Larysa Latynina

Larysa Latynina is my favourite Ukrainian sportswoman. She took part in the 16th Olympic Games in 1956 in Melbourne. It was her first Olympic Games, where she won her first gold medal. Larysa Latynina was born in 1934 in Kherson. At school she was fond of gymnastics and became a Master of Sport. She finished a secondary school with a gold medal. Kyiv Institute of Physical Culture was a real school of sportsmanship for Larysa. She also participated in the 17lh and 18lh Olympics. As famous sportswoman she won 18 Olympic medals. Latynina is one of the brightest stars in the history of gymnastics.

Comprehension Check

Task 1. True or false.

1. Olena Latynina is my favourite Ukrainian sportswoman.

2. She won her first gold medal in Sydney.

3. She won her first gold medal in Melbourne.

4. Latynina was born in Poltava.

5. At school she was fond of gymnastics.

6. She finished a secondary school with a silver medal.

7. She also participated in the 17th and 18th Olympics.

8. She won 18 Olympic medals.

9. Latynina is one of the brightest stars in swimming.

10. Latynina is one of the brightest stars in gymnastics history.

Task 2. Make up a story about your favourite Ukrai­nian sportsman.

Text 14

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He Was Only Wrong By Two!

Jack was a football coach at an American college. He always tried to find good football players for his team. Jack trained his players very well. They were good at running, jumping, swimming, rowing and playing different games. They often took part in races and practically always won. All Jack’s players were tall strong men, excellent sportsmen and just nice people. They hardly ever gave him trouble and the college team was the best in their state. Regular training, keeping to a diet and a lot of exercises were very important for the sportsmen. They always followed the coach’s advice and received good and excellent results in all home and international competitions and matches. They seldom lost a game, hardly ever – ended matches in a draw. In fact they practically always won. The only trouble with some of his football players was their bad knowledge of many school subjects because the sportsmen were often poor at Maths or English, and it was not always easy for them to become college students.

One day the coach brought an excellent young football player to the Professor of the college. The Professor had to ask the young player a few questions. The Professor chose very easy questions but the boy couldn’t answer them. At last the Professor asked, “Well what’s five times seven?” the student thought for a long time and then answered: “Thirty six”. The Professor shook his head and looked at the coach. “It‘s impossible! “, he said. “I don’t want to punish your team. I understand he can throw a ball very well but he doesn’t know Mathematics at all. He can’t be a student”, the Professor said. But the coach seriously said, “Oh, please, sir! Let him become a student. He was only wrong by two!”

Comprehension Check

Task 1. Choose the correct answer.

1. Jack was :

1. A football player; b) a coach; c) a professor.

2. He worked at an American:

1. school; b) college; c) university.

3. Jack trained his players :

1. very bad; b) seldom; c) very well.

4. Jack’s players were:

1. excellent sportsmen; b) good student; bad people.

5. The college team was the best in their:

1. city; b) country; c) state.

6. In fact they practically … won.

1. often; b) always; c)usually

7. The only trouble with the sportsmen was:

1. they couldn’t play well; b) their bad knowledge of school subjects; c) their bad behavior.

8. The sportsmen were often poor at:

1. History and English; b) Maths and History; c) Maths and English.

9. The Professor asked the player :

1. How old he was; b) what’s five times seven; c) what his name was.

10. The young man answered:

1. 36; b) 35; c) My name is Jack.

Task 2.Answer the questions.

1. Who was Jack?

2. Where did he work?

3. In what kind of sports were his sportsmen good at?

4. Where did they often take part?

5. What kind of sportsmen were all his players?

6. What were very important for the sportsmen?

7. What was the only trouble with some of his football players?

8. When did the coach bring an excellent young football player to the Professor?

9. What did the Professor ask the player?

10. What did the player answer?

Text 15

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