Exercise 1: ⇱
Make the Most of your Free Time
Here are ___(1)___ inspiring ideas to help you make the most of your free time
Establish your goals: Think about what you want to achieve in your free time. Do you want to get fit, get creative or simply relax? Don’t ___(2)___ what you ought to be doing, just think about what will make you feel more content.
Meet likeminded people: Take the opportunity to ___(3)___ your social circle. Everyone has different interests, so don’t expect your mates to be into the same things you are. Give them a break ___(4)___, join a club and get to know people with the same interests as you. You can never have too many friends!
Get creative and change your life: In many free time activities, we take the role of ___(5)___. When we watch TV, play video games or read, we are only passively involved. Take on the role of producer for a change. Build a model, write a blog or make an animation film. You will use a different part of your brains and will feel more energized as a result. Once you’re relaxed and energised, you can think about what you’d like to improve in your life. There are ___(6)___ of groups, clubs and classes you can join that will set you on a completely new life path.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy yourself!
(Adapted from examenglish.com) B1 Reading: Free Time
Exercise 2: ⇱
The Rise of E-Sports in Global Entertainment
E-sports, or electronic sports, have rapidly ___(7)___ from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon.
• Initially, e-sports competitions were small, local events. ___(8)___, as technology advanced and online gaming platforms improved, these tournaments grew in scale and popularity. The early 2000s saw the establishment of major gaming leagues and the professionalization of competitive gaming.
• One of the key ___(9)___ driving the growth of e-sports is its accessibility. Unlike traditional sports, which often require physical prowess and expensive equipment, e-sports are open to anyone with a computer or gaming console and an internet connection. This inclusivity has helped e-sports attract a ___(10)___ global audience.
• The spectator experience in e-sports has also evolved significantly. ___(11)___ streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have made it possible for fans to watch tournaments and professional gamers in real-time from anywhere in the world. This has ___(12)___ the creation of a new form of entertainment media, with professional gamers becoming celebrities in their own right.
(Adapted from IELTS.NET)
Exercise 3: ⇱
Stay Safe on Your Travels
Traveling can be a wonderful experience, but don't forget about travel ___(13)___ while you're abroad. Follow these tips to help you take a trip that you'll remember for all the right reasons.
♦ Do your research: Before arriving, get to know your destination. Read travelers' ___(14)___ and check with locals for information to find out where the best spots are. Try to ___(15)___ some of the local language before you go.
♦ Don't carry too much cash: Try to use credit cards as much as you can on your trip. It's good to carry a small amount of local currency around with you for everyday ___(16)___, and you can use an ATM at the airport after arriving.
♦ Be aware of your surroundings: Although traveling gives you opportunities to meet new people and learn about ___(17)___ cultures, always look out for trouble. If someone near you is acting strange, leave the area immediately.
___(18)___ you follow this advice, some bad things might still happen. Before leaving on your trip, get travel insurance from Insur-U-Go, and you can relax no matter where you go.
(Adapted from I learn Smart World 12)
Exercise 4: ⇱
UNUSUAL SPORTS
If you have had enough of the ___(19)___ sports people play, you can try a number of strange new sports. Some of these were created when people mixed two well-known sports. Sometimes they added a ___(20)___ from the part of the world where they live.
♦ Bossaball is an example of this. It takes volleyball and football, adds a trampoline and some Brazilian ___(21)___ arts.
♦ Buzkashi, a sport from Afghanistan, is played on horses and uses a dead goat ___(22)___ a ball! The Afghan Buzkashi Federation wants the game to spread throughout the world and has finally ___(23)___ the rules because they hope to get Olympic status for the sport.
♦ Chess boxing is a sport where you need to change rapidly from one type of activity to ___(24)___. You need to be clever and also fit. It is becoming more and more popular and now holds world championships.
(Adapted form Mindset for IELTS)
Exercise 5: ⇱
Should children do sports lessons at school?
Some people say that sports lessons are a waste of time. Students have to prepare for exams and should spend all their time on ___(25)___ work. This is what many people think in my country. In my opinion, they are wrong.
♦ A healthy ___(26)___ needs a healthy body. Doing exercise every day makes you happy and relaxed. Studying all the time can make you stressed.
♦ ___(27)___ reason for my opinion is that having an unfit generation will cause many problems for society. When today's children get older, unfortunately they may ___(28)___ illnesses like heart disease. The government will have to spend a lot of money on doctors and hospitals.
♦ ___(29)___ creating a fit and healthy adult population by getting children to do sports when they are still at school, sports teach people ___(30)___ and working as a team. This will help them in their future life.
(Adapted form Mindset for IELTS)