Read the article about a new sports activity called slacklining, and then complete the notes. Last year, my school introduced some new sports. We already had good cricket and athletics teams, but the teachers wanted to offer us some new activities, one of which was slacklining. This involves balancing on a narrow piece of strong material that is tied above the ground between two trees or posts - the aim is to walk along it without falling off. I started learning a few months ago. I love the challenge of learning a new skill and I'm now a regular slackliner! Slacklining was developed in the 1980s by two climbers in the USA. They wanted something interesting to do when they couldn't go climbing, and slacklining seemed perfect as they could practise in their local park. It often involves being outside in nature, which is a big part of its attraction for me. My first slacklining lesson wasn't easy. I spent the first ten minutes just trying to step up onto the line - my legs couldn't stop shaking and my head was telling me it was impossible. When you're trying slacklining for the first time, you need to position the line near the ground, as you'll probably keep falling off. Fortunately, for our first lesson our teacher gave us a useful tip, which was to make the line as tight as possible. After twenty minutes of practising, I finally managed to step onto it! Suddenly, I realised I'd been concentrating so hard that I'd forgotten about anything else. Now, I find that slacklining is a great way to reduce stress, which is something I really value. After a couple of lessons, I was quite good at standing up on the line and was ready to try walking along it. Again, there was a lot of falling off, but fortunately, we'd remembered to place the slackline above flat ground. Doing that is something to bear in mind so that you don't hurt yourself if you fall off. My friend was learning with me and she couldn't stop laughing! Even though it can be an individual sport, I'm not that keen on doing it on my own. For me, it's all about having fun with other people. We later found out that while you're still learning it's also beneficial to add a 'helpline' - a rope that's tied above head height to hold onto for balance. As you get better, there are all sorts of ways you can develop your slacklining skills. Although most people should put up a short slackline for their initial attempts, there are many options available to experienced slackliners. Longer slacklines can be 30 metres in length, so they move a lot and are hard to balance on. Waterlines, as the name suggests, are positioned above water - using these is particularly difficult if the water is moving as this confuses the eye. And highlines are ones that can be set up at great heights, so they require complete balance and concentration. I haven't tried any of these more advanced options yet, but I'm getting better and better. One thing I hadn't expected is that my muscles are getting much stronger. That gives me a real sense of satisfaction, as does the feeling that my overall balance is improving. It takes a lot of practice, but the fact is that anyone can try slacklining. Why not give it a go? You are going to give a talk about slacklining to your class at school. Prepare some notes to use as the basis for your talk. Make short notes under each heading. 9 What appeals to the writer about slacklining: $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$ 10 Advice for setting up slacklining equipment for beginners: $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$ . $$\(\bullet\)$$

Answer:

9.Award 1 mark for each acceptable response, up to a maximum of 4 marks Acceptable responses are:
What appeals to the writer about slacklining
1 (the challenge of) learning a (new) skill
2 being outside / being in nature
3 (a great way to) reduce stress
4 having fun with (other) people
5 muscles are getting stronger
6 (overall) balance is improving
10.Award 1 mark for each acceptable response, up to a maximum of 3 marks Acceptable responses are:
Advice for setting up slacklining equipment for beginners
1 position (the line) near the ground
2 make (the line) (as) tight (as possible)
3 place (the line) above flat ground
4 add a helpline / add a rope that's tied above head height
5 put up a short line

Knowledge points:

Solution: