Historical background

Before the 20^th century, hobbies were something that only wealthy people had the time and money to enjoy. The present-day interest in hobbies throughout the world is the product of more free time for far more people, resulting from shortened working hours and greater prosperity.

Some popular hobbies are as old as civilization. These include such activities as music, dance, literature, painting, sculpture, carving and whittling, weaving, raising pets, astrology, and the making of pottery, baskets, beadwork, kites, toys, leather goods, dolls, hunting decoys, fishing lures, jewelry, and miniatures or models.

Rulers in ancient times often collected valuable objects, rare manuscripts, and art treasures. The monasteries of the Middle Ages maintained libraries to store the valuable documents and art works that they collected and produced. Later, individuals who were well educated and had a broad range of interests made field trips and travelled to other countries, bringing back fossils, plants, artifacts, and other objects. Such people also built up extensive personal libraries and collections.

During the second half of the 19^th century the Arts and Crafts Movement in England appeared as a reaction to the Industrial Revolution and prompted great popular interests in handicrafts.

Kinds of hobbies

Hobbies are either chosen, or they arise from an individual’s interests, skills, daily work, tastes, ambitions, or past schooling. Stamp or coin collecting are examples of hobbies based on deliberate choice. Making model airplanes can be something to do for a pastime, or it might develop as a result of service in an air force or as an airline pilot. Designing computer programs is apt to be a hobby based on work experience or schooling.

All hobbies involve activity, but some involve more than others do. Collecting – whether of antiques, coins, or first editions of books – is relatively passive compared to doing one’s own paintings or making furniture.

There have traditionally been four types of hobbies – those relating to history, nature, handicrafts, and the arts. Recently, with advance in electronics, many individuals have made computer use a hobby, while other use videocassette cameras to make their own movies. There can be considerable overlap between some types, especially between hobbies relating to the arts and those that have to do with the past. Scrimshaw, for instance, is an art, but it is also a kind of memorabilia relating to 19^th century sailing. Many hobbies require both collecting and creating.

Decline Routine Cover Exclude Reward Whittling Beadwork Fossil Elaborate

Упадок Установившаяся практика Покрывать Исключать Награда Вырезать из дерева Бисер Ископаемое, древность Искусно сделанный

Decoys Lures Prompted Consciously Ambitions Deliberate Overlap Scrimshaw Artifact

Приманки Приманки Побужденный Сознательно Амбиции Преднамеренный Перекрывать, совпадать Резьба по сл. кости Художественное изделие;

Ex. 5. Answer the questions:

1. What is the origin of the word ‘hobby’?

2. What activities are excluded from the list of hobbies?

3. How could you define a hobby considering the information from the text above?

4. Why do hobbies gain general interest nowadays?

5. What are the oldest hobbies?

6. The kind of a hobby depended and still depends on the social status of a person. How can you explain this fact?

7. Why do you think the Industrial Revolution prompted popular interest in handicrafts?

8. What influences the choice of a hobby?

9. The text above offers the classification comprising four kinds of hobbies. What are they?

Ex. 6. Read the interview: