Topic VII Hobbies

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. Hobbies are divided into four 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 traveling and from chess to volleyball.

Gardening is one of the oldest of man's hobbies. It is a well-known fact that the English are very fond of gardening and growing flowers, especially roses.

Both grown-ups and children are fond of playing different computer games. This is a relatively new hobby but it is becoming more and more popular.

Making things includes (drawings, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes handicrafts. Two of the most famous hobby painters were President Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill. Some hobbyists write music or play musical instruments. President Bill Clinton, for example, plays the saxophone.

Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life; stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches. Some collections have no real value. Other 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. People with a good deal of money often collect paintings, rare books and other art objects. Often such private collections are given to museums, libraries and public galleries so that others might take pleasure in seeing them.

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 is adding to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

Vocabulary

Taste – вкус

To include – включать

Variety – разнообразие

Grown-up – взрослый (человек)

To design – создавать, моделировать

Handicraft – ручная работа

Hobbyist – любитель

Record – запись

Value – ценность

To house – помещать, размещать

In a small way – понемногу

Item – предмет

Rare – редкий

To take pleasure in – получать удовольствие от

Opportunity – возможность

Exciting – захватывающий

Aspect – сторона

Private – частный, личный

Doing things – занятие чем-либо

Making things – изготовление чего-либо

Art objects – предметы искусства

Speak on your hobby, using the phrases:

As to me, I like … because …

My hobby is …. I like it because …

Topic VIII Kazan

Kazan is one of the oldest cities on the Volga river, the capital of the Tatar Republic, a city of more than one million people. It is situated on the left bank of the great Russian river Volga. The city's area is over 400 sq. kms.

The first mention of Kazan dates back to the 12th century. It was founded in 1177 by Bulgars, the ancestors of the Mari and Tatar people. The city is the geographical and historical centre of the Volga region.

The Kazan Kremlin is the historical heart of the city. Its construction began in the 16th century and the town grew and developed with it during the centuries. The Spassky Tower and the famous falling Syumbike Tower are the architectural symbols of Kazan. There is the city's largest stadium, the Palace of Sports and the unique building of the Kazan Circus.

Kazan has always been an acknowledged centre of science and culture. The Kazan University (the third in Russia) was founded in 1804. The first rectors and professors of the University were world-known scientists, such as the founder of the non-Euclidean mathematics Lobachevsky and the founder of organic chemistry Butlerov. The Kazan University made great contribution to the Russian and world science also due to the efforts of such scientists as Bechterev, Lesgaft, Arbusov, Kamai, Mushtary and many, many others. Along with the University, Kazan has 14 more higher educational establishments.

Cultural life of the capital is always rich and diverse. The citizens and guests of the city have at their disposal 6 theatres, a number of cinemas, museums among them the Fine Arts museum), concert and exhibition halls. The Opera and Ballet Theatre named after M. Djalil is the largest and the most beautiful of them. Many prominent singers and performers from this country and abroad take part in festivals held in the theatre.

Kazan is a major economic centre in the Volga area. Its numerous plants and factories turn out all sorts of manufactured goods, such as measuring instruments, high-power compressors, computers, optic devices, medical equipment and a lot of other products. Kazan furs are known all over the world.

Kazan is a fast growing city. Old constructions stand side by side with modern buildings. In general, Kazan is becoming more and more beautiful from year to year.