Sport

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Text 1

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Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is Canada’s national sport. The name hockey comes from French word “hoquet” which means a “shepherd’s cook”. This refers to a shape of the hockey stick. The game was first played in the 1850’s. A ball was used on the ice instead of a puck. The game that we play today was developed in 1875. In 1893, the Governor General, Lord Stanley, donated a trophy for the Canadian championship. The Stanley Cup is still awarded today.

Skating

Skating is a favourite winter pastime in Canada. Skating has also become a very popular competitive sport. Figure skating and speed skating are now an important part of the Olympic Games. Skates were found in Canada at the beginning of the 1600’s. In Ottawa, skaters are luckily to have the world’s longest skating rink – the Rideau Canal. This provides recreation as well as transportation, during the long Ottawa winters.

Skiing

Gliding across the snow on skis is very popular in Canada. There are two kinds of skiing: alpine and cross – country. Alpine skiing began in Canada when some members of Canada’s snowshoeing team put on skis. Alpine skiing is racing down mountains or hills. Skiing was brought to Canada by Scandinavians in the 1800’s. Cross – country (also known as Nordic) skiing began about 5000 years ago in Scandinavia. It was a form of travelling in winter. A man named “Jackrabbit” Johannsen came from Norway to Montreal in 1919. He spread ski trails through the Laurentian Mountains. He was a pioneer in skiing and he skied until he was in his nineties.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing was a common way of moving through deep snow. The French fur trades got the idea from the native people. It became popular in the middle of the 1800’s and snowshoeing clubs were formed. It is still popular nowadays.

Tobogganing

Today tobogganing is a popular winter activity in Canada. Sliding down hills on sleds of all kinds is fun for the whole family. Tobogganing were used by the Inuit in the north to transport small loads over the snow. Toboggans were made of two or more thin board of wood. The boards turned up in the front. They were pulled by people or by dogs.

Comprehension Check

Task 1.True or False

  1. The name hockey comes from English word.
  2. Ice Hockey was first played in the 1850’s.
  3. There are two kinds of skating: alpine and cross – country.
  4. Skiing is a favourite winter pastime in Canada.
  5. The world’s longest skating rink is Rideau Canal in Montreal.
  6. Skiing was brought to Canada by Scandinavians in the 1800’s.
  7. Snowshoeing was a common way of moving through wet snow.
  8. A man named “Jackrabbit” Johannsen was a pioneer in tobogganing.
  9. Today tobogganing is a popular winter hobby in Canada.
  10. Toboggans were made of two or more thin board of wood.

Task 2. Define the activities

  1. Gliding across the snow on skis is….
  2. The game in which a puck is used on the ice is …
  3. Sliding down hills on sleds made of thin boards of woods is …
  4. Moving through deep snow on snowshoes is …
  5. Racing down mountains or hills on skis is ….

Task 3.  In what connection are the following people mentioned in the talk?

Lord Stanley, the Governor General

Scandinavians

The French fur trades

“Jackrabbit” Johannsen

The Inuit

 

Text 2

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Kinds of sport

 

Text № 1.

It is a team game. Both men and women can play it. The players have a ball. They play it with their hands. There are six players in every team.

Text № 2.

It is the most popular game in England and in our country. It was first played in England. Both men and women can play it. The game lasts for 90 minutes. It has two halves. The players kick the ball and run after it. The players try to score a goal.

Text № 3.

It is one of the most popular games in the world. It was first played in Canada. It is a team game. It is a winter game. Only men and boys can play it. Many people like to watch this game on TV. The players don’t run on the field, they skate. They have sticks (clubs) in their hands.

Text № 4.

This kind of sport is very beautiful. It gives the sportsmen strength, rhythm and grace. The sportsmen do some exercises or dance to the music. The sportsmen have skates and beautiful costumes on.

Text № 5.

This game is played everywhere in our country: at schools, universities and sports clubs. It was first played in the USA. The team has five players. They bounce the ball on the floor up and down with one hand. They try to throw the ball into the basket.

 

Comprehension Check

Task . Complete the table.

Kinds of sport  Figure – skating Ice hockey Basketball Football Volleyball
№           

 

Text 3

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American football comes to Britain

How do you play American football? People say it’s like soccer and rugby together. The teams play with an egg – shaped ball. They have to move the ball up the field and put it over the other team’s “touchline”. You can run with the ball or throw it to other players.

Sometimes you can kick it. There are forty – five players in each team, but only eleven on the field at the same time. Some are good at running with the ball, some are good at passing, some are good at kicking, and some are good at stopping the other team.  These different players move on and off the field many times in a game, because sometimes the team needs good kickers and sometimes it needs good runners.

American football started in Britain after a TV channel started to show football matches from the United States. People liked it and wanted to play it. Quite a lot of Americans live and work in Britain, and they helped the first British teams.

