A. A Visit to the Spartak Stadium

(In the hotel lounge)

Gromov: Hello, Mr Adams.

Mr Adams: Hello. It’s a beautiful morning, isn’t it?

G: Yes, it’s warm and sunny. How are you today? You had a very busy day yesterday, didn’t you?

A: Oh, yes. But I had a good night sleep and I’m OK now. What shall we start with?

G: What about visiting the "Spartak" Stadium? It’s a stadium for children and teenagers.

A: No objection. Is it far from here?

G: No, it’ll take us about fifteen minutes to get there. It’s Sunday today and we’ll see a lot of children training there. There are some sports events, too, I’m sure.

(In the car)

A: How do your children’s sports clubs function? Who is admitted to them?

G: All sports clubs in this country are supported by the state and trade unions. Any child can be admitted to the club.

A: What’s the fee?

G: No fee at all, it’s free of charge.

A: Do you mean to say parents don’t have to pay for coaching at all?

G: That’s right.

A: Is this the only stadium for children in Moscow?

G: No, there are children’s sports clubs in every stadium. Here we are. Let’s get out and walk round the stadium.

(In the stadium)

Mr Adams and Gromov watch boys playing a game of basketball.

A: I wonder what the score is.

G:(asks boys watching the game): 35 : 33.

A: Both teams are pretty good and the boys are on form. One can see they’re enjoying the game.

G: Yes. Playing a game is the best kind of relaxation for children, I believe.

A: It certainly is. I think sport is the best kind of relaxation for any age.

Gromov and Mr Adams walk round the stadium stopping here and there to watch children play football, volleyball, tennis, etc. Then they watch children compete in track and field events.

A: Thank you very much. That was a most enjoyable visit.

В. Sport in British Schools

(Talk between Michael Kovrov, a Russian coach, and George Smith, a British coach)

Michael: What kinds of sports do you have in British schools?

George: Oh, various kinds. Most secondary schools offer some opportunity for playing chief team games. Football is usually played in winter at boys’ schools and cricket in summer. Some schools play only rugger and some only soccer. Girls play tennis and rounders (a sort of baseball) in summer ang hockey in winter, though hockey is becoming more and more popular also at boys’ schools.

Michael: And what about athletics? Are there any facilities for athletic sports?

George: Yes, there are also facilities for some athletic sports.

Michael: I have the impression that most British schools pay a great deal of attention to sport.

George: Oh yes. British teachers think that sport plays a large part in the training not only of the body but of the character, too.

Michael: That’s what Russian teachers think, too.

George: I know sport is very popular in this country. A lot of world records were established by our sportsmen.

Michael: I’d say we’re a sports-loving nation.

C. At the Doctor’s⁽¹⁾

1) At the Physician’s

Doctor: Good morning.

Ann: Good morning, Doctor⁽²⁾.

Doctor: Ah, here’s your form. Petrova, isn’t it?

Ann: That’s right, Doctor, Ann Petrova.

Doctor: Well, what’s the trouble?

Ann: I feel hot and feverish and I’ve got a sore throat.

Doctor: Now, let’s have a look at you. Slip off your coat and blouse. I’d like to listen to your chest. Breathe in then cough. That’s it. Now again. Thank you. Now I’ll take your temperature. Put it (the thermometer) under your tongue. Well, it is a bit high. We’ll have to do something about it, won’t we? Have you been coughing much?

Ann: Yes, quite a lot, and sneezing.

Doctor: I want to examine your throat. Open wide. Say "Ah".

Ann: Aaaaahh.

Doctor: Yes, it does look a bit sore. You’ve got a cold but not a very bad one. You’d better have a couple of days in bed⁽³⁾.

Ann: What about the throat, Doctor?

Doctor: I’m giving you a course of antibiotics. Take one capsule every four hours⁽⁴⁾. Here’s the prescription.

Ann: Thank you, Doctor. Goodbye.