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Hobbies and freetime activities - reading practice.

Reading activities to practise reading skills and prepare for exams. The first activity is 3 reading texts and exam style questions focussing on purpose, tone, features and other skills. The second activity asks students to select the correct word practising spelling, grammar and vocabulary skills. All activities are along the theme of hobbies and free time activities. Help to prepare for Entry 3 reading exams.

Editor's notes

Written for E3 ESOL but the three short reading texts also provides useful and relevant practice for E3-L1 Functional Skills English. 

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Reading hobbies

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A reading comprehension about hobbies.

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Elementary English - Talking About Hobbies and Interests

Reading Task A

Read the text below about making plans for the weekend.

Sahra and her friends plan to do something together at the weekend. They have talked about things they enjoy doing, but can't decide what they want to do.

Sahra likes going bowling, but she hates football. All her friends like going to the cinema but her friend Julita doesn't like table tennis very much.

Sahra's friend Tomas likes watching football the best, but he likes playing darts and going bowling, too. Her friend Lin would prefer to play table tennis, but is happy to do something else instead.

Reading Task B

Look at the text again, and choose the best answer for questions 1 - 7.

1) Answer: False. Julita doesn't like table tennis very much.

2) Answer: True. Sahra likes going bowling. Tomas likes bowling, too.

3) Answer: False. Sahra hates football.

4) Answer: We don't know The text doesn't say whether Lin likes bowling or not.

5) Answer: False. Tomas likes playing darts.

6) Answer: True. All Sahra's friends like going to the cinema.

7) Answer: False. Tomas likes watching football the best.

Hobbies and Spare Time Interests - Memory Matching Game

Click on a card to start the game. Match up the words and pictures that go together.

Click the 'new game' button for a new set of words and letters.

Spelling Words for Hobbies and Spare Time Interests

Can you unscramble these jumbled words for hobbies and pastimes?

Match the mixed up words with the correct spellings.

Put Words for Hobbies and Interests in Order

Can you put these words for hobbies and interests in alphabetical order?

Move the words on the right to match the numbers on the left.

Hobbies and Interests - Missing Verbs

Can you add the missing verbs to numbers 1 - 8?

• Teen Hobbies

• big success
• grow tired of
• injuring knee
• rock climbing
• skateboarder
• skateboarding
• teen hobbies
• Reading Part 1 & 2
• Reading Part 3 & 4
• Reading Part 5
• Writing Part 6
• Writing Part 7

Part 1 - Read six short real-world texts for the main message.

• A2 Key Part 1 Video
• Short Messages Exercise 1
• Short Messages Exercise 2
• Short Messages Exercise 3

Part 2 - Read seven questions and three short texts on the same topic, then match the questions to the texts.

• A2 Key Part 2 Video
• Homework Advice
• Teen Bloggers

Part 3 - Read one long text for detailed understanding and main ideas.

• Climbing Mount Everest
• Don’t Skip Breakfast
• Edinburgh Festival
• Emirate Airline Manager
• Family Castle
• Getting to Sleep
• London Police Force
• Photography for Beginners

Part 4 - Read a factual text and choose the correct vocabulary items to complete the gaps.

• A Dog’s Lifespan
• Countryside
• Digital Literacy
• Firefighters
• Hip Hop Fashion
• London Madame Tussaud’s
• Schnauzer Dogs
• Social Media
• The Night Shift

Part 5 - Complete gaps in an email (and sometimes the reply too) using one word.

• Barbecue birthday party
• Big Snowstorm
• Birthday Party
• Brighton Language School
• Fuji Rock Festival
• Holiday in Thailand
• Pop Concert
• School Life
• School Trip
• Summer Camp
• Visiting London

Part 6 - Write a short email or note of 25 words or more.

• Camping Holiday
• Dentist appointment
• Missed Game
• Party Invitation
• School Project
• Sports Centre

Part 7 - Write a short story of 35 words or more based on three picture prompts.

• Going Camping
• Listening Part 1
• Listening Part 2
• Listening Part 3
• Listening Part 4
• Listening Part 5

Part 1 - Listen to conversations and choose the correct answer.

• Five Conversations Set 1

Part 2 - Listen to a monologue and complete gaps in a page of notes.

• End-of-Year Dinner
• Film-making competition

Part 3 - Listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer.

