1. Curling, born in Scotland in the first half of the 16th century, was played in frozen ponds using simple stones. It’s known since 1511. Examples of this sport can also be found in the paintings of Flemish artists. In the 17th century players started to use suitably treated stone discs and sticks to sweep the snow. Since 1775 the game has become popular in Northern America, where it was introduces by immigrants. 2. The first Olympic Winter Games curling tournament was held at Chamonix in 1924. After Lake Placid in 1932, curling was absent from the Olympic programme for 50 years; it appeared again as a demonstrative at Calgary in 1988. It was reinstated as a competitive discipline at Nagano in 1998. That year the men’s event was won by the Swiss team and Canada won the gold in the women’s. 3. Curling is a team game that is performed on a frozen pitch, the concept of which is very similar to bocce (traditionally played balls on natural soil or asphalt courts). It consists of sliding 19.92 kg blocks of stone (called rocks) which have a handle so that they stop as close as possible to the centre of a target drawn on the ice (called the house). 4. Each team consists of four players. The lead is the one that makes the first throw. The second is a good point maker, but also good at taking off the opponents stones that are in the way. The third is faced with a more tricky game. The fourth player, the skip, is the most experienced player, who devises tactics, advises his teammates on each throw and throws last. I. Match the headlines with the parts of the text. (2 points) a) Curling at the Olympics. b) The team. c) From the history of curling. d) Rules of curling. II. Say if the following statements true or false. (10 points) 1. Competitions on curling are held only in winter. 2. Curling is known since the 15th century. 3. Curling players need an ice pitch to play. 4. Nowadays this game is popular not only in Europe. 5. Curling tournaments have been held on each Olympic Games since the beginning of the 20th century. 6. Women’ teams as well men’s take part in curling competitions. 7. Curling player throw a ball. 8. The players should slide the rock to the house as close as they can. 9. There are more than three players in each team. 10. The skip makes the first throw.

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I. Match the headlines with the parts of the text. (2 points)
a) Curling at the Olympics - The first Olympic Winter Games curling tournament was held at Chamonix in 1924. After Lake Placid in 1932, curling was absent from the Olympic programme for 50 years; it appeared again as a demonstrative at Calgary in 1988. It was reinstated as a competitive discipline at Nagano in 1998. That year the men’s event was won by the Swiss team and Canada won the gold in the women’s.
b) The team - Each team consists of four players. The lead is the one that makes the first throw. The second is a good point maker, but also good at taking off the opponents stones that are in the way. The third is faced with a more tricky game. The fourth player, the skip, is the most experienced player, who devises tactics, advises his teammates on each throw and throws last.
c) From the history of curling - Curling, born in Scotland in the first half of the 16th century, was played in frozen ponds using simple stones. It’s known since 1511. Examples of this sport can also be found in the paintings of Flemish artists. In the 17th century players started to use suitably treated stone discs and sticks to sweep the snow. Since 1775 the game has become popular in Northern America, where it was introduces by immigrants.
d) Rules of curling - Curling is a team game that is performed on a frozen pitch, the concept of which is very similar to bocce (traditionally played balls on natural soil or asphalt courts). It consists of sliding 19.92 kg blocks of stone (called rocks) which have a handle so that they stop as close as possible to the centre of a target drawn on the ice (called the house).

II. Say if the following statements are true or false. (10 points)
1. Competitions on curling are held only in winter. - True
2. Curling is known since the 15th century. - False
3. Curling players need an ice pitch to play. - True
4. Nowadays this game is popular not only in Europe. - True
5. Curling tournaments have been held on each Olympic Games since the beginning of the 20th century. - False
6. Women's teams as well as men's take part in curling competitions. - True
7. Curling players throw a ball. - False
8. The players should slide the rock to the house as close as they can. - True
9. There are more than three players in each team. - False
10. The skip makes the first throw. - False