Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as overs (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). It is one of the world’s most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United States alone.

Many casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection generally requires some philatelic knowledge. This is especially important for those who intend to spend large amounts for stamps.

Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countries.

Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have taken to Philatelic Investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store. They offer an attractive alternative to art, other collectible investments, and precious metals.

 

The estimated number of stamp collectors in the United States is ………….

 

Gardening is the art of growing plants with the goal of crafting a purposeful landscape. Residential gardening most often takes place in or about a residence, in a space referred to as the garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land near a residence, it may also be located in a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a window-box, or on a patio or vivarium..

Gardening also takes place in non-residential green areas, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.

Indoor gardening is concerned with the growing of houseplants within a residence or building, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse. Indoor gardens are sometimes incorporated as part of air conditioning or heating systems.

Water gardening is concerned with growing plants adapted to pools and ponds. Bog gardens are also considered a type of water garden. These all require special conditions and considerations. A simple water garden may consist solely of a tub containing the water and plant.

Who maintains the public gardens ?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

A surprising number of popular spectator sports, for example football or baseball, (6)______ in Europe or the USA in the nineteenth century. This did not happen by chance. It was the (7) ______ of changes in the way people lived in those places at that time. Until then, more people lived In the country than in towns. They worked in small groups and had no regular time off. All this changed with the growth of factories and industry in the nineteenth century, first in Europe and (8) ______. In the USA. For the first time, most people began to live in towns, and they found themselves with regular free time. They had more leisure time than ever before. This resulted in the need for organized entertainment. Suitable games developed or were invented, typically team games, in which the crowd could (9) ______ sides and become involved. This gave people some of the entertainment they need in their free time. The recent explosion in TV, with the introduction of satellite and cable channels, has caused an increase in (10) ______ for sports as entertainment. The money TV has broughtto games such as football, tennis and baseball means that spectator sports will certainly go on playing an important part in our lives.

(9) ________

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

During the last 400 years, most scientists have (1) ________ on mathematics in their development of their inventions or discoveries. However, one great British scientist, Michael Faraday, did not make (2)__________of mathematics. Faraday, the son of a poor blacksmith, was born in London in 1791 and had no (3) _________ beyond reading and writing.

In 1812 Faraday was hired as a bottle washer by the great chemist Humphry Davy. Later, Faraday became a greater scientist than Davy, making the last years of Davy's life embittered (4) __________ jealousy. Faraday made the first (5)__________ motor in 1821, a device that used electricity to produce movement.

(2) ________

Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.

Recreation is the use of time in a non-profitable way, in many ways also a therapeutic refreshment of one’s body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. As people in the world’s wealthier regions lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the need for recreation has grown. The rise of so-called active vacations exemplifies this trend.

Recreation, play, and fun are not the preserve of human; nearly all creatures indulge in this to some extent. Play is essential for the development of skills, the most basic of which are motor skills in young creatures.

The choice of hours for recreation is, for employees, restricted by the requirements of, and agreements with, the employer (working time), and for students by schools hours. For people with their own business it is also restricted by the requirements of the work, such as the opening hours of the business based on wishes of customers, laws, and customs.

The weekend is usually a time for recreation. Holidays are also a common time for recreation, though recreation may take place at virtually any time. Recreation commonly occurs during an individual’s discretionary time.

Traditionally Olympics, music and dance serve as recreation in many cultures, as do sports, hobbies, game (playing) and tourism. Watching TV and listening to music are common forms of recreation, or rather leisure.

Weekends and holidays are ________________.

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.

I like traveling a lot and I especially enjoy backpacking as my (1) _____ recreation. (2) _____ I look back several years ago, my backpack must have (3) ____ in at over 50lbs. It was a familiar feeling for me to (4) ____ a few minutes (5) ____ then rest. 

(2) _________

Gardening is the art of growing plants with the goal of crafting a purposeful landscape. Residential gardening most often takes place in or about a residence, in a space referred to as the garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land near a residence, it may also be located in a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a window-box, or on a patio or vivarium..

Gardening also takes place in non-residential green areas, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.

Indoor gardening is concerned with the growing of houseplants within a residence or building, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse. Indoor gardens are sometimes incorporated as part of air conditioning or heating systems.

Water gardening is concerned with growing plants adapted to pools and ponds. Bog gardens are also considered a type of water garden. These all require special conditions and considerations. A simple water garden may consist solely of a tub containing the water and plant.

Water gardening is concerned with ………….

