SPORT AS A HOBBY

READING

1 The people below all want to start a sport or an activity. There are descriptions of eight sports and activities. Decide which sport or activity (letters A-H) would be more suitable for each person (numbers 1-5).

1 Mary is a nurse who is married with two small children. She is looking for a relaxing, creative activity. Her young son is learning how to swim.

2 Stephen is a teacher, he teaches teenagers and spends a lot of time sitting at his desk. He would prefer to do a quiet activity on his own but with someone available to help him when necessary.

3 James is a businessman. He doesn’t want to have to think too much in his free time. He loves ball games but he mustn’t run as he has heart trouble. His doctor has recommended gentle swimming but he hates water.

4 Gill is a student. She has put on a lot of weight so she needs a sport which will make her run a lot. She would prefer to be outside.

5 Aisha works in a bank where she spends most of her day sitting in front of a computer. She’d like to become fit quickly but she has very little free time. She doesn’t want to have to book.

A Squash

Two new courts! We now have six indoor courts so you should always find one available. It just takes half an hour a day to get fit with squash!

B Billiards

A new, full-size billiard table has just been installed in a room beside the indoor swimming pool. You won’t get fit, but it’s better than sitting in front of the TV all evening. So come on all you ‘couch potatoes’!

C Swimming

The changing rooms have been enlarged and improved. Also, by popular demand, no children are allowed into the indoor pool after 8 pm. So, if you’ve had a stressful day, this is the place for you!

D Handicrafts

You’ve been asking for this for a long time! Now while you are waiting for your children to finish their classes, you can make beautiful baskets, cushions – all kinds of lovely things!

E Weights

Want to build some muscle? Welcome to our state-of-the-art gym. Paul, our qualified trainer, will always be around to advise you. Remember you must start gradually.

F Table tennis

Fast and exciting! Table tennis is becoming very popular again. You don’t need expensive equipment as we have plenty of bats and balls and you can play inside in all weathers. So why not come along?

G Tennis

Two of the four outdoor courts are now floodlit. This means you can play till 10 o’clock at night even in winter. No excuse for not taking exercise any more!

H Chess

We can’t be all sporty, can we? If you’d like to get out of the house and meet some new people, try chess. It’s quiet activity which will make you forget all about your work problems.

2 Read the text and questions below. For each question find the correct answer.

A month ago I had no idea that on a Saturday afternoon in November I’d be hanging 30 metres above the ground and enjoying it. Now I looked down at the river far below me, and realized why people love rock-climbing.

My friend Matt and I had arrived at the Activity Centre on Friday evening. The accommodation wasn’t wonderful, but we had everything we needed (beds, blankets, food), and we were pleased to be out of the city and in the fresh air.

On Saturday morning we met the other ten members of our group. Cameron had come along with two friends, Kevin and Simon, while sisters Carole and Lynn had come with Amanda. We had come from various places and none of us knew the area.

We knew we were going to spend the weekend outdoors, but none of us was sure exactly how. Half of us spent the morning caving while the others went rock-climbing and then we changed at lunchtime. Matt and I went to the caves first. Climbing out was harder than going in, but after a good deal of pushing, we were out at last – covered in mud but pleased and excited by what we’d done.

1 What is the writer trying to do in the text?

A advertise the Activity Centre

B describe some people she met

C explain how to do certain outdoor sports

D say how she spent some free time

2 What can the reader learn from the text?

A when to depend on other people at the Centre

B how to apply for a place at the Centre

C what sort of activities you can experience at the Centre

D which time of year is best to attend the Centre

3 How do you think the writer might describe her weekend?

A interesting

B relaxing

C frightening

D unpleasant

4 What do we learn about the group?

A some of them had been there before

B they had already chosen their preferred activities

C some of them already knew each other

D they came from the same city

5 Which of the following advertisements describes the Activity Centre?

	C Activity Centre: set in beautiful countryside. Enjoy the luxury of our accommodation – each room has its own bathroom. Work with a group, or have individual teaching.
	D Activity Centre: set in beautiful countryside. You can spend the day doing outdoor activities and we will find you accommodation with a local family.

LISTENING

3 Look at these various sports. Decide how many of them you enjoy doing.

4 You are going to hear a radio sports report. As you listen, write down the name of each sport mentioned. At the end of the report you will hear some football results. Try to write down the results of each match in the table.

Sports: _________________ ________________

_________________ ________________

_________________ ________________

_________________ ________________

Football results:

5 Look at the information sheet. Some information is missing. You will hear a radio programme in which young people from different parts of the country are interviewed. For each question, fill in the missing information in the numbered space.

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 1947