Pato: Argentina's National Sport

What is the national sport of Argentina?

• sepak takraw

• loro

• stickball

• pato

How does the text describe a game of pato?

• Teams of 20 or more race across long distances while using sticks and hoops to pass a ball back and forth.

• Teams of four compete on horseback and try to get a leather ball that has six handles into their opponent's hoop.

• Teams of three to five people compete by hitting a ball over a net without using their arms or hands.

• Teams of four compete by bringing their fastest ducks to an open field and having them race against each other.

Read the following sentences from the text. "Authorities banned the game because it was extreme and dangerous. Many gauchos got hurt or even died while playing. In 1938, the ban was lifted, some rules were changed....In 1953, President Juan Perón declared it the national sport of Argentina. Now, pato is a popular and exciting sport for players and spectators alike." What conclusion can you draw from this evidence about how the rules of pato were changed?

• The rules of pato were changed to make the game safer and less dangerous.

• The rules of pato stayed the same and only the duck changed to a leather ball.

• The rules of pato were changed to be easier for President Juan Perón to play.

• The rules of pato that were changed made the game boring for Argentinians.

How is pato connected to Argentine history?

• Pato is part of an eight day celebration where Argentinians come together to celebrate their history and culture.

• During pato games, Argentinians hold lessons for children so they can learn about Argentine history and culture.

• Pato was invented by gauchos, who were important figures in the history of The Pampas in Argentina.

• Gauchos travel to cities in Argentina and play pato so that all Argentinians can learn about their history and culture.

What is the main idea of this text?

• Pato, the national sport of Argentina, was changed from a version invented by gauchos into a safer game that continues to be part of Argentine culture today.

• Gauchos were Argentinians from The Pampas who were expert horse riders and hunters and invented the game of pato in the 17th century.

• The ball for pato was originally a duck trapped in a bag but, in 1938, that was changed to a leather ball with six handles.

• The Argentine Pato Open is a championship where the best pato teams in Argentina compete in skill, balance, and strength on horseback.