Sports in the twenty first century

Fuente: SENA

Are you a sports fan? Do you follow any team or player? Do you play any sport?
Sports have always been very popular forms of recreation, and with the evolution
of communication and technology, now it is even easier to watch competitions,
follow results, and stay “ahead of the game” with sports news. In this learning
activity, we are going to talk about sports and their role in modern society. Also we
are going to study the use of adverbial clauses.

Introductory material

Dear learner,

This material will help you study the topics related to learning activity 1.

You will learn about:

1. Adverbial clauses.
2. Sports vocabulary.

Let’s begin!
 1. Adverbial clauses

An adverbial clause is a group of words in a sentence that adds extra information

to the meaning of the sentence or describes the way something was done. It
describes how, why, where and when something is or was developed. Read the
text below which contains many adverbial clauses. An adverbial clause always
begins with a subordinating conjunction. It means these clauses dependent upon a
main clause. They need a main clause to make sense.

Consider the following example:

While I was in Argentina, I met my wife

Dependent Main clause

clause

The expression “while I was in Argentina”, is a dependent clause. It means it needs

a complement to make sense. When we add the rest of the information “I met my
wife”, the whole sentence makes sense.

Tom Sandler is a famous football player. Read about his childhood:

I always liked football, not just because it’s fun, but because it was something that
kept me together.

Before I learned to talk, I had already learned how to kick a ball. I have three
brothers and two sisters and we all played together while we were growing up.
Although my parents were very poor, there was always food on the table, a place
to sleep and a football lying around.

My father died when I was fourteen. Since I was the oldest, as soon as I turned
fifteen, I had to start working and taking care of my younger siblings. After work, I
used to play football with my brothers because it helped cheer everyone up. With
all the new adult responsibilities I had, for me, it was a way to wind down after
work.
I played every day unless I was sick or too tired to play. But that almost never
happened. One day a sports recruiter saw me while I was playing with my
brothers. He approached me and said, “Would you like to play football in England?”
That was the beginning of my career.

Before I learned to talk, I already knew how to kick a ball.

“Before” shows when he started kicking the ball. It is a subordinating

conjunction to describe time.

I played every day unless I was sick or too tired to play.

“Unless” shows a condition not to play. It is a subordinating conjunction to

express condition.

Although my parents were very poor, there was always food on the table, a place
to sleep and a football lying around.

“Although” shows the contrast between their poverty and the fact that they
could still afford some things. It is a subordinating conjunction to express
opposition.

The words although, unless and when, are subordinating conjunctions. They
express the relationship between the two clauses in the sentence. We have
different categories of subordinating conjunctions such as those which give
information about time, those that show opposition or condition, those that show
distance, frequency or manner, those that show the reason for something to be
done or those that show the result of an action. Clauses beginning with these
subordinating conjunctions are called adverbial clauses.

Punctuation: Use a comma to separate the two clauses if the adverbial

clause comes first. Do not use comma if the adverbial clause comes at the
end:

 While I was playing with my brothers, a sports recruiter saw me.

(comma)

 A sports recruiter saw me while I was playing with my brothers. (no

comma)

A. Adverbial clauses with time expressions

The following conjunctions can be used in adverbial clauses to describe time:

Fuente: SENA

 After: After if used to express something was done at a later time.

o He could not play anymore after he suffered that injury.

o After I ran the marathon, I wanted to eat everything in sight.
o She got interested in tennis after her mother gave her a tennis racquet for her
birthday.
 When: Describes the moment in time in which something happens.

o When this game is over, we will go to a bar to celebrate.

o The team improved a lot when they hired a new coach.
o When she won the gold medal, everyone in her country was so proud.

 While / as: Express that two actions were done simultaneously. They are
commonly used with the past continuous as their meaning shows an action in
progress.

o She started playing tennis while she was studying at the university.
o While the player was receiving medical attention, the game was paused.
o She was talking to me as I was doing drills.

