Pursuing Passions: From Leisure to Lifestyle
In today’s busy world, leisure time has become more valuable than ever. People use their spare hours in different ways: some choose to pursue hobbies they have enjoyed since childhood, while others decide to take up something completely new. Of course, it is also natural to give up an activity if it no longer feels rewarding or if one doesn’t want to devote time to it.
Many young people nowadays get into digital hobbies. Blogging, podcasting, video editing, and gaming have become not only entertaining but also creative and sometimes even practical. Others are more traditional: they engage in crafts, cookery, or collecting objects. Sporty individuals are often keen on activities such as mountain biking, horseriding, or hill walking, while the more adventurous may adore scuba diving or even skydiving. For those who like travelling, backpacking offers an affordable way to explore new cultures.
Social hobbies are equally important. Some people are fond of the performing arts — they get a lot of pleasure from acting, dancing, or playing music. Others delight in going clubbing with friends, where the atmosphere is fun and competitive at times. Helping others is also a growing trend; many young adults are into volunteering, which can be highly rewarding.
Whatever the preference, hobbies play a central role in modern life. They help people relax, stay active, and connect with others. For some, hobbies are enjoyable and relaxing; for others, they are challenging but worth the effort. Whether creative or adventurous, solo or social, hobbies remain one of the best ways to use free time meaningfully.
Many young people nowadays get into digital hobbies. Blogging, podcasting, video editing, and gaming have become not only entertaining but also creative and sometimes even practical. Others are more traditional: they engage in crafts, cookery, or collecting objects. Sporty individuals are often keen on activities such as mountain biking, horseriding, or hill walking, while the more adventurous may adore scuba diving or even skydiving. For those who like travelling, backpacking offers an affordable way to explore new cultures.
Social hobbies are equally important. Some people are fond of the performing arts — they get a lot of pleasure from acting, dancing, or playing music. Others delight in going clubbing with friends, where the atmosphere is fun and competitive at times. Helping others is also a growing trend; many young adults are into volunteering, which can be highly rewarding.
Whatever the preference, hobbies play a central role in modern life. They help people relax, stay active, and connect with others. For some, hobbies are enjoyable and relaxing; for others, they are challenging but worth the effort. Whether creative or adventurous, solo or social, hobbies remain one of the best ways to use free time meaningfully.
Key vocabulary:
General Vocabulary; Phrases
be brilliant at — extremely intelligent or skilled
devote time to — to spend effort and time on a particular activity
devote time to — to spend effort and time on a particular activity
engage in — to take part in an activity
get into — to start doing something regularly
give up (a hobby) — to stop doing an activity
leisure — a period of time when one is free from duties and can do fun activities or relax
pursue (a hobby) — to continue doing an activity over a period of time
spare — available to do what you want with rather than work
take up (a hobby) — to begin a new activity
get into — to start doing something regularly
give up (a hobby) — to stop doing an activity
leisure — a period of time when one is free from duties and can do fun activities or relax
pursue (a hobby) — to continue doing an activity over a period of time
spare — available to do what you want with rather than work
take up (a hobby) — to begin a new activity
Descriptive Vocabulary
affordable — [əˈfɔː.də.bəl] — not too expensive; lēts, pieejams, tāds, kuru var atļauties
challenging — [ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪŋ] — testing one’s abilities in a difficult yet stimulating way; difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination; stimulējošs, rosinošs
challenging — [ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪŋ] — testing one’s abilities in a difficult yet stimulating way; difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination; stimulējošs, rosinošs
competitive — [kəmˈpet.ɪ.tɪv] — involving rivalry or a desire to win; konkurējošs
creative — [kriˈeɪ.tɪv] — involving imagination and original ideas; radošs, jaunradošs
