Each man is a creator of a temple called the human body.

SPORT

Topic 37 Sports in our life

It is extremely difficult to overestimate the role of sport in the life of people. Sport helps us keep fit. Taking exercise is an important part of keeping fit. Everyone benefits from a moderate amount of daily physical activity. Health experts agree that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of several diseases. It improves the overall quality of life. Besides, it cultivates the spirit of team. Sport makes people more organised and disciplined in their daily activities.

Different people take sports for different reasons. Some people take sports professionally. They get paid for it. People who take sports professionally are called pros or profies.

For other people sport is a hobby. They play different games, such as football, volleyball, hockey, tennis and so on. They do it for reasons of personal satisfaction such as enjoyment, fun and challenge. In the early 21^st century there has been a growing interest in fitness among young people. Many of them belong to a sports club or do sport as their main leisure activity. They go to gyms, fitness clubs and swimming pools regularly to work out in order to keep fit. Such people are humorously dubbed “fitness buffs”.

There are people who work out much to make their bodies perfect. More and more people have been taking up bodybuilding and shaping over the past few years. People sign up for special sports clubs or practise shaping and bodybuilding on their own using special guides and DVD courses. At present martial arts are gaining popularity. More and more people get interested in judo, karate, kung fu and suchlike martial arts.

There is a group of people who take various kinds of sports because they need them in the course of their work. We can refer to this group police officers, bodyguards, security men and the like. Sometimes people of the kind are described as “all muscles and no brains”.

I have mentioned people who are actively involved in sports. However, there are people who prefer to watch rather than take part. They are into watching sports on TV in the comfort of their homes or at stadiums. The English-language mass media call people who spend too much time in front of the box “couch potatoes”. Most people today take relatively little exercise. Nowadays many people travel even the shortest distances by car or bus. Lack of exercise combined with eating too many fatty or sugary foods has unfortunately tended to mean that many people are becoming excessively overweight. Experts are particularly concerned about the fact that children spend a lot of free time watching television or playing computer games instead of being physically active.

Speaking about myself, I do not take any sports regularly. At leisure I play volleyball or table tennis. Unfortunately, I can’t be referred to people who are called “fitness buffs”. I can’t bring myself to work out regularly. However, I do it occasionally. Last summer I took up jogging, but gave it up in the end. I am not much into getting up early in the morning. My ambition is to take up lawn tennis. So far, I just watch it on TV. I always stay up late at night to watch tennis championship at Wimbledon. I am also keen on watching football and hockey.

(Pavlotsky topic)

Each man is a creator of a temple called the human body.

To begin with I'd like to comment on the metaphor that compares our body to a magnificent temple. In fact, it is a hundred percent true. A human body is a perfectly organized creation with millions of blood vessels. It has an extremely powerful engine that pumps gal­lons of blood every day. A human brain is a fantastic mind machine. It contains around 100 billion cells, equal to the number of stars in the Milky Way.

Nowadays people are getting more and more con­cerned about the food they eat, about the air they breathe and the way they look and feel. They begin to understand that staying active as they get older gives them more energy and helps to avoid illness. Nowa­days we are offered a wide range of sport facilities to achieve general fitness.

From my own experience I can say that some of my friends are simply hooked on aerobics, shaping, stretching and bodybuilding. I must admit that a pro­fessional sportsman is always a pleasure to look at: he doesn't smoke or drink alcohol; he keeps to a healthy diet avoiding junk food and he always takes regular exercise.

Absolute beginners should start with some basic mobility exercises to get them moving. All sports should be made a part of a weekly routine. Regularity and moderation are two basic rules. However, we shouldn't forget that it might be appropriate to get the doctor's approval before. In fact, everybody chooses an activity that appeals more to him. From my point of view, swimming is an excellent exercise. It doesn't strain the muscles as the water supports the body weight. It also helps flexibility, stam­ina (physical or mental endurance), and heart and lung capability. Cycling is wonderful for balance. In fact you can practise it both indoors and outdoors on a stationary bike. Yoga is also an ideal option. It's mostly due to the fact that both your body and your mind benefit from yoga classes, as it tones the muscles and re­lieves tension.

