Round 1. A film is a petrified fountain* of thought, Jean Cocteau - Which film genres do you prefer watching? Action films (боевики), adventure films, comedies, crime films, dramas, epics (historical), horrors, musicals, sci-fi films, documentary?
- What is more important for a good film - surprising plot twists (повороты сюжета) or sensational cast (великолепный актерский состав)? Can you give any examples?
- Can you remember any film / series that had you on the edge of your seat (смотреть с волненением и интересом)?
- What kind of movies can make you bored to death?
- Can a film adaptation of a book be as fascinating as a book itself?
- If a film / series is / are phenomenally successful and unanimously acclaimed (единогласно признан) by critics, does it mean it's worth watching?
- Have you ever had a misfortune (иметь несчастье) of seeing atrocious (ужасного качества) or tedious (утомительный) films? What were their hallmarks? (отличительный признак) Cliches, feeble jokes (слабые шутки), miscast (плохой подбор актеров), wooden dialogues, mediocre acting (посредственная актерская игра).
- What was the scariest film you've watched? Is it possible to scare you out of your wits? (напугать до чертиков)
*petrified fountain - окаменелый фонтан
Round 2. Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do, Edgar Degas
. - What kind of fine art is a sight for sore eyes for you? (you're pleased to see it)
- What artists and works are out of this world, in your opinion? (impressive)
- Do you thank that going to exhibitions and seeing works of art on display (в экспозиции) are time well-spent? (время, проведенное с пользой).
- Are you familiar with performative art (исполнительское искусство) such as theatre, opera, dance, ballet, stand-up comedy, concerts? What places and events have left indelible impression on you (неизгладимые впечатления)?
- What kind of art do you find impenetrable? (difficult to understand) Do you prefer challenging or undemanding (easy to understand) works of art?
- Which would you choose to see - modern or conventional art (традиционное искусство)? Explain your choice.
- Is it important to be visually literate (educated with regard to art)? Why?
- Can you think of any examples of an evocative (вызывающий воспоминания), thought-provoking (заставляющий задуматься), intriguing (увлекательный), peerless (бесподобный) work of art?
- Have you ever witnessed predictable, pedestrian (скучный, прозаический), dreary (тоскливый), run-of-the-mill (заурядный) works of art?
Round 3. A room without books is like a body without a soul, Marcus Tullius Cicero - What kind of literature is timeless? Why? (its value doesn't change over time)
- Which topics and issues do your favorite books illuminate? (освещать)
- How books attract your attention? By a title (название), front cover, recommendations (by whom?), author or another way?
- Have you read any books of the following literature genres ? Non-fiction books (научно-популярные), novels (романы), poetry, science-fiction, biographies, mysteries (детективы). What was special about them?
- What writers do you think highly of? (высоко оценивать)
- Have you ever read a page-turner (книга читаетсчя на одном дыхании) which was full of moments of insight for you?
- Do you think books give us opportunity for self-discovery (самопознание)? In what ways?
- Which books fire your imagination and awaken your interest (пробуждать интерес) in a certain topic?
- Have you ever started reading books that were heavy going and you couldn't get into them?
