Hobbies (On Walking)

Working with words

Find the words from the text which have the following meanings.

a. a wave-like motion → undulation
b. to make or do something again exactly in the same way → replicate
c. decayed, deteriorated, or fallen into partial ruin especially through neglect or misuse → dilapidated
d. a bright, smooth surface → sheen
e. the feeling of having no energy and enthusiasm → listlessness
f. a state of noise, commotion and confusion → cacophonous
g. being alone, often by choice → solitude
h. to regard with respect, often tinged with awe → revere
i. said in a way that is not direct, so that the real meaning is not immediately clear → nondescript or oblique

Find the meaning of the following words from a dictionary.

Sophisticated: deprived of native or original simplicity, highly complicated
Conscious: likely to notice, consider or appraise
Blistering: extremely intense or severe
Proximity: immediately preceding or following
Invisible: inaccessible to view, recognize or identify

Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. What is the author’s favourite hobby? Why does she like it so much?

The author's favorite hobby is walking. They enjoy the physical sensation of walking, the movement, rhythm, and the undulation of the senses and body that it initiates.

b. What sorts of roads did the writer prefer to walk on when she was very young?

When the author was very young, they preferred to walk on unpaved and uneven roads, like the paths around their mamaghar.

c. How did walking give the author and her classmates a sense of freedom?

Walking with her friends after school gave the author and her classmates a sense of freedom, as they were able to take their own route home and not be confined to a regimented routine.

d. In what ways were the roads in Kathmandu different from the ones in Sydney?

The roads in Kathmandu were described as cacophonous and chaotic compared to the quieter and more organized roads of Sydney.

e. How did walking help the author in the new country?

Walking helped the author explore and navigate the new country, and it served as an escape and a way to find a pace and rhythm that felt most natural to her amidst the pressure to adapt and fit in.

f. What were the treasures of Petersham, where the writer lived with her family?

The treasures of Petersham, where the author lived with her family, were a tiny park no one visited and another park with a huge rock at one end. It offered a peaceful place between the harsh and noisy highway and the more comfortable.

g. What things became her permanent friends with whom she could share her feelings?

The streets and different places the author walked in became her permanent friends with whom she could share her feelings.

h. Why did she feel that she had travelled to ‘a desert, to emptiness’ as she went to the United States?

The author felt that she had travelled to ‘a desert, to emptiness’ as she went to the United States because it was a new place and she didn't have familiar surroundings.

i. Why did the author eventually feel that the strange city was known to her?

The author eventually felt that the strange city was known to her because she had walked its streets and explored it, which helped her navigate and understand the place.

j. How did walking make her feel at home with different places she visited?

Walking helped the author feel at home with different places she visited, as it allowed her to explore and understand the place, and it also served as an escape and a way to find a natural rhythm.

Critical thinking

Do you believe that walking helps us understand ourselves? Give reasons in support of your opinion.

Yes, I believe that walking can help us understand ourselves. Walking is a form of physical activity that allows us to be in tune with our body and its movements. It also provides an opportunity for solitude and reflection, which can help in gaining self-awareness. Research has shown that regular physical exercise, including walking, can have positive effects on mental health and well-being, such as reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Additionally, walking can help clear the mind and allow for better focus, which can help in the process of self-reflection and introspection. Furthermore, walking in nature can provide a sense of grounding and connection to the environment, which can also contribute to self-awareness. Overall, walking can be a simple yet effective tool for self-discovery and understanding.

Think of one of your hobbies. How does this hobby relate to your psyche and self?

Cycling, as a hobby, relates to my psyche and self in several ways. Firstly, it allows me to challenge myself physically and push my limits, which can boost my confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, cycling allows me to explore new places and environments, which can broaden my perspective and understanding of the world. It also allows me to be in tune with my body and its movements, providing a sense of grounding and connection to my physical self. Furthermore, cycling is a form of aerobic exercise, which can have positive effects on mental health and well-being, such as reducing stress, anxiety and depression, and promoting relaxation and overall well-being. It also allows for a sense of mindfulness and focus, which can be beneficial for introspection and self-reflection. Overall, cycling is a hobby that can be beneficial for both physical and mental well-being, and can contribute to a deeper understanding of oneself.

Many people turn their hobbies into careers. Is it good to turn one's hobby into a career?

Writing

Highlighting the advantages of walking, Henry David Thoreau says, “An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” Write an essay on the advantages of morning walk.

Advantages of Morning Walk

Walking is a simple yet effective form of exercise that has numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. One of the best times to walk is in the morning, as highlighted by Henry David Thoreau, who says, "An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." This statement holds true, as morning walks offer a plethora of advantages that can improve one's overall health and well-being.

