Unit 4. Sport

WARM-UP

Look at the pictures. In pairs, ask and answer the following questions:
• What are the main differences between the sports shown in the photographs?
• Which is more important to you when playing games: winning or enjoying yourself?
• Do you prefer to be part of a team or to compete individually?
• Have you tried any of the sports in the pictures?

DEVELOP YOUR READING SKILLS

A What's the sport?

You are going to read some statements which are all concerned with sport.
Read the statements as quickly as you can, and write on the line below each statement which sport you think the statement is about.

I'm not so keen on the field events such as the javelin and the high jump, but I love all the track events, especially the 1500 m.
What's the sport? ___________________
And it's a goal! What a match! So, that's three two to Blackburn... six more minutes till half-time.
What's the sport? ___________________
I think there's a real feeling of achievement once you get to the top.You know, it's just man against nature, and you've actually done it.It's a great feeling!
What's the sport? ___________________
I tried it for the first time when we were on holiday last summer. Ispent about fifteen minutes practising on the beach: standing on theboard, holding the sail, trying to keep my balance. I thought I'd gotthe hang of it but as soon as I actually got in the water I couldn'tstay on at all. John couldn't stop laughing!
What's the sport? ___________________
It's a bit like tennis in that there's a net and you're trying to getthe ball over the net. But you don't have a racket, and you hit the ballwith your hands or your wrists. Also, you've got to hit the ball beforeit touches the ground.
What's the sport? ___________________
The course at St Andrew's is one of the most challenging courses in thecountry. Even the most experienced professionals sometimes end up stuckin the sand, or losing their ball in the lake.
What's the sport? ___________________
They don't have a pool at school, so I usually take the kids to thelocal leisure centre every Saturday afternoon. They love it. Nicolausually does lengths, and Adam just splashes around in the shallow end.'
What's the sport? ___________________

B Find and write

Find THREE words or phrases in each statement which helped you make your decision. Write them in the table below.

Statement	First word/phrase	Second word/phrase	Third word/phrase
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

C Discuss

In pairs, discuss your answers to exercise B.
Do you agree?

D What did they mean?

Look at the statements again from exercise A and circle the best answer to each question.

Statement 1
Which of these events would the speaker probably prefer to watch?
a the hurdles
b the discus

Statement 2
Is Blackburn winning?
a yes
b no

Statement 3
The speaker says: 'once you get to the top'. Who is 'you'?
a the person the speaker is speaking to
b the speaker and other climbers

Statement 4
Why does the speaker use the word 'actually'?
a to emphasise the fact that they did take the board into the water eventually
b to emphasise the difference between practising and doing the sport for real

Statement 5
Which word or phrase does the speaker use to compare this sport with tennis?
a in that
b Also

Statement 6
Why does the speaker use the word 'Even'?
a to emphasise that the course is not just used by amateurs
b to emphasise that everyone finds the course difficult

Statement 7
Who is probably the better swimmer?
a Nicola
b Adam

E Discuss

In pairs, discuss your answers to exercise D.
How did you decide which answer was correct?

F Match

Here are some more short statements about different sports. Match the statements 1-7 with their meanings (a-g) below.

You ought to take some waterproof clothes with you. ___________
I don't think you lost because your opponent was better. I think you lost because of your strategy. ___________
You're going so fast and just concentrating on winning that you don't have time to think about the danger. ___________
Injury is an occupational hazard for professional athletes. ___________
You've got to be prepared to go out and train every day, whatever the weather. ___________
Don't forget that you're a team! ___________
The referee said it was out, so there's no point arguing. ___________

a Your mind is focused on one thing.
b You have to follow the rules.
с You have to be very dedicated to your sport.
d You'll probably get wet.
e You have to work together.
f You have to accept that accidents can happen.
g You could have made some better decisions.

WORDPERFECT
Read these sentences and then use the words in bold to complete the sentences below.

The match was a draw, with both sides scoring three goals.
The spectators clapped and cheered when Williams came onto the court.
The referee/ref blew the whistle and the game began.
Football, cricket and rugby are played on a pitch/field.
Basketball, volleyball and tennis are played on a court.
Only six of the competitors will get through to the final.
Athletics includes events such as the 100 m, the pole vault and the long jump.
Gymnastics includes events such as the beam, and activities such as vaulting.
I think betting on horse races and boxing matches is a complete waste of money.
She won a million pounds on the football pools!