• Buying a Skateboard
• Camping Trip
• New Video Game

Part 4 - Listen to  conversations and choose the correct answer.

• Five Short Conversations 1

Part 5  - Listen to a conversation and choose the correct answer.

• Daily Activities
• Future Jobs
• Halloween Costume
• Asia and Vittoria
• Luca and Federica
• Sthefhany and Fayza
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• Appliances Crossword
• Buildings Crossword
• Documents Crossword
• Entertainment Crossword
• Halloween Crossword
• Health Crossword
• Human Body Crossword
• Leisure Crossword
• Measurements Crossword
• Natural World Crossword
• Phrasal Verbs Crossword
• School Words Crossword
• Sport Crossword
• Technology Crossword
• Travel Crossword
• A2 Art Word Puzzle
• A2 Colour Word Puzzle
• A2 Education Word Puzzle Set 1
• A2 Family Word Puzzle
• A2 Food and Drink Word Puzzle
• A2 History Word Puzzle
• A2 Holidays Word Puzzle
• A2 Leisure Word Puzzle
• A2 Maths Word Puzzle
• A2 Phrasal Verbs Word Puzzle
• A2 Science Word Puzzle
• A2 Shopping Word Puzzle
• A2 Star Wars Word Puzzle
• A2 The Natural World Word Puzzle
• A2 Transport Word Puzzle
• About the Countryside Word Search
• Accessories Word Search
• Adverbs Word Search
• Appliances Word Search
• Body Word Search
• Buildings Word Search
• Cleaning Word Search
• Colours Word Search
• Documents Word Search
• Entertainment Word Search
• Fourth of July Word Search
• Geography Word Search
• Halloween Word Search
• Health Word Search
• History Word Search
• Jobs Word Search
• Language Word Search
• Leisure Word Search
• Maths Word Search
• Measurement Word Search
• Music Word Search
• Nationality Word Search
• Natural World Word Search
• Science Word Search
• Sea Creatures Word Search
• Services Word Search
• Sports Word Search
• Star Wars Word Search
• Technology Word Search
• Town Word Search
• Travel Word Search
• Weather Word Search
• Everyday English
• Grammar Skills
• Speaking Skills
• Vocabulary Skills
• Writing Skills
• At the Doctor’s
• Making Polite Requests
• Saying When
• Article Exercises
• Feelings Exercises
• Christmas Exercises
• Clothes Exercises
• Education Exercises
• Family Exercises
• Food and Drink Exercises
• House and Home Exercises
• Numbers and Amount Exercises
• People Exercises
• Shopping Exercises
• Signs and Notices Exercises
• Time Exercises
• Travel and Holidays Exercises
• Valentine’s Day Exercises
• Bank Robbers News Report
• Cardboard Bike Magazine Article
• Competition Short Story
• Facebook News Article
• Film Online Website Review
• Football Match Email
• Human Body Explanation
• Party Invitation Email
• Saving Energy Email
• School Work Email
• Subject Choices Email
• Surprised Teacher Short Story
• Things have Changed Email
• Visiting a Relative Email
• Work of Art Magazine Article

Cambridge English exams are designed for learners at all levels from the elementary level Cambridge English: Key (KET) to the very advanced level Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE). These exams give candidates proof of their ability to use English in a wide variety of contexts, relevant to work, study and leisure activities.

A2 Key | B1 Preliminary | B2 First

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Reading tasks on hobbies and leisure

Subject: German

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

5 October 2014

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sarahrachel

Just what I need for a cover lesson. Thank you!

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

the Fut T text - just what I was after! Was about to do my own... Thank you!

Thanks. Really useful for me for homework. Much appreciated.

Liz_Fotheringham

A good collection of reading activities with a variety of tasks. I like the way in which the Future tense worksheet requires pupils to reflect on the tense used and why - some indication of levels might be useful?

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Reading As A Hobby (A Detailed Guide)

Anyone from anywhere can open a book for leisure or even more. And here you can learn more about reading as a hobby and even discover what type of reader are you.

Do you love reading? Do you love cracking open a new book?

Well, reading is a great hobby for most people. It is also a career for a lot of people.

If you are looking for new hobbies to try out, here is what you need to know about reading as a hobby and why you need to start today. 

What Is Reading? 

Reading involves cracking open a new book, reading online, or simply reading magazines. It is great since most people indulge in reading in their leisure time. However, for most people, it is also a career, especially for those who are in the publishing world. 

