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. 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. 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.
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. People today have more time than ever before for hobbies. Machines have now reduced much time that people must spend on their jobs.
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.
