Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 80: Do you think that international sports events like the Olympic Games would 
continue or gradually lose their momentum?
 
(quicker, higher and stronger) (the Olympics spirit), (encourage any behaviour that is fair, honest 
and polite in a game or sports competition), (sportsmanship). (basis of self-development and 
socialization)
(to take part but not to win, to have fought well, but not to conquer); (achieve potential and uphold 
virtues) ;
 (economic, cultural and political communication) ;
(economic benefit and social influence},
(displays of nationalism, commerce and politics). (corruption and bribery are well-documented);
(interfere with the Olympics on several occasions) ;
(take an oath promising to abide by rules), (promise not to cheat), (true spirit of sportsmanship),
(substance use ) (tose interest);
(run a budget deficit)
(require a high degree of security) , (a high expenditure of labour and resources)
The Olympics, known as the world's largest event, appeal to global audiences with 
displaying athletic skills and competitive spirit. Pageantry, keen rivalry, and high level of 
competition are the striking attractions of the Olympic Games. W11en many people are 
concerned about the forces that drive this event forward, there are fears about their 
sustainability. In my opinion, the Olympic torch will be carried by relay runners on and on 
and would never be extinguished.
Reasons why the Olympics would continue are many. First, people, especially young 
males, are in need of some form of outlet for their energy and emotion related with sports. 
The Olympics, as well as other international sports events, are ideal for them. Meanwhile, 
leisure activities are valued today, as economic conditions continue to improve. As part of the 
growing leisure industries, sport and sporting contests will become increasingly important. 
Moreover, the Olympics are of commercial values and of broad interest to mass media 
organizations, advertisers, sponsors and business managers. Because of those business 
opportunities, cities will not cease to compete to host sporting events. Needless to say, they 
can thus achieve or maintain world class status.
Apart from those tangible benefits, the Olympics possess other values. For example, the 
Olympics allow nearly all nations in the world to compete in the event rather than require any 
of them to meet the strict political requirements set by other worldwide organizations, such as 
the United Nations on sovereignty. The political, social and economic conflicts between 
countries and regions are disregarded in the face of Olympic spirit. Audiences are so 
engrossed by the grace, endurance and fortitude shown by athletes that they pay little 
attention to their nations of origin, cultural and language differences. 
Despite those elements in favour of sustaining this international event, the Olympics are 
facing many challenges today. The expenditures are one of the biggest. So many services and 
facilities are required for serving athletes, media and spectators that up to present, only those 
cities from industrialized countries are capable of and interested in hosting such events. The 
Olympics are meanwhile the botbed of various scandals. Tempted by the prospect of large 
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financial rewards, many athletes take proscribed performance-enhancing drugs, a stain on the 
sportsmanship pursued by the Olympics. Critics also view international sporting events as a 
substitute for war, ritualizing and formalizing the conflicts between countries. What's more, 
the Games draw criticism for embracing commercialism. The Olympic torch, for example, an 
important symbol of the Olympics, has been used popularly in the commodity market.
As shown above, humankind's passion for competing in and watching games, the special 
appeals of the Olympic Games, and economic and non-economic benefits brought to the host 
city all make the immediate demise of the games unlikely. However, in the pursuit of those 
high ideals, the Olympics are meanwhile at the risk of being the instruments of 
commercialism and nationalism. 
1. Extinguish=put out=quench
2. Host=provide facilities for
3. Sovereignty=autonomy=independence
4. Engrossed by=occupied by=absorbed in=immersed in
5. Fortitude=determination=courage=strength
6. Spectator=viewer=observer=watcher=audience
7. Tempt=lure=entice=attract
8. Proscribed=banned=prohibited=forbidden
9. Ritualize =make sth a ritual
10. Formalize =make sth formal
11. Embrace=accept=adopt
12. Demise=termination=death
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