Now there are about 170 serious teams in Britain. The best teams at the moment are the Manchester Spartans and the Birmingham Bulls, and two London teams, the Ravens and the Olympians.

Comprehension Check

Task 1.Complete the sentences.

  1. People say it’s like…
  2. The teams play with…
  3. You can run with…
  4. Some are good at running with…
  5. There are forty – five…
  6. These different players move…
  7. American football started…
  8. Quite a lot of Americans live…
  9. Now there are about…
  10. The best teams at the moment are…

Task 2. Answer the questions.

  1. How do you play American football?
  2. What kind of ball do the teams play?
  3. How many players are there in each team?
  4. How many players are there on the field at the same time?
  5. When did American football start in Britain?
  6. Who helped the first British teams?
  7. How many serious teams are there in Britain?
  8. What are the best teams at the moment in Britain?

 

Text 4

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Physical culture and sport

You have heard many times that sport holds an important place in our life. Sports help people to keep in good health.

Physical culture and sport are very popular in Ukraine. Any boy or girl who shows good results at sports clubs at in athletics competitions for schoolchildren is given every help to become a champion.

There are many kinds of sports, such as running, jumping, tennis, basket – ball, volley – ball, football, boxing, swimming, figure – skating, skiing, wrestling, weight – lifting and others. Athletics is the most popular kind of sport. It is called the “queen of all sports”. Football is very popular in our country too. Most matches take place at large stadiums. Every four years great competitions in sports are organized. They are called the Olympic Games. Only the best sportsmen are chosen for them. They must show not only their physical strength and ability but also courage and wish to win.

From time to time competitions are held in sports and games at our school, but some boys and girls don’t want to take an active part in them. They don’t think that sport is very important.

An English proverb says, “In sports and journeys men are known”.

 

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Put the sentences in the correct order (1- 10)

  1. Those boys and girls are wrong.
  2. Football is very popular in our country too.
  3. Physical culture and sport are very popular in Ukraine.
  4. Great competitions in sports are called the Olympic Games.
  5. Sports help people to keep in good health.
  6. An English proverb says, “In sports and journeys men are known”.
  7. Sportsmen who show good results in athletic competitions can become champions.
  8. Most matches take place at large stadiums.
  9. It is called “the queen of all sports”.
  10. Sport is very popular in our country.

Task 2.

Do you agree with this English proverb “In sports and journeys men are known”? Why?

 

Text 5

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Field Hockey

  1. The game of field hockey was developed in Persia. However, it did not usually become the game we know today until the mid – 1800’s. The British established a standard set of rules in 1866. In 1895 the first international match was played between England and Ireland. It became an Olympic event in 1928.
  2. Field hockey is played by two teams. Each team has eleven players. Equipment consists of a ball and a long curved stick. Originally a cricket ball was used, but today the ball is made of white plastic.
  3. The object of the game is to hit the ball into the opponent’s goal to score one point. A game is played for two thirty – minute periods and may end in a tie score. Recently, field hockey has become very popular in the United States.

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Choose a title to paragraphs 1 -3 and put down the correct letter near the numbers.

A       Rulers of the game

B       Some events from the history

C       Things used for the game

Task 2. True or false.

  1. The game of ice hockey was developed in Persia.
  2. The British established a standard set of rules in 1886.
  3. In 1895 the first international match was played between England and Scotland.
  4. It became an Olympic event in 1928.
  5. Field hockey is played by six teams.
  6. Each team has twelve players.
  7. Equipment consists of a ball and a long curved cap.
  8. Today the ball is made of black plastic.
  9. The object of the game is to hit the ball into the opponent’s goal to score one point.
  10. Recently, field hockey has become very popular in Persia.

 

Text 6

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Sport in Britain and the USA

The British are sporting nation. They love football. Most Britain towns and cities have football teams. Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Some funs pay to 200 pounds for a ticket for a match.

Cricket is a typically British game. Cricket is a summer game. It looks slow, it is played on a green field. There are eleven men in each team. Cricket is a very long game. The Big international matches go on for 5 days. Sometimes the players stop for tea.

Tennis is another popular game in Britain. Every summer in June the biggest international tennis competition takes place at Wimbledon, near London.

Baseball is the most popular summer sport in America. The first American baseball match was in 1839 in New York. Americans play tennis, hockey and other international sports but they do not play football in the same way as the rest of the world.

Basketball is another popular game in America. Only 5 people play in each team. One American basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, is famous all over the world. These sportsmen are very strong.

Americans love winter sports, especially ice hockey. This game is the national sport of Canada.

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Complete the sentences.

