Unit6TaiwansPopularSports.docVIP

高中英文（一）Outside Reading —  FILENAME 627409-58f4df1c1791b.doc -  PAGE 3 - Unit 6 Taiwan’s Popular Sports Part A 閱讀—Reading Section 　　Today in Taiwan, most people are active in sports or other health-conscious activities which include traditional Chinese shadowboxing and martial arts, as well as dancing and hiking. Other modern exercises include yoga from India and aerobics from the West. Many people in Taiwan, both young and old, also like to play modern western sports. 　　One of these more popular imported sports is baseball. Although baseball came from England, Americans made it into the game that is now played around the world. Many children enjoy this team sport because it needs speed, good eyesight, throwing and catching skills, and team work among the players. Besides, all you need is a bat, a ball, baseball gloves, and a place to play. In fact, the game is so popular in Taiwan that, in the past twenty years, Taiwan has started two professional baseball leagues. People in Taiwan really love baseball! 　　Basketball has become more popular in Taiwan in recent years. Anyone who can run and throw a ball into a hoop can play this simple game. Official games have two teams of five players each, but young people often play one-on-one just for fun. Most cities have basketball courts in city parks; the only other gear needed is a basketball. This may help explain why basketball has become so popular around the world. 　　Other sports are also becoming popular in Taiwan. Golf and tennis, for example, have become popular among the middle-aged and middle-class. The young like bicycling, skateboarding, and in-line skating more. People of all ages are learning to enjoy water sports such as swimming, snorkeling, and deep-sea diving. It seems that nearly everyone in Taiwan is devoted to one or more sports. 　　And why not? The benefits of exercising are well-known. Besides keeping and improving health, joining in sports also builds good character. Learning to work with others