Lesson1 Hobbies
“Hobbies” are a great British and American tradition. A “ hobby' ” is a special interest or activity that you do in your time off.
Some people have animals as hobbies. They keep rabbits, or go fishing. They train dogs to do tricks, or keep pigeons to race and carry messages. Some are crazy about plants. They try to grow cacti or rare tropical flowers in their kitchens and sitting rooms.
Others are mad about their car or their motorbike. They spend their Saturdays and Sundays washing them, painting them, or buying new bits and pieces to make them go even faster.
Children and teenagers are great collectors. They collect stamps, or postcards, or matchboxes, or pictures of a favorite footballer or pop star.
Many people make things as a hobby. Some teach themselves at home, but a lot of people go to evening classes at their local college. Just look under letter B in a list of London or New York evening classes and you'll find: Ballet, Batik, Bengali dance, Body building, Bread-making and Byzantine history. Not everyone goes to evening classes to learn about his or her special interest. These people can read books or just learn on their own.
Lesson2 Heads of State
In America , the President is the Head of the States. He makes the most important decisions and chooses the members of his cabinet who will help him govern the country.
The President also represents the United States on official occasions. He receives ambassadors from other countries, gives parties for important visitors from abroad, and takes the first place in any national ceremony. Americans are always interested in the President's wife and children — the “first lady” and the “first family”. They expect their Presidents to have a good family life and to be an example to the country.
In Britain , the Queen is the head of State. She represents Britain (and the Commonwealth). She travels about the UK , meeting people, visiting schools and hospitals, and going to important local events. She and her husband, and other members of her family, also travel abroad as rather special ambassadors to other countries.
British people enjoy their “royals”. They like reading about them in newspapers, and seeing them on TV. To some they are like film stars, interesting just because they are famous.
Most people feel that the Queen is a symbol of Britain 's long history and national traditions.
Clothes
These days most people in Britain and the USA do not wear very former clothes, but sometimes it is important to wear right thing. Many British people don't think about clothes very much. They just like to be comfortable. When they go out to enjoy themselves they can wear almost anything. At theaters, movie houses and concerts you can put on what you like, from elegant suits and dresses to jeans and sweaters. Anything goes as long as you look clean and tidy. However, In Britain as well as the USA, man and officers usually wear suits and ties and woman wear dresses and skirts, jackets and small trousers. Doctors, lawyers and business people wear quite former clothes. It's different to say exactly what people wear in Britain and the United State because everyone is different. If you are not sure what to wear, watch what other people do and then do the same or ask the advice of your friend or your host. You feel more relaxed if you don't look too different from anyone else.