9–10 CULTURE |  Keeping fit A2

1 In pairs, look at the information and GUIDELINES FOR ADULTS AGED 18–64
discuss the questions. To stay healthy, adults should do:
1 What are examples of moderate and strenuous
exercises? • at least 150 mins of moderate aerobic activity a week
OR 75 mins of vigorous aerobic exercise
2 How do young people in your country keep
fit? What about older people? Think of three • strength exercises on two or more days a week to
examples for each. work the major muscles (e.g. legs, back, arms, etc.)
2 Read the texts quickly. Which two texts
describe events in which people compete
against others?

A
BRITISH GRANNY WINS SPANISH TALENT SHOW!
Sarah ‘Paddy’ Jones, a 75-year-old British grandmother, has won first prize in a Spanish TV talent
show. In the final, Mrs Jones performed an amazing salsa dance routine with her partner, Nico, who’s
40 years younger than her. The grandmother of seven, who lives in Spain, only took up salsa dancing
five years earlier. Paddy, who won prize money of 10,000 euros, says she will keep on dancing as long
as she can. She also says dancing has improved her fitness and helped her lose weight.

B
C

St r e e t W o r k o u t
3 DECEMBER, GORKY PARK,
What is it?
World Championship MOSCOW, RUSSIA
Bokwa is a kind of exercise that comes from South
African traditional dance.
How is it different from other kinds of dance- Use the street as your gym!
based exercise?
RULES
Instead of learning normal dance steps, you ‘draw’
letters and numbers with your feet. 1 The competition is open to girls and boys aged
15–25 years.
Who can do it?
People of all ages and levels of fitness. The moves 2 Competitors should wear ‘street’ style trainers,
are easy if you know your alphabet and can count trousers or long shorts and a T-shirt.
to ten.
3 Clothing should show the competitor’s full name
Do people do it to music? and the flag of his/her country.
Yes. Bokwa participants exercise together to modern
4 Each competitor should perform alone and each
pop music.
performance should last no longer than two
What should I wear to a Bokwa class? minutes.
Loose, comfortable clothes and sports shoes.
5 Moves can include sit-ups, push-ups,
Will I get fit doing Bokwa? handstands, etc. The only equipment on stage
Definitely. In one Bokwa workout, you will burn lots will be horizontal bars.
of calories (but you might not notice because you’re
having so much fun!). 6 Each competitor should bring their own music to
accompany the performance.
7 Judges will mark each performance according
to athletic ability, creativity and style.

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 9–10 CULTURE |  Keeping fit A2

3 Read the texts again and then choose
T (True) or F (False) for the statements
below.
1 Sarah Jones has won first place in a
competition in the UK.
2 Dancing has helped Mrs Jones to stay fit.
3 In Bokwa you can use your arms to
draw letters.
4 In Bokwa you will have a lot of fun.
5 The competition in Russia will be held
in the street not in a gym. 
6 In the Street Workout competitors
perform in groups.
4 Read the texts again and answer
the questions.
1 Which text describes a group activity?
 • Work in small groups. Choose an unusual form
2 Which text describes an event that will attract
people from different parts of the world?

3 What is unusual about the female dancer in
Text A?

4 How long has she had this particular hobby?
 the class. Explain the type of exercise and
5 What can’t you take part in if you’re 14 years old
or younger?

6 Apart from knowing the alphabet, what other
ability is useful for Bokwa?
 prefer to do.
OPTIMISE YOUR CULTURE
5 In pairs, discuss the questions.
1 Think about what makes exercise fun for you
(e.g. competing with other people, doing it to
T/F
music, being part of a group). Which of the
T/F activities in the texts would you like to try
and why?
T/F 2 Are there any unusual forms of exercise where
T/F you live?
T/F PROJECT
T/F 6 You are going to do a project on an
interesting form of exercise either from
your own country or another country.
Read the points and prepare your
project research.
of exercise and do research on the internet.
Find out how and when it started and what the
benefits of this exercise are.
• In your groups, prepare either an article
or poster using the information you have
gathered. Illustrate it with drawings or photos.
7 Present your information to the rest of
how it benefits people. Then display your
poster/article in the classroom, and read
the information from the other groups.
Compare the forms of exercise of the
different countries with those of your own
country. Decide which one you would

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