Unit 2 The Olympic Games L: Good heavens! Have you really come from so long ago? But of course you can ask any questions 10 you like. what would you like to know? P: How often do you hold your Games. L: Every four years. There are two main sets of Games-the winter and the Summer Olympics and both are held every four years on a regular basis. The Winter Olympics are usually held two years before the Summer Games. Only athletes who have reached the agreed standard for their I event will be admitted as competitors. They may come from any where in the world P: Winter Games? How can the runners enjoy competing 200 in winter") And what about the horses"? L: Oh no! There are no running races or horse riding events. Instead there are competitions like skiing and 20 ice skating which need snow and ice. That 's why they re called the Winter Olympics. It's in the summer Olympics that you have the running races. together with swimming, sailing and all the team sports P: I see. Earlier you said that athletes are invited from 25 all over the world. Do you mean the greek world? Our Greek cities used to compete against each other just for the honour of winning. No other countries could join in, nor could slaves or women L: Nowadays any country can take part if their athletes are good enough. There are over 250 sports and each one has its own standard. Women are not only allowed. but play a very important role in 30 gymnastics, athletics, team sports and .. P: Please wait a minute! All those events. all those countries and even women taking part! Where are all the athletes he L For each Olympics. a special village is built for them to live in, a main reception building, several stadiums for competitions and a gymnasium as well P: That sounds very expensive. Does anyone want to host the Olympic Games? L: As a matter of fact, every country wants the opportunity. It's a great responsibility but also a great honour to be chosen There s as much competition among countries to host the Olympics as to win Olympic medals. The 2008 Olympics will be held in Beijing. China. Did you know that P: Oh yes! You must be very proud L: Certainly. And after that the 2012 Olympics will be held in London. They have already started planning for it. A new village for the athletes and all the stadiums will be built to the east of London. New medals will be designed of course and P: Did you say medals? So even the olive wreath has been replaced! Oh dear! Do you compete for prize money too L: No. we don'L It's still all about being able to run faster. jump higher and throw further. Thats the motto of the Olympics. you know -"Swifter Higher and Stronger. P: Well. thats good news. How interesting Thank you so much for your lime 10
Unit 2 The Olympic Games Comprehending 1 Scan the passage to find out the characteristics and similarities of the ancient and modern Olympics Ancient Olympics Similarities Modern Olympics one set of Games i have running races I two main sets of Games 3 234 2345 2 Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions I What amazes pausanias about the olympic games? 2 Why does he think Athens and Beijing should feel proud? 3 Why does he think people may be competing for money in the modern Olympic Games? 3 Discuss this question in groups: Why do many countries want to host the Olympic Games while others do not? Use the mind map below to help you. Then prepare for a class discussion. Put forward your ideas and give reasons for your choices. a great honour too ex pensive Reasons to Reasons not to host the Olympic Game host the Olympic Games 4 In pairs prepare to act part of the dialogue from "Nowadays any country can take part. to the end. Before you begin, listen to the tape and mark the sentence stress. Pay attention to the intonation as that can change the meaning. Then act the interview EXAMPLE: Did you know that? Did 'you know that? Did you know ' that?
