英國大使館文化教育處

In 2012 Britain held the Olympic Games for the third time in modern history.The British have a great love of sport– both watching and playing and,in fact,many sports started here.Tennis first became popular in the UK and Wimbledon is one of the world’s big four tournaments every year.Golf is Scottish in oriɡin,and ruɡby was first played at a school with the same name.

Every town in Britain has a football,rugby or cricket club and a swimming pool.Schools often have a gymnasium and a running track.Britain is an island,so there are lots of opportunities for practising water sports.

Big UK sports venues are famous.Silverstone is the home of motor racing,Ascot of horse racing and Wembley of football.Most people know which football clubs play at Old Trafford,Stamford Bridɡe and Anfield.

Who are the best British sportsmen and women? In the 1960s there was the England football captain,Bobby Moore.Ten years later,tennis player Virginia Wade was a star.Today,marathon runner Paula Radcliffe is very popular.

“Fair play” in British society is an important principle and people say that how you play the game is the important thing,not if you win or lose.But always remember that competition makes champions.

Activity 1 Match the word with a definition.

a.course for races

b.leader of a team

c.set of sports events

d.tryinɡ to be the fastest and finish first

e.where something comes from

Activity 2 Choose the sentences that are true according to the text.

1.The game of tennis was invented in a place called Wimbledon.

2.The game of rugby was invented in a place called Rugby

3.The game of golf was invented in Scotland.

4.All schoolchildren do water sports.

5.You can watch a football match at Anfield.

6.Virɡinia Wade was a sports star in the 1970s.

7.“Fair play” means “try your best to win”.

8.The British think competition is a bad thing.

Activity 3 Put a noun from the table into the gap to complete the sentences.

1.Manchester United is a very successful football ______________.

2.People go to Ascot every June to watch horse ______________.

3.A running ______________is usually 400 metres lonɡ.

4.Team ______________is very important if you are involved in a big project.

5.Surfinɡ is one water______________ I am not good at.

Activity 4 Discussion topic.

How often do you play sport? Which sport(s)?