Unit 7: English for Sports

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Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to sports for leisure.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

  • expression of actions planned
  • expression of present intentions

The grammar focus of this unit is:

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Practice

Exercise not available in this language version.

Listening Comprehension

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

Bodies are made to move! They are not designed for sitting around in front of the television or reading magazines. Keeping fit doesn't mean you have to be a super-athlete, and even a little exercise can give you a lot of fun. When you're fit and healthy, you'll find you look better and feel better. You'll have more energy and self-confidence. Every time you move you are exercising. The human body is designed to bend, stretch, run, jump and climb. The more it does, the stronger and fitter it will become. Best of all, exercise is fun. It's what your body likes doing most - keeping on the move.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. What are human bodies designed to do?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. If you keep fit and healthy you will:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. You'll have more energy and self-confidence:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. When are you exercising?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

Extract from an interview with Alberto Martíns who is Technical Director of the International Blind Sports Federation.

InterviewerWhich of the IBSA's sports are the most developed?
AlbertoAthletics and swimming are very popular world-wide, and five-a-side football has increased tremendously in the last few years. Where we can improve is in winter sports. We need to develop these and other sports and we must focus on sports for the young. We have to make an effort to bring through a new generation of blind athletes.
InterviewerIs athletics IBSA's top sport?
AlbertoIt's difficult to say, but it is true that it is one of the most popular IBSA sports world-wide, partly because you do not need a lot of material to do it.
InterviewerDoes sport for the blind and partially sighted have public support?
AlbertoThat depends on the country and region. In some places we do enjoy support while in others we don't. We have to find more sponsors too.
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. What is Alberto Martíns?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Which sport has evolved greatly recently?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. He says the IBSA must focus on:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Why is athletics IBSA's top sport?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Which is correct?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:
PeterI'm going for a walk. Are you coming with me?
JohnNo. I want to see the rest of the match. It's the Cup Final.
PeterWho's playing?
JohnManchester against Arsenal.
PeterWho's winning?
JohnNobody's winning. It's still the first half and it's nil all.
PeterWell, I'm not interested. I'm going for a walk. Why don't you come with me?
JohnNo. I want to see the rest of the match.
PeterAre you going to the gym later?
JohnNo, I'm going to the pub to meet David. I always go on Saturdays.
PeterAnd I thought you were the one who wanted to get more exercise!
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. What's John watching?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Who's winning?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. Why is Peter going for a walk?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Where's John going after the match?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Why is John going to the pub later?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

There are many reasons for the enormous interest in sport of all kinds, but when you ask people why they spend so much time, effort and sometimes money, they talk about the physical benefits (feeling fit, sleeping better, the chance of living a more active life), the psychological benefits (self-discipline and respect, a sense of personal achievement) and the social advantages (meeting people with similar interests, the team spirit). However, the social aspect seems to be more important for men than for women. Very often, enjoying a drink with friends after the match is as important for men as the activity itself. Women generally see sport as a way of keeping fit.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Why do people do sport?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. The social aspect of sport is more important for:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. How do women see sport?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Sleeping better is:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Self-respect is:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

General Comprehension

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Keeping fit doesn't mean you have to be a super-athlete.


    ?
  2. Hockey is played with a racquet.


    ?
  3. Exercise gives you more energy and self-confidence.


    ?
  4. An athlete is a person who plays video games.


    ?
  5. Blind people play five-a-side football.


    ?
  6. The future of sports for the blind depends on young people.


    ?
  7. Blind people do not do athletics.


    ?
  8. Sports for the blind receive support from some governments.


    ?
  9. The IBSA is a football federation.


    ?
  10. Enjoying a drink after doing sport is important for women.


    ?

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press ‘Play’ to listen to the instructions:

Grammar Practice

Exercise 1: Transformation

In this exercise let's change from Simple Present to Continuous Present.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

Don't you go sailing on Fridays? (Playing tennis)
Yes, but today I'm playing tennis.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 2: Transformation

In this exercise let's change from Simple Present to Continuous Present.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

Are you going swimming? (On Fridays.)
Yes, I always go swimming on Fridays.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 3: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  5. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  6. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  7. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  8. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  9. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  10. a. 
    b. 
    ?

