PART 7
You are going to read an article about four people who have taken up unusual sports. For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
You are going to read an article about four people who have taken up unusual sports. For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.
STEPPING OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE
A) Mark (Underwater Hockey)When a friend suggested underwater hockey, I thought it was a joke. You play at the bottom of a swimming pool wearing a diving mask, fins, and a snorkel. The hardest part initially was managing my oxygen intake; you have to know exactly when to surface for air without abandoning your team. I expected it to be slow and graceful, but it is actually incredibly fast-paced and aggressive. You really have to trust your teammates because communication underwater is practically impossible.
B) Sarah (Bouldering)
Bouldering is basically rock climbing without ropes, but on shorter walls. I have always suffered from a mild fear of heights, and I forced myself to start doing this specifically to conquer that phobia. It worked perfectly. What surprised me is how analytical it is. It’s not just about upper body strength; it’s about solving a physical puzzle and figuring out where to place your weight. The only downside is that buying the specialized climbing shoes and chalk bags took a surprisingly big chunk out of my savings.
C) David (Ultimate Frisbee)
Ultimate Frisbee is unique because there are no referees on the pitch. Even at championship levels, players are expected to call their own fouls and resolve disputes respectfully. This creates a phenomenal sense of community and fair play that I’ve never experienced in any other sport. We train outdoors all year round, and honestly, sliding around in the freezing mud during a heavy rainstorm is when we have the most fun and laugh the hardest.
D) Emma (Parkour)
Parkour involves running, jumping, and climbing over urban obstacles as efficiently as possible. When I first started training, I was constantly covered in bruises and suffered a few sprained ankles, but my technique eventually improved. The feeling of absolute freedom when you smoothly vault over a wall is indescribable. Unfortunately, we are frequently misunderstood. We often get stopped by security guards or police officers who wrongly assume we are trespassing or trying to vandalize private property.
relies heavily on players being honest with each other?
2. involved a significant financial investment at the beginning?
3. was initially met with suspicion from people in authority?
4. proved to be much faster than the person originally expected?
5. required the person to conquer a specific psychological fear?
6. involves continuing to play regardless of the weather conditions?
7. resulted in a few minor physical injuries during the learning process?
8. is described as being as much a mental challenge as a physical one?
9. creates a strong sense of belonging to a supportive community?
10. presents a unique challenge regarding the intake of oxygen?