  1. The British are…
  2. Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in London is…
  3. Some funs pay to…
  4. Cricket is a typically…
  5. There are eleven…
  6. The Big international matches go…
  7. Every summer in June the biggest international tennis competition…
  8. Americans play tennis, hockey and other international sports but…
  9. One American basketball team, the…
  10. Americans love winter sports, especially…

Task 2. Answer the questions.

  1. Are the British sporting nation?
  2. What do most British towns and cities have?
  3. What is one of the biggest sporting events of the year in London?
  4. What is a typically British game?
  5. When does the biggest international tennis competition take place?
  6. What is the most popular summer sport in America?
  7. Where was the first American baseball match?
  8. Do Americans play football in the same way as the rest of the world?
  9. What is another popular game in America?
  10. What is the Harlem Globetrotters?

 

Text 7

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Eric Cantona

Eric Cantona is from France, but he lives and works in Britain. He is a footballer. He is 27 years old and he is married.  His wife is from France, too. They have a son. Eric plays for British football team. He trains from Monday to Friday.  He doesn’t trains on Saturdays and Sundays. He speaks English well. He likes reading books in his free time.

Comprehension Check

Task 1.Answer the questions.

  1. Where is Eric Cantona?
  2. What is his job?
  3. Is he married?
  4. What does he like doing in his free time?
  5. Does he train on Thursdays?
  6. What language does he speak well?

Task 2. Circle the correct answer.

  1. Eric Cantona is from (Germany\France).
  2. But he lives and works in (Italy\Britain).
  3. He is a (footballer\ swimmer).
  4. He is (27 \47)years old and he (isn’t\is) married.
  5. His (aunt\wife) is from France, too.
  6. They have a (cousin\ son).
  7. Eric plays for British (basketball\football) team.
  8. He speaks (Spanish\English) well.
  9. He (works\trains) from Monday to Friday.
  10. He likes (reading\collecting) books in his free time.

 

Text 8

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Monica Cox

Monica Cox is a tennis player. She has won a lot of competitions. She started played tennis with her father when she was three years old. Two years ago she went to America to a famous tennis school in California. Monica and her father have travelled to many countries. Last month they went to Australia. Monica played very well but she didn’t win. She hasn’t played at Wimbledon yet, but she hopes to do so.

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Underline the verbs in the Past Simple with one line, the Present Perfect – with two lines.

Task 2. Put 5 questions to the text.

 

 

 

Text 9

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Dear Anthony,

In your last letter you asked me to write you about my favourite kind of sports. I do it with pleasure.

I have a lot of friends in my form, but Stas Petrenko is my best friend, because we like sport very much. Our favourite kind of sport is swimming. Stas and I began going in for swimming when we were in the second form. We go to “Waterfall” on Wednesdays and Fridays. “Waterfall” is the best swimming –pool in our city. This is a modern high and large building. Our trainer Dmytro Stepanovych teaches us to swim. He is really great. We have already showed good results in swimming. We always take part in our school competitions in swimming.  As for me, I don’t take the first places in long distance swimming, because I’m not very strong in it. My favourite swimmer is Denys Silantiev. He is the best Ukrainian swimmer. He lives and trains in Zaporizhizhia.

This summer I have spent in Australia. It was very interesting because the 27th Summer Olympic Games were held in Sydney. So I could see the most exciting competitions in swimming. I was very glad, when Denys Silantiev won his silver medal there. Besides I even met some of the best swimmers of the world.

My friend Stas and I are members of swimming sports fan – club. We have a lot of photos, articles, posters of the most famous swimmers and we often exchange them.

In 2004 I plan to go to the Olympic Games in Greece to watch the opening ceremony and some of the most interesting sport events. There I also will have a chance to meet the sportsmen from all over the world.  When I have some free time I’ll visit some interesting places there. I think it will be a very interesting experience for me.

I know that you, Anthony, are also fond of sports. Please, write me about your favourite kind of sport and about your plans for the next Olympics. It’ll be very interesting for me.

Best wishes,

Mark

Comprehension Check

Task 1. True of false.

  1. Stas Romanenko is my best friend.
  2. My favourite kind of sports is fencing.
  3. “Waterfall” is the best swimming – pool in our city.
  4. We never take part in our school competitions in swimming.
  5. I always take the first places in swimming.
  6. I’m member of swimming sports fan – club.
  7. This spring I was in Australia.
  8. Denys Silantiev is my favourite chess player.
  9. Denys Silantiev won his silver medal in Australia.
  10. In 2004 I plan to go to Africa.

Task 2. Choose the correct answer.

