• Household chores
• Evening pastime
• Conclusion

I don’t feel like speaking about my working day in detail. The everyday routine is of no interest to anybody but everyday life is something that makes an essential part of our life.

So my day starts when I hear my alarm clock rings or my mother’s voice: “Anton, it’s time to get up”. Though I am a heavy-sleeper I can easily return to reality after my night dreams. The thing that helps me do that is a cool shower which I take every morning with a great pleasure. One more thing which helps me raise the spirits in the morning is music and I switch on my smartphone while dressing.

It doesn’t take me long to get dressed. As soon as I have done it I am ready to have breakfast. Some people say that they like to begin their day well so their breakfast is good. They make it rather substantial. With me it is different, I'm not a great eater in the morning so as a rule, I prefer having a cup of tea with a sandwich or some corn flakes with milk. But after having breakfast like this I soon feel hungry and at about 11 o'clock I have a bite at our school canteen. My lessons are over at 2 or 3 o’clock.

Sometimes I have extra classes after school or I go to the library to get ready for my classes or to write a report.

When I am back home I have dinner. This time I eat a lot: for example soup for the first course, meat or fish with some vegetables for the second and something for dessert. After hard work at school and after a heavy dinner I feel tired and sleepy. So rather often I have a nap. Sometimes, very seldom to be more exact, I meet my friends to have a chat or I go for a short walk. Then it’s time for me to get down to doing my homework. It takes me 1 or 2 hours to do it. Rather often I have to sit up late especially on those days when we have to write a composition or to make a report. As a rule I am through with my tasks at about 6. Then I have 4 hours at my disposal which can be spent on playing computer games, reading, watching TV and what not.

I am afraid that you have got an impression that I never do anything about the house. Certainly, I do. It is my everyday duty to tidy up the rooms twice a week, I do the vacuum cleaning and once in a while I go shopping, that I hate most of all, but nevertheless I can kill two birds with one stone – having a walk and doing some useful work.

I like to pack my things for the next day before going to bed, it really makes my preparation for school easier in the morning.

At about 11 o’clock I go to bed to get up early next morning to begin everything anew. I try to stick to my schedule to be fit and organised.

In conclusion, I’d like to say that most of us today run in the fast line of life and I pay close attention to what I do with my time and use any possibility to gain extra free time, which helps get rid of tiredness. Of course, physical rest is very important, but we need soul rest – or little me time which you can get from reading a book, watching a good film or just mixing with your relatives and friends. And it has been wisely noted that after spiritual rest we feel strengthened, patient and full of beans.

This is more or less what my regular working day looks like. I'm sure a five-day school week is for the benefit of students, as it encourages them to be more organised and have more time for rest.

7. What is your typical working day like? 

1) What household chores do you do?

2) Do you have any problems at school? What are they?

3) What is the most boring thing you have to do every day?

4) Do you think teenagers spend too much time on their smartphones?

19. Do you agree that children are very busy? Tell us what you usually have to do on weekdays.

1) Do you help your mum with housework?

2) Do you have any problems at school? What are they?

3) What is the most boring thing you have to do?

4) Do you spend much time playing computer games?

Topic for discussion: Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

 

"Great Britain" Structure

• Introduction (where is the English Language spoken?)
• Parts of the UK
• General info (area, location, population, language, major cities)  
• Symbols of the UK
• Landscape
• Climate
• Political structure
• Landmarks
• Conclusion

It goes without saying that learning a foreign language and exploring the countries it belongs to go hand by hand. Talking about English, the popularity of this language can't be overestimated. It's proved by the fact that it's the official language of almost 60 countries. But it's most commonly spoken in the United Kingdom, The USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

           I suggest focusing on Great Britain. The home of Stonehenge, William Shakespeare, red double-decker buses, black taxi cabs, red postboxes and telephone boxes, tea, fish and chips, the Beatles, legend of Robin Hood, Wimbledon  .... What else should we know about it? Its official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the UK for short. It occupies most of the territory of the British Isles and is made of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. People who are English are from the country of England. On the other hand, British people are people who live in Great Britain (Britain) and the UK. Although everyone in the UK has a British citizenship they have different nationalities: people living in Wales are Welsh, in Scotland are Scottish, in Northern Ireland are Irish.

