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learner12
Joined: 18 Nov 2006
Posts: 730
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 Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:23 pm Post subject: sport |
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Hello, teachers!!
Climbing is probably the only sport which leaves those who do not enjoy it completely bewildered as to the motives and state of mind of those who do.
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What do you mean by "sport" in the above sentence?
(1) this "sport" means one like baseball, soccer, etc.
(2) this "sport" means pleasure or enjoyment
I cannot decide which meaning this word "sport" has. Do I have to find any clue in the context?
Thank you in advance. |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Climbing is probably the only sport which leaves those who do not enjoy it completely bewildered as to the motives and state of mind of those who do.
----->
What do you mean by "sport" in the above sentence?
(1) this "sport" means one like baseball, soccer, etc.
(2) this "sport" means pleasure or enjoyment
I cannot decide which meaning this word "sport" has. Do I have to find any clue in the context? |
Your concept of the word sport needs to be expanded slightly. A sport is primarily a physical activity that is governed by rules and often engaged in competitively. That would include most of the things we typically think of as sports, such baseball, basketball, etc. However, this definition can be extended to any type of physically active pastime or recreation. That would include things such as mountain climbing, hiking, etc. These physical activities are not governed by any particular rules, nor are they normally engaged in competitively. However, the word sport is sometimes used in reference to such activities.
I imagine that part of the reason for this is the fact that there are many physical activities that require every bit as much strength, skill, and endurance as any competitive sport you can name, but simply do not lend themselves to any kind of rules or organized competition.
For example, what would be the "rules" of a mountain climbing "competition"? I can just imagine...
Rule #1: Each climber in the competition shall make every effort to reach the summit of the mountain without plummeting to his or her death. 
Rule #2: Failure to comply with Rule #1 shall disqualify the climber from the competition. 
Hope this helps.
Greg |
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learner12
Joined: 18 Nov 2006
Posts: 730
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| Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:31 am Post subject: |
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Dear dragn:
Thank you so much for your time and great explanations.
Take care and have a nice weekend. |
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