  1. My friend likes sport very much as:
  2. his trainer; b) I do; c) his favourite sportsman.
  3. Stas and I began going in for swimming when we were in the
  4. second form; b) sixth form; c) first form.
  5. We go to the “Waterfall” on:
  6. Mondays and Fridays; b) Wednesdays and Fridays; c) Wednesdays and Saturdays.
  7. “Waterfall” is a :
  8. park; b) street; c) building.
  9. Our trainer is:
  10. Dmytro Ivanovych; b) Ivan Petrovych; c) Dmytro Stepanovych.
  11. Mark doesn’t take the first places for:
  12. long distances; b) short distances; c) complex[ distances.
  13. My favourite swimmer is:
  14. Yana Klochkova; b) Denys Silantiev; c) Vladimir Salnikov.
  15. Denys Silantiev lives and trains:

Zaporizhizhia; b) Odesa; c) Lviv.

  1. He won his silver medal in:
  2. Sydney; b) Atlanta; c) Sochi.
  3. In 2004 I plan to go to the Olympic Games in:
  4. Italy; b) Canada; c) Greece.

 

 

Text 10

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Salt Lake City

On the morning of July 23, 1847, a small vanguard company of Mormon pioneers reached the camp on the bank of a pure stream. They named it City Greek. The next day 147 pioneers arrived in the valley. This event is now celebrated as Pioneer Day. Within a few days, plans were drawn for Great Salt Lake City, named after the salty inland lake, which dominated the desert to the northwest. The unexpected discovery of gold in California in 1848 contributed greatly to Salt Lake City’s early growth. Congress turned the ‘State of Desert’ into the Utah Territory in 1850. Salt Lake City became the territorial capital in 1856.

With the discovery of lead and silver and other mineral resources hundreds of copper, silver, gold and lead mines were opened in nearby canyons.

In 1896, Utah was proclaimed the 45th state in the Union. Salt Lake City prospered and grew rapidly. World War II produced a mixed experience. Economic and political transformation had ushered Utahans into anew land of prosperity, social dislocation, adventure, death and mystery.

At present the population of the state is estimated to be more than 172, 000 people.

The distance from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City is 2, 976 kilometers.

The USA is one of the 12 countries to have competed in all 19 Winter Olympic Games.

Utah is like no other place in the world. It’s a state rich in pioneer heritage, with great geographical variety: a drive from one end of the state to the other will you through deserts, red – rock country, canyons with towering cliffs and scenic byways winding through heavy forests. The US has hosted the Olympic Games four times: in 1904 – St. Louis, in 1932 – Los Angeles, in 1984 – Los Angeles, in 1996 – Atlanta.

The Winter Olympic Games were founded in 1926 in France. The United States hosted the Winter Olympic Games three times: Lake Placid, New York in 1932 and again in 1980, and in Squaw Valley, California, in 1960. The Winter Games returned to the US in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sportsmen from 78 countries competed in skating, skiing, hockey, and figure skating…

 

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Answer the questions.

  1. In what year did Salt Lake City become the capital of the Utah Territory?
  2. Who reached the camp on the bank of a pure stream on the morning of July 23, 1847?
  3. When was Utah proclaimed the 45th state of the Union?
  4. What favoured the quick economic development of the state?
  5. What is the distance from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City?
  6. How many Winter Olympic Games have the US competed in?
  7. In which years did the USA host the Olympic Games?
  8. How many times were the Winter Olympic Games held in the USA?
  9. Which winter sports are included in the competitions of the Winter Olympic Games?
  10. In which year did Salt Lake City host the Winter Olympic Games?

 

Task 2.  Put the sentences in the correct order (1- 10).

  1. Salt Lake City became the territorial capital in 1856.
  2. The Winter Games returned to the US in 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  3. Salt Lake City prospered and grew rapidly.
  4. Sportsmen from 78 countries competed in skating, skiing, hockey, and figure skating…
  5. At present the population of the state is estimated to be more than 172, 000 people.
  6. The next day 147 pioneers arrived in the valley. . It’s a state rich in pioneer heritage, with great geographical variety: a drive from one end of the state to the other will you through deserts, red – rock country, canyons with towering cliffs and scenic byways winding through heavy forests.
  7. They named it City Greek.
  8. At present the population of the state is estimated to be more than 172, 000 people.
  9. The unexpected discovery of gold in California in 1848 contributed greatly to Salt Lake City’s early growth.
  10. The USA is one of the 12 countries to have competed in all 19 Winter Olympic Games.

 

 

Text 11

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Olympic Games

It is reasonable to think that athletic contests were first organized some 3,500 years ago in Greece. However, at least four of the Greek sporting festivals ancient in origin had achieved major importance. They were the Olympic Games, held in Olympia. There are records of the champions of Olympia from 766 B.C. to A.D. 217. The first Olympic champion listed in the records was one Coroebus of Flis, a cook, who won the sprint race in 776 B.C. The Games were abolished in A.D. 393 by the Roman emperor Theodosius. Then for one thousand and five hundred years nothing more was heard of them.

Baron Pierre de Cubertin conceived the idea of reviving the Olympic Games, and in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens. 13 nations sent nearly 300 representatives to take part in 42 events and 10 different sports.