Can Reading Be A Hobby?

Yes, reading is a great hobby. That’s because, outside your normal busy hours, you will find yourself reading after a long day just to relax. On the other hand, if you find yourself free, you can always open a book and read to relax.

What Types Of People Like Reading?

People grab a book for various reasons. Here is a list of people who love reading.

1. TV Series Lovers 

TV series/shows are usually based on books. If there is a cliffhanger in one of the seasons, you are likely going to continue reading the books the shows are based on to get an idea of what happens next. On the other hand, there are a few people who read right before new shows are released so they can acquaint themselves with the various characters before the rest of the world knows them.

2. Book Club Attendees 

Are you part of a book club? Yes, book clubs are a great way to socialize and find out about new books. For other people, book clubs are actually a way of life. Here, you can choose the type of books to read, create themed foods to serve with these books, and much more.

3. Partial Readers 

Most people love reading but never quite get around to finishing a book. It doesn’t matter how invested you might be when you start a book, you will eventually lose interest, become distracted, or move on to the next book. Whenever you can, you will always pick up a new book to read but can’t ever get enough time to finish it.

4. Re-readers

Most people love opening up a new book and diving into the characters. However, if you don’t love getting out of your comfort zone and always go back to read the same books, you are a re-reader.

Simply put, you like what you know and would rather read the same book over and over again rather than try out a new book. Yes, eventually, you will come across another book you love and open up to it but for now, you just love the old books.

5. E-book Readers

Do you love reading books but only when they are online? Well, if you are this type of reader, you always have a hard time reading a physical book. However, you can read one on any device and enjoy the book all the same.

6. Physical Book Lovers

If you are this type of reader, you can only read a physical book. E-books don’t interest you and, actually, you don’t consider them as books. You will never be caught dead with an e-book and always feel the joy of opening up a new book.

7. Emotional Reader

When reading, a lot of people experience a lot of emotions. However, most of them actually feel everything much more than others.

If you are this type of reader, you are likely going to become extremely happy when the characters fall in love. When a character dies, you will feel it extremely too.

Benefits – Why Reading Is A Good Hobby?

If you are looking for a new hobby, here are a few reasons why reading is a good hobby.

1. Improves Cognitive Abilities 

Reading improves your memory and overall cognitive abilities. It is a great hobby for anyone, including kids. It will also improve your vocabulary and make you a great communicator.

2. Reading Is An Affordable Hobby

You simply have to invest in the best books if you want to start reading as a hobby. You don’t have to spend a lot of capital on it. If you have a local library near you, simply pay a small registration fee and gain access to all the books you need.

3. Reading Relieves Stress 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t read often, if you are feeling stressed, picking up a great book is a good way to relax. You will become involved in the story and the characters, thereby forgetting your problems.

It’s also a great way to help you fall asleep if you are having issues letting go of your busy day. Read a book when your mind can’t rest and see how fast you fall asleep.

4. Reading Improves Your Writing Skills

The more books you read, your writing skills will also improve dramatically. When you read, your mind will take note of the various writing techniques being used by the author. When you start writing, your mind will immediately use all these notes in your subconscious to come up with the best-written pieces.

5. Reading Will Improve Your Creativity

When reading, you are not doing it passively. You will become involved in the book and understand everything there is to know about the characters. You can build your imagination from the words written in the book. It’s a great way to boost your creativity.

Are There Any Drawbacks To Choosing Reading As A Hobby?

Yes, reading might be beneficial in so many ways. However, there are some drawbacks. For instance, reading takes a lot of time. Secondly, it also requires a lot of dedication and willpower to pick up a book and read from top to bottom.

How To Start Reading As A Hobby

If you are looking to start reading as your choice of hobby , here are a few things you need to know. 

Equipment Needed

You need to have a few books to read and your mind. If you love reading from devices, you need to have a good e-book reader, smartphone, or any other device. 

Start-Up And Ongoing Costs

If you choose to read the books in your library, you need to pay a registration fee and have unlimited access to books. Additionally, you can start your own library and buy books whenever possible. Depending on where you buy books, they can either be affordable or expensive.

Can You Make Money From Reading?

Yes, if you love reading, you can make money as a book reviewer. You can start up your own blog where you review books or simply do it on renowned publishing websites to make a handsome amount of money from it. 

