I.
Answer the following questions:
1. Give a short definition of basketball.
2. How many players does a team consist of?
3. Describe the manner of scoring points during a basketball game.
4. Mention some of the techniques used in the game.
5. Explain the names given to different players according to their size or physical abilities.
6. How are the points awarded for each shot?
7. How long does a game last?
8. How many players may be substituted during the game?
9. What does the equipment consist of?
10. How many referees supervise the game?
11. Describe the location where a game is held.
12. Name some of your favourite players.
II. Read the text and establish whether the following statements are correct or false.
True False
1. Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active
players and a goalie.
2. Points are scored by shooting the ball at the goal at the end of
the court.
3. A successful shot is worth two points, or three points.
4. Games are played in four quarters of 10 or 12 minutes.
5. Substitutions are unlimited but can only be done when play is
stopped
6. Players wear high-top sneakers that provide extra knee support.
7. A regulation basketball court in international games is 28 by
15 meters.
8. An unlimited number of time-outs, clock stoppages requested
by a coach for a short meeting with the players, are allowed.
9. Five players from each team (out of a twelve player roster) may
be on the court at one time.
10. The object of the game is to outscore one's opponents by
throwing the ball through the opponents' basket.
11. Most courts are made of cement. A straw basket with net and
backboard hang over each end of the court.
12. Teams do not exchange baskets for the second half.
III. Missing words. Put the following words in the correct sentences: quarter(s), center,
uniform, player(s), basket(s), time-out(s), foul, guard(s), coach, court, point guard, umpire(s),
basketball, shot, table-official(s), dribbling.
1. The tallest members of a team will play ……………..,the shortest member usually plays
……………….. while often the best ball handlers are ………………..
2. A successful …………is worth two points, or three points if it is taken from beyond the three-
point arc, which is 6.25 meters from the basket.
3. The essential equipment in basketball is the ……………………and the ………….: a flat,
rectangular surface with ……………..at opposite ends.
4. The game is controlled by the officials consisting of the referee and one or two
………………….and the table officials.
5. The ball can be advanced on the court by …………………it or passing it between team-mates.
6. Teams also have a …………, who oversees the development and strategies of the team.
7. For both men's and women's teams, a standard …………………..consists of a pair of shorts
and a jersey with a clearly visible number, unique within the team, printed on both the front and
back.
8. A limited number of……………….., clock stoppages requested by a coach for a short meeting
with the players, are allowed.
9. The ………………..are responsible for keeping track of each teams scoring, timekeeping,
individual and team fouls, player substitutions, team possession arrow, and the shot clock.
10. Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active………………...
11……………, disruptive physical contact, is not permitted.
12. Games are played in four ……………….of 10 or 12 minutes.
IV. Fill in the missing letters.
1. B __ __ __ __T __ __ __ __ (a game played between two team of five players each, the
object being to throw the ball through an elevated basket on the opponent’s side of the
court)
2. D __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (bouncing the ball on the court)
3. T __ __ __ O __ __ (a period of suspended play during a game)
4. Q __ __ __ __ __ __ (15 minutes)
5. U __ __ __ __ __ (a kind of referee)
6. S __ __ __ __ S __ __ __ __ (a paper on which is written the score of the game)
7. F __ __ __ (disruptive physical contact)
8. S __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (the sports shoes used by the basketball players)
9. S __ __ __ __ __ __ U __ __ __ __ (when a player takes the place of another one)
10. C __ __ __ __ (an open area marked with lines upon which tennis, basketball, handball
games are played)
11. B __ __ __ __ __ (a hoop with an open-ended net suspended from it, serving for the goal)
12. C __ __ __ __ (an instrument for measuring or indicating time)
V. Word building. The word in capitals at the end of each of the following sentences can be
used to form a word that fits suitably in the blank space.
Example: During the war, there was a great SHORTAGE of sugar, coffee and other goods.
SHORT
1. Basketball is one of the most popular and …………….. viewed sports in the world.
WIDE
2. A ………………. shot is worth two points, or three points if it is taken from beyond the
three-point arc. SUCCESS
3. Substitutions are ……………… but can only be done when play is stopped. LIMIT
4. Teams also have a coach, who oversees the …………………. and strategies of the team.
DEVELOP
5. There are also other team personnel such as assistant coaches, managers,
…………………., doctors and trainers. STATISTICS
6. Time-outs generally last no longer than one minute unless, for ……………. games, a
commercial break is needed. TELEVISION
7. The table officials are responsible for keeping track of each teams scoring, timekeeping,
individual and team fouls, player substitutions, team ……………….. arrow, and the shot
clock POSSESS
8. ………………….., team names, players' names and that of the sponsors are printed on the
uniforms. TYPE
9. ………………… levels require the use of more equipment such as clocks, scoresheets,
scoreboard(s), alternating possession arrows, and whistle-operated stop-clock systems.
COMPETE
10. Normally, the …………. members of a team will play center. TALL
VI. Translate into English:
Un joc de baschet are loc între două echipe a câte 5 jucători pe teren fiecare. Scopul fiecãrei
echipe este să introducă mingea în coşul adversarilor şi să încerce să împiedice cealaltă echipa să
înscrie.
Punctele sunt marcate prin aruncarea mingii (ochire) prin coş de sus; echipa care
acumuleazã mai multe puncte la sfârşitul jocului câştigã. Mingea poate fi fãcutã sã înainteze pe
teren prin driblare sau pasând-o altor coechipieri. Actele fizice nesportive (faulturi) sunt
penalizate şi există restricţii asupra modului în care este folosită mingea (încălcări).
De-a lungul timpului, în baschet s-au dezvoltat tehnicile obişnuite de ochire, pasare şi
driblare, dar şi de poziţionare a jucătorilor, precum şi structurile ofensive şi defensive. De obicei,
jucătorii cei mai înalţi vor ocupa centrul sau una dintre cele două poziţii de înaintare, iar jucătorii
mai mici de statură sau cei care au viteză şi cele mai bune abilităţi de mânuire a mingii, vor ocupa
poziţia de pază.
