Activity 2 – Integrated skills (interests)
C. Read a text about hobbies. Are the hobbies presented suitable for the
elderly?
a. Choose True, False, or It doesn’t say for each statement 1 – 5 according to the information provided in
the text.
HOBBIES, ONLY FOR THE YOUNG?
By Arlinton Galeano S.
You can start a hobby at any age. There are
pastimes for everyone – children, teens, adults, and
even for the elderly; obviously, according to your
interests and abilities. Hobbies bring happiness to
life and they normally promote physical, emotional
and mental health. It is also easy to make new
friends through hobbies.
It is common that municipalities organize many
different kinds of hobbies for their residents.
Through their community leaders and organizations
such as service centers and recreation centers, they
may offer activities like courses, sports services,
crafts workshops, dancing or friendship activities for
all ages. You can search this information online or
ask for more detailed information at your local social
services agencies.
There is a variety of hobbies that can be aimed at all
kinds of people. You just see if they fit your needs
and skills. For instance, painting, knitting and wood
carving are great for people who are good at creating
things. They can develop your imagination and your
artistic side. They can help prevent conditions like
arthritis.
If you are young, extreme sports such as rock
climbing, water skiing, surfing, sky diving and many
others provide you with a lot of excitement and
adrenaline. It doesn’t mean that pensioners can’t try
these activities. Although they are risky, you just
need to have the safety precautions and have a good
guide.
There are some pastimes just to promote
entertainment. However, if you take them seriously,
they can develop not only mental but sometimes
physical skills. Playing videogames, playing board
games, reading and redecorating the house are good
examples of this kind. This type of activities can be
a good way to prevent boredom.
Every time you are bored or you consider that you
are not good at anything or even worse, that you’re
getting older for hobbies, think yourself about “what
are my hobbies?” and explore the many possibilities
you have around or simply ask someone for some
advice.
1. T F It doesn’t say The text is only aimed at young people.

2. T F It doesn’t say The text included a series of examples of pastimes that different kinds of people

can have.

3. T F It doesn’t say The text establishes a connection between hobbies and the development of
mental,

emotional and physical health.

4. T F It doesn’t say The text shows how hobbies transform people’s daily routines.

5. T F It doesn’t say The text includes suggested places where you can find information about
pastimes.

a. Report on suitable hobbies for the elderly according to the information provided in the text.

Check  ONLY the number of options indicated from the list provided a) – h) that best answer the questions
1 – 3.

1. These three hobbies can help prevent arthritis and d) water skiing 
can be for seniors who are good at creating things:
e) surfing 
a) go backpacking 
f) cooking 
b) learn languages 
g) fishing 
c) paint 
h) sky diving 
d) collect things 

e) carve wood 
3. These four hobbies can help the elderly prevent
f) knit  boredom and develop not only their mental but
sometimes their physical abilities:
g) do crossword puzzles 
a) collecting things 
h) do aerobics 
b) reading 

c) flying kites 
2. With safety precautions and a good guide, the
elderly can choose these four risky hobbies: d) video games 

a) rock climbing  e) gardening 

b) dancing  f) board games 

c) photography  g) house redecorating 

h) watching TV