Unit 13: Hobbies - Reading

Exercise 1: Choose the word or phrase -a, b, c or d - that best fits the blank space in the following passage. The (1) _____ of book knowledge is one part of school education but this kind of learning can be and often is carried to (2) _____ in many countries so that no time for other interests IS (3) _____ to young people. Not only must they attend school (4) _____ five-hour periods on six days of the week, studying possibly as many as thirteen different subjects, but in addition they may even go to afternoon institutes for (5) _____ instruction. They have almost no chance of taking (6) _____ any of their own hobbies or becoming familiar with the plants and (7) _____ life of the countryside except during their summer holidays. Early youth should be a time of exploration and adventure, of reading books for (8) _____ as well as study, of freedom to enjoy life before the responsibilities of working for a living and (9) _____ a family (10) _____ an end to study, to freedom and only too often to carefree enjoyment.

Exercise 2: Read the text carefully, then choose the correct answer. Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Examples include collecting, creative and artistic pursuits, making, tinkering, sports and adult education. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience. However, personal fulfilment is the aim. What are hobbies for some people are professions for others: a game tester may enjoy cooking as a hobby, while a professional chef might enjoy playing (and helping to debug) computer games. Generally speaking, the person who does something for fun, not remuneration, is called an amateur (or hobbyist), as distinct from professional. An important determinant of what is considered a hobby, as distinct from a profession (beyond the lack of remuneration), is probably how easy it is to make a living at the activity. Almost no one can make a living at cigarette card or stamp collecting, but many people find it enjoyable; so it is commonly regarded as a hobby. Amateur astronomers often make meaningful contributions to the professionals. It is -not entirely uncommon for a hobbyist to be the first to discover a celestial body or event. In the UK, the pejorative noun anorak (similar to the Japanese 'otaku' meaning a geek or enthusiast) is often applied to people who obsessively pursue a particular hobby that is considered boring, such as train spotting or stamp collecting.