LITERATURE
Literature is an indispensable element of my life. It not only entertains me but also broadens my mind. I love it when the author mocks and denounces the dark sides of human nature. I like to contemplate the book I have read even if it is difficult to interpret. I can spend hours thinking about the feelings the author tried to communicate. It is a pity that reading is becoming less and less popular as I believe literature helps to preserve cultural bonds and is an important source of knowledge.
Literary genres – gatunki literackie
I am a true book-worm. I read books whenever I have some free time. I like adventure and historical novels best but I also enjoy other literary genres. I often read biographies and memoirs and I like travelogues. Although I prefer contemporary literature, I sometimes read Romantic dramas or medieval parables. I am not very fond of poetry so I hardly ever read collections of poems my mum buys for me. My little sister also loves books so she often asks me to read one of her children’s books to her. She is crazy about Andersen’s fairy tales.
Author – autor
I have read a very interesting biography of William Shakespeare. It is the story of his life and analysis of his tragedies, comedies and poems. He was not only a distinguished playwright and poet but also a fascinating man.
Book – książka
Dear Mary,
I am sending you „Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. It is one of my favourite novels so I would like you to read it. I hope you don’t mind it is a paperback as I could not get a hardback copy. This edition is accompanied by an introduction about the life of Jane Austen and a preface which gives a good insight into the historical background of the novel. Don’t read the summary which is on the cover as it reveals the denouement of the novel. The plot is really witty and the main characters are fascinating and convincing. The heroine is just like you: strong-willed, self-assured and intelligent. I am sure you will like her.
LITERATURE – LITERATURA
- to broaden the mind – poszerzać horyzonty
- to entertain – bawić
- to communicate feelings – przekazywać uczucia
- to communicate a message – przekazywać jakieś przesłanie
- to convey a message – przekazywać przesłanie, komunikat
- to preserve cultural bonds – podtrzymywać więzi kulturalne
- to mock – wyśmiewać, wykpić
- to denounce – demaskować, obnażać coś
- to interpret – interpretować
- knowledge – wiedza
- literary achievement – osiągnięcie literackie
- a bookworm – mól książkowy
- literary genres – gatunki literackie
- novel – powieść
- adventure novel – powieść przygodowa
- historical novel – powieść historyczna
- detective story – powieść detektywistyczna
- diary – pamiętnik, dziennik
- biography – biografia
- autobiography – autobiografia
- travel book – książka podróżnicza
- love story, romance – historia miłosna
- short story – nowela
- story – opowiadanie
- tale – opowieść
- thriller – dreszczowiec
- children’s book – książka dla dzieci
- fairy tales, fables – bajki
- art book – książka o sztuce
- epic – utwór epicki
- poem – wiersz
- lyric – wiersz liryczny
- parable – przypowieść
- drama – dramat
- contemporary literature – literatura współczesna
- non-fiction – literatura faktu
- poetry – poezja
- science fiction – fantastyka naukowa
- encyclopaedia – encyklopedia
- guidebook – przewodnik
- cookbook, cookery book – książka kucharska
- anthology – antologia
- manual – poradnik, instrukcja obsługi
- memoirs – pamiętniki (osoby sławnej, np. polityków)
- textbook, coursebook – podręcznik szkolny lub uniwersytecki
- whodunnit – kryminał („kto zabił”)
- atlas – atlas
- phrase book – rozmówki
- author – autor
- writer – pisarz
- novelist – powieściopisarz
- playwright – dramaturg
- poet – poeta
- biographer – biograf
- historian – historyk
- distinguished – wybitny
- famous – sławny
- copyright – prawo autorskie
- pen name, pseudonym – pseudonim
- publisher – wydawca
- book – książka
- plot – fabuła, intryga, główny wątek
- subplot – wątek poboczny
- introduction – wstęp
- prologue – prolog
- epilogue – epilog
- preface – przedmowa
- chapter – rozdział
- contents – spis treści
- page – strona
- volume – tom
- hero – bohater
- heroine – bohaterka
- main character – główny bohater
- villain – czarny charakter
- climax – punkt kulminacyjny
- denouement – ekscytujące zakończenie
- summary – streszczenie
- quotation – cytat
- illustration – ilustracja
- publishing house – wydawnictwo
- paperback – książka w miękkiej oprawie
- hardback – książka w twardej oprawie
- cover – okładka
- paragraph – akapit
CINEMA
Film industry
My favourite film is ‘Matrix’ directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski, who are also the authors of the script. I love this film and rate it a notch above some of the other great action films of our time because it has a really well thought out story line and excellent twists of the plot. Acting is flawless and special effects stunning.
