导读：
有些成年人似乎永远也长不大。来看看为什么有些人喜欢在业余时间做看似只有在孩童时代才会做的事情，如制作飞机模型、搭建积木套装。有证据表明，这些人其实有充分的理由痴迷于这类爱好。玩儿时的玩具是否说明我们在寻找内心的那个 “大小孩”？听 “外刊精读” 讨论以玩玩具为兴趣爱好的成年人。
一、语篇泛读
词汇：play 玩耍
We all know children love to play with toys. But as they approach adulthood, they stop being playful and concentrate on grown-up things – or so we believe. However, in recent times at least, adults are revisiting their childhood and buying toys for themselves – and they've been given the nickname 'kidults'.
There are many reasons for the rise of the kidult, but it's certainly big business. In the USA for example, the Toy Association says that over half of adults bought toys and games for themselves last year. Nostalgia is part of the reason: people want to relive their childhood and now have the disposable income to do so. Puzzles and board games are traditional toys that can be enjoyed at any age.
But there's more to being a big kid than just taking a trip down memory lane. People have more time to let their hair down and play. Hobbies such as modelling and construction with plastic bricks can help people develop skills into adulthood. And they allow people to switch off and relax. In fact, Frederique Tutt, global industry analyst at NPD, told the BBC: "I'd say much of this is providing an escape from the stresses and strains of modern-day living, fulfilling our need to find downtime."
Some people are even finding comfort and camaraderie by playing with others. Although competing with others through video gaming might be nothing new, others are coming together to build train sets or sophisticated models. In Brighton in the UK, for example, Brighton Bricks is a club where adult fans of the toy Lego meet up every month to talk, play and swap collections.
But those who think playing with toys is childish and immature should take note of the research by René Proyer, professor of psychology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany. It suggests that adults who demonstrate more playful personality traits are more motivated, creative and spontaneous. So, it seems life shouldn't be all work and no play, and maybe we should take play more seriously!
二、词汇表
toy 玩具 |
三、测试与练习
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. What are the reasons mentioned in the article that adults are buying more toys for themselves?
2. How might playing with toys as an adult help you?
3. What might be the benefits of playing with other adults?
4. True or false? Research by René Proyer suggests that being playful makes you more creative.
5. Is there an age limit to enjoying puzzles and board games?
2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。
1. My _______ include painting, acting and singing.
collections puzzles
hobbies downtime
2. You need to _______ and come to the party. It'll be fun!
let your hair drop
let my hair down
let your hairs down let your hair down
3. He's such a _______ – he still takes his teddy bear to bed at night!
immature childhood
spontaneous big kid
4. When I get some _______, I like to have a go at doing a jigsaw puzzle.
collections downtime
nostalgia construction
5. Shall we _______ and get out the old dolls you used to play with out of the cupboard?
take a trip down memory lane
take a voyage down memory lane
take a trip up memory lane
have journeys down memory lane
【参考答案】
1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. What are the reasons mentioned in the article that adults are buying more toys for themselves?
Many adults have more disposable income and more leisure time.
2. How might playing with toys as an adult help you?
It helps you to develop new skills and relax and switch off. And as Frederique Tutt said, it can provide an escape from the stresses and strains of modern-day living.
3. What might be the benefits of playing with other adults?
Playing with others can give you comfort and camaraderie.
4. True or false? Research by René Proyer suggests that being playful makes you more creative.
True. Her research suggests that adults who demonstrate more playful personality traits are more motivated, creative and spontaneous.
5. Is there an age limit to enjoying puzzles and board games?
No. Puzzles and board games are traditional toys that can be enjoyed at any age.
2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。
1. My hobbies include painting, acting and singing.
2. You need to let your hair down and come to the party. It'll be fun!
3. He's such a big kid – he still takes his teddy bear to bed at night!
4. When I get some downtime, I like to have a go at doing a jigsaw puzzle.
5. Shall we take a trip down memory lane and get out the old dolls you used to play with out of the cupboard?
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