Pushing the Limits

Activity Challenge

Answer

New Words

1. Adequate

   • Meaning: Good enough; sufficient.
   • Example: The amount of water in the bottle is adequate for the hike.

2. Advance

   • Meaning: To move forward or make progress.
   • Example: He took an extra class to advance in his studies.

3. Astonish

   • Meaning: To surprise greatly.
   • Example: The magician's tricks never fail to astonish the audience.

4. Bear in mind

   • Meaning: To remember or consider.
   • Example: Bear in mind that you need to finish your homework before you play.

5. Boost their performance

   • Meaning: To improve how well they do something.
   • Example: Practicing every day can boost their performance in sports.

6. Bouncy

   • Meaning: Able to bounce; lively and energetic.
   • Example: The bouncy ball kept jumping around the room.

7. Desire

   • Meaning: A strong wish for something.
   • Example: She has a strong desire to travel the world.

8. Devote

   • Meaning: To give time or effort to something.
   • Example: He decided to devote his weekends to volunteering at the shelter.

9. Enable

   • Meaning: To make something possible.
   • Example: A good education can enable you to achieve your dreams.

10. Overdo

• Meaning: To do too much of something.
• Example: Be careful not to overdo it with the decorations for the party.

12. Highly nutritious

    • Meaning: Very good for your health; rich in nutrients.
    • Example: Spinach is highly nutritious and should be included in your diet.

13. Sprinter

• Meaning: A person who runs short distances very fast.
• Example: The sprinter won the 100-meter race at the school sports day.

Jessie Owens

Usain Bolt

Comprehension Question Answers

The article discusses the advancements in sporting achievements over the last century, focusing on the Olympics. It highlights the role of technology and other factors in breaking records and improving athlete performance.

Olympic Motto and Achievements:

The Olympic motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger" has been reflected in sporting achievements over the last century.

Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile record in 1954, but the current record is 17 seconds faster.

The 2016 Olympic marathon winner completed the race 50 minutes faster than the winner of the 1896 marathon.

Comparison Between Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt:

Jesse Owens set a 100-meter record of 10.2 seconds in 1936, while Usain Bolt ran it in 9.58 seconds in 2009.

A split-second difference is crucial in breaking records.

Owens ran on a dirt track, whereas Bolt used a modern track with a bouncy, non-slip surface.

Impact of Modern Technology on Sports:

• Analysis suggests that Owens would have been less than a step behind Bolt if he had raced on a modern track and used advanced shoes.
• New records are not solely the result of improved human ability, but advancements in technology and equipment have made a significant difference.

Technological Advances in Swimming:

• Swimming pools now have gutters to prevent waves from slowing swimmers.
• Special swimsuits reduce water drag, and pool depth and temperature are optimized to improve speed.
• 25 world records were broken at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showcasing the role of advanced pool design.

Use of Technology to Improve Athletic Performance:

• Athletes now wear devices that record running speed, heart rate, and other physiological data.
• This data helps identify potential health problems and injuries early, allowing for quicker treatment and prevention.
• For example, Neymar's sprint data during the 2016 Olympics showed he was overexerting, preventing possible injury.

Lifestyle Differences Between Past and Present Athletes:

• Past athletes like Roger Bannister and Jesse Owens had to balance their training with jobs or studies, while modern athletes like Usain Bolt receive full-time training and personalized support.
• Bolt’s team ensured he followed a strict fitness regime, got adequate rest, and even had a personal cook for nutritious meals.

Conclusion:

• Sports have become an industry driven by competitiveness, human nature, and modern technology.
• Despite these advancements, the desire to move faster, reach higher, and become stronger remains a core driving force in athletics.

Vocabulary Note:

• The antonym of "insufficient" found in the text is "adequate." (related to Usain Bolt’s training and rest).

Key Points

1. Comparison of Past and Present Athletes:

   • Jesse Owens vs. Usain Bolt:
     • Owens set a 100-meter record of 10.2 seconds in 1936.
     • Bolt completed the same distance in 9.58 seconds in 2009.
     • Modern tracks and shoes give present-day athletes a significant advantage. Owens' performance was on a dirt track, while Bolt ran on a modern, bouncy, non-slip surface.
     • Analysis suggests Owens would have been close to Bolt’s time under modern conditions.

2. Technological Advancements:

   • New technology has revolutionized sports, providing better training conditions and equipment.
   • In swimming, modern pools have gutters to prevent wave drag and special swimsuits to reduce water resistance.
   • The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw 25 world records broken in a pool designed for maximum speed.

3. Data and Training:

   • Athletes now use devices that record physiological data (e.g., heart rate, running speed).
   • This data helps in optimizing training, identifying health issues, and preventing injuries.
   • Example: Neymar's sprint data at the 2016 Olympics helped prevent potential muscle damage.

4. Lifestyle Differences:

   • Historical athletes like Roger Bannister and Jesse Owens had to balance their sports with other responsibilities (e.g., Bannister was a medical student).
   • Modern athletes often have access to full-time training, better nutrition, and overall support, enhancing their performance.

5. Competitive Nature:

   • Despite technological advances, the intrinsic human drive to compete and excel remains a significant factor in achieving new records.

