Unit—3: Pastimes, Lesson—3: Change in Pastime
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
Traditional childhood pastimes of climbing trees and playing conkers are in decline, according to survey by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). It’s a charitable organisation registered in England and Wales.
The survey shows that people under 34 recall far fewer such childhood outdoor experiences than their counterparts over 55, according to a survey by RSPB.
People were asked which of 12 outdoor experiences they could remember during their childhood. The answer included making dens, daisy chains, climbing trees, playing conkers and feeding birds. Four out of five boys climbed trees and the same number of girls made daisy chains. But the survey showed the numbers declining among the newer generations.
Some 15% more of those aged over 55 had these outdoor experiences in their childhood, compared with those between 15-34 years old. Some 92% of the public agreed that experiences of nature were still important to children, and 82% agreed that schools should play a role in providing them to all children.
The survey has highlighted the positive impact of contact with nature on a child’s education, health, wellbeing and social skills. At the same time, there has been a decline in these opportunities, with negative consequences for children, families and society – a condition now known as nature deficit disorder.
Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, will meet parliament members on Tuesday to urge the government to join other organisations in providing children with first-hand experiences of the natural environment. … “We believe this guidance should include the many positive impacts to children of having contact with nature and learning outside the classroom.”
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
a. The text focuses on the ― of Nature.
(i) importance (ii) bounty (iii) cruelty (iv) demerits
b. There has a ― change in the forms of pastime activities.
(i) vivid (ii) insignificant (iii) worthless (iv) ruthless
c. The conventional pastime activities are on the way to ―.
(i) extinct (ii) boosting (iii) increase (iv) enhancement
d. In the passage the term ‘recall’ denotes ―.
(i) domain (ii) recollect (iii) calling again (iv) call
e. Climbing a tree is a ― pastime activity to many people.
(i) conventional (ii) new (iii) unconventional (iv) unorthodox
f. The new generations are no more ― older forms of pastime activities.
(i) entering (ii) satisfied with (iii) detached (iv) separated from
g. Nature helps a child grow in a/an ― way.
(i) evil (ii) balanced (iii) rival (iv) imbalanced
2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a. What do you mean by pastime?
b. What is the condition of conventional forms of pastime activities?
c. What does the survey of RSPB reveal?
d. What do you mean by outdoor games?
e. What is your pastime activity?
3. Fill in each gap with suitable words based on the information of the text. 1 ✕ 5 = 5
A survey by the RSPB, a charity in the UK, reveals that traditional childhood outdoor activities are on the (a) ——-. Activities like climbing trees, making daisy chains, and feeding birds were more common among older generations. The survey shows that those above 55 years experienced these more than the current younger generation aged 15–34. Out of the 12 outdoor pastimes asked in the survey, fewer young people recalled enjoying them. Interestingly, four out of five boys once climbed trees, and the same portion of girls made daisy chains. However, these numbers have dropped over the years. Around 92% of people still believe that outdoor nature experiences are vital for children, and most agree that (b) ——- should help provide these. The report emphasizes that interaction with nature improves a child’s health, education, and social skills. But the lack of such opportunities has led to a negative impact, now called (c) ——- deficit disorder. The chief executive of RSPB, Mike Clarke, is planning to meet government representatives to raise this issue and encourage them to take action. He believes schools should take learning beyond classrooms to benefit children through nature. This approach can help them stay connected with the (d) ——- world and develop a deeper understanding of life. Without it, both children and society may suffer from emotional, educational, and social (e) ——-.
■■■ Answer Sheet ■■■
1. a. (i) importance; b. (i) vivid; c. (i) extinct; d. (ii) recollect; e. (i) conventional; f. (ii) satisfied with; g. (ii) balanced; h. (i) incomplete; i. (iii) informal; j. (ii) recommends; k. (i) abbreviation.
2. a. By ‘pastime’ we mean any kind of work we enjoy doing but this is not our routine work or usual work. In other words, this is our leisure activity.
b. The conventional forms of pastime activities are waning gradually.
c. The survey of RSPB reveals that people under 34 recall far fewer childhood outdoor experiences than their counter parts over 55.
d. By outdoor games, we mean some games played outside rather in a building.
e. My pastime activity is angling,, reading story books, watching TV, etc.
f. Schools are important as they may provide children with the learning of Nature.
g. Nature influences children’s learning by developing their education, health wellbeing and social skills.
h. Children’s contact with nature is very declining as we find in the text.
i. Mike Clarke is the Chief Executive of the RSPB.
j. Mike Clarke will persuade the govt to join different organizations in providing children with first-hand experiences of the natural environment.
3. Ans. (a) decline; (b) schools; (c) nature; (d) natural; (e) setbacks;