 Before: Describes the moment in time something happens, specifically that it

happens prior to another event.

o Before the game ended, it started to rain.

o He won six championships before he was 20.
o She didn’t stretch before she ran.

 Until / ‘til: It means up to that time. ‘Til is an abbreviation of until. It is informal

and therefore used only in spoken English.

o I supported the team until the game

ended.
o Our fans didn’t stop cheering until we
won.
o Until I started winning swimming
competitions, I had always wanted to be
a lawyer.
Fuente: SENA

 Since: Since describes the moment when an action started. It is usually used
with present perfect.

o I have lived in Bogota since I finished high school.

o Since she was recruited for the university team, she’s been practicing every
day.
 By the time: Expresses the point in time something happened relative to
another action. By the time shows that one action was completed before
another started. This is often used with the perfect tenses.

o Tom had already learned to kick a ball by the time he started to talk.
o By the time the World Cup starts, they will have finished the stadium.
o By the time I left home, the bus taking my team to the game had already left.

 Whenever / every time: You use whenever to describe that something always
happens when something else happens or a condition is met.

o Whenever she has time, she jumps

into the swimming pool and practices.
o My mother washes my uniform every
time I have a game.
o Every time I get together with the
team, they are talking about the
coming game.
Fuente: SENA

 The first / second / third, etc. / next / last time: We use these words to
describe a sequence of events. We express the part of the sequence we are
referring to.

o The first time I went to the stadium, I

didn’t like it.
o Next time you play rugby, you need to
be more careful.
o I wore blue and white the last time, I
went to see Millionarios play.
Fuente: SENA

B. Adverbial clauses to show opposition

The following conjunctions can be used in adverbial clauses to show opposition:

 Even though / though / although: They show contrast, concession or

opposition. They express that something happened regardless of a given
condition. Even though, though and although are all synonyms.
 o Although they played really well, they lost the game.
o He would always be in the park playing baseball even though it was raining
sometimes.
o He went to work today though he was very sick.

 Whereas / while: They also show opposition or contrast. However, you should
always use commas with whereas / while, regardless of the position of the
conjunction.

o Whereas they won many matches

this season, we only won one.
o I really love the food in this
restaurant, while I can’t stand
service.
o Matt always arrives early to class,
whereas the teacher is always late.
Fuente: SENA

C. Adverbial clauses to show condition

The following conjunctions can be used in adverbial clauses to express condition:

 If: if is used to describe a condition for something to happen. Only with this
condition the other event will take place. They can refer to real or imaginary
situations, as well as events in present, past of future. If clauses are the same
as in conditional sentences.

o I would play a sport if I had time.

o If their star player hadn’t been injured, they would have probably won the
match.
o I will stay home if we only have three players for the match.

 Even if: Expresses that no matter what the condition is, the result will not
happen. It is the opposite of the conjunction “if”.

o Even if she trains hard, she will not lose ten pounds in one week.
o I never go to the gym, even if I have time.
o They won’t cancel the game, even if it rains.

 Whether or not: It means that the result will not change no matter if one of the
conditions is met. Whether or not can be split. Look at the examples below.
 o They will go to the championship game, whether or not they qualify.
Or
They will go to the championship game, whether they qualify or not.

o The club will increase ticket prices, whether or not the fans like it.
Or
The club will increase ticket prices, whether the fans like it or not.

o I will dunk the basketball someday, whether or not I can do it right now.
Or
I will dunk the basketball someday, whether I can do it right now or not.

Fuente: SENA

 Unless: It is used to say that if a condition does not happen, the result will not
change. Unless is only used in first conditional sentences. See the following
examples.

o Unless they lift weights in the preseason, they won’t be strong enough for
their matches.
o There won’t be basketball on TV until next year unless the team classifies for
the finals.
o The playoffs will be tomorrow morning unless weather conditions change.

