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Go online for the slide show, interactive quiz, and free downloadable MP3 of this interview:

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Todd:

So, Melissa, theSuper Bowl is coming up.And what do you think aboutfootball?

Melissa:

I think it's reallyinteresting. This Japaneseguy recently told me it wasthe most interesting sportto watch because of therules, but unfortunately Idon't really know the rulesso I have a hard timefollowing it.

Todd:

But you're American.You don't like Americanfootball?

Melissa:

I'm more of abasketball fan cause when Iwatch it, I can easilyunderstand what’s going on,and when I'm watchingfootball, everyone aroundme just screams and theydon't really tell me what'sgoing on.

Todd:

Right. But the Super Bowl - that's like the biggestgame of the year right! Soyou go to Super Bowlparties, right?

Melissa:

Yeah, my sister'scrazy about football and shehas Super Bowl parties but Ihaven't really lived inAmerica for the past threeyears, and before that I wasin college and I never reallywent to one. How aboutyou?

Todd:

Oh, yeah, I'mhuge .... it's the biggest dayof the year for me.

Melissa:

What's your favorite team?

Todd:

Well, my team isterrible now ... the 49ers, sothey're never, ever in theSuper Bowl.

Melissa:

Yeah, that's cool.San Francisco.

Todd:

But the thing I think isgreat about Super BowlSunday is it's really ... it'slike the silent Americanholiday.

Melissa:

Yes.

Todd:

You know what Imean? Like it's the one daywhere everybody getstogether and watches thegame and has a good time.

Melissa:

Well, I'm fromPhiladelphia andPhiladelphia fans of allsports are totally wild andcrazy, and they just go allout, so a lot of my familymembers and friends gocrazy about the Eagles'games.

Todd:

So have you ever been to a professionalgame?

Melissa:

I haven't. I haven'tbeen to a professionalfootball game.

Todd:

Now, what aboutcollege? Did you have a bigcollege team?

Melissa:

No, I don't thinkso. We had a goodbasketball team at theUniversity of Arizona - TheWildcats, but ....

Todd:

Oh, right.

Melissa:

Football, I don'treally recall having a goodfootball team.

Todd:

So when you watchthe Super Bowl, usually thebest part is thecommercials, right? So, theyhave the commercials, soyou watch those, don't you?

Melissa:

To be honest, Ican't remember watchingthe Super Bowl in recentyears.

Todd:

Wow!

Melissa:

Yeah.

Todd:

Here it is. I'm sayingit's the biggest day of theyear, and you don'tremember ever seeing it?

Melissa:

I mean, Iremember watching it, butthey're just ... I remember like being more into the foodthat was all around me.

Todd:

Right, right. Fair enough.

Melissa:

Sorry. But if youinvite me this year I'll come.

Todd:

Oh, cool.

Super Bowl

Melissa and Toddtalk about America’ssecret holiday.

elllo.org

Go online for the slide show, interactive quiz, and free downloadable MP3 of this interview:

www.elllo.org:Interview #943

Task Sheet

TopicDetails

footballrules of footballbasketballsuper bowl partiesher sister49ersSilent American holidayPhiladelphia fansUniversity of Arizonacommercials

Task 1:

Read the text or listen to the audio. What does Melissa say aboutthe following topics? Does she think they are good or bad? What detailsdoes she give about each topic?

Task 2

Circle whether you agree or disagree with the opinions. Why doyou think so? Write your reasons and then discuss with a partner.

1) American football is the most interesting sport to watch because of the rules.I

agree / disagree

because ____________________________________________________2) Sports are bad for society because they make us too competitive.I

agree / disagree

because ____________________________________________________3) Watching sports is a waste of time.I

agree / disagree

because ____________________________________________________4) Girls should be allowed to play sports with boys if they want to.I

agree / disagree

because ____________________________________________________

elllo.org

Go online for the slide show, interactive quiz, and free downloadable MP3 of this interview:

www.elllo.org:Interview #943

Todd:

So, Melissa, theSuper B_____ is coming up.And what do you t_____ about football?

Melissa:

I think it's reallyinteresting. This Japaneseguy recently told me it wasthe most int_________ sport to watch because of the rules, but unfortunately Idon't really know the rulesso I have a h_____ timefollowing it.

Todd:

But you're American.You don't like Americanfootball?

Melissa:

I'm more of abasketball f_____ causewhen I watch it, I can easilyunderstand what’s going on,and when I'm watchingfootball, everyone aroundme just scr_____ and theydon't really tell me what'sgoing on.

Todd:

Right. But the Super Bowl - that's like the biggestgame of the year right! Soyou go to Super Bowlpar_____, right?

Melissa:

Todd:

Oh, yeah, I'mhuge .... it's the biggestd_____of the year for me.

Melissa:

What's your favorite team?

Todd:

Well, my team isterrible now ... the 49ers, sothey're n_____, ever in theSuper Bowl.

Melissa:

Yeah, that's cool.San Francisco.

Todd:

But the thing I think isgreat about Super BowlSunday is it's really ... it'slike the silent Americanh_______.

Melissa:

Yes.

Todd:

You know what Imean? Like it's the one daywhere everybody getstogether and w_______ thegame and has a good time.

Melissa:

Well, I'm fromPhiladelphia andPhiladelphia fans of allsports are totally wild andc______, and they just goall out, so a lot of my familymembers and friends gocrazy about the Eagles'games.

Todd:

So have you ever been to a professionalgame?

Melissa:

I haven't. I haven'tbeen to a professionalfootball game.

Todd:

Now, what aboutcollege? Did you have a bigcollege t_____?

Melissa:

No, I don't thinkso. We had a goodbasketball team at theUniversity of Arizona - TheWildcats, but ....

Todd:

Oh, right.

Melissa:

Football, I don'treally recall having a goodfootball team.