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

A surprising number of popular spectator sports, for example football or baseball, (6)______ in Europe or the USA in the nineteenth century. This did not happen by chance. It was the (7) ______ of changes in the way people lived in those places at that time. Until then, more people lived In the country than in towns. They worked in small groups and had no regular time off. All this changed with the growth of factories and industry in the nineteenth century, first in Europe and (8) ______. In the USA. For the first time, most people began to live in towns, and they found themselves with regular free time. They had more leisure time than ever before. This resulted in the need for organized entertainment. Suitable games developed or were invented, typically team games, in which the crowd could (9) ______ sides and become involved. This gave people some of the entertainment they need in their free time. The recent explosion in TV, with the introduction of satellite and cable channels, has caused an increase in (10) ______ for sports as entertainment. The money TV has broughtto games such as football, tennis and baseball means that spectator sports will certainly go on playing an important part in our lives.

(8) ________

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

A surprising number of popular spectator sports, for example football or baseball, (6)______ in Europe or the USA in the nineteenth century. This did not happen by chance. It was the (7) ______ of changes in the way people lived in those places at that time. Until then, more people lived In the country than in towns. They worked in small groups and had no regular time off. All this changed with the growth of factories and industry in the nineteenth century, first in Europe and (8) ______. In the USA. For the first time, most people began to live in towns, and they found themselves with regular free time. They had more leisure time than ever before. This resulted in the need for organized entertainment. Suitable games developed or were invented, typically team games, in which the crowd could (9) ______ sides and become involved. This gave people some of the entertainment they need in their free time. The recent explosion in TV, with the introduction of satellite and cable channels, has caused an increase in (10) ______ for sports as entertainment. The money TV has broughtto games such as football, tennis and baseball means that spectator sports will certainly go on playing an important part in our lives.

(6) ________

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

During the last 400 years, most scientists have (1) ________ on mathematics in their development of their inventions or discoveries. However, one great British scientist, Michael Faraday, did not make (2)__________of mathematics. Faraday, the son of a poor blacksmith, was born in London in 1791 and had no (3) _________ beyond reading and writing.

In 1812 Faraday was hired as a bottle washer by the great chemist Humphry Davy. Later, Faraday became a greater scientist than Davy, making the last years of Davy's life embittered (4) __________ jealousy. Faraday made the first (5)__________ motor in 1821, a device that used electricity to produce movement.

(3) ________

Recreation is the use of time in a non-profitable way, in many ways also a therapeutic refreshment of one’s body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. As people in the world’s wealthier regions lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the need for recreation has grown. The rise of so-called active vacations exemplifies this trend.

Recreation, play, and fun are not the preserve of human; nearly all creatures indulge in this to some extent. Play is essential for the development of skills, the most basic of which are motor skills in young creatures.

The choice of hours for recreation is, for employees, restricted by the requirements of, and agreements with, the employer (working time), and for students by schools hours. For people with their own business it is also restricted by the requirements of the work, such as the opening hours of the business based on wishes of customers, laws, and customs.

The weekend is usually a time for recreation. Holidays are also a common time for recreation, though recreation may take place at virtually any time. Recreation commonly occurs during an individual’s discretionary time.

Traditionally Olympics, music and dance serve as recreation in many cultures, as do sports, hobbies, game (playing) and tourism. Watching TV and listening to music are common forms of recreation, or rather leisure.

The word occurs in paragraph 4, could best be replaced by ______________.

Gardening is the art of growing plants with the goal of crafting a purposeful landscape. Residential gardening most often takes place in or about a residence, in a space referred to as the garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land near a residence, it may also be located in a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a window-box, or on a patio or vivarium..

Gardening also takes place in non-residential green areas, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.

Indoor gardening is concerned with the growing of houseplants within a residence or building, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse. Indoor gardens are sometimes incorporated as part of air conditioning or heating systems.

Water gardening is concerned with growing plants adapted to pools and ponds. Bog gardens are also considered a type of water garden. These all require special conditions and considerations. A simple water garden may consist solely of a tub containing the water and plant.

Where is a garden usually located ?

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.

I like traveling a lot and I especially enjoy backpacking as my (1) _____ recreation. (2) _____ I look back several years ago, my backpack must have (3) ____ in at over 50lbs. It was a familiar feeling for me to (4) ____ a few minutes (5) ____ then rest. 

(4) _________

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.

I like traveling a lot and I especially enjoy backpacking as my (1) _____ recreation. (2) _____ I look back several years ago, my backpack must have (3) ____ in at over 50lbs. It was a familiar feeling for me to (4) ____ a few minutes (5) ____ then rest. 

(5) _________

Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.

Recreation is the use of time in a non-profitable way, in many ways also a therapeutic refreshment of one’s body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. As people in the world’s wealthier regions lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the need for recreation has grown. The rise of so-called active vacations exemplifies this trend.

Recreation, play, and fun are not the preserve of human; nearly all creatures indulge in this to some extent. Play is essential for the development of skills, the most basic of which are motor skills in young creatures.