Similar Hobbies To Reading

If you love reading, you will also appreciate other hobbies such as listening to music , writing, blogging, or creating videos. These are all hobbies that require using your creativity and imagination to come up with the best pieces.

Alternative Hobbies To Reading 

As an avid reader, other alternative hobbies you can try out include:

• Playing an instrument
• Listening to music

Where To Learn More

If you are looking to get started with reading as a hobby, you can start by looking for the best resources. For instance, you can visit various websites online and use social media or YouTube to find the best way to begin reading as a hobby. Even better, sign up for the local book club and socialize with other people who love reading as much as you do.

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How to Start Reading as a Hobby

Plenty of us are looking for a new hobby to keep us busy and enrich the time we invest into it. Reading for enjoyment is an example of a great hobby to expand personal development or be entertained. But you may not know where to start or if reading is even for you. We’re here to recommend starting reading as a hobby, where to begin, and how to make the most of it. Here’s how to start reading (and continue reading) as a hobby:

Why you should start reading

Find the right book, make a reading list, set reading goals.

• Create the right environment

Choose the right time to read

Dig deeper into your reading.

There are plenty of benefits to reading but also reasons for why reading makes for an effective hobby. Books can be found and brought around virtually anywhere because of smartphones. Reading is an expensive hobby since books can be found for low prices, from second-hand, found at a local library, or on a smartphone. If you prefer not to read on a device, books are the top way to learn information while limiting screen time . Learn more about topics you have a deep appreciation for and on brand new subjects or genres. What you can learn from reading expands your knowledge that you can share in conversation.

What else can books do besides give you something to do? Reading improves your ability to absorb information and repurpose it in your imagination or communicate ideas with others. Basically, you can become better at processing information or organizing ideas in writing. The more you read the better your vocabulary and memory can improve over time. Lastly, studies show that reading increases your emotional intelligence and your empathy for others. So reading has the ability to strengthen our brains and provide escapes from daily life in powerful ways. 

It may seem obvious, but it’s hard to start reading regularly if you don’t enjoy what you’re reading. When you have the motivation to keep reading a great book, reading as a habit will be a lot easier. Start by thinking about what you want to get out of a great book. To be transported to another world like in fantasy novels ? Receive advice on a topic like in personal finance books? You can stick to what you’ve liked in the past or completely branch out of your comfort zone. Remember that reading as a hobby doesn’t just mean fictional novels, it can mean poem collections, biographies, or even magazines! If you’re still unsure what to read, take a look at the New York Times Best Selling Lists or take recommendations from friends and coworkers. 

Say you have plenty of ideas of what you want to achieve by reading as a hobby, what do you do now? Making a reading list is the best thing to do when there are many types of books you want to read. First, approach a reading list like a brainstorm of everything you may want to read at some point. If that list ends up being too long, sort books by genre or topic. Then considering the reading goals you set for yourself, you will be able to prioritize and schedule how you finish each book on your list. 

There’s no right or wrong way to make goals to start reading as a hobby. Just as long as you know why you want to do it. Having a purpose along with a clearly defined objective is more likely to be met than unrealistic goals. Setting too high expectations for a beginning reader can make reading (a fun activity) a chore. Consider your own current reading skills and habits when deciding how many pages or books you want to read in a set time frame. For example, wanting to finish 24 books a year or just reading a few pages a day to start. In the end, you will have felt more accomplished for doing the things you already wanted to do. 

Create the right environment 

When you try to start reading, do you find it hard to focus or stay engaged? One solution may be to create the perfect environment for engrossed reading. Not every setting is made to be one to focus on a task like reading. The ideal location is one without distractions and you feel completely comfortable or cozy. The outdoors can also be relaxing for reading in the right circumstances. Eliminating distractions also means putting devices aside that otherwise would draw focus away from your reading. 

Along with having the ideal reading spot, choosing a consistent time to read can help develop your reading habit. Once you associate a certain time of day with reading, it’ll be hard to stop! Lots of people like to either read at the beginning or end of the day to spend crucial time without their phones. Good time periods can start from 30 minutes for beginning daily readers to hours for people who get sucked into books easily. If you have trouble starting reading at your selected time, set an alarm to help you remember the time you want to set aside. 