I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that recent research shows that just an hour's walk every day maintains perfect fitness and wards off such diseases as asthma, arthritis, backaches and in­somnia. Fitness is the state of being healthy and strong so that you are able to do hard work or sport. As a teenager I'd say that the greatest way tocombine pleasure and fitness is dancing. Pretty much like jogging or hiking it is one of the best ways to boost heart, muscles and lungs. It improves our self-con­trol and coordination. Doctors say that a twenty-minute session will give the heart a safe level of protection. So, all these exercises combined with a healthy will inevitably provide a person with a healthy body and a peace of mind.

(BG Task) Most people think that it is necessary to do physical exercises regularly. What is your opinion on the people who are physically weak and do not keep fit?

The benefits of taking regular exercise are numerous. They range from preventing chronicle health conditions to boosting confidence and self-esteem. Everybody understands the importance of regular physical activity, but far from everybody brings themselves to be physically active.

I strongly believe that people can always find time for taking exercise. Not only playing sports counts as a healthy activity. It might as well include walking up the stairs instead of using lifts or gardening. Exercising regularly boost the immune system, reduces the risk of heart diseases and lowers high blood pressure. It also makes us feel happy.

However, some people make excuses for not taking regular exercise rather than make time for it. These excuses may be lack of time due to work, poor weather and what not. I am sure that such an approach to one’s health is completely wrong. One can always find time for physical activity, if one wants to. People reluctant to be active are usually physically weak. Frankly speaking, my attitude to them can be described as pity. The list of possible consequences is endless. Their carelessness may lead to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If they don’t keep themselves fit they are sure to have psychological problems such as stress.

In summary, regular physical activity is vital for health. People who ignore this simple principle are certain to face lots of negative consequences later on. Everyone should remember that health is above wealth.

(Muzlanova, Task 32) Lots of people enjoy different sports. However, there are people who think that sport is not really useful. What can you say for and against doing sports?

Sport is one of those things that make our lives really worth living. In one way or another, everyone is involved in sports, whether they play or watch it, or just know someone who goes in for sports. Although a lot of people seem to be interested in sports, not all of them consider it useful.

On the one hand, we must admit that sport takes a lot of en­ergy and time and it can be really exhausting. Sportsmen train all day long and have to follow a diet, which does more harm than good. Besides, some sports such as snowboarding or rock climbing can be rather dangerous. As a result, people often have serious in­juries. Moreover, sport makes you unhappy when you lose, which can lead to psychological problems.

On the other hand, sport helps us to keep fit and to stay healthy. Among the benefits of regular exercise are a healthier heart, weight control and less susceptibility to illnesses. In addi­tion, sport helps us to overcome difficulties and gives a chance to acquire self-confidence. What is more, sport makes us more orga­nised and better disciplined in our daily activities. It is also a good way to spend free time and to make friends.

To sum up, I would argue that sport is very important for peo­ple's health. However, it is not necessary to become a professional sportsman. If you go in for sports just for pleasure, to stay in good shape or to relax, then sport is definitely useful.

Fill in the table “Sports: Pros & Cons” and write the essays:

Essay 1:

It is common knowledge that sports provide a person with a healthy body and a sound mind. However, some people say that sport is not really useful. Why do people take sports? What is your opinion?

Essay 2:

Some people think that the best way of staying active is being involved in sports. However, there are people who prefer to watch rather than take part. What is your opinion?

Essay 3:

Many schools no longer have physical education lessons in order to make more time for academic work. This may be good for students’ grades, but bad for their health. Do you agree that children should have physical education lessons as part of their school timetable? Do you think that physical education lessons should be optional?

Fill in the table “Professional Sport: Pros & Cons” and write the essays:

Essay 4:

Some people think that any professional sportsman is always a pleasure to look at. Other people argue that professional sport has nothing to do with a healthy lifestyle. What is your opinion? Do you want to take sports professionally?

Essay 5:

It is common knowledge that sports provide a person with a healthy body and a sound mind. However, some people say that sport has become a money-making enterprise. What is your opinion?

Essay 6:

Some people think that the best way to get rid of stress is taking exercise. Other people feel that there are other ways which are just as effective. What is your opinion? Which way of reducing stress would you prefer?

Topic 38

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14