Risking it

Extreme sr,-

Extreme sports
inMatch the pictures with the sports.
1 bungee jumping c 5 scuba diving
2 hang-gliding 6 skydiving
3 ice climbing 7 white-water rafting
4 potholing 8 windsurfing

in Which of these sports have you done? Which

would you try?

V Vocabulary note
The compound nouns for these sporting
activities are formed using the -ing form. Some
are written as two separate words, some have a
hyphen (-) and others are one word.
(See Unit 5, 2.1 for more on compound nouns.)

InChoose the best words to complete the text.

A defining feature of extreme sports for many people is their alleged capacity to (1) induce I install an adrenaline
rush in (2)participants 1 patients. However, the medical view is that the 'rush' or 'high' (3) associated I imparted
with an activity is not due to adrenaline being (4) resumed I released as a response to (flight /fear. Medical
professionals now claim it is due to increased (6) levels I channels of dopamine, endorphins and suotonin resulting
from extreme physical (7) exhibition I exertion. Furthermore, a recent study suggests that the link between
adrenaline and 'true' extreme sports is (8) tentative I understated. The study defined 'true' extreme sports as leisure
or (9) recreational I residential activities where the most likely outcome of a mismanaged (10) adventure I accident
or mistake was death. This definition was designed to separate the marketing hype from the (11) action I activity
itself. Another characteristic of these activities is that they tend to be (12) individual I lonely rather than team sports.
Extreme sports can include both competitive and non-competitive activities.

1.4 II Match these words and phrases from the text with their definitions. Use a dictionary to help you.

1 marketing hype a result

2 physical exertionTh b exaggerated descriptions used in sales
3 outcome c poorly controlled or organised
4 mismanaged d movement of the body which raises the heart rate
5 characteristic e typical or noticeable quality

196
 Risking it 30
gn 11 COLT ()CATION We take risks and make mistakes.
Match the words in the box with take and make. Use a dictionary to
help you. The verb take part is followed by the
preposition in:He's hoping to take part in
aeon advice care a chance a-e1leiee a decision the next Olympic Games. (not He's hoping
a difference effect an effort exercise part precautions to take part e& the next Olympic Games.)
progress responsibility steps to sure use of

TAKE 4464V1
MAKE & diOint

1.6 Complete these sentences with one of the collocations from 1.5.

1 I've only just started, but my ski instructor says lam making good progress

2 If you want to in any sporting activity, you should

from those who are more experienced than yourself.
3 It's important that participants in extreme sports full for their own actions.
4 Some sports are extremely dangerous even if you do the proper
5 I think you have to about the level of risk you find acceptable.

Risk-taking V Vocabulary note

DR You are going to hear a news report which says that The speaker in 2.1 uses formal
certain groups of people are more likely to take risks than others. language in the report, e.g.
Choose the statement you think is correct (1-3). Listen and check. conclusion = decision
determine = find out
1 Women are more likely to take risks than men.
display = show
2 Teenagers are more likely to take risks than children or adults.
engage in = take part in
3 People from difficult social backgrounds are most likely to take risks. foresee = predict
onset = beginning
En DR Listen again and complete these sentences with words response = reaction, reply
or phrases used by the speaker. Write up to three words.

1 A US study set out to determine why people take risks

2 The study sampled SOO participants, divided into
3 One option in the study was safer, but would result in a
4 The second option resulted in a two-thirds chance of coins.
5 Gender was a predictor of a preference to avoid risk.
6 Older generations tend to when assessing risk..

What does the speaker mean by the onset of adolescence? Choose the best meaning.

197
30 Risking it

1 The difficulties experienced by teenagers as they develop into adults.

2 The beginning of the stage that turns someone into an adult.
3 The attitude and behaviour of adolescents as compared with adults.

2.4 Cross out the word in each list which has a different meaning from the word in the first column.

1 adolescent teenager youth skims teen

2 satisfied content amused happy pleased
3 foreseeing predicting anticipating analysing
4 thrill excitement enthusiasm buzz kick

En I Choose he correct words to complete the text. Use a dictionary to help you.

How to assess the risks in your workplace

Don't overcomplicate the process. In many organisations, the risks are well known and the necessary
control (1) measures I ways are easy to apply. You probably already know whether, for example, you
have (2) employees I employers who move heavy loads and so could harm their backs, or the places
where people are most likely to slip or trip. If so, check that you have taken (3) rational I reasonable
precautions to (4)prohibit I avoid injury. If you run a small organisation and you are confident you
understand what's involved, you can do the assessment yourself. You don't have to be a health and
safety (5) expert I leader. If you work in a larger organisation, you could ask a safety adviser to help
you. If you are not confident, get help from someone who is (6) competent I talented. In all cases, you
should make sure that you involve your staff or their (7) agents I representatives in the process. But
remember, you are (8) responsible I responsive for seeing that the assessment is carried out properly.
When thinking about your risk assessment, remember: a hazard is anything that may cause harm, such
as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, etc. The risk is the (9) chance I opportunity, high or low,
that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how
(10) sensible I serious the harm could be.

