Listen, read and practise. Athletic sports include running, boxing, rowing, jumping, diving, swimming, weightlifting, putting-the-shot
Sports and Pastimes
Athletic sports include running, boxing, rowing, jumping, diving, swimming, weightlifting, putting-the-shot, skating, wrestling, etc. To become proficient in these sports one must practise constantly. They are encouraged in schools, universities and clubs all over the world.
Other popular outdoor sports (field sports) are hunting, shooting, fishing, horse-racing, motor racing and mountain climbing (mountaineering).
The most popular outdoor games are football, cricket, hockey and tennis. Indoor games include billiards, card games, chess, draughts.
England is the home of sport. Many of the games now played all over the world originated in Britain. We have a proverb, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." We do not think that play is more important than work; we think that Jack will do his work better if he plays as well, so he is encouraged to do both. Most people in England are engaged in sedentary occupations; they would feel that life was hardly worth living if they were unable in the evenings, or at the weekends, to pursue their favourite sport.
What is a sportsman? He is one who is interested in sport. But that is only one meaning of the word. Even if a person is not interested in any sport, and has no opportunity or inclination to play any game, he may be called a sportsman if he has something called the "sporting spirit." This "sporting spirit" is something that the playing of games develops in people, though a person may have it who plays no games. It is the ability to endure hard knocks without getting angry or seeking revenge; the ability to smile in times of danger and hardship, the ability to win without boasting afterwards, and to lose without complaining. A sportsman forgets himself in his loyalty to his own side; he refuses to be disheartened when the game is going against him; he goes on fighting when the battle seems already lost.
Some people hate playing if there is no crowd to applaud them, some play only to win prizes, others are unwilling to play against stronger opponents for fear of defeat. Such people are not sportsmen in the best sense of the word, but if they go on playing they may become sportsmen in time. We should all try to become "good losers," to accept our disappointments cheerfully. Everyone has disappointments at some time or other; sportsmen smile when they occur and refuse to be disheartened by them.
Fishing is practised by thousands of people of moderate means. Some of the fishing streams and rivers are reserved, others are open to the public. It requires great skill and much practice to "land" a heavy fish with a light rod. Fishing is a very quiet and peaceful occupation and is an excellent pastime for those who dislike noise and crowds. Horse racing is practised in many countries of the world. The horses are specially trained and are ridden by professional "jockeys."
The sport of mountain climbing appeals to many adventurous people. As there are few high mountains in Britain, many people go to Switzerland, which is the centre of European mountaineering. Every year there are fatal accidents, but every year finds bold young men and women arriving in Switzerland ready to risk their lives among the high mountain peaks. An expedition was organized some years ago to India to climb Mount Everest, one of the highest mountains in the world. After many weeks of travel a small party came within sight of the summit, and two young men left the camp in a supreme effort to conquer the mountain. They were last seen fairly near the top, going slowly, cutting holes in the ice for their feet. A storm came on and hid them from the view of their friends, who because of intense cold and lack of food had to retire. The two men were never seen again and nobody knows what happened to them. Everest was finally conquered in 1953 by a British expedition, no trace of their bodies was found.
The most popular game in the world is certainly football. A team is composed of a goalkeeper, two backs, three half-backs and five forwards. This is the game that is played in nearly all countries. There is another game called rugby football, so called because it originated at Rugby, a well-known English school. In this game the players may carry the ball. There is also an American kind of football, different again from the other two. Hockey is fairly popular
in England and some other countries. Tennis, played with stringec1 rackets on a marked-out court, is an international game.
A. Questions
1. What do athletic sports include? 2. What are popular outdoor sports? 3. What are popular outdoor and indoor games? 4. Are English people fond of sports? 5. What does one of the English proverbs say? 6. What is the "sporting spirit"? 7. Who can be called a sportsman in the best sense of the word? 8. Are fishing and horse-racing popular pastimes? 9. What sport appeals to many adventurous people? 10. How was Everest conquered? 11. What is the most popular game in the world?
B. Study and practise the text.
C. Special Difficulties
I. Use oneinstead of you.
Note: We can use "one" instead of "you" to mean people in general, including you and me.
eg You can easily lose your way in Rome. = One can easily lose one's way in Rome.
"You" is informal, "one" is more formal.
The moment you get into the mountains, you are on your own. You have to rely on yourself for everything. This means you have to carry all your own food, though, of course, you can get pure drinking water from mountain streams. You won't see any local people for days at a time, so you can't get help if you are lost. You have to do your best to find sheltered places to spend the night.
II. Complete according to the model.
eg To be fit...
To be fit one (you) must go in for sports.
1. To win the first prize... 2. To become a student... 3. To be healthy... 4. To master a foreign language... 5. To achieve this result... 6. To break the world record...