 In case (that) / in the event (that): It means something is not expected to

happen. However if it happens there will be a result. This conjunction is mostly
used to describe future events.
 o In the event that they win this match, they will play against the best team in
the league.
o The baseball scholarship at our university will be waiting for you in case you
change your mind.
o There should always be an ambulance at the stadium in case of an
emergency.

Fuente: SENA

 Only if: It means there is a strict condition for something to happen. Without that
condition, the expected result is not possible.

o Mariana will go to the Olympics only if she trains hard.

o I will buy a muscle stimulation machine only if my trainer recommends that I
do so.
o Only if they offer me a better salary will I stay with the football club.

Note: when only if starts the sentence you invert the subject and the verb in the
main clause:

I will not go to the marathon only if I my doctor days I can’t.

Only if my doctor says I can’t will I not go to the marathon.
 2. Sports vocabulary

A. Sports and obesity

Fuente: SENA

We live in a world where being overweight or obese is becoming a trend.

According to The World Health Organization, worldwide obesity has nearly doubled
since 1980. Statistics state that 35% of adults age 20 and over were overweight in
2008, and 11% were obese.

Nowadays we have more chances to keep fit than ever before. Much of the
research about psychology is accessible to the public. Yet, people are still gaining
weight at unprecedented rates. Below are some reasons the obesity epidemic is
illogical:

 There are more gyms and fields available than before. Now there are gyms in
almost every neighborhood, university or school. Even many apartment
buildings and private condominiums and some companies have exercise
machines included in their facilities. Also gym subscription fees have gone
down a lot. Some universities and companies don’t even charge for using their
gym equipment because it ultimately lowers health care costs for them. You
can do any number of activities at the gym including weight lifting, cardio
training, swimming and among others.

 Now it is possible to take the gym home with you. You can buy fitness
equipment and exercise in the comfort of your home and get in shape. There
are options for all types of budgets and interests.
 Even if you don’t have money to buy equipment, you can exercise from home.
There are fitness programs which do not require equipment and many of them
are available for free on the internet. There are websites specialized in this self-
guided programs. You can have access to the information by paying a low
subscription fee. In some cases the information is available at no charge. There
are also many apps for which help you keep track of your diet and fitness
progress.

 Healthy food is also easy to find everywhere. Most restaurants offer low calorie
options in their menus and are becoming more and more accommodating to
dietary restrictions. Also, mainstream stores and supermarkets sell healthy
snacks and among their products when, until recently, this was something you
could only find in specialty stores.

Although all the options mentioned above are more convenient than ever, the
number of fat people continues to grow. So, what is the reason for this trend?

The main reason for this situation is a perceived lack of time. The average amount
of leisure time in peoples’ lives has reduced 40% compared to 50 years ago. Many
people have two or even three jobs in order to keep up with expenses. Cost of
living continues to go up.

The increase of use of technological devices is also responsible for the lack of
exercise. Many of us have smart devices which are supposed to keep us
connected to the world. However instead of that, we become slaves of technology,
becoming addicted to social networks and other apps. We end up expending our
free time using technology rather than exercising.

Fuente: SENA
Another common reason is the fact that we are not persistent. People start diets or
fitness programs and want immediate results. When they don’t see results
quickly, they quit and go back to their previous routines. Some others try extreme
diet programs or exercising plans and obtain good results in the short term.
However they soon go back to their old habits and stop exercising or following
their diet plan. They start to gain weight again and end up even more overweight
than when they started.

This situation is disconcerting. In many countries, obesity is one of the major

causes of death. Unless we change our habits and give real attention to this
problem, it will continue to grow. So don’t be part of the statistics. Tie your sport
shoes right now and go train hard!

Match the words in bold in the reading to these definitions. Use a dictionary if
necessary.

 The amount of money you pay when you register in a course or start taking a
service. Subscription fee.

 Any machine or device used during physical. Gym equipment.

 To get in good physical condition. Get in shape.

 A plan to eat less or better food in order to lose weight. Diet.

 An indoor place where people go to exercise and practice sports. Gym.

 An exercise plan usually combined with a diet used to improve health and
physical condition. Fitness program.