Olympic Games take place every four years. During the two world wars there were no Olympic Games because they cannot take place in a country which is at war. During the Olympic Games there are competitions in many kinds of sports. They are: running, jumping, athletics, swimming, boxing, basket­ball, football and others.

Winter Olympic Games first took place in 1924, and now they also take place every four years. At the winter Olympic Games many countries take part in competitions in skiing, ska­ting, hockey and other winter sports.

In 1996 the 26th Olympic Games took place in Atlanta, the USA. 197 nations sent more than 11,000 athletes to those Games.

For the first time in the history of Olympic Games, the Ukrainian team took part in those Games and won 22 medals there. Nine of them were golden ones.

In August 2008 the 29th Summer Olympic Games took place in Beijing, China. It was one of the greatest sport festivals in the history of the Olympic Games. The Ukrainian team took part in those Games and won 27medals there. Seven golden medals were won by Ukrainian sportsmen in such kinds of sports as fencing epee ( a women team – Olha Kharlan, Olena Khomrova, Olha Zhovnir and Halyna Pundyk), rifle shooting ( Artur Aivazian), archery ( Viktor Ruban), pistol shooting ( Oleksandr Petriv), heptathlon ( Natalia Dobrianska), boating ( Inna Osypenko-Radomska) and boxing ( Vasyl Lomachenko).

 

Comprehension Check

 

Task 1. Complete the sentences.

  1. It is reasonable to think that …
  2. The first Olympic champion listed in the records was …
  3. The Games were abolished …
  4. Baron Pierre de Cubertin conceived the idea …
  5. Olympic Games take place …
  6. During the two world wars there were no …
  7. During the Olympic Games there are competitions in …
  8. Winter Olympic Games first took …
  9. At the winter Olympic Games many countries take part …
  10. In 1996 the 26th Olympic Games …
  11. For the first time in the history of Olympic Games…
  12. In August 2008 the 29th Summer Olympic Games ….
  13. The Ukrainian team took part …
  14. Seven golden medals were won by Ukrainian sportsmen ….

 

Task 2.   Answer the questions.

  1. When did the first Olympic Games take place?
  2. Who was listed in the records as the first Olympic champion?
  3. Who abolished Olympic Games?
  4. When did the first modern Olympic Games take place?
  5. How many representatives took part in the first modern Olym­pic Games?
  6. What competitions are there during the Olympic Games?
  7. How often do summer and winter Olympic Games take place?
  8. When did the first winter Olympic Games take place?
  9. What competitions are there during the winter Olympic Games?
  10. When did Ukraine send its representatives to the Olympic Games as an independent team?
  11. When and where did last Summer Olympic Games take place?
  12. How many medals did Ukrainian team win there?
  13. In what kinds of sports were golden medals won?
  14. What Olympic champion from Ukraine can you name? What facts about them do you know?

 

Task 3. Translate into English in writing using the text.

ОЛІМПІЙСЬКІ ІГРИ

Є всі підстави вважати, що перші атлетичні змагання були організовані близько 3500 років тому. Є офіційні записи про чемпіонів Олімпії з 766 р. до нашої ери. Олімпійські ігри були скасовані у 393 р. нашої ери. Перші сучасні Олімпійські ігри відбулись у 1896 р. У 1996 р. українська олімпійська команда вперше виступила як незалежна і за­воювала 22 медалі.

 

 

Text 12

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Playing football

We know that football was first played in England about 150 years ago, but the game is really much older. Games with ball were well known hundreds of years ago. The old Roman game “Harpastum”, the Old French game “Suolt”, Georgian “Lelo”, Russian “Shalyga” and many others were all forms of ball games. In the past all these football games were not played at the stadiums or on a football field. They were played in the squares and streets of cities and vil­lages, and they were dangerous to the windows and doors of the houses. People in those days enjoyed their ball games and got as excited about the game as they do now. Young workers used to leave their work to take part in the game. At the beginning of the XVII century, special laws were made against playing ball games. Nobody was allowed to play, and for two hundred and fifty years, there were no ball games.

People began to play again in the second half of the XIX century. In 1863, a meeting was called in a pub in Great Queen Street in London, for the purpose of deciding the rules of the game. The people were very excited, they shouted: “only feet” and “hands and feet”. It was decided to introduce 13 rules of play­ing football at this meeting. These rules were published in December 1863, and later became the international rules of football game all over the world.

 

Comprehension Check

 

Task 1. True or false.

