| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermediate | World Cup Soccer | Man – Woman | 01:48 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
In what way(s) is the game of soccer similar and/or different from other individual or team sports?
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- Soccer is the most exciting sport in the world.
- Soccer players are more skilled than athletes in most other sports.
- Watching soccer is better than playing it.
- Soccer is more popular because it is easier to play than other sports.
- Other sports are more physically demanding than soccer.
- Soccer is better for children to learn teamwork than individual sports.
- Professional soccer is more entertaining than professional basketball or football.
- Soccer fans are more passionate than fans of other sports.
- Soccer should be part of every school’s physical education program.
- Soccer is overrated compared to other sports in terms of strategy and skill.
Idioms
“be bounced out” = be eliminated from
“Although there were high expectations from our team, they were quickly bounced out of the tournament.”
“roll over” = beat a team convincingly
“The championship team rolled over the competition with ease.”
Listening Exercise
Listen to the recording and answer the questions. (See transcript)
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
Here are some words and expressions that appear in the recording:
- be bounced out of (verb): be eliminated from
– The team will be bounced out of the tournament unless they improve their play. - nagging (adjective): a continual unpleasant feeling that lasts for a long time
– I’ve had a nagging pain in my neck that just won’t go away. - keep up with (verb): keep pace with or up to the level with
– I never could keep up with my brother when we ran races in high school. - slip by (verb): barely pass by
– My sister was able to slip by the final runner near the end of the race. - rally (verb): come together for a common effort
– The company employees rallied together to help a coworker who was suffering from cancer. - squeak out (verb): barely pass or win something
– Unfortunately, our team wasn’t able to squeak out a victory in the last two minutes of play. - root for (verb): show support for
– The more fans that come to the event and root for the team, the better luck we might have. - boycott (verb): refuse to take part in something
– Several countries boycotted the sporting event due to political issues.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
What do you think are the three specific keys to becoming a good soccer player and a great soccer team?
Online Investigation
Use the internet to learn three things about the history of soccer around the world. Here are some possible questions:
- Where and when did the sport begin?
- What are the basic objectives and rules of the sport?
- How is the game different from sports such as American football and rugby?
- Which two or three players in the world have made a significant impact on the game?