A GOVERNMENT SCHEME TO KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY

Task 1. Before reading the text, fill the gaps in the sentences using the key words from the text.
The words in the text have been highlighted to help you.

ensure residents obtain deprived research

minority obese intake reduce launch

1. Women in the diet and exercise group reduced their food __________ by 500 calories, essentially
by avoiding fatty and sugary foods.
2. Do they use the same sort of violence and threats to __________ what they want?
3. We acknowledge that we have chosen an unfortunate time to __________ this new product.
4. With this program, you can __________ bodyfat without losing hard-earned muscle.
5. Doctors must also take action to __________ the safety of their clients’ personal data.
6. It is estimated that more than one in five Britons is now classed as __________ and three-
quarters are overweight.
7. I was __________ of sleep, especially during the first few days after my son was born.
8. How do we detect the __________ of patients who really would be frightened?
9. She carried out some __________ on the virus to find the cure.
10. Angry __________ in the area are collecting a petition to go to the council complaining about the
situation.

Local governments have had to take on a new responsibility ensuring that people stay fit and
healthy. Birmingham council is already hot on the case.  For the past few years they have been
encouraging local residents to enrol on the Be Active scheme, which allows them to use local leisure
services completely free of charge.  
Participants must register to obtain a membership card.  They can then use the facilities in leisure
centres across the city at certain times of the day.  
30 leisure centres are signed up to the scheme.  Each leisure centre must offer a minimum of one
hour of swimming time and an hour of gym time to Be Active members.  In reality, in some
establishments in the more deprived areas, 70 % of opening hours are reserved for Be Active
members. Exercise classes and badminton courts are also made available on top of the standard
facilities.  Be Active classes are also being provided in schools and community centres.  There are
guided bike rides, and even proposals to roll out activities in public spaces such as rounders games in
parks, and buggy pushes for new mothers.
Since it was launched in 2008, a third of the local population, a total of 360,000 people, has signed
up for the scheme. 60 % of these are from minority groups, and the average age is 49, as opposed to
29, the figure for private gyms.   The majority were not previously members of a sports club of any
kind, half were overweight or obese, and a fifth considered themselves to be in poor health,
indicating that the scheme is reaching the people who need it most.  Research also shows that since
the scheme was set up, there has been a rise in demand for information about reducing alcohol
intake and quitting smoking. 
Statistics show that for every £1 spent on the Be Active scheme, £23 is saved in the health service. 
Sadly, the scheme has suffered from budget cuts, and lately it has had to reduce the hours available
to members.  Nonetheless, other councils are interested in the great strides made by Birmingham
council, and officials from Birmingham have been holding workshops with representatives from
other councils to spread the word about what can be achieved.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22350807, 18/3/2020, 5.10 pm

Task 2. Are these statements true (T) or false (F) according to the text?

1. The Be Active scheme started up earlier this year.    

2. Everyone in Birmingham is eligible for Be Active.   

3. Participants must pay a one-off fee to register.   

4. Participants can use the leisure facilities at any time of day.    

5. Participants can use their Be Active membership cards at any sports centre in Birmingham.   

6. Participants can only use the leisure facilities for two hours per week.    
7. Some sports centres dedicate over half their opening hours to Be Active members. 

8. Some Be Active activities take place outside leisure centres.

9. The Be Active scheme was not as popular as the council hoped.    

10. The Be Active scheme attracts both slim and overweight people.   

11. The majority of participants are White British.   

12. The scheme is saving the government money in health costs.

13. Less money is available for Be Active now than in the past.    
14. The Be Active scheme is currently only available in Birmingham.   

Task 3. What do these numbers in the text refer to? 

1. 360,000
2. 29
3. 30
 4. 2008

Task 4. In the text, find the words defined.

1. In good health, especially because of regular physical exercise - _______
2. Belonging or relating to a particular area or neighbourhood - _______
3. The least or smallest amount or quantity possible - _______
4. Used or accepted as normal or average - _______
5. An advisory, deliberative, or legislative body of people formally constituted and meeting
regularly - _______
6. a meeting at which a group of people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a
particular subject or project - _______
7. provided or owned by an individual or an independent, commercial company rather than by
the government - _______

Task 5. Identify the tense used in the sentences.

1. Local governments have had to take on a new responsibility.
2. For the past few years they have been encouraging local residents to enrol on the Be
Active scheme.
3. 30 leisure centres are signed up to the scheme.
4. There are guided bike rides.
5. 70 % of opening hours are reserved for Be Active members.
6. A third of the local population, a total of 360,000 people, has signed up for the scheme.
7. The programme was launched in 2008.
8. The majority were not previously members of a sports club.
9. £23 is saved in the health service.
10. Sadly, the scheme has suffered from budget cuts.

Task 6. Choose the right word/ words to finish the sentences .

1. As soon as participants register / will register to obtain a membership card, they can use
the facilities in leisure centres.
2. Research also shows that since the scheme was set on / up, there has been a rise in
demand for information.
3. Other councils are also interested / interesting in the programme.
4. On / In reality, a fifth considered themselves to be in poor health.
5. Be Active scheme allows them to use / using local leisure services
KEY
Task 1.
1. intake
2. obtain
3. launch
4. reduce
5. ensure
6. obese
7. deprived
8. minority
9. research
10. residents

Task 2.
1. F
2. T
3. F
4. F
5. F
6. F
7. T
8. T
9. F
10. T
11. F
12. T
13. T
14. T

Task 3.
1. number of people signed up for Be Active
2. the average age of people in private gyms
3. number of leisure centres signed up to the scheme
4. the year Be Active was launched

Task 4.
1. fit
2. local
3. minimum
4. standard
5. council
6. workshop
7. private

Task 5.
 1. have had – Present Perfect Active
2. have been encouraging – Present Perfect Continuous Active
3. are signed up – Present Simple Passive
4. are – Present Simple Active
5. are reserved - Present Simple Passive
6. has signed up – Present Perfect Active
7. was launched – Past Simple Passive
8. were not – Past Simple Active
9. is saved – Present Simple Passive
10. has suffered – Present Perfect Active

Task 6.
1. register
2. up
3. interested
4. In
5. to use