English Conversation - Outdoor Games

Ranjan and Niren are discussing the recent sports events that they have witnessed.

Niren : What did you do during the weekend?

Ranjan : I had a great time. A friend of mine is in the Army. On Saturday he took me to see the Inter Battalion Athletics held at the Army Stadium

Niren : I too saw an Athletic meet some years ago, when I was in college. What did you see?

Ranjan : This was the last day of competitions which had been going on for a week. There were three teams competing. At first, there was a thrilling march-past. All the athletes marched past the saluting dais looking proud, smart and well-built. They were so full of enthusiasm that one’s blood coursed wildly.

Niren : How many events were held? Usually, on the final day only the short distance races are run.

Ranjan : That is true. The finals for the 100, 200, 400, and 800 meters were held. There were relay races as well as hurdles and steeple-chase. The finalists for the field events like javelin-throw, discus-throw and shot-put were also performing in the centre of the field. Long-jump, pole vault and high jump were judged at the far end of the field.

Niren : How did they manage to carry out so many events at the same time?

Ranjan : The tracks for the track events like races and hurdles were marked at the outer edge of the field. A space was left for the discus throw in another section of the sports stadium. Each event had its own officials-the starter, time keeper and a judge. In this way, in a matter of three hours a number of finals were held.

Niren : What about sports like hockey, boxing, basketball and volleyball?

Ranjan : These sports are not included in athletics. The long distance races like the marathon race, 1500 meters and 10,000 meters had already been held. The function ended with the prize distribution. The winning team was really triumphant but there was an exhibition of real sporting spirit. The losers were not despondent or quarrel some or complaining. The winners shook hands with the losers. The losing team sportingly acknowledged the excellence of the winning team. It was a remarkable display of good sportsmanship.

Niren : I too went to see a football match. It was a match between two local teams.

Ranjan : How did you enjoy the match? Was it a tame affair?

Niren : Considering that all the players were amateurs and not professionals the match was of quited a high standard. In fact I feel that a couple of players had great potential.

Ranjan : My favourite game at school was cricket

Niren : Do you still play cricket?

Ranjan : No. It takes up too much time. I had taken economics in college and couldn’t afford to spend so much time practising and playing cricket.

Ranjan : That is true. And our national game is hockey at which we excelled till a few years ago.

Niren : Yes, but cricket is one of the most popular games in India, judging from the interest of people in listening to cricket commentaries.

(B) VOCABULARY

Sport skipping
Leap jump-suit
Kite unfair

Phrases

A strong wind fair play
Run like the wind to take a headstart
Hide and seek high in the air

Meanings

Dais - a low platform
Coursed - ran swiftly
Despondent - sad
Excellence - very good result
Remarkable - out of the ordinary, worthy of being noticed
Tame - lacking spirit, uninteresting, domesticated.
Amateur - one who undertakes a sport as a pastime.
Professional - one who is skilled and follows an occupation to earn a living
Potential - capable of doing well

(C) Study the following responses:

1. What is the difference between track and field events?
Response: Track events are those sporting events which are played out and run along the tracks, such as the races steeple-chase hurdles,walking races, relay races, etc. The field events are those which do not use tracks but are held in an open field. A pit is required for sports like the jumps. An open space is required for the throws.

2. Where did the idea of Olymic games originate?
Response: The idea of Olympic games originated in Greece. The marathon race is the most important event at the Olympics. This is based on the story of a young Greek who ran a great distance to report the attack of an enemy force against his country. It is to honour this hero and the country where the idea of the games originated that a team of the athletes bring the Olympic flame from the valley of Olympia, in Greece, to wherever the Olympic Games are being held. The Greek flag is always hoisted near the Olympic torch.

(D) Make suitable responses:

1 A list of words is given. Indicate as to which game each word refers to referee, goal, stumps, umpire, bowler catch, bowl, kick, throw, score.
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2 Which events in an Athletics meet would interest you most ? Why?
Response _____________________________________________________
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