Reading Aloud 14

Karate is a martial art in which people don’t use weapons. The word karate means “empty hand”. Many people believe that karate began in the 1600s on an island between China and Japan. They came up with karate as a way to defend themselves. Now, karate is popular all around the world.

Karate students train at a dojo, or gym. When they enter a dojo, they bow their heads to show good manners.

While students earn belts, they learn many good habits, such as self-control and patience. Students earn new coloured belts in a certain order. The different colours of the belts stand for the colours of the sun, plant and sky.

For many years, people around the world have learned good habits through karate. They have also worked hard to become stronger and faster, and to earn new belts.

Vocabulary

1. a martial art 武術
2. defend themselves 保衛
3. all around the world 世界各地
4. bow their heads 鞠躬
5. learn many good habits 習慣
6. stand for 代表
7. become stronger and faster 更強壯和敏捷