Page 35 - READING COMPANION TO ENGLISH EXAMS

2.3 INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Taking Time for Yourself

There are plenty of reasons to take up a new hobby—increased satisfaction, a sense of purpose, and greater
happiness are just a few. However, the hectic pace of modern life often does not allow people to take a step
back to assess their feelings and figure out what they truly want. They often have packed schedules and lack
time for personal interests or relaxation. Nevertheless, the recent global lockdowns due to the pandemic have
unexpectedly forced people to stay home more, giving them more time to focus on themselves and making them
more resourceful with what they have at home. Many of them have used this time to pursue their potential and
learn new skills. They have tried out new activities, discovering new passions in the process. Indeed, they have
found numerous ways to make the most of their time at home, from cooking and baking to do-it-yourself projects
and transforming objects. Baking bread at home is one such activity that is not only fun and rewarding but also
requires patience and attention to detail since it is a delicate process of chemical reactions between ingredients.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential to be careful with measurements, as even a small mistake can result in
an unsuccessful recipe. However, the result is definitely worth the effort. The delicious smell and taste of
home-made bread are sure to impress family and friends.

a Match the highlighted words and phrases in the passage to the definitions below.

1. : having a particular value, especially in money
2. : a list of planned activities or things to be done
3. : the ability to stay calm and accept something annoying without complaining
4. : to learn or start to do something, especially for pleasure
5. : to the fullest extent; very much
6. : to do something or try to achieve something over a period of time
7. : to cause someone to admire or respect you
8. : to test or use somebody or something to see how good or effective they are
9. : in a way that is not anticipated or regarded as possible
10. : full of activity or very busy and fast

b Rewrite the sentences below changing the form of the words in parentheses.
1. Practising traditional crafts can bring complete joy and satisfaction, as you create something from scratch
using your own hands. (absolutely)

2. The benefit of taking up a hobby, such as learning an instrument, is the sense of accomplishment that
comes with mastering a difficult skill. (worth)

3. Engaging in artistic activities may help develop some important skills like tolerance and resilience for
impatient individuals. (patience)

4. You can create unique items that will fascinate others by practising different types of crafts, such as
jewellery making and woodworking, using everyday materials. (impress)

5. Reading has been found to be surprisingly effective at reducing stress, likely due to its ability to provide a
respite from the hectic pace of daily life. (unexpectedly)

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