Topic 78: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of playing sports and participating in physical exercises.

Sport and recreational physical activity is an integral part of the society. Especially in today's society, where people have a growing concern about health, participation in recreational physical activity has been strongly promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle. What will he discussed below are the benefits of physical exercise, and some issues participants should pay attention to when increasing the level of physical activity.

One of the main benefits associated with regular exercise is the development of a healthy lifestyle. There is evidence that people can enjoy a longer life expectancy by adapting their daily lives to incorporate physical activity. There are many reasons for this. For example, sports perform a wide range of life-enhancing functions, such as boosting the immune system, burning fat, reducing the risk of experiencing major illnesses (e.g., heart disease, diabetes). In a society where physical inactivity, unbalanced diet, stress and other problems are becoming increasingly serious, playing sports has significant implications to the well-being of the general population.

Another major benefit achieved from regular activity is the enhancement of social life. Combined with a balanced diet, sports, such as jogging, cycling or swimming, enable people to maintain a healthy weight, keep in shape, thereby boosting confidence on social occasions. In addition, sports and regular physical activities provide opportunities for social interactions. For example, team sports, such as soccer, rugby and basketball, allow participants to meet new teammates regularly and improve social life.

When physical exercise is highly recommended, it should be planned and managed well. Excessive physical exercise, for example, puts participants at the risk of injury. It is commonplace and hazardous that some people take up long duration and high intensity exercise despite lack of stamina. Although these potential risks are not to negate the benefits of physical activity, participants should take precautions and follow the instructions of sports professionals, trainers and coaches. In general, participants are advised to start gently and then increase the frequency of the activity until they can stick to it as an everyday routine.

As shown above, there are a large number of benefits obtainable in regular exercise, such as promoting health, preventing illness and boosting self-esteem. Sports and recreational injuries are nevertheless a common problem, which deserves people's attention. It can be avoided by increasing activity gradually to a desired level, instead of starting from intense training.

1. inactivity = idleness = sluggishness = indolence = immobility

2. stamina = strength = (physical or mental) energy = vigour

3. negate = cancel out = counteract = reverse

4. stick to = follow = abide by

Topic 79: Some people believe that national sports teams and individual athletes who represent their country should be financially supported by the government. Some people think that they should be funded by non-government groups (e.g. business, sponsorship.) What is your opinion?

In recent years, one of the clearest trends in sports is that more and more corporations have come into play. It is a subject of discussion whether private financing should be accepted by the government to a larger extent and even the state can concede its control over national sports teams to private ownership. In my opinion, the involvement of entrepreneurs is essential and can be deemed as a complement to government administration.

There are many reasons why the private sector should play a more active role in sports. First, the government alone cannot afford the expenditure involved in the sports industry, such as salaries of athletes, administrative costs, and so forth. By organising competitions efficiently and economically, enhancing athletes" market values, seeking out sponsors or patrons, the private sector not only raises necessary financing but also maximises the return of the sports industry. A business's willingness to take part in this industry is attributable to many incentives. For example, it would help create an image which is associated with enthusiasm, energy and passion and can be turned into enormous income. Meanwhile it contributes a lot to its solid position in society, as well as good reputation.

Meanwhile, as sports have grown more competitive, the need for better equipment, facilities, nutrition, and training methods has become urgent. Athletes should have well-developed physiques, which can be obtained only through extensive physical training and strict exercise. Private sponsors have expertise in different areas of technology, ranging from nutrition to the treatment of injuries. They are able to train athletes scientifically and effectively, reduce the risk of injuries and extend their career lives. Besides, as private sponsors are more financially capable of providing awards, bonus and other financial incentives to motivate athletes, their involvement is crucial to athletes' performance on the playing field.

The rule of the private sector is therefore indispensable, but it is not to say that the government should divest itself of intervening in the sports industry. Although the private sector is surely committed to seeking sponsorship and performing many fund-raising jobs, it is profit-oriented and therefore, very likely to make a decision ignorant of the interests of athletes. National teams are branded, marketed and sold as entertainment products, while the value of national pride and ethnical dignity is overlooked. It is also very likely that private investors are only interested in those sports with high media exposure, resulting in the unbalanced development of sports. For this reason, the government should retain the major ownership of the sports.

In conclusion, the sports world is in need of financial support and the assistance of the private sector. While providing financial resources, goods and services, business investors can obtain communicative and commercial benefits. By giving the green light to private financing, the government is more likely to advance the overall development of sports.

1. concede = give in = give up = grant = forfeit

2. entrepreneur = businessman = merchant

3. complement-supplement

4. patron = sponsor

5. return = earning = profit = revenue = gain

6. physique = figure = body = form = shape = body type

7. playing field = sports ground = arena

8. divest = rid = deprive

9. unbalanced-unequal = uneven

10. give the green light = permit

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 2854