Part 1
Questions 1-13 Grass skiing allows you to ski year-round
Grass skiing allows you to ski year-round
For those who wish they could ski all year round, skiing on grass could be the answer.
Grass skiing was invented in Germany in 1966 by Richard Martin. In 1968 he took the idea to France, where it immediately became popular as a useful way of continuing Alpine skiing skills training in the summer months. It has now become a sport in its own right worldwide. Different grass skiing events now take place, including the annual Grass Skiing World Cup championship.
Until 2003, the following for grass skiing was not that large. It has become more popular recently, though, because it means people can enjoy skiing in all seasons. You can practise grass skiing provided you are in good physical condition. What’s more, it is great fun for beginners and even children can do it. Taking up grass skiing gives the beginner a head start in learning all the necessary techniques that will be required for snow skiing before winter even begins.
In grass skiing, you ski down special grass slopes using grass skis. There are grass skiing centres available where you can train during the off-season. Many of them can be found in Switzerland, Austria, Iran, China, Japan and throughout Europe. However, many people have successfully created small grass runs on their own property. The advantage of attending a recognised skiing centre regularly is that you can learn from professionals rather than attempting to teach yourself and getting into bad habits. If you are interested in giving grass skiing a go, you can visit weekend ski camps, or go to ski clubs and associations, which often organise courses for different ability levels.
Grass skis are short skis with either tracks or wheels attached to the boots. If you are a beginner, then the wheeled grass skis will work well for you. You can use them in a variety of terrains and they are versatile enough to do freestyle grass skiing. The track grass skis are for the more competitive skier because they are designed for downhill skiing on specially prepared high-speed surfaces. You can find grass skiing equipment at good sports stores or at specialised ski resorts.
In order to prepare a good surface for skiing, you will need a special grass slope that is regularly mown and watered. Ideally, the slope should have a steep incline, but this is not essential if you are a beginner or just skiing for fun. Grass skiing does not necessarily require the use of a ski lift, as many slopes are small enough for the skier to walk to the top. However, some skiing centres provide lifts for grass skiers on longer slopes.
The difference between snow skiing and grass skiing is minimal in terms of the basic techniques. Both sports require good balance, control, and quick reflexes. However, grass skis do not glide as easily as snow skis, which means that skiers must exert more effort when skiing on grass. This extra effort can be beneficial, though, as it can help develop stronger muscles and improve overall fitness.
Grass skiing is now a recognized sport, and its popularity is growing each year. Many people are turning to it as a new and exciting way to experience the thrill of skiing in warmer weather. With the right equipment and preparation, anyone can enjoy the sport, whether they are a seasoned skier or a complete beginner.
In areas where snow skiing is impossible due to a lack of natural snow, ski resorts are now using snow guns to create artificial snow. This artificial snow allows ski resorts to stay open even when temperatures are too high for real snow to form naturally. The creation of artificial snow involves the use of large amounts of water, which is sprayed onto the slopes and frozen into tiny crystals. However, this process can be quite expensive, and environmental concerns have been raised about the impact of using such large quantities of water in areas that may already be facing water shortages. Despite these concerns, the use of snow guns is becoming more widespread, as it allows ski resorts to extend their seasons and ensure that they can offer skiing even when the weather conditions are not ideal. In fact, many ski resorts now use a combination of natural and artificial snow, allowing skiers to enjoy consistent skiing conditions throughout the year.
Questions 1--7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?
Choose:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
1. Grass skiing became popular in Germany after Richard Martin invented it.
2. Grass skiing allows people to practice the same techniques used in snow skiing.
3. After 2003, the interest in grass skiing started to decrease.
4. Children are not allowed to participate in grass skiing.
5. Grass skiing can only be practiced in countries that do not have snow.
6. Grass skiing equipment is different from snow skiing equipment.
7. Using a snow gun allows ski resorts to stay open even when there is no natural snow.
Questions 8--13
Complete the summary below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Grass skiing was invented by Richard Martin in 1966 and became popular in France. This activity allows skiers to practice during the 8 season, and it is now a recognized sport with various events held worldwide. Grass skis can be either 9 or wheeled, depending on the skier’s preference. For those interested in learning, it is advisable to visit special 10 where professionals can guide beginners. Ski slopes now use snow guns to create artificial snow, which is helpful when the 11 is too warm for natural snow. However, creating artificial snow requires significant amounts of 12 and can have an impact on the 13.