creative — [kriˈeɪ.tɪv] — involving imagination and original ideas; radošs, jaunradošs
enjoyable — [ɪnˈdʒɔɪ.ə.bəl] — giving pleasure or happiness; patīkams
entertaining — [en.təˈteɪ.nɪŋ] — holding your attention in an enjoyable way; izklaidējošs, uzjautrinošs
practical — [ˈpræk.tɪ.kəl] — useful and connected with real situations; praktisks
relaxing — [rɪˈlæk.sɪŋ] — helping reduce stress and bring calmness; atslābinošs, relaksējošs
rewarding — [rɪˈwɔː.dɪŋ] — giving satisfaction or benefit after effort; pateicīgs, tāds, kas dod gandarījumu
relaxing — [rɪˈlæk.sɪŋ] — helping reduce stress and bring calmness; atslābinošs, relaksējošs
rewarding — [rɪˈwɔː.dɪŋ] — giving satisfaction or benefit after effort; pateicīgs, tāds, kas dod gandarījumu
Types of Hobbies
backpacking — [ˈbækˌpæk.ɪŋ] — a style of travelling around, cheap and often on foot, carrying one’s belongings in a backpack; ceļošana, līdzi ņemot tikai mugursomu un pārvietojoties ar kājām
blogging — [ˈblɒɡɪŋ] — the act or activity of writing about different things and sharing them online on a web page; emuāru rakstīšana, tīmekļa dienasgrāmatas rakstīšana
clubbing — [ˈklʌb.ɪŋ] — to go out dancing in clubs; naktsklubu apmeklēšana, lai dejotu
collecting — [kəlektɪŋ] — the action of looking for and gathering things of a specific type as a hobby; kolekcionēšana
cookery — [ˈkʊk.ər.i] — the art or activity of preparing and cooking food; kulinārija, ēdienu gatavošana
craft — [krɑːft] — skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects; a job or activity that needs skill and experience, or something produced using skill and experience; prasme, amats, arods
DIY (do-it-yourself) — [ˌdiː.aɪˈwaɪ] — the activity of building or repairing things at home without professional help; mājamatniecība
gaming — [ˈɡeɪ.mɪŋ] — playing video games; spēlēt video spēles
hill walking (also: hill climbing) — [ˈhɪl ˌwɔː.kɪŋ] — the activity of walking for pleasure in areas with a lot of hills; kalnu tūrisms, pastaiga kalnos
horseriding (also: horseback riding*) — [ˈhɔːs raɪdɪŋ] — the sport or activity of riding a horse; jāšana ar zirgu
mountain biking — [ˈmaʊn.tɪn ˌbaɪ.kɪŋ] — the sport or activity of riding a mountain bike; kalnu riteņbraukšana
podcasting — [ˈpɒd.kɑːst.ɪŋ] — creating audio programmes available for people to listen to online; raidierakstu veidošana
scuba diving — [ˈskuː.bə ˌdaɪ.vɪŋ] — the act or sport of swimming underwater, using special equipment such as an oxygen tank; niršana ar akvalangu
skydiving — [ˈskaɪˌdaɪ.vɪŋ] — the activity or sport in which individuals jump from a flying aircraft and perform moves while falling before opening their parachute to land; izpletņlēkšana
the performing arts — [pəˌfɔː.mɪŋ ˈɑːts] — forms of entertainment such as acting, dancing, and playing music; izpildītājmāksla, tēlojošā māksla
video editing — [ˈvɪd.i.əʊ ˈed.ɪ.tɪŋ] — preparing and arranging video clips to produce a finished recording; videorediģēšana
volunteer — [ˌvɒl.ənˈtɪər] — to offer to do something without being forced to do it or without getting paid for it; brīvprātīgi uzņemties (kaut ko darīt)
blogging — [ˈblɒɡɪŋ] — the act or activity of writing about different things and sharing them online on a web page; emuāru rakstīšana, tīmekļa dienasgrāmatas rakstīšana
clubbing — [ˈklʌb.ɪŋ] — to go out dancing in clubs; naktsklubu apmeklēšana, lai dejotu
collecting — [kəlektɪŋ] — the action of looking for and gathering things of a specific type as a hobby; kolekcionēšana
cookery — [ˈkʊk.ər.i] — the art or activity of preparing and cooking food; kulinārija, ēdienu gatavošana
craft — [krɑːft] — skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects; a job or activity that needs skill and experience, or something produced using skill and experience; prasme, amats, arods
DIY (do-it-yourself) — [ˌdiː.aɪˈwaɪ] — the activity of building or repairing things at home without professional help; mājamatniecība
gaming — [ˈɡeɪ.mɪŋ] — playing video games; spēlēt video spēles
hill walking (also: hill climbing) — [ˈhɪl ˌwɔː.kɪŋ] — the activity of walking for pleasure in areas with a lot of hills; kalnu tūrisms, pastaiga kalnos
horseriding (also: horseback riding*) — [ˈhɔːs raɪdɪŋ] — the sport or activity of riding a horse; jāšana ar zirgu
mountain biking — [ˈmaʊn.tɪn ˌbaɪ.kɪŋ] — the sport or activity of riding a mountain bike; kalnu riteņbraukšana
podcasting — [ˈpɒd.kɑːst.ɪŋ] — creating audio programmes available for people to listen to online; raidierakstu veidošana
scuba diving — [ˈskuː.bə ˌdaɪ.vɪŋ] — the act or sport of swimming underwater, using special equipment such as an oxygen tank; niršana ar akvalangu
