Good sportsmen

Mike and Kate are friends. They are eight and they are the pupils of the second form. They have a lot of hobbies. Kate likes to read books, watch TV, listen to music, and help her mother about the house. She also likes to learn English. As for Mike, he likes sport very much. He goes in for football and he is a good football player. Mike also likes running, jumping and swimming. Kate likes sport too. She goes in for gymnastics and plays tennis a little. But most of all she likes winter sports. She can ski and skate very well. Mike likes to ski too and they often go skiing together.

Mike and Kate are good friends and good sportsmen. They are strong and healthy children.

Comprehension Check

Task 1.True or false.

1. Nick and Kate are friends.

2. They are eight.

3. Kate likes to play computer.

4. She also likes to learn English.

5. Mike doesn’t like sport.

6. He goes in for basketball.

7. Kate likes sport too.

8. She goes in for swimming.

9. She can ski and skate very well.

10. Kate and mike are strong and healthy children.

Task 2. Choose the correct answer.

1. Mike and Kate are the pupils of…

1. the first form; b) the second form; c) the third form.

2. They have a lot of…

1. hobbies; b) books; c) friends.

3. Kate also likes to learn …

1. Spanish; b) German; c) English.

4. Who likes sport very much?

1. Nick; b) Mike; c) Kate.

5. Who likes to read books?

1. Nick; b) Mike; c) Kate.

6. Mike goes in for…

1. tennis; b) volley – ball; c) football.

7. Kate goes in for …

1. gymnastics; b) swimming; c) running.

8. But most of all Kate likes …

1. summer sports; b) spring sports; c) winter sports.

9. Mike and Kate like … together.

1. to skate; b) to ski; c) to sledge.

10. They are …

1. unhappy children; b) good basketball players; c) healthy children.

Text 18

Read the text.

Sliding on the ice

By Ch. Dickens

Sam Weller was displaying that beautiful feat of fancy sliding, which is popularly called “Knocking at the cobber’s door”, and which is achieved by skimming over the ice on the foot, and occasionally giving a knock upon it with the other. It was a good long slide, and there was something in the motion which Mr. Pickwick, who was very cold with standing still, could not help envying.

“It looks a nice warm exercise, doesn’t it?” asked Mr. Pickwick.

“Oh, it does, indeed!” replied Mr. Wardle. “Do you slide?”

“I used to do it so when I was a boy”, answered Mr. Pickwick.

“Try it now”, said Mr. Wardle.

“Oh, do, please, Mr. Pickwick”, cried all ladies.

“I should be happy to afford you any amusement”, replied Mr. Pickwick, “but I haven’t done such a thing these thirty years.”

“Pooh! Pooh! Nonsense!” said Mr. Wardle. “Here, I’ll keep you company, come along”.

Mr. Pickwick paused, considered, pulled off his gloves and put them in his hat, took two or three short runs, balked himself as slowly and gravely down the slide with his feet about a yard and a quarter apart, amidst the gratified shouts of all spectators.

Comprehension Check

Task 1. True or False.

1. Sam Weller was demonstrating that beautiful feat of fancy skimming over the ice.

2. A beautiful feat of skating called ““Knocking at the cobber’s door” is achieved by sliding on the both feet.

3. Mr. Pickwick could not help envying Sam Weller because he got chilled to the bones.

4. Mr. Pickwick used to slide when he was a boy.

5. Mr. Pickwick hadn’t slid for about thirteen years.

6. Mr. Pickwick paused, thought and put his gloves and hat on.

7. He seemed very enthusiastic about skating down the slide.

Task 2. Complete the sentences.

1. Sam Weller was displaying …

2. That feat of fancy skating was achieved by …

3. Mr. Pickwick was cold with …

4. He could not help ….

5. Mr. Pickwick hesitated because…

6. When you want to please or amuse somebody, you may say, “…..”.

7. Mr. Pickwick went slowly and gravely down the slide with…

Task 3. Choose the correct answer.

1. Sam Weller was displaying that beautiful feat of fancy skating called …

1. “Knocking at the cobber’s door”;

2. “Knocking at the shoe repairer’s door”;

3. “Knocking at the plumber’s door”;

4. “Knocking at the caddy’s door”.

2. All the people were skating on a good long…

1. glade;

2. slime;

3. slide;

4. slope.

3. When Mr. Pickwick saw Sam Weller sliding, he could not help …

1. begrudging him;

2. befriending him;

3. belittling him;

4. beckoning him.

4. Mr. Pickwick would be happy to amuse …

1. all the young ladies;

2. his friends;

3. all the ladies;

4. himself.

5. In case Mr. Pickwick was sliding, … would keep him company …

1. Sam Weller;

2. all the ladies;

3. Mr. Wardle;

4. all his friends.

6. At last Mr. Pickwick took another run and went slowly and gravely down the slide with his feet … apart.

1. about a yard;

2. about a yard and a quarter;

3. about a yard and a half;

4. about a yard and three quarters.

7. Mr. Pickwick … when he saw a boy.

1. used to skate;

2. was used to skate;

3. got used to skate;

4. used skates.