 An activity a person does regularly. A usual way to do something. Habits.

 When the body becomes heavier due to an increase in muscle mass, fat or
fluids. Gain weight.

 The sport of lifting heavy objects to increase muscles and gain strength. Weight
lifting.

 A short period of time. Short term.

 A place designed for a specific sport to be played. Field.

 To exercise and practice a sport for a purpose. Train.

 Buildings, rooms, corridors, etc. Designed to serve a particular function.

Facilities.

 Aliments you cannot eat in your diet due to health issues. Dietary restrictions.

B. The Olympic Games

Fuente: SENA

There is an event held every four years where athletes from almost every country
meet to share and compete in more than 25 sports. The Olympic Games is the
biggest sporting event in the world. More than a competition, it is a call for
humanity to remember that humans across cultures can unite around a cause and
live in peace. This is why the five colored rings of the Olympic flag are meant to
represent the five continents of the world all intertwined as one. That is the true
meaning of the Olympics: one world united by sports.

The modern Olympic Games are composed by Summer Games and Winter
Games. They are celebrated every four years but there are 2 years between the
Summer and Winter Olympic Games, so they are never celebrated the same year.

They take place in a different host city, selected by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC).
Olympics, did you know?

Fuente: SENA

Olympics facts

 In 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games were celebrated in Chamonix, a French
city.
 The USA has won total of 2,189 medals in the Summer Games, becoming the
country with most medals won in the Summer Olympics. On the other hand, the
country which has won the most medals in the Winter Olympics is Norway, with
a total of 263 medals.
 No country in the Southern Hemisphere has ever hosted the Winter Games.
 Brazil, which will host the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, will be the first
country in South America to host the Olympic Games. Also, the Olympic Games
have never been held in Africa.
 A record 202 countries participated in the 2004 Olympic Summer Games in
Athens.
 Only four athletes have ever won medals at both the Winter and Summer
Olympic Games: Jacob Tullin Thams (Norway), Christa Luding-Rothenburger
(East Germany), Clara Hughes (Canada), and Eddie Eagan (United States).
 Although China did not win a medal until 1964, they won 100 medals (51 of
which were gold medals) during the Beijing Olympics.
 First place winners in the 1900 Olympics were given paintings instead of gold
medals as they were considered more valuable. (Facto monsters, s.f.)
Vocabulary: Olympic Games

Fuente: SENA

 Anthem: A song or musical composition that represents and organization, city

or country.
 Athlete: A person who trains in a sport.
 Competition: A sport contest or race where the best performance is prized.
 Doping: The act of using illegal substances before a competition to enhance
performance.
 Host city: A selected city that organizes The Olympics and provides the
facilities.
 Medal: A piece of metal usually rounded given to a person as a prize for the
best performance.
 Record: The best performance by a team or an athlete in given sport.
 Torch: A burning light that symbolizes the Olympic Games and that is
transferred from host city to host city every four years.
Here is some more vocabulary related to sports:

Ball

Bench

Captain´s armband

Cheer
 Corner flag

Equipment

Fan

Football cleats
 Football goal

Football´s field

Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper gloves
 Kick

Linesmen flag

Medal

Red card
 Referee

Scoreboard

Stadium lights

Star player
 Supporters scarf

Tactics board

Team

To be kicked out of the game

To play dirty

Trophy

Whistle

Yellow card

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Places to play sports:

Baseball field / diamond

Basketball court

Football pitch / field

Swimming pool
 Tennis court

Track

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

Contextualization

You are going to watch a video about three friends talking about football. Check
the following vocabulary before you watch the video.

 Highlights: A summary with the best moments of a game.

 Referee: The person in charge of assuring discipline and fairness in a game or
competition.
 To win fair and square: To win a competition in an honest and legal way.
 To try one’s best: To make one´s best effort to succeed at doing something.
 Unbeatable: Of excellent performance. Impossible to beat or overpass.

