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Reading 1º Bach

The document discusses the history and development of parkour. It originated from observations of evacuations from a volcanic eruption in 1902. In the 1990s, parkour separated into two styles - traditional parkour and a newer English version called freerunning. Parkour athletes train intensely but most injuries are minor with proper training.

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114 views2 pages

Reading 1º Bach

The document discusses the history and development of parkour. It originated from observations of evacuations from a volcanic eruption in 1902. In the 1990s, parkour separated into two styles - traditional parkour and a newer English version called freerunning. Parkour athletes train intensely but most injuries are minor with proper training.

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luissr2805
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© © All Rights Reserved
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EXTRA READING AND WRITING PRACTICE 5

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

THE SPORT OF PARKOUR


I People are amazed the first time they see a parkour athlete run up a wall or jump from building to building.
Many parkour athletes perform these incredible stunts with no safety equipment. The objective of parkour is
to move through and over obstacles through the use of running, jumping, climbing and other movements.
II The sport of parkour can be traced back to 1902, when a catastrophic volcanic eruption destroyed the town
of St. Pierre in the Caribbean Islands. A young French naval lieutenant called Georges Hébert coordinated
the evacuation of 700 people, both indigenous and European. As he watched people evacuate, he noticed
that the indigenous people overcame obstacles in their path with ease and creativity. In contrast, the
Europeans moved clumsily. It was clear to him that they had lost the ability to move efficiently and effectively.
Based on these observations, Hébert developed a physical training discipline which he called “the natural
method”. This method became the basis for French military training.
III In the 1990s, confusion arose when the sport separated into two schools: the more traditional “parkour” and
a newer English version. Earlier in 1950s France, an elite firefighter called Raymond Belle became famous
for his acrobatic athleticism. He jumped from roof to roof and climbed buildings. Belle had been trained in
Hébert’s “natural method” while in the military. Later, he taught this method to his son David, and David’s
best friend, Sébastien Foucan. In 1997, Foucan took parkour to England, where he renamed it “freerunning”.
Freerunning was influenced by break dancing, martial arts and capoeira. In contrast, Belle practised a purer
version of parkour that did not use acrobatics.
IV To most people parkour looks dangerous and irresponsible, but parkour athletes train incredibly hard.
Although injuries occur in parkour, most of them are neither severe nor common. Parkour athletes train in
fitness, strength and balance. They practise jumping, climbing and landing techniques. A parkour athlete
must also have confidence and body awareness. With correct training, they can produce spectacular stunts.

1 Choose the correct answer.


1. What conclusion did Georges Hébert make after he witnessed the evacuation from St. Pierre?
a. Indigenous cultures are more creative than European cultures.
b. Europeans had lost the ability to move efficiently and effectively.
c. Europeans move with ease and creativity.
2. Which of these statements is NOT true of Raymond Belle?
a. He was a firefighter.
b. He trained in Hébert’s “natural method”.
c. He was the founder of “freerunning”.
3. What is the main point discussed in paragraph IV?
a. Parkour is a very dangerous sport.
b. Parkour athletes train incredibly hard.
c. Injuries can be minimised with training.

2 Rewrite the sentences without changing the original meaning.


1. A volcanic eruption destroyed St. Pierre.
St. Pierre ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... .
2. Belle practised a purer version of parkour that did not use acrobatics.
Acrobatics ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ .

3 Answer the question.


What happened in the 1990s to cause confusion in the sport of parkour?
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

1
EXTRA READING AND WRITING PRACTICE 5

4 Decide if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F). Find evidence in the text to support your answers.
1. Parkour athletes use ropes and harnesses to perform their stunts. ................

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

2. Most parkour athletes get hurt regularly. ................

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. In addition to physical training, parkour athletes must have psychological strength. ................

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

5 Find words or expressions in the text that mean:


1. dangerous activities that require skill (paragraph I) ...............................................................................

2. without skill (paragraph II) ...............................................................................

3. began to exist (paragraph III) ...............................................................................

4. very bad or serious (paragraph IV) ...............................................................................

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