  1. The game of football was first played in England about 150 years ago.
  2. The English began to play football many centuries ago.
  3. In the past football was not played on the football field.
  4. There were no professional football players in the past.
  5. At the beginning of the XIX century football was forbidden by the government in many countries.
  6. People stopped playing football in the XVII century, because it was very dangerous for the windows in the houses.
  7. People wanted to play football, but they had no stadiums.
  8. In 1863 the new rules of playing football were adopted.
  9. The rules of playing football have been changed since 1863.
  10. The main rule is to play football only with feet, without hands.

 Task 2.  Choose the correct answer.

  1. Football is …years old. a); 150 b) much older  than 150 ; c) 200

 

  1. The old Roman game was called …a) “Suolt”; b) “Shalyga”; c) “Harpastum”

 

  1. In the past football was played … a) in the streets of cities and vil­lages; b) at the stadiums; c) on the football field.

 

  1. Football was dangerous to the… a) people; b)animals; c) windows of the houses.
  2. At the …century, special laws were made against playing ball games. a) end of the XVII;            b) beginning of the XVIII; c) beginning of the XVII

 

  1. How many years were there no ball games? a)150 ; b) 350; c)250

 

  1. People began to play again in the …of the XIX century. a) beginning o; b) first half; c) second half

 

  1. How many 13 rules of play­ing football are introduced in 1863? a) 12;  b) 13 ;  c)11

 

  1. These rules were published in … 1863. a) December; b) November; c)September

 

  1. These became the international rules of football game a)in England  ; b) in Great Britain ; c) all over the world

 

 Task3. Answer the questions.

  1. When were games with ball well known?

 

  1. Where were all these football games played in the past?

 

  1. Did people in those days enjoy their ball games?

 

  1. When were special laws made against playing ball games?

 

  1. When did people begin to play football?

 

  1. When were 13 rules of play­ing football published?

 

 

Text 13

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Larysa Latynina

Larysa Latynina is my favourite Ukrainian sportswoman. She took part in the 16th Olympic Games in 1956 in Melbourne. It was her first Olympic Games, where she won her first gold medal. Larysa Latynina was born in 1934 in Kherson. At school she was fond of gymnastics and became a Master of Sport. She finished a secondary school with a gold medal. Kyiv Institute of Physical Culture was a real school of sportsmanship for Larysa. She also participated in the 17lh and 18lh Olympics. As famous sportswoman she won 18 Olympic medals. Latynina is one of the brightest stars in the history of gymnastics.

Comprehension Check

Task 1. True or false.

  1. Olena Latynina is my favourite Ukrainian sportswoman.
  2. She won her first gold medal in Sydney.
  3. She won her first gold medal in Melbourne.
  4. Latynina was born in Poltava.
  5. At school she was fond of gymnastics.
  6. She finished a secondary school with a silver medal.
  7. She also participated in the 17th and 18th Olympics.
  8. She won 18 Olympic medals.
  9. Latynina is one of the brightest stars in swimming.
  10. Latynina is one of the brightest stars in gymnastics history.

 

Task 2.  Make up a story about your favourite Ukrai­nian sportsman.

 

 

Text 14

Read the text.

He Was Only Wrong By Two!

Jack was a football coach at an American college. He always tried to find good football players for his team. Jack trained his players very well. They were good at running, jumping, swimming, rowing and playing different games. They often took part in races and practically always won. All Jack’s players were tall strong men, excellent sportsmen and just nice people. They hardly ever gave him trouble and the college team was the best in their state. Regular training, keeping to a diet and a lot of exercises were very important for the sportsmen. They always followed the coach’s advice and received good and excellent results in all home and international competitions and matches. They seldom lost a game, hardly ever – ended matches in a draw. In fact they practically always won. The only trouble with some of his football players was their bad knowledge of many school subjects because the sportsmen were often poor at Maths or English, and it was not always easy for them to become college students.

One day the coach brought an excellent young football player to the Professor of the college. The Professor had to ask the young player a few questions. The Professor chose very easy questions but the boy couldn’t answer them.  At last the Professor asked, “Well what’s five times seven?” the student thought for a long time and then answered: “Thirty six”. The Professor shook his head and looked at the coach. “It‘s impossible! “, he said.  “I don’t want to punish your team. I understand he can throw a ball very well but he doesn’t know Mathematics at all. He can’t be a student”, the Professor said. But the coach seriously said, “Oh, please, sir! Let him become a student. He was only wrong by two!”

 

Comprehension Check

Task 1.   Choose the correct answer.

  1. Jack was :
  2. A football player; b) a coach; c) a professor.
  3. He worked at an American:
  4. school; b) college; c) university.
  5. Jack trained his players :
  6. very bad; b) seldom; c) very well.
  7. Jack’s players were:
  8. excellent sportsmen; b) good student; bad people.
  9. The college team was the best in their:
  10. city; b) country; c) state.
  11. In fact they practically … won.
  12. often; b) always; c)usually
  13. The only trouble with the sportsmen was:
  14. they couldn’t play well; b) their bad knowledge of school subjects; c) their bad behavior.
  15. The sportsmen were often poor at:
  16. History and English; b) Maths and History; c) Maths and English.
  17. The Professor asked the player :
  18. How old he was; b) what’s five times seven; c) what his name was.
  19. The young man answered:
  20. 36; b) 35; c) My name is Jack.