Script:

Paul: Hello Steve, how are you?

Johan: Hey Steve, what’s going on?

Steve: Hey Paul. Hi Johan. Not much. Just watching the highlights from
yesterday’s game.

Johan: Come on man. I don’t want to talk about it.

Steve: What are you talking about? It was a great game!

Johan: Well, the game was fine until the referee sent our star player off the
field…unjustly, I might add. Before that, the game was even. If that hadn’t
happened, The Jumpers probably would have won the game.

Steve: Come on man. The Monkeys played way better than The Jumpers. They
won, fair and square. Besides Carl Jonson was playing really rude until he was
sent off. What do you think Paul?

Paul: Well, although the Jumpers tried their best, they were very tired. Last week
they played three games in a row! It’s been a long season for them. Anyway, The
Monkeys played a lot better.

Steve: You see Johan? We played a lot better. I think we are going to win the
championship this year.

Paul: I don’t think so. There are still two games to go, and The Jumpers are
leading the series, two - one. The Monkeys will be the champions only if they win
the two remaining games, which I think is almost impossible.

Johan: Besides we’ll be playing home in those two games, and if Carl Jonson is
back in the game, we’ll be unbeatable!

Steve: We’ll see about that...

Comprehension

A. Watch the video again. Choose the best answer:

1. Carl Jonson

a. supports The Monkeys.

b. is The Jumpers’ star player.
c. didn’t play in the game.
 2. Paul thinks

a. The Monkeys played better than The Jumpers.

b. The Monkeys will win the championship.
c. The Monkeys were tired in the last game.

3. The Monkeys will win only if

a. they win the next game.

b. their star player is back.
c. they don’t lose the remaining games.

4. Johan thinks

a. The Jumpers could have won.

b. it was a great game.
c. the referee was fair.

5. The Jumpers’ star player could not finish the game because

a. he was substituted.
b. he suffered an injury.
c. he was playing dirty.

6. The game was fine even

a. before the referee sent one of the players off the field.
b. before the end of it.
c. after the first half.

Practice 1

A. Read about Qatar World Cup 2022. Complete the text with the words from the
box below. There is one extra word you do not need to use.

fans - share - teams - stadiums - technology - kick off - host - anthem -

competition - athletes
Qatar 2022, how many days or how many deaths to go?

Fuente: SENA

Qatar is a small Arab country located on the Northeast coast of the Arabian
Peninsula. With a population of only 2 million people, Qatar is the richest country
in the world. Its economy is based on the exploitation of gas and oil. Qatar’s
society is quite conservative and its main religion is Islam.
In 2010, Qatar was awarded the right to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Qatar will be the first Arab country to organize the World Cup. Thirty two
from around the world will compete to win the World Cup. More than two million
people will visit Qatar during the event. Therefore, the country has to be ready to
accommodate such huge amount of and .

The where the matches will take place are expected to be

amazing. Each one will have a unique design and luxurious accommodations.
By the time the World Cup begins, the stadiums will also be equipped with
cooling technology designed to reduce high temperatures since Qatar is in a
desert. Even though outdoor temperatures are extremely high, the indoor
spaces will be comfortable because they will have a system to reduce solar
radiation and warm winds. The construction has already begun. Qatar has
invested a great deal of money to transform the country and have everything
ready for the World Cup. It will be the fanciest World Cup until now. The
usually takes places in the months of June and July. However, due
the extreme weather conditions during the summer months in Qatar, event is
likely to take place in April or September.

However, behind all this glamour and , there is an untold story of

bribery, slavery and human rights violations.
Qatar did not have enough laborers to deal with such a big project. Therefore
thousands of workers from Asian countries such as India, Nepal and Pakistan
have migrated to Qatar to work mostly in construction jobs to create the
infrastructure for the World Cup. One would think that the richest country in the
world would offer the best conditions to its workers; however, that is not the case
in Qatar.

