Seoul Space-Out Helps People Relax
Warm-up Questions: (1) Do you ever feel too busy or stressed? When? (2) What do you know about Seoul?
In Seoul, South Korea, people compete to do absolutely nothing. The Space-Out Competition is now in its 11th year and has become very popular. This year, 126 participants from 80 teams joined the unusual event.
The competition helps exhausted modern people take a break from their busy lives. Over 4,500 teams wanted to join, but only a few were chosen. The participants included soldiers, train operators, and swimmers.
The rules are simple: zone out for 90 minutes without moving too much or falling asleep. Winners are chosen by checking their heart rate stability and getting votes from people watching.
Choi I-ro, a 62-year-old paralegal, was the first person to register. He arrived two hours early. "I came out here because I wanted to feel just how important it is to pause and rest," he said. Choi was burned out from working late nights and too much work.
The event started at 4 p.m. with a 15-minute introduction and light stretching. Then the 90 minutes of zoning out began. During the competition, some people dropped out. One woman left because she was hungry and wanted to eat instant noodles.
Staff dressed as doctors checked participants' heart rates during the event. Other staff wore traditional costumes and watched to make sure everyone was properly spacing out. People got a warning for breaking focus, and a second warning meant disqualification. This year, only one person got a warning.
After 30 minutes of scoring, the winners were announced: three members of a Seoul punk band called Pogo Attack.
The competition was created by Woopsyang, a visual artist. She started it because she felt burned out and anxious about always being busy. "My ultimate dream is to create a World Space-Out Day, where people across the globe pause at the same time," she said.
Published:
Sources: koreatimes.co.kr, nytimes.com
For source links, see the article on ESLNewsStories.com
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Audio
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Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
The competition helps (2) __________ modern people take a break from their busy lives. Over 4,500 teams wanted to join, but only a few were chosen. The participants included soldiers, train operators, and swimmers.
The rules are simple: zone out for 90 minutes without moving too much or falling asleep. Winners are chosen by checking their heart rate (3) __________ and getting votes from people watching.
Choi I-ro, a 62-year-old paralegal, was the first person to register. He arrived two hours early. "I came out here because I wanted to feel just how important it is to pause and rest," he said. Choi was (4) __________ out from working late nights and too much work.
The event started at 4 p.m. with a 15-minute introduction and light stretching. Then the 90 minutes of zoning out began. During the competition, some people dropped out. One woman left because she was hungry and wanted to eat instant (5) __________.
After 30 minutes of scoring, the winners were announced: three members of a Seoul punk band called Pogo Attack.
Comprehension
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click Check Answers to see your results.
Comprehension
1. The Space-Out Competition has been happening for more than 10 years. TRUE/FALSE
2. Participants must sit quietly for 60 minutes. TRUE/FALSE
3. Winners are chosen only by checking their heart rate. TRUE/FALSE
4. A Seoul punk band won this year's competition. TRUE/FALSE
Vocabulary n = noun, v = verb, adj = adjective, adv = adverb, prep = preposition, phr. v = phrasal verb, pl = plural
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
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Vocabulary
Match each vocabulary word with a definition:
1. Competition (n)
2. Exhausted (adj)
3. Zone out (v)
4. Heart rate (n)
5. Participants (n)
6. Burned out (adj)
7. Disqualification (n)
8. Pause (v)
a) To stop doing something for a short time.
b) Being removed from a competition for breaking rules.
c) Very tired from too much work or stress.
d) People who take part in an activity or event.
e) How fast your heart beats per minute.
f) To stop thinking and relax completely.
g) Very tired and having no energy.
h) An event where people try to win by being the best at something.
Discussion
- What do you think about the Space-Out Competition? Would you like to try it?
- Do you think modern life is too busy? How can people find time to relax?
- Do you sometimes find yourself zoning out?
- Would you be able to sit still and do nothing for 90 minutes? Why or why not?
- Do you think competitions like this are helpful for people's mental health?
- What would happen if everyone in the world stopped for a few minutes at the same time?
- How do you usually spend your free time? Do you prefer active or quiet activities?
- Is it difficult for you to "turn off" your mind and stop thinking about work or problems?
- Can you check your heart rate? How?
- How important is it to take breaks during busy days?
Answers
Listening:
- popular
- exhausted
- stability
- burned
- noodles
Comprehension:
- True. The competition is now in its 11th year, so it has been happening for more than 10 years.
- False. Participants must zone out for 90 minutes, not 60 minutes.
- False. Winners are chosen based on heart rate stability AND audience votes.
- True. The three members of a Seoul punk band called Pogo Attack were announced as the winners.
Vocabulary:
- Competition (n): An event where people try to win by being the best at something.
- Exhausted (adj): Very tired and having no energy.
- Zone out (v): To stop thinking and relax completely.
- Heart rate (n): How fast your heart beats per minute.
- Participants (n): People who take part in an activity or event.
- Burned out (adj): Very tired from too much work or stress.
- Disqualification (n): Being removed from a competition for breaking rules.
- Pause (v): To stop doing something for a short time.