Vocabulary

1. tiresome and tiring – надоедливый и утомительный

2. searching something – в поисках чего-либо

3. entertainments and possibilities – развлечения и возможности

4. salary – заработная плата

5. round the clock – круглые сутки, круглосуточно

6. smells – пахнет

7. wrappers – обёртка (от конфеты), мусор

8. don’t care to know – не стремятся (не хотят) знать

9. considering – учитывая

10. thanks to – благодаря

11. combined with – совмещённый с

5. Knitting1

Some women like knitting, some hate it. To knit or not to knit – that is the question. What can you say for and against knitting?

Knitting is a hobby which once was very popular, then lost its attractiveness² in the industrial society where ready-to-wear³ clothes cost so little.

But now knitting regains⁴ its position because of several reasons. First, a knitting woman can wear unique outfits⁵ which won’t cost her a fortune⁶. Hand knitting is very fashionable. If you can’t find a sweater or a pullover that fits⁷ you, simply buy some wool⁸ and knit what you like. Second, many women report that knitting calms⁹, but it also helps them feel creators as they invent different knitting patterns¹⁰. Third, many mothers say they can re-knit¹¹ their old things for young children, and that helps save money¹², because growing children need regular shopping for larger things.

In spite of¹³ this, some women understand knitting as something they have to do only because they can’t afford buying expensive clothes. In this case they say knitting bothers them as any monotonous work. Hand-knit clothes look ugly¹⁴ if they are not well-knitted. Knitting also takes a lot of time which one could spend in another, more interesting way.

That’s why I think that no one should be made knit. And at the same time self-knit clothes are not a bit worse¹⁵ than those bought in shops unless¹⁶ they are knitted badly.

Vocabulary

1. knitting – вязание

2. attractiveness – привлекательность

3. ready-to-wear – готовый к носке

4. regain – заново приобретать

5. outfit – комплект (одежды), наряд

6. cost smb a fortune – стоить кому-л. состояния

7. fit – подходить по размеру, быть впору

8. wool – шерсть

9. calm – успокаивать

10. pattern – образец, узор

11. re-knit – перевязать

12. save money – экономить деньги

13. in spite of – несмотря на

14. ugly - безобразный

15. are not a bit worse – нисколько не хуже

16. unless – если не

6. Playing computer games

Most children enjoy computer games but their parents are against them. What can you say for and against playing computer games?

Computer games are supposed to be¹ children’s hobby but there are many grown-ups playing, making and studying computer games.

The scientists and teachers say that computer games entertain² children and help them relax, which is very important in our pressing³ world. Computer games are something what children could do not worse (and sometimes better) than their parents. They make children happier.

It should be mentioned⁴ here that computer games have some teaching abilities⁵. First, children gain skills⁶ in mouse-maneuvering⁷ and key-board usage⁸. These skills are also trained at their computer classes, but not effectively enough.

There are special teaching games that children play and learn.

It’s a pity children can’t spend much time in front of the computer because it is ruinous for eye-sight and posture⁹. Children’s skeletons are too soft¹⁰ to sit in the same pose for hours. What’s more, children who spent all their time with their computers become shy¹¹ of other people, have no friends, they are not sociable and have difficulties dealing with¹² other kids.

Nowadays we haven’t yet studied the long-term effect¹³ computers have on people, but those who study computer science believe, that colours and icon placement used in computers can influence people’s psyche¹⁴, make them emotionally unstable. Children suffer the first because they are younger and weaker than the elder generations.

So the adults are right when they restrict¹⁵ their children’s computer use and playing computer games.