One of the main advantages of morning walks is that it helps to improve cardiovascular health. Walking is a low-impact exercise that can help to strengthen the heart and lungs, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation. It also helps to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A morning walk can also help to improve respiratory function and increase lung capacity.

Morning walks also have a positive impact on mental health. Walking in the morning can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The fresh air, natural light, and peaceful surroundings of the morning can help to clear the mind and promote a sense of calm and tranquility. Furthermore, walking can also help to improve sleep quality and alleviate symptoms of insomnia.

Morning walks can also help to improve one's physical fitness and overall health. Walking is a weight-bearing exercise that can help to build and maintain strong bones and muscles. It also helps to improve flexibility, balance, and coordination. Furthermore, regular morning walks can help to boost energy levels, improve concentration, and increase overall productivity.

In addition to the physical and mental benefits, morning walks can also be a great way to connect with nature and the environment. Walking in nature can help to promote a sense of grounding and connection to the earth, which can be beneficial for overall well-being. It can also be a great way to enjoy the beauty of the natural world and appreciate the changing seasons.

In conclusion, morning walks offer a wide range of advantages that can improve overall health and well-being. They can help to improve cardiovascular health, mental health, physical fitness, and overall health. They can also be a great way to connect with nature and the environment. As Henry David Thoreau suggests, "An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." It's a simple yet effective way to start the day on a positive note. Regular morning walks can help to improve overall health and well-being, and make one feel more energized and productive throughout the day.

Grammar

Passive voice

Passive voice is a grammatical construction in which the subject of a sentence is not the agent of the action but rather the recipient of the action. In other words, the subject is not performing the action, but rather the action is being performed on the subject.

For example, in the sentence "The dog bit the boy," the subject "dog" is the agent of the action (biting) and the object "boy" is the recipient of the action. This sentence is written in the active voice. However, if we want to write the sentence in the passive voice, we would say "The boy was bitten by the dog." In this sentence, the subject "boy" is now the recipient of the action (being bitten) and the agent of the action (the dog) is introduced using the preposition "by."

To write in the passive voice, you need to use the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, being, been) and the past participle of the main verb.

The formula to write in passive voice is:

Object + auxiliary verb + past participle + by + subject

Examples:
Active: They built the house.
Passive: The house was built by them.

Active: The dog bit the boy.
Passive: The boy was bitten by the dog.

Active: The teacher graded the papers.
Passive: The papers were graded by the teacher.

It's worth to note that passive voice is generally less direct, less concise and less engaging than active voice. It's often used in formal writing and when the agent is not known or not important.

Change the following sentences into passive voice.

a. I want someone to love me.
I want to be loved by someone.

b. Someone broke into our house while we were on holiday.
Our house was broken into while we were on holiday by someone.

c. I don’t like people staring at me.
I don’t like to be stared at by people.

d. Is it true that someone stole your car?
Is it true that your car was stolen by someone?

e. The cat enjoys someone tickling him.
The cat is enjoyed by someone tickling him.

f. Would Swostika open the window?
Would the window be opened by Swostika?

g. Did they confess the crime?
Was the crime confessed by them?

h. He thinks that someone is teaching Jennie.
Jennie is thought to be taught by someone by him.

i. Sabina hates people laughing at her.
Sabina is consumed by people laughing at her.

Complete the following sentences as in the example.

Example: People believe that the one billion defaulters are staying in the UAE.
The one billion defaulters are believed to be staying in the UAE.

a. English people think that the number thirteen is unlucky.
The number thirteen is believed to be unlucky by English people.

b. What are you wearing for the wedding?
Actually, I am having a suit made. They will give it tomorrow.

c. The carpet in our drawing room is very dirty.
It needs cleaning.

d. There are rumours that the factory at the corner is manufacturing bombs.
The factory at the corner is rumoured to be manufacturing bombs.

e. Some people believe that Silajit from Jumla cures all indigestion problems.
Silajit from Jumla is believed to cure all digestion problems.

f. People claim that Changu Narayan temple is the oldest temple in Nepal.
Changu Narayan temple is claimed to be the oldest temple in Nepal.

g. A: Your car is making a terrible noise.
B: Thank you. I am not a mechanic and I will repair it soon.

h. The police suspect that the criminal left the country.
The criminal is suspected to have left the country.

i. A: Where are you going?
B: I am going to the stationery to get my document photocopied.

j. People allege that the corrupt leader has embezzled millions of rupees.
The leader is alleged to have embezzled millions of rupees.