Fuente: SENA

Once employees arrive to Qatar, their passports are held by the employer in
case they realize they want to return to their home countries before finishing the
job. Therefore workers become property of the employer. They are sent to work
12 hours a day under high temperatures and without the necessary equipment
to perform their duties. What is even more shocking are the living conditions
these workers have to face. They live in labor camps where they one
room with up to 10 other people. The cooking facilitates are totally unhygienic.
There is no clean water. Bathrooms are unbelievably dirty. Whether their
employers promised them a fair salary or not, migrant generally receive a salary
that is not the same they were promised when they signed their contract.

All these conditions may sound like the worst nightmare, unfortunately, this is
the reality for most migrant workers in Qatar. So far, many workers have died
due to labor accidents, because of the high temperatures they are exposed to,
or due to the unhealthy conditions they live surrounded by. Even if Qatar has
amazing football stadiums, it doesn’t have a clean human rights record. So far,
more than 900 workers have died. How many more must die before the
at the first game?
B. Read the text again. Choose True (T) or False (F).

True False

1. Migrant workers’ salary is respected by employers.

2. Qatar’s economic wealth comes mostly from oil and gas
exploitation.
3. Cooling technology will be implemented to control
temperature in the stadiums.
4. The main cause for migrant workers’ deaths is the fact that
they don’t follow standard security procedures at work.
5. More than two million migrant workers are building the
facilities for the World cup.
6. Construction worker accommodations lack clean water and
appropriate kitchen facilities.
7. Qatar was the first Arab country to organize the world Cup in
2010.

C. Based on the reading, complete the following sentences with one number from
the box. There is one extra number you do not need to use.

2.000.000 10 12 2022
21 32 2010

1. was the year Qatar was declared the host of the World Cup.
2. A migrant employee has to work hours.
3. Qatar’s population is people.
4. The World Cup will take place in Qatar in .
5. There are on average workers living in one room.
6. There are teams competing to win the World Cup.
D. A migrant worker was interviewed by a reporter. Complete the interview with an
appropriate adverbial clause from the options given.

Fuente: SENA

Interviewer: So Why did you come to work in Qatar?

Worker: I could not find a job in my country (if / after / while) I finished
school. I had 3 younger brothers and my mother was already sick and tired. I
had to find a way to help them.

Interviewer: What was the hiring process like?

Worker: Some people from a labor agency came to my village to offer us jobs in
Qatar. (even though / before / unless) I don’t speak English or Arabic,
they said I could travel and work there.
Interviewer: Did you have to pay any fee to get a contract?

Worker: Of course. They charged me around two thousand USD to get me a

spot here. I had to get a loan to obtain the money. My mother signed some
documents promising to pay the loan (in case / until / unless) I don’t
come back.

Interviewer: Where is your passport right now?

Worker: It was taken by my employer (although / in case / as soon

as) I arrived here. I can’t have it back (unless / in the event / whereas)
I finish my contract or pay an early leaving fee.

Interviewer: Have you spoken to your family?

 Worker: I have just spoken to them twice since I came here. My mother told me
she has not been able to pay the loan and they will take our house
(although / in the event that / before) we don’t pay the money we owe. I am
feeling really desperate.

Interviewer: Why haven’t you sent money to your family?

Worker: I haven’t received a single penny (as soon as / since /

unless) I came 3 months ago. They say we will receive our salaries
(even though / unless / only if) we complete 5 months here.

E. Your friend is in London attending an important tennis match. Here are some
things he should take with him and the reasons he should take them.

Things he should
Reasons to take them
take

 Maybe he will get lost.

An umbrella  Maybe he will be able to take a photo with the
Water players.
A Map
 Maybe the authorities will request it.
His passport
 Maybe it will rain.
A snack
Sunglasses  Maybe the sun will be too strong.
A camera  Maybe he will get thirsty.
 Maybe he will get hungry.

Then, write a sentence for each match using in case. One example is done for
you.

0. He should take a snack in case he gets hungry. / In case he gets hungry, he

should take a snack.

1.

2.
 3.

