Reading "Hurling – a uniquely Irish game"

Read the text below. For tasks 1–6 choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). Circle out letters A, B, C or D. For each correct answer you get 1 point.

Hurling – a uniquely Irish game
Although it may look like an ordinary game, hurling has a very special meaning to Irish people: it is a symbol of their national identity and character. It is also the country’s favourite hobby. Hurling is often compared to field hockey. However, this analogy would be only partially true. Apart from the fact that both games involve a stick and a ball, it is hard to notice any other similarity. Surprisingly enough, hurling has in fact a lot to do with such sports as football and rugby, especially when you see what the players are allowed to do with the ball.
Hurling is played with fifteen players on each side on a field
larger than a football pitch. The aim of the game is to hit a small
ball called a sliotar with a wooden stick called a hurley in such
a way that it goes into the opponents’ goal or above it. If the ball
goes around the goalkeeper and lands between two goalposts,
in the net, you score three points; hitting the ball over the goal
(but it must be between the H-shaped goalpost) gives you one
point. An average score would be about 22-18 over 70 minutes
of the game’s official time.
Players are allowed to hit the ball not only when it is on the
ground, but also when it is high in the air. They can also catch
the ball in their hand (in which case they can carry it for not more
than three steps), kick it or even hit it with an open hand. A player
who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps, has to
balance the sliotar on the end of the hurley while running. When
performed at full speed, this last trick can look really impressive.

The fast pace of the game combined with the rule allowing
the players to strike the ball above head height mean there is
a high risk of injury. This is why since 2010 all players have
had to wear a protective helmet. Given the long history of the
game, the regulation seems to have come quite late. The reason
for this is the general opinion about the game among the Irish:
hurling is a hard game but it must be played fairly and with
respect for the other players. No exceptions are made to this
rule, no matter if it is the hurling played by youth leagues or the
women’s version of hurling (called camogie): in both cases, the
game is as hard as that in the regular men’s leagues and similar
safety policies must be followed. The only difference is the size
of the field and the weight and size of the equipment.

What is really surprising about hurling is the fact that although
the game enjoys great popularity, it has remained purely
amateur. Most players have regular jobs and do not receive
any money for their performance unless they become team
managers. Also, most games are either free or the entry fee is
minimal.

There is no doubt that hurling is a unique sport in many ways.
It is also uniquely Irish, as it reflects typical Irish values: hard
work, fair play and the importance of the community.

1.Hurling and field hockey

Hurling – a uniquely Irish game
Although it may look like an ordinary game, hurling has a very special meaning to Irish people: it is a symbol of their national identity and character. It is also the country’s favourite hobby. Hurling is often compared to field hockey. However, this analogy would be only partially true. Apart from the fact that both games involve a stick and a ball, it is hard to notice any other similarity. Surprisingly enough, hurling has in fact a lot to do with such sports as football and rugby, especially when you see what the players are allowed to do with the ball.
Hurling is played with fifteen players on each side on a field
larger than a football pitch. The aim of the game is to hit a small
ball called a sliotar with a wooden stick called a hurley in such
a way that it goes into the opponents’ goal or above it. If the ball
goes around the goalkeeper and lands between two goalposts,
in the net, you score three points; hitting the ball over the goal
(but it must be between the H-shaped goalpost) gives you one
point. An average score would be about 22-18 over 70 minutes
of the game’s official time.
Players are allowed to hit the ball not only when it is on the
ground, but also when it is high in the air. They can also catch
the ball in their hand (in which case they can carry it for not more
than three steps), kick it or even hit it with an open hand. A player
who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps, has to
balance the sliotar on the end of the hurley while running. When
performed at full speed, this last trick can look really impressive.

The fast pace of the game combined with the rule allowing
the players to strike the ball above head height mean there is
a high risk of injury. This is why since 2010 all players have
had to wear a protective helmet. Given the long history of the
game, the regulation seems to have come quite late. The reason
for this is the general opinion about the game among the Irish:
hurling is a hard game but it must be played fairly and with
respect for the other players. No exceptions are made to this
rule, no matter if it is the hurling played by youth leagues or the
women’s version of hurling (called camogie): in both cases, the
game is as hard as that in the regular men’s leagues and similar
safety policies must be followed. The only difference is the size
of the field and the weight and size of the equipment.

What is really surprising about hurling is the fact that although
the game enjoys great popularity, it has remained purely
amateur. Most players have regular jobs and do not receive
any money for their performance unless they become team
managers. Also, most games are either free or the entry fee is
minimal.

