I.

Answer the following questions:

1. When was invented badminton or was it first played?

2. Establish the differences between badminton and tennis.
3. What social class used to play this game in Europe in the 17th century?
4. When was held the first Open Tournament?
5. When was created the International Badminton Federation and who were the initial
members?
6. Name some of the most important international badminton events.
7. What country has won the most badminton events at Commonwealth Games?
8. When did badminton become an Olympic sport?
9. What countries have won the Olympic gold medals until now?
10. What is the best badminton shuttle made of?
11. What are the abilities that a badminton player needs during a long lasting match?
12. What does the badminton equipment consist of?
13. How many games does a badminton match consist of?
14. Mention some of the basic badminton rules.
15. Who named his estate after this game, after badminton had reached a huge popularity
in Europe?

II. Synonyms. Give a synonym for each of the words in the following sentences.
Choose from the ones below: affiliate, ancient, hit, win, besides, accumulate, possess,
countries, initially, opponent, ardent, stamina, contemporary, vigorous, stately.

1. The sport of badminton has its origins in (very old) …………….. civilisations in
Europe and Asia.
2. In the 1600s Battledore and Shuttlecock was an upper class pastime in England and
many European (lands) …………………
3. A (current) ………………………….. form of badminton - a game called Poon,
was played in India in the 1800s where a net was introduced and players hit the
shuttlecock across the net.
4. Denmark, the USA and Canada became (fiery) ………………… followers of the
game during the 1930s.
5. In 1934, The International Badminton Federation was created, members initially
being England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Holland, Canada, New Zealand
and France, with India joining as an (associate) ………………. in 1936.
6. (Firstly) ………………. all five disciplines were included – singles (men, women),
doubles (men, women) and mixed doubles with the Teams Event included in the
program in later Commonwealth Games.
7. Only five countries have (gained) ………………… the gold medals since its
introduction in 1992 - China (8), Indonesia (5) and Korea (5) and Denmark (1).
8. Badminton players need to (have) ………………. quick response and agility.
 9. With badminton matches lasting even up to a couple of hours, it is little wonder that
badminton players need to have rigorous training to build up (endurance)
………………………… and concentration.
10. (In addition) ………………, quick reflexes and rapid hand-eye coordination are a
prerequisite for any aspiring badminton player.
11. Badminton provides a (dynamic) …………….. cardiovascular workout for the
player.
12. The badminton rule allows you to (amass) ……………………… points until you
have reached the winning target before your opponent.
13. British officers in the mid 1800’s took this game back to England and it was
introduced as a game for the guests of the Duke of Beaufort at his (majestic)
………………… home ‘Badminton’ in Gloucestershire.
14. The badminton rule allows you to accumulate points until you have reached the
winning target before your (adversary) …………………
15. The badminton game rally is aimed at (striking) ………….. the shuttle over the net
onto the opponent’s court.

III. Read through the following phrases and fill in the missing words.

1. P __ __ __ __ __ U __ __ __ __ __ (required as a prior condition)

2. B __ __ __ __ __ __ O __ (a net game played with a shuttlecock and long-handled
rackets)
3. F __ __ __ H __ __ (one of the light structures forming the outer covering of the
birds)
4. C __ __ __ __ __ V __ __ __ __ U __ __ (involving the heart and the blood vessels)
5. D __ __ R__ __ __ __ (to diminish gradually)
6. P __ __ __ __ M __ (an activity that occupies one’s time pleasantly)
7. S __ __ __ __ __ E __ __ __ __ (a rounded cork or similar material with a crown of
feathers, used in badminton)
8. T __ __ __ __ __ M __ __ __ (a contest composed of a series of elimination games)
9. M __ __ __ __ __ __ S __ (one who receives medals in a competition)
10. S __ __ __ __ __ A (physical endurance)
11. A __ __ __ __ (a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals)
12. O __ __ __ __ E __ __ (adversary)
13. R __ __ __ __ T (a light bat that consists of an oval frame with a tight interlaced
network of strings and a handle, used to strike a ball or a shuttle)
14. I __ __ __ __ __ __ E (to become larger or greater)
15. R __ __ __ B __ __ __ (set of regulations)

IV. Read the text and establish whether the following statements are correct or false.
 True False

1. The ancient game known as battledore (bat or paddle) and

shuttlecock probably originated more than 5000 years ago.
2. In the 1600s Battledore and Shuttlecock was an lower class
pastime in England and many European countries.
3. In March 1898, the first Open Tournament was held at
Guildford.
4. The first major IBF tournament was the Thomas Cup (world
men's team championships) in 1948.
5. Australia has won 11 medals at the Commonwealth Games
badminton events.
6. The best badminton shuttle is the one made from the feathers
from the left wing of a duck.
7. Badminton, unlike most other racquet sports does not use a ball
but a shuttlecock that cannot touch the ground during a rally.
8. Badminton provides a weak cardiovascular workout for the
player.
9. You win the rally by either hitting outside the opponents court
or hitting the shuttle into the net or even if the shuttle touches you
or your clothing.
10. A match shall consist of the best of 3 games.

11. The attacking game attempts to decrease your chance of

accumulating points.
12. The defensive game aims at increasing the opponent’s chance
of accumulating points.

V. Word building. The word in capitals at the end of each of the following sentences
can be used to form a word that fits suitably in the blank space.

Example: During the war, there was a great SHORTAGE of sugar, coffee and other goods.
SHORT

1. In March 1898, the first Open Tournament was held at Guildford, the first 'All England'
Championships were held the ………………….. year. FOLLOW
2. The ancient game known as battledore (bat or paddle) and shuttlecock probably
……………………. more than 2000 years ago. ORIGIN
3. After being a ……………………….. sport in Munich in 1972, badminton became an
Olympic sport in Barcelona in 1992. DEMONSTRATE
4. Badminton players need to possess quick response and ………………… AGILE
5. In ……………….., quick reflexes and rapid hand-eye coordination are a prerequisite for
any aspiring badminton player. ADD
6. A statistical ………………… reveals the important data about the activities involved in
both games. COMPARE
7. Badminton provides a ………………… cardiovascular workout for the player.
VIGOR
8. The attacking and ………………… factors are crucial to win a badminton game.
DEFEND
9. Only five countries have won the gold medals since its ……………………... in 1992 -
China, Indonesia, Korea and Denmark. INTRODUCE
10. Susi Susanti from Indonesia won the women’s singles in Barcelona, becoming
Indonesia’s first ………………… in the 40 years. MEDAL
11. In addition, quick ……………….. and rapid hand-eye coordination are a prerequisite
for any aspiring badminton player. RESPOND
12. The badminton rule regarding the shuttle is that it can be made from ……………,
synthetic or a combination of both materials. NATURE