🏔️ Part 1: Reading About Winter Olympic Sports

The Winter Olympics 2026 will be held in Italy! Athletes from around the world will compete in exciting snow and ice sports. Let's learn about five amazing Winter Olympic sports that you might see on television.

⛷️ Skiing

Skiing is one of the most popular Winter Olympic sports. Athletes race down snowy mountains on long, thin skis attached to their boots. There are different types of skiing events - some focus on speed (like downhill racing), while others test jumping skills or cross-country endurance. Skiers can reach speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour!

🏒 Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a fast and exciting team sport played on an ice rink. Two teams of six players each try to score goals by hitting a small rubber puck into the opponent's net using hockey sticks. Players wear protective gear and skate at incredible speeds. The game is known for its quick passes, powerful shots, and amazing saves by goalkeepers.

⛸️ Figure Skating

Figure skating combines athletic skill with artistic beauty. Skaters perform graceful movements, spins, and jumps on ice while music plays. They are judged on both technical difficulty and artistic presentation. Figure skaters can compete individually, in pairs, or in ice dancing events. Many people consider it the most elegant Winter Olympic sport.

🏂 Snowboarding

Snowboarding is one of the newer Winter Olympic sports. Athletes ride down snowy slopes or perform tricks on a single board attached to both feet. There are different snowboarding events including racing, jumping, and performing tricks in halfpipes (U-shaped courses). Snowboarders are known for their creative style and daring aerial stunts.

🛷 Bobsledding

Bobsledding involves teams of two or four athletes racing down an icy track in a special sled called a bobsled. The track has steep curves and straightaways, and teams can reach speeds of 150 kilometres per hour! The athletes must work together - some push the sled at the start for speed, while the driver steers carefully through the dangerous curves.

📝 Part 2: Comprehension Questions

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🎯 Part 3: Vocabulary Challenge