Reading for the Real World 2 Second Edition – Test Bank

Unit 9

Sports and Fitness
Reading Set 1.1
Extreme Sports
For most of us, when we think of sports, we think of joining a volleyball league, playing basketball at a neighborhood court, or (A) [to take / taking] tennis classes at a local fitness club. But for some, sports mean something different: skydiving from an airplane thousands of feet above ground, scaling a tall wall of ice, or snowboarding down the steepest of hills. Such sports are called “extreme sports.” Extreme sports are activities, mostly practiced by young people, (B) [who / that] involve great speed or height, present a certain element of danger, and require specialized equipment, such as a surfboard, airplane, or rock-climbing gear. They are generally not team sports. They are practiced by individuals who, rather than helping a team to victory, push (C) [them / themselves] to their own physical limits, defying personal and environmental obstacles to achieve a personal goal.
Extreme sports have always been considered part of counter-culture.  Disenfranchised youth were fed up with the status quo.  Traditional sports presented a narrow framework, with rules and regulations that seemed oppressive.  Extreme sports gave people the opportunity to do what they wanted, how they wanted.  As extreme sports grow, they add more and more regulations.  For example, instead of going scuba diving, which places an emphasis on safety and the proper use of equipment, why not try free-diving which enables one to reach great underwater depths without the assistance of a breathing apparatus. Instead of jumping over hurdles in a track-and-field race, why not try “free running,” a sport in which participants incorporate natural obstacles, like a wall or a cliff, into their running, resulting in graceful stunts along with speed and agility?
Those who are __________ might wonder what appeal these sports have. Psychologists say that some people actually (A) [dread / crave] the adrenaline rush that comes from such endeavors. Adrenaline is a substance the body produces when a person is in a stressful, dangerous, or frightening situation. It results in an increased heart rate and metabolism, and sweating. (B) [Physically / Psychologically], an adrenaline rush can produce a sense of euphoria that can actually be addictive, like a drug. Psychologists believe that these sports give people the feeling they are unstoppable and able to defy the odds. As a result, there is an incredible sense of accomplishment when a risky or seemingly insurmountable feat is accomplished.
Extreme sports have experienced a great rise in (C) [mishaps / popularity]. The X Games, held every summer and winter, are the Olympics of extreme sports. They are viewed by millions worldwide, and some of the athlete’s faces are the same faces you might see in Olympic events, like snowboarding or ski jumping. Fewer young people take up baseball, soccer, or American football in favor of sports like cave diving, kite surfing, or bungee jumping.
Because they have become so popular, extreme sports are big business, which many athletes lament.  What were once thought of as “fringe” activities have now become mainstream ones.  Corporations have realized that they can make a lot of money by buying expensive advertising time during the X Games or hiring a well-known athlete to endorse a product.  Extreme sport fashion has also become a huge money-maker for corporations.  Although there are no regulated uniforms in extreme sports, the fashion world has influenced what the athletes wear. 
(A) _____ extreme sports may still be unknown to many, they will soon be a part of all of our lives. It is likely that we will soon see these sporting events broadcast as much as basketball or baseball games. Athletes will continue to push the limits of what we ever thought humanly possible (B) _____ the world sits back and watches in admiration, amazement, or possibly horror.
For most of us, when we think of sports, we think of joining a volleyball league, playing basketball at a neighborhood court, or (A) [to take / taking] tennis classes at a local fitness club. But for some, sports mean something different: skydiving from an airplane thousands of feet above ground, scaling a tall wall of ice, or snowboarding down the steepest of hills. Such sports are called “extreme sports.” Extreme sports are activities, mostly practiced by young people, (B) [who / that] involve great speed or height, present a certain element of danger, and require specialized equipment, such as a surfboard, airplane, or rock-climbing gear. They are generally not team sports. They are practiced by individuals who, rather than helping a team to victory, push (C) [them / themselves] to their own physical limits, defying personal and environmental obstacles to achieve a personal goal.
1. Choose the grammatically correct words for (A), (B) and (C).

