NAME: DATE:

OLYMPICS
Question: What do you already know about the Olympics?
 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.
NAME: DATE:

OLYMPICS
 Listen the audio text Olympics - ”A short history” and circle the correct answer.

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 1000 years
(b) about 2000 years
(c) about 3000 years
5. In 1900, the Olympic Games were held in Paris and for the first time they allowed …. to participate.
(a) animals
(b) women
(c) Greek city-states
6. Where were the first modern Olympic Games held?
(a) Athens
(b) the IOC (International Olympic Committee)
(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 the last part of the recording, what does ‘them’ refer to?
(a) drugs
(b) the games
(c) athletes
NAME: DATE:
OL YM PI CS
Grammar-in-Context
 Complete the article by circling the correct words.

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) (1) to a place called
Olympia to (2) the games, which continued until 393 AD. They lasted from (3) 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 (4)_ 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 (5) the first country to hold the games, in the city of Athens, in 1896. Fourteen countries
with 241 athletes competed in forty- three events. (6)_ some people wanted to have the games in
Athens every four years, the IOC decided to have (7) in different countries and cities. In 1900, they were held
(8)__ 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
(9) in the Summer Olympic Games. The number of events has increased to 300 events and instead
of five days of competition, the games now (10) for
seventeen days.

There are some problems, however. There were (11) Olympic games held in 1916,
1940 and 1944 because of war. Also, some athletes use drugs to help them win. In addition, the games (12)
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. 5. 9.
(A) travel (A) were (A) compete
(B) travels (B) was (B) competing
(C) traveled (C) is (C) competed
(D) traveling (D) are (D) competes
2. 6. 10.
(A) watches (A) However (A) lasts
(B) watched (B) Although (B) lasted
(C) watching (C) Therefore (C) last
(D) watch (D) Because (D) were lasting
3. 7. 11.
(A) between (A) they (A) not
(B) after (B) their (B) no
(C) to (C) them (C) don’t
(D) towards (D) there (D) didn’t
4. 8. 12.
(A) today’s (A) to (A) is
(B) today (B) for (B) are
(C) todays (C) on (C) can
(D) todays’ (D) in (D) does

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use. © [Link]

NAME: DATE:
WRIT I NG PR ACTI CE

 “Imagine you are writing to the International Olympic Committee. Write a letter and explain why your
city should host the next Summer Olympic Games.”

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Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use. © [Link]

NAME: DATE:

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use. © [Link]

LESSON Reading and Grammar: Olympics

Aim Reading and Grammar Practice

Level Intermediate

NOTES ANSWER KEY

Begin the lesson by asking your learners about Reading Comprehension

what they already know about the Olympics.

Distribute the Reading Comprehension sheet 1. C 6. A

(the ten questions on page 2) before your
learners actually read the text on page 1. Give 2. C 7. A
them about a minute to quickly go over the 3. C 8. B
questions and remind them that they want to 4. A 9. B
skim
and scan the text to answer the questions quickly 5. B 10. C
– remember: good readers do two things: (1)
understand what they read;
(2) read quickly. Consider giving your learners Grammar-in-Context
an appropriate time limit to read and answer all
the questions (about 10 – 15 minutes) – write 1. C 5. B 9. A
this on the board so everyone is aware of it. This 2. D 6. B 10. C
time may vary somewhat depending on your
own specific group of learners, so be flexible. 3. A 7. C 11. B
4. A 8. D 12. B
For the Grammar-in-Context section, make
sure that your learners have put away the
original reading text before completing the
exercise.

My Notes

Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use. © [Link]