Unit 2 The Olympic Games Learning about Language Discovering useful words and expressions Find the word or expression for each of the following meanings from the text. to take part in a sports event to allow to enter (a course or sports competition someone who takes part in a sports competition level of ability happening every time with the same amount of time in between 6 to take the place of short sentence or phrase expressing the beliefs of a person or group duty to be in charge and get in trouble if things go wrong 9 special hall for physical exercise to Join In 2 Choose the word or phrase that means almost the same as the word in italics I She rose to her feet in one swiff movement A short B quick C immediate D hurry 2 Nowadays all countries can take part if their athletes reach the standard A Toda B These days CIn the future I) Tomorrow 3 My son went to see the new stadiums before the Olympic Games began A concert halls B sports halls C reception buildings D)athletes village 4 Li Yan wanted to take part in the Olympic Games as a volunteer. A someone who offers help B someone who offers to pay C someone who helps without pay D someone who works part-time 5 What do the live rings on the Olympic flag stand for? A support B C introduce D look like 3 Complete the passage with the words below in their proper forms standard athlete admit compete responsibility olive wreath homeland Helena was a great in the 5000-metre running race. She had won many prizes and wanted to in the Olympic Games. So she practised hard every day in order to be as a competitor. It didnt take her long to reach the lor entering the Olympic Games. This made Helena eager to win a gold medal for herself and her Unfortunately during the final. she was in front in her race when another competitor pushed her on purpose so that she fell down. Poor Helena lost her chance of a medal but the other woman had to take for breaking the rules. The judges felt sorry for Helena and gave her a special prize ol an instead 12
Unit 2 The Olympic Games Discovering useful structures Look at the following sentence, paying attention to the underlined part EXAMPLE: Only athletes who have reached the agreed standard for their event will be admitled as competitors. Can you find two more examples from Pre-reading and Reading? Please write them down 2 Complete the rules below, using the words in brackets in the proper form Rules for the olympic games I Nobody (allow)to enter the stadium without a ticket 2 Children (not allow) to make a noise and upset the competitors. If they do. they (take away)from the stadium 3 No animals (allow) in the stadium 4 Cheating by athletes (not excuse) They (tell)to leave and ( punish). 5 No smoking (allow ) If you are discovered. 3 Now you are asked to make a poster to advertise a sporting event. Every sentence should include some information about the sporting event or instructions people must follow. First analyse the poster: Sailing races Heading Sailing races will be held on the lake List of events and when they at 11: 60 every Tuesday will happen Food will be served between 12: 00 and 14: 00 Children under 12 will not be allowed List of instructions on what to take to do and not to do at the sports event Then design your own poster about one of the important events in your schoo sports meeting. Don't forget to use the passive voice in your poster
Unit 2 The Olympic Games Using Language Reading and listening G? THE STORY OF ATLANTA Atlanta was a Greek princess. She was very beautiful and could run faster than any man in greece. but she was not allowed to run and win glory for herself in the olympic games. She was so angry that she said to her father that she would not marry anyone who could not run faster than her. Her father said that she must marry, so Atlanta made a bargain with him. She said to him. " These are my rules. when a man says he wants to marry me. I will run against him. If he cannot run as fast as me. he will be killed. No one will be pardoned Many kings and princes wanted to marry Atlanta, but when they heard of her rules they knew it was hopeless. So many of them sadly went home, but others stayed to run the race. There was a man called Hippomenes who was amazed when he heard of Atlantas rules. Why are these men so foolish? he thought, Why will they let themselves be killed because they cannot run as fast as this princess? " However, when he saw Atlanta come out of her house to run, Hippomenes changed his mind. "I will marry Atlanta -or die! he said The race started and although the men ran very fast. Atlanta ran faster. As Hippomenes watched he thought, How can I run as fast as Atlanta? "He went to ask the Greek Goddess of Love for help. She promised to help him and gave him three golden apples. She said, " Throw an apple in front of Atlanta when she is running past. When she stops to pick it up. you will be able to run past her and win. Hippomenes took the apples and went to the King. He said, I want to marry Atlanta. The King was sad to see another man die, but Hippomenes said. "I will marry her-or die!"So the race began 1 Read the statements first and then read the passage quickly Decide whether they are true or false and give a reason True False I She practised running to compete in the Olympic Games 2 At first Hippomenes understood why men ran against Atlanta 3 Atlanta was not sure she could win 4 She was so angry about the fact that she could not run in the olympics 5 She made as many men as she could share her pain 6 Her father did not understand her wish to compete in the Olympics 7 He did not refuse her wish to choose her husband in a race 2 Read the story again carefully and then discuss in pairs: What will happen during the race between Hippomenes and atlanta? who do you think will win the race?