08. Interests and Hobbies

+ Film
1. Do you like film? _ Yes, I enjoy watching films. When I want to relax, or have some fun, I like to watch movie.

2. What kinds of films do you like best? _ My favorite kinds of films are comedies. I like movies that can make me laugh.

(My favorite kinds of films are action films, with exciting stories and lots of special effects (hieu ung). Mostly romantic comedies, but I like some of the ones that keep you thinking all the way through too, like A Beautiful Mind, The Fifth Element and The Sixth Sense.
Romance, comedy, drame, some action but not much though, mystery (huyen bi), horror and suspense (hoi hop). I guess everything but westerns and most action, oh and some classic old movies are OK too.)

3. How often do you watch films? _ If there is an interesting movies playing at the cinema, I'll go to see it. It's nice to go out to see a movie with my friends sometimes, and get to see it on a big screen.

4. Do you like to watch films alone or with your friends? _ I'd rather watch films with my friends. We always have a good time together, and afterwards we talk about the movie, whether we enjoyed it or not.

5. Do you prefer to watch films in the cinema or at home? _ I prefer to watch movies at the cinema, because then you get to see the movie on a big screen, with a better sound system. I think it makes the movie more impressive (an tuong), you know.

(I prefer to watch movies at home, because then I can choose any movie I want to watch, and I can pause it if I need to go get something.
I prefer watching movies at home because you can watch at your leisure and it is so convenient to pause or go back a few scenes and just stop and continue watching hours or days later. Whereas (nhung nguoc lai, trong khi do) in the cinema, you do have a bigger screen but you do not have any controll whatsoever (=whatever).
Depends, if it's a big action film with lots of explosions, I would see it at the cinema, but others I like to watch on DVD. There's nothing better than kicking back on your comfy old couch in front of the box.)

Vocabulary:
blockbuster (n)
action films (n)
kung fu film (n)
musical (n)
science fiction (n)
animated films (n)
release (v)
hero (n)
heroine (n)
cast (n)
subtile (n)
dubbed (adj)
genre (n)
classification (n)
plot (n)
gripping (adj)
feature (v)
box-office (n)
censorship (n)
freedom of speech (n)
uproar (n)
celebrity (n)
video clips (n)
review (n)

+ Dance:
1. Do you like to dance? _ Yes, I like to dance, cause I really enjoy moving to the music.

(No, I don't like dance, I don't know how to dance very well, and I feel uncomfortable. I love to dance, in fact I take Belly Dance Classes and I've performed a couple of times ... it's actually quite addictive (adj-kich thich, gay nghien) once you get used to it!.
I love to dance! I've been taking dance clasee since I was 5 years old. Jazz, tap, ballet and modern. I fing dance very exiting and sensual (khoai cam). It most definitely keeps you in shape. You don't realize how many calories you are burning and the positive effects it has on the heart while you are just enjoying yourself.)

2. What kind of dancing do Chinese people like? _ Chinese people like to do ballroom dancing, but outside on the street. Young people like to go to discos and dance techno and hip hop.

3. Does Chine have any traditional dances? _ China has a lot of traditional dances. There are as many traditional dances in China as there are ethnic minorities.

Yang Ge is a style of celebration dance very popular in the countryside of Donghei, China. Dancers typically use a red silk ribbon around the waist and swing the body to music. In different areas Yang Ge are done in different stykes but all express happiness.
Er Ren Zhuan is local folk dance from Northeast China. It usually consists of two people, a boy and a girl. They sing as well as dance, using folded fans during the dancing portion.)

4. Is traditional dance still popular today in China? _ Yes, I think so. Many Chinese young people go to school in order to learn it, it's part of our culture. No, I don't think so. Nowadays, more people prefer modern music and dancing styles.

5. What kinds of dancing are popular with young people in China? _ Young people are interested in many forms of dancing here in China. We like to go to clubs and dance to hip-hop and techno music.

Vocabulary:
performing arts (n)
sense of rhythm (n)
folk dance (n)
modern dance (n)
ballet (n)
hip-hop (n)
gymnastics (n)
ethnic minorities (n)
lion dance (n)
bring luck and happiness (n)
coordination (n)
flexibility (n)
stamina (n)
build confidence (n)
positive self-esteem (n)
well-being (n)
dance studio (n)

+ Music
1. Do you like to listen to music? _ Yes, I do. I'll often listen to music on my PM4 when I'm traveling from place to place, or when I'm at home, relaxing.

2. What kinds of music do you like? _ I like to listen to love songs/ pop music/rock music/ traditional Chinese music/ jazz/ hip hop/ Latin music.

(I have an open mind when it comes to music. If it's great music, it's great music. I would have to say my favorite genre is Heavy Metallica and Pantera!!
I love all kinds of the guitars. I like loud music. I like the energy it has and gives off. A lot of rock I liten to is about experiences and relationships gone bad. I like the heavy guitars behind the lyrics adds more meaning to the songs.)

3. What kinds of music are popular in China? _Everyboy has differents tastes, but I think loves songs and pop music are the most popular kinds of music in China. Older classies from America and Europe are pretty popular here too. Rap is also getting to be vey popular as well.

5. Is music an important subject at school in China? _ Unfortunately music is not such a popular subject at school in China. Math and Science are much more important in China although maybe not so popular.

6. What benefit do children gain by studying music or learning to play a musical instrument? _ By learing how to play a music instrument, children can learn many things. They can learn self-discipline, determination, and how to appreciate music better.

(There are benefits indeed. Playing an instrument makes you smarter, it teaches you discipline, it helps to relieve stress, it can give you a sense of chievement and most of all, it's proven that people play an instrument since children become smarter, more articulate and have a higher chance of having a successful life.)

