Swimming

Swimming is the act of moving through water by using the arms and legs. Swimming is a popular form of recreation, an important international sport, and healthy exercise.

People of all ages – from the very young to the elderly – swim for fun. Throughout the world, millions of people enjoy swimming in lakes, oceans, and rivers. Others swim in indoor or outdoor pools. Many schools, recreation centres, hotels, and private clubs have an indoor or outdoor pool. Thousands of communities provide pools for local residents. Many families even have a pool in their garden or backyard.

During the l900's, swimming has become a major competitive sport. Thousands of swimmers compete in swimming galas held by schools, colleges, and swimming clubs. The best international swimmers take part in annual competitions in many parts of the world. Swimming races have always been a highlight of the Summer Olympic Games. Many long-distance swimmers attempt such feats as swimming across the English Channel or across the Cook Strait, between the North Island and the South Island of New Zealand.

Good swimmers can also enjoy various other water sports. Such sports include springboard and platform diving, surfing, water skiing, board sailing, water polo, scuba diving, and synchronized swimming. The ability to swim well makes such sports as fishing and boating safer and more fun. Above all, the ability to swim may save a person's life if there is an emergency in the water.

Swimming is one of the best exercises for keeping physically fit. Swimming improves heart action, aids blood circulation, and helps develop firm muscles.

Vocabulary and Grammar Exercises

Ex. 1. Give the nouns corresponding to these verbs:

swim, dive, surf, ski, sail, fish, boat.

Ex. 2. Continue the lists:

Pools: indoor pool,...

Water sports: diving,...

Ex. 3. Replace the following Russian words and word – combinations by their English equivalents from the text:

получать удовольствие, открытый бассейн, закрытый бассейн, оздоровительный центр, местные жители, праздники, ежегодные соревнования, заплыв, прыжки в воду, подводное плавание, водное поло, синхронное плавание, работа сердца, кровяное давление, мышцы.

Ex. 4. Read the text once more and analyze the use of tenses.

Ex. 5. Insert prepositions (see the text).

1. Swimmers move __________ water __________ using the arms and legs. 2. People __________the very young __________ the elderly swim __________ fun. 3. People swim __________ lakes, oceans, and rivers. 4. Thousands __________ swimmers compete ________ swimming galas held __________ schools, colleges and swimming clubs. 5. Many long-distance swimmers attempt such feats as swimming ____________ the English Channel or ___________ the Cook Strait. 6. There is an emergancy __________ the water. 7. Swimming is one of the best exercises ____________keeping physically fit.

Speech Exercises

Ex. 6. Explain the terms used in swimming:

• swimming;

• indoor pool;

• outdoor pool;

• local residents;

• swimming galas;

• swimming races;

• long-distance swimmer.

Ex. 7. Find proof in the text to support the following statements:

1. Swimming is one of the best exercises for keeping physically fit.

2. People of all ages swim for fun.

3. Swimming has become a major competitive sport.

4. Good swimmers enjoy various water sports.

Ex. 8. What do you think about

• the effect of swimming on people?

• the construction of swimming pools?

• water sports?

• the ability to swim?

Ex. 9. Give extensive answers to these questions:

1. What is swimming? 2. What do people swim for? 3. Where do people swim? 4. When did swimming become a major competitive sport? 5. What competitions do the best swimmers take part in? 6. What other water sports do you know? 7. May the ability to swim save a person's life?

Ex. 10. Speak on the topics:

1. Swimming as the exercise for keeping people physically fit.

2. Swimming as a popular form of recreation.

3. Swimming as an important international sport.