Read about sports and hobbies
key notes :
What Are Sports?
- Sports are physical activities that people play for fun or competition.
- They help improve fitness, teamwork, and discipline.
- Examples: Football, basketball, cricket, tennis, swimming, and running.
Types of Sports
- Team Sports: Played with others (e.g., soccer, volleyball).
- Individual Sports: Played alone (e.g., gymnastics, badminton).
- Indoor Sports: Played inside (e.g., table tennis, chess).
- Outdoor Sports: Played outside (e.g., baseball, track and field).
What Are Hobbies?
- Hobbies are activities people do in their free time for fun and relaxation.
- They help develop creativity, skills, and interest.
Common Hobbies
- Drawing and painting
- Reading books
- Playing musical instruments
- Gardening
- Collecting stamps or coins
- Cooking or baking
- Crafting or DIY projects
Benefits of Sports and Hobbies
- Keep the mind and body healthy
- Reduce stress and boredom
- Teach patience and focus
- Help discover talents and interests
Choosing a Sport or Hobby
- Think about what you enjoy
- Try different activities to see what you like
- Choose something you can do regularly
Reading About Sports and Hobbies
- Helps learn about rules, famous players, and history
- Encourages interest in trying new activities
- Builds vocabulary and reading comprehension
Learn with an example
▶️ Read the text about batik.
Two thousand years ago in Indonesia, clothing made from batik fabric was only worn by kings. Now this brightly coloured fabric can be made and used by anyone for clothing and decoration. Batik is the process of decorating fabric using wax and dye. Many cultures have used this process, but the most famous examples come from the Indonesian island of Java. Today, this process is often done using machines, but many people still practise this art by hand.
On the island of Java, batik is traditionally made using white cotton cloth. To begin, the artist designs and sketches a pattern directly on the cloth. Then, the artist steadily pours melted wax on the drawn lines. When making batik by hand, Indonesian artists often use a tool called a tjanting to apply the wax. But there are many different ways to do this. Some people use a paintbrush to paint the wax onto the fabric, while others use a stamp. A stamp is more exact and allows the artist to quickly press the pattern onto the fabric over and over again.
Once the wax has been applied, it is time for the dye bath. To complete this step, the fabric is immersed in a large container of dye. The waxed part of the fabric will not absorb the colour, thus creating the pattern. Traditionally the dyes were made using natural elements, like indigo and mango leaves. The colours produced were browns and deep blues. Today, people use a variety of colours and dyes.
When the fabric is done soaking, it is laid out to dry. Lastly, the fabric is boiled to remove the wax. If desired, the artist can choose to start the process all over again and create another layer of pattern and colour. Batik can be decorated with any pattern, including simple shapes, complex swirls or stunning scenery. The options for creating beautiful fabric are limitless.
Based on the text, what is batik?
- a type of Indonesian tool used to hold hot wax
- a way to make dyes from natural elements
- a process that uses wax and dye to create patterned fabric
- a kind of wax used to create colourful clothing and decorations
Look at the text in bold below. It tells you what batik is.
Two thousand years ago in Indonesia, clothing made from batik fabric was only worn by kings. Now this brightly coloured fabric can be made and used by anyone for clothing and decoration. Batik is the process of decorating fabric using wax and dye. Many cultures have used this process, but the most famous examples come from the Indonesian island of Java. Today, this process is often done using machines, but many people still practise this art by hand.
▶️ Read the text about sandboarding.
In deserts and along coastlines, rolling hills of sand can go on for miles. From a distance, these beautiful dunes often resemble mountain ranges or flowing waves. Sand dunes offer the perfect setting for an exciting sport: sandboarding.
Sandboarding is similar to other board sports, such as surfing and snowboarding. Like a snowboard, the sandboard has straps that hold the boarder’s feet in place and a slick plastic coating on the bottom. To prepare for a run, sandboarders apply slippery wax to the bottom of the boards and strap in. From the top of a dune, sandboarders glide down, making tracks in the sand. Because sandboarders do not have to follow twisting mountain trails, they can go straight down a slope and keep picking up speed. But this increase in speed comes with a price: sand feels harder than water or snow when a person falls.
It takes hours of practice to learn how to balance and move on the uneven sand. Even the walk back up to the top can be difficult. As sandboarders trudge up the sandy hill, their feet sink into the sand with each step. So, falling on the way back up is just as likely as a stumble on the way down.
