Unit 7. SPORTS AND KEEPING FIT
ACTIVE VOCABULARY
7.1. Listening Development
Assignment 1. Listen to the recording to Unit 7 in which former England cricketer Ed Smith argues that too much professionalism is not a winner. Summarize the main ideas in one or two paragraphs.
Assignment 2. Writer and entrepreneur Dominic Hobson explains why he thinks organised competitive games are damaging for players and spectators alike. Listen to his talk and put down at least seven of the ideas he expresses. If you agree with some of them, put the word AGREE next to them. If you disagree, write DISAGREE and give your explanations.
7.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
Assignment 1. Which words do you associate with sport? Make a word net.
Assignment 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with a word or phrase from the diagram.
Assignment 3. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with a word or phrase from the table.
BALL |
beach ball, golf ball, football, tennis ball pitch, court, field, course basketball, volleyball, football, softball throw, touch, kick, hit, shoot, bounce, pass, catch, head, punch, volley, lob, smash bat, club, racquet, stick team, side match, game, set player, defender, striker, goalkeeper play for a team / your country / beat a team / player / side kick off score a goal / point win a game / set / match / competition / Cup take a shot at goal play a game of |
Assignment 4. Look at the list of sports below and group them into categories. Some sports may go in more than one category. Tennis, for instance, is both a racquet sport and a ball game.
ball games: |
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water sports: |
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indoor sports: |
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winter sports: |
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motor sports: |
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target sports: |
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equestrian sports: |
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racquet sports: |
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Assignment 5. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word (consult Active Vocabulary section of this Unit).
Assignment 6. Complete the chart by adding the words below.
PLACES |
GAMES |
SPORT |
PEOPLE |
EQUIPMENT |
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Assignment 7. Fill in the gaps with appropriate prepositions.
Assignment 8 . Translate the following sentences into English (consult Active Vocabulary section of this Unit).
7.3. Reading Improvement
Assignment 1. Look at the article’s headline – Ronald McDonald to promote fitness – and guess 10 words that are used in the article.
RONALD MCDONALD TO PROMOTE FITNESS
Ronald McDonald has had a makeover. The mascot clown from the world’s largest fast food chain of restaurants is to become a more athletic, active and health conscious icon. TV ads will start screening on June 10 revealing the new look, sportier Ronald kitted out in a more figure-hugging jumpsuit. He will be overflowing with vitality as he juggles fruit, snowboards with superstar basketball player Yao Ming and plays basketball and soccer. The ads exude energy and fitness. Succulent, fresh strawberries abound, while hamburgers and fries are conspicuously absent. There will be nothing of what McDonald’s actually sells in the colorful commercials.
The company is attempting to jettison traditional images of cholesterol-laden fries and fat-soaked burgers to encourage children to get on the move. Jeff Carl, McDonald’s corporate vice-president of global marketing, said of this change of tack: “We felt it more appropriate to expand the discussion to all foods at this point.” He made no indication that the company would replicate the health conscious message of the ads into his restaurants’ menus. Mr. Carl explained that Ronald is “encouraging children to get up on their feet and start moving.” This may help to reduce the burden of blame on McDonald’s for obesity in children.
Assignment 2. Say whether these sentences are true or false:
Assignment 3. Match the following synonyms from the article:
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Assignment 4. Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):
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Assignment 5. Put the words into the correct spaces.
Ronald McDonald has had a .... The mascot clown from the world’s largest fast food chain of restaurants is to become a more athletic, active and health conscious .... TV ads will start screening on June 10 ... the new look, sportier Ronald ... out in a more figure-hugging jumpsuit. He will be overflowing with ... as he juggles fruit, snowboards with superstar basketball player Yao Ming and plays basketball and soccer. The ads ... energy and fitness. Succulent, fresh strawberries ..., while hamburgers and fries are ... absent. There will be nothing of what McDonald’s actually sells in the colorful commercials.
The company is attempting to ... traditional images of cholesterol-... fries and fat-soaked burgers to encourage children to get on the .... Jeff Carl, McDonald’s corporate vice-president of global marketing, said of this change of ...: “We felt it more appropriate to ... the discussion to all foods at this point.” He made no indication that the company would ... the health conscious message of the ads into his restaurants’ menus. Mr. Carl explained that Ronald is “encouraging children to get up on their feet and start moving.” This may help to reduce the ... of blame on McDonald’s for ... in children.
Assignment 6. Look at the next article’s headline – “Yoga is best for back pain sufferers” – and guess whether these sentences are true or false:
Assignment 7. Find the eight incorrect words in each paragraph. Replace then with a correct alternative.
YOGA IS BEST FOR BACK PAIN SUFFERERS
Assignment 8. Match the following synonyms from the article:
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Cooperation (Collusion is an agreement between two or more persons, sometimes illegal and therefore secretive, to limit open competition by deceiving, misleading, or defrauding others of their legal rights, or to obtain an objective forbidden by law typically by defrauding or gaining an unfair advantage)
Assignment 9. Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):
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Assignment 10. Look at the words below. Try to recall exactly how these were used in the text:
Assignment 11. Think of the best remedial treatment for the following aches and pains. Decide whether yoga could be of use in relieving the pain.
ACHE / PAIN | TREATMENT | WOULD YOGA HELP? |
Backache | ||
Toothache | ||
Stomachache | ||
Heartache |
Can you think of other sports that can be of use in relieving the pain?
7.4. Writing Enhancement
Assignment 1. Write a letter to children telling them about the advantages of an active lifestyle and the dangers of a sedentary one. Show your letter to your fellow students. Did you have the same ideas?
Assignment 2. Choose a sport you enjoy. Research and write a short history of it, as well as its rules and benefits for health, and present it in the form of a poster.
– What is a mosquito's favorite sport?
– Skin diving.
7.5. Speaking Reinforcement
Assignment. Get ready to act out conversations according to the information in the cards (based on the information in the article about McDonald’s new adverts).
Role A You are Ronald McDonald. Ever since you started snowboarding, playing soccer and eating strawberries you have become incredibly fit and healthy. You believe kids can eat as much McDonald’s as they want as long as they exercise. Getting on the move is key to children’s health. |
Role B You are an advertising ethics officer working for your government. You believe McDonald’s is guilty of false advertising. You know everyone knows that McDonald’s is unhealthy. You want McDonald’s to end its strawberry and fitness campaign and advertise more honestly about the dangers of cholesterol.
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Role C You are a concerned parent who wants his/her kids to be healthy. You have had enough of McDonald’s gimmicks – the cheap Disney toys that shamelessly lure children into the restaurants, the token attempts at health food (salads) and now snowboarding, sporty Ronald. You want McDonald’s to stop its propaganda for kids. You hate Ronald McDonald. Obesity isn’t a happy condition. |
Role D You are a kid. McDonald’s is your favorite. You think Ronald is cool – he’s always so happy – such a good role model for kids. The burgers are much better than your mum’s / mom’s cooking. The McDonald’s Happy Meals are the best. You think Ronald’s new message of fitness is great. You will definitely become more active – just like Ronald. What a guy! |