Leisure activities in Britain The British spend their free time in different ways. People generally use it to relax, but many people also do voluntary work, especially for charities. A lot of free time is spent in the home, where the most popular leisure activity is watching television, the average viewing time being 25 hours per week. Reading is also a favourite way of spending leisure time. The British spend a lot of time reading newspapers and magazines. In the summer gardening is popular, and in winter it is often replaced by do-it-yourself, when people spend time improving or repairing their homes. Some leisure activities are mostly or entirely social. Inviting friends for a drink or a meal at home is the most usual one. Sometimes people join friends for a drink in a pub, or have dinner in a restaurant. The extra time available at weekends means that some leisure activities, many of them to do with sport, normally take place only then. Traditional spectator sports include football, cricket, horse racing, motor racing and motorcycle racing. Popular forms of exercise are swimming, tennis, ice skating or roller-skating, cycling, climbing, and hill or country walking. Families often have a day out at the weekend, especially in summer, with a visit to a local event such as a festival, fair or show. Young people especially go to clubs and discos, while people of all ages go to the theatre, the cinema, art exhibitions and concerts. Decide the following statements are True, False or Not Given 1. Answer True Many people in Britain do voluntary work, especially for charities. 2. Answer False The most popular leisure activity is reading. 3. Answer False In the spring, people often spend time improving or repairing their homes. 4. Answer True The British tend to invite friends for a drink or a meal at home. 5. Answer True Cricket and horse racing are traditional spectator sports. 6. Answer People of all ages in Britain like DIY. 7. Answer Families usually go to a festival or a show at the weekend in summer. 8. Answer Only old people go to the theatre, art exhibitions and concerts.