1. Have you ever watched the Olympic Games on TV? Why? / Why not?
2. Would you like to be an Olympic athlete? Why? / Why not?
3. Do you think the Olympic Games are interesting? Why? / Why not?
4. Do you know anyone who has competed in the Olympics? If ‘yes’, who?
5. Where did the Olympic Games first begin?
6. What kinds of sports are there in the Winter Olympic Games?
7. Does our country often win Olympic gold medals? If ‘yes’, in which sport?
8. What do you think Olympic athletes eat for breakfast?
9. When are the next Olympic Games going to begin?
10. What are some good things about the Olympic Games? What are some bad things?
Watch the video and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
The very first Olympic Games took place in a Greek city-state named Athens. T / F
Early Olympic games mainly consisted of foot races and wrestling. T / F
The popularity of the Olympics increased during the Roman Empire. T / F
The Roman emperor abolished the Olympics because it was too religious. T / F
The idea to revive the Olympic Games as a modern international competition was proposed by Pierre De Coubertin. T / F
The Winter Olympics were introduced in Paris in 1924. T / F
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo had no new sports introduced. T / F
Baseball and softball have been continuously part of the Olympics since their introduction in 2008. T / F
The 2020 Summer Olympic Games had 339 different events across 33 sports. T / F
The Olympics are considered the greatest national sports competition. T / F
Read the article below and then answer the questions.
A Short History of the Olympics
Athletes competed in the first Olympic Games in Greece almost three thousand years ago in 776 BC. Every four years, people from Greek city-states (and later the Roman empire) traveled to a place called Olympia to watch the games, which continued until 393 AD. They lasted from between one and five days, and only men were allowed to compete in the games. Many of the sports events were similar to those found in today’s modern games where athletes run, jump and throw.
The modern Olympic Games began with the creation of the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) in 1894 and Greece was the first country to hold the games, in the city of Athens, in 1896. Fourteen countries with 241 athletes competed in forty-three events. Although some people wanted to have the games in Athens every four years, the IOC decided to have them in different countries and cities. In 1900, they were held in Paris and women were allowed to compete in the games for the first time. The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924 and athletes competed in events such as skating and ice hockey. Over 200 countries now compete in the Summer Olympic Games. The number of events has increased to 300 events and instead of five days of competition, the games now last for seventeen days.
There are some problems, however. There were no Olympic games held in 1916, 1940 and 1944 because of war. Also, some athletes use drugs to help them win. In addition, the games are very expensive. The 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, for example, cost $US50 billion. Nevertheless, the Olympic Games continue to be extremely popular all over the world.
1. What is the main idea of the article?
(a) The Olympics have always been popular.
(b) There are many problems with the Olympics.
(c) The Olympics began a long time ago and continue today.
2. Where did the Olympic Games first began?
(a) Athens
(b) Rome
(c) Olympia
3. Men like to watch the Olympic Games more than women.
(a) TRUE
(b) FALSE
(c) It doesn’t say.
4. After the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, how long did they continue in Greece?
(a) about one thousand years
(b) about two thousand years
(c) about three thousand years
5. In Paragraph 1, what does ‘They’ refer to?
(a) men
(b) the Olympic Games
(c) Greek city-states
6. Where were the first modern Olympic Games held?
(a) Athens
(b) the IOC
(c) in fourteen different countries
7. According to the article, what couldn’t women do in the first Olympic Games?
(a) compete in the Olympics
(b) play hockey
(c) travel to different countries and cities
8. What was most special about the 1900 Olympics?
(a) Some people wanted the games to be in different places.
(b) Women competed in the games.
(c) They were held in Paris.
9. What does the article say about the use of drugs in the Olympics?
(a) It’s a good thing.
(b) It’s a bad thing.
(c) The article doesn’t say.
10. In Paragraph 3, what does ‘them’ refer to?
(a) drugs
(b) the games
(c) athletes
WRITING PRACTICE:
“Imagine you are writing to the International Olympic Committee. Write a letter and explain why your city should host the next Summer Olympic Games.”
Autor: Kolinda Gabrilo