Sports (Euro 2020)

Find out the origin and the meaning of the following words from the text.

penalty, major, stadium, trophy, defender, anthem, dejection, jubilant, record, suave, podium, tournament, reminiscent, incredible savor

Consult a dictionary and define the following terms related to cricket.

• Wicket: A set of three stumps and two bails, the means by which a bowler dismisses a batsman in cricket.
• Stump: One of the three wooden sticks that make up the wicket in cricket.
• Crease: A line on the cricket field that marks the area within which a batsman may safely take a run.
• Boundary: The outer edge of the playing area in cricket, which, if the ball is hit over it, results in four runs being scored.
• Sixer: A shot in cricket that results in the ball being hit over the boundary for six runs.
• Googly: a type of delivery in the sport of cricket, bowled by a right-arm leg spinner, in which the ball, which normally turns from the leg to the off, turns instead from off to leg.
• Leg-bye: a run scored in cricket when the ball has not been hit by the bat but runs are still scored as a result of the ball making contact with any part of the striker's body or equipment other than the bat and before it has touched the ground.
• Wicket maiden: An over in cricket in which the bowler takes a wicket and does not give up a run.
• Pitch: The rectangular area of the cricket field where the game is played.
• Power-play: A period of time in cricket where certain fielding restrictions are imposed, allowing the batting team to score more runs.
• No-ball: A type of delivery in cricket that does not comply with the rules and results in an extra run being awarded to the batting team.
• Yorker: A type of delivery in cricket where the ball is bowled at the base of the batsman's stumps, with the aim of hitting the stumps and getting the batsman out.

Divide the following words into two groups in accordance with their pronunciation /aɪ/ and /eɪ/.

fine, shine, rein, rail, why, sleigh, height, bright, might, snail, break, fake, five, freight, eight, game, claim, friend, sight, white, gait, by, hail, frame

Comprehension

State whether the following sentences are True or False or Not Given.

a. England was the champion of 1996 World Cup Football. → True
b. Italy bagged its first Euro Cup trophy in the Euro Cup 2020. → True
c. The English team has won more trophies in International Football than Italy. → False
d. According to the captain of the English team, the pain of losing a match has lasting effects. → Not Given
e. The Italian team was playing in their home ground. → False
f. The goalkeeper of the Italian team had performed the best than any other players in the match. → True

Answer the following questions.

a. Why does the reporter say that England is waiting to heal its half-century long pain?

The reporter says that England is waiting to heal its half-century long pain because the national team hasn't won a major international tournament since the World Cup in 1966.

b. How did the Italian players react as soon as they became the champions?

When the Italian team won the championship, they reacted by shouting into a TV camera during the celebrations, making fun of the catchphrase "it's coming home" from the anthem of the England team.

c. Why did Saka and Sancho cry?

Saka and Sancho cried because they missed their penalties during the shootout, which ultimately led to England's defeat.

d. Penalty shoot-out has long been a bitter experience for the English team. Why?

Penalty shoot-out has long been a bitter experience for the English team because they missed three penalty shoot-outs consequently.

e. State the contribution of Roberto Mancini to the Italian football.

Italy's footballing legacy was at its lowest ebb less than four years ago when it missed out on the World Cup for the first time in 60 years. They now hold the title of greatest team in Europe and have an impressive 34-game winning streak at home under Roberto Mancini. Mancini gave the Italian football team a lot of self-assurance and gave it his all to win the Euro 2020.

f. How does the Euro Cup final 2020 remind the audiences of the 2018 World Cup semifinals? How?

Due to the fact that England scored early against Croatia and then spent the most of the game chasing its opponent's midfield until losing in overtime, the Euro Cup Final 2020 will serve as a reminder of the 2018 World Cup semifinals to viewers.

Critical thinking

a. "Every match is a new opportunity. Put its failure behind and start over again." Does this apply to the Italian football team when we analyse their performance from their failure to qualify for the World Cup Football to their victory in the European Championship in these four years?

"Yes, the idea that every match represents a new opportunity to put past failures behind and start fresh applies to the Italian football team. Despite facing numerous challenges and defeats in the past, they have continuously strived to improve and now have a top-notch football culture. Italian coaches and staff are highly qualified in areas such as rehabilitation, strategy and organization, and Italian clubs such as Juventus have a strong history, well-organized organization, and management teams that bring out the best in their players. Over the last four years, Italy has undergone significant changes under the leadership of coach Roberto Mancini, resulting in their victory in the European Championship, and qualification for the World Cup Football.

b. When a team plays in a home ground, it gets a huge support from the audience in the stadium. Does this support them to win the match or the players may feel pressure to win and thus lose? What do you think?

When a team plays in a home ground and gets huge support from the audience in the stadium, it can provide a significant boost to the team's performance. The energy and enthusiasm of the crowd can act as a source of inspiration and motivation for the players, helping them to play with more confidence and focus. This can lead to a better overall performance, as the players feel more relaxed and comfortable playing in a familiar environment.

Additionally, the home crowd can also act as a 12th player on the field, creating a hostile environment for the opposing team and making it difficult for them to play at their best. This can lead to the opposing team making more mistakes and giving the home team an advantage.

Furthermore, playing at home can also help players to get familiar with the pitch, weather condition, and atmosphere which can result in better performance.

In summary, playing at home with the support of a huge crowd can provide a significant advantage for a team. It can act as a source of inspiration and motivation, helping the team to play with more confidence and focus, and create a difficult environment for the opposing team, ultimately increasing the chances of winning the match.