Consolidation

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording:
Transcript:

The healthiest sports are often the cheapest. If you take up jogging, for example, all you need is a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and some trainers. Swimming only costs you the entrance to the pool, although you need to take a swimming costume with you! Sports like football, basketball, judo, and table tennis are not very expensive. But when a sport requires special equipment, or the facilities are far away, it starts to cost more. It's best not to take up skiing if you live in a hot country with no mountains!

Whatever sport you choose, go carefully at first. You can do more harm than good if you try to run a marathon without slow and steady training. Don't forget to spend a few minutes warming up before you start. Look after any injuries, and if you're not feeling well, wait until you get better. You should see your doctor if you're over 35 and have never done much sport. And, above all, choose a sport which you'll enjoy, and not one which just makes you sweat.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Often the healthiest sports aren't the cheapest.


    ?
  2. Sports like football aren't very expensive


    ?
  3. A marathon is a long race.


    ?
  4. Skiing is a good sport if you live in a hot country.


    ?
  5. All sports require slow and steady training.


    ?
  6. Warming up is not important.


    ?
  7. See your doctor if you're not feeling well.


    ?
  8. It's best to choose a sport you'll enjoy.


    ?
  9. You don't need to worry about injuries.


    ?
  10. Sport is good for you.


    ?

Exercise 2: Dictation

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the ‘>’ key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Recording:
Transcript:

The healthiest sports are often the cheapest. If you take up jogging, for example, all you need is a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and some trainers. Swimming only costs you the entrance to the pool, although you need to take a swimming costume with you! Sports like football, basketball, judo, and table tennis are not very expensive.

?

Exercise 3: Cloze

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:
Transcript:

But when a sport requires special equipment, or the facilities are far away, it starts to cost more. It's best not to take up skiing if you live in a hot country with no mountains!

Whatever sport you choose, go carefully at first. You can do more harm than good if you try to run a marathon without slow and steady training. Don't forget to spend a few minutes warming up before you start. Look after any injuries, and if you're not feeling well, wait until you get better. You should see your doctor if you're over 35 and have never done much sport. And, above all, choose a sport which you'll enjoy, and not one which just makes you sweat.

But when a sport requires special equipment, or the facilities are far ?, it starts to cost more. It's ? not to take up skiing ? you live in a hot country with ? mountains!

Whatever sport you choose, go carefully ? first. You can do more harm ? good if you try to run a marathon ? slow and steady training. Don't forget to spend a few minutes warming up before you start. Look ? any injuries, and if you're not feeling well, wait ? you get better. You should see your doctor if you're over 35 and have never done much sport. And, ? all, choose a sport which you'll enjoy, and not one which just makes you sweat.

Exercise 4: Gap Filling

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. In his first game for Newcastle, Keegan ____ a goal after 58 minutes.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Both teams came from the same town, so the stadium was packed with ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. He was an amateur but he ____ a gold medal in the Olympics.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Manchester United are playing ____ Leeds this Saturday.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Have you been able to book us a tennis ____?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  6. Athletic events are divided into ____ and field.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  7. He succeeded ____ improving on his fastest time of last season.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  8. Sweden ____ Portugal 2 - 0.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  9. It's a five-day ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  10. It's an incredible time. I think she has broken the world ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  11. Beatty is the ____ favourite in this race.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  12. He's a very ____ player.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  13. Boxing takes place in a ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  14. You play table tennis with a ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  15. She ____ five aces in the first set.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  16. Most athletes ____ everyday.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  17. Jack ____ sailing every Saturday.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  18. John is watching the ____ -final.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  19. Mary is very good ____ gymnastics.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  20. The future of the IBSA depends ____ young people.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

  • talk about sport for leisure
Version 2.0 (2011-12-07 01:36 CET)
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