70 UnIT 10 | The story of my life Read the text about the Paralympics. Some words are missing. Change the word in brackets to form the missing word for each gap (1–12). Write your answers in the spaces provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. LAnGUAGE In USE 5 0 acceptable 4 1 5 2 6 3 7 8 9 10 11 12 Respect for disabled athletes The modern world, as I know it, is one based on equality. People are different, but equal. This is (0) (accept) to all of us. We all have the same rights and opportunities. We have the same vote, sit the same exams and pay the same taxes. So why is there such an (1) (help) difference when it comes to sports? If you’re an able-bodied athlete, you’re motivated to represent your nation in the Olympics. However, if you’re a (2) (able) athlete, you’re motivated instead to compete in the Paralympics. While many would argue this distinction honors disabled athletes with their very own (3) (compete), I can’t help feeling that it’s (4) (suit) and that the Paralympics have become the (5) (mean) step-brother of the Olympics. In Ancient Greek, ‘para’ means ‘alongside’. But the Paralympics don’t run alongside the Olympics, they run afterward, and the two-week gap between the Games is a (6) (care) one. In that time the majority of the world’s media (7) (appear), the cheering crowds return home, and the host city returns to normal. How is this (8) (respect) and equal? How does this give recognition and (9) (attend) to these world-class athletes? Rather than offering disabled athletes their very own arena in which to shine, the Paralympics seem set on a dimmer switch4 in contrast to the (10) (wonder) brightness of the Olympic torch. The two Games ought to be combined into one (11) (remark) four-week-long event. Rather than distinguishing the Paralympians as a different breed of athlete, and segregating their activities, why not declare them all Olympians and simply integrate Paralympic disciplines into the Olympics? If the Paralympics were reported simultaneously with Olympic events, attendance, coverage and viewership would increase. And with this, acceptance and understanding of the (12) (value) contribution of disabled athletes would also increase. This would be real equality. 4 dimmer switch: Dimmer, Helligkeitsregler Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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