Early Life - Carbeile Junior School · years and also trained in ballet with the Ballet West Academy. Nathan competed in his first figure skating competition in 2003 and made his

Early Life• Nathan Chen is a figure skater from Salt Lake City in the state of Utah, in

the United States.

• He was born on 5th May 1999.

• He started skating at the age of three after watching his two older brothers play ice hockey.

• Nathan entered gymnastic competitions at state and national level for seven years and also trained in ballet.

• Nathan entered his first figure skating competition in 2003 and made his national debut in the US Figure Skating Championships aged 10.

CompetitionsNathan is the four-time US national champion in the US Junior Championships.

He also won the US bronze medal at the senior level in 2016. He is also the current US Champion and Four Continents Champion.

Nathan Chen – Winter Olympics 2018

Fascinating FactDue to his training schedules and competing around the world, Nathan didn’t go to school but was schooled online. He hopes to go to college in the future.

Glossary

program - the dance routine

quad or quadruple - a figure skating jump with at least four turns

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In January 2016 at the US Figure Skating Championships, Nathan became the first male skater to land four quadruple jumps in a competition.

Nathan recently won a gold medal in the September 2017 US International Figure Skating Classic competition in his home town, Salt Lake City, winning with a quadruple loop jump.

Nathan Chen - Winter Olympics 2018

He has said, “I love jumping. I love watching jumping. Skating is a very beautiful sport and I love watching new programs.”

A Hard TimeDue to a hip injury, Nathan could not compete in the 2016 World Championships as he was off the ice for six months. He found being off the ice for so long quite a challenge.

The Future

Nathan has spent the last few months focusing on the 2018 Winter Olympics. All eyes will be on him as he takes to the rink in Pyeongchang.


Questions1. What sport does Nathan Chen compete in? Tick one.

speed skating

roller skating

figure skating

tour skating

2. Complete this table about Nathan Chen.

3. Why would it have been difficult for Nathan to go to school? Tick one.

He didn’t live near one.

He didn’t want to go.

He had to fit training in.

He didn’t see the point of going.

4. Find and copy one word which means Nathan Chen is a champion in particular

competitions at the moment.

5. What was surprising about Nathan’s performance at the US Figure Skating Championships in 2016? Tick one.

He landed five quadruple jumps.

He landed four quadruple jumps.

He landed two quadruple jumps.

He landed six quadruple jumps..


Date of birth

Age he started skating

Other interests

First skating competition


6. Tick one word that best describes Nathan’s feelings about figure skating.

enjoyable

indifferent

passionate

reasonable

7. Match up these statements.

8. Why didn’t Nathan compete in the 2016 World Championships after such a successful result earlier in the year in other competitions?


In 2003, Nathan won a competition with a quadruple loop jump.

In 2016, Nathan made his debut in a national competition.

In 2017, Nathanhe also won the US bronze medal at the senior level.



Answers1. What sport does Nathan Chen compete in? Tick one.

speed skating

roller skating

figure skating

tour skating

2. Complete this table about Nathan Chen.

3. Why would it have been difficult for Nathan to go to school? Tick one.

He didn’t live near one.

He didn’t want to go.

He had to fit training in.

He didn’t see the point of going.

4. Find and copy one word which means Nathan Chen is a champion in particular

competitions at the moment.

current

5. What was surprising about Nathan’s performance at the US Figure Skating Championships in 2016? Tick one.

He landed five quadruple jumps.

He landed four quadruple jumps.

He landed two quadruple jumps.

He landed six quadruple jumps..

Date of birth 5th May 1999

Age he started skating three years old

Other interests ballet and gymnastics

First skating competition US Figure Skating Championships

Date of birth

Age he started skating

Other interests

First skating competition



6. Tick one word that best describes Nathan’s feelings about figure skating.enjoyable

enjoyable

indifferent

passionate

reasonable

7. Match up these statements.

8. Why didn’t Nathan compete in the 2016 World Championships after such a successful result earlier in the year in other competitions?

Nathan didn’t compete in the 2016 World Championships because he had a hip injury and had to be off the ice for six months.

In 2003, Nathan won a competition with a quadruple loop jump.

In 2016, Nathan made his debut in a national competition.

In 2017, Nathanhe also won the US bronze medal at the senior level.


Early LifeNathan Chen is a figure skater from Salt Lake City in the state of Utah, in the United States. He was born on 5th May 1999. He started skating at the age of three after watching his two older brothers play hockey. His two older sisters are also figure skaters.

Nathan entered gymnastic competitions at state and national level for seven years and also trained in ballet with the Ballet West Academy.

Nathan competed in his first figure skating competition in 2003 and made his national debut in the US Figure Skating Championships at the age of ten. He has since gone on to be a world record-breaker in figure skating.

Nathan currently trains in California and his family relocated to support him.

CompetitionsNathan is the four-time US national champion in the US Junior Championships.

He also won the US bronze medal at the senior level, in 2016. He is the reigning US Champion and Four Continents Champion.


Fascinating FactDue to training schedules and competing around the world, Nathan didn’t go to school but was schooled online instead. He hopes to go to college in the future.

