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In learning English words by topic - for example, recreation, leisure, nature, entertainment, study, profession - many people miss a key point: it is important not only to learn the words “in groups”, but also to distribute them into categories. For example, “to play” in a casino, in a theater and on a playground are different English verbs, so we encourage you to learn not only the names of entertainment and leisure, but also how the actions and people are designated for each of them.
Visitor in English - visitor or audience?
Table 1. Visitor or audience in English
|
Institution |
"visitor" in English |
|
theatre, cinema, circle |
member of the audience |
|
museum, zoo, fun fair, art gallery |
customer , visitor |
|
disco casino |
customer |
What can you do in vacation spots?
You go to the cinema to watch a film (watch a movie) or a movie (film) . You can say, "I'm going to the cinema / films / flicks / pictures." (I'm going to the cinema)
You go to the theater to watch the performance , it could be a play (play), a show (show), a musical (musical), a gig, a pantomime (pantomime), a puppetshow (puppet show) , an opera (opera) or a ballet (ballet) .
You go to a museum or an art gallery to see an exhibition (view an exhibition).
You go to a casino to gamble and to try and win money , but you'll probably lose it instead.
You go to a zoo to watch or lookat or see the animals .
You go to a disco to listen to music and dance (listen to music and dance) .
You go to a circus to watch the acts (watch circus numbers) .
You go to a fun fair to go on the rides, see the side shows, and to play the games.
How to buy a ticket in English?
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“I'd like one adult and one child for Cinema 3, please.”
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“Can I get one ticket for the matinee?”
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“Are there any seats left for the 1:45 show?”
How to order drinks and food?
"I'd like a large popcorn and a small soft drink please. Do those nachos come with cheese? Oh and I'll have a box of chocolates too. Thanks."
Table 2. Practice of English. Dialogue about plans for the weekend
|
English text |
Translation |
|
|
Mr Smith: |
There's a new casino opening. Do you fancy going this weekend? |
The casino opens . Would you like to go this weekend? |
|
Mrs Smith: |
no way! It's a mug's game . |
Never! This is a game for crooks . |
|
Mr Smith: |
Well how about seeing a film instead? |
Well, how about a movie ? |
|
Mrs Smith: |
I don't know. What's on? |
I don't know, what's going on now? |
|
Mr Smith: |
Blood Diamond is showing. I quite fancy seeing that. |
Blood Diamond. I wouldn't mind watching. |
|
Mrs Smith: |
Oh dear. I don't think I want to watch that one. The reviews say it is a very violent flick . |
Oh my God. Somehow I don't want to watch it. The review says it's a very violent film . |
|
Mr Smith: |
We could go to the theater and see a play instead. |
One can go to the theater and watch a play instead. |
|
Mrs Smith: |
That's a good idea! I think Calendar Girls is still playing . I heard on the radio that it is a wonderful stage play . |
Great idea! I think Calendar Girls is still on . I heard on the radio that it was a great show . |
|
Mr Smith: |
Oh. Well to be honest, I would rather go to a concert and hear some good music . |
Honestly, I'd rather go to a concert and listen to some good music . |
|
Mrs Smith: |
Well we haven't been to a concert in ages, but I still fancy the theater . |
Well, we haven't been to a concert for a hundred years , but I still want to go to the theater . |
|
Mr Smith: |
Well why don't we go to the matinee performance and then take in a concert later? |
So why don't we go to the morning performance and later to the concert? |
|
Mrs Smith: |
What a good idea. Phone up the box office and book some tickets. |
Good idea. Call the box office and book your tickets. |
