Post-reading exercises

Ex. 1. Replace the following Russian words and word combinations with their English equivalents from the text:

средняя школа, выносливость, подвижные игры, основные навыки, мышца, состояние организма, диплом учителя, мышечный тонус, соревнования, физическое воспитание, активный отдых, двигательные навыки, физические упражнения, учебный план, делать акцент, уверенный, физическая подготовленность, сустав, гибкость, настойчивый.

Ex. 2. Make as many word combinations as possible.

physical technical military competitive basic

fitness activities training skills education

Ex. 3. Fill in the gaps with the words from the word-box below and translate the sentences into Russian.

1.	Physical education is the part of the school … that instructs students in body movements, sports and games, and other physical … .
2.	Sports shares the general ideals and … of education.
3.	People taking part in games and physical activities become more … and … .
4.	Health is more than … from physical disease.
5.	In primary school physical education courses emphasize participation and cooperation rather than … .
6.	Physical education courses help build up physical … .
7.	Students learn to work either as part of a team, or as individuals in a wide … of competitive activities.
8.	Sports shares the general ideals and goals of education, which are also the basis of … and fair play principles.
9.	Students learn exactly what level of strenuous physical activity their bodies can … .
10.	The … of P.E. teacher is vital when developing students’ motor skills.

goals withstand freedom persistent guidance activities

sportsmanship curriculum confident competition fitness variety

Ex. 4. Complete the following statements. Choose one of the alternatives and translate the sentences.

1.	Physical education at school instructs students …	a.	in reading literature on sports
		b.	in body movements, sports and games, and other physical activities
		c.	In their actions in emergency situations
2.	Physical education is a very important element of …	a.	professional growth
		b.	competition schedule
		c.	military training
3.	At some colleges and universities physical education courses are …	a.	optional
		b.	compulsory
		c.	complicated
4.	Physical activities help develop …	a.	student’s technical abilities
		b.	student’s memory
		c.	student’s motor skills
5.	When we call people athletic we mean that they …	a.	are well-built and graceful
		b.	have health problems
		c.	look strange

Ex. 5. Look through Text 2A and find sentences where personal, possessive, demonstrative and indefinite pronouns are used. Translate the sentences with them into Russian.

Ex. 6. Write down your extensive comments on the following statements about the main objectives of physical education.

• Today physical education is an integral part of the education process.

• PE programmes are directed to develop various physical qualities and skills.

• Physical activities influence moral development of a person.

Task 2. Check if these words and word combinations from Text 2B are known to you. If not, try to memorize them.

integral a		неотъемлемый
ancient a		древний, античный
magnificence n		великолепие
bring a return		вернуть
introduce v		вводить, представить
routine n		программа
substitute v		заменить, заместить
minor a		незначительный
ant. major		главный, крупный
substantially adv		существенно, значительно
extensive research		всесторонние исследования
design v		разрабатывать
disability n		инвалидность, нетрудоспособность

Task 3. Read Text 2B to know how physical education began.

Text 2B

THE HISTORY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The beginning of physical education can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who had organized physical education programmes by the 700s B.C.¹ At educational establishments called gymnasia, Greek boys practiced in discus and javelin throwing, jumping, running and wrestling². They also received instruction in mathematics, philosophy and rhetoric³.

The Greeks emphasized the idea of harmony of body and mind in education. This involved the harmonious development of the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of human personality. Physical education was considered an integral component of the educational programme. Besides strength and courage the Greeks’ ideals included grace and beauty of movement and other moral aspects. The sport festivals in ancient Greece celebrated magnificence of movement.

Although physical education was also an integral part of the general education in Roman Empire, its primary value was in military training. Later civilizations used physical training mostly for military purposes, too.

In Europe throughout the Middle Ages⁴ (from the 400s to the 1500s), the spiritual education and aesthetics were viewed most important, and physical and social aspects of human development were almost neglected, and sports and other physical activities were considered sinful⁵. However, during the Renaissance⁶, which lasted from the 1300s to the 1600s, a revival of interest in Greek and Roman culture brought a return to competitive and fitness sports and bodybuilding activities.

From the period of Enlightenment⁷ to the twentieth century, education primarily emphasized intellectual development. However, the necessity of physical education in the form of natural play or organised activities, such as gymnastics and games, was emphasized in writings of Locke, Rousseau, and Spencer⁸. During the twentieth century the philosophy of education began to change toward the return of the Greek ideals of balance and harmony between mind and body.

In the 1800s physical education programmes were introduced into schools in Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. German and Swedish programmes emphasized gymnastics and exercise routines. The British programmes stressed team sports. The U.S. programmes borrowed from all these European sources.

During the first decades of the twentieth century rigid gymnastic programmes dominated in school syllabuses⁹, but later in 1930s gymnastics was almost completely substituted by games as they were considered to be most important for socializing children. Only minor attention was given to skill and physical development.

From the early 1940s and until the late 1960s physical education programmes were changed substantially. Increased attention was given to the professional preparation of specialists in physical education as well as classroom teachers. Extensive research in such areas as growth and development, motor learning, and physical performance led to the creation of balanced programmes of physical activities for all levels of education. However, a special emphasis was still placed on physical fitness. Another very important development in the 1900s was the large-scale provision of physical education courses for girls and for people with disabilities.

In recent years PE programmes have been designed to develop in each child knowledge, skill, health, and fitness, and a positive attitude toward participation in recreational activities that can be continued throughout life.

Notes:

¹ by the 700s B.C. – к 8 веку до нашей эры;

² practiced in discus and javelin throwing, jumping, running and wrestling – упражнялись в метании диска и копья, прыжках, беге и борьбе;

³ rhetoric n – риторика, ораторское искусство;

⁴ throughout the Middle Ages – в средние века;

⁵ were considered sinful – считались грехом;

⁶ during the Renaissance – в эпоху Возрождения;

⁷ the period of Enlightenment – эпоха Просвещения;

⁸ Locke, Rousseau, and Spencer – Локк, Руссо и Спенсер (философы и мыслители эпохи Просвещения);

⁹ rigid gymnastic programmes dominated in school syllabuses – в школьных программах преобладали сложные гимнастические упражнения.