Glossary


quad or quadruple - a figure skating jump with at least four turns


In January 2016, at the US Figure Skating Championships, Nathan became the first male skater to land four quadruple jumps in a competition.

Later in the same year, he won a silver medal at a worldwide competition in France. This made him the second youngest skater ever to achieve a medal in this event.

Nathan recently won a gold medal in the September 2017 US International Figure Skating Classic competition in Utah, winning with a quadruple loop jump.


He has said, “I love jumping. I love watching jumping. Skating is a very beautiful sport and I love watching new programs.”

Comments from the CoachMarina Zoueva has trained Nathan Chen and said,

“It is absolutely amazing how he responds to any advice, immediately and cleanly. You give him a movement and, wow, how beautifully he emphasises everything. He is a very serious worker.”

Difficult TimesHowever, due to a hip injury, Nathan could not compete in the 2016 World Championships as he was forced to remain off the ice for six months. He said, “The disappointment was one of the most challenging aspects of the recovery.”

He continued, “The biggest thing to be wary of is to make sure I don’t have overuse injuries and I think I’ve learned to not push myself too hard at the beginning of the season.”

The FutureNathan has spent the last few months focusing on the 2018 Winter Olympics. All eyes will be on him as he takes to the rink in Pyeongchang.



Questions1. Write three facts we are told about Nathan Chen within the first paragraph.

2. Rewrite this sentence using a synonym for the word in bold. Nathan competed in his first figure skating competition in 2003

3. What does the word debut mean in the text? Tick one.

rising

performance

finale

first

4. What do you think the view of Nathan’s parents is on their son’s sports career? Explain your thoughts using evidence from the text.

5. Think of a different sub-heading for the section titled Competitions.

6. Complete these sentences with one fact for each.

In 2003,

In 2016,

In 2017,

7. Nathan has reportedly said, “I love watching new programs.” Explain what you understand from this quotation.



8. What has Nathan learned from his time off the ice due to injury?

9. Explain what is meant by this sentence: All eyes will be on him as he takes to the rink in Pyeongchang.

10. What do you think Nathan is like to work with? Give reasons for your answer.



Answers1. Write three facts we are told about Nathan Chen within the first paragraph.

Accept any three of the following: Nathan Chen is a figure skater from Salt Lake City in the state of Utah in the United States; He was born on 5th May 1999; He started skating at the age of three after watching his two older brothers play hockey; His two older sisters are also figure skaters.

2. Rewrite this sentence using a synonym for the word in bold. Nathan competed in his first figure skating competition in 2003. Accept any suitable synonym, such as: entered, performed in, contended.

3. What does the word debut mean in the text? Tick one.

rising

performance

finale

first

4. What do you think the view of Nathan’s parents is on their son’s sports career? Explain your thoughts using evidence from the text. I think Nathan’s parents were happy with his choice of sporting career because they moved to California to support him.

5. Think of a different sub-heading for the section titled Competitions. Accept any suitable sub-heading for the section, such as: Facts and Figures, Competing Career, A Winning Streak, Impressive Information.

6. Complete these sentences with one fact for each.

In 2003, Nathan competed in the US Figure Skating Championships.

In 2016, Nathan won the US bronze medal at the senior level; Nathan became the first

male skater to land four quadruple jumps in a competition.

In 2017, Nathan won a gold medal in the US International Figure Skating Classic competition.

7. Nathan has reportedly said, “I love watching new programs.” Explain what you understand from this quotation. When Nathan says he loves watching new programs, he means he enjoys watching other figure skaters’ dance routines.



8. What has Nathan learned from his time off the ice due to injury? From his time off work due to an injury, Nathan has learned not to push himself too early in the season.

9. Explain what is meant by this sentence: All eyes will be on him as he takes to the rink in Pyeongchang. The sentence ‘All eyes will be on him as he takes to the rink in Pyeongchang’ means that everyone will be watching him very carefully when he performs his program at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

10. What do you think Nathan is like to work with? Give reasons for your answer. Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think Nathan is great to work with because Marina Zoueva, who has trained Nathan, said that he responds to any advice immediately and that he is a very serious worker.


Early LifeNathan Chen is a figure skater from Salt Lake City in Utah, United States. He was born in May 1999 and show an immediate flair for skating at the age of three, after watching his two older brothers play hockey. His two older sisters are also figure skaters.

Nathan was enthusiastic about other sports, and not only entered gymnastic competitions at state and national level for seven years, but trained in ballet with the Ballet West Academy. These interests would later contribute to his skill in figure skating.

Nathan entered his first figure skating competition in 2003 and made his national debut in the US Figure Skating Championships at age 10. He has since progressed to be a world record-breaker in figure skating despite being only 18 years old.

.

CompetitionsNathan is the four-time US national champion in the US Junior Championships. In 2016, he won the US bronze medal at the senior level. He is the reigning US Champion and Four Continents Champion.

In January 2016, at the US Figure Skating Championships, Nathan became the first male skater to land four quadruple jumps in a competition.