         The total area of the UK is about 243,000 square kilometres. It's separated from the mainland by the North Sea and the English Channel. To connect with continental Europe the world longest undersea rail tunnel called Channel Tunnel was built. The population of Great Britain is over 68 million people. English is the official language of Great Britain. Apart from English, the Welsh language is spoken in some parts of Wales and Gaelic in north-west Scotland. The largest cities of Britain are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. 

           One of the main symbols of the UK is its national flag called the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the Cross of St. George (the Patron Saint of England), the Cross of St. Andrew (the Patron Saint of Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick ( the Patron Saint of Ireland). Apart from a saint, each country of the UK has its own floral emblem. England is represented by the Tudor rose and Scotland - by the thistle. The daffodils and the leek are the heraldic emblems of Wales. Shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland.

       The landscape of the UK is varied consisting of Lowlands in the south and centre and Highlands in the North. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,343 m). The Severn is the longest river in the UK while the Thames is one of the significant trading routes. The largest lake is Lough Neagh, and the most mysterious is Loch Ness, the homeland of a legendary monster. The Lake District is one of the most spectacular places in Britain.

         The British climate is usually characterised as cool, temperate and humid. Since Britain is an island it's mainly influenced by the surrounding seas and the Atlantic Ocean. It makes the weather really unpredictable and weather forecasts harder to make. That's why Britain is known "to have no climate, but only weather" which can drastically change even during  the day. In fact, it's due to wet and rainy weather that Britain is so rich in greenery. 

          The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The King is the Head of State but his function is not to rule but to represent the country. And the real power belongs to the British Parliament and to the British Government. The British parliament consists of two chambers: The House of Commons  and The House of Lords. The House of Commons is more powerful, its members are elected every five years, whereas the membership of The House of Lords is permanent. The party with most Members of Parliament forms the government. The leader of the winning party automatically becomes Prime Minister and appoints the cabinet. The party who comes in second is the Opposition and forms its own Shadow Cabinet.

           For culture hunters Britain has a lot to offer. London is filled with historical landmarks and remarkable sights. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are a must for every tourist. I'm sure you'll be impressed by the architecture of the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. If you want to dive into the atmosphere of mystery, you should visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world. Edinburgh Castle which dates back to the 12th century won't leave you indifferent. Nature lovers will be inspired by the walks in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales or the picturesque Lake District in North West England.

            The United Kingdom is undoubtedly a unique country which has managed to preserve its history and traditions to the present day. Your world view will be slightly limited if you miss the chance to see Britain.

6. Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

1) What places would you visit first if you had a chance to be in London?

2) What do you know about British schools?

3) Which outstanding British people can you remember? What are they famous for?

4) They say it's important for a person to speak English nowadays because it is popular all over the world. What is your opinion?

18. What do you think of when you think about Great Britain?

1) What places would you visit first if you had a chance to be in London?

2) What places in the UK attract many tourists?

3) Which famous British people can you remember? What are they famous for?

4) What means of transport would you choose to get to the UK? Why?

British schools 

There are different types of schools: public, state schools, free schools and so on. One of the most noticeable differences is the uniforms, which are standard fare in British and British international schools. The uniform itself has different designs depending on the school, but generally, more traditional schools will have blazers and ties, while more modern schools might only have their pupils wearing a polo shirt or sweatshirt with neutral trousers.

Creativity and individual thought are key features of British classrooms.

British schools not only give students opportunities to develop academically within the classroom, but they offer extracurricular activities outside the classroom, too. This could include sports, arts, performances, school trips, and lots more.

Famous Brits

1. Historical Figures - Winston Churchill: Prime Minister during World War II, known for his leadership and speeches. - Queen Elizabeth I: Monarch who presided over the Elizabethan Era, known for the flourishing of English drama and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

2. Authors and Poets - William Shakespeare: Renowned playwright and poet, known for works like "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth." - Jane Austen: Influential novelist known for works such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility."

3. Scientists and Innovators - Isaac Newton: Mathematician and physicist known for his laws of motion and gravity. - Charles Darwin: Naturalist famous for his theory of evolution and the book "On the Origin of Species."

4. Musicians and Bands - The Beatles: Iconic band that revolutionized popular music and culture in the 1960s. - David Bowie: Influential singer-songwriter known for his unique sound and artistic innovation.

5. Actors and Actresses - Sir Ian McKellen: Acclaimed actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men." - Emma Watson: Actress and activist, famous for her role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" series.

