1. What leisure activities are popular in your country?

In my country, mobile games are extremely popular. Practically everyone has a smartphone nowadays, so it5s very easy for young people to download a game on their iPhone and start gaming right away. In addition, many people, especially seniors, are quite into doing outdoor activities in their spare time. Parks are often filled with people from dawn until dusk18 who are engaging in19 sports, tai chi, and public dancing.

2. Why do people like to watch live performances?

I suppose that people like watching live performances because they’re so exciting. Everything is unfolding20 in front of you in real time. There are no special effects or reshoots to polish the show18 19 20 21. The performers have to get everything right on the first try22. So I think that really sets it apart from23 watching something pre-recorded. The audience can also add a cool and thrilling atmosphere to the whole performance. It’s really amazing to be in a giant crowd of thousands of people all screaming together.

3. Do young people and old people like different leisure activities?

Yeah, I definitely think young people and old people like different leisure activities. Young people like doing things in groups, and they have better stamina24, so they prefer outdoor activities like playing sports, going window-shopping25, or travelling. Basically anything that has a social aspect is fun for them. In contrast, old people are usually not as physical as young people, so most of them like having fun through more peaceful and quiet activities, like playing chess or reading.

4. Do leisure activities have to be educational or just for fun?

It seems to me that leisure activities should be for fun. They certainly don’t have to be educational. Some people don5t find those educational activities relaxing at all. They feel too stressed out by having to learn something new. But leisure activities that are just for fun can help people blow off steam26, which is the part of leisure activities that people really care about. Of course, it would be better if a leisure activity could be both educational and interesting.

5. Why do some people prefer going to a cinema rather than watching TV at home?

I think some people prefer going to a cinema because of the atmosphere there. Watching a movie with a large crowd27 really changes your experience of it. It’s fun to laugh along with others28 while watching a comedy, or get freaked out with everyone26 27 28 29 during a horror. Plus, cinemas have a way better30 sound system than the average home. It feels much more immersive31. And it’s fun to see a movie on the big screen.

18 from dawn until dusk:从早到晚
19 engaging in:从事，参与
20 unfolding:展开，呈现
21 no special effects or reshoots to polish the show:没有特效和重拍来完善表演
22 on the first try:在首次尝试的时候
23 sets it apart from:把它与…区别开
24 have better stamina:有更好的体力
25 going window-shopping:逛街(逛商场时溜达着看商家橱窗里都摆着什么）
26 blow off steam:释放压力
27 a large crowd： 一大群人
28 laugh along with others:和其他人一起笑
29 get freaked out with everyone:和其他人一起被吓
30 way better：(远远）更好的，way修饰程度，相当于very
31 immersive:沉浸其中，身临其境