English Lesson 59

Where you live and sports matches

Your home and area, a sports match you enjoyed, and big international sports events.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Where you live

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

Do you live near here? How far is it?

Not very near. I live in the east of the city, and it took me about forty minutes to get here by metro. I left home early this morning, because I didn't want to be late.

  • Not very near.a short answer
  • it took me about forty minutes to…say how long a trip takes
  • I didn't want to be lategive the reason

Do you like where you are living now? Why?

Yes, I do. It's a quiet area, and my neighbours are very kind. There's a big park nearby, where I go running. The only negative thing is that it's far from my workplace.

  • It's a quiet areaa calm place
  • nearbyclose
  • The only negative thing is that…the only bad point

Has the area where you live changed much since you moved there? How?

Yes, quite a lot. When I moved there five years ago, there were empty fields around us. Now, there are new apartment buildings, a shopping centre and a metro station. It's more convenient, but it's also busier and noisier.

  • Yes, quite a lot.a clear answer
  • empty fieldsland with nothing on it
  • It's more convenient, but…a balanced comparison

Do you often watch sports?

I watch football quite often, especially the big European leagues. I usually watch at home, but for important matches, I go to a café with friends, because the atmosphere is better.

  • the big European leaguesthe main football competitions in Europe
  • for important matchesfor big games
  • the atmosphere is betterthe feeling is more exciting

Part 2 · Cue card

A sports match or competition you watched and enjoyed

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe a sports match or competition that you watched and enjoyed.

You should say:

  • what the match was
  • who was competing
  • where you watched it
  • and explain why you enjoyed watching it so much
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about the World Cup final in 2022, between Argentina and France. Many people say it was the best final in history, and I agree.

What it was

It was the last match of the football World Cup, which was held in Qatar. The winner would become the world champion.

Who was competing

Argentina, with Lionel Messi, played against France, with Kylian Mbappé. Both teams had amazing players, and both had won the World Cup before.

Where you watched it

I watched it at my friend's house with about ten people. We had pizza and snacks, and half of us supported Argentina, and half supported France, so it was very loud.

Why you enjoyed it

I enjoyed it because it was so dramatic. Argentina was winning two-nil, then France scored two goals in two minutes. In extra time, it was three-three. Finally, it went to penalties, and Argentina won. I was so happy for Messi, because it was his last chance to win the World Cup. I'll never forget that night.

  • the best final in historythe greatest last match ever
  • the world championthe best team in the world
  • played againstcompeted with
  • it was so dramaticfull of exciting changes
  • extra timemore time added after a draw
  • it went to penaltiesa shooting contest decided the winner

Part 3 · Discussion

Sport and young people

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

What sports do most young people in your country enjoy doing? Why?

Football is the most popular, because you only need a ball and a small space. Many young people also go to the gym, because they want to look fit. Volleyball and basketball are popular at schools.

  • you only need a ballit's simple and cheap
  • look fitlook healthy and strong
  • popular at schoolsliked in schools

What are the main benefits for young people of learning different sports?

Sports keep them healthy and strong. Different sports also teach different skills: team sports teach cooperation, and individual sports, like tennis, teach self-discipline. Sport also helps young people make friends and stay away from bad habits.

  • individual sportssports you play alone
  • self-disciplinecontrolling yourself to keep working
  • stay away from bad habitsavoid unhealthy behaviour

How can we encourage young people to play more sports?

Schools should offer more sports and make them fun, not only about winning. Cities should build more free sports fields and parks. And famous athletes can visit schools and inspire young people.

  • encouragegive someone the wish to do something
  • not only about winningwinning isn't everything
  • free sports fieldsplaces to play without paying
  • inspiremake someone want to do something

Why are international competitions like the World Cup so popular?

They bring the whole world together. People feel proud when their country plays, even if they don't usually watch sport. The matches are exciting, with the best players in the world. And they happen only every four years, so they feel special.

  • bring the whole world togetherunite many countries
  • feel proudfeel happy about their country
  • only every four yearsnot often

What are the advantages and disadvantages for a country of hosting a big sports event?

The advantages are tourism, new jobs and new stadiums and roads. It also makes the country famous. The disadvantages are the huge cost, and sometimes the stadiums are empty after the event. Some people also have to leave their homes for new construction.

  • hostingholding an event in your country
  • the huge costthe very high price
  • empty after the eventnot used later
  • constructionbuilding work

Should governments spend more on top athletes or on sport for everyone? Why?

I think sport for everyone is more important. If more people exercise, the whole country becomes healthier, and hospitals save money. Top athletes are important too, because they inspire people. But most of the money should go to sport for everyone.

  • top athletesthe best sports people
  • sport for everyonesport for normal people
  • hospitals save moneyhealth costs go down
  • most of the money should go to…the biggest part

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.