Tell Us About Your Hobbies

Lesson 22

                                 Tell Us About Your Hobbies

                                            Text A

JOHN:   What I like most, I suppose, is the fact that it's so unusual. I mean, when I
   tell people  what I do,they just look at me usually as if I'm mad.Maybe I am,
   anyway what I do is  this. I get up about a quarter past six every morning.
   I leave my wife in bed because she's not as mad as me - and I put my trunks
   on under under tracksuit and drive down to
   the park with my clothes in a case. It only takes about five minutes .because        
   there's no traffic of course at that time in the morning. So, when I get there
   I leave the car in the car park and run round a bit.I usually run for about ten
   minutes till I'm nice and warm, then comes the interesting bit. I run over to
   the car,get my case and then over to the pool. I take my tracksuit off and -in
   I jump. It's pretty cold I can tell you especially in the middle of winter-but
   I do a coupte of quick lengths and then I climb out, get changed and drive
   home, I just get back in time for breakfast - and I normally¹ feel I've earned
   it too.
　
 
JACK:   Well, it's very detailed² work you see, but I find it very relaxing. It's  
   strange I suppose that something like this where you have to concentrate a
   lot can be relaxing
   ing, but you see in my job I'm always making decisions and telling people what      
   to do but I never actuplly see what I've done. This is completely different.
   You see, here I'm actually making something myself. I start with a kite,
   usually it's got all the basic materials in it. Then you have to cut out all
   the shapes from the wood and stick them together. When you've made the frame³,
   the wings and the fuselage, that is, you cover them with special paper and
   paint. Of course if it's going
   to fly properly, everything has to be properly balanced, you know.. I must say
   really though. I think I enjoy actaually making them more than flying them.
　
 
JANE:   Well in a sense I suppose I do it to save money. I mean things are so
   incredibly .expensive in the shops nowadays days, aren't they? But that's not
   the only reason really
   No, the beautiful thing is that you can make what you want when you want-and in      
   material you've chosen. I mean you don't have to depend on some paris designer
   to say what is fashionable. If you like an idea you see then of course you
   can copy it , but it gives you much more independence to do it yourself.
   I mean obviously⁴ it takes time , but I enjoy it , and with a sewing machine
   it doesn't take all that long to make even quite complicated⁵ things. And then
   finally you know that you've got something really unique. Especially if it's
   something you've designed yourself.
　
 
HARRY:   Well, it gives me the chance to be alone-and for me that's really the most  It     
   important thing I suppose,after being with crowds of people all week.
   gives you time to think, you know. And another thing is that it gets me
   out of doors. I suppose it isn't very energetic really after all. I mean you
   don't do very much except just sit there, but at least it's in the fresh air.
   And that's more than you can say for things like darts⁶, isn't it? No,
   that's really what I like about it.I like having time to think in the open air.
   I'm not terribly keen⁷ on the man against animal bit, you know man
   the hunter against nature. No, actually I don t usually catch very many you
   know. And if I do, I always throw them straight back.

                                            Text B

JEFF:   What's on the telly this evening? I feel like relaxing.
MARY:   Why ask me that? You know I never watch it.
JEFE:   Too busy with the latest hobby, are you? What is it this time, knitting⁸ socks
   for your nephews? Or collecting buttons? I wish I had as much free time as
   you do.
MARY:   Men! As a matter of fact, you probably have more than I do. But you waste it
   all watching your telly.
JEFF:   That's not a waste of time. I've got to rest sometimes.
MARY:   Sometimes , maybe , but not all the time. And anyway ,I relax with my hobbies.
   A change is as good as a rest.
JEFF:   Well, the telly's my hobby, and I learn a lot from it.
MARY:   But it doesn't teach you to do anything, does it? You ust sit there and stare
   at it. That's not lerning.
JEFF:   But I do learn. There are lots of educational programmes.
MARY:   But you don't watch them, do you? Whenever an educational
   programme comes on, you eithes switch ove to the other channel or go to sleep.
JEFF:   When I come home from work. I need to put my feet up, at least for a while.
   Life's not all work, you know.
MARY:   Hobbies aren't work, Jeff. I like putting my feet up, too, at the end of the 
   day,but I like doing things while I rest. Life's too short for us to waste time.
JEFF:   Mary dear, as I've said many times, we're different. There are two kinds of
   people in the world. . .
MARY:   I know, I know. Those who are never happy unless they're running about doing
   things. . .
JEFF:   That's right, and those who are never happy unless they're doing nothing. I'm
   one of the latter and you. . .
MARY:   I know, dear. I'm one of the former. And proud of it.
JEFF:   So now we agree. Live, and let live. You can go peacefully back to your -button
   collection, and I can watch TV.
MARY:   If only you organised yourself better, there's so much you could do, really.
   You're wasting your talents. And one last thing I'm not collecting buttons.
JEFF:   What are you doing then? Making sculptures from potatoes?
MARY:   No, I'm learning⁹ how to make Turkish cakes, and the first ones came out very well.
   Of course, if you're too tired, I won't insist on you trying them.

　

                                Additional¹⁰ lnformation

    A hobby can be almost anything a person likes to do in his spare time. Hobbyists raise pets, build model ships, weave baskets, or carve soap figures.They watch birds, hunt animals, climb mountains, raise flowers, fish, ski, skate, and swim. Hobbyists also paint pictures, attend concerts and plays, and perform on musical instruments. They collect everything from books to butterflies, and from shells to stamps.

    People take up hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment¹¹, friendship, knowledge, and relaxation¹². Sometimes they even yield¹³ financial profit. Hobbies help people relax after periods of hard work, and provide a balance between work and play. Hobbies also offer interesting activities for persons who have retired¹⁴. Anyone, rich or poor, old or young, sick or well, can follow a satisfying hobby, regardless of his age, position, or income.

