GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 150
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some sports are extremely dangerous for those who play them. Why do people participate in such sports? What measures could they take to minimise the risks involved?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer:
When it comes down to playing sports, many people opt for extreme sports. This essay will expound the “whys” and “wherefores” of this phenomenon, and then come up with the precautions athletes could take so as to reduce the risks associated with such sports.
Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. One of the major reasons why people enjoy such intense and dangerous sports is the adrenalin rush it offers. An adrenalin rush, in common parlance, is a phenomenon of stimulation of the adrenal gland resulting in owing to an activity that creates acute stress on the body. The extreme sports, beyond a doubt, belong to the category of activities that can bring forth stress. Therefore, there is nothing like extreme sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, skydiving, surfing and mountain biking, to get the adrenalin going. In addition to this, some people consider that it enhances their fear management skills and they feel more alive and close to nature. To them, such sports are able to translate their fear into elation.
Extreme sports athletes should take safety measures so as to escape the dangers involved in these sports. First of all, adventure sportspeople are expected to take reasonable precautions for their safety. At times of abrupt fall or thrust, for example, people may temporarily injure their elbows, knees, and other parts of the body. Therefore, athletes should ensure that they wear proper protective gears, including helmet, elbow pads, knees pads, wrist pads, goggles and gloves, and make sure that all equipment is in good working condition and used appropriately. In addition to safety, they should wear proper footwear that provides them with dryness, warmth and ample ankle support as well. Finally, they should also choose a licensed tour company that has high safety and risk management procedure.
In conclusion, adventurous stints at an extreme sport are worth an experience once in a lifetime for many. However, the utmost caution must be exercised before participants opt for any extreme sport.