Leisure and Activities of American Youth

Schools provide American students with much more than academic education. Students learn about the world through various school-related activities. More than 80 percent of all students participate in student activities, such as sports, student newspapers, drama clubs, debate teams, choral groups and bands.

What are the favourite sports of American young people? According to the survey "The Mood of American Youth," they prefer football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, tennis, soccer, boxing, hockey, track and golf.

During their leisure time, students spend much time watching television, listening to music. The average American teenager listens to music on the radio about three hours every day. No doubt, rock-and-roll music is the favourite of teenagers in the United States.

Many young people have after-school jobs. Nine out of 10 teenagers polled said they either had a job or would like one. Child labor laws set restrictions on the types of work that youths under 16 years old can do. Many youths work part-time on weekends or after school at fast-food restaurants, babysit for neighbors, hold delivery jobs or work in stores.

Many youths are involved in community service organizations. Some take part in church and religious group activities. Others belong to youth groups such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. About three million girls aged six to 17 years old belong to Girl Scouts, for example. They learn about citizenship, crafts, arts, camping and other outdoor activities.

Thousands of young people volunteer to help take care of the elderly, the handicapped and hospital patients. Many help clean up the natural environment.

Notes:

set restrictions – устанавливать ограничения

handicapped – люди с ограниченными возможностями

Decide whether the statement is true or false.

1. Most American students participate in school-related activities.

2. Watching TV and listening to music are not very popular among youth.

3. Youths under 16 in America can do any job offered to them.

4. Many young people are members of community service organizations.

Fill in the table on the basis of the texts and your own experience and observations:

Country	Ways of spending leisure time
UK	do sports…
USA
Russia

Practice the conversations with a partner. Memorize and dramatize them.

- What's golf? I've heard much of the game but I don't know how it's played. Is it anything like tennis?

- Oh, no, it isn't. In general the game consists of hitting a hard little ball with a stick and then walking after it.

- Well, it's not very interesting, I think. Do you play golf?

- Yes, very often. It's a very interesting and exciting game and it requires great skill.

- I thought cricket was the national game in England.

- You are quite right. It's considered to be the fairest game in the world.

- It sounds very interesting.

***

- Where's Helen now, I wonder? I've been calling her for an hour but she isn't at home.

- If she isn't in, she is at the theatre then.

- Well, is she a theatre-goer like that?

- Yes, she's crazy about theatre, you know. She never misses any new ballet at our Opera House. Theatre is her favourite pastime.

- And what's on there tonight? Oh, yes, "Sleeping Beauty", the first night.

***

- You spend too much time in front of a TV-set, don’t you?

- Oh, it’s such a pleasure after a long busy day.

- By the way, was there anything good on TV last night?

- Yes, there was an interesting nature programme "The Gentle Giant".

- What was it about?

- It was all about gorillas and the way they live.

- Really? What time was it on?

- From 7 to 8.

- I'm sorry I missed it. Is there going to be another chance to see it?

- Yes, it's going to be repeated next Sunday.

***

A: I say, Tim, what are you doing tonight?

T: Nothing special, why?

A: What about going to the pictures? You’re keen on cinema, aren’t you?

T: Not a bad idea. Shall we go up to the West End?

A: Oh, no. Why waste our good money?

T: Right you are. After all we want to see a film and not one of the London fashionable cinema houses. Have you any definite film in mind?

A: Not yet. We’ll choose one when we meet.

T: OK.

Complete the conversations and practice them with a partner.

- Пользуется ли футбол популярностью в США?

- Yes, very much, especially in autumn. It's played by almost every college and university in the country. Besides, there are professional football teams in all the major cities in the USA. There are always a lot of people at football matches which are accompanied by uniformed bands and pretty girls who cheer the football fans.

- Какие другие игры популярны в США?

- Well, basketball. It's more popular here than in other countries. Basketball is played at schools, colleges and clubs. Many Americans prefer it to football because it's faster than football.

- Я знаю, что бейсбол популярен в Америке, не так ли?

- Of course, it is. Baseball is played in spring and in summer. It's even called the "national pastime ".

- Мне бы хотелось посмотреть бейсбольный матч.

- Good idea.

***

- Hello, Jane. It's Fred here.

- O, здравствуй, Фред! Чем занимаешься?

- Nothing special. Would you like to come to the cinema? They are giving two tickets for the price of one this afternoon. You aren’t going to miss this chance, are you?

- Конечно, нет. Кино – мое любимое развлечение. Кстати, а что идет?

- Wait a minute. I'm trying to find the right page in the newspaper. Oh, it's a horror film. How about it?

- Точно нет. Когда я смотрю фильмы ужасов, мне снятся кошмары.

- Oh, all right.

Make up short dialogues using the given patterns.

Model: What about going to the cinema? – Sounds good!

• Sounds inviting!

• That’s an excellent idea!

• It’s just my cup of tea!

• That’s wonderful!

• A very good idea!

• I think that’s a great idea.

Model: What’s on? – Iron Man 3. It’s fantasy and action as you like.

• I Give it a Year («Даю год») – melodrama;

• Beautiful Creatures («Прекрасные создания») – drama;

• Pain & Gain («Кровью и потом») – action, thriller;

• Legend №17 – sport, drama;

• Gladiator – action, historical film

Model: Did you like the film? – Oh, yes. I enjoyed every minute of it.

• I didn’t like it. The plot is boring.

• It was a complete flop.

• It’s an excellent film.

• It’s really worth seeing.

• The film is first-rate from beginning to end.

• Not that I liked the film but still…

Persuade your groupmates your pastime is the most interesting (useful) one. Use the following phrases:

I am keen on…

I am fond of …

I am interested in…

In my leisure time I participate in …

Taking part in volunteer activities is really interesting and useful.

It’s a good chance to feel involved in social life.

You have a chance to help people who really need your support and love.

Environment protection is of vital importance today.

Going in for sports makes you feel strong and fit. Sport disciplines you.

Regular exercises help you manage your time.

Watching TV/going to the cinema/going to the theatre/visiting museums enlarge my knowledge/widen my horizon/enrich my spiritual life.