Question

Write a summary on this passage

Recently, for my birthday, my teenage children ceremoniously handed me an ordinary envelope and urged,
“Open it quick!” A postcard-sized coupon dropped out, and on it was an invitation to ‘Come Along and Blast
Your Cares Away!’, accompanied by a cartoon drawing of a person in combat uniform, armed with a large
rifle. The image unsettled me. Had my offspring signed me up for the army as a birthday treat? I looked at
their laughing faces as the eldest declared, “It’s a morning’s paintball session, Mum! Don’t worry. Dad will
explain everything on the way to the venue this afternoon.” I was soon to discover what this birthday ‘treat’
was all about, and pretended to play along enthusiastically with everyone else’s excitement.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already checked this place out,” my husband said, once we were in the car. “Paintball
is good fun, but it’s also a game of action and skill. Families, friends and even work colleagues are
organised into teams. Each team has a different colour paint to fire at their opponents, and the object of
the game is a make-believe battle where everyone tries to ‘hit’ the other side whilst avoiding getting hit
themselves. The winner is the last person standing.”
‘What else could I be doing on my birthday?’ I thought, as we sped on.
Arriving at the paintball site, a sprawling area of woodland with a log cabin used as an office, we were
ushered in and had to fill out medical forms which checked we were fit and healthy. Then we were
given our protective clothing and headgear, which included an eye mask. Our guide told us, “Every
manufactured paintball mask must be made to withstand a paintball travelling at least 300 feet per
second – that’s about 205 miles per hour – so you don’t have to worry.” I was already wondering how
much a paintball travelling at that speed would hurt the rest of my body and began to regret my earlier
bravado. Reading my thoughts, my husband started quoting details of the sport that were pinned to the
wall.
“Listen to this, Zena. The paintballs aren’t like bullets, they are gel capsules – made of gelatine and
food colouring – and they are completely edible. There are paintball eating contests all the time at
tournaments and events.”
“Great, if we get hungry we can lunch on a yellow one,” I replied, still unconvinced.
Once we were ready, we were quickly introduced to our instructor, Ravi, who was an enthusiastic mine
of information. “It is my job to guarantee that you have an enjoyable and safe experience,” he began.
“Paintball has regulated itself. We have developed rules and guidelines, and all paintball facilities in
the world adhere to them strictly. You must keep your masks on at all times, including the introductory
session inside. You must make sure that your marker, which is what we call the rifle, is shooting under
the legal speed limit, as we shall demonstrate later. Our company and players also ensure that the
equipment is in good shape and well maintained.” I must have looked worried because he turned and
said, “Some people associate this sport with ‘war games’ but, believe me, it’s really enjoyable out there
and the only danger you might encounter is falling over a tree root! There are more injuries reported
from basketball and baseball than from paintball in any given year. Once you get out there you will
become totally immersed in a ‘friendly fight’. Go on and enjoy yourself – you’ll be surprised!” With that
he led us to the indoor demonstration area.
Two hours later, I emerged smiling, my overalls spattered in bright crimson and my face a healthy glow.
I felt like a child who had been out playing in the countryside and was now, reluctantly, being called in
for supper.

Answer 1

Answer:

Recently, for my birthday, my teenage children ceremoniously handed me an ordinary envelope and urged,

“Open it quick!” A postcard-sized coupon dropped out, and on it was an invitation to ‘Come Along and Blast

Your Cares Away!’, accompanied by a cartoon drawing of a person in combat uniform, armed with a large

rifle. The image unsettled me. Had my offspring signed me up for the army as a birthday treat? I looked at

their laughing faces as the eldest declared, “It’s a morning’s paintball session, Mum! Don’t worry. Dad will

explain everything on the way to the venue this afternoon.” I was soon to discover what this birthday ‘treat’

was all about, and pretended to pla