The last suggestion to stay committed to your reading habits is to take them to the next level. Use additional techniques and tools to enhance your reading skills. Annotating and journaling are great ways to help gain a deeper understanding of a book just by taking notes. Reflecting and tracking your reading progress makes reading as a hobby much easier than going with less guidance. 

Another option is to get others involved to enjoy reading together. Search for local events or general advice from public libraries and even bookstores around Conroe, Texas . Or join a book club where you can discuss your thoughts and stay in touch with other readers. Regardless, these techniques expand your reading skills and will make it more productive and less stressful. 

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11 Benefits of Reading as a Hobby

"11 BENEFITS OF READING AS A HOBBY" by Joe Walters is a literary resource for people who want to read more books and what can happen when they do.

by Joe Walters

Reading changes my life all the time.

It’s a way for me to see the world differently and to communicate differently and to kick my feet up and breathe and breathe and breathe all at the same time. Reading takes time. We’ve got to fill ours somehow. This relaxing, enriching, and productive hobby might just change your life too, if you let it.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t done it much lately or you never really have. All that matters is that you start and you keep going. If you develop a reading habit , you’ll see that the benefits of reading are plentiful.

Or, you could read this list.

Here are 11 benefits of reading that you’ll reap immediately and in the future .

• Reading makes you smarter

“Smarter” might seem like a vague umbrella term–and it kind of is–but only when you overcomplicate it.

At a basic level, becoming smarter than your previous self means that you learn something you didn’t previously know. By reading and then continuing to read, you do this over and over. Some things will stick. Some will not. Over time, you’ll rake in new practical information (may I recommend some mushroom books ?!) and use it to communicate better and analyze better in real life. Even if you stick strictly to fantasy books , you’re going to get smarter. But of course, if smarter is your goal, nonfiction books are about as practical as they come.

Don’t get frustrated if you can’t hop into reading and make your brain grow Jimmy Neutron-style right away. Reading and learning takes patience and resilience, but if you build the habit, it will come.

• Reading is a form of guided meditation

You may experience this benefit immediately.

Something is happening in your body and mind. You are circulating. You are sitting still and breathing and engaging the parts of your brain that require focus and retention. If it feels difficult to read or stay in the same mental space, that’s because it is. Like meditation, it takes practice. Once achieved, it can feel like a continuation of breaths of fresh air.

Some people will tell you that reading reduces stress, but stress sucks and I can’t put pressure on the task of reading like that. But I can confirm that sitting quietly and breathing is a very good thing.

• Tired of Netflix? Try a brain-movie!

There are so many ways to entertain yourself at home in the year 2023. Some are outside, some are inside, some are on screens, and yet…

We still get bored.

(Or most of us do).

When you read fiction and narrative nonfiction, you are watching a story unfold on the television screen of your imagination. The images are a combination of the things you know and the things the author is conveying to you, and it appears this way in this exact form only to you.

The benefits of reading stories are endless. Get lost in one; you’ll never know what you’ll find until you do.

Some top fiction & nonfiction book recommendations:

• Horror: Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova ( Hardcover | eBook )
• Sci-Fi: I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane ( Hardcover | eBook )
• Short Stories: Unshod, Cackling, and Naked by Tamika Thompson ( Paperback | eBook )
• Romance: Mid-Flight by Lisa Wilkes ( Paperback | eBook )
• Memoir: Laugh Cry Rewind by Judy Haveson ( Paperback | eBook )
• It can put you to sleep

Wait! How is a hobby that puts you to sleep anything but boring?

Hear me out…

Sometimes, you want to sleep.

You’re lying in bed and getting stuck in Youtube time-warps until it’s later than you wanted it to be and you have to get up in the morning. Even if you do put the phone down and surrender yourself to the act, it can be hard for your brain to slow down; the blue light from the phone can affect your sleep-wake cycle .

Any 10th grader in an 8 AM English will tell you: Reading can make you sleepy. Regardless of how good a book is, the act of scanning the text and processing what you’re reading is a natural way for your eyelids to start fluttering.

My favorite way to do this is reading nonfiction books (because I can stop midway!) with my Kindle and the bedroom light off. That way, I don’t need to do anything except lower my hand and eyes and I’m off to dreamland.

• You can listen to books while doing chores & other mindless tasks

I do so many dishes. I live in the kitchen sink. While I’m doing them, I wear headphones. But I’m not always in the same mood. Sometimes it’s music, sometimes it’s basketball podcasts, and sometimes it’s audiobooks.

