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

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)

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)

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)

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)