1. Read the following article and answer the questions below.
LEARNING TO
GET FIT.
USED TO BE, KIDS
ORGANIZED GAMES OF
ROVER OF RED AND
PLAYED HOPSCOTCH ON
THE SIDEWALK. These days,
when children want to have fun,
they’re more likely to fire up the
computer or game console.
“Kids have forgotten how
to play”, says Cedric Bryant.
Ph.D., chief science officer for the
American Council on Exercise.
“So many things where they don’t
actively move are vying for their
time and attention.” No wonder
three or four times as many
American kids are overweight or
obese as a generation ago. Yet
keeping kids moving can lead to
unexpected payoffs.
Stronger bodies, Shaper Minds
While you may know that exercise
leads to better cardiovascular
fitness, reduced body fat and
stronger bones, getting active can
also improve academic
performance. In a study of 214
middle-school students by
researchers from Michigan State
University. In East Lansing, those
who participated in vigorous
physical activities did about 10
percent better in core classes like
math, science and English. “It’s a
win-win” says James Pivanik,
Ph.D., an MSU professor of
kinesiology and epidemiology and
past president of the American
College of Sports Medicine. “The
more active and fit kids seem to do
better on test scores and grades.”
In addition, exercise breaks
during school day have been
shown to improve learning and
classroom behavior. And regular
physical activity has psychological
benefits that can help kids cope
socially and deal with peer
pressure.
Current guidelines call for
kids to get at least 60 minutes of
exercise a day. Yet according to a
study published in Medicine and
Science in Sports, and Exercise,
only 42 percent of children ages 6
to 11 a mere 8 percent of
adolescents meet that goal.
Wake Up to Wellness
Schools in the Fuel Up to Play 60
program are carving out active
time for kids in unique and creative
ways. At Bailly Elementary
School, in Chesterton, IN, about 50
miles southeast of Chicago,
cafeteria manager Lisa Ozimek
teamed up with school nurse
Marian Danko last year to launch a
walking club in the half hour
before classes started. “As soon as
the kids came in, they got a healthy
breakfast and then joined me in the
gym.” Says Ozimek.
At first, the students
simply walked they gyms
perimeter. Soon, however, the two
advisors began pulling out jump
ropes and balls for children to play
with. “Then we decided to take it
up another notch,” says Ozimek.
They recruited members of the
community to introduce children to
new types of fitness activities-a
physical therapist who taught the
kids stretching and yoga poses, and
a local martial-arts instructor. “He
had the students breaking boards
with karate chops,” she says. “Kids
couldn’t wait to get to the gym in
the mornings. Some even had their
parents drop them off early.”
The program started with
about 15 to 20 students, but word
got around, the number jumped to
160. “I love fitness,” says one
Bailly student. “It makes the day
more fun at school, and I know I’m
doing something good for my
body.”
Feedback from teachers
has been equally positive.
“Teachers said the kids coming
from the program were awake, had
all their fidgeting out of the way
and were ready to learn when they
came into the classroom,” reports
Baily’s Principal, Michael Grubbs.
The school’s students did
so well with Fuel Up to Play 60
that they surpassed all other
Indiana Schools in the Program.
As a result, they earned additional
fitness equipment-including
hurdles and an agility ladder-as
well as a visit from team personnel
from the Indianapolis Colts. “I
never thought it would get as big
as it did,” says Ozimek. “It made a
big difference with these kids and
it’s a big deal with us.

2. 1) What does the author mention about the type of activities kids do today?
a) They spend their time working out.
b) Over 20 percent of students take extracurricular activities.
c) They spend their spare time playing video games.
2) In paragraph two what does the author suggest?
a) Not only exercise helps you to get fit but also to have an active mind.
b) Having a strong body can improve your physical performance.
c) Exercising can be tiring and exhausted.
3) What does Pivanik research reveal?
a) It’s not appropriate to do exercise while school time because it draws away their attention.
b) Students who often exercise improved their academic performance.
c) Kids who train very hard can always win sports competitions.
4) According with the Medicine and Science in Sports magazine what benefits come after exercising?
a) It gives you an extra boost in academic contests.
b) Doing exercise for an hour can enhance a kids behavior in society for better.
c) Studies showed that 10 % of students fail their exams while doing exercise.
5) What did Lisa Ozimek and Marian Denko agree on?
a) Students should eat healthier so it’s important to change the type of food served in school.
b) Start a health plan for all students so they could join physical activities.
c) They promoted a group walk workshop for all students during their lunch time.
6) Why did Ozimek mention that the school program was a total success?
a) A variety of activities were introduced in order to maintain students interested.
b) The students liked spending spare time and sharing feedback with their teachers.
c) They invited a famous therapist to show the students how to be fit.
7) How was the reaction of the students according to the principal?
a) They felt really overcharge for all the activities they had to do in one day.
b) They felt keen to participate in such activities.
c) They were careless in attending such events.
8) What were the programs final results according to the author?
a) The hard work was gratifying because the students won new gear for the school’s gym.
b) The local state football team took the students to one of their official football match.
c) Teachers didn’t favor the idea of putting too much pressure on their students.
Match the words (1-5) with its definition (a-e).
1. Vying a. to make continuous small movements that annoy other people.
2. Vigorous b. to deal successfully with a difficult situation
3. Cope c. to be very forceful or energetic
4. Carving out d. to contend for superiority or victory in competition
5. Fidgeting e. to successfully create or get something by working hard for it