HOMELESS WORLD CUP

This afternoon, eighteen-year-old Brazilian Sandro Antao will play against professional footballers. If he
does well, he might be picked to represent his country, something he’d never imagined possible. Last
winter, Sandro was sleeping rough near São Paulo cathedral. ‘There are lots of doorways there,’ he
explains. ‘Good for staying dry.’ Some of his fellow-sleepers were troubled personalities with drug
addictions, but the greatest threat came from passersby. ‘They sometimes attacked us, especially when
drunk.’
Then Sandro joined a homeless football club. ‘After just a few months, I started a sports training
programme, which may lead to a job. Suddenly, I had a future.’ Approximately 32% of the players in the
2007 Homeless World Cup went into education, and 29% found work within six months. Significantly,
over 90% said they had a new motivation for life.
The Homeless World Cup foundation now runs programmes in over sixty countries. Although there are
no big prizes for the international World Cup matches, a number of stars go on to play professionally,
and it’s not unheard of for top clubs to take an interest.
‘Bébé’ spent part of his childhood homeless in Lisbon after his parents abandoned him. His talent for
football was fostered by a local charity, and in August 2010 he joined Manchester United, allegedly for
£7.4 million. For many homeless players, Bébé is an inspiration. According to Sandro, ‘that’s my dream
career!’ But he adds, ‘I’d be content with a fraction of the salary. Most homeless people don’t ask for
much. Just give us a chance!’

I. – Answer questions 1–4 according to the information given in the text. Use your own words. (4 marks)
1. – What was the biggest problem for Sandro when he was homeless?

The biggest problem for Sandro when he was homeless was dealing with violence from non-
homeless people, particularly if they had been drinking alcohol.

2. – In what way has the Homeless World benefitted the greatest number of participants?

The Homeless World has benefitted the greatest number of participants since most people
who played in the Homeless World Cup felt more positive about/regarding their lives
afterwards.

3. – What are the rewards for the very best players in the Homeless World Cup?

The rewards for the very best players in the Homeless Word Cup are that players might have the
chance to become professional footballers, possibly even for a well-known club.

4. – What was Bébé’s life like before the Portuguese charity helped him?

Before the Portuguese charity helped him, Bébé’s life was difficult as his mother and father left
him when he was a child and he spent some time living on the streets.
II. – Are these statements True or False? Justify your answers based on information from the text,
rewriting the original sentences in your own way or, at least, quoting properly. (2 marks)

1. – Sandro doesn’t play for the Brazilian football team.

This statement is true as the text says “if he does well, he might be picked to represent his country.”

2. – Sandro would like to be as wealthy as Bébé.

This statement is false because according to the text “according to Sandro, ‘that’s my dream career!’
But he adds, ‘I’d be content with a fraction of the salary.’’

III. – Find the words or expressions in the text that mean: (1 mark)
1. – chosen picked (paragraph 1) past participle
2. – having mental or emotional problems troubled (paragraph 1) adjective
3. – progress to (something); do (something) after achieving something else go on to (paragraph 3)
bare infinitive
4. – encouraged to develop fostered (paragraph 4) past participle

IV. – Write a composition of about 130 words on ONE of these topics. Specify your option. (3 marks)

1. – Why is homelessness a problem and what should we do to help? DISCUSS

2. – ‘Professional footballers earn too much money.’ What do you think? DISCUSS