LET'S READ ABOUT SPORTS

Homework: Weighing the pros and cons of working out at a gym

Bài tập về nhà: Cân nhắc ưu và nhược điểm của việc tập thể dục tại phòng gym

^[1] With every New Year's Day, it is easy to set new goals for better health. For example, "I am going to start exercising." However, it is more difficult to begin. The first problem in reaching my health goals is where to exercise: at home or at a gym.

^[2] There are many benefits to working out at a gym. I agree! But it's easy to stay at home because I forget or I am lazy. On the other hand, it's also easy to set up a gym at home. But then I often think of other things I have to do, and then I am too busy to work out.

^[3] The decision to join a gym is not easy. I need to think about the pros (the reasons to do it) as well as the cons (the reasons to not do it). Then I can make the best choice for me.

^[4] The main reason for joining a gym is that it is fun to work out with other people. It's never boring! I can take classes, or I can just visit with other people as we work out. It's good motivation. In other words, it makes me want to exercise. And I can ask a lot of questions about how to exercise correctly.

^[5] The gym also has a lot of things that I don't have at home, such as a swimming pool. And a gym is only for working out. I won't see the dishes to wash in the kitchen or the weeds to pull in the garden.

^[6] There are some cons to joining a gym. A big one is the cost. Gyms are expensive. I also have to drive to the gym, and I don't like traffic. And sometimes I want to work out alone, but the gym always has a lot of people. I sometimes have to wait to use a machine, too. I never have to wait at home.

^[7] It is not an easy choice. In the end, I think I will choose a special program. I will pay only when I go to the gym. It costs a little more for each visit. But I also won't pay if I don't go. So I won't waste money! At least, that's my goal!

Homework Questions / Câu hỏi bài tập về nhà

Instructions: Read the article above, then answer the questions below.

Hướng dẫn: Đọc bài viết trên, sau đó trả lời các câu hỏi bên dưới.

1. The writer uses some words a lot. Which two words do you see the most in the article on page 62?
Người viết sử dụng một số từ rất nhiều. Hai từ nào bạn thấy nhiều nhất trong bài viết ở trang 62?
(A) classes and goals
(B) gym and home
(C) pets and gardens
(D) machine and swimming pool

2. What is the topic of the article?
Chủ đề của bài viết là gì?
(A) setting health goals
(B) saving time and money
(C) when to exercise
(D) where to work out

3. Which sentence is the main idea of the whole article?
Câu nào là ý chính của toàn bộ bài viết?
(A) "With every New Year's Day, it is easy to set new goals for better health." (paragraph 1)
(B) "The first problem in reaching my health goals is where to exercise: at home or at a gym." (paragraph 1)
(C) "The main reason for joining a gym is that it is fun to work out with other people." (paragraph 4)
(D) "In the end, I think I will choose a special program." (paragraph 7)

4. This story compares/contrasts ____ and ____.
Câu chuyện này so sánh/đối chiếu ____ và ____.
(A) workout at home; workout at gym
(B) swimming and lifting weights
(C) football and soccer
(D) working hard and being lazy

5. Match the word with its synonym:
Nối từ với từ đồng nghĩa của nó:
(A) pros → advantages / cons → disadvantages / decision → choice / gym → health club
(B) pros → choice / cons → advantages / decision → disadvantages / gym → health club
(C) pros → disadvantages / cons → advantages / decision → choice / gym → health club
(D) pros → choice / cons → disadvantages / decision → advantages / gym → health club

6. Scan the article. What is the main reason to join a gym?
Đọc quét bài viết. Lý do chính để tham gia phòng gym là gì?
(A) I will spend a lot of money.
(B) I can use a swimming pool.
(C) I can work out with other people.
(D) I can forget about exercise.

7. Look at paragraph 6. What does the pronoun "one" mean?
Nhìn vào đoạn 6. Đại từ "one" có nghĩa là gì?
(A) a con
(B) a pro
(C) a gym
(D) an exercise

Transform: Venn Diagram - Gym vs Home

Chuyển đổi: Biểu đồ Venn - Phòng gym vs Nhà

Work with a partner. Complete the diagram below. Compare and contrast working out at the gym and working out at home. Add your own information. Answers will vary.

Làm việc với bạn cùng lớp. Hoàn thành biểu đồ bên dưới. So sánh và đối chiếu việc tập thể dục tại phòng gym và tại nhà. Thêm thông tin của bạn. Câu trả lời sẽ khác nhau.

Discuss / Thảo luận

Work in small groups. What sport is most popular in your country? Search the internet for a picture of the sport. Show your picture to your classmates. Describe the sport. Answers will vary.

Làm việc theo nhóm nhỏ. Môn thể thao nào phổ biến nhất ở đất nước của bạn? Tìm kiếm trên internet một bức ảnh về môn thể thao đó. Cho bạn cùng lớp xem ảnh của bạn. Mô tả môn thể thao đó. Câu trả lời sẽ khác nhau.

• What is the name of the sport?
• How do you play it?
• How many players are there?
• Is it a team sport or an individual sport?
• Do you like this sport? Why or why not?

Sample Answers / Câu trả lời gợi ý

✔ The most popular sport in Vietnam is soccer (football).
✔ Two teams of 11 players try to score goals by kicking a ball into the opponent's net.
✔ It is a team sport.
✔ Yes, I like soccer because it is exciting, fast-paced, and brings people together.
✔ Some other popular sports in Vietnam are badminton, volleyball, and martial arts.