Vocabulary Context
This word from paragraph 5 helps readers understand that running requires very little "modification" to fit into a busy schedule.
What is "change"?
The author most likely wrote this selection to appeal to this group.
Who are "people who would like to live a long and healthy life"?
According to the text, this percentage of kids in the United States dropped out of organized sports by age 13.
What is "70 percent"?
This is the main claim the author makes in the selection about solo sports.
What does "Solo sports make it possible for more people to stay fit throughout their lifetime" mean?
The author's main message centers on this benefit of individual sports over team sports.
What is "individual sports provide lifelong fitness opportunities that most people can maintain"?
In paragraph 1, this word means "stretched across" when describing Kelly's teaching career.
What is "spanned"?
The author begins paragraph 2 with a rhetorical question for this reason.
What is "to increase curiosity about the information that follows"?
The Copenhagen City Heart Study found that swimmers lived this many years longer than inactive people.
What is "nearly four years"?
According to paragraph 7, this is what happens "beyond physical fitness" when people participate in solo sports.
What are "mental and social benefits" (mood regulation, social interaction, better sleep, thinking, and well-being)?
The author uses this type of evidence to strengthen the argument about swimming benefits.
What is "scientific research/study data" (Copenhagen City Heart Study)?
This term from paragraph 6 describes exercises that don't put excessive stress on the body.
What is "low impact"?
Schools are offering hip-hop dance and Dance Dance Revolution for this main reason.
What is "they appeal more to young people looking for fun activities"?
Researchers found that runners live approximately this many years longer than non-runners.
What is "about three years"?
The text states that team sports become difficult to continue after this life stage.
What is "after graduating from high school or college"?
This is the main problem the author identifies with team sports in paragraphs 3-4.
What is "most people can't continue them after school/most kids drop out early"?
Paragraph 7 mentions these "feel-good brain chemicals" that regulate mood.
What are "endorphins"?
The author supports the argument by using this primary method throughout the selection.
What is "highlighting the proven benefits of various individual sports"?
The Copenhagen City Heart Study followed this many participants for up to 25 years.
What is "8,577 participants"?
Individual sports help develop this important character trait that team sports cannot teach as effectively.
What is "self-reliance" (or independence/problem-solving skills)?
The author addresses this potential counterargument by explaining the social benefits of individual sports.
What is "the idea that solo sports are antisocial or lack social interaction"?
This word from paragraph 3 means "praised" or "promoted" when referring to team sports benefits.
What is "touted"?
The author includes Cornelius "Cork" Kelly's story to serve this purpose in the argument.
What is "to provide a real-life example of someone who benefited from solo sports"?
According to Utah State University's 2019 poll, the average child quits organized sports by this age.
What is "age 11"?
The author suggests this is the "biggest key" to maintaining lifelong fitness through individual sports.
What is "fun" (enjoyment/finding activities you love)?
The author's argument structure follows this pattern: problem with team sports, solution with individual sports, and this final element.
What is "evidence of multiple benefits (physical, mental, and social)"?