VIII. Read the passage and choose the best answer A, B, C or D to complete the sentences (1.0 point).
Sports training
Parents whose children show special interest in a particular sport have a difficult decision to make about their children’s career. Should they allow their children to train to become top sportsmen and women? For many children, it means starting very young and school work, going out with friends and other interests have to take the second place. It’s very difficult to explain to a young child why he or she has to train for five hours a day, even at the weekend, when most of his friends are playing.
Another problem is of course money. In many countries, money for training is available from the government for the very best young sportsmen and women. If this help cannot be given, it means that it is the parents who have to find the time and money to support their child’s development – and sports clothes, transport to competitions, special equipment etc…..can be all very expensive.
Many parents are understandably worried that it is dangerous to start serious training at an early age. Some doctors agree that young muscles may be damaged by training before they are properly developed.
Professional trainers, however, believe that it is only by starting young that you can reach the top as a successful sports person. What is clear is that very few people do reach the top and both parents and children should be prepared for the failure even after many years of training.