There aren't any finals today, so there won't be many ____________ in the stadium.
The ____________ has to be completely impartial; he can't favour either team, or it's not fair.
Professional goalkeepers can kick the ball from one end of the ____________ to the other.
There's no point ____________ on him; he's lost the last three fights!
We used to do ____________ at school in the summer term; I was quite a good sprinter.
In tennis, the ____________ is wider for doubles matches than it is for singles.
My dad does the ____________ every week, but I prefer the lottery.
Are ____________ in Olympic events allowed to be professional athletes?
I love watching ____________; it's incredible how they keep their balance on such narrow pieces of equipment.
What happens if it's a ____________?

EXAM PRACTICE - READING PART 4
Exam know-how
When you do Reading Part 4:
• UNDERLINE the words that give you the answer, and write the number of the question next to them. This is so you can check your answers more easily at the end.
• DON'T read the whole text carefully before you look at the questions. You won't have enough time. Go to the questions first. For each question, quickly SCAN the paragraphs (look for keywords) from the beginning of the text until you find the answer(s).

G Read and answer

You are going to read some information about some sports centres.
For questions 1-15, choose from the sports centres (a-f). Some of the centres may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Which sports centre or sports centres:
mainly provides activities for young people?
offers special diets for its diners?
arranges particular activities for pensioners?
do you have to join before you can use its facilities?
advertises that it particularly welcomes disabled people?
has plans to expand the range of sports it currently offers?
would appeal to people who like animals?
serves food?
offers a financial saving to large groups of visitors?
emphasises that its activities are not dangerous?

0___
1___
2___
3___4___
5___6___
7___
8___9___
10___11___12___
13___14___
15___

A Manor House Sports Centre

Manor House Sports Centre is committed to its policy of Sport for All. To that end, you can be assured of a warm welcome and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere whatever your shape, size or age. You haven't taken part in any sporting activities for more years than you care to remember? Don't let that put you off. Here at Manor House we believe it's never too late to start. Whether you're interested in joining a team, getting fit, professional training or just having a relaxing swim in the pool, Manor House is the place for you. No membership fee. Reasonable entrance fees. Discounts for OAPs, students, the disabled and the unemployed.

В Stanton Bridge Sports and Leisure Centre

Stanton Bridge is a purpose-built luxury sports complex in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside. Opened in 1999, we now boast a membership of over 1,000 satisfied people. Your yearly membership fee covers the use of all our facilities for you and your family, whenever you wish. A 9-hole golf course, heated Olympic swimming pool, fitness centre, indoor badminton, squash and tennis courts, 5-a-side football and all-weather hockey pitch are just some of the many facilities we offer. There's also a 5-star restaurant, cafe and bar. Membership details on request.

C Bay Hill

Organising a school outdoor sports holiday for your pupils? Bay Hill has the solution you're looking for. Situated in the unspoilt beauty of the Lake District, Bay Hill specialises in providing action-packed outdoor adventure holidays for teenagers. We offer it all: full accommodation and catering, horse riding, canoeing, sailing, rock climbing and hill walking, plus team games and swimming in our fully-equipped leisure centre. Our highly trained and experienced instructors ensure absolute safety. Free meals and accommodation for teachers when travelling with parties of 10 or more pupils.

D The Millennium Centre

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: The Millennium Centre is the number one sports and activities provider in the South East for the mentally and physically disabled.
Tuesdays, Thursdays: Health, fitness and fun for the over-65s.
Saturdays, Sundays: Family Fun (children under 4 free).
Coach parties welcome (discounts for parties booking more than 1 week in advance). Full wheelchair access.

E Dalton Sport

Dalton Sport is a member-run sports and social club in Plymouth. Regularevents and get-togethers, plus fishing trips on our own fishing boat,Dalton Sport II. Tennis lessons available. We're currently raising fundsto build our own heated swimming pool. Come along and join us! Cheapmonthly membership fee.

F Evergreen

Recharge your batteries at Evergreen. 1-and 2-week activity holidays at our countryside sports club and hotel. Whether you want to relax in the sauna, take up a martial art or go pony trekking through the Brecon Beacons, Evergreen can accommodate. Vegetarians and vegans catered for. Colour brochure and price list on request. Sorry, no children under the age of 14. Only limited wheelchair access.

H Discuss

In pairs, discuss the words (in exercise G) you underlined that gave you the answers. Did you underline the same things?

GRAMMAR FOCUS
No membership fee. = There is no membership fee.

Organising a school outdoor sports holiday for your pupils?
= Are you organising a school outdoor sports holiday for your pupils?
No children. = No children are allowed.

Rewrite these notes as full sentences.

Want to get fit and have fun at the same time?
____________________________________________
Satisfied with your local gym?
____________________________________________
Coach parties welcome.
____________________________________________
Only limited wheelchair access.
____________________________________________
Vegetarians catered for.
____________________________________________
Membership details on request.
____________________________________________

Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5