Discussion points

1. Do you think that there is a need for a standard form of the language in any country? Why or why not?

2. Are the requirements for the language norm high, or are they being lowered nowadays? Today, television and radio are often accused of lowering their standards in language. Do you think that this accusation is right? Why or why not?

3. You have read some information about different types of houses. Can you give an explanation of why high-rise blocks of flats are unpopular with the British? Do people in your country share the opinion that many-storeyed houses are not quite convenient for living in? What do you think?

4. How would you describe your home? Give your praise or criticism. Would you like to change the place in which you live? If you do, what are your reasons?

5. The thought of all that delicious food mentioned can make your mouth water, can’t it? What about fast food? Is the reaction the same? Why or why not?

Unit IV british world

The happiest people do not always

Have the best of everything;

They make the best of what they have.

How much do you know?

• Everywhere in the world sport is a form of entertainment for people to watch or to take part in. Some sports first appeared in Britain. What are they?

• Is it easy for everyone to find a pleasant spare-time occupation? Can you face any problems in choosing enjoyable activities for yourselves? Do you know what types of entertainments have British people?

• What famous British universities have you read or heard about? Where are they located?

• What do you know about the colleges and institutes of higher education in our country and in Britain?

• What British holidays do you know?

RECREATION

It has been estimated that the average British person spends 75 hours every week with television, radio, newspapers and magazines. Watching television is a very popular leisure pastime in Britain. A typical day's viewing includes films, plays, current affairs, light entertainments, sport and politics. Nature documentaries are very popular. Another favourite activity is listening to music on radio, records, cassette tapes, and CDs. This has become increasingly popular in recent years. Enthusiasts of pop music spend millions of pounds a year on records and stereo music systems. They also buy the various music papers and magazines that publish the 'charts' — lists of the current best-selling records.

There is, too, a considerable audience for classical music. Much of it is listened to at home. Radio devotes a lot of its broadcasting time to serious music.

Britain is famous for its gardens and most people like gardening. This is probably one reason why so many people prefer to live in houses rather than in flats.

Do-It-Yourself. A popular British hobby is to make improvements and additions to houses without the help of professional or skilled workers such as painters, builders and carpenters. This activity of making or repairing things yourself, instead of buying things ready made or paying a workman to do the work for you, is called, DIY (do-it-yourself).

P eople wish to keep their houses looking smart, and do-it-yourself repair and improvement work is widely practised. There are now many handbooks and magazines devoted to DIY enthusiasts, telling them how to go about repairs and improvements. There are also shops in every town selling or renting equipment and materials.