Unit 8: Hobbies & Interest
Reading β I:
Common Hobbies
A. Write synonyms and antonyms for the following words from the text.
| No. | Word | Required Answer |
|---|---|---|
| a. | unrevealed (synonym) | hidden |
| b. | sharpen (synonym) | hone |
| c. | boring (antonym) | exciting |
| d. | unexcited (antonym) | passionate |
| e. | healing (synonym) | therapeutic |
| f. | frame (synonym) | easel |
B. Find the meanings of the following words/phrases from a dictionary and use them in sentences of your own.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| a. Ignite | to set something on fire or to start something burning; to arouse or inspire strong emotions or reactions. | He used a matchstick to ignite the candles on the birthday cake. |
| b. In-demand | very popular or desired by many people. | Due to her skills and experience, she was always in demand in the job market. |
| c. Let off | to release or discharge something or someone; to excuse or forgive someone from blame or punishment. | The police officer let off the driver with a warning instead of issuing a ticket. |
| d. A notch | a V-shaped cut or indentation; a degree or level of measurement. | He turned up the volume a notch so that he could hear the music more clearly. |
| e. Passionate | having or expressing strong emotions or feelings; enthusiastic or zealous about something. | She is a passionate advocate for animal rights and works tirelessly to promote their welfare. |
| f. Refurbishing | renovating, repairing or restoring something to make it look or work like new again. | The company is currently refurbishing their old office building to modernize it and improve working conditions. |
| g. A blog | a website or online platform where a writer or group of writers share their opinions, experiences or information on a particular topic. | She writes a fashion blog where she posts about her personal style and fashion trends. |
| h. Hanging out | spending time with someone in a relaxed or casual way; loitering or lingering in a public place. | We spent the afternoon hanging out at the beach, playing volleyball and enjoying the sun. |
C. Write True if the information is true, False if it is false and NG, if the information is not given in the text.
| No. | Statement | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| a. | Outdoor hobbies are more popular than indoor hobbies. | False |
| b. | You need more effort for reading than for other hobbies. | False |
| c. | Only good dancers choose dancing as their hobby. | False |
| d. | Antiques are also used for interior decoration in a house. | NG |
| e. | Paintings can be used to express your feelings. | True |
| f. | People who choose photography as their hobbies are pro photographers. | False |
| g. | Keeping journals helps people become successful. | True |
| h. | Flexibility in time and place is the best part of knitting. | True |
D. Answer these questions.
a. What aspects of our life influence the hobbies we choose?
=> Answer: Our choice of hobbies is shaped by several factors, including personal interests and preferences, the resources we have access to, the activities enjoyed by our family and friends, and our wish to learn, develop and enjoy ourselves.
b. What makes reading the most popular hobby?
=> Answer: Reading has become highly popular because it combines pleasure with personal development. Since books are available in many genres, people with different interests can find something suitable. It is also an activity that needs very little equipment and may be enjoyed privately or together with others through book clubs, creating opportunities for social interaction.
c. How can people practise dancing?
=> Answer: Dancing can be practised in a very simple way by playing music and following its rhythm with body movements. Someone may practise at home or receive structured training at a dance studio. Online dance classes also provide another convenient way to learn and develop dancing abilities.
d. What things are necessary for one to go with painting?
=> Answer: Paints, brushes and a surface (canvas/paper) are the basic requirements for painting.
e. Write the benefits of doing photography.
=> Answer: Photography makes it possible to preserve memorable experiences and attractive scenes in pictures. Such photographs can also serve as decorative materials.
f. Why has writing become a popular hobby?
=> Answer: Writing has gained popularity because it provides people with a way to express their thoughts freely and reduce stress. Through activities such as maintaining journals and writing blogs, people can also share their ideas and communicate with others.
g. How can knitting be rewarding to a person?
=> Answer: Knitting enables people to make practical and useful objects with their own hands. Completing a knitted project creates a feeling of achievement, while the activity also develops hand coordination. Another advantage is that it can conveniently be practised in different places.
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E. Do you think a person's hobby really helps him/her in a professional career? Discuss.
Hobbies can contribute meaningfully to a person's professional development. Many leisure activities gradually strengthen useful abilities such as creativity and communication. They may also help individuals discover what they genuinely enjoy, develop practical skills, acquire experience, manage stress and establish valuable connections with others. In this sense, hobbies can sometimes reveal professional interests that a person had not previously recognized. Since hobbies are closely connected with personal passions, they can become an important source of motivation and may support success in a chosen career.
π Grammar I
A. Complete the following sentences with the correct passive forms of the verbs.
a. Ganga feeds the dogs.
The dogs are fed by Ganga.
b. The police catch a lot of criminals in London.
