Before You Read

Work in pairs. Look at the picture. Ask and answer the following questions.

(Làm việc từng  đôi. Nhìn hình và trả lời những câu hỏi sau.)

1. What event was it? 

(Sự kiện đó là gì?)

2. Where do you think the event took place?

(Bạn nghĩ sự kiện diễn ra ở đâu?)

While You Read

Read the passage and do the tasks that follow.

(Đọc đoạn văn và làm bài tập kèm theo.)

The 22^nd Southeast Asian Games were held in Vietnam from the 5^th to 13^th December, 2003. Although it was the first time Vietnam hosted such a big sports event, the Games were a great success. The Games really became a festival that impressed sports enthusiasts with its spirit: solidarity, co-operation for peace and development.

Athletes from 11 participating countries competed in 32 sports, and 444 gold medals were won. Some teams such as table tennis, badminton, karatedo, volleyball, basketball and wrestling were composed of top competitors in the region. Many Games records were close to international levels. Vietnam won 158 gold medals to finish at the top of the Southeast Asian Games medal standings. Thailand was ranked second with 90 golds, and Indonesia was third with only 55 golds. Singapore and Vietnam were the two nations which had participants who were presented with the Most Outstanding Athlete titles in the Swimming and Shooting events. The Vietnamese Women's Football team successfully defended the SEA Games title. The Men's Football team won a silver medal. In other sports such as karatedo, athletics, bodybuilding and wushu, the young and energetic Vietnamese athletes performed excellently and won a lot of gold medals.

Vietnam's first place finish was not surprising. Firstly, to prepare for the 22^nd SEA Games, Vietnam carried out an intensive programme for its athletes, which included training in facilities, both home and abroad. Secondly, with the strong support of their countrymen, the Vietnamese athletes competed in high spirits. The country's success has proved that Vietnam can organize sporting events on an international level. A plan has been proposed for Vietnam to host the Asia Sports Games at some point in the future.

Task 1: Give the Vietnamese equivalents to the following words and phrases.

(Đưa ra từ tiếng Việt tương đương với những từ và cụm từ sau.)

1. sports enthusiast: __________

2. solidarity: __________

3. title: __________

4. bodybuilding : __________

5. high spirits: __________

6. countrymen: __________

Task 2: Scan the passaae and complete each of the following sentences.

(Đọc lướt đoạn văn và điền những câu sau.)

1. The 22nd SEA Games were held in Vietnam from………..

2. Thailand was ranked second with………………

3. Singapore and Vietnam had participants who were awarded the Most Outstanding Athlete titles in………………….

4. A plan has been proposed for Vietnam to host the Asia Sports Games at ……………

Task 3: Answer the quesiions.

(Trả lời những câu hỏi.)

1. What was the spirit of the 22^nd SEA Games?

(Tinh thần của SEA Games 22 là gì?)

2. How many gold medals were won at the SEA Games?

(Có bao nhiêu huy chương vàng đã đạt được tại SEA Games?)

3. Which Women’s Football team defended the SEA Games title?

(Đội bóng đá nữ đã bảo vệ thành công  danh hiệu SEA Games?)

4. Which Men’s Football team won the gold medal?

(Đội bóng đá nam nào đã giành huy chương vàng?)

5. Why was Vietnam's first place finish not a surprise to everyone?

(Tại sao vị trí hạng nhất của Việt Nam lại không gây bất ngờ cho mọi người?)

Work with a partner and name some of the Vietnamese athletes you love. Say what they are famous for, and what aspects of sportsmanship you admire (fairness, respect, generosity....).

(Làm việc với một bạn cùng học và nói tên mọt vài vận động viên Việt Nam em mến chuộng. Nói họ nổi tiếng về gì và em ngưỡng mộ khía cạnh nào của tình thần thượng võ (sự công bằng, kính trọng, tính hào phóng,..)