TOEFL prep. - Reading 1

Relaxing around the world

Jun- Hong from Taiwan

People are astonished when I tell them I go shrimp fishing to relax after work, because Taipei is a good hour's drive away from the coast. But the ingenious citizens of Taipei have brought the shrimps into the city and set up Shrimp Clubs. Basically, a Shrimp Club is a room with a small pool full of shrimp. You get a fishing rod, a thin bamboo stick, and a tray of bait. While you fish, you can listen to music or chat to your friends. And when you finish, you can cook your shrimp and eat them!

Mika from Japan

At the end of each manic day, I can't wait to get out of the office and into my favourite Cat Café. I adore cats. I'd love to have one, but my landlord doesn't allow pets. So I go to a Cat Café and lounge on one of their sofas with a cup of tea and my favourite cat, Pearl, on my lap. I usually stay for two hours, which costs me $15. I'd love to stay longer, but I can't really afford it. Though I must admit that once, when I was feeling completely stressed-out, I called in sick and spent the entire day stroking Pearl!

Nader from Egypt

Whenever I feel stressed, I belly dance. And I'm not the only man who does. In fact, in my country, Egypt, lots of men and women belly dance. People in the West usually associate belly dancing with ladies in colourful costumes, but belly dancing is an ancient tradition. People belly dance at social gatherings or celebrations. And it's also good for your health. Belly dancing strengthens your  abdominals, improves blood circulation and burns up lots of calories, which is probably why it has become so popular with women around the world.

Katie from Britain

People's first reaction to my favourite relaxation technique - knitting - is, 'how boring!' All I can say is, 'they don't know what they're missing'. I find the rhythmic, repetitive movements of knitting help me to focus my mind. It's not unlike meditation, but with the added advantage that you are creating something at the same time, like woolly sweaters and scarves. You don't have to be artistic, and you can knit anywhere. I've recently joined a knitting group; they've become quite popular in Britain, and not only with old women! More and more young people and quite a few men are taking up knitting these days.

Which person has a hobby that didn't use to be popular with men until recently?

• Jun

• Mika

• Nader

• Katie

Relaxing around the world

Jun- Hong from Taiwan

People are astonished when I tell them I go shrimp fishing to relax after work, because Taipei is a good hour's drive away from the coast. But the ingenious citizens of Taipei have brought the shrimps into the city and set up Shrimp Clubs. Basically, a Shrimp Club is a room with a small pool full of shrimp. You get a fishing rod, a thin bamboo stick, and a tray of bait. While you fish, you can listen to music or chat to your friends. And when you finish, you can cook your shrimp and eat them!

Mika from Japan

At the end of each manic day, I can't wait to get out of the office and into my favourite Cat Café. I adore cats. I'd love to have one, but my landlord doesn't allow pets. So I go to a Cat Café and lounge on one of their sofas with a cup of tea and my favourite cat, Pearl, on my lap. I usually stay for two hours, which costs me $15. I'd love to stay longer, but I can't really afford it. Though I must admit that once, when I was feeling completely stressed-out, I called in sick and spent the entire day stroking Pearl!

Nader from Egypt

Whenever I feel stressed, I belly dance. And I'm not the only man who does. In fact, in my country, Egypt, lots of men and women belly dance. People in the West usually associate belly dancing with ladies in colourful costumes, but belly dancing is an ancient tradition. People belly dance at social gatherings or celebrations. And it's also good for your health. Belly dancing strengthens your  abdominals, improves blood circulation and burns up lots of calories, which is probably why it has become so popular with women around the world.

Katie from Britain

People's first reaction to my favourite relaxation technique - knitting - is, 'how boring!' All I can say is, 'they don't know what they're missing'. I find the rhythmic, repetitive movements of knitting help me to focus my mind. It's not unlike meditation, but with the added advantage that you are creating something at the same time, like woolly sweaters and scarves. You don't have to be artistic, and you can knit anywhere. I've recently joined a knitting group; they've become quite popular in Britain, and not only with old women! More and more young people and quite a few men are taking up knitting these days.

Which person thinks other countries have the wrong idea about their hobby?