Ever since starting my Audible free trial , I’ve been hooked on audiobooks. I’ve read biographies while brushing baby bottles, bird books while scrubbing too-large pots. Instead of listening to the 24-hour news cycle concerning how the Sixers will let me down this year, I’m learning and giving myself a fun new hobby of looking in the sky in real life to try to figure out what that bird is.

Quick note: I’ve been listening to audiobooks for a couple years now, and I haven’t read a single fiction book! Nonfiction gives me opportunities to miss out on a paragraph or two while I get spacey, and yet I can still understand what in the world is going on. My recommendation is to dive into nonfiction audiobooks as an option for when you’re cleaning and don’t look back.

Here are some of my favorite indie audiobooks of the last couple years:

• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer
• Negative Space by Lilly Dancyger
• In the Company of Crows and Ravens by John M. Marzluff and Tony Angell

• Books can give you a more complete picture than Google or social media

Want to learn something new? Google is an obvious place to start. Want to get bombarded with opinions and eye-catching graphics about real or not-real content? May I introduce you to [much of the internet]?

You can definitely learn from both Google and social media, but the best way to see the complete picture is by reading a book about it. Turn to experts for your information; read more books .

• Reading is time-consuming and inexpensive (or it can be!)

Our lives are made up of time. We have to fill it somehow.

If you find yourself bored with your regular routine, inject 30 minutes of reading time into it, and you could feel productive and rested by the end of it. When you’re retired or on summer break, reading can fill those long empty days with excitement, enrichment, and meditation.

You can definitely spend a lot of money on books, but you can also get around that pretty easily. The library can be a generous best friend, and your local thrift store or used bookstore can supply you with hours of entertainment for actual quarters. Kindle Unlimited can be a good deal if you read a lot of eBooks.

• Better understand other cultures

Reading promotes empathy. Take a walk in another person’s shoes for a while. Get inside the heads of those who aren’t like you. Understand their priorities. Recognize that you aren’t the only person with a history and a community on the planet. And change the way you view our shared world. Documentaries & films are great at helping you see this. Don’t stop watching them. Just add books too.

• Improve your communication skills

Communication is vital to our relationships, whether fleeting or life-long. If you are a good speaker or writer , you can sustain relationships and achieve many goals along the way.

The more you read, the better you can communicate. I’m not saying you always will–👋 hello, social anxiety!–but I am saying that your vocabulary will increase and you will know more ways to say things with more analogies to convey them. Here’s more on reading to improve communication .

• Get better at your job & make more money

There are nonfiction books out there to help you with most jobs. Business books can be incredibly rewarding and even easy to grapple with. Language can be straightforward and fun on the way to helping you get promoted and make more money. Don’t sleep on this one if you want to get ahead. It could change your life.

Some book recommendations about money:

• Own a Fraction, Earn a Fortune by ( eBook | Audiobook )
• Not Your Job by Pierce Brantley ( eBook | Audiobook )
• Host Coach by Cullin & Danielle Tate ( eBook | Audiobook )
• Sports Betting Down the Bones by Manuel Angela ( eBook | Audiobook )
• Reading promotes art and imagination

I obviously like reading for a lot of different reasons, but this is among my favorites. Beyond literally supporting authors and their art with book purchases, readers exercise their creativity by imagining words on the page as images in their mind.

If you have kids, you are showing them that reading is cool too, so you’re promoting imagination that way. Never underestimate the power of monkey see, monkey do! Reading also can make you more creative .

Which benefits of reading did I leave off? Let me know in the comments!

About the Author

Joe Walters  is the founder and editor-in-chief of Independent Book Review. He has been a book marketer for Sunbury Press, Paper Raven Books, and Inkwater Press. When he’s not doing editorial, promoting, or reviewing work, he’s working on his novel and trusting the process. Find him @joewalters13 on Twitter.

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How to talk about your hobby.

What’s your favourite hobby?

All of us have hobbies, whether it’s playing sports, reading books, listening to music, so on and so forth. Pursuing hobbies is a productive and engaging way to spend one’s time, which can also be a lot of fun! It can also be the perfect means to bond with new people who share the same interests as you. To that effect, we’re sure that all of you love to talk about your hobbies.

Sometimes though, we all face problems when trying to accurately convey exactly what we’re trying to say.