Film generes
I love watching films so I often go to the cinema. I like dramas, horror films and comedies. I would also enjoy watching historical films if they were better cast and had more exciting plots. Nevertheless, the majority of them are rather poor. I also like to watch thrillers and adventure films but only if they are really gripping and breathtaking. I am not very fond of melodramas. Although they are sometimes really moving, all of them seem to be the same. I try not to watch dubbed films because I believe the ones with subtitles are much better as you can hear real voices of the actors.
To go to the cinema
How about going to the cinema today? I have checked the cinema programme and I think there are a lot of interesting films on. I will get the tickets after school as the box office is in my neighbourhood. I know you are a cinema lover so I will try to choose something worth seeing. And I will not forget that you hate seats in the front row.
CINEMA – KINO
- film industry – przemysł filmowy
- to produce a film – wyprodukować film
- to make a film – zrobić film
- to direct a film – nakręcić, wyreżyserować film
- producer – producent
- director – reżyser
- actor/actress – aktor/ aktorka
- role, part – rola
- starring role – główna rola
- supporting role – rola drugoplanowa
- stunt – kaskader
- cameraman – operator
- to shoot – robić zdjęcia
- scriptwriter – scenarzysta
- script, screenplay – scenariusz
- set designer – scenograf
- decoration, set design – scenografia
- soundtrack – ścieżka dźwiękowa
- premiere – premiera
- review – recenzja
- trailer – zwiastun filmowy
- film award – nagroda filmowa
- film adaptation – adaptacja filmowa
- screening – ekranizacja
- based on – oparty na
- to star – wystąpić w roli głównej
- special effects – efekty specjalne
- impressive acting – gra aktorska robiąca wrażenie
- excellent – doskonała
- flawless – bez zarzutu
- wooden, poor acting – drewniana, słaba gra aktorska
- a twist of the plot – zwrot akcji
- film genres – gatunki filmów
- thriller – film sensacyjny
- horror film – horror
- comedy – komedia
- romantic comedy – komedia romantyczna
- feature film – film fabularny
- war film – wojenny
- documentary – dokumentalny
- historical – historyczny
- drama – dramat
- costume drama – film kostiumowy
- adventure film – przygodowy
- melodrama – melodramat
- detective – kryminalny
- western – western
- cartoon – film rysunkowy
- biopic – film biograficzny
- silent movie – film niemy
- black and white – film czarno-biały
- foreign-language film – film zagraniczny
- domestic – film krajowy
- independent, low-budget – film niezależny, niskobudżetowy
- action – film akcji
- disaster – film katastroficzny
- musical – musical
- cult – film kultowy
- road film – film drogi
- film – film
- mediocre film – przeciętny film
- poor film – zły
- moving, touching – wzruszający
- well-cast – dobrze obsadzony
- breathtaking – zapierający dech
- gripping – trzymający w napięciu
- outstanding – znakomity
- disappointing – rozczarowujący
- unconvincing – nieprzekonujący
- award winning – nagrodzony
- hilarious – zabawny
- fast-moving – dynamiczny
- with subtitles – z napisami
- dubbed – dubbingowany
- it keeps you on the edge of your seat – trzyma cię w napięciu
- praised by critics – doceniony przez krytyków
- slated by the press – skrytykowany przez prasę
- to go to the cinema – iść do kina
- to get tickets to the cinema – dostać bilety do kina
- audience – widownia
- cinema programme – program kin
- box office – kasa biletowa
- box office hit – sukces kasowy
- seat – miejsce
- row – rząd
- cinema lover – miłośnik kina
- film festival – festiwal filmowy
- blockbuster – hit
THEATRE
I have not been to the theatre for ages so now I really don’t know what kind of performance I should choose. I used to like historical dramas but now I am more inclined to watch contemporary plays. Last time I went to the theatre, I saw a comedy of manners. It was funny and interesting in the first two acts but in the third one, it became boring. That is why I think that this time I will watch a tragedy or a social drama.
To stage a play
I love watching rehearsals in the theatre especially when they are about to stage a historical drama. The costumes and props are usually fantastic and the stage setting is impressive. Before the actors have mastered their roles well a prompter has a lot of work. They repeat the same scenes many times until everything goes well. I watch everything from the wings and I am never bored with it. I always try to watch the premiere and I usually have tickets in the box. Some actors suffer from a stage fright but they are able to overcome it. When the play has finished, they stand on the stage in the footlights and listen to the audience’s applause. I can see their faces beaming with joy.
