The drive to the win
A. Some purists may maintain experience anything quite like
that art competitions such as your first tournament, but be
poetry slams are the "death of B. It's one thing playing a calm careful because the buzz can be
art', but I'm betting that none of and quiet game of chess with addictive. Enjoy the start of the
them have really experienced your family or even someone C. Making money from ride of your life!
the pulsing excitement of a real, online. The atmospher is something that's a hobby
hard-fought, head-to-head slam relaxed, you have thinking time sounds like the stuff that
battle. These slams are and there's no real pressure on dreams are made of!
organised events where art is you to win. Enter a tournament Professional gamers can earn D. The beat is throbbing, the
shared and both participants and that all changes; enter a vast amounts and achieve a audience is roaring, you see the
and spectators are involved in Blitz Chess Tournament and it star-like status. However, they other guy throwing some
the art that is being created. For changes big time. Blitz has the all started somewhere and that awesome moves and he looks at
those not in the know, slams are same rules as standard chess, was by entering gaming you with a sneer. "Beat that!'
not sedate affairs where poets but your time to make a move tournaments. You may be used his eyes and hand qesture say.
dramatically declaim their is limited. Depending on the to playing online, but to show He turns, triumphant, and for a
poetry to a captivated audience tournament, it can be from five up and compete in person at an fleeting moment a sneaking)
that is hanging on every word. to fifteen minutes per player event is a massive step to take. doubt catches your heart. But
The atmosphere is charged with over the whole game. That isn't If it's a major event, it could there's no time for it to grow.
anticipation and poets battle for long! You need to play fast and involve committing yourself to You turn and quite literally face
the votes of randomly selected furiously, slamming the plunger several days of play. And it's the music. The beat kicks you
members of the audience. Their on your timer after every move. not only the time - the prospect into action and you lose
original poets, often with a hip It's essential to practise to of playing in front of people yourself in the moves that you
hop rhythm, need to create a improve speed and make quick, watching can be daunting. know can outperform his. This
sense of immediacy that almost intuitive decisions. Performance anxiety can affect time the cheers are all for you
touches everyone in the room, There's no time for more than a player both physically and and when you look into your
the body language bringing the simple tactics; you'll be playing mentally, and basic mistakes opponent's face, the sneer has
poem to life. The advice from mind games with your start to creep in. The secret is: been replaced by something
someone who knows all about opponent, and trying to distract try not to dwell on them, approaching respect. The
it is, 'Prepare, practise, rise to each other. Add to this the otherwise you'll lose focus and audience turn their cards - red
the occasion. Enjoy the buzz pressure of playing with people be constantly playing catch-up. for him, blue for you- and it's a
and don't let a bad reaction put watching your every move and The atmosphere at these sea of blue. You've won your
you off - grow a thick skin. The you've got an experience that is contests is electric, with the first major dance battle. It's a
death of art? No way. It's art totally exhausting. So keep spectators picking up on the heady feeling, winning, and
alive, in the best sense of the your body in good shape, too. tension between the dance battles are not for the
word. participants. You'll never faint-hearted. It's an intense
experience and you need putting in hours and hours of your moves with mates in the
enormous confidence in your rigorous training and practice. street or studio and the intensity
ability. And winning is not However, there's no real of battling it out with a true
down to luck; success means comparison between throwing opponent - none whatsoever.
4. Read the contributions again. For questions 1-10, choose from the contributors
(A-D). The contributors may be chosen more than once. Which contributor:
1 points out the need for physical fitness?
2 advises participants not to be affected by early errors?
3 questions the justification for a negative attitude?
4 mentions the importance of each spectator's opinion?
exemplifies how psychology can affect a contest?
6 describes how a challenger can instil uncertainty during a contest?
7 corrects a mistaken belief?
8 presents a comparison between two different contest environments?
9 emphasises the benefit of engaging with the spectators?
10 suggests that even a negative experience can lead to a need to repeat it?
5. Find words or phrases in the contributions that mean the following.
1 people who are not familiar with (sth) (paragraph A)
2 listening intently (paragraph A)
3 deal successfully with a difficult situation (paragraph A)
4 significantly (paragraph B)
5 saying or doing things to confuse a person (paragraph B)
6 trying to reach the same standard as someone else (paragraph C)
7 performing dance steps (paragraph D)
8 for a very short time (paragraph D)
9 not suitable for people without confidence (paragraph D)
10 not because of (paragraph D)