skydiving — [ˈskaɪˌdaɪ.vɪŋ] — the activity or sport in which individuals jump from a flying aircraft and perform moves while falling before opening their parachute to land; izpletņlēkšana
the performing arts — [pəˌfɔː.mɪŋ ˈɑːts] — forms of entertainment such as acting, dancing, and playing music; izpildītājmāksla, tēlojošā māksla
video editing — [ˈvɪd.i.əʊ ˈed.ɪ.tɪŋ] — preparing and arranging video clips to produce a finished recording; videorediģēšana
volunteer — [ˌvɒl.ənˈtɪər] — to offer to do something without being forced to do it or without getting paid for it; brīvprātīgi uzņemties (kaut ko darīt)
(*American English)
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise argumentative language — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you. Revise the phrases used to formulate arguments you covered in the previous theoretical chapter: Understanding Friendships and Social Connections
Discussion-Type Questions:
1. Some people say hobbies are a waste of time compared to studying or working. Do you agree?
"While it is true that studying and work are essential, it is also important to note that hobbies improve creativity and well-being. For instance, drawing or music can make people more productive in other areas of life. Although I accept that hobbies take time, I still believe that they add value and should not be ignored."
"While it is true that studying and work are essential, it is also important to note that hobbies improve creativity and well-being. For instance, drawing or music can make people more productive in other areas of life. Although I accept that hobbies take time, I still believe that they add value and should not be ignored."
2. Do hobbies always need to be useful, or can they simply be enjoyable?
"It is often claimed that hobbies should be practical, like learning new skills. However, the main point is that enjoyment is also important, because it helps people recharge. To illustrate my point, video gaming may not seem practical, yet it helps many people chill out after a demanding day."
"It is often claimed that hobbies should be practical, like learning new skills. However, the main point is that enjoyment is also important, because it helps people recharge. To illustrate my point, video gaming may not seem practical, yet it helps many people chill out after a demanding day."
3. Do you think technology has changed the way people enjoy hobbies?
"It cannot be denied that technology has made hobbies more accessible — for instance, online gaming and video editing are popular worldwide. At the same time, traditional hobbies like crafts or hill walking are still attractive. In contrast, some people even prefer old-fashioned hobbies because they feel less competitive and more relaxing."
"It cannot be denied that technology has made hobbies more accessible — for instance, online gaming and video editing are popular worldwide. At the same time, traditional hobbies like crafts or hill walking are still attractive. In contrast, some people even prefer old-fashioned hobbies because they feel less competitive and more relaxing."
4. Should schools encourage students to take up hobbies as part of their education?
"It is often claimed that schools should focus only on academic subjects. Nevertheless, one strong reason for including hobbies is that they develop creativity and teamwork. This can be seen in after-school clubs, where students often learn skills that are just as valuable as classroom knowledge."
"It is often claimed that schools should focus only on academic subjects. Nevertheless, one strong reason for including hobbies is that they develop creativity and teamwork. This can be seen in after-school clubs, where students often learn skills that are just as valuable as classroom knowledge."
5. Do you think hobbies can influence a person’s future career?
"The main point is that hobbies often reveal skills and interests that can later become professional strengths. A clear illustration of this is someone who enjoys video editing as a hobby and later works in media production. To some extent, I agree that not every hobby leads to a career, but it cannot be denied that they can open unexpected opportunities."
"The main point is that hobbies often reveal skills and interests that can later become professional strengths. A clear illustration of this is someone who enjoys video editing as a hobby and later works in media production. To some extent, I agree that not every hobby leads to a career, but it cannot be denied that they can open unexpected opportunities."