Part of the ielts speaking Test Yourself 13 Reading Your Family 14

3. Which is the most popular sport where you live?
Definitely badminton. You know, the Chinese are extremely skilled at both badminton
and table tennis. I’m from Fujian Province, and we have quite a few badminton champions
who were trained here. For example, the last Olympic gold medalist in badminton was Lin
Dan, who’s from Longyan, a small town in southern Fujian. Wherever you go in my city, if
the weather is nice, you’ll see people playing in the street. In my city, most young guys love
basketball. If you go out on any campus or stadium, you’ll notice that the basketball courts are
always crowded. Since Yao Ming joined the NBA 8 years ago, basketball has become extremely
popular. On the weekend, my father and I often watch NBA games on the sports channel, and I know
that most of my friends do the same.
10 Your Hobbies

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4. What sports are popular in your country?
Well, badminton and ping-pong are by far the most popular sports in China. Everyone
learns how to play these sports from a very young age. And every 4 years at the Olympics,
Chinese athletes excel in these competitions．However, in the last few years, teenagers
started showing a growing interest for both basketball and football. But I am afraid that
we’11 never be able to compete on the international stage in those two sports. We simply
lack strategy, power and experience: it seems like a lot to overcome.
5. How important is it to play sports regularly?
It’s extremely important for our health. Playing sports allows our muscles to exercise
and grow. In addition, sports can be a great way for people to socialize and relax. Kids
should be encouraged to play sports for these reasons.
6. Do you think that children should play sports in school?
Now it is your turn to answer!