III. Put the verbs in brackets into the present simple passive, the past simple passive, the present perfect passive or the future passive.
Do you know how often the Olympic Games (hold)? They (hold) every four years. The first Olympic Games (hold) at Olympia, in ancient Greece, nearly 3,000 years ago. The tradition (continue) from 776 BC to AD 393. Even wars (postpone), so that everyone could travel safely to the Games. The Games (ban) in 394.
In 1890 the modern Games (found) by a Frenchman called Baron de Coubertin in Athens.
Originally, the Games (set up) for amateurs. Amateurs are people who (not pay) to play the sport whereas professionals (pay). Since 1984 some professional athletes, such as football players, (allow) to take part.
Before the Games begin, the Olympic torch (light) at Olympus by a mirror reflecting the sun. Then it (carry) by runners to the city where the Games (hold). Sometimes by the time the last runner enters the stadium, the torch (carry) half-way round the world. Do you know where the next Olympic Games (hold)?
Note: AD anno Domini лат. нашей эры BC Before Christ до нашей эры
IV. Complete the sentences with byor with.
1. These photos were taken ... a very cheap camera. 2. These photos were taken... my sister. 3. My desk was covered... paper. 4. The garage was painted... a friend of mine. 5. The garage was painted... anew kind of paint. 6. The cake was made... dried fruit. 7. The cake was made ... my aunt.
V. Now you have to make sentences with hardly.Use the words in brackets.
eg George and I have only met once, (know/each other) We hardly know each other.
1. I'm very tired this morning, (slept/last night)I... night. 2. You're speaking very quietly, (can/hear) I can ... you. 3. I met Keith a few days ago. I hadn't seen him for a long time. He looks very different now. (recognized) I... 4. They were really shocked when they heard the news, (could/speak). They...
VI. Choose the right word in each sentence.
1. Farm workers have to work very... during the harvest, (hard/ hardly)
2. Farm workers earn... enough money to pay their bills, (hard/ hardly)
3.1 tried... to remember his name but I couldn't, (hard/hardly) 4.1 enjoyed driving this morning. There was ... any traffic.
(hard/hardly) 5.1 hate this town. There's... anything to do and... anywhere
to go. (hard/hardly) 6. ... anyone passed, (hard/hardly)
VII. Change the adjective clauses to adjective phrases.
1. Only a few of the movies that are shown at the Gray Theatre are suitable for children. Only a few of the movies shown at the Gray Theatre are suitable for children.
2. Jasmine, which is a viny plant with white flowers, grows only in warm places. Jasmine, a viny plant with white flowers, grows only in warm places.
3. The couple who live in the house next door are both college professors.The couple living in the house next door are both college professors.
4. A throne is the chair which is occupied by a queen, king, or other rules. 5. We visited Belgrade, which is the capital of "Yugoslavia 6. Antarctica is covered by a huge cap that contains 70 percent of the earth's fresh water. 7. Astronomy, which is the study of planets and stars, is one of the world's oldest sciences. 8. Two out of three people who are struck by lightning survive. 9. Simon Bolivar, who was a great South American general, led the fight for independence in the early 19th century. 10. hi hot weather, many people enjoy lemonade, which is a drink that is made of lemon juice, water, and sugar. 11.1 was awakened by the sound of laughter which came from the room which was next door to mine at the motel. 12. Two-thirds of those who are arrested for car theft are under twenty years of age. 13. When we walked past the theatre, there were a lot of people who were waiting in a long line outside the box office. 14. The opinions that were (are) expressed by the critics greatly differ. 15. At the national park, there is a path that leads to a spectacular waterfall. 16. My favourite place in the world is a small city that is located on the southern coast of
Brazil. 17. The sunlight which is coming through the window wakes me up early every morning.
VIII. Make sentences with either in spiteof or because of,like this.
eg They went out. The weather was bad.
In spite of the bad weather, they went out. eg They didn't go out. The weather was bad.
They didn't go out because of the bad weather.
1. His work was good. He didn't get a promotion. 2. His work was good. He got a promotion. 3. Everybody admires hum. He has talent. 4. Nobody admires him. He has talent. 5. The \veather was wonderful. She stayed inside. 6. The price w^s low. Everybody bought it. 7. The price was low. Nobody bought it.
IX. You like your job. You are telling someone this. You say things like: "I like my job because of... " or "I like my job in spite of "
1. The hours are long. 2. The people are pleasant. 3. "Jne pay is low. 4. The work is interesting.
Think of more things you might say!
X. Transform using gerunds.
eg She left. She did not pay. She left without paying.
1. She came in. She did not knock. 2. He walked five miles. He did not stop. 3. He spoke for ten minutes. He did not p^use. 4.1 lay for five hours. I did not go to sleep. 5. He left. FJe didn't answer my questions.
