A hobby can be almost anything that a person likes to do in his spare time. Hobbyists raise pets, watch birds, paint pictures, play the piano and grow flowers. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} They collect everything from books to butterflies and from boxes to stamps.

    People take up hobbies because these activities offer enjoyment, friendship and relaxation. Hobbies help people relax after a long time of hard work, and provide a balance between work and play. Hobbies offer interesting activities for the old. Some hobbies can make a child grow as a person, develop his interest and help him learn new skills. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Doctors have found that hobbies are useful in helping patients recover from illness. Hobbies give patients who can't move around something to do, and provide interests that keep them from thinking about themselves. Many hospitals treat patients by having them take up interesting hobbies. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    In early times, most people were too busy making a living to have many hobbies. But some persons who had spare time did enjoy hobbies. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} People today have more time than ever before for hobbies. Machines have now reduced much time that people must spend on their jobs.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Those who have developed hobbies never need to worry about what to do with their newly-found free time hours.

    Sir William Osler, a famous Canadian doctor expressed the value of hobbies by saying, “No man is really happy or safe without a hobby.”

A. More people retire(退休) at an earlier age than before.

B. Hobbies can also help a patient to keep healthy.

C. The ancient Egyptians played games with balls made of wood.

D. They also go to concerts, climb mountains, go fishing, skate and swim.

E. Anyone, old or young, sick or well, rich or poor, can follow a good hobby, in spite of his age, health or money

F. As some hobbies have become less popular.

    People are often free on weekends. But Mike had a busy weekend last week. On Saturday morning, he went to visit his uncle with his parents. His uncle lives on a farm. There Mike helped his uncle feed the chickens. There are many animals on the farm. After lunch, Mike went to mountains with his cousins. Mike was happy to see the trees and flowers. In the evening, they saw an interesting movie. Song Dandan was in the movie. All of them laughed all the time. On Sunday morning, Mike wanted to play soccer, but it rained very hard. So he had to stay home. He did some reading and watched TV. In the afternoon, Mike helped his mother do the housework. In the evening, he played computer games. Then it was time to go to bed.

When you are sick, you can hardly go to places, see friends or do sports—it's not fun at all. So, follow these steps to get better quickly.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Unhealthy food can make you even sicker. Eat healthy food Iike fruit and vegetables when you are sick.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You can use a soft, warm blanket and stay in bed. Drink hot water or have soup to help keep you warm.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Medicine can help the body when you are sick. If your doctor has given you some medicine, be sure to take it.

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    You need about eight to nine hours of sleep or more when you are sick, so be sure to get enough sleep at night.

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    Go outside on a nice day to get more fresh air. Take a book with you and do some reading while you enjoy the sunshine.

    American and British people both speak English of course. But sometimes it does not seem like the same language. In fact, there are some important differences between British English and American English.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Often, Americans don't say each word separately. They say several words together. Americans may say "I dunno" instead of" I don't know". Or they may say "Whaddya say?" instead of "What did you say?" However, the British are more careful in their speech. They usually say all the words and keep them separate.

    Sound is not only the difference between British English and American English. Words sometimes have different meanings too. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Americans drive trucks, but in England people drive lorries.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}In England, if you are going to telephone your friends, you "phone them up". In America, you "give them a call".

    There are also some differences in grammar. For example, Americans usually use the helping verb "do" when they ask a question. They say "Do you have a storybook?" But the British often leave out the helping verb.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Most languages are like this. Languages change over time. When people live in separate places, the languages change in different ways. This is what has happened to English. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Many people in Canada speak French but their French is very different from the French of France.

    One of the easiest ways to keep healthy is to do jogging. Jogging is the name for very gentle (平和的) running-it is just a little faster than walking.

    First jog slowly 20 meters, and then walk 20 meters. Little by little if you are not feeling very tired, you may jog more and walk less. Finally, jog the whole way. It will be easy for you to start jogging for 15 minutes twice a week. Then slowly increase this to 20 ~ 30 minutes every day. The longer you join in jogging, the more you will enjoy it and the healthier you will become. Some people like jogging alone and others enjoy doing it with friends. Jogging in groups makes people keener (更热心的) because you just can't stay in bed while there is a group of friends waiting outside.

If you want to start jogging, prepare a pair of comfortable shoes and a determined(坚定的) mind.