四六级

　　Advantages of Collecting收集的好处

　　Some small things are collected delibe rately in the home in an attempt to avoid waste. Amongthese I would list string and brown paper, kept by thrifty people when a parcel has beenopened, to save buying these two requisites. However, collecting as a serious hobby is quitedifferent and has many advantages.

　　Firstly, it provides relaxation for leisure hours, just as looking at one's treasure is always apleasure. One does not have to go outside for amusement, since the collection is housed athome. Whatever it consists of, stamps, records, pictures, model cars, stuffed birds, toy animals, there is always something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latestaddition to verifying facts in reference books. Consequently, one's knowledge expands.

　　Secondly, this hobby educates one not only in the chosen subject, but also in general matterswhich have some bearing on it, for instance, to meet like-minded collectors, to get advice, tocompare notes, to show off the latest find, and so on. In this way, one's circle of friends grows.

　　Thirdly, the hobby soon leads to travel, perhaps to a meeting in another town, possibly a tripabroad in search of rare specimen (for collectors are not confined to one country). Over theyears one may well become an authority on one's hobby and will very probably be asked togive informal talks to little gatherings and then, if successful, to larger audience. In so doingself-confidence grows, first from mastering a subject, then from being able to talk about it.

　　In conclusion, collecting, by occupying spare time so constructively, makes a personcontented, with no time for boredom.