THEATRE – TEATR
- performance – przedstawienie
- play – sztuka
- contemporary play – sztuka współczesna
- social drama – dramat społeczny
- historical drama – dramat historyczny
- comedy of manners – komedia obyczajowa
- tragedy – tragedia
- matinee – przedstawienie poranne
- revue – rewia
- act – akt
- scene – scena (część dramatu)
- puppet theatre – teatr lalkowy
- to stage a play – wystawić sztukę
- stage – scena
- scenography – scenografia
- leading part – główna rola
- to master a role – opanować rolę
- to learn by heart – nauczyć się na pamięć
- rehearsal – próba
- dress rehearsal – próba generalna
- to have a stage fright – mieć tremę
- prompter – sufler
- costume – kostium
- prop – rekwizyt
- stage setting – scenografia
- curtain – kurtyna
- wings, backstage – kulisy
- lights – światła
- footlights – światła rampy
- spotlight – reflektor punktowy
- applause – brawa, aplauz
- to clap – klaskać
- to boo – wyrażać dezaprobatę, „buczeć”
- standing ovation – owacja na stojąco
- box – loża
- stalls – parter
- circle – balkon
- interval – przerwa, antrakt
MUSIC
I am very fond of music and I listen to it all the time. I like both classical and modern music but my favourite kind is rock. I always listen to it on my way to school. Recently I have been listening to Green Day a lot. It is a group of two guitar players and one percussion player. When I do my homework, I prefer something quieter like jazz or blues and before I go to bed, I usually listen to chamber or symphonic music. The sound of violins, cellos and pianos make me feel relaxed and calm. I never listen to country music as all the tunes seem the same to me.
I want to be a singer in the future. Everybody says my voice is beautiful and I should do something about it. I have already sung in a school choir but I would rather be a soloist. I would like to be as famous as Madonna so that renowned songwriters and composers would work for me. I would release a new album once a year and appear in the best concert halls. I have been thinking about learning to play the saxophone or the guitar as it might be helpful in my career.
MUSIC – MUZYKA
- modern, contemporary music – muzyka współczesna
- classical – klasyczna
- folk, ethnic – ludowa
- chamber – kameralna
- symphonic – symfoniczna
- church – kościelna
- pop – rozrywkowa
- electronic – elektroniczna
- rock – rock
- blues – blues
- jazz – jazz
- country and western – country
- disco – disco
- soul – soul
- ballad – ballada
- choir – chór
- tune – melodia
- concert – koncert
- concert hall – sala koncertowa
- orchestra – orkiestra
- to listen to music – słuchać muzyki
- to go to a concert – iść na koncert
- live music – muzyka na żywo
- live performance – występ na żywo
- put on some music – włączyć muzykę
- musician – muzyk
- to compose, write – komponować
- composer – kompozytor
- songwriter – kompozytor piosenek
- conductor – dyrygent
- soloist – solista
- virtuoso – wirtuoz
- guitar player – gitarzysta
- pianist – pianista
- singer – piosenkarz
- to play the piano – grać na pianinie
- to record – nagrywać
- to release an album – wydać płytę
- to tune (instruments) – stroić
- to be tone-deaf – nie mieć słuchu muzycznego
- to give a concert – dać koncert
- to have an ear for music – mieć dobry słuch muzyczny
- to hum (to oneself) – nucić (pod nosem)
- to top the charts – być na pierwszych miejscach list przebojów
- a chart hit – hit muzyczny z list przebojów
- lyrics – tekst piosenki
- musical instruments – instrumenty muzyczne
- accordion – akordeon
- cello – wiolonczela
- clarinet – klarnet
- double bass – kontrabas
- drum – bęben
- flute – flet
- grand piano – fortepian
- guitar – gitara
- acoustic guitar – gitara akustyczna
- bass guitar – gitara basowa
- electric guitar – gitara elektryczna
- harp – harfa
- kettle drum – kocioł
- keyboard – keyboard, syntezator
- organ – organy
- percussion – perkusja
- piano – pianino
- saxophone, sax – saksofon
- tambourine – tamburyn
- trombone – puzon
- trumpet – trąbka
- violin – skrzypce
OPERA, BALLET
I rarely have the opportunity to go to the opera house but if I happen to, I am always impressed. The voices of opera singers are perfect. I especially admire soprano and alto arias. The choreography is usually very traditional and the stage setting simple because music is the most important element there. Our opera house has a very good orchestra with all the rare instruments such as a trombone, a harp, a double bass or a clarinet. A lot of famous conductors have been invited to lead it.