Vocabulary:
classical music (n)
pop music (n)
folk music (n)
rap (n)
soothing (adj)
melody (n)
spontaneous (adj)
beat (n)
rhyme (n)
music education (n)
lyrics (n)
music education (n)
band (n)
orchestra (n)
symphony (n)
temperament (n)
creative-thiking
enrich (v)
enlighten (v)
music therapy (n)

The ten greatest Chines classical music.

+ Drawing and Painting
1. Have you ever learned to draw? _ To tell you the truth I never really had the time to learn to draw. I also really don't have the  the talent to spend my time darwing.

2. Do you draw now? _ Yes, I sometimes like to draw. Not only is it a good form of relaxation, but I enjoy creating beautiful things and using my imagination. Even if I can't draw very well I still enjoy it.

3. What do you think are some of the benefits of drawing, for both children and adults? _ Both children and adults need to use their creativity. Drawing teaches poeple to look at the world differently, more carefully, it helps people  relax and have fun, and it gives you a chance to use your imagination.

(Kids get many benefits from drawing and painting. Artistic expression can offer urban children an appreciation of the beauty in the ordinary, like fruit, and expand their visual horizons beyond ciryscapes to the wider world.
Drawing is fun and exciting. The benefits of drawing to every facet of learning and communication are enormous. By learning to draw what we see we also learn to make connections and we learn to be able to describe what we otherwise would not be able to express.  We learn to solve problems and to think about area of knowledge and ideas that would not otherwise have ocurred to us.

Vocabulary:
art skills (n)
nurture (v)
Chinese painting
wash paitnting
ink stone
oil painting
calligraphy (adj)
watercolors
portrait (n)
landscape (n)
still life
graffiti (n)
realistic (adj)
concentration (n)
focus (n)
brush (n)
technique (n)
observation (n)
canvas (n)
renaissance

+ Photography:
1. Do you like to take photographs? _ Yes, I like to take photographs. It's great fun, and then afterwards you can always have the photos, and remember the good times you've had.

(I like photography, As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Through photography, you can find beauty in the most unlikely of places. Photographs are a means of showing and sharing experiences with those close by, or with the world. You put a little of your own self in every picture.
Yes I like photography. I just started and am doing good. It's so much fun!)

2. When (= On what occasions) do you take photos? _ Well, usually I take photos when I go out somewhere, to a park or to the beach or to a party. When it's somebody's birthday, Spring Festival, at graduations, or any other important occasion, I take photos.

3. What kinds of photos do you like to take? _ Mostly, I like to take pictures of nature or of beautiful scenery. Also I like to take silly pictures with my friends. We always laugh a lot and have a good time.

(Animals and nature. I hate taking pictures of people because they are always posting and looking unreal, but animals and nature, are so natural and beautiful.
I am in no way a professional photographer, but I like to carry my camera arround just in case I see something of interest, something beautiful that I'd like to capture, I also like to take photos of the people around me. Years later, I look at these photos and they help me to remember some great times in my lifes.)

4. Is photography a popular hobby in China? _ I think so. When Chinese people go out together, they often take photos of each other,  or of the places they visit.

5. Do Chinese people like to visit photographic exhibitions? _ You know that I don't really visit photographic exhibitions because they are a little hard to find here in China. There are some, but the content is really not so interesting.

Vocabulary:
photography (n)
digital camera (n)
develop films
know-how
close-up shots
optical (adj)
pixel (n)
patience (n)
imagination (n)
artistic (n)

+ Collecting:
1. Do you collect anything? _ Sure. I have a collection of postcard from different countries.

(I have a collection of interesting bags. I have many different sizes, some are clear, some are green or pink or black, many colors and some have cool designs on them like dollar signs, aliens, sports teams and 4-leaf clovers. I think it's pretty unique.
I'm addicted to gum, so I've started collecting gum wrappers. I have about 600 Trident wrappers and 900 Orbit. I also collet anything having to do with penguins, because they are my favorite animal.
I have always been attracted to coffee mugs with great prints or logos on them. Not the ones available ine regular shops; I mean the ones in the souvenir shops in museums, national parks, monuments and such kinds of places. They have such neat looking ones and I always get a couple of them wherever I go.)

2. Why do you collect ... (that/ those things)? _ I collect those things because they are interesting and rare. I like to go over my collection and see all the cool things I've got stored away.

3. Is collecting a popular pastime in China? _ It used to be but not anymore. Actually it is a little hard to find things to colllect, except for maybe pictures of Chairman Mao on flags or coffee mugs.

4. Do a lot of people in China collect things and what do they collect? _ Poeple in China really don't collect things . They are pretty busy with the daily run of things and don't have the time or the resources to collect things.

5. What are the benefits of collecting? (= Why do people like collecting?)
Well people like to collect things mostly as a hobby and hobbies are good to have, because they help people to relax and get their minds off their jobs or problems they may have.

(Stamp collecting is a hobby that has been enjoyed by many people. It is a popular pastime that provides many educational benefits. It's a great way to learn history and past events.
Well, there is a good potential to learn a lot about our and other countries; that is history. This is one benefit that I hear a lot about all the time. And this may be one of the best benefits for young collectors (but you are never too old to learn!). Coins can be a good way for children to learn about the history of their own country and to have something that will fit into a pocket for "show-and-tell".
There are all of the other coin collectors that you can meet and get to know. An they all have their own stories to tell.)

Vocabulary:
collector (n)
antique (n)
take up (v)
coin collecting (n)
stamp collecting (n)
historical value (n)
educational benefits (n)
organizational skills (n)
rock collecting (n)
outdoor exercise (n)
identify (v)
worthwhile (v)
museum (n)
exhibit (n)
item (n)
curator (n)
asset (n)