Page 104 - Grasp English B1+ (Workbook)

10 Era of the Gifted

Writing

A. Discuss with a partner. B. Match the words.

1. Do you find doing exercise makes you feel good? 1. regular a. challenge
Why/Why not? 2. a dramatic b. exercise
2. What do you think are the benefits of exercise? 3. mental c. health
3. What are the disadvantages? 4. a fitness d. improvement

5. minor e. injuries

John Green: “I was a nerd, not a jock.”

In the past, John Green felt that the body and the
mind were separate, and he always saw himself as
a “mind person” and never thought he was fit or
healthy. However, after having exercised regularly for
over a thousand days, he can now see the incredible
connection between the body and the mind.
The author of The Fault in Our Stars originally did a
100-day fitness challenge with a friend at the start of
2017, in which they worked out regularly. He noticed at
the end of that period that frequent exercise had had
positive effects on him both physically and mentally:
he felt fitter, was sleeping better and had noticed a
dramatic improvement in his mental health. He also
said that continuing to do regular exercise had helped
him in his writing, encouraging him to be more creative.
And whilst he said he doesn’t look forward to training
with enthusiasm, he added that exercise “benefits all
of me”.

However, he also highlighted that “none of this is to say
the last three years haven’t been without challenge”:
suffering from minor injuries as a result of doing sport
was one issue, as well as dealing with motivation.

And with that, he was off for a run.

C. Read the text and answer the questions.

1. When did Green first start getting regular exercise?
2. What benefits has he noticed?
3. What issues has he had?
4. Would you want to take up a 100-day fitness challenge? Why/Why not?

D. Write a magazine article (120–180 words) based on an interview with a celebrity.

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