A Champion's Memories
Jane is visiting the home of her new friend, Barbara. She sees something interesting in the living room.
Jane: Oh, what a beautiful statue!
Barbara: Thank you. It's a trophy I won years ago for running.
Jane: You must have been a good runner.
Barbara: Yes, I was, if I do say so myself. I was champion in the half-mile at the Oregon State Track Meet for two years.
Jane: Did you ever lose a race?
Barbara: I lost once or twice. But I usually beat my opponents.
Jane: It must have felt great to win.
Barbara: You're right about that. Victory is always a good feeling.
Jane: Do you still run?
Barbara: No, I haven't since I hurt my knee five years ago, but I still keep my old uniform hanging in the closet. Maybe you'd like to see it.
A. Study and practise the conversation.
B. Did you ever take part in any competitions? Did you ever win?
My favourite game
(I = Interviewer; M = Martin)
I: So Martin, what sports do you play?
M: I play football, volleyball, tennis, and table tennis but volleyball is my favourite game as it's a team game and you can play it with your friends, and enjoy it as a team.
I: Is it quite a fast game as well?
M: Yeah. It is a fast game and that's another reason why I enjoy it.
I: How exciting...
M: Yes.
I: Where do you play, then?
M: I play at local sports centres more during the winter and sort of play in tournaments around England. I also, in the summer, play beach volleyball.
I: Is beach volleyball different from the volleyball you play in the centres?
M: Yes, it's a very different game. Instead of six players on a
team, it's only two players.
I: You mentioned you played in tournaments now do you do quite well in the tournaments?
M: Yes, I've played for South West England and we've got through to the semifinals of different England tournaments, and for Wessex, my other volleyball team, we've actually won a few tournaments. So yes, I have done quite well.
I: Oh well done! What sort of equipment do you need?
M: Well, first of all you need the ball and the net, and obviously the court... but you may also need knee pads and your volleyball kit.
I: OK... knee pads because you fall on your knees a lot?
M: Yes... when diving and things like that.
I: Diving?
M: Diving... yeah.
I: It sounds like swimming, that means jumping to catch the ball?
M: Yeah, jumping to get a ball up in the air.
I: Yes, all right. So how often do you play volleyball then Martin?
M: Well during the season, which is about September to June, I play twice a week. One of those is training, and one of those is a match. And during the summer I play beach volleyball, but that's only once a week.
A. Ask and answer questions on the text.
B. Speak about Martin's favourite sport.
C. Situation- You and your friend are speaking about your favourite sports and pastimes.
I exercise every day (I = Interviewer; H = Henry)
I: Henry, you do a lot of sports?
H: Yes, I exercise every day.
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I: How many sports do you do?
H: Five.
I: And what are they?
H: Swimming, tennis, cycling, yoga and jogging.
I: Why do you like swimming?
H: Because it's good for the back and it's fun.
I: And cycling? What's cycling good for?
H: The legs. I like it because it's not expensive and I think it's relaxing.
I: You also do yoga.
H: Yes, that's right. Yoga's good for many things, but very good for breathing. It's very good for the heart, too.
I: And tennis?
H: Yes, I like tennis very much. Tennis is fun, and sometimes it's very exciting. It's very good for the arms and legs. I like it a lot.
I: When do you go to work?
H: Oh, I work as well, but I have time in the evenings and...
A. Study and practise the conversation.
B. Talk about the sports you like.
C. Talk about the most important sports event at your university or town during the last winter (summer).
A report from the Olympic Village
Karen Finch in the programme "Sportsworld" with her report from the Olympic village.
Karen: Well, I have two athletes with me in the studio. First
Bo Lundquist. Bo: Hey! Karen: Bo is a cyclist and he's here with the Swedish team.
This is your first Olympics, isn't it, Bo? Bo: Yes, it is.
Karen: And how do you feel about it? Bo: Happy, very happy. Karen: Let's talk about your training schedule, Bo. I imagine
it's pretty hard.
Bo: Yes, it is. I get up at five... Karen: Five! And do you start training then? Bo: Well, I have a cup of coffee first. I start training at
about five thirty. You know, it's quite cold then. Karen: Right! I'm sure it is. When do you finish training, Bo?
Bo: Well, I practise cycling on the track for about two hours. Then I have a short break for breakfast. After that, I do exercises for another few hours. I suppose I finish at about midday.
Karen: So you're free after twelve. What do you do then?
Bo: You mean, what do I do in my spare time?
Karen: Right.
Bo: Well, we usually go swimming down at the beach in Malibi for the afternoon. That's all. I go to bed early. I want to win a gold for Sweden.
Karen: Well, I hope you do. Thank you, Bo Lundquist. Next with me in the studio is a British girl. She's a member of the swimming team. European champion in free style Anne Cole. Hello, Anne.
Anne: Hello.
Karen: Anne, you heard Bo Lundquist talking about his training programme. Tell me about yours. For example, do you get up so early?
Anne: Well, not quite so early. I get up about six forty-five.
Karen: Do you start your training straightaway, Anne?
Anne: No, not exactly. I have a very light breakfast at seven and try to get to the pool by half past.
Karen: I see. How long do you train for?
Anne: All day.
Karen: You mean you swim all day?
Anne: (laughs) Oh, no! I swim for about four hours have lunch and then do track work and body strengthening-exercises in the afternoon. I suppose I train until four o'clock in the afternoon.
Karen: That's a long day.
Anne: It's all right.
Karen: What about your free time? What do you do?