 

Task 2.Answer the questions.

  1. Who was Jack?
  2. Where did he work?
  3. In what kind of sports were his sportsmen good at?
  4. Where did they often take part?
  5. What kind of sportsmen were all his players?
  6. What were very important for the sportsmen?
  7. What was the only trouble with some of his football players?
  8. When did the coach bring an excellent young football player to the Professor?
  9. What did the Professor ask the player?
  10. What did the player answer?

 

Text 15

Read the text.

Sports weekend

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to our sport weekend! As you can see on your timetables, we’re going to have dinner in the evening, Friday, at seven o’clock. Then, after dinner, at eight o’clock, we’re going to watch some videos about water sports. Breakfast is at seven o’clock tomorrow, Saturday. Then, at half past eight, we’re going to do some gymnastics. I can’t think of a better way to start the day! Saturday lunch is at one o’clock. Then, in the afternoon, we’re going to go cycling. At six o’clock on Saturday evening, we’re going to go cycling. At six o’clock on Saturday evening, we’re going to have to talk be David Green, the famous football referee. Dinner is at half past seven, then, at eight thirty, we’re going to see an exciting film about white water rafting in America. That’s all for Saturday. On Sunday, breakfast is at half past seven. Then, at nine o’clock on Sunday morning, we’re going to run a half marathon. Lunch is at half past one. Then, at half past three, we’re all going to go home. Right, any questions?

 

Comprehension Check

Task .  Complete the table.

Sports weekend 
Friday 7.00 p.m. dinner 8.00 p.m watch some videos      
Saturday          
Sunday          

 

 

Text 16

Read the text.

 

Sonja’s First skates

After Rosalie Koskimaki

Sonja Henie knew what she wanted for Christmas.  Sonja lived in Norway. There were many lakes and rivers near her home. In the winter they froze, and all the older children went ice – skating.  Sonja wanted to ice – skate too, but she didn’t have skates. Her father thought that she didn’t need any skates as she was only six years old.

“I do! I do!” said Sonja. “Please let me have a pair of ice skates!”

So Sonja’s father brought her ice skates for Christmas. Sonja went skating every day. She skated and skated and skated. In one week they were all worn out. Her father had to buy her another pair. So Sonja kept on skating for hours and hours. She skated for days and days. She became a very good ice skater. She liked figure skating best.

Figure skating is almost like dancing. The skaters go around in circles, they jump in the air, they kick their legs, they skate on the foot, they skate on their toes, and they spin around.

Sonja was better figure skater than anyone else. She won many skating contests. Then she won a very important contest. It was the figure skating contest of Norway. Sonja was the best figure skater in all Norway. And she was only ten years old!

Later, Sonja became the best figure skater in the world. No one could skate better than she. For many years she won all figure skating contests.

Sonja Henie wore out many pairs of ice skates. But she never forgot her very first pair!

 

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Circle the correct answer.

 

  1. Sonja Henie knew what she wanted for (Easter/Christmas).
  2. There were many (ponds/lakes and rivers/ seas) near her home.
  3. In the winter they froze, and all the older children went (skiing/ice – skating).
  4. Sonja wanted to (sledge/ ice – skate) too.
  5. Sonja went skating every (day/ week).
  6. Her (uncle/ father) had to buy her another pair.
  7. (Skiing/Figure skating) is almost like dancing.
  8. She (won/ lost) many skating contests.
  9. Sonja was the best figure skater in all (Canada/ Norway).
  10. But she never forgot her very (third/first) pair!

 

Task 2.Answer the questions.

 

  1. What did Sonja want to get for Christmas and why?
  2. Where did she live?
  3. Where did all the older children go in winter?
  4. What did her father think of ice skating?
  5. Who bought her ice skates for Christmas?
  6. How did Sonja skate?
  7. What did she like best?
  8. What did she win in Norway?
  9. How old was Sonja when she won the figure skating contest in Norway?
  10. Do you agree with the statement “You can become the best if you work hard at something?” Why?

 

 

 

Text 17

Read the text.

Good sportsmen

Mike and Kate are friends. They are eight and they are the pupils of the second form. They have a lot of hobbies.  Kate likes to read books, watch TV, listen to music, and help her mother about the house. She also likes to learn English. As for Mike, he likes sport very much. He goes in for football and he is a good football player. Mike also likes running, jumping and swimming. Kate likes sport too. She goes in for gymnastics and plays tennis a little. But most of all she likes winter sports. She can ski and skate very well. Mike likes to ski too and they often go skiing together.

