№ 31Steven I first picked up a racquet at the age of seven. Then in my teens, I had to...

Question

№ 31


Steven

I first picked up a racquet at the age of seven. Then in my teens, I had to make the choice between tennis and badminton because I loved both sports. Eventually, I chose badminton and I don't regret taking it up. Four to five million people throughout Hungary play badminton — that's more than the number of those who play tennis and golf put together!

You have to work hard to be good at it. I train every day of the week, and holidays are very rare for me. I do fitness training in the gym, as well as practise a lot to improve my speed. And then of course, there are tournaments to take part in nearly every weekend. So I have to travel all over the country and abroad. I always keep my suitcase packed for the trip. My ambition is to represent Hungary in the Olympics.

I think badminton is the best pastime. It is easy to pick up, it's cheap to play, there's no expensive equipment needed, and it's not affected by the weather — like so many other sports. I also enjoy lots of other things. I like going to discos, nightclubbing, or listening to music — Madonna is my favourite at the moment.

Sandra

I think that if you are interested in something, you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I enjoy collecting stamps and this takes up all my spare time. For me collecting stamps is not just buying them. You learn a lot about different people and events. But you have to find time to read a lot. Unfortunately this hobby is very expensive andyou cannot buy all the stamps you want.

To be a good stamp collector, you need to have a good eye for detail. That's because if you notice any printing mistake on a stamp, it becomes more unique and valuable. Whether the mistake is in the printing or the design, it doesn't matter. The important thing is that you notice something which many people miss! It is very exciting! When a stamp is issued and there is a mistake in it, a new stamp appears and the old one becomes very rare and valuable.

Answer the questions about Steven and Sandra:
1. What is his/her hobby?
2 Why did he/she get into it?
3. Does it take up all his/her spare time? Is it easy to practise?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each hobby?
5. Does he/she enjoy it? Why?
6. What other things does he/she enjoy?

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Answer 1

Steven

1. His hobby is playing badminton.
2. Because he loved sport from a child.
3. He, it took all his spare time. Because he trained every day of the week. It wasn't easy. As he had to work hard to be good at it.
4. Each hobby helps you to improve your talents and abilities. But it may cost much money and can take all your spare time.
5. Yes, he does. Because during tournaments he travelled all over the country and abroad.
6. He likes going to discos, nightclubbing and listening to music.



Sandra
1. Her hobby is collecting stamps.
2. Because collecting stamps helped her to learn a lot about different people and events.
3. It takes her all spare time.
4.=4(about Steven)
5. Yes, she does. Because she thinks that it is very exciting to notice something which many people miss on the stamps.
6. She likes only colleting stamps.