11 Form
Sport
Reading
1.Read about a famous sportsman. Read the statements and the possible answers below. Choose A,B,C or D to complete each statement:
You must have read about Muhammad Ali – probably the most famous athlete and one of the best-known people in the world. But what do you actually know about his life?
He was the first three-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He was known for his powerful fists as well as for his poetry. His ability to compose rhymes on the run could easily qualify him as the first rapper. He won an Olympic gold medal and later threw it into a river in protest against racism in America.
Ali’s interest in boxing began when he was 12. He was living in a poor black neighbourhood in Louisville, together with his parents and brother Rudy. One day, when his new bicycle got stolen, Ali reported the fact to a local policeman, Joe Martin. He was furious and said that he was going to beat up the thief. Martin was the boxing coach at the Louisville’s Club and he also had a TV show called ‘Tomorrow’s Champions’. Seeing Ali’s determination, he suggested that the boy learned to fight.
Ali passionately devoted himself to amateur boxing. He trained hard and soon became a celebrity in his hometown. Within the next few years, he won 100 of his 108 matches. At 18, he became Olympic gold medallist and very soon he signed a lucrative professional contract.
In the 1960s, Ali became one of the most controversial figures in his country. He refused to serve in the American army in Vietnam for religious reasons and, as a result, he lost his championship belt. He was also sentenced to five years in prison, but later the sentence was cancelled by the Supreme Court.
Muhammad Ali retired from boxing in 1981 and soon afterwards he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, he remained active in various fields and he has not been forgotten. In 1999, he was named Sportsman of the Century by one of the biggest sports magazines. In the same year, Ali’s daughter Laila made her debut as a boxer despite her father’s earlier comments against female boxing.
1. Muhammad Ali
A first became famous as a rapper
B organized anti-racist demonstrations
C won three Olympic gold medals
D was good at composing poems
2. Ali’s interest in boxing began when he was
A 12
B 20
C 22
D 11
3. Ali lived with his family and brother
A in a rich neighborhood in Louisville
B in a poor black neighborhood in Louisville
C in a poor district in Louisiana
D in a rich district in Louisiana
4. Ali’s first boxing coach was
A a policeman in his hometown
B the Louisville club owner
C a television reporter
D a former thief
5. Ali’s career as an amateur boxer
A lasted nearly 18 years
B ended when he was 18
C brought him only a few match victories
D didn’t bring him popularity
6. In the 60s, Ali
A served in the American army
B spent five years in prison
C lost his champion’s title
D refused to fight in championships
7. In retirement, Muhammad Ali
A stopped taking part in public activities
B supported his daughter’s boxing career
C wrote for sports magazines
D was still very popular
2.You will read a radio interview with an elderly man. Read sentences 1-9. Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
Good afternoon, listeners. Today, in our programme ‘People Around Us’, Helen Crow is talking to Mr Alistair Sinclair, a farmer from Carston who’s one hundred years old.
Helen Crow
Mr Sinclair, how does it feel to be one hundred?
Alistair Sinclair
Well, actually, I’m not one hundred yet. I was born on the 10th of September, so my birthday’s in two weeks’ time. I couldn’t forget about it, everybody is making so much fuss.
Helen
You have such a big family, how many people are coming to celebrate?
Mr Sinclair
I’ve had six children, two by my second wife and four by my third. Four of them are still alive and they’re all coming, together with ten out of my twelve grandchildren and most of my great-grandchildren. My eldest great-granddaughter’s expecting a baby, so you could say there’ll be five generations present.
Helen
You’re in perfect shape, what do you do to keep fit?
Mr Sinclair
Nowadays, people seem crazy about having a healthy lifestyle. When I was young, nobody thought about such things. I was one of ten children in my family; we had no idea what a healthy diet was, we were happy if we had enough to eat. There was no need to take any exercise, the work on the farm was hard, and we spent all day outdoors. You had to be strong; I lost one brother and one sister quite early, but those that survived lived into old age. We all probably took after my father, who died at the age of ninety-four. I don’t think you can do anything to guarantee a long life, it just happens to you. You can’t avoid hardship, even tragedies, because that’s what life is like. What you can do is be as active as possible and have a positive attitude.
Helen
Have you ever smoked?
Mr Sinclair
Well, I haven’t tried cigarettes, no. But once I thought I’d look interesting with a pipe, so I tried that. But after a week or so my wife couldn’t stand it, so I threw the pipe away. Actually, she left me a few months later, but I didn’t start smoking again.
Helen
Thank you, Mr Sinclair, on behalf of our listeners I wish you all the best and a very happy birthday.
Mr Sinclair
Thank you.
1. Mr. Sinclair tells that he
A has already celebrated his 100th birthday
B is going to celebrate his 100th birthday soon
C cannot remember precisely when his birthday is
D never celebrates his birthday
2. Mr. Sinclair has been married
A once
B twice
C three times
D never
3. Mr. Sinclair was one of
A ten children
B twelve children
C eleven children
D twenty children
4. How many children does Mr. Sinclair have?
A six
B ten
C twelve
D four
5. Mr. Sinclair says that nowadays, people
A eat too much
B go jogging
C keep to diets
D are crazy
6. When Mr. Sinclair was young, he
A worked in the open air
B ate a healthy diet
C took regular exercise
D slept much
7. Most of Mr. Sinclair’s brothers and sisters
A resembled their mother
B lived for a long time
C had health problems
D died early
8. Mr. Sinclair believes it’s necessary
A to avoid problems
B to work hard
C to be optimistic
D to rest enough
9. Mr. Sinclair gave up smoking
A at the same time as his wife
B to please his wife
C when his wife left him
D to please his children
Writing
I’ve decided to take up some sport to be fitter and feel better. But I'm in two minds what to choose. We have a very good basketball team and a super tennis coach… …What kinds of sports are popular with teenagers in Russia? What sports facilities do you have in your school? What kind of sports competitions do you have at school?…
ANSWERS
Reading
1. D, A, B, A, B, C, D.
2. B, C, A, A, C, A, B, C, B.
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