Hobbies A hobby can be almost anything one likes to do in his spare time. Hobbyists raise animals, build model ships, make baskets, or carve soap figures. They watch birds, hunt animals, climb mountains, raise flowers, fish, and swim. Hobbyists also paint pictures, attend concerts and plays, and perform on musical instruments. They collect everything from books to flowers and from shells to stamps. People like hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment, friendship, knowledge, and rest. Sometimes they even bring money. Hobbies help people rest well after periods of hard work, and provides a balance between work and play. Hobbies also offer interesting activities for persons who retired. 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 helping patients recover from physical or mental illness. Hobbies give patients something to do, and provide interest that keeps them from thinking about themselves. People today have more time than ever for their hobbies. 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 spare time. Sir William Osler, a famous Canadian doctor, expressed the value of hobbies by saying: "No man is really happy or safe without a hobby." Comprehension of the Text The main idea of the first paragraph is . hobbies are activities enjoyed by people in their spare time hobbies vary in interest and enjoyment for different people people should take up several hobbies at a time some hobbies are more interesting than others Based on the passage we know that hobbies . can give people longer periods of rest offer sound sleep for the retired persons can be used as a medical treatment present people with more play and less work 3. We can safely say from the passage that ____. A) a person should have hobbies one at a time B) hobbies are something instructive C) almost every doctor has one hobby D) life would be different if one has a hobby 4. What can be said of the passage? A) It's easy to develop an instructive hobby. B) Hobby can cure serious illness. C) Even a child can have his own hobby. D) Hobbies can bring about nothing but spiritual benefits. 5. The author writes the passage to . A) show the advantages of hobbies over work B ) praise those who have hobbies C) ask patients to treat themselves with hobbies D) encourage people to develop hobbies