Unit 2: The Sporting Life

Quick Check

A. Vocabulary. Complete the sentences with one of these words:

1. The parade will begin with a procession of students marching down the avenue.
2. The board game chess originated in India in the 6th century.
3. The Eiffel Tower was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
4. Thousands of runners participate in the marathon every year.
5. The new museum has revived tourism in our city.
6. The practice of exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony dates back to ancient times.

B. Comprehension. Answer true or false.

1. false The Olympic Games have occurred every four years since 776 b.c.e.
2. false The host country always leads the Olympic procession.
3. true A swimming obstacle race was once an Olympic sport.
4. false Before 1896, athletes who came in first place won a silver medal.
5. false The marathon commemorates an ancient Greek sporting event.
6. true Pheidippides fell down and died soon after completing his run.

2 Pair Work

Work with your partner to design a new Olympic flag. What will each color or symbol represent?
Draw your flag and explain it to your classmates.

I am going to draw a flag with the seven colors of the rainbow to express the unity of the whole colors which means the unity of the whole world.

3 Grammar

A. Rewrite each sentence with a gerund or gerund phrase as the subject.

1. It is easier to lose weight when you’re physically active.

Losing weight is easier when you're physically active.

2. The thing that stops many people from being physically active is not having enough time.

Not having enough time stops many people from being physically active.

3. It gives a runner a sense of satisfaction to complete a marathon.

Completing a marathon gives a runner a sense of satisfaction.

4. It is difficult, but thrilling, to learn how to ski.

Learning to ski is difficult, but thrilling.

5. The most important part of playing a sport isn’t winning.

Winning is not the most important part of playing a sport.

6. It is dangerous to scuba dive without proper training.

Scuba diving without proper training is dangerous.

7. It is not a good idea to swim after eating.

Swimming after eating is not a good idea.

8. It is gratifying to see your body become trimmer and stronger.

Seeing your body become trimmer and stronger is gratifying.

9. It is exciting to attend a live sporting event.

Attending a live sporting event is exciting.

10. It is disappointing not to get a chance to play for your team.

Not getting a chance to play for your team is disappointing.

B. Complete each sentence with a gerund or gerund phrase.

1. Getting eight hours of sleeping is a good idea.
2. Excercising gives me energy.
3. Translating takes a long time.
4. Joining a club is one way to make friends.
5. Obeying my parents makes me feel good about myself.
6. Making new friends is easy for some people, but difficult for others.
7. Riding a motorbike is something I try to avoid doing.
8. Watching TV is a bit boring.
9. Sky diving is thrilling, but dangerous.
10. Mountain climbing is something I want to try someday.

C. Answer the questions with a partner. Use superlatives + the present perfect.

1. What is the funniest joke you’ve ever heard?

The joke that's about me and my brother.

2. What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

I saved a child's life from a car accident.

3. Who is the most admirable person you have ever known?

My father is the most admirable person.

4. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited?

The Caribbean island is the most beautiful place.

5. What is the best film you’ve ever seen on TV?

The best movies that I have ever seen is Barefoot.

6. What is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?

I screamed in the middle of hte class while I didn't know that the teacher is behind me.

7. What is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to you?

I got married to the most beautiful girl.D. Identify the sport each piece of equipment comes from. Then write a sentence about each sport using either a gerund (phrase) as subject, or the superlative + present perfect.

1. (weight lifting) I can lift 30Kg for exercising my arms.
2. (swimming) The coldest water I have ever swum is Pacific Ocean.
3. (running) Running everyday is a good for your heart.
4. (bicycling) Riding a bicycle is the best way to get around town.
5. (skateboarding) Skateboarding is the most difficult sport I have ever tried.
6. (football) Playing football is an interesting sport.

4 Conversation

About the Conversation

1. Where are Barry and his coach?

They are at an ice-skating competition.

2. How does Barry feel at first?

He is nervous.

3. How does his coach help him?

His coach encourages him and gives him more confidence.

4. What’s the problem at the end?

Barry forgot his skates in the car.

5 Listening

7 Vocabulary Building

A. You will see these words in the reading on pages 26 and 27. Match the words with their meanings.

1. c milestone a.
2. i cross-country skiing
3. a ski-jumping
4. j merit
5. g terrain
6. f be interspersed with
7. e Alpine skiing
8. h freestyle skiing
9. b astounding
10. d spectator (sport)

8 Reading

After Reading

Answer true or false.