6. Political Figures - Margaret Thatcher: First female Prime Minister of the UK, known for her strong conservative policies. - Tony Blair: Prime Minister known for his role in the peace process in Northern Ireland and involvement in the Iraq War.

7. Sports Icons - David Beckham: Former footballer known for his skill on the field and influence in fashion and culture. - Andy Murray: Professional tennis player and multiple Grand Slam champion.

Topics for discussion: Imagine you are writing a blog post about Belarus. Describe our country.

 

My Country Structure

• Location (The country is located ... . It borders .... .The population .... . The capital ... .)
• The origin of its name.
• Landscape
• Statistics ( Industry and agriculture.)
• Nation's character
• Places of interest, sights. (What is your country famous for?)
• Conclusion

Sample 1

Belarus is my homeland. It is a country with unique history and rich cultural heritage. Officially it is called the Republic of Belarus, a sovereign independent state with its own government, constitution, state emblem, flag and anthem. Belarus is situated in the eastern part of Europe. Its area is 207 600 square kilometres. It borders on Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. The population of the country is about 9,4 million people. The territory of Belarus is divided into 6 regions. The capital of Belarus is Minsk.

The name “Belarus” corresponds with the term “White Rus”. There are several ideas about where the name “White Rus” came from. One of the possible origins of the name is for the white clothing that was worn by the local Slavic population. Yet another theory suggests that the old Rus lands (Polotsk, Vitebsk and Mogilev) were not conquered by the Tatars and as a result of this were described as “white”.

Our native land is fascinating and varied with its blue lakes and ribbons of rivers edged with thick forests, with its endless fields, meadows and swamps, with its varied and plentiful animal and plant kingdom. Because of its unique nature the country has been included into the list of countries called “the lungs of Europe”. There are some 3000 rivers flowing over the territory of Belarus. The longest rivers are the Dnieper, the Nieman, the Western Bug and the Western Dvina. There are over 10 000 lakes in Belarus. The largest of them is Lake Naroch. That’s why Belarus has often been referred to as the blue-eyed country.

More than a quarter of the country is covered with forests. An ancient forest on the border between Belarus and Poland, Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a national reservation which is the home of the aurochs (or European bison). This animal is one of the symbols of Belarus, as well as a stork and a cornflower.

The climate of Belarus is continental with comparatively mild winters and pretty warm summers. The nature of Belarus has suffered much from the nuclear catastrophe that took place in Chernobyl in 1986. The radiation has spoiled our soil and air, rivers and lakes, it has poisoned our flora and fauna. Besides, it has badly affected people's health. 

Belarus is a developing industrial state. It's known for its production of tractors, motor-cycles, bicycles, TV-sets, refrigerators, watches and many other goods. The country's major crops are potatoes, flax, barley, rye and sugar beet.

The geographical position of Belarus got our country involved in major European events over the centuries. The advantageous geographical position – on the crossroads from east to west – turned into disadvantage. Belarus was the arena of many wars, invasions and aggressions. All these events slowed down but didn’t stop the development of the nation. I must admit that despite all the hardships our country managed to preserve its unity and strong spirit.

Speaking about Belarusian national character, many foreigners admit that our people are extremely sociable, hospitable, generous and welcoming. They are also described as resourceful and peaceful. When socialising, Belarusians are open, warm-hearted, fun-loving, humorous and outgoing.

However, when Belarusians are moving around the city, shopping or travelling on public transport they are a bit reserved and tend to keep themselves to themselves. There is a high respect for education and culture, so the majority of people are highly professional, hard-working and intelligent.

If you ask me about national landmarks worth visiting, firstly, I will mention Neswizh and Mir castles, they look incredible, and excursions are very interesting, you will learn many legends from this part of Belarusian history. Don't forget to visit Grodno and Brest, there are a lot of must-see attractions. And, of course, the National library. The view from the observation deck is simply stunning. I will also advise to visit The Narochansky National Park and Belovezhskaya Pushcha, which are the peculiar symbols of our country and thanks to them you can see and appreciate all the beauty of our nature.

In conclusion, I'd like to say that I'm proud of my country and its people. Each time I go abroad I tell foreigners about our great past and achievements. Belarus is the place my heart will always belong to!

5. Imagine you are writing a blog post about Belarus. Describe our country.

1) Can you name any Belarusian singers or musicians? What style of music do they perform?

2) What Belarusian festivals would you advise a foreigner to visit?

3) What Belarusian sights have you seen?

4) Can we name Belarusians a sporty nation?