• Jun

• Mika

• Nader

• Katie

Relaxing around the world

Jun- Hong from Taiwan

People are astonished when I tell them I go shrimp fishing to relax after work, because Taipei is a good hour's drive away from the coast. But the ingenious citizens of Taipei have brought the shrimps into the city and set up Shrimp Clubs. Basically, a Shrimp Club is a room with a small pool full of shrimp. You get a fishing rod, a thin bamboo stick, and a tray of bait. While you fish, you can listen to music or chat to your friends. And when you finish, you can cook your shrimp and eat them!

Mika from Japan

At the end of each manic day, I can't wait to get out of the office and into my favourite Cat Café. I adore cats. I'd love to have one, but my landlord doesn't allow pets. So I go to a Cat Café and lounge on one of their sofas with a cup of tea and my favourite cat, Pearl, on my lap. I usually stay for two hours, which costs me $15. I'd love to stay longer, but I can't really afford it. Though I must admit that once, when I was feeling completely stressed-out, I called in sick and spent the entire day stroking Pearl!

Nader from Egypt

Whenever I feel stressed, I belly dance. And I'm not the only man who does. In fact, in my country, Egypt, lots of men and women belly dance. People in the West usually associate belly dancing with ladies in colourful costumes, but belly dancing is an ancient tradition. People belly dance at social gatherings or celebrations. And it's also good for your health. Belly dancing strengthens your  abdominals, improves blood circulation and burns up lots of calories, which is probably why it has become so popular with women around the world.

Katie from Britain

People's first reaction to my favourite relaxation technique - knitting - is, 'how boring!' All I can say is, 'they don't know what they're missing'. I find the rhythmic, repetitive movements of knitting help me to focus my mind. It's not unlike meditation, but with the added advantage that you are creating something at the same time, like woolly sweaters and scarves. You don't have to be artistic, and you can knit anywhere. I've recently joined a knitting group; they've become quite popular in Britain, and not only with old women! More and more young people and quite a few men are taking up knitting these days.

Which person relaxes and produces attractive and useful things at the same time?

• Jun

• Mika

• Nader

• Katie

Relaxing around the world

Jun- Hong from Taiwan

People are astonished when I tell them I go shrimp fishing to relax after work, because Taipei is a good hour's drive away from the coast. But the ingenious citizens of Taipei have brought the shrimps into the city and set up Shrimp Clubs. Basically, a Shrimp Club is a room with a small pool full of shrimp. You get a fishing rod, a thin bamboo stick, and a tray of bait. While you fish, you can listen to music or chat to your friends. And when you finish, you can cook your shrimp and eat them!

Mika from Japan

At the end of each manic day, I can't wait to get out of the office and into my favourite Cat Café. I adore cats. I'd love to have one, but my landlord doesn't allow pets. So I go to a Cat Café and lounge on one of their sofas with a cup of tea and my favourite cat, Pearl, on my lap. I usually stay for two hours, which costs me $15. I'd love to stay longer, but I can't really afford it. Though I must admit that once, when I was feeling completely stressed-out, I called in sick and spent the entire day stroking Pearl!

Nader from Egypt

Whenever I feel stressed, I belly dance. And I'm not the only man who does. In fact, in my country, Egypt, lots of men and women belly dance. People in the West usually associate belly dancing with ladies in colourful costumes, but belly dancing is an ancient tradition. People belly dance at social gatherings or celebrations. And it's also good for your health. Belly dancing strengthens your  abdominals, improves blood circulation and burns up lots of calories, which is probably why it has become so popular with women around the world.

Katie from Britain

People's first reaction to my favourite relaxation technique - knitting - is, 'how boring!' All I can say is, 'they don't know what they're missing'. I find the rhythmic, repetitive movements of knitting help me to focus my mind. It's not unlike meditation, but with the added advantage that you are creating something at the same time, like woolly sweaters and scarves. You don't have to be artistic, and you can knit anywhere. I've recently joined a knitting group; they've become quite popular in Britain, and not only with old women! More and more young people and quite a few men are taking up knitting these days.

Which person can enjoy the tasty results of their hobby?