1. true Norwegians go cross-country skiing in their free time.
2. false The use of skis dates back to about a century ago.
3. false Telemark skis are narrower in the middle and have soft heel bindings.
4. true Amundsen was the first man to reach the South Pole in 1911.
5. false Annual cross-country events are restricted to “keep fit” categories.
6. true Speed skating used to be very popular.
7. false Norwegians are the best in Alpine skiing.
8. true Children skate and play hockey on sheets of ice.

10 Writing

A. Do you know how ice hockey is played? Look at the picture and guess. Compare ideas/information in class.
1. Read the first part of the text and label the different parts of the ice hockey rink (your team is on the left).

I don't know how to play hockey.

1. goal post.
2. defending zone.
3. the neutral zone.
4. the attacking zone.
5. the goal line.
6. the crease.

2. Read and find out. Then discuss/compare answers in class.

How many players does each team have? What kind of players are they?

Each team has six players, three forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender.

What is the objective of the game?

The objective of the game is to score goals by shooting the puck into the opponent's net.

What kind of equipment do players use?

Players use a stick, a helmet and padding to avoid getting hurt.

What is allowed? What is not allowed?

Players aren't allowed to use their hands in order to redirect the puck unless they are in the defensive zone. They may redirect it with any other part of their body but not kick it.

What are “bodychecks”? Why are they used?

“bodychecks” are moves that involve pushing opponents against the boards that surround the rink.

How does the puck move?

The puck is pushed with a stick by players towards the opponent's net, or redirected with the players' bodies but neither kicked nor pushed by hand.

How long are penalties?

Five minutes.

3. Use the appropriate words or phrases as headings.

1. The Rink
2. Players
3. Equipment
4. Moving the puck
5. Stopping the game
6. Penalties

B. 1. Choose a sport or a recreational activity that you like doing.
2. Think about the sport or activity and make notes in the chart. Add more steps/stages if necessary.
3. Use your notes to write an email to your friend giving information about your sport or recreational activity.

Hi Ahmed hassen

How are you? How is your school? I hope that everything is going well with you.

I am going to swim in the gym on Thursday, just in case you are free you could call me and we will go to the gym together.

I am writing for you to contact with me. You could call me or send me an email.

best regards.

your friend,

Ahmed saeed

11 Form, Meaning and Function

A. Read the words in the chart below and find the sport that connects them. Complete the chart below with the name of the sport.

B. Compare your answers in exercise A with a partner. Ask and answer about different sports.
Use the chart above for ideas and use the present perfect progressive tense.

A: Do you know how to swim?

B: No, I don't. I have never swum.

A: Neither do I. I need someone to teach me.

B: You can ask Ahmed Hassan, he is a good swimmer.

C. Read the advertisement for winter ski vacations. Complete the gaps with the appropriate word(s).

There is more to a winter trip than just skiing!
Are you thinking of going on skiing vacation? Do you ski as well (1. good) as your family? If not, then don’t despair.
There is lot more to a trip to the snow than (2) skiing. There are lots of things you can do: snowboarding, bob-sled riding, snow scooting and the latest (3. late) craze, snow
rafting.
Snowboarding is the most popular (4. popular) alternative to skiing. It is easier (5. easy) than skiing and a lot more fashionable (6. fashionable).
Bob-sled riding can be a lot of fun, tiring and very scary! Why? Reaching speeds of up to 70mph, it is a lot faster (7. fast) than skiing.
This is not a sport for the faint-hearted! Snow scooting and snow rafting are fairly new sports.
Both involve riding down mountain slopes at very high speeds.
Snow scooters are a good (8. good) choice for those who like doing tricks.
If you like riding with friends instead, then snow-rafting is the best (9. good) choice.
And remember, building a snowman is as fun as (10) any sport!

12 Project

2. Work in pairs or groups.

Research and find out which sports/events are the most popular ones.
Choose two popular sports/events to research and collect information about.
Use the chart to make notes and select photos/pictures.
Design and make a poster to display on the wall of your classroom for your classmates to read.
Answer questions about your poster.

Football is considered to be the most popular sport in Saudi Arabia that everyone loves and plays for entertainment especially on school vacation.

In recent years, the sport has grown in popularity, and some Saudi players currently play in Europe.

Sport in Saudi Arabia is an important part of Saudi Arabian culture and the country participates in many international sporting competitions.

Football is a particularly popular sport and Saudi Arabia has won the AsianCup on three occasions, while other sports such as cricket and basketball are also widely followed.

Restrictions on women's sport in Saudi Arabia have been eased slightly in the 2010s but female participation in sport remains controversial.