When practising this sport, it is important to have the necessary protective gear. Sandboarders must protect their skin by using sunscreen and by wearing long clothing. It is also necessary to have goggles or sunglasses. Protective eyewear shields the sandboarder’s eyes from the bright sun and sparkling sand. Even with the proper gear, the sun and heat can be intense. So, it is imperative for sandboarders who are spending a lot of time on the dunes to drink enough water. Despite its challenges, sandboarding offers high-speed thrills in beautiful surroundings.
Based on the text, how is sandboarding different from other board sports?
- Sandboarding is easier because the sand does not move under the athletes’ boards.
- In other sports, athletes use their bodies to control speed and direction, but not in sandboarding.
- The twists and turns on the dunes make sandboarding harder than other sports.
- Athletes can reach faster speeds with sandboarding, but sand can hurt more than water or snow.
Look at the text in bold below. It tells you how sandboarding is different from other board sports.
Sandboarding is similar to other board sports, such as surfing and snowboarding. Like a snowboard, the sandboard has straps that hold the boarder’s feet in place and a slick plastic coating on the bottom. To prepare for a run, sandboarders apply slippery wax to the bottom of the boards and strap in. From the top of a dune, sandboarders glide down, making tracks in the sand. Because sandboarders do not have to follow twisting mountain trails, they can go straight down a slope and keep picking up speed. But this increase in speed comes with a price: sand feels harder than water or snow when a person falls.
▶️ Read the text about capoeira.
Two barefoot people, dressed in simple white clothing, stand in the middle of a circle. Several musicians begin to play a rhythm, and people start to sing. Then the game, or jogo, begins. The group is practising capoeira. Capoeira is a form of martial arts that blends dance, song, acrobatics and athletics.
Capoeira started in Brazil centuries ago. During that time, enslaved Africans were forced to work on Brazilian plantations. On the plantations, the enslaved people developed capoeira as a way to secretly practise fighting. Years later, in the early 1900s, capoeira began to gain widespread popularity. Over time, capoeira teachers began to travel outside of Brazil, setting up schools to train others.
The people who practise capoeira are called capoeiristas. When the capoeiristas face off, they start by doing the ginga, which is a simple swaying move. As the music plays, the capoeiristas perform moves like cartwheels and handstands. Using the beat of the music, they roll, kick and jump with grace and control. Although capoeiristas move like dancers or acrobats, their moves simulate fighting. Capoeiristas gracefully ‘attack’ each other and ‘defend’ themselves without actually touching each other’s bodies. They may swing a leg centimetres from a partner’s chest, but there is no physical contact.
Today, people of all ages practise capoeira. Classes are held in studios, parks and even in universities. To do capoeira well takes years of practice and focus. Capoeira challenges athletes to bend and twist their bodies in all directions. This helps the capoeiristas feel confident and is a great form of exercise. It is no wonder that this sport has been practised for hundreds of years.
What does capoeira include? Select all that apply.
- graceful, controlled movements
- acrobatic moves, like handstands
- singing and making music
- beautiful, detailed costumes
Capoeira includes the following:
✔ graceful, controlled movements The third paragraph explains that capoeiristas move to the music with grace and control.
✔ acrobatic moves, like handstands The third paragraph describes how capoeiristas perform acrobatic moves to the music.
✔ singing and making music The first paragraph says that musicians play instruments and sing to start the jogo.
Capoeira does not include the following:
x beautiful, detailed costumes The first paragraph says that capoeiristas dress in simple white outfits.
let’s practice!
Read the text about pressed flower art.
Sometimes art can be created using the simplest materials. An example of this is pressed flower art, which is made by flattening and drying flowers. Once the flowers are dried, they are beautifully arranged and displayed in vibrant bouquets. The process and tools are simple, but this form of art requires a lot of patience.
When picking flowers to press, you should look for a mix of sizes, shapes and colours. The more variety in plants, the more you can experiment with different arrangements. It is not necessary to collect rare or unusual flowers, however. Common weeds, like dandelions, can make beautiful pressed flower art. This means that flowers can be collected from a garden, a field or a flower shop. But if you are pressing a freshly picked flower, make sure that it is dry. Water droplets can ruin the drying process.
Once the flowers are chosen, the next step is to flatten and dry them. The only supplies you need for this step are heavy books, thick paper and possibly rubber bands. To prepare, fold the paper in half and gently lay the flowers inside. During this step, pay careful attention to the petals, making sure that each one is proudly on display. Next, place the paper inside a heavy book. You may find it necessary to use a rubber band, or other books, to apply more pressure. There must be enough weight to flatten the flower. Then let the flowers dry for at least two weeks.
After enough time has passed, carefully remove the fragile flowers from the book. Then you can choose or create a background to put the flowers on. Next, use glue to adhere each flower to the background. Once the glue is dry, the pressed flower art is ready to display.
