Задание

Read the text. Mark the sentences as true or false.

Local government in Birmingham has had to take on a new responsibility to ensure that people stay fit and healthy. For the past few years, it has been encouraging the residents to enrol on the “Be active” scheme, which allows them to use local leisure services completely free of charge.

Participants must register to obtain a membership card. They can then use the facilities in leisure centres across the city at certain times of the day.

29 leisure centres are signed up to the scheme. Each leisure centre must offer an hour of swimming time and an hour of gym time to “Be Active” members. In reality, in some establishments, 70% of opening hours are reserved for “Be Active” members. Exercise classes and badminton courts are also available on top of the standard facilities. “Be Active” classes are also provided in schools and community centres. There are guided bike rides, and even proposals to roll out activities in public spaces.

Since it was launched in 2008, a third of the local population, a total of 360,000 people, has signed up for the scheme. 60% of these are from minority groups, and the average age is 49, as opposed to 29, the figure for private gyms. The majority were not previously members of a sports club of any kind, half were overweight or obese, and a fifth considered themselves to be in poor health, indicating that the scheme is reaching the people who need it most. The research also shows that since the scheme was set up, there has been a rise in demand for information about reducing harmful habits.

Statistics show that for every £1 spent on the “Be Active” scheme, £23 is saved in the health service. Sadly, the scheme has suffered from budget cuts, and lately it has had to reduce the hours available to its members.

1. The "Be Active" scheme started up earlier this year.

2. Everyone in Birmingham can be the member of the "Be Active" centres.

3. Participants must pay a one-off fee to register.

4. Participants can use the leisure facilities at any time of day.

5. Participants can use their "Be Active" membership cards at any sports centre in Birmingham.

6. Some sports centres dedicate over half their opening hours to "Be Active" members.

7. Some "Be Active" activities take place outside leisure centres.

8. The scheme is saving the government money in health costs.