Section C

C. 1. a. the sports achievement of setting new world records

b. by comparing the performance of two sprinters who were Olympic

medallists – Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt 

2. a. Technological advances have provided modern day athletes with beter

tools to boost their performance. Devices that record data like running

speed and heart rate are useful in providing instant feedback to the coaches

and the athlete.

b. “And Jesse Owens was investing most of his time earning a living to pay his

university tuition fees, between breaking records. Compare this with Usain

Bolt, who received the finest full-time training possible throughout his

career.” 

3. a. advancement in technology

b. One is the fact that gutters are now built at the sides of the pools to prevent waves from slowing the swimmers down. Another is the special swimsuits that are designed to reduce the drag or the slowing-down force of water

    Section D

D. 1. by always striving to move faster, reach higher and become stronger

2. Athletes can now wear devices that record their running speed and

physiological data such as heart rate, providing instant feedback to athletes and

coaches. This helps identify and treat health problems or injuries quickly and can

boost performance by providing specific data for analysis and improvement.

3. Data analysis revealed that Neymar had done a higher than average number of

sprints, which could lead to extreme tiredness and muscle damage. He was

advised to slow down to avoid injury.

4. New records in athletics have been significantly affected by advances in technology and training conditions rather than just changes in human ability. Modern tracks, shoes, training data, and improved lifestyle and support systems for athletes have all contributed to the breaking of old records.

Section E

1.   The text shows that the competitive nature of humankind is a key factor in sports achievements. 

It highlights how athletes have always strived to be the best, like Roger Bannister and Jesse Owens, who broke records despite tough conditions. 

Advances in technology and better training methods help athletes perform even better today, but the drive to be "Faster, Higher, Stronger" remains a constant motivation.

 The text concludes that the desire to compete and excel will always push athletes to achieve new heights in sports.

3. Sports should focus equally on being fair, playing by the rules, and being good to others, as well as on running faster, jumping higher, and getting stronger. This makes sure the games are honest and fun, helps athletes set good examples, keeps everyone safe and healthy, and gives everyone a fair chance to win. By valuing both good behaviour and great performances, sports can stay a positive and enjoyable activity for everyone.

STORY WRITING

Introduction

• Describe the main character and the initial situation.
• Introduce the event that catches the character's attention.

Discovery and Initial Reaction

• Describe what the main character finds and their initial thoughts or feelings about it.
• Include any actions the character takes immediately after the discovery.

Dilemma and Decision

• Present the character's internal conflict about the discovery.
• Describe how the character decides to resolve the conflict.

Resolution and Outcome

• Detail the actions taken to resolve the situation.
• Describe the outcome and how the characters feel about it.

Story 1

As Sarah was walking home from the park, she noticed something shiny on the sidewalk. Curious, she stopped to take a closer look.

To her surprise, it was a leather wallet with a few bills peeking out. She glanced around, but the street was empty. Hesitating for a moment, she picked it up and hurried home.

At home, Sarah opened the wallet and found an ID card inside. She felt a pang of guilt thinking about the person who had lost it. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to contact the owner.

Sarah looked up the owner's name on social media and sent them a message. Later that evening, she received a grateful reply. They met the next day, and the owner, Mr. Thompson, was relieved and thankful. Sarah felt happy and proud of her decision to return the wallet.

Story 2

One sunny afternoon, Emily was playing in her backyard when she saw something glimmering in the grass. She knelt down to investigate.

It was a delicate silver bracelet, intricately designed. Emily's first thought was that it looked expensive. She looked around but didn't see anyone nearby who might have dropped it. She decided to keep it safe and ran inside.

Inside, Emily wondered who the bracelet might belong to. She thought about keeping it, but then she imagined how upset the owner might be. She told her parents, who suggested they ask the neighbours if anyone had lost it.

Emily and her parents visited the neighbouring houses, asking about the bracelet. Finally, an elderly lady named Mrs. Watson recognized it as her granddaughter's. Mrs. Watson was overjoyed and thanked Emily profusely. Emily felt a warm sense of satisfaction for doing the right thing.

The Mystery Box

As soon as Sakshi walked into her classroom, she noticed the box on her desk. She was curious about what could be inside and who might have left it there. She was excited and couldn’t wait to find out more.

At first, she thought it might be a surprise from her best friend, Priya. They often exchanged little gifts, but this box seemed different. Later on, during recess, Sakshi carefully opened the box. Inside, she found a beautiful, hand-painted diary with a lock and key. Then, she wondered who could have known about her love for writing and art.

When she realized that it might have been a secret admirer, she blushed and felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. As soon as she noticed the initials "R.K." on the first page, she began to think it might have been for someone else. She was so upset when she thought it might have been a mistake.

That evening, Sakshi decided to investigate. Almost immediately, she messaged her friends to see if anyone knew an "R.K." or about the diary. Afterwards, she spent some time thinking about all the boys in her class, but none had those initials.

Finally, the next day, Raj, a classmate, approached her. He shyly admitted that he left the box. "I know you love writing, and I thought you might like this," he said, blushing. Sakshi was touched by the thoughtful gesture and thanked Raj warmly. She felt happy and surprised, realizing that sometimes, unexpected surprises are the best.