Read on to learn exactly what to say, to make your partner understand why you love your hobby. Happy learning!

So, let’s start by taking a basic situation that all of us can relate to, and work from there.

*You’ve just met someone new at a party, and you’re trying to make friends with them. They have asked you what your hobbies are.*

Read on to find the overall flow, specific vocabulary, phrases, and expressions that can be used for an effective and fluent conversation on this topic. Right below is your guide to having an engaging conversation!

A conversation has specific phases that it goes through. Here is a quick look at what we suggest, to guarantee you a smooth conversation.  

Content : What is it that you are going to talk about?

Use the wh questions along with the keywords to help you put together the content.

• What is your hobby? – Reading books, Listening to music, Playing sports etc.
• How long have you had this hobby? – Since childhood, developed a few years ago etc.
• How do you pursue and fulfil this hobby? – Join sports teams, Buy books periodically etc.
• What do you like about your hobby? – Relaxing, Engaging, Exciting etc.
• Does your hobby grant you special skills? If so, what are they? – Better grasp of the language through reading, Improved hand-eye coordination through playing tennis etc.

Choosing Contextual Vocabulary

Choosing contextual vocabulary to suit the scenario you’re talking about can be very important when it comes to giving depth and clarity to what you’re trying to say, as well as piquing your partner’s attention. In this case, you’re talking about your hobby.

Listed below are a few words and phrases that could come in handy while elaborating on your hobby.

• Productivity

Similarly. given below are a few descriptive words and phrases that you could use to make your conversation more interesting!

• Welcome reprieve
• Multifarious talents
• Supportive environment
• Encouraging feedback
• Promising outcomes
• Development of skills
• Inculcation of talents
• Improvement in productivity
• Proper use of time
• Personality development
• Passionate work
• Occasional past-time
• Relaxing activities
• Health benefits
• Self-care/Mental Health improvement

Organizing the Content : Putting it all together to create a comprehensive picture

Now that we know what to talk about and the words to use, let us put them in a logical order.

Initiate the conversation by bringing up your hobby, this could be done in many ways. One such way is given below.

I love reading books, it’s my favourite hobby!

Talk about what you do to facilitate your hobby – Here are 5 examples

• My yoga instructor comes home every day in the mornings to do yoga with me, it’s really refreshing.
• I’m a part of a book club at my local library, I attend meetings every Tuesday and Saturday.
• I go for a lot of open mics in restaurants, pubs etc. so I can practice my singing.
• I’ve joined the rock band in college, I play bass guitar, it’s great!
• I’m a part of my department’s cricket team, we organise matches once a month against other departments in the hospital, it’s loads of fun.

Give reasons for why you love your hobby – Here are five examples

• Yoga relaxes my body and calms my mind, giving me the strength I need to face my day.
• I love reading, as it is the perfect way for me to escape reality. I can always escape my problems between the pages of a book.
• I’d really like to hone my singing talent, I hope to be on The Voice someday.
• I love playing guitar because I’m quite good at it, I love composing tunes and coming up with variations and such. It’s so engaging.
• Cricket has been my favourite sport since childhood, whenever I play it, I get really nostalgic, as I am reminded of my school days.

End by asking your conversational partner about their hobbies

So, tell me about yourself. Do you have any hobbies?

A model answer would be as follows

I love reading books, it’s my favourite hobby! It is the perfect way for me to escape reality. I can always escape my problems between the pages of a book. My favourite authors are Blyton, Smith and Keenan. I love their writing style, they have a way with words that is truly beautiful. I’m a part of a book club at my local library, I attend meetings every Tuesday and Saturday. I enjoy it, it’s a lot of fun. Anyway, tell me about yourself. Do you have any hobbies?

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• Saturday, April 6, 2024
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Editorial | Letters

Letter: plant trees, grow food amid these trying times.

• Updated 12:51 a.m.

Global problems in rail and shipping, wars, massive fires, droughts, food production disruptions, lack of nitrogenous fertilizers, and government regulation of farmers, cattlemen and poultry producers. Read more

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Global problems in rail and shipping, wars, massive fires, droughts, food production disruptions, lack of nitrogenous fertilizers, and government regulation of farmers, cattlemen and poultry producers.

Hawaii, because of our geographic dependence upon others, should actively promote homeowner water catchment, gardens, farming and food tree planting. Avocado, papaya, ulu and many citrus varieties flourish in our climate and are easily grown with little space.

