| Upper-Intermediate: The Tallest Basketball Player Ever |
| Sunday, 27 January 2008 | |
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Almost everywhere that Kenny George goes, someone stops him for an autograph or a picture. At airports and restaurants, passersby stare and point, too. His athletic ability on the college basketball court is one reason he stands out. In twenty minutes of play time in each game, he averages 12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks. However, George primarily gets noticed in any crowd because he's 7 feet 7 inches (or 234 centimeters) and 360 pounds (or 163 kilograms). That makes him the tallest player ever. It may seem very cool to slam dunk without jumping, but George faces a number of unusual difficulties. For starters, he's never learned to drive because he can't fit behind the steering wheel of a car. And whenever the team goes on a road trip, the bus company has to remove two seats so George can comfortably sit. Moreover, he sits on the floor of many of his class lectures because the desks are far too small. George's pituitary gland releases too much growth hormone, which is a condition known as gigantism. Andre the Giant, who was one of the top pro-wrestlers in the 1980s, is likely the most notable athlete in recent years with the same condition. Gigantism has made the twenty-two year old George very self-conscious. He hates giving interviews to reporters, where he often gets asked about his health, his size, and his condition. (He didn't play much in his sophomore year because of knee problems.) George's teammates have become protective of him as a result, and they often tell people to back off and leave their friend alone. In addition to his passion for basketball, George also has a keen interest in graphic design and animation. He has wished he weren't so tall, and he eventually hopes for a career in comics or animation. But first he wants to play pro-basketball for the NBA.
1. I would want people to ask for my autograph and take pictures wherever I go.
2. I wish I were tall enough to play pro-basketball. 3. I would become shy if people often stared and pointed at me. 4. It's good to be different and stand out from the crowd. 5. If a person becomes famous, he/she loses the right to privacy.
1. At airports and restaurants, ( ) stare and point at Kenny George.
2. In twenty minutes of each basketball game, he ( )12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks. 3. Whenever the team goes on a ( ), the bus company has to remove two seats so George can sit. 4. ( ), he sits on the floor of many of his classes. 5. In the ( ), the desks are far too small. 6. Andre the Giant is likely the most ( ) athlete in recent years with the same condition, gigantism. 7. Gigantism has made the twenty-two year old George very ( ). 8. He didn't play much in his ( ) year because of knee problems. 9. George's teammates often tell people to ( ) and leave their friend alone. 10. George also has a ( ) interest in graphic design and animation.
1. In addition to the problems listed in the article, what other difficulties do you think Kenny faces?
2. How would you feel if people often stared and pointed at you? What would you do?
3. If you were able to interview Kenny George, what three questions would you ask?
4. Would you want an extraordinary life if you also had an unusual physical condition that made life difficult?
5. Some people believe that celebrities, sports stars, politicians, etc. lose their right to privacy. Do you agree?
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