a) Where did the accident with Nathan happen?
Nathan was injured while trying to jump onto a slow-moving train on an old railway line where trains no longer ran. This happened on a sunny day after his ninth birthday, on April 11, 1997. As a result of this incident, Nathan lost both of his legs.
What are the Paralympic Games?
The Paralympic Games are international sports competitions for athletes with disabilities that take place after the Olympic Games. These games create opportunities for athletes with various physical impairments and enable them to compete at a high level, showcasing their abilities.
b) Fill in the notes about the text.
- Nathan was born in 1988 in Wales.
- As a child, he played football and learned to ride horses.
- On his ninth birthday, he went to play on an old railway line.
- There, he tried to jump onto a train, but he fell and lost both of his legs.
- Nathan learned to walk again after three months.
- However, he remained passionate about sports.
- The sport he started at the age of ten was sled hockey.
- He won his first medals in athletics when he was 11 years old.
- He participated in the Paralympic Games in 2006 and 2008.
- Nathan hopes ... (this would be an additional question, and you can fill this in based on information about his current achievements or plans if they are known).
c) Ask your partner about Nathan's early life.
Where and when was Nathan born?
- Nathan was born in Wales in 1988.
What sports did he play as a child?
- He played football and learned to ride horses.
Where did he go on his ninth birthday?
- He went to play on an old railway line.
What happened?
- He tried to jump onto a train and fell under the train.
d) Fill in and complete the timeline with your partner.
- Nathan
- 1988 — born
- 1993 — started learning
- 1997 — accident occurred
- 1998 — learned to walk again
- 2002 — started playing sports
- 2004 — represented Great Britain at the sled hockey world championship
- 2006 — participated in the Paralympic Games
- 2008 — participated in the Paralympic Games in Beijing
- 2012 — participated in the Paralympic Games in London
- Post-2012 — (you can check for information about his further achievements online).
If you have any questions or need further clarification, let me know!