Name: Ana Basar
Comprehension Check
1. Organized sports in a society
a. are a poor reflection of the values of that society.
b. are a good reflection of the values of that society.
c. are leisure activities and games which tell us very little about the
social values of a country.
2. Which of the following ideals is at the very heart of organized sports in
the United States and is therefore the most important ideal expressed in
organized sports?
a. hard work b. self-denial c. competition
3. Vince Lombardi, a famous professional football coach, expressed the
view that
a. sports help boys grow into men.
b. a good football player makes a good soldier.
c. winning is the only thing that matters.
5. Respected publications such as Reader's Digest have stated that
a. sports are good in general, but excessive violence in sports should be
stopped.
b. sports corrupts the American spirit and should be replaced with
noncompetitive activities.
c. many aspects of American culture, such as music and art, have been
replaced by the love of sports.
6. American society today generally
a. gives equal importance to men's sports and to women's sports.
b. gives greater importance to men's sports than to women's sports.
c. does not believe that either men's or women's sports serve any useful
purpose in maintaining the values of the nation.
7. Cheerleaders at sports events are
a. usually males.
b. usually females.
c. equally divided between males and females.
8. What is generally called "recreation" in the United States
a. stresses competition less than organized sports.
b. stresses competition more than organized sports.
c. stresses competition about the same as organized sports.
9. Some of the fastest growing forms of recreation in the United States,
such as jogging, reflect the attitude that
a. a healthy body helps to maintain a healthy mind.
b. contact with nature is good for the soul of man.
c. it is good to work hard and to play hard.
10. Many forms of recreation, such as participation in cultural activities, show an American
desire for
a. self-improvement.
b. competition.
c. hard work.
Questions for Discussion and Composition – Select one discussion question and give an answer in
min 60 max 100 words.
1. Do you agree with Vince Lombardi that "Winning is not the most important
thing—it is the only thing"? Is competition an important value in your
country? Is competition stressed more than cooperation in organized sports?
What role do you think sports play in your country?
I don’t agree with that statement. Sports are more than just competing and trying to be the best. Competiveness in general
is motivating, a good way to push yourself to achieve your goals, but when you fail, and everybody does eventually, it is
important that you keep going despite failing. Competition is important value in my country, a lot of people fought to be
where they are now. Competition is stressed more than cooperation rarely, depending on which sport. Sports in my
country are viewed more as a hobby, no one really tries to make a career out of football or such sports.
2. What do you like to do in your leisure time? Do you think leisure time is a good
opportunity for self-improvement, or is it better to just relax? How would you
compare the day-to-day level of activity of people in your country with that of
Americans?