Sport in Britain
The British are a sporting nation. Like everyone else they love football — in fact, they invented it. Most British towns and cities have a-football team. Every year, each team plays in the Football Association competition. The two best teams play in the Cup final at \Vembley Stadium in London. Some fans pay up to £ 250 for a ticket for the Cup Final. It is one of the biggest sporting events of the y^ar.
Tennis is another popular game in Britain. Every su^nmer щ June, the biggest international tennis tournament takes place at
Wimbledon, a suburb of London. There are strawberries and cream for sale, and everyone hopes the rain will stay away.
The British play many sports that are unknown in most other countries, for example: cricket, squash and netball.
Cricket is a typically British sport which foreigners have difficulty in understanding. The game looks slow, but it can be exciting if you understand what's going on. There are two teams of eleven players: one man (the "bowler") throws the ball, and the "batsman" hits it with his bat.
Cricket is a very long game. Matches last from one to five days. Squash is another British invention. It is a form of tennis. There are two players and they use rackets similar to tennis rackets and a small, black rubber ball. They play indoors. It is a very fast and tiring sport!
Netball is similar to basketball. There are seven players (usually girls or women) in each team and the object of the game is the same as in basketball: to throw the ball through a net at the top of a three-metre post.
Swimming is very popular in Britain and there are many public swimming baths.
Many British people who live near the sea, a lake or a river enjoy sailing. If you are really enthusiastic, and rich enough to buy your own boat, you can take part in one of the annual sailing races or "regattas" at Cowes, near Portsmouth, for example, or at Henley on the river Thames.
Golf is becoming increasingly popular. Athletics is growing all the time.
Winter sports such as skiing are generally impossible in Britain (except in Scotland) owing to the unsuitable climate, but more and more people spend winter holidays on the Continent in order to take part in them.
Sport in British schools is compulsory and schoolchildren spend at least one afternoon a week playing sport. These are some of the sports played in most British secondary schools. In winter boys play football (or "soccer" as it is colloquially called) or rugby* and go cross-country running, while girls play netball or hockey. Some boys' schools also teach rowing. In summer boys play cricket, • do athletics or go swimming, while girls play rounders (a British version of baseball), do athletics or go swimming. Tennis is also played in summer in some schools by boys and girls.
* Note:
football (coll. soccer) — a game in which there are eleven players on each side, using a round ball which must not be touched with the hands.
rugby (coll. rugger) — a form of football in which the players use their hands for carrying the ball The game is played with fifteen men on each side, and an oval-shaped ball is used.
A. Questions
1. What are the most popular sports in Britain? 2. Why is skiing not popular? 3. What are some of the sports played in most British secondary schools?
Sport in the USA
Baseball is the most popular summer sport in America. The first American baseball match was in 1839 in New York, but some people think that baseball comes from a much older game called rounders, played in Europe for many years.
To play baseball, you need two teams of nine players. The "pitcher" throws the ball, and the "batter" hits it with a bat.
Americans start playing baseball young. There are "leagues" which children of eight can join. The top players become big stars and earn a lot of money every year.
Americans play tennis, hockey and most other international sports, but they do not play football in the same way as the rest of the world. American football is a very different game. The players can run with the ball, touch and push each other. The field looks different, and even the ball is a different shape. Players wear special clothes for American football, with helmets on their heads, because the game can be dangerous. Like international football teams, American teams have eleven players.
Basketball is another popular game in America. Only five people play in each team. One American basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, are famous all over the world. These extraordinary sportsmen, all very tall, have shown the world that sport can be funny as well as exciting.
Americans love winter sports, and ice hockey is a great favourite. This game, the national sport of Canada, is very fast,
and can be dangerous. So if you play ice hockey, remember to wear your helmet!
A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Speak about sport in the USA.
B. What sports are popular in your country? Is sport compulsory in schools? What sports do children play?
C. Describe the sport activities at your school (university).
Sport Facilities and Athletics
There is a big sports centre near my home. There are football pitches, tennis and basketball courts, swimming pools, a sports hall with two boxing rings and even a skating rink. There is also a separate athletics stadium, where 20.000 spectators can watch the track events on the track and the field events, such as jumping and throwing, in the grass centre. The athletes get ready in modern changing rooms and the officials time and measure the events with modern equipment. A huge electronic Scoreboard shows the results.
A. Study and practise the text.
B. Describe any sports centre you visited.
C. Speak about sport in your life.
My Favourite Sport
I love many sports, but best of all — skiing. I first skied when I was six years old, and lived in Canada, and then for many years, in fact decades, I wasn't able to ski again because I was living in hot places. But since I've been living in England, I've resumed skiing and it's even better than it was. For me now the place to ski is the Alps, and particularly France. I live in England and the winters are gloomy, and there's not much sun, so one of the wonderful things about skiing for me is the light and the brilliant sunshine that you find high, high up in the mountains. A lot of other people like it, too, and it can be rather crowded, especially around the lifts because you now have mechanical lifts that take you zooming up, flying up the mountains like a god, whereas in Canada I had to walk up if I wanted to ski down.