A lot of criminals are caught in London.
c. They often help us.
We are often helped.
d. They don't rent cars there.
Cars aren't rented there.
e. Do you turn the laptop on first?
Is the laptop turned on first?
f. Somebody follows me home every evening.
Every evening I am followed home.
g. We usually leave a saucer of milk for the cat.
A saucer of milk is usually left for the cat.
h. I like journalists following me on the way.
I like being followed on the way.
i. I loathe people pulling my hair.
I loathe having my hair pulled.
j. Ashmina adores teachers checking her notebooks.
Ashmina adores having her notebooks checked.
k. Deuniya does not mind anyone mocking at him.
Deuniya does not mind being mocked at him.
B. Change the following sentences into passive voice.
a. The gardener waters the flowers every day.
The flowers are watered every day by the gardener.
b. People see foxes in their gardens at night.
Foxes are seen in their gardens at night.
c. We expect students not to talk during examination.
Students are expected not to talk during examination.
d. Rivers of fresh water form this lake.
This lake is formed by rivers of fresh water.
e. National parks attract many domestic and foreign tourists.
Many domestic and foreign tourists are attracted by National parks.
f. They promise him higher wages.
He is promised higher wages.
g. Does Biraj always beat Balgopal?
Is Balgopal always beaten by Biraj?
h. Nobody knows the secret.
The secret is not known.
i. They are sure to help the helpless.
The helpless are sure to be helped.
j. Scientists have to discover a more effective vaccine for Covid-19.
A more effective vaccine for Covid-19 has to be discovered by scientists.
k. What do they prefer to eat?
What is preferred to eat?
l. Sources say most people in the region are still illiterate.
Most of the people are said to be still illiterate.
βοΈ Writing I
ΰ€ΰ€€ΰ₯ΰ€€ΰ€° :
People have different hobbies and interests which may lead them to the careers they adopt. Write an essay on your hobbies explaining how they might influence your career.
My Hobby
Since childhood, I have been naturally drawn towards three activities: art, creative writing and puzzles. These interests have not only been enjoyable for me but have also helped me understand the kinds of abilities and activities I may want to pursue professionally later in life.
Among these interests, art has remained especially important. I like experimenting with drawing, painting and craftwork through different artistic materials. What attracts me most is the ability of art to communicate ideas and emotions visually. My parents have encouraged this interest by displaying my paintings at home. With increasing age, I have become more interested in discovering new artistic methods. This strong inclination could eventually guide me towards a career connected with graphic design, web design, illustration or fine art.
Story and poetry writing is another activity that gives me an opportunity to use my imagination. I create characters, situations and fictional settings in my mind before expressing them through writing. For me, writing is also a useful way of exercising my thoughts and releasing emotions. My wish to become better at writing and communicate meaningful ideas could make professions related to writing, communication or content creation attractive choices in the future.
My interest in puzzles and logical problems represents another possible direction. I enjoy activities that require me to investigate clues, understand patterns, solve mysteries or think analytically. Such abilities may become useful in careers connected with research, analysis, problem-solving or critical thinking.
Therefore, my hobbies reveal several strengths that may become useful in my professional life. Art reflects my creativity, writing develops my communication abilities, and puzzles strengthen my logical thinking. As my interests develop with time, they can continue to guide me towards careers that match my abilities and passions.
Reading β II
Climbing β Poem
A. Find the words from the text above that have the following meanings.
| No. | Meaning | Word |
|---|---|---|
| a. | a small flash of light, especially a reflected one | glint |
| b. | main branch of a tree | bough |
| c. | a little tower of a building or a castle | turret |
| d. | a set of steps leading from one floor of a building to another | stair |
| e. | causing great wonder; extraordinary | marvelous |
B. Choose the correct answer.
| No. | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| a. | What does the speaker view from the branch of the tree? | iii. the town |
| b. | What aids the speaker to go up and up? | ii. the branches on the tree |
| c. | What does the speaker compare the glow of a dome with? | iii. sea foam |
| d. | Which of the following statements is true? | ii. The speaker is sure to get to the top of the tree now. |
| e. | Which of the following statements carries the message of the poem? | iv. We should not give up in the middle of any situation or goal. |
C. Answer these questions.
a. Why does the speaker want to climb on the tree?
=> Answer: The speaker is eager to climb the tree because they want to reach and see the shining town that appears above.
b. What things are shining brightly when viewed from above?
=> Answer: The spire, turret, and dome are shining brightly when viewed from above.
c. Is it the first time that the speaker has climbed up the tree? How do you know?
=> Answer: No, it is not the first time. The speaker mentions, βBefore, I have always had to stop, But today I am sure I shall reach the top.β
d. Make a list of words from the poem which describe the light or brightness.