Later in the same year, he received a silver medal at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Marseilles, France, making him the second youngest skater ever to win a medal in this event.


Fascinating FactDue to training schedules and competing around the world, Nathan didn’t go to school, but was educated online. He intends to attend college in the future

Glossary


quad or quadruple - a figure skating jump with at least four revolutions.


Nathan recently won a gold medal in the September 2017 US International Figure Skating Classic competition in his home town, Salt Lake City, winning with a quadruple loop jump.


He said, “I love jumping. I love watching jumping. Skating is a very beautiful sport and I love watching new programs.”

Comments from the CoachMarina Zoueva, Nathan Chen’s previous coach, said,

“It is absolutely amazing how he responds to any advice, immediately and cleanly. You give him a movement and, wow, how beautifully he emphasises everything. He is a very serious worker.”

Nathan’s current coach, Rafael Arutunian, said, “He is a warrior. Since he was eight, he was winning his events against competitors usually much older than him.”

Challenging TimesNathan has suffered huge challenges, particularly when he developed a hip injury which prevented him from competing in the 2016 World Championships. Following surgery, he was off the ice for six months. He said, “The disappointment was one of the most challenging aspects of the recovery.”

The 2018 Winter OlympicsNathan is currently working hard to achieve great things in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Many people have high hopes for him, as no US male has gained a senior global championship medal since 2010. Nathan does not seem fazed by this pressure and has said, “I don’t think [the pressure to acquire a medal] is something I should be afraid of. It’s something I have wanted my entire life. It will bring more energy to my skating versus pulling me down.”



Questions1. Explain what you understand by the word flair.

2. In the first section, look at the text from ‘Nathan was enthusiastic in other sports …’ to ‘…despite being only 18 years old.’ What impressions do you get about Nathan as a young boy?

3. How do you think ballet and gymnastics contributed to Nathan’s figure skating skills?

4. Order these events from 1 to 5.

5. Why has the author used the word reigning in the fourth paragraph?

Nathan became the second youngest skater ever to win a medal in the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.Nathan won a gold medal in the US International Figure Skating Classic competition.Nathan made his national debut in figure skating.

Nathan became the first male skater to land four quadruple jumps in a competition.Nathan won the US bronze medal at the senior level.



6. Choose an adjective to describe how Nathan feels about figure skating and write a sentence

about him using that adjective.

7. Write one fact and one opinion about Nathan Chen from the text.

Fact:

Opinion:

8. Why would Nathan describe disappointment as being a challenging aspect of the recovery?

9. Why does the author refer to a lot of people having high hopes for Nathan Chen at the Winter Olympics?

10. What is your opinion of Nathan’s character? Explain your thoughts.



Answers1. Explain what you understand by the word flair.

Flair means having a special ability for doing something well.

2. In the first section, look at the text from ‘Nathan was enthusiastic in other sports …’ to ‘…despite being only 18 years old.’ What impressions do you get about Nathan as a young boy? Pupils’ own responses, such as: Nathan was a talented boy; Nathan enjoyed a number of sports and was very young when he first competed in a national contest.

3. How do you think ballet and gymnastics contributed to Nathan’s figure skating skills?

I think ballet and gymnastics contributed to Nathan’s figure skating skills because both

sports use balance and strength, which a figure skater needs.

4. Order these events from 1 to 5.

5. Why has the author used the word reigning in the fourth paragraph?

The author has used the word ‘reigning’ because it makes Nathan Chen sound like he is

a king of figure skating as he has won so many competitions and medals.

6. Choose an adjective to describe how Nathan feels about figure skating and write a sentence

about him using that adjective.

Accept any suitable adjective and sentence, such as: enthusiastic, keen, excited, eager;

Nathan is excited about his figure skating career.

4Nathan became the second youngest skater ever to win a medal in the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

5Nathan won a gold medal in the US International Figure Skating Classic competition.

1 Nathan made his national debut in figure skating.

3Nathan became the first male skater to land four quadruple jumps in a competition.

2 Nathan won the US bronze medal at the senior level.



7. Write one fact and one opinion about Nathan Chen from the text. Accept any suitable fact and opinion form the text, such as:

Fact: Nathan won a gold medal in the September 2017 US International Figure Skating

Classic competition.

Opinion: Nathan’s coach has described him as a warrior.

8. Why would Nathan describe disappointment as being a challenging aspect of the recovery?

Nathan would describe the disappointment of not competing in the 2016 World

Championships as the most challenging aspect of recovery because he wasn’t able to

compete due to an injury and there was nothing he could do except wait to get better.

For someone like Nathan, this would have been very difficult because he loves his sport.

9. Why does the author refer to a lot of people having high hopes for Nathan Chen at the Winter Olympics? A lot of people have high hopes for Nathan in the Winter Olympics because a male from the US hasn’t won such an important medal since 2010 and everyone knows how talented Nathan is.

10. What is your opinion of Nathan’s character? Explain your thoughts.

Pupils’ own responses.


Documents

Early Life - Carbeile Junior School · years and also trained in ballet with the Ballet West Academy. Nathan competed in his first figure skating competition in 2003 and made his