The choice of hours for recreation is, for employees, restricted by the requirements of, and agreements with, the employer (working time), and for students by schools hours. For people with their own business it is also restricted by the requirements of the work, such as the opening hours of the business based on wishes of customers, laws, and customs.

The weekend is usually a time for recreation. Holidays are also a common time for recreation, though recreation may take place at virtually any time. Recreation commonly occurs during an individual’s discretionary time.

Traditionally Olympics, music and dance serve as recreation in many cultures, as do sports, hobbies, game (playing) and tourism. Watching TV and listening to music are common forms of recreation, or rather leisure.

The choice of hours for recreation for employees is _______________.

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.

I like traveling a lot and I especially enjoy backpacking as my (1) _____ recreation. (2) _____ I look back several years ago, my backpack must have (3) ____ in at over 50lbs. It was a familiar feeling for me to (4) ____ a few minutes (5) ____ then rest. 

(1) _________

Gardening is the art of growing plants with the goal of crafting a purposeful landscape. Residential gardening most often takes place in or about a residence, in a space referred to as the garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land near a residence, it may also be located in a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a window-box, or on a patio or vivarium..

Gardening also takes place in non-residential green areas, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.

Indoor gardening is concerned with the growing of houseplants within a residence or building, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse. Indoor gardens are sometimes incorporated as part of air conditioning or heating systems.

Water gardening is concerned with growing plants adapted to pools and ponds. Bog gardens are also considered a type of water garden. These all require special conditions and considerations. A simple water garden may consist solely of a tub containing the water and plant.

Indoor gardening sometimes includes…………………

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

A surprising number of popular spectator sports, for example football or baseball, (6)______ in Europe or the USA in the nineteenth century. This did not happen by chance. It was the (7) ______ of changes in the way people lived in those places at that time. Until then, more people lived In the country than in towns. They worked in small groups and had no regular time off. All this changed with the growth of factories and industry in the nineteenth century, first in Europe and (8) ______. In the USA. For the first time, most people began to live in towns, and they found themselves with regular free time. They had more leisure time than ever before. This resulted in the need for organized entertainment. Suitable games developed or were invented, typically team games, in which the crowd could (9) ______ sides and become involved. This gave people some of the entertainment they need in their free time. The recent explosion in TV, with the introduction of satellite and cable channels, has caused an increase in (10) ______ for sports as entertainment. The money TV has broughtto games such as football, tennis and baseball means that spectator sports will certainly go on playing an important part in our lives.

(7) ________

Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects, such as overs (envelopes or packages with stamps on them). It is one of the world’s most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of collectors ranging up to 20 million in the United States alone.

Many casual collectors enjoy accumulating stamps without worrying about the tiny details, but the creation of a large or comprehensive collection generally requires some philatelic knowledge. This is especially important for those who intend to spend large amounts for stamps.

Stamp collectors are an important source of revenue for some small countries who create limited runs of elaborate stamps designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors. The stamps produced by these countries far exceed the postal needs of the countries.

Some collectors, observing the generally rising prices of rare stamps, have taken to Philatelic Investment. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store. They offer an attractive alternative to art, other collectible investments, and precious metals.

Which of the following is NOT true about rare stamps ?

Fill in each numbered blank with one suitable word or phrase.

I like traveling a lot and I especially enjoy backpacking as my (1) _____ recreation. (2) _____ I look back several years ago, my backpack must have (3) ____ in at over 50lbs. It was a familiar feeling for me to (4) ____ a few minutes (5) ____ then rest. 

(3) _________

Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.

Recreation is the use of time in a non-profitable way, in many ways also a therapeutic refreshment of one’s body or mind. While leisure is more likely a form of entertainment or rest, recreation is active for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. As people in the world’s wealthier regions lead increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the need for recreation has grown. The rise of so-called active vacations exemplifies this trend.

Recreation, play, and fun are not the preserve of human; nearly all creatures indulge in this to some extent. Play is essential for the development of skills, the most basic of which are motor skills in young creatures.

The choice of hours for recreation is, for employees, restricted by the requirements of, and agreements with, the employer (working time), and for students by schools hours. For people with their own business it is also restricted by the requirements of the work, such as the opening hours of the business based on wishes of customers, laws, and customs.

The weekend is usually a time for recreation. Holidays are also a common time for recreation, though recreation may take place at virtually any time. Recreation commonly occurs during an individual’s discretionary time.

Traditionally Olympics, music and dance serve as recreation in many cultures, as do sports, hobbies, game (playing) and tourism. Watching TV and listening to music are common forms of recreation, or rather leisure.

The word wealthier in paragraph 1 could best be replaced by ____________.