=> Answer: gleam, glint, sparkling, bright.
e. What do the sky and the earth symbolize in the poem?
=> Answer: The sky represents the higher space towards which the speaker is moving, whereas the earth stands for the ground below. Together, they suggest the movement from an ordinary position towards a higher aim or aspiration.
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D. βThe more determined you are, the better opportunity you will achieve in life and obtain what you want in life.β Do you agree with this statement? Discuss.
I agree that determination greatly increases a person's possibility of achieving desired goals. Amy Lowell's poem βClimbingβ illustrates this idea through a speaker who repeatedly attempts to climb an apple tree in the hope of reaching the town visible above. Although earlier efforts have not brought success, the speaker refuses to stop trying.
This attitude is equally valuable in everyday life. Difficulties and failures are natural parts of pursuing an ambition, but persistence prevents temporary setbacks from becoming permanent defeats. A determined person remains committed to the goal, learns from difficulties and continues making progress. The speaker's confidence about reaching the top reflects this positive attitude. Therefore, determination helps people remain focused, discover new possibilities and move closer to their aspirations.
π Grammar II
A. Now, change the following sentences with passive voice using 'being' or 'having'.
a. Puja hates people shouting at her in the street.
Puja hates being shouted at in the street.
b. Jahagir can't stand beggars wiping his feet.
Jahagir can't stand having his feet wiped.
c. Our class teacher detests students flattering her.
Our class teacher detests being flattered.
d. The headteacher likes teachers checking students' homeworks.
The headteacher likes having students' homeworks checked.
e. The actress does not mind journalists following her.
The actress does not mind being followed.
f. Rebika prefers people writing to her better than talking to her on the lines.
Rebika prefers being written to better than talked to on the lines.
B. Change the following sentences into active voice.
a. A lot of books are stored online by various sites.
Various sites store a lot of books.
b. Computers are repaired with warranty here.
We repair computers with warranty here.
c. Chinese is rarely spoken in our community.
People in our community rarely speak Chinese.
d. The criminal is thought to have fled to another country.
Police think that the criminal has fled to another country.
e. It is believed that the film can spell the spectators.
Many believe that the film can spell the spectators.
f. It is expected that the war is going to end soon.
We expect the war is going to end soon.
g. She is supposed to be married.
They suppose she is married.
h. I hate being kept waiting.
I hate people keeping waiting me.
i. She loves having her clothes praised.
She loves people praising her clothes.
j. This road is not very often used.
People do not use this road very often.
k. Ajima is never punished by teachers.
Teachers never punish Ajima.
l. Many accidents are caused by speeding.
Speeding causes many accidents.
βοΈ Writing II
ΰ€ΰ€€ΰ₯ΰ€€ΰ€° :
A. Imagine you are the headteacher of a school and your school has a vacancy for the post of Secondary Level English teacher. Write an advertisement for the post mentioning the required academic qualification, experience, deadline and other necessary information.
Vacancy Announcement
A school invites applications from qualified, dedicated and experienced candidates for the position of Secondary Level English Teacher in its expanding Secondary Section.
Requirements
- β’An undergraduate/graduate degree in English Literature or Language from a recognized university.
- β’At least 2 years of teaching experience at the secondary level.
- β’Strong command of English skills, including grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening and writing.
- β’Ability to apply innovative teaching techniques and educational technology effectively.
- β’Capability to prepare lesson plans and assessments and monitor students' academic progress.
- β’Genuine enthusiasm for teaching and commitment to a student-centered learning approach.
Preferred Qualifications
- β’Knowledge of the NEB curriculum will be an advantage.
- β’Experience of teaching English Medium students.
- β’Familiarity with online learning platforms.
The appointed teacher will teach English to Grades 6 through 10 and cooperate with students, parents and other Secondary teachers to maintain a high standard of English language education.
Salary and benefits: Will be based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
Interested applicants should submit their CV and cover letter, explaining their suitability for the position and stating their expected salary, before the application deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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B. Paraphrase the following text.
a.
For a long time, society largely associated women with the responsibilities of motherhood and managing the household. Their participation in employment has, however, increased considerably in recent times, and many women are now successfully building careers. Even though men and women have not yet reached complete equality in the workplace, the progress made so far represents a significant improvement, while further advancement is still necessary.
b.
During the 1920s, the American researcher Elton Mayo investigated whether changes in workers' physical surroundings could influence their productivity. This investigation became known as the Hawthorne Studies, taking its name from the company where the research was carried out. The results indicated that even relatively minor adjustments to the workplace could encourage employees to work more productively. Changes such as modifying the lighting or reorganizing the arrangement of a room were among the factors considered.