1 . Sport is not only physically challenging, but it can also be mentally challenging. Criticism from coaches, parents, and other teammates, as well as pressure to win can create an excessive amount of anxiety or stress for young athletes. Stress can be physical, emotional, or psychological and research has suggested that it can lead to burnout. Burnout has been described as dropping or quitting of an activity that was at one time enjoyable.

The early years of development are critical years for learning about oneself. The sport setting is one where valuable experiences can take place. Young athletes can, for example, learn how to cooperate with others, make friends, and gain other social skills that will be used throughout their lives. Coaches and parents should be aware, at all times, that their feedback to youngsters can greatly affect their children. Youngsters may take parents’ and coaches’ criticisms to heart and find a mistake in themselves.

Coaches and parents should also be careful that youth sport participation does not become work for children. The outcome of the game should not be more important than the process of learning the sport and other life lessons. In today’s youth sport setting, young athletes may be worrying more about who will win instead of enjoying themselves and the sport. Following a game, many parents and coaches focus on the outcome and find fault with youngsters’ performances. Positive reinforcement motivates and has a greater effect on learning than criticism. Again, criticism can create high levels of stress, which can lead to burnout.

1. What is the main idea of the first paragraph?

A．Mental stress should be reduced.	B．Sport should be made less competitive.
C．Stress should be made less.	D．Sport can be mentally challenging.

2. According to the passage, young people like sport because ________ .

A．it can help them learn more about society

B．it enables them to criticize themselves

C．it can provide them with valuable experiences

D．it teaches them how to set realistic goals for themselves

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Parents and coaches should enable children to enjoy sport.

B．Parents and coaches should help children to win every game.

C．Parents and coaches should train children to deal with stress.

D．Parents and coaches should understand the meaning of sport.

4. What is the purpose of the passage?

A．To teach young athletes how to avoid burnout.

B．To persuade young children not to worry about criticism.

C．To stress the importance of encouraging children.

D．To discuss the skill of combining criticism with encouragement.