Callisthenics Reading Answers

Oct 6, 2024

Callisthenics Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Callisthenics Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions set there are questions where you have to choose the correct option from the passage. in the next set of questions you have to fill in the blanks.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, a.nd answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers feature topics such as Callisthenics Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

A. From the very first caveman to scale a tree or hang from a cliff face, to the mighty armies of the Greco-Roman empires and the gymnasiums of modern American high schools, calisthenics has endured and thrived because of its simplicity and utility. Unlike strength training which involves weights, machines or resistance bands, calisthenics uses only the body’s own weight for physical development.

B. Calisthenics enters the historical record at around 480 B.C., with Herodotus’ account of the Battle of Thermopylae. Herodotus reported that, prior to the battle, the god-king Xerxes sent a scout party to spy on his Spartan enemies. The scouts informed Xerxes that the Spartans, under the leadership of King Leonidas, were practicing some kind of bizarre, synchronized movements akin to a tribal dance. Xerxes was greatly amused. His own army comprised over 120,000 men, while the Spartans had just 300. Leonidas was informed that he must retreat or face annihilation. The Spartans did not retreat, however, and in the ensuing battle, they managed to hold Xerxes’ enormous army at bay for some time until reinforcements arrived. It turns out their tribal dance was not a superstitious ritual but a form of calisthenics by which they were building awe-inspiring physical strength and endurance.

C. The Greeks took calisthenics seriously not only as a form of military discipline and strength but also as an artistic expression of movement and an aesthetically ideal physique. Indeed, the term calisthenics itself is derived from the Greek words for beauty and strength. We know from historical records and images from pottery, mosaics and sculptures of the period that the ancient Olympians took calisthenics training seriously. They were greatly admired – and still are, today – for their combination of athleticism and physical beauty. You may have heard a friend whimsically sigh and mention that someone ‘has the body of a Greek god’. This expression has travelled through centuries and continents and the source of this envy and admiration is the calisthenics method.

D. Calisthenics experienced its second golden age in the 1800s. This century saw the birth of gymnastics, an organised sport that uses a range of bars, rings, vaulting horses and balancing beams to display physical prowess. This period is also when the phenomena of strongmen developed. These were people of astounding physical strength and development who forged nomadic careers by demonstrating outlandish feats of strength to stunned populations. Most of these men trained using hand balancing and horizontal bars, as modern weight machines had not yet been invented.

E. In the 1950s, Angelo Siciliano – who went by the stage name Charles Atlas – was crowned “The World’s Most Perfectly Developed Man”. Atlas’s own approach stemmed from traditional calisthenics and through a series of mail-order comic books he taught these methods to hundreds of thousands of children and young adults through the 1960s and 1970s. But Atlas was the last of a dying breed. The tides were turning, fitness methods were drifting away from calisthenics, and no widely-regarded proponent of the method would ever succeed him.

F. In the 1960s and 1970s, calisthenics and the goal of functional strength combined with physical beauty was replaced by an emphasis on huge muscles at any cost. This became the sport of bodybuilding. Although body building’s pioneers were drawn from the calisthenics tradition, the sole goal soon became an increase in muscle size. Bodybuilding icons, people such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sergio Oliva, were called mass monsters because of their imposing physiques. Physical development of this nature was only attainable through the use of anabolic steroids, synthetic hormones which boosted muscle development while harming overall health. These bodybuilders also relied on free weights and machines, which allowed them to target and bloat the size of individual muscles rather than develop a naturally proportioned body. Calisthenics, with its emphasis on physical beauty and a balance in proportions, had little to offer the mass monsters.

G. In this “bigger is better” climate, calisthenics was relegated to groups perceived to be vulnerable, such as women, people recuperating from injuries and school students. Although some of the strongest and most physically developed human beings ever to have lived acquired their abilities through the use of sophisticated calisthenics, a great deal of this knowledge was discarded and the method was reduced to nothing more than an easily accessible and readily available activity. Those who mastered the rudimentary skills of calisthenics could expect to graduate to weight training rather than advanced calisthenics.

H. In recent years, however, fitness trends have been shifting back toward the use of calisthenics. Bodybuilding approaches that promote excessive muscle development frequently lead to joint pain, injuries, unbalanced physiques and weak cardiovascular health. As a result, many of the newest and most popular gyms and programmes emphasize calisthenics-based methods instead. Modern practices often combine elements from a number of related traditions such as yoga, Pilates, kettle-ball training, gymnastics and traditional Greco-Roman calisthenics. Many people are keen to recover the original Greek vision of physical beauty and strength and harmony of the mind-body connection.

Questions 28

Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

Write A, B, C or D in the box 28 on your answer sheet.

28. Calisthenics is:

A. the world’s oldest form of sports training

B. a strength training

C.a battle technique

D. being emphasized by many popular gyms

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “........As a result, many of the newest and most popular gyms and programmes emphasize calisthenics-based methods instead........”

Keyword: emphasize, popular

Keyword location: para H, Line 2

Explanation: The passage indicates that there is a modern trend where gyms are increasingly focusing on calisthenics, highlighting its resurgence in popularity. This supports answer D as it reflects the current emphasis on calisthenics by popular fitness establishments.

Questions 29-35

The text has eight paragraphs, A–H. Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A–H, in boxes, 29–35 on your answer sheet

29. The origin of the word ‘calisthenics’.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “........Indeed, the term calisthenics itself is derived from the Greek words for beauty and strength........”

