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1. What sport do you practice? What are its benefits?
2. In your opinion, why should teenagers practise sports, particularly in their
school life?
Read on
3. Read the text and match the bold-typed words to their definitions below.
The Importance of Sport in Students’ Health
Sport helps students to develop both physically and mentally. Physical activity should be part
of our daily life. Practicing any kind of sport from an early age helps teenagers in many ways,
for example, group activities improve interaction and social integration. It also improves the
mental level and promotes a healthy lifestyle in adulthood, as the habits we acquire as
children are often to stay. Sports have multiple healthy benefits. If we talk on a psychological
or personality level, sports activities (especially those done in groups) help students to
strengthen* their social self-esteem, and allow them to understand the importance of having
and respecting the rules not only at school but also at home.
Another aspect to consider is what type of sport or activity will suit best the students
considering his/her conditions and abilities. A more timid and shier student is likely to get
better at a sport where she/he has to relate to peers*. But, to a more active one, an individual
sport such as tennis can help better develop her/his ability to concentrate.
One of the most relevant issues is also the importance of physical exercise, not only
in children but also in young and old people, because moderate daily physical exercise helps
prevent overweight and obesity. Taking into account the increasing percentage of children
and young people with obesity and overweight in the Western world, the teaching and practice
of sport in the school routine becomes almost mandatory.
Sport can also have the power to help students rest. It helps them to fall asleep in bed
in a matter of seconds, especially for all those active students who like spending their free time
running, playing soccer, or swimming or doing any other activity that keeps them physically
active.
Glossary:
* to strengthen: To make stronger.
* peer: A person of the same age.
Adapted from: http://www.oblumi.com/blog/the-importance-of-sport-for-the-children-s-health/
Definition Word/Phrase Meaning in
Spanish
The ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance, endurance,
and strength.
Body movements that train your muscles and require more energy than
resting.
The skills and qualities which make it possible for you to complete a task.
An occasion or situation when two or more people communicate with or
react to each other.
The inclusion and acceptance of individual within a group.
A set of activities and habits that promotes the development of total
physical and mental fitness, and which reduces the risk of suffering
illnesses.
The positive and negative evaluation on one’s own values based on what
other people say or believe about us.
The most common illnesses that affect those individuals who are physically
inactive.
4. Read the text again. For questions 1 - 5, choose the answer (a, b or c) which best
fits according to the text.
1. Children who practice sports .
A. are more likely to understand why something can’t be done.
B. tend to reinforce the social abilities of the team.
C. know more about their own self-esteem than children who don’t.
2. Which of these statements is NOT true?
A. Playing tennis can help children focus their attention.
B. Practicing sports during childhood favours good health decisions later in life.
C. The positive experiences that sport brings play an important role only in a
young person’s life.
3. The author believes that _________________________
A. children should be obliged to participate in sports at school.
B. parents should be forced to include sports with their children in their
schedules.
C. parents with obese children must practice sports.
4. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Practicing sports together can help all the members of the family sleep better.
B. Parents of active children should consider participating in sports in order to
relax appropriately.
C. Active children will be able to sleep more easily if they play sports daily.
5. According to the text, _________________________.
A. by playing sports, children understand the power of hard work.
B. when practicing sports, children learn that in order to achieve their goals they
have to obey their coach.
C. sports are particularly helpful for children who have no discipline.
5. Read the text again. Complete the summary for the text. Then, translate the
summary into Spanish.
"The Importance of Sport in Students’ Health" emphasizes the _________________ of sports for
students' _____________ and mental ____________. This text discusses how regular physical
activity, especially through sports, contributes to the development of social skills,
_________________, and a ________________. The text also emphasizes the importance of
incorporating various types of ___________________ into school routines to raise awareness on
diseases like _______________ and ______________ among children and young people.
Additionally, the text acknowledges the role of ___________ in promoting better sleep and overall
health for students.
6. In groups of 4, discuss the following question in Spanish:
• How can schools and communities collaborate to offer all students an
equitable access to diverse sports activities and opportunities for
physical fitness, regardless of their socio-economic background or
geographical location?"
