AUDIO: 5 speakers

1) Answer the following questions in written form. Give extended answers, not just short ones.

1. If you had more free time, what would you do with it?
2. What are some good places to hang out in your town or city?
3. Why are they good?
4. Where do young people in this country usually spend their free time?
5. Would you like to have more free time?
6. What would you like to give up so that you could have more free time?
7. How do the women in your family usually spend their free time?
8. How do the men in your family usually spend their free time?
9. Do men and women spend their free time differently? How?

2) Listening. You will hear five short monologues, followed by a multiple-matching section consisting of a summary of some aspect of each. Match the speakers 1 — 5 and the statements A — F. There is one extra statement.

1. I sometimes make a little money from my hobby.
2. I was introduced to my hobby by a relative.
3. My hobby’s only really fun if I do it with friends.
4. My hobby helps me to meet people.
5. It takes a long time to learn to do my hobby well.
6. My hobby is only suitable for people who are fit.

3) Using the plan of the opinion essay and sample opinion essays, write an opinion essay on the following (in no fewer than 300 words):

Few people devote time to hobbies nowadays. Why do you think this is the case and what effect does this have on the individual and society in general?