Understanding Leisure Activities
People in the UK enjoy their free time in various ways. Two popular activities are gardening and shopping.
Gardening
Many people in the UK have gardens at home. They spend time caring for their plants and flowers. Some people rent a piece of land called an allotment. In an allotment, they grow fruits and vegetables.
Gardening shows are events where people display their plants. These can be big events that attract many visitors or small local shows.
Towns often have garden centres where you can buy plants and gardening tools. Some famous gardens that you can visit are:
- Kew Gardens in England
- Sissinghurst in England
- Hidcote in England
- Crathes Castle in Scotland
- Inveraray Castle in Scotland
- Bodnant Garden in Wales
- Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland
Each country in the UK has flowers that are special to them. People sometimes wear these flowers on their national saints’ days.
Shopping
Shopping is another popular leisure activity. Most towns and cities have a town centre, which is the main area for shopping. There are also undercover shopping centres where people can shop comfortably, even if it rains.
Most shops in the UK are open every day of the week, but they may have shorter hours on Sundays and public holidays. Many towns also have markets on certain days. At these markets, local sellers sell different kinds of goods.
Questions for Practice
Easy Level Questions
- What do many people in the UK have at home?
- A) A car
- B) A garden
- C) A pool
- D) A gym
- What is an allotment?
- A) A type of flower
- B) A rented piece of land
- C) A shopping centre
- D) A garden show
- Which of these is a famous garden in England?
- A) Crathes Castle
- B) Kew Gardens
- C) Mount Stewart
- D) Inveraray Castle
- What do garden centres sell?
- A) Clothes
- B) Food
- C) Plants and tools
- D) Books
- How often are most shops open in the UK?
- A) Only on weekends
- B) Seven days a week
- C) Only in summer
- D) Only on public holidays
- What type of events are gardening shows?
- A) Sports events
- B) Cooking events
- C) Plant exhibitions
- D) Music concerts
- What is a town centre?
- A) A place to play sports
- B) The main shopping area
- C) A park
- D) A school
- Where can you buy gardening tools?
- A) At a school
- B) At a library
- C) At a garden centre
- D) At a restaurant
- On which day might shops have shorter hours?
- A) Saturday
- B) Monday
- C) Sunday
- D) Thursday
- What do markets in towns sell?
- A) Only food
- B) A variety of goods
- C) Only clothes
- D) Only toys
Medium Level Questions
- Which of the following is true about gardening in the UK?
- A) Most people do not garden.
- B) Only old people garden.
- C) Many people enjoy gardening.
- D) Gardening is only for professional gardeners.
- What is one reason people like to visit famous gardens?
- A) To shop
- B) To see beautiful plants
- C) To play sports
- D) To watch movies
- Which of these gardens is located in Wales?
- A) Kew Gardens
- B) Bodnant Garden
- C) Sissinghurst
- D) Crathes Castle
- What is often sold at markets in the UK?
- A) Only handmade crafts
- B) Only groceries
- C) Various goods
- D) Only clothes
- How do people often use their allotments?
- A) For pets
- B) For growing flowers only
- C) For growing fruits and vegetables
- D) For playing games
- What is the significance of flowers worn on national saints’ days?
- A) They are for decoration only.
- B) They represent the countries of the UK.
- C) They are used for cooking.
- D) They are sold at markets.
- In which type of shopping area would you most likely find a variety of shops in one place?
- A) A park
- B) A town centre
- C) An office
- D) A school
- What type of shopping centre is convenient during bad weather?
- A) Outdoor market
- B) Town centre
- C) Undercover shopping centre
- D) A park
- What can you usually find in a garden centre?
- A) Sports equipment
- B) Books
- C) Plants and gardening supplies
- D) Clothes
- What day do many towns have markets?
- A) Every day
- B) On one specific day
- C) Only on holidays
- D) Only in winter
Hard Level Questions
- Which of the following is NOT a famous garden in the UK?
- A) Hidcote
- B) Mount Stewart
- C) Oxford Botanical Garden
- D) Kew Gardens
- What is a common activity that people do with their gardens?
- A) Just look at them
- B) Take photos only
- C) Care for the plants
- D) Ignore them
- Why do people enjoy gardening shows?
- A) To see garden designs and flowers
- B) To buy groceries
- C) To watch movies
- D) To buy clothes
- What might you find in a market?
- A) Only vegetables
- B) Only flowers
- C) A variety of products
- D) Only electronics
- The term “trading hours” refers to what?
- A) The time shops are open
- B) The time for gardening
- C) The time for markets
- D) The time for events
- Which flower is commonly associated with England?
- A) Thistle
- B) Daffodil
- C) Rose
- D) Shamrock
- How do people learn about gardening?
- A) Watching television only
- B) From friends and family
- C) Reading books and attending shows
- D) Both B and C
- What might you do at an allotment?
- A) Hold a party
- B) Grow vegetables and fruits
- C) Sleep
- D) Watch TV
- Which of the following is a benefit of gardening?
- A) It takes a lot of time
- B) It can be relaxing and rewarding
- C) It is only for professionals
- D) It is always expensive
- What do towns with markets offer?
- A) Only food
- B) A wide range of goods
- C) Only clothes
- D) Only flowers
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) A garden
- B) A rented piece of land
- B) Kew Gardens
- C) Plants and tools
- B) Seven days a week
- C) Plant exhibitions
- B) The main shopping area
- C) At a garden centre
- C) Sunday
- B) A variety of goods
Medium Level Answers
- C) Many people enjoy gardening.
- B) To see beautiful plants
- B) Bodnant Garden
- C) Various goods
- C) For growing fruits and vegetables
- B) They represent the countries of the UK.
- B) A town centre
- C) Undercover shopping centre
- C) Plants and gardening supplies
- B) On one specific day
Hard Level Answers
- C) Oxford Botanical Garden
- C) Care for the plants
- A) To see garden designs and flowers
- C) A variety of products
- A) The time shops are open
- C) Rose
- D) Both B and C
- B) Grow vegetables and fruits
- B) It can be relaxing and rewarding
- B) A wide range of goods