    Hobbies can help a person's mental and physical health. Doctors have found that hobbies are valuable in helping¹⁵ patients recover from physical or mental illness. Hobbies give bedridden or wheel-chair patients something to do, and provide interests that keep them from thinking about themselves. Many hospitals treat patients by having them take up interesting hobbies or pastimes¹⁶.

    In early times, most people were too busy making a living to have many hobbies. But some persons who had leisure¹⁷ did enjoy hobbies. The ancient Egyptians played games with balls made of wood, pottery¹⁸, and papyrus¹⁹. some Greeks and Romans collected miniature²⁰ soldiers.

    People today have more time than ever before for hobbies. Machines and automation²¹ have reduced the amount of time they must spend on their jobs. Hobbies provide variety for workers who do the same monotonous²² tasks all day long. More people are retiring than ever before, and at an earlier age. Those who have developed hobbies never need to worry about what to do with their newly-found leisure hours.

    Sir William Osler, a famous Canadian doctor, expressed the value of hobbies by saying, "No man is really happy or safe without a hobb.y, and it makes precious little difference what the outsidc interest may be-botany, bcetles, or butterflies; roses, tulips, or irises: fishing, mountaimeering, or antiques - anything

1 normally   

adv.正常地，通常地

参考例句：

• I normally do all my shopping on Saturdays.我通常在星期六买东西。
• My pulse beats normally.我脉搏正常。

2 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

3 frame   

n.框架，结构，体格；vt.构成，设计，制定，使适合，陷害； 框架，（是指在数据链路层中，将网络层数据包加上开始与结尾信息包组成一个框架）

参考例句：

• The house has a wooden frame which is faced with brick.这个房子是木质结构的砖瓦房。
• We must frame up that picture.我们必须给那幅画装上框。

4 obviously   

adv.显然；明白地

参考例句：

• Obviously they were putting him to a severe test.显然他们是在给他以严峻的考验。
• Obviously he was lying.显然他是在撒谎。

5 complicated   

adj.错综复杂的，麻烦的，结构复杂的

参考例句：

• The poem is so complicated that I cannot make out its meaning.这首诗太复杂，我理解不了它的意思。
• This is the most complicated case I have ever handled.这是我所处理过的最为复杂的案子。

6 darts   

n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔

参考例句：

• His darts trophy takes pride of place on the mantelpiece. 他将掷镖奖杯放在壁炉顶上最显著的地方。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I never saw so many darts in a bodice! 我从没见过紧身胸衣上纳了这么多的缝褶！ 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 keen   

adj.热心的；敏锐的；激烈的；锋利的

参考例句：

• There is keen competition between the two motorcar firms.两家汽车公司之间存在着激烈的竞争。
• The children are mad keen to go to the zoo.孩子们非常想去动物园。

8 knitting   

n.编结物；接合，联合；[外科]骨愈合v.（使）愈合( knit的现在分词)；编结，编织；（使）紧密地结合；织平针

参考例句：

• Weaving and knitting are traditional cottage industries. 编织和针织是传统的家庭手工业。
• manipulative skills such as typing and knitting 诸如打字、编织这样的技能

9 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

10 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

11 enjoyment   

n.乐趣；享有；享用

参考例句：

• Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
• After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。

12 relaxation   

n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐

参考例句：

• The minister has consistently opposed any relaxation in the law.部长一向反对法律上的任何放宽。
• She listens to classical music for relaxation.她听古典音乐放松。

13 yield   

v.生产，出产；让步，屈服；n.产量，收获量

参考例句：

• A cow will yield several gallons of milk each day.一头母牛每天产几加仑的牛奶。
• We shall never yield to a conqueror.我们永远不会向征服者低头。

14 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

15 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

16 pastimes   

n.消遣，娱乐( pastime的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• First, pastimes (or \"amusements\") must be distinguished from true games. 首先，必须将消遣活动与真正的游戏加以区别。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗
• She shared their expatriation, their convictions, their pastimes, their ennui. 她与他们有共同的流亡国外的命运，共同的信念，共同的乐趣，共同的苦闷。 来自辞典例句

17 leisure   

n.空闲时间，空暇；悠闲，安逸

参考例句：

• I am seldom at leisure.我很少有空。
• He read books at his leisure.他在空闲时读一些书。

18 pottery   

n.陶器，陶器场

参考例句：

• My sister likes to learn art pottery in her spare time.我妹妹喜欢在空余时间学习陶艺。
• The pottery was left to bake in the hot sun.陶器放在外面让炎热的太阳烘晒焙干。

19 papyrus   

n.古以纸草制成之纸

参考例句：

• The Egyptians wrote on papyrus.埃及人书写用薄草纸。
• Since papyrus dries up and crumble,very few documents of ancient Egypt have survived.因草片会干裂成粉末所以古埃及的文件很少保存下来。

20 miniature   

adj.小型的，微小的；n.微小的模型，微型画

参考例句：

• He's giving a party in miniature on his birthday.他生日那天将举行一个小型晚会。
• Games are real life in miniature.游戏是现实生活的缩影。

21 automation   

n.自动化（技术），自动操作

参考例句：

• Automation will mean the loss of many jobs in this factory.自动化将意味着这个工厂要减少许多工作职位。
• Automation has helped to increase production.自动化促进了生产的发展。

22 monotonous   

adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的

参考例句：

• She thought life in the small town was monotonous.她觉得小镇上的生活单调而乏味。
• His articles are fixed in form and monotonous in content.他的文章千篇一律，一个调调儿。