Unit 4
Lessons 3, 4, 5 and 6
Student’s Book pages 36, 37, 38, 39
Audioscript
Golf
During the 15th century, a similar game to golf was played in Scotland. Back then, instead of using strong and durable clubs and balls, people used to hit pebbles using wooden sticks. Later on, after getting tired of hitting pebbles, players started trying other things until the golf ball, as we know it today, was invented. Golf courses are now found in many Middle Eastern countries, such as Jordan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Fencing
Fencing began as a way of practising for duels in the Middle Ages, when knights used to prepare themselves by fighting, in pairs, with swords that were not very sharp. It was made into a spectator sport in Spain and Italy, and fencing tournaments have been extremely popular events since then. Until the 1930s, scoring was extremely difficult, with a whole group of judges watching to see if one fencer had ‘hit’ the other. However, the judges were replaced by an electrical scoring apparatus, with an audible tone and a red or green light indicating when a touch landed.
Badminton
People have been playing sports with a shuttlecock and racquets for thousands of years. They were mentioned in written documents about Ancient Greece around 2,000 years ago. Children played versions of the game in the Far East, and in India in the 1860s. In 1873 CE, the sport made its way back to England. It was played by guests at a house party. The name of the house was Badminton House. The sport has been growing in popularity and has become the fastest racquet sport: a shuttlecock can travel up to 320 kilometres per hour.
Audioscript
J: Good afternoon. Now, I know you haven’t got a lot of time, so I’ll get straight to the point. You’ve been doing very well this season, haven’t you?
G: Yes, I have, as a matter of fact. I’ve won several competitions this season. I’ve been spending as much time as I can at the golf course.
J: Ah, well that explains it! You didn’t have so much luck last year, did you?
G: No, I didn’t. I had a good reason, though. My wife was ill, and I was quite worried and stressed. She’s better now, though, so I’m thankful.
J: That’s great news. Now, a crucial question for our listeners. You haven’t got any tips for aspiring golfers out there, have you?
G: Yes, of course I have! My most important tip is to choose the golf clubs that are right for your level, making it easier for you to practise and improve.
Audioscript
1 You’ve been doing very well this season, haven’t you?
2 You didn’t have so much luck last year, did you?
3 You haven’t got any tips for aspiring golfers out there, have you?
The text talks about:
- The main difference, according to the article, between a street in Amman in 2004 CE and the same street in 2014 CE.
- The writer of the article calls cycling a ‘useful’ mode of transport.
- The two main problems that remain for road cyclists in Jordan.
- Share the Road is doing enough to increase awareness of the sport.
- The advantages and disadvantages of a city where private transport, such as cars and private taxis, is banned.