12. Imagine you are making a website about Belarus. Describe our country. 

1) What Belarusian sights would you recommend a foreigner to visit?

2) What Belarusian festivals would you advise a foreigner to attend?

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

4) Do Belarusians like sport? What sports are especially popular in Belarus?

Topics for discussion: Let’s talk about hobbies.

 My Hobby Structure

• Introduction (The importance of having a hobby)
• Different kinds of hobby
• My hobby
• My parents' hobbies
• My friends' hobbies
• Conclusion

Sample 1

A hobby is a favourite pastime of a person. Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby to your liking, lucky you are: you have made your life more interesting. Numerous hobbies can be subdivided 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. Gardening is one of the oldest man’s hobbies, especially in some countries (Britain, for example). A relatively new hobby which is becoming more popular is computer games.

Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes, and handicrafts. Some people write music.

Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches.

Generally speaking, a hobby is a matter of taste. My hobby is playing computer games. Both grown-ups and children are fond of it now. It has become one of the most popular hobbies nowadays. I think that playing challenging computer games with thrilling plot and unexpected twists is really amusing. It is not only "wasting time" as some people say.

Computer games make us think things over properly, they widen and develop our mind and imagination. I have a good collection of different games and when I have some free time I play them with great pleasure. My favourite game is Phasmophobia. My mum is fond of excercising. My dad is keen on programming.

Some of my friends have the same hobby and we like to play together. No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from it. By reading about the things he is interested in, he adds to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

At the current moment, my secondary hobby is English. It’s not only the process of learning the language for me. I like listening to English songs, watching videos and movies in original, visiting speaking clubs and communicating with native speakers. I admire the culture of English speaking countries and I’m interested in everything that is connected with it. I have lessons five times a week and I love my group and the teacher. She makes the process of studying so exciting.

Thus, I believe that the keyword in a hobby definition is "pleasure". My hobby brings me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I feel my progress and it’s the best motivation to go ahead. As Canadian educator Lawrence J. Peter said, " The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure".

Sample 2

A hobby is a favourite pastime of a person. Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby to your liking, lucky you are: you have made your life more interesting. Numerous hobbies can be subdivided 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. Gardening is one of the oldest man’s hobbies, especially in some countries (Britain, for example). A relatively new hobby which is becoming more popular is computer games.

Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes, and handicrafts. Some people write music.

Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches.

Generally speaking, a hobby is a matter of taste. Leisure time is precious, but unfortunately I don't have much of it. But when I do have it, I really like playing computer games. Both grown-ups and children are fond of it now. It's a great way to relax and take a break from the rat race. I think that playing challenging computer games with thrilling plot and unexpected twists is really amusing. It is not only "wasting time" as some people say.

Computer games make us think things over properly, they widen and develop our mind and imagination. I have a good collection of different games and when I have some free time I play them with great pleasure. My favourite game is Valorant. My parents aren't keen on playing computer games. My parents like travelling, they think it's so interesting and exciting. Nowadays my mum is taking care of my baby brother, as well. 

Sleep is also a big priority for me; I definitely appreciate those extra hours of rest when I can get them. For me, besides games and sleep, spending time with friends is very important. Even if it's just a quick snack or watching a movie together, I appreciate those moments. We often play games together, which is a perfect way to relax. Since my free time is limited, I try to make the most of it doing things that I really enjoy. It's all about finding a balance between rest, exercise, and communication with people who are important to me. These little moments are very important to me because they help me to get energy

  No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from it. By reading about the things he is interested in, he adds to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

At the current moment, I suppose that my hobby is English. It’s not only the process of learning the language for me. I like listening to English songs, watching videos and movies in original, I admire the culture of English speaking countries and I’m interested in everything that is connected with it. I have lessons 5 times a week and I love my group and the teacher. She makes the process of studying so exciting.

Thus, I believe that the keyword in a hobby definition is "pleasure". My hobby brings me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I feel my progress and it’s the best motivation to go ahead. As Canadian educator Lawrence J. Peter said, " The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure".

4. Why is it important to have a hobby?  What are you fond of? 

1) What would you recommend your classmates to do in their free time?

2) What are your parents’ hobbies?

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

4) 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?

17. Let’s talk about hobbies. What are you fond of? Why do people have hobbies?

1) What would you recommend your classmates to do in their free time?

2) What are your parents’ hobbies?

3) Are you fond of making things?

4) Is playing computer games a useful hobby?