2016年公共英语一级阅读精选(2)

　　A Popular Pastime of the English People

　　One of the best means of understanding the people of any nation is watching what the do with their non-working time.

　　Most English men, love growing things, especially flowers. Visitors to England in spring, summer or autumn are likely to see gardens all they way along the railway lines. There are flowers at the airports and flowers in factory grounds, as well as in gardens along the roads. Each English town has at least one park with beautifully kept flower beds. Public buildings of every kind have brilliant window boxes and sometimes baskets of flowers are hanging on them.

　　But what the English enjoy most is growing things themselves. If it is impossible to have a garden, then a window box or something growing in a pot will do. Looking at each other’s gardens is a popular pastime with the English.

　　Useful Words and Expressions:

　　1. window box:窗台上的花盆箱

　　2.pastime 消遣

　　Swimming is my favorite pastime.