OPERA, BALLET – OPERA, BALET
- opera – opera (liryczna)
- comic opera – opera komiczna
- aria – aria
- orchestra – orkiestra
- conductor – dyrygent
- soloist – solista
- opera singer – śpiewak
- soprano – sopran
- mezzo-soprano – mezzosopran
- alto – alt
- tenor – tenor
- baritone – baryton
- bass – bas
- choir – chór
- opera house – teatr operowy
- choreographer – choreograf
- choreography – choreografia
- prima ballerina – primabalerina
- ballet dancer – tancerz, tancerka/baletnica
- corps de ballet – zespół baletowy
FINE ARTS
Art lover
I am very interested in art and I visit museums and art galleries as often as possible. I can’t collect artefacts because I am not rich enough but I buy a lot of books on the history of art. I prefer realistic to abstract art but I do not mind if it is classic or modern. I also like drawing and I am said to be talented. I am especially good at sketching portraits and caricatures. I want to study at the Academy of Fine Arts and work as a graphic designer or an illustrator in the future.
Work of art
I went to New York last holiday. I did a lot of sightseeing there but the most interesting place was the Metropolitan Museum. I was really impressed by the number of masterpieces they have in their collection. I was able to see Egyptian murals, Greek ceramics, Roman busts and bas-reliefs. They have a magnificent collection of paintings of old masters such as Rubens or Rembrandt. I could also admire works of art from my favourite period, which is Impressionism. Everybody can find there something for himself as the masterpieces represent almost all known techniques. There are not only paintings and sculptures but also engravings, mosaics or tapestries.
Painting, picture
I want to be a painter in the future. I have already found a private teacher who can teach me how to paint. I have bought an easel, canvas and a few picture frames. I know I have to begin with something simple so I will probably use pastels, charcoal or ink at the beginning. I have made some sketches of still life and I am quite satisfied with them. Nevertheless, I would rather paint portraits or landscapes in the future. I want to understand what a good painting is, what should be painted in the foreground and what in the background. I would like to be able to depict the nature in the similar way to the Romantic masters. Perhaps my expectations are too great but I will try to do my best.
FINE ARTS – SZTUKI PLASTYCZNE
- antique art – sztuka antyczna
- Egyptian – egipska
- classic – klasyczna
- contemporary – współczesna
- modern – współczesna, nowożytna
- realistic – realistyczna
- abstract – abstrakcyjna
- folk – ludowa
- Byzantine art – sztuka bizantyjska
- the Renaissance period – renesans
- the Baroque age – barok
- The Romantic era – romantyzm
- Impressionism – impresjonizm
- art lover – miłośnik sztuki
- to be interested in – interesować się
- to admire – podziwiać
- to be impressed by – być pod wrażeniem
- to collect – kolekcjonować
- art gallery – galeria sztuki
- (art) exhibition – wystawa
- opening day – wernisaż
- to visit a museum – zwiedzać muzeum
- Academy of Fine Arts – Akademia Sztuk Pięknych
- history of art – historia sztuki
- work of art, artefact – dzieło sztuki
- masterpiece – arcydzieło
- drawing – rysunek
- sketch – szkic
- sculpture – rzeźba
- bas-relief – płaskorzeźba
- bust – popiersie
- tapestry – gobelin, arras
- mosaics – mozaika
- mural – fresk
- engraving – rycina, miedzioryt
- ceramics – ceramika
- caricature – karykatura
- forgery – podróbka
- a forged work of art – kopia dzieła sztuki (fałszerstwo)
- technique – technika
- studio – pracownia
- workshop – warsztat
- artist – artysta
- painter – malarz
- sculptor – rzeźbiarz
- graphic designer – grafik
- illustrator – ilustrator
- designer – projektant
- photographer – fotografik
- old master – dawny mistrz
- gifted, talented – zdolny, utalentowany
- to paint – malować
- to sculpt – rzeźbić
- to sketch – szkicować
- to mould – formować
- to engrave – grawerować
- to design – projektować
- to portray – portretować
- to depict – przedstawiać
- painting, picture – obraz
- still life – martwa natura
- nude – akt
- portrait – portret
- self-portrait – autoportret
- landscape – krajobraz
- oil-painting – malarstwo olejne
- watercolour – akwarela
- pastels – pastele
- charcoal – węgiel
- ink – tusz
- paints – farby
- paintbrush – pędzel
- easel – sztalugi
- canvas – płótno
- picture frame – rama
- foreground – pierwszy plan
- background – tło
MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS
I always begin my day with a cup of coffee and a daily newspaper which is delivered to my door every morning. At first I have a look at the front page. I read captions under the pictures and then read home and international news. I am very keen on sport so I never omit sports page. I sometimes read crime and society news and I don’t forget about reportages which are often interesting. I hardly ever read horoscopes as I do not believe in them but I happen to have a look at classified ads even if I am not looking for anything special.
