Mary over Linda,alienating,risk takiing,withdrawn,good English

[Ju]

a) I didn't believe that anyone could choose Mary over Linda -
serene, exquisite Linda.

• This is an excerpt from a story about "matchmaker". What does it mean of choose Mary over Linda?

b) He's been alienating his family and engaging in illegal acts to
finance his gambling.

• Is it a good English writing?
• Can I say alienating his friends / his studies / his wife / his work?

c) 1) He's a adventurous man whom enjoys risk-taking.
2) Risk-taking is his hobby.

• Are they good English writing?
• What are the differences between risk taking and risk-taking?

d) Is being withdrawn a kind of charactor flaw?

• Is it a good English writing?

e)

1. Is it a good English writing?
2. Is it a piece of good English writing?
3. Is it good English writing?
4. Is it good English?

• Could you correct for me ?

Thanks

[Anglika]

a) I didn't believe that anyone could choose Mary over Linda -
serene, exquisite Linda.

• This is an excerpt from a story about "matchmaker". What does it mean of choose Mary over Linda? He selected Mary in preference to Linda
  

b) He's been alienating his family and engaging in illegal acts to
finance his gambling.

• Is it a good English writing? Might by improved by saying"...family by engaging..."
  
• Can I say alienating his friends / his studies / his wife / his work? You can alienate people but not abstracts, so his friends and his wife, yes, but his studies and work, no.
  

c) 1) He's an adventurous man who enjoys risk-taking.
2) Risk-taking is his hobby.

• Are they good English writing? They are grammatical otherwise
• What are the differences between risk taking and risk-taking? a hyphen - nothing else.

d) Is being withdrawn a kind of character flaw?

• Is it a good English writing? It is ok

e)

1. Is it a good English writing?
2. Is it a piece of good English writing?
3. Is it good English writing?
4. Is it good English?

• Could you correct for me ? 2,3,4 are fine; 1 is incorrect