Keyword: origin, derived

Keyword location: para C, Line 1

Explanation: The statement clarifies that the word "calisthenics" comes from Greek roots, combining the meanings of beauty and strength. This directly addresses the question regarding the etymology of the term, affirming answer C.

30. The last popular supporter of calisthenics.

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “.......But Atlas was the last of a dying breed. The tides were turning, fitness methods were drifting away from calisthenics.........”

Keyword: last, supporter

Keyword location: para E, Line 3

Explanation: Charles Atlas is described as the final notable advocate of calisthenics. His prominence in the 1950s and the subsequent decline of the method’s popularity illustrate that he was indeed the last significant figure to champion calisthenics, making answer E accurate.

31. The first use of calisthenics as a training method.

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “........It turns out their tribal dance was not a superstitious ritual but a form of calisthenics.........”

Keyword: dance, form

Keyword location: para B, Line 6

Explanation: This statement provides historical context, illustrating that the Spartans employed calisthenics as a training method prior to the Battle of Thermopylae. It showcases how calisthenics has been used for physical preparation in military contexts for centuries.

32. A multidisciplinary approach to all-round health and strength.

Answer: H

Supporting statement: “.........Modern practices often combine elements from a number of related traditions such as yoga, Pilates, kettle-ball training, gymnastics and traditional Greco-Roman calisthenics.......”

Keyword: combine, multidisciplinary

Keyword location: para H, Line 1

Explanation: The statement highlights how modern fitness practices integrate various disciplines with calisthenics, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to health and strength.

33. Reasons for the survival of calisthenics throughout the ages.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “........Calisthenics has endured and thrived because of its simplicity and utility........”

Keyword: endured, simplicity

Keyword location: para A, Line 1

Explanation: The passage stresses that calisthenics has maintained its relevance due to its straightforwardness and effectiveness. These qualities have allowed it to adapt and survive over time, supporting answer A.

34. The use of a medical substance to increase muscle mass and strength.

Answer: F

Supporting statement: “.........Physical development of this nature was only attainable through the use of anabolic steroids, synthetic hormones which boosted muscle development.......”

Keyword: steroids, increase

Keyword location: para F, Line 5

Explanation: The mention of anabolic steroids directly addresses the question about medical substances used to enhance muscle size and strength. The passage indicates that such substances became commonplace in bodybuilding, thereby confirming answer F.

35. A reference to travelling showmen who displayed their strength for audiences.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “.......This period is also when the phenomena of strongmen developed.........”

Keyword: strongmen, displayed

Keyword location: para D, Line 1

Explanation: The term "strongmen" refers to individuals who performed physical feats for entertainment, often in a circus or show setting. This aligns with the question about traveling showmen, making answer D fitting.

Questions 36-40

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 36–40 on your answer sheet.

During the sixties and seventies, attaining huge muscles became more important than (36) ……………… or having an attractive-looking body. The first people to take up this Answer: FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH

Supporting statement: “........attaining huge muscles became more important than functional strength or having an attractive-looking body........”

Keyword: muscles, functional

Keyword location: para F, Line 1

Explanation: The passage indicates a cultural shift where the goal of bodybuilding prioritized size over functional strength, clarifying that traditional strength training’s emphasis on usability was overshadowed during this era.

new sport of bodybuilding had a background in calisthenics but the most famous practitioners became known as (37) ……………… on account of the impressive size of Answer: MASS MONSTERS

Supporting statement: “........Bodybuilding icons, people such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sergio Oliva, were called mass monsters because of their imposing physiques........”

Keyword: monsters, imposing

Keyword location: para F, Line 4

Explanation: The description of bodybuilding icons as "mass monsters" explicitly ties them to the evolution of bodybuilding from calisthenics. It confirms the connection and reflects the cultural perceptions of bodybuilders.

their muscles. Drugs and mechanical devices were used to develop individual muscles to a monstrous size. Calisthenics then became the domain of ‘weaker’ people: females, children and those recovering from (38) ……………… . Much of the advanced

Answer: INJURIES

Supporting statement: “........Calisthenics was relegated to groups perceived to be vulnerable, such as women, people recuperating from injuries.........”

Keyword: injuries, weaker

Keyword location: para G, Line 1

Explanation: This statement explains how societal perceptions led to calisthenics being associated with individuals considered less strong, particularly those recovering from injuries.

knowledge about calisthenics was lost and the method was subsequently downgraded to the status of a simple, user-friendly activity. Once a person became skilled at this, he would progress to (39) ……………… . Currently, a revival of calisthenics is underway as Answer: WEIGHT TRAINING

Supporting statement: “........Those who mastered the rudimentary skills of calisthenics could expect to graduate to weight training........”

Keyword: training, graduate

Keyword location: para G, Line 3

Explanation: The passage indicates a progression from calisthenics to weight training as individuals developed their skills. This pathway highlights the traditional view of strength training

extreme muscle building can harm the body leaving it sore, out of balance, and in poor (40) ……………… .

Answer: CARDIOVASCULAR STRENGTH

Supporting statement: “........Bodybuilding approaches that promote excessive muscle development frequently lead to joint pain, injuries, unbalanced physiques and weak cardiovascular health........”

Keyword: health, harm

Keyword location: para H, Line 1

Explanation: The passage emphasizes the negative consequences of extreme muscle building, particularly on cardiovascular health. It underscores the importance of balanced physical fitness.

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