As tourism recedes, let’s prioritize food cultivation. Kakoo Hawaii to malama our ohana.

Art Simpson

Wilhemina Rise

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Where to get your free solar eclipse glasses: Warby Parker, the public library and more

Some astronomy aficionados are paying top dollar to catch the upcoming total solar eclipse, but there are plenty of options to take in the rare astrological phenomenon for free.

If you find yourself in the path of totality, you'll want to make sure that you're using eye protection before turning your gaze upward. Experts warn against looking at the obscured sun for "even a split second," emphasizing that the solar radiation can burn the inside of your eyes and potentially cause irreversible damage.

The eclipse will take place the afternoon of Monday, April 8, with parts of states like Texas, Ohio and New York falling into the path of totality.

Normal sunglasses aren't strong enough to protect your eyes from harm. Instead, you'll need special protection designed specifically for observing an eclipse.

Luckily, both government organizations and private businesses are distributing eyewear that meets the requirements set by the American Astronomical Society.

Here's where to get your free glasses before Monday's eclipse.

Your local public library

Libraries across the nation are distributing glasses for free. To see which libraries near you have glasses available, check out this interactive map from Star Net.

Warby Parker

The eyewear brand has gone all out for the eclipse, creating an entire page on its website dedicated to the event. Warby Parker is distributing glasses free of charge at all of its retail locations. You can find the closest store to you at this link .

New York State

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Sonic and Smoothie King

Chain restaurants Sonic and Smoothie King are offering free eclipse glasses with a purchase.

Make your own

If there's nowhere near you to get free glasses, it's simple enough to make your own. Follow these instructions from NASA to create your own viewing tool with materials that you can find around the house.

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• Pokémon Go guide

Pokémon Go ‘Sizable Surprises’ event, Collection Challenge guide

Celebrating the biggest of the big and the smallest of the small

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Pokémon Go is hosting an event to celebrate Pokémon of very small or very big sizes from April 4-9 . “ Sizable Surprises ” brings out all sorts of Pokémon that really push the limit on just how colossal or tiny a Pokémon can be.

During the event, you’ll get double XP for nice or better throws plus an increased chance to find XXS and XXL Pokémon. The chance to find shiny Wailmer is also increased.

During this event, Wimpod and it’s evolution, Golisopod, are also making their shiny debut, so keep your eyes out for a special red-trimmed bug.

The two Ultra Beasts from different hemispheres, Celesteela and Kartana , are also available shiny for the first time.

Below we list out all the perks and bonuses of the Pokémon Go “Sizable Surprises” event, including the Collection Challenge.

Pokémon Go ‘Sizeable Surprises’ Collection Challenges

There are two Collection Challenges that involve catching the following during the event:

‘Giant Gems’ Collection Challenge

Rewards : 3,000 XP, 10 Pinap Berries, Wailmer encounter

‘Tiny Treasures’ Collection Challenge

Rewards : 3,000 XP, 10 Razz Berries, Wimpod encounter

Pokémon Go ‘Sizeable Surprises’ event Field Research and rewards

Spinning a PokéStop or gym during this event may yield one of the following tasks:

• Catch 3 Wailmer (Wailmer encounter)
• Catch 3 Wimpod (Wimpod encounter)
• Catch 5 Pokémon (Tynamo or Cutiefly encounter)
• Catch 20 Pokémon (Onix or Snorlax encounter)
• Win a raid (1 Rare Candy)

Pokémon Go ‘Sizeable Surprises’ event boosted spawns

The following Pokémon will spawn more frequently throughout the event:

Pokémon Go ‘Sizeable Surprises’ event raid targets

These Pokémon will be in raids during the event:

• Foongus (1-star)
• Klink (1-star)
• Espurr (1-star)
• Tadbulb (1-star)
• Alolan Exeggutor (3-star)
• Galarian Weezing (3-star)
• Gyarados (3-star)
• Snorlax (3-star)
• Mega Charizard X (Mega)
• Celesteela (5-star, Southern Hemisphere only)
• Kartana (5-star, Northern Hemisphere only)
• Pokémon Go guides
• “World of Wonder” Special Research
• Wonder Ticket
• Ditto disguises

The next level of puzzles.

Take a break from your day by playing a puzzle or two! We’ve got SpellTower, Typeshift, crosswords, and more.

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