Anne: Well, I like to relax when I'm training, so I read a lot and watch a lot of television I like American TV. I sometimes go dancing at the Olympic Club.
Karen: Dancing?
Anne: Yes, but I go to bed on most nights.
Karen: Thank you, Anne, and good luck to you.
This is Karen Finch at the Olympic Village in Los Angeles.
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A. Ask and answer questions about Bo's and Anne's training schedules.
B. Speak about
i) Bo Lundquist and his training schedule, ii) Anne Cole and her training schedule.
C. Situation: You are interviewing a famous sportsman.
D. Who is your favourite sportsman? What do your know about him/her?
Football
Parti
This afternoon I'm taking my cousin and my uncle to a football match. Simon's never seen a professional game. Uncle Guy hasn't seen one for years. Today's match is between Arsenal and Liverpool. Both of these teams are very good this season. They are often one of the best in the first division. I often go to football matches. I usually go to Highbury to see Arsenal. Their games are always good. I sometimes go to see Chelsea. Some of their games are good, others are bad. Rugby's another exciting sport, but I don't usually go to rugby games. The best sport's football.
Part II. The teams
Tim: Look, Simon. The teams are coming onto the field. Have
you ever seen Arsenal? Simon: No, I haven't.
Tim: What about Jane? Has she ever seen a football match? Simon: No, she has never seen one. She doesn't like football.
Have your parents ever seen a professional game? Tim: No, they haven't seen any professional games. Simon: Which ones are Arsenal? Tim: They are in red and white. Simon: Who's kicking off? Tim: Liverpool.
Simon: Are both teams good this season? Tim. Yes.
Simon: Which one's better?
Tim: Liverpool are usually better than Arsenal but this year
Arsenal are the best in the division. Simon: Do they ever lose? Tim: Oh, yes. They sometimes lose but they usually win.
They don't often have a bad day. Simon: Which team do you support? Tim: I've always supported Arsenal. Simon: Me too. Dad's never liked Arsenal.
A goal
Tim: Liverpool haven't scored yet... what's wrong?
Mr Hunt: I'm not worried yet. They've only been on the field for half an hour. This is only the first half.
Tim: Look, there's Moore. He's running up the wing. He's good.
Mr Hunt: No, he isn't; he's bad. He's worse than the other winger.
Tim: He's already scored one goal for Arsenal. Oh look! He's near the penalty area. And there's Blaire. He's Liverpool's worst defender. He's tackling Moore.
Mr Hunt: That's not Blaire; that's Blake. He's Liverpool's best player.
Tim: Collin's better than Blake. Look! Moore is in the penalty area now. He usually scores... Yes, look at that... a goal!
Mr Hunt: What's the score now?
Tim: Arsenal two: Liverpool nil. What a game!
The end of the game
Simon: Who is winning now?
Tim: Arsenal are, three: nil. They've scored another goal.
Simon: Is this the last fifteen minutes?
Tim: Yes, it is.
Simon: Good. Liverpool can't score four goals in a quarter of
an hour. Mr Hunt: Yes, they can. Look! There's a man running up the
left wing. Now he's got the ball. Simon: Yes, that's Hedge. He plays for Liverpool. He al-
ways scores. Mr Hunt: Yes, you are right. Pass it, Hedge. No, he's trying
for a goal.
Shoot! Shoot! A goal! Simon: No, it isn't. Mr Hunt: Yes it is. What a goal! Simon: And that's the end of the game. Arsenal have won
again three: nil.
L1 Fans
Ted: What did you think of the game, Bill?
Bill: Dreadful! It was neither exciting nor skilful.
Ted: I agree with you. Of course the weather didn't help. They'd hardly kicked off when it started to pelt with rain. Our team are useless in the mud, and they were off form anyway.
Bill: Some of our team can't play football in either wet or dry conditions, and I've never seen them in form. I can't help laughing when I watch old Ford. Every time he gets the ball he either falls over or passes it to the opposition. I can't make out why they pick him.
Ted: He's too old really. He'd already been playing in the team for about ten years when I became a supporter and that was eight years ago.
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Bill: Evans isn't much better. He's not only too slow, he's scared to tackle as well.
Ted: Yes, he's always afraid of getting injured. Neither Ford nor Evans is up to it. We need two new defenders and a new forward too.
Bill: But the management is too mean to spend money either
on new players or on improving the ground. Ted: Yes, that's true. The pitch is a disgrace. It isn't flat and the drains don't work. Every time it rains the pitch is covered with great puddles of water.
Bill: What we need, Ted, is not only new players but a new manager and a new pitch as well. Then perhaps we could win promotion to the Third division.
A. Ask and answer questions on the text.
B. Give a brief account of the text.
C. Situation: You and your friend have just been at the stadium. At the moment you are discussing the game and the chances of your favourite team.
D. Join these sentences using the words in brackets.
eg Fred doesn't like lemonade. Bill doesn't like lemonade, (neither... nor) Neither Fred nor Bill likes lemonade.
1. It's very expensive. It's very poor quality, (not only... but as well) 2. He doesn't drink a lot. He doesn't eat a lot. (neither nor) 3. They would like fruit. They would like ice-cream, (both... and) 4. John will give you the book. John will lend you the book, (either... or) 5. She doesn't eat bread. She doesn't eat potatoes, (neither... nor) 6. John will help you. Mary will help you. (either... or) 7. They understand Chinese. They speak Chinese, (both... and) 8.1 don't know Peter. I don't know John, (either... or)
C. Speak on your favourite football team.