My sister buys a lot of weekly magazines but she seldom reads them. She looks at the photographs of famous people and reads interviews with them. She does not pay any attention to editorials, reviews or theatre news. She is more interested in agony and lonely hearts columns.
MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS – CZASOPISMA I GAZETY
- daily newspaper – gazeta codzienna
- weekly (magazine) – tygodnik
- monthly (magazine) – miesięcznik
- journalist – dziennikarz
- correspondent – korespondent
- editor – redaktor
- agony aunt – osoba udzielająca porad dla czytelników
- reporter – reporter
- headlines – nagłówki
- front page – pierwsza strona
- back issue/ copy – numer archiwalny
- local newspaper – gazeta lokalna
- national newspaper – gazeta ogólnokrajowa
- quality newspaper, broadsheet – poważna gazeta
- tabloid – brukowiec
- to hit the headlines – znaleźć się na pierwszych stronach gazet
- to subscribe to a magazine – zaprenumerować czasopismo
- article – artykuł
- review – recenzja
- reportage – reportaż
- editorial – artykuł redakcyjny, wstępny
- horoscope – horoskop
- comic strip – komiks
- feature on – specjalny artykuł na jakiś temat
- front-page news – wiadomość z pierwszych stron gazet
- interview – wywiad
- cartoons – komiksy
- theatre news – kronika teatralna
- society news – kronika towarzyska
- crime news – kronika kryminalna
- classified ads – ogłoszenia drobne
- home news – wiadomości z kraju
- international news – wiadomości z zagranicy
- obituary – nekrolog
- caption – podpis pod zdjęciem
- agony column – rubryka zawierająca porady dla czytelników
- lonely hearts column – ogłoszenia towarzyskie
- sports page – kolumna sportowa
- coverage – relacja
- newsletter – biuletyn
TELEVISION
I rarely watch television. I hate all these stupid programmes like chat shows, sitcoms or soap operas. I prefer documentaries, political debates or wildlife programmes. My brother is a true coach potato. He spends hours in front of a TV set zapping through all the channels. We have a cable TV so he has a great choice. He watches everything: cookery programmes, weather forecast as well as commercial breaks, sports news and reality shows.
TELEVISION – TELEWIZJA
- channel – kanał
- to host a programme – prowadzić program, być gospodarzem programu
- to change, switch channels – zmieniać programy (pilotem)
- to switch to another channel – przełączyć na inny program
- digital TV – telewizja cyfrowa
- cable TV – telewizja kablowa
- prime time – najlepszy czas antenowy
- turn on/ off the TV – włączyć, wyłączyć telewizję
- turn the volume down/ up – zwiększyć głośność, ściszyć
- episode – odcinek
- to zap through all the channels – przerzucać kanały pilotem
- programmes – programy
- documentary – film dokumentalny
- travel show – film podróżniczy
- sitcom – serial komediowy
- soap opera – telenowela
- game show, quiz show – teleturniej
- docusoap – telenowela dokumentalna
- reality show – reality show
- talk show, chat show – program typu talk show
- news – wiadomości
- local news – wiadomości regionalne
- interview – wywiad
- weather forecast – prognoza pogody
- factual programme – reportaż
- wildlife programme – film przyrodniczy
- cookery programme – program kulinarny
- religious programme – program religijny
- educational programme – program edukacyjny
- sports programme – program sportowy
- children’s programme – program dla dzieci
- sports news – wiadomości sportowe
- commercial break – przerwa zawierająca reklamy
- newsflash – doniesienia
- party political broadcast – program wyborczy
- political debate – debata polityczna
- series – serial
- (live) coverage – relacja (na żywo)