Language Cafe Level 3 Students' Book Unit 6 - Sports and Hobbies - Competitive Snowball Fighting Hits Scotland!

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by James

Sports and hobbies unit material focused on describing sports and games, discussing free-time activities, expressing opinions, and writing a magazine-style article. The core reading text explains competitive snowball fighting (Yukigassen): its origins in Japan, rules for winning, team composition, strategies, equipment and safety guidance, and event details including time and venue. Follow-up activities develop gist and detailed reading, speaking prompts, and practice grammar with modals of obligation and vocabulary with adjectives ending in -ive.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Objectives

Take part!

Reading

Read for gist

Read for detail

Grammar: Modals of obligation

Vocabulary: Adjectives ending in -ive

6 SPORTS AND HOBBIES You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. Richard Lingard A surfer rides the inside of a wave at End of the road Beach, Tahiti. OBJECTIVES describe a sport or game give a short, persuasive talk talk about hobbies and free time activities discuss trying new things express your opinion write an article for a magazine Work with a partner. Discuss the questions. 1 Do you agree with the quote? 2 Look at the picture. Why do some people take part in sports like this? 3 How interested are you in these free time activities? team sports running music collecting SPORTS AND HOBBIES 61 6.1 Take part! Describe a sport or game Give a short, persuasive talk ~~ G ~~modals of obligation ~~ V ~~adjectives ending in-ive; sports ~~ P ~~ rhythm: pausing ~~ S ~~ listening for main and supporting points COMPETITIVE SNOWBALL FIGHTING HITS SCOTLAND! If you think snowball fights are just for school kids, think again. Competitive snowball fighting (Yukigassen) is a sport for grown-ups that has just arrived in Scotland. It began as an official sport in Japan in 1987 and since then it has spread to countries such as Canada, Australia, Norway and Sweden. And this weekend sees the first ever matches in Scotland. Angus Campbell, the captain of the Glasgow Ice Warriors, says ‘I think Yukigassen is going to be massive here. We have the snow and it’s a fun and inexpensive sport that’s attractive to everyone. Each match only lasts nine minutes, so you don’t have to be super athletic to take part in a game.’The snowball fights take place on a small court (40 m x 10 m) between two teams of seven players – each team must include male and female members. To win a game, a team has to capture the other team’s flag or take out all their opponents with direct snowball hits. If a player is hit, he or she has to leave the game. The rules are fairly simple, but Angus insists that having an effective strategy is the key to success.‘You must work together as a team, be decisive and keep calm when under pressure from your opponents. You shouldn’t just run for the flag – you’ll soon get hit and be out. You need to be more creative than that. Your team only has 90 snowballs, which the referee gives you before the game. You must not make any more during the game.’Six teams are taking part in the event this weekend, and there will be trial sessions for anyone who wants to try it out. ‘It looks a little aggressive at first, but you shouldn’t feel nervous. It’s only snow, and all players have to wear a helmet, which we’ll provide. However, you should bring some warm gloves!’ If you’re interested in trying something active on these cold winter days, you simply must go. The games are impressive to watch, and great to play. After all, what’s more fun than playing in the snow? The first game starts at 2 pm, on Saturday, in the city park. Entrance is free. Families are welcome. READING A SPEAK Write down the names of the different sports you know in pictures 1–4. Then check with another student. What do you know about these sports? Tell your partner. B READ FOR GIST Read Competitive snowball fighting hits Scotland! Where do you think the article comes from? Why? a a national newspaper b a sports science academic journal c a local news and information website d a travel blog C READ FOR DETAIL Put the sentences in the order the information appears in the article. a New players do not need to bring any safety equipment. b There are two ways to beat the other team. c There are men and women on every team. d Generally, people think children, not adults, have snowball fights. 1 e A good game plan is important. f Several countries play competitive snowball fighting. D SPEAK Work in pairs. What is your opinion of Yukigassen? Would you like to play it? 1 2 62 SPORTS AND HOBBIES 6.1 GRAMMAR Modal s of obligation A WORK IT O

FAQs

What sport is the main reading about, and where did it begin?

The main text is about competitive snowball fighting (Yukigassen). It began as an official sport in Japan in 1987.

How can a team win in competitive snowball fighting?

A team wins by capturing the other team’s flag or by taking out all opponents using direct snowball hits.

Which grammar patterns are practiced in this unit?

The grammar focus is modals of obligation, including must/have to/need to, must not, don’t have to, and should.

Oct 1, 2026

Uploaded by James