Before You Read

Work with a partner. Discuss the following questions.

(Làm việc với một bạn học. Thảo luận các câu hỏi sau.)

1. How often are the Asian Games held?

(Đại hội thể thao Châu Á được tổ chức bao lâu một lần?)

2. How many countries take part in the Asian Games?

(Có bao nhiêu quốc gia tham gia Đại hội thể thao Châu Á?)

3. What sports is Vietnam best at?

(Môn thể thao nào là thế mạnh của Việt Nam?)

While you read          

Read the passage and then do the tasks that follow.

(Đọc bài và sau đó làm bài tập kèm theo.)

The Asian Games, which take place every four years, are held for the purpose of developing intercultural knowledge and friendship within Asia. In this multi-sport event, young people from all over Asia gather together to compete. It is an occasion when strength and sports skills are tested; friendship and solidarity are built and promoted.

During their five-decade history, the Asian Games have been advancing in all aspects. The number of participants has been increasing. The quality of athletes, officials and sports facilities has also been developing through time. New sports and traditional sports have been introduced and added to the Games. The 1^st Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India in 1951. Only 489 athletes from 11 nations took part in the Games. The six sports events at the first Games were basketball, cycling, football, aquatic sports, athletics and weightlifting. Boxing, shooting and wrestling were added at the 2^nd Asian Games in Manila, the Philippines in 1954; and tennis, volleyball, table tennis and hockey were added at the 3^rd Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan in 1958. Squash, rugby, fencing and mountain biking were introduced for the first time at the 13^th Asian Games in Bangkok. Thailand in 1998.

The 14^th Asian Games, which were held in Busan, Korea in 2002, attracted 9,919 participants from 44 countries. The athletes competed in 38 different sports and won 427 gold medals. The Vietnamese participants took part in this event with great enthusiasm. Their efforts were much appreciated when they won 2 gold medals in bodybuilding and billiards, and 2 others in women’s karatedo. It is hoped that in the near future, Vietnam will become a host country and receive more medals in a variety of sports events.

Task 1. The words in the box all appear in the passage. Fill each blank with a suitable word.

(Những từ trong khung xuất hiện trong đoạn văn. Điền vào chỗ trống một từ thích hợp.)

1. The hotel has special ______ for disabled athletes.

2. Swimming and water skiing are both ______ sports.

3. He never lost his ______ for training athletes.

4. I will make every ______ to arrive on time.

5. Our sports performances have been ______ considerably over recent years.

6. Your help was greatly ______.

Task 2. Scan the passage and match the following sentences.

(Đọc lướt qua và hoàn thành các câu sau đây.)

Task 3. Answer the questions.

(Trả lời các câu hỏi.)

1. What is the purpose of the Asian Games?

(Mục đích của Đại hội thể thao Châu Á là gì?)

2. How many countries took part in the 14^th Asian Games?

(Có bao nhiêu  nước tham dự Đại hội thể thao Châu Á  lần thứ 14?)

3. In which sports events did the Vietnamese athletes win gold medals at the Busan Games?

(Các vận động viên Việt Nam đã giành huy chương vàng ở các môn thi đấu nào tại Thế vận hội Busan?)

After you read

Work in groups. Talk about the history of the Asian Games.

(Làm việc theo nhóm. Nói về lịch sử của Đại hội Thể thao châu Á.)