6. Your partner never washes the linen at home. But you do. Discuss the way how you can wash the linen at home.

• Hello! I’m glad to see you!

• How is everything?

• Same as always. What are you doing?

• I am washing the linen.

• Would you rather wash the linen yourself or have it washed at the laundry?

• I always wash the linen myself, then rinse it several times, wring it out and hang it out in the yard to dry.

• Why don't you ever take the linen to the laundry to be washed? It will save a lot of time and effort. It is hard to wash the linen nowadays if you have no washing machine.

• I don’t think you are right. But you are always having your own way anyhow.

• I never wash the linen at home because I am afraid to spoil it.

• I think that hand washing is best suited for clothing that is not heavily soiled, or for linen fabric, which might be damaged in a washing machine. I suggest washing the linen at home because it is much cheaper.

• OK. What should I remember while washing the linen?

• For clean garments it is advisable to follow the instructions on the label, and thus avoid unpleasant surprises.

• What things can be washed together?

• You had better not put color and white things in the same load. The colored linen may fade and the white linen may get coloured. If the color of thing is fast, it won’t fade. But I recommend separating dark linens from white or light-colored linens.

• Do you tint the white linen blue?

• Sometimes. When it is necessary. I say why don’t you soak the linen before washing it? It’ll make the washing easier.

• But one needn’t soak the linen nowadays when we use detergents to wash the linen.

• I advise you to use a mild detergent when washing linen clothing. Be sure that all detergent is completely rinsed from the garment before drying.

• Do you like to iron starched cuffs and collars?

• I hate to starch the linen as the starched things are hard to iron.

• What should I do in order to preserve shape of the things after washing?

• You should avoid extreme water temperatures regardless of the washing method you use.

• It appears that washing things at home is not so difficult.

• I don't spend a lot of time and I save a lot of money.

• I would like to do that, thank you.

• Don’t mention it. Goodbye!

7. Your friend has just returned from Great Britain. Discuss the way the English have their meals.

• Hi! I’m glad to see you.

• Hello! I’m glad to see you too. I have just returned from Great Britain. The British experience just isn't the same if you miss out on the marvelous tradition of British food.

• Really? Russian cuisine is the heart of Russian home with delicious dishes creating a special, stirring up the best feelings, atmosphere. What about Great Britain?

• British cuisine is a mixing of practical and nutritious aspects of cooking.

• Usually, there are three meals a day. How many meals a day does an Englishman usually have?

• The usual meals are breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner.

• A breakfast Russian way includes eggs, sausages, cold cuts and cheese which are accompanied by bread slices with butter. Tea or coffee is a must on the morning table.

• The usual English breakfast is porridge or cornflakes with milk or cream and sugar.

• Various hot cereals are popular as well in Russia, particularly with mothers and kids.

• Englishmen generally have lunch at one o’clock.

• What can one see on the lunch table, as a rule?

• They have cold meat, potatoes, salad and pickles, with pudding or fruit to follow.

• Lunch is absent in Russia. The second meal of the day is taken about around 2 o'clock and called dinner.

• In some British households dinner is the biggest meal of the day. But in a great many English homes, the midday meal is the chief one of the day.

• Russian dinner is the main meal of the day. Appetizers highlight the meal. Such delights as caviar, pickles, smoked fish, and various vegetable salads can easily serve a rich meal. However, everyday appetizers are composed of light salads and pickles.

• Englishmen have a much simpler supper in the evening - an omelette, or sausages, sometimes bacon and eggs and sometimes just bread and cheese, a cup of coffee and fruit.

• I know Russians like to eat like a horse. Russians eat many soups and Russian food is much more diverse than English.

• Soup, mouth watering, with meat pieces in delectable transparent broth, is the first step of the long satiation process. The main course is usually of meat or fish. The main dish is usually accompanied by a garnish: potatoes, rice, noodles and vegetables. Finally, comes the dessert! It might be a piece of cake, fruits or chocolates.

• They are obsessed with meal. England is full of traditions too. The custom of drinking tea originated in England when Catherine married Charles II and brought the practice of drinking tea in the afternoon with her from Portugal.

• In Russia people like to drink tea too. A Russian tea glass-holder is a traditional way of serving and drinking tea in Russia.

• Englishmen have “high tea” between 5 and 6 o’clock. And they have ham or tongue and tomatoes and salad, or tinned fish, or sausages with good strong tea.

• Kitchen is the place where families gather for having meal, friends get together for chatting over a cup of tea and the guests are welcomed to feel the warmth of national hospitality.

• The smells and flavors of traditional English cuisine are well worth experiencing. If you find yourself in Britain, take time out to try it. Have a good day!

• Good bye!