(A) (B) (C)

 to take that them

 to take who themselves

 taking that themselves

 taking who themselves

 taking that them
2. What is the purpose of this paragraph?

 To explain a new sport

 To describe extreme sports

 To criticize traditional sports

 To cite the danger involved in sports

 To give the history of extreme sports

Extreme sports have always been considered part of counter-culture.  Disenfranchised youth were fed up with the status quo.  Traditional sports presented a narrow framework, with rules and regulations that seemed oppressive.  Extreme sports gave people the opportunity to do what they wanted, how they wanted.  As extreme sports grow, they add more and more regulations.  For example, instead of going scuba diving, which places an emphasis on safety and the proper use of equipment, why not try free-diving which enables one to reach great underwater depths without the assistance of a breathing apparatus. Instead of jumping over hurdles in a track-and-field race, why not try “free running,” a sport in which participants incorporate natural obstacles, like a wall or a cliff, into their running, resulting in graceful stunts along with speed and agility?
3. Choose the sentence that does NOT belong.











4. What is NOT true of extreme sports, according to the passage?

 They are a part of mainstream culture.

 They were started by disenfranchised youths.

 They can be engaged in without the use of equipment.

 They are a reaction to the oppressive rules of traditional sports.

 They give people an opportunity to do what they want, when they want.
Those who are __________ might wonder what appeal these sports have. Psychologists say that some people actually (A) [dread / crave] the adrenaline rush that comes from such endeavors. Adrenaline is a substance the body produces when a person is in a stressful, dangerous, or frightening situation. It results in an increased heart rate and metabolism, and sweating. (B) [Physically / Psychologically], an adrenaline rush can produce a sense of euphoria that can actually be addictive, like a drug. Psychologists believe that these sports give people the feeling they are unstoppable and able to defy the odds. As a result, there is an incredible sense of accomplishment when a risky or seemingly insurmountable feat is accomplished.
Extreme sports have experienced a great rise in (C) [mishaps / popularity]. The X Games, held every summer and winter, are the Olympics of extreme sports. They are viewed by millions worldwide, and some of the athlete’s faces are the same faces you might see in Olympic events, like snowboarding or ski jumping. Fewer young people take up baseball, soccer, or American football in favor of sports like cave diving, kite surfing, or bungee jumping.
5. Choose the words that best fit in the blank.

 unafraid of danger

 not prone to risk-taking

 concerned about exercise

 involved in dangerous sports

 focused on winning championships

6. Choose the correct words for (A), (B) and (C).

(A) (B) (C)

 crave Physically mishaps

 crave Psychologically popularity

 crave Physically popularity

 dread Psychologically popularity

 dread Physically mishaps
Because they have become so popular, extreme sports are big business, which many athletes lament.  What were once thought of as “fringe” activities have now become mainstream ones.  Corporations have realized that they can make a lot of money by buying expensive advertising time during the X Games or hiring a well-known athlete to endorse a product.  Extreme sport fashion has also become a huge money-maker for corporations.  Although there are no regulated uniforms in extreme sports, the fashion world has influenced what the athletes wear. 
(A) _____ extreme sports may still be unknown to many, they will soon be a part of all of our lives. It is likely that we will soon see these sporting events broadcast as much as basketball or baseball games. Athletes will continue to push the limits of what we ever thought humanly possible (B) _____ the world sits back and watches in admiration, amazement, or possibly horror.

7. Where is the best place to insert the sentence below?

The loose, baggy clothing by big-name designers that they wear, along with the accessories such as sunglasses, hats, and gloves, are pricey, lending weight to the argument that extreme sports has “sold out” to corporate greed.











8. Choose the correct words for (A) and (B).

(A) (B)

 Because unless

 Although while

 As while

 Because after

 Although unless
Reading Set 1.2