There is no doubt that hurling is a unique sport in many ways.
It is also uniquely Irish, as it reflects typical Irish values: hard
work, fair play and the importance of the community.

2.You score more points if you

Hurling – a uniquely Irish game
Although it may look like an ordinary game, hurling has a very special meaning to Irish people: it is a symbol of their national identity and character. It is also the country’s favourite hobby. Hurling is often compared to field hockey. However, this analogy would be only partially true. Apart from the fact that both games involve a stick and a ball, it is hard to notice any other similarity. Surprisingly enough, hurling has in fact a lot to do with such sports as football and rugby, especially when you see what the players are allowed to do with the ball.
Hurling is played with fifteen players on each side on a field
larger than a football pitch. The aim of the game is to hit a small
ball called a sliotar with a wooden stick called a hurley in such
a way that it goes into the opponents’ goal or above it. If the ball
goes around the goalkeeper and lands between two goalposts,
in the net, you score three points; hitting the ball over the goal
(but it must be between the H-shaped goalpost) gives you one
point. An average score would be about 22-18 over 70 minutes
of the game’s official time.
Players are allowed to hit the ball not only when it is on the
ground, but also when it is high in the air. They can also catch
the ball in their hand (in which case they can carry it for not more
than three steps), kick it or even hit it with an open hand. A player
who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps, has to
balance the sliotar on the end of the hurley while running. When
performed at full speed, this last trick can look really impressive.

The fast pace of the game combined with the rule allowing
the players to strike the ball above head height mean there is
a high risk of injury. This is why since 2010 all players have
had to wear a protective helmet. Given the long history of the
game, the regulation seems to have come quite late. The reason
for this is the general opinion about the game among the Irish:
hurling is a hard game but it must be played fairly and with
respect for the other players. No exceptions are made to this
rule, no matter if it is the hurling played by youth leagues or the
women’s version of hurling (called camogie): in both cases, the
game is as hard as that in the regular men’s leagues and similar
safety policies must be followed. The only difference is the size
of the field and the weight and size of the equipment.

What is really surprising about hurling is the fact that although
the game enjoys great popularity, it has remained purely
amateur. Most players have regular jobs and do not receive
any money for their performance unless they become team
managers. Also, most games are either free or the entry fee is
minimal.

There is no doubt that hurling is a unique sport in many ways.
It is also uniquely Irish, as it reflects typical Irish values: hard
work, fair play and the importance of the community.

3.The players are NOT allowed to

Hurling – a uniquely Irish game
Although it may look like an ordinary game, hurling has a very special meaning to Irish people: it is a symbol of their national identity and character. It is also the country’s favourite hobby. Hurling is often compared to field hockey. However, this analogy would be only partially true. Apart from the fact that both games involve a stick and a ball, it is hard to notice any other similarity. Surprisingly enough, hurling has in fact a lot to do with such sports as football and rugby, especially when you see what the players are allowed to do with the ball.
Hurling is played with fifteen players on each side on a field
larger than a football pitch. The aim of the game is to hit a small
ball called a sliotar with a wooden stick called a hurley in such
a way that it goes into the opponents’ goal or above it. If the ball
goes around the goalkeeper and lands between two goalposts,
in the net, you score three points; hitting the ball over the goal
(but it must be between the H-shaped goalpost) gives you one
point. An average score would be about 22-18 over 70 minutes
of the game’s official time.
Players are allowed to hit the ball not only when it is on the
ground, but also when it is high in the air. They can also catch
the ball in their hand (in which case they can carry it for not more
than three steps), kick it or even hit it with an open hand. A player
who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps, has to
balance the sliotar on the end of the hurley while running. When
performed at full speed, this last trick can look really impressive.

The fast pace of the game combined with the rule allowing
the players to strike the ball above head height mean there is
a high risk of injury. This is why since 2010 all players have
had to wear a protective helmet. Given the long history of the
game, the regulation seems to have come quite late. The reason
for this is the general opinion about the game among the Irish:
hurling is a hard game but it must be played fairly and with
respect for the other players. No exceptions are made to this
rule, no matter if it is the hurling played by youth leagues or the
women’s version of hurling (called camogie): in both cases, the
game is as hard as that in the regular men’s leagues and similar
safety policies must be followed. The only difference is the size
of the field and the weight and size of the equipment.

What is really surprising about hurling is the fact that although
the game enjoys great popularity, it has remained purely
amateur. Most players have regular jobs and do not receive
any money for their performance unless they become team
managers. Also, most games are either free or the entry fee is
minimal.

There is no doubt that hurling is a unique sport in many ways.
It is also uniquely Irish, as it reflects typical Irish values: hard
work, fair play and the importance of the community.