4.

5.

6.

Practice 2

A. Join the two columns using the appropriate conjunction from the center column
to make coherent sentences. One example is done for you.

I could not sleep last night he trains hard.

He will not enter the team
Andy will not play tomorrow
He won’t lose weight
The team was very tired
You can go to play outside
I will marry John
his trainer asks him not to.
they had not played a month
although
ago.
only if
he gets a real job.
unless
I was very tired.
he starts practicing a sport.
you organize your room first.

0. I could not sleep last night although I was very tired.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
B. Organize the sentences in the correct order.

0. unless / game / the / not / be / this / raining / will / it / final / afternoon / stops

The final game will not be this afternoon unless it stops raining.

1. don’t / will / go / to / the / I / only / if / I / gym / tomorrow / to / work / have

2. 16 / time / he / was / had / played / he / already / the / on / by / national / the /

team

3. game / his / until / he / improve / didn’t / his / coach / changed

4. the / time / I / go / to / my / stadium / I wear / gear / fan / every

5. always / hated / loved / he / he / football / school / while

6. a / started / point / they / soon / as / the / scored / game / as

7. played / until / injured / the / he / although / end / was / he

C. The following sentences were written with the wrong conjunctions. Correct them
using the conjunctions from the box. One example is done for you.

after - although - in case - whether or not

as soon as – before – only if
 0. I will call you in the afternoon although you need me.
I will call you in the afternoon in case you need me.

1. My father died during I was born. I never met him.

2. He went to the gym in case he was feeling lazy.

3. I will go to that party while you like it.

4. I called an ambulance unless the accident happened.

5. They will win the match even if they train hard.

6. I will see you even though you get back from Paris. Call me when you arrive
please.

D. Tim is a famous tennis player. Read the following text about his career.

Playing tennis for a life

 Fuente: SENA

My name is Tim and I am an only child. My father died when I was three. I lived
with my mother in a village in my country. The village was quite small so we
didn’t often see other people. As a result, I was a shy boy. When I started school
I didn’t like sports. I especially hated my P.E class. I would complain with the
teacher whenever I had to participate in an exercise or play a sport.

When I turned 15, a girl I liked from school invited me to play tennis. At first I
didn’t know what to do. I knew it was going to be a disaster. I ended up
accepting her invitation anyway and we went to play tennis. It was amazing. We
had such a great time playing. Although I lost the game, I fell in love with tennis.
After that I enrolled in a tennis school and started to like it even more. It was a
new hobby for me.

Before I could tell I started to play well and won a local competition, I was
amazed at my performance. I never thought I could play a sport at that level.
Soon after that, I left school and went to play tennis full time. Although my
mother was furious, she supported me and said I should follow my instinct.
When I turned 21, I became a professional tennis player.

Today I am retired. I played professional tennis for 12 years. I won many

championships and represented my country twice in the Olympics. I am very
proud of it. And it was all because of that special girl I liked in my school. I will
always thank her for awakening the tennis player I had inside. Surprisingly we
only went out that day we played tennis. After that she moved and I lost contact
with her.
 Based on the listening, organize the following events from Tim’s life in
chronological order.

He didn’t like sports.

He left school.
After winning many competitions he retired.
His father died.
He participated in The Olympics.
Although he didn’t like it, he played tennis with a friend.
He became professional.
He won a local tournament.

E. Go to the multimedia, listen to Tim. Choose the best answer:

1. Tim played tennis for the first time because.

a. He has a passion for tennis.

b. He liked the girl who invited him.
c. His mother told him to.

2. He was shy because.

a. He didn’t like sports.

b. He was an only child and lived in a small village.
c. His father died.

3. He left school.

a. To play a local championship.

b. To go to The Olympics.
c. After he won a local championship.

4. His mother was furious when.

a. The Jumpers could have won.

b. He started to play tennis full time.
c. His father died.

5. He turned professional when he was.

a. 21 years old.
b. 28 years old.
c. 15 years old.