Writing

The following passage does not have any punctuation marks. Punctuate it with appropriate punctuation marks.

a lot of people try to get away from home for a few days each year for a holiday there are lots of things to choose from and where you go depends on how much money you have got to spend ideas for holidays include relaxing on a beach exploring cities and skiing one man wanted to go to australia but thought hed never have enough money to get there he will go to his brothers caravan at the seaside instead a young woman wanted to go clubbing in Ibiza as shed heard its a lot of fun

Answer

A lot of people try to get away from home for a few days each year for a holiday. There are lots of things to choose from, and where you go depends on how much money you have got to spend. Ideas for holidays include relaxing on a beach, exploring cities, and skiing. One man wanted to go to Australia, but thought he'd never have enough money to get there. He will go to his brother's caravan at the seaside instead. A young woman wanted to go clubbing in Ibiza, as she'd heard it's a lot of fun.

Write a news story based on the given information.

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 10 - Argentina beat Brazil to win the Copa America, their first major title in 28 years. The final match, held in Rio de Janeiro, ended with a 1-0 victory for Argentina, thanks to a goal from Di Maria. This win also marks Lionel Messi's first medal in a blue-and-white shirt.

The match was intense, with both teams determined to take home the title. Brazil started off strong, but it was Argentina who struck first, with Di Maria's goal in the first half. Despite Brazil's efforts to equalize, they were unable to break through Argentina's defense, which was outstanding throughout the match.

In the second half, Brazil became more aggressive, but still could not get an equalizer. Argentina's defense held strong and they managed to secure the victory. With this win, Argentina now has 15 Copa America titles, equal to Brazil.

The final match was a historic moment for Argentina, as they finally lifted the Copa America trophy after 28 years of waiting. Fans from Argentina celebrated the victory in the streets and social media, as the team and its captain Lionel Messi, who had a brilliant performance throughout the tournament, were congratulated for their effort and success.

We can see many countries competing to host the great international sport events like the World Cup Football. But, there are arguments that hosting an event like World Cup Football can have more problems than benefits. What do you think? Write your arguments in favour or against hosting an international sport event in about 500 words.

When it comes to hosting an international sport event such as the World Cup Football, there are several arguments in favor of doing so.

One of the main arguments in favor of hosting an international sport event is the economic benefits it can bring. The influx of tourists during the event can have a significant positive impact on the host country's economy through increased spending on accommodation, food, and transportation. Additionally, the construction of new infrastructure and facilities such as stadiums and transportation systems can also provide long-term benefits to the host country. These new infrastructure can also be used for other purposes after the event such as concerts, events, and etc.

Furthermore, hosting an international sport event can also have a positive impact on a country's image. It can showcase the country's culture and hospitality to the world and increase its visibility on the global stage. This can lead to increased trade and investment opportunities as well as potential tourism benefits in the long run.

Another argument in favor of hosting an international sport event is the potential for community development. The event can bring people together and create a sense of pride and unity within the host country. It can also lead to the development of new facilities and infrastructure that can be used by the community long after the event has ended.

Moreover, hosting international sport event could also have a positive impact on the youth development. It can inspire young people to get involved in sports and improve their physical and mental well-being. It can also provide opportunities for young athletes to compete at the highest level, learn from the best and be exposed to new cultures.

In conclusion, there are several arguments in favor of hosting an international sport event such as the World Cup Football. The economic benefits, positive impact on a country's image, community development and youth development are just a few of the potential benefits. It is important to carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision to host such an event.

Grammar

Complete the following sentences with much, many, few or little.

a. He is an introvert. He has got very few friends.
b. I am busy in preparing my examinations. I have very little time to give to you.
c. The entire winter season was dry this year. We had little rain.
d. Our town has almost been modernized. There are few old buildings left.
e. You can come today. I haven’t got much to do.
f. The party was crowded. There were too many people.
g. How many photographs did you take while you were in Switzerland?
h. There was little traffic so I came in time.
i. Can I borrow a few books from you?
j. Mohan can’t be a good teacher. He has little patience.

Put each or every in the following sentences.

a. The party split into three factions, every faction headed by a former prime minister.
b. Leap years occur every four years.
c. Every parent worries about their children.
d. We had a great time in Singapore. We enjoyed every minute of our time.
e. I could catch the main idea of his speech but I didn’t understand every of his words.
f. In Nepal, every motorcycle rider should wear a helmet.
g. You must read each of these books for the exam.

Rewrite the following sentences using all of, most of, none of, both of or some of.

a. Your garden is superb. All of the flowers are beautiful.
b. Do you know Bharat and Kamal? Of course, I do, both of them are my friends.
c. I bought a box of apples thinking it would be cheaper but I was mistaken. None of them were rotten.
d. When I was in the town, I asked some people for direction but none of them were able to help me. I had to call my friend.
e. We all were soaked in the rain because none of us had carried an umbrella.
f. My father is healthy in his seventies but he feels isolated because most of his friends are dead now.
g. Not all of the tourists are Chinese, some of them are Korean too.

Choose the best word from the brackets to complete the sentences.

a. Give me the money I owe you.
b. I want a boat which would take me to the island.
c. Could you pour me some water, please?
d. Only a few employees know how important the project was.
e. He was looking for an umbrella.
f. A lot of water was evaporated due to excessive heat.