4.Protective helmets

Hurling – a uniquely Irish game
Although it may look like an ordinary game, hurling has a very special meaning to Irish people: it is a symbol of their national identity and character. It is also the country’s favourite hobby. Hurling is often compared to field hockey. However, this analogy would be only partially true. Apart from the fact that both games involve a stick and a ball, it is hard to notice any other similarity. Surprisingly enough, hurling has in fact a lot to do with such sports as football and rugby, especially when you see what the players are allowed to do with the ball.
Hurling is played with fifteen players on each side on a field
larger than a football pitch. The aim of the game is to hit a small
ball called a sliotar with a wooden stick called a hurley in such
a way that it goes into the opponents’ goal or above it. If the ball
goes around the goalkeeper and lands between two goalposts,
in the net, you score three points; hitting the ball over the goal
(but it must be between the H-shaped goalpost) gives you one
point. An average score would be about 22-18 over 70 minutes
of the game’s official time.
Players are allowed to hit the ball not only when it is on the
ground, but also when it is high in the air. They can also catch
the ball in their hand (in which case they can carry it for not more
than three steps), kick it or even hit it with an open hand. A player
who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps, has to
balance the sliotar on the end of the hurley while running. When
performed at full speed, this last trick can look really impressive.

The fast pace of the game combined with the rule allowing
the players to strike the ball above head height mean there is
a high risk of injury. This is why since 2010 all players have
had to wear a protective helmet. Given the long history of the
game, the regulation seems to have come quite late. The reason
for this is the general opinion about the game among the Irish:
hurling is a hard game but it must be played fairly and with
respect for the other players. No exceptions are made to this
rule, no matter if it is the hurling played by youth leagues or the
women’s version of hurling (called camogie): in both cases, the
game is as hard as that in the regular men’s leagues and similar
safety policies must be followed. The only difference is the size
of the field and the weight and size of the equipment.

What is really surprising about hurling is the fact that although
the game enjoys great popularity, it has remained purely
amateur. Most players have regular jobs and do not receive
any money for their performance unless they become team
managers. Also, most games are either free or the entry fee is
minimal.

There is no doubt that hurling is a unique sport in many ways.
It is also uniquely Irish, as it reflects typical Irish values: hard
work, fair play and the importance of the community.

5.Women’s hurling

Hurling – a uniquely Irish game
Although it may look like an ordinary game, hurling has a very special meaning to Irish people: it is a symbol of their national identity and character. It is also the country’s favourite hobby. Hurling is often compared to field hockey. However, this analogy would be only partially true. Apart from the fact that both games involve a stick and a ball, it is hard to notice any other similarity. Surprisingly enough, hurling has in fact a lot to do with such sports as football and rugby, especially when you see what the players are allowed to do with the ball.
Hurling is played with fifteen players on each side on a field
larger than a football pitch. The aim of the game is to hit a small
ball called a sliotar with a wooden stick called a hurley in such
a way that it goes into the opponents’ goal or above it. If the ball
goes around the goalkeeper and lands between two goalposts,
in the net, you score three points; hitting the ball over the goal
(but it must be between the H-shaped goalpost) gives you one
point. An average score would be about 22-18 over 70 minutes
of the game’s official time.
Players are allowed to hit the ball not only when it is on the
ground, but also when it is high in the air. They can also catch
the ball in their hand (in which case they can carry it for not more
than three steps), kick it or even hit it with an open hand. A player
who wants to carry the ball for more than three steps, has to
balance the sliotar on the end of the hurley while running. When
performed at full speed, this last trick can look really impressive.

The fast pace of the game combined with the rule allowing
the players to strike the ball above head height mean there is
a high risk of injury. This is why since 2010 all players have
had to wear a protective helmet. Given the long history of the
game, the regulation seems to have come quite late. The reason
for this is the general opinion about the game among the Irish:
hurling is a hard game but it must be played fairly and with
respect for the other players. No exceptions are made to this
rule, no matter if it is the hurling played by youth leagues or the
women’s version of hurling (called camogie): in both cases, the
game is as hard as that in the regular men’s leagues and similar
safety policies must be followed. The only difference is the size
of the field and the weight and size of the equipment.

What is really surprising about hurling is the fact that although
the game enjoys great popularity, it has remained purely
amateur. Most players have regular jobs and do not receive
any money for their performance unless they become team
managers. Also, most games are either free or the entry fee is
minimal.

There is no doubt that hurling is a unique sport in many ways.
It is also uniquely Irish, as it reflects typical Irish values: hard
work, fair play and the importance of the community.

6.Hurling is a unique sport because