• Jun

• Mika

• Nader

• Katie

Relaxing around the world

Jun- Hong from Taiwan

People are astonished when I tell them I go shrimp fishing to relax after work, because Taipei is a good hour's drive away from the coast. But the ingenious citizens of Taipei have brought the shrimps into the city and set up Shrimp Clubs. Basically, a Shrimp Club is a room with a small pool full of shrimp. You get a fishing rod, a thin bamboo stick, and a tray of bait. While you fish, you can listen to music or chat to your friends. And when you finish, you can cook your shrimp and eat them!

Mika from Japan

At the end of each manic day, I can't wait to get out of the office and into my favourite Cat Café. I adore cats. I'd love to have one, but my landlord doesn't allow pets. So I go to a Cat Café and lounge on one of their sofas with a cup of tea and my favourite cat, Pearl, on my lap. I usually stay for two hours, which costs me $15. I'd love to stay longer, but I can't really afford it. Though I must admit that once, when I was feeling completely stressed-out, I called in sick and spent the entire day stroking Pearl!

Nader from Egypt

Whenever I feel stressed, I belly dance. And I'm not the only man who does. In fact, in my country, Egypt, lots of men and women belly dance. People in the West usually associate belly dancing with ladies in colourful costumes, but belly dancing is an ancient tradition. People belly dance at social gatherings or celebrations. And it's also good for your health. Belly dancing strengthens your  abdominals, improves blood circulation and burns up lots of calories, which is probably why it has become so popular with women around the world.

Katie from Britain

People's first reaction to my favourite relaxation technique - knitting - is, 'how boring!' All I can say is, 'they don't know what they're missing'. I find the rhythmic, repetitive movements of knitting help me to focus my mind. It's not unlike meditation, but with the added advantage that you are creating something at the same time, like woolly sweaters and scarves. You don't have to be artistic, and you can knit anywhere. I've recently joined a knitting group; they've become quite popular in Britain, and not only with old women! More and more young people and quite a few men are taking up knitting these days.

Which person didn't go to work to spend more time doing their favorite activity?

• Jun

• Mika

• Nader

• Katie

Relaxing around the world

Jun- Hong from Taiwan

People are astonished when I tell them I go shrimp fishing to relax after work, because Taipei is a good hour's drive away from the coast. But the ingenious citizens of Taipei have brought the shrimps into the city and set up Shrimp Clubs. Basically, a Shrimp Club is a room with a small pool full of shrimp. You get a fishing rod, a thin bamboo stick, and a tray of bait. While you fish, you can listen to music or chat to your friends. And when you finish, you can cook your shrimp and eat them!

Mika from Japan

At the end of each manic day, I can't wait to get out of the office and into my favourite Cat Café. I adore cats. I'd love to have one, but my landlord doesn't allow pets. So I go to a Cat Café and lounge on one of their sofas with a cup of tea and my favourite cat, Pearl, on my lap. I usually stay for two hours, which costs me $15. I'd love to stay longer, but I can't really afford it. Though I must admit that once, when I was feeling completely stressed-out, I called in sick and spent the entire day stroking Pearl!

Nader from Egypt

Whenever I feel stressed, I belly dance. And I'm not the only man who does. In fact, in my country, Egypt, lots of men and women belly dance. People in the West usually associate belly dancing with ladies in colourful costumes, but belly dancing is an ancient tradition. People belly dance at social gatherings or celebrations. And it's also good for your health. Belly dancing strengthens your  abdominals, improves blood circulation and burns up lots of calories, which is probably why it has become so popular with women around the world.

Katie from Britain

People's first reaction to my favourite relaxation technique - knitting - is, 'how boring!' All I can say is, 'they don't know what they're missing'. I find the rhythmic, repetitive movements of knitting help me to focus my mind. It's not unlike meditation, but with the added advantage that you are creating something at the same time, like woolly sweaters and scarves. You don't have to be artistic, and you can knit anywhere. I've recently joined a knitting group; they've become quite popular in Britain, and not only with old women! More and more young people and quite a few men are taking up knitting these days.

Which person has a hobby that appeals to women who want to stay slim?

• Jun

• Mika

• Nader

• Katie