Mike and Kate are good friends and good sportsmen. They are strong and healthy children.

 

Comprehension Check

Task 1.True or false.

  1. Nick and Kate are friends.
  2. They are eight.
  3. Kate likes to play computer.
  4. She also likes to learn English.
  5. Mike doesn’t like sport.
  6. He goes in for basketball.
  7. Kate likes sport too.
  8. She goes in for swimming.
  9. She can ski and skate very well.
  10. Kate and mike are strong and healthy children.

 

 Task 2. Choose the correct answer.

  1. Mike and Kate are the pupils of…
  2. the first form; b) the second form; c) the third form.
  3. They have a lot of…
  4. hobbies; b) books; c) friends.
  5. Kate also likes to learn …
  6. Spanish; b) German; c) English.
  7. Who likes sport very much?
  8. Nick; b) Mike; c) Kate.
  9. Who likes to read books?
  10. Nick; b) Mike; c) Kate.
  11. Mike goes in for…
  12. tennis; b) volley – ball; c) football.
  13. Kate goes in for …
  14. gymnastics; b) swimming; c) running.
  15. But most of all Kate likes …
  16. summer sports; b) spring sports; c) winter sports.
  17. Mike and Kate like … together.
  18. to skate; b) to ski; c) to sledge.
  19. They are …
  20. unhappy children; b) good basketball players; c) healthy children.

 

 

 

Text 18

Read the text.

Sliding on the ice

By Ch. Dickens

Sam Weller was displaying that beautiful feat of fancy sliding, which is popularly called “Knocking at the cobber’s door”, and which is achieved by skimming over the ice on the foot, and occasionally giving a knock upon it with the other. It was a good long slide, and there was something in the motion which Mr. Pickwick, who was very cold with standing still, could not help envying.

“It looks a nice warm exercise, doesn’t it?” asked Mr. Pickwick.

“Oh, it does, indeed!” replied Mr. Wardle. “Do you slide?”

“I used to do it so when I was a boy”, answered Mr. Pickwick.

“Try it now”, said Mr. Wardle.

“Oh, do, please, Mr. Pickwick”, cried all ladies.

“I should be happy to afford you any amusement”, replied Mr. Pickwick, “but I haven’t done such a thing these thirty years.”

“Pooh! Pooh! Nonsense!” said Mr. Wardle. “Here, I’ll keep you company, come along”.

Mr. Pickwick paused, considered, pulled off his gloves and put them in his hat, took two or three short runs, balked himself as slowly and gravely down the slide with his feet about a yard and a quarter apart, amidst the gratified shouts of all spectators.

 

Comprehension Check

Task 1. True or False.

 

  1. Sam Weller was demonstrating that beautiful feat of fancy skimming over the ice.
  2. A beautiful feat of skating called ““Knocking at the cobber’s door” is achieved by sliding on the both feet.
  3. Pickwick could not help envying Sam Weller because he got chilled to the bones.
  4. Pickwick used to slide when he was a boy.
  5. Pickwick hadn’t slid for about thirteen years.
  6. Pickwick paused, thought and put his gloves and hat on.
  7. He seemed very enthusiastic about skating down the slide.

 

 Task 2. Complete the sentences.

 

  1. Sam Weller was displaying …
  2. That feat of fancy skating was achieved by …
  3. Pickwick was cold with …
  4. He could not help ….
  5. Pickwick hesitated because…
  6. When you want to please or amuse somebody, you may say, “…..”.
  7. Pickwick went slowly and gravely down the slide with…

 

Task 3. Choose the correct answer.

 

  1. Sam Weller was displaying that beautiful feat of fancy skating called …
  2. “Knocking at the cobber’s door”;
  3. “Knocking at the shoe repairer’s door”;
  4. “Knocking at the plumber’s door”;
  5. “Knocking at the caddy’s door”.
  6. All the people were skating on a good long…
  7. glade;
  8. slime;
  9. slide;
  11. When Mr. Pickwick saw Sam Weller sliding, he could not help …
  12. begrudging him;
  13. befriending him;
  14. belittling him;
  15. beckoning him.
  16. Pickwick would be happy to amuse …
  17. all the young ladies;
  18. his friends;
  19. all the ladies;
  21. In case Mr. Pickwick was sliding, … would keep him company …
  22. Sam Weller;
  23. all the ladies;
  24. Wardle;
  25. all his friends.
  26. At last Mr. Pickwick took another run and went slowly and gravely down the slide with his feet … apart.
  27. about a yard;
  28. about a yard and a quarter;
  29. about a yard and a half;
  30. about a yard and three quarters.
  31. Pickwick … when he saw a boy.
  32. used to skate;
  33. was used to skate;
  34. got used to skate;
  35. used skates.

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