En Answer these questions about a place you know well.

1 What are the most hazardous areas and objects?

2 What are the riskiest activites carried out on the premises?
3 Who might be harmed by these hazards?
4 What precautions could be taken to prevent people llor Vocabulary note
being harmed? trip = to lose your balance after hitting your
foot on something I tripped while I was
running for my train and fell flat on my face.
slip = to slide unintentionally on something
wet or smooth, so that you lose your balance:
Several people slipped on the icy pavements and
two were admitted to hospital with suspected
fractures.
stumble = to put a foot down awkwardly and
because of this begin to fall: Running along the
beach, she stumbled and fell on to the sand.

198
 Exam practice Risking it

Reading and Use of English Part 7

You are going to read an extract from a magazine article about cycling safely. Six paragraphs have been
removed from the extract. Choose from the paragraphs A -0 the one which fits each gap (1 -6). There is
one extra paragraph which you do not need to use.

Should cyclists be forced to wear helmets?

A recent attempt in the UK to make cycling helmets It claims they would make cycling seem more
compulsory failed. Now, after a serious crash that dangerous than it actually is, and put people off.
put one rider into a brain injury unit, the idea is The evidence for this is complex and contradictory,
back on the table. But how much protection do providing as much support for those who are deeply
helmets offer? sceptical of helmets as for those in favour of them.

1
5
When I was 13, with my helmet hanging from my
handlebars, I wobbled out into the road and was hit There's even evidence that wearing a helmet can
by a car. Later that day I remember being told how put you at more risk. A study by Dr Ian Walker from
lucky I was to be wearing it. I said nothing. the University of Bath found that drivers passed
closer to cyclists who were wearing helmets when
2 overtaking than they did to those without them. The
driver's subconscious obviously sees them as less
So if they can help reduce injury, shouldn't they be vulnerable. Dr Walker, an enthusiastic cyclist, says:
compulsory, just like motorbike helmets? Australia "It would be sensible, and would genuinely save a lot
tried it in the early 90s and the result was a 15 to 20 of lives, if everybody wore a helmet all of the time;
per cent drop in the number of hospital admissions but to suggest they are more necessary for cycling
for head injuries. than a range of other activities - including walking
down the street and driving a car - is misguided."
3
6
A recent study has shown that cycling has a positive
health impact far greater than the potential for injury. Personally, I believe that wearing a helmet has more
Essentially, there's a small chance that you'll have an pros than cons, even though cycling is not as risky
accident, but a very large chance that you'll reduce as many suggest. But there are those out there
your chances of suffering mental illness and heart who would rather not ride than be made to wear a
disease. helmet, and for that reason the idea is a non-starter.

A British cycling organisation has long argued

against compulsory helmet laws for a similar reason.

199
II Exam practice
A It's undeniable that compulsory safety devices Most people would rather not wear a helmet,
such as seatbelts in cars have been significant especially in hot weather. It's a practical
lifesavers. But neither had the same potential decision: ride long and often enough and one
for harmful side-effects: dissuade motorcyclists day all those years of unnecessary sweaty-hat
from riding and they'll buy a car, which is hair could pay off.
actually far safer.
F That means laws can actually be
Cycling should be promoted as an essentially counterproductive; they may reduce cycling
safe, normal and enjoyable transport and injuries, but only by reducing the number of
leisure activity, which anyone can do in cyclists, and those people then become more
whatever clothes they prefer to wear, with or likely to come to some other kind of less-
without helmets. dramatic ham

C In addition to this, there's the problem of That would have been great, but it also
enforcing new laws. In the first year after the reduced the number of cyclists by around 35
Australian State of Victoria made helmets per cent. The annoyance and, for teenagers,
compulsory, nearly 20,000 fines were issued. embarrassment of wearing one steered people
Do we want to tie up that much police time away from bikes and towards public transport
on a crime which has no negative impact on a and cars.
third party?

Last year, however, I had a nasty fall and cut

my face. If it wasn't for my helmet, I'm sure it
could have been worse. So, personally, I now
almost never ride without a helmet. I'd rather
have it and not need it, than need it and not
have it. Studies disagree on the benefits, but
some suggest that most head injuries could be
prevented in this way.

200