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The equipment you need... skis, and boots, and poles. Many people own their own equipment but I hire mine in the resort. I do have my own clothes though, and clothes are very important because skiing is quite a fashion-conscious sport. Also, it's necessary to have clothes that will protect you because the weather can be very severe. You need a ski-suit, a hat, goggles to protect your eyes, socks, mittens, and a rucksack is useful to carry around your bits and pieces. Now at this point, I have to confess that I am not the world's greatest skier. I would say I am a respectable skier, I'm a safe skier, but that doesn't stop you having a wonderful time. Also, there is the social life that is such an important part of skiing. You can eat and drink as much as you want because you know you're burning it all off. And then at the end of the day there's the evening, food and wine with friends and everybody talking about their excitements during the day. I love it!
A. Study and practise the text.
B. Speak about your favourite sport.
Sports at the Olympics
The first modern Olympic games were held in Athens in 1896. There were nine sports: cycling, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, track and field, weightlifting, rowing, wrestling and shooting. Sailing was also to have taken place, but had to be cancelled because of bad weather at sea. At that time, as today, most people were interested in the track and field events in the main stadium.
In the first Olympics there were no real team sports. Then, slowly, a few team sports joined the program. Soccer and field hockey were the first team sports introduced into the Olympics in London in 1908. Then in 1936, at the Berlin Olympics, the Germans brought in handball and the Americans had basketball accepted as an Olympic sport.
It often happens that the country that introduces a new sport into the Olympics then goes on to win the gold medals. In 1904, at the Olympics in St. Louis, the Americans introduced boxing and won all seven events. Five horseback-riding events were introduced into the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, and Swedish riders won four of them. And in 1964, at the Tokyo Olympics, two sports which are very popular in Japan were introduced: judo and
volleyball. The Japanese won all three gold medals in judo, and also won the first women's volleyball competition.
Some new sports have recently been added to the Olympics. In Los Angeles, in 1984, baseball was introduced and windsurfing became an Olympic sport. In Seoul, Korea, in 1968, there was table tennis for the first time, and tennis returned as an Olympic sport. Unlike tennis, some sports, such as golf and rugby, have been tried in the Olympics but have never returned.
The Olympic games continue to get bigger and bigger. They also get more and more expensive. Now many people are asking the questions: Are the Olympics too big? Will the Olympics continue? Should the Olympics continue?
A Ask and answer questions on the text. Speak about sports at the Olympics.
B. 1. Which sports are you best at? How good are you? How long have you been playing? How often do you play?
2. Do you support a particular team? Which one? How often do you go to a sports event?, or do you prefer to watch sports on television?
3. Think of your favourite sport.
4. Which sports do you think are the most dangerous?
5. Do you think the Olympics should continue?
6. Did you watch the last Olympics on TV? Who showed the best results at the Olympic games? Do you know where the next Olympic games will be held?
Football
I play football for my local team against other sides in the area. Of course the players aren't paid, we're just amateurs. But anyway we train very hard in the evenings and we're lucky because we can use the gymnasium of a local school. On the day of the match we arrive early, change and put on track suits to keep warm. Then the referee, dressed in black, calls the two captains to the centre to toss a coin to decide who will play in which direction. Not many people come to watch the game. We usually have a crowd of only one or two hundred. But we enjoy it, whether we win, lose or draw.
A. Study and practise the text.
Match
Last Saturday afternoon David Brown and his father went to a football match at the Bishopton Football Ground. The Browns and many other Bishopton people think that theirs is the best team in the South of England. There were fifteen thousand people there. They came from far and near because it was the most important match of the year at Bishopton.
At three o'clock the two teams came on to the field. The Bishopton team (the home team) were playing in blue and white shirts, the Easthampton City players (the visiting team) were in red and white shirts.
The referee blew his whistle and the match began. For the first twenty minutes the Bishopton team were stronger and kept the ball in the Easthampton side of the field. Then, suddenly, an Easthampton player took the ball up the field and scored the first goal. The crowd shouted loudly. Soon after this, the referee blew the whistle because it was "half-time".
In the second half of the match the Bishopton team were again the better players. They tried hard, and after ten minutes they scored their first goal. They scored again after a quarter of an hour; then, before the last whistle blew, they scored a third goal and so won the match. All the Bishopton people in the crowd were very pleased, and went home happily to tea.
A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Speak about the football match at the Bishopton Football Ground.
B. Are you a football fan? Which team do you support? Are they in good shape this season? What are their chances of winning the cup this year? What was the last football match you saw like?