The Reading / Listening - Russia World Cup - Level 6

A former U.S. soccer player has justified his support of rivals Mexico at the Russia World Cup. Landon Donovan, 35, played for the USA national team 157 times, scoring 57 goals. He is widely regarded as the best American player ever. However, his calls for fellow Americans to back rivals Mexico at the World Cup have landed him in hot water. Many of his ex-teammates have further criticized him for accepting payment from the company Wells Fargo in exchange for wearing a Mexico soccer jersey. He tweeted a photograph of himself with a scarf that read: "My other team is Mexico. The tournament is here. USA fans, our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to the south are. So join me...to cheer on our other team - Mexico."

Donovan explained why he wanted people to cheer for Mexico. He grew up in California and speaks fluent Spanish. He said: "My heart bleeds red, white and blue and no one should ever question my allegiance to and support of U.S. Soccer and its national teams. That being said, having grown up east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates whose passion...inspired me at a very young age....I always have had a strong connection and respect for our neighbor." Current U.S. player Claudia Soto said: "I don't understand why he is doing this. Actually, I do - money." A Mexican fan said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans love to hate. Donald Trump and Landon Donovan."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Russia World Cup - Level 4  or  Russia World Cup - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/06/18/landon-donovan-mexico-world-cup/710759002/
  • http://tv5.espn.com/football/united-states/story/3531891/landon-donovan-clarifies-supporting-mexico-in-world-cup-ad-campaign
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44528016


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. RUSSIA WORLD CUP: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Russia World Cup. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       former / support / rivals / national team / goals / hot water / criticized / neighbors /
       cheer / fluent / question / allegiance / teammates / connection / respect / money / fan
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. TOURNAMENT: Students A strongly believe the soccer World Cup is the world's greatest sporting event; Students B strongly believe disagree.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FOOTBALL: How can you make the game of football better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Bad Points Now

Improvements

Referee

 

 

Goal posts

 

 

Stadium

 

 

Equality

 

 

Penalties

 

 

Technology

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. RIVAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "rival". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. SOCCER: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about soccer at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Saturday afternoons
  • rivalries
  • the skills
  • the passion
  • goals
  • penalties
  • the fans
  • the World Cup

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. former a. A series of contests between a number of competitors, who compete for an overall prize.
      2. justified b. Showed or proven to be right or reasonable.
      3. rivals c. Considered or thought of someone or something in a particular way.
      4. regarded d. Having previously filled a particular role or been a particular thing.
      5. in hot water e. Shout for joy or in praise or encouragement for someone or for a team (to win).
      6. tournament f. A person, team or thing competing with another for the same aim or for superiority in the same field of activity.
      7. cheer g. In a difficult situation or in trouble.

    Paragraph 2

      8. fluent h. A very, very, very strong desire or enthusiasm for something.
      9. bleeds i. Loyalty or commitment of to a leader, group, team or cause.
      10. allegiance j. A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.
      11. passion k. Able to speak or write a particular foreign language easily and accurately.
      12. inspired l. When blood comes out of a human or animal.
      13. connection m. A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
      14. respect n. Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Landon Donovan scored over 150 international goals.     T / F
  2. Donovan's fellow Americans poured hot water over him.     T / F
  3. Donovan was paid to wear a Mexico football shirt.     T / F
  4. Donovan wanted other Americans to join him in his support for Mexico.   T / F
  5. Donovan is very proficient in speaking Spanish.     T / F
  6. Donovan said his heart bleeds the green and white of Mexico's flag.     T / F
  7. A current U.S. player said Donovan wasn't doing it for the money.     T / F
  8. A Mexican fan Mexico said fans love Landon Donovan.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. former
  2. justify
  3. regarded
  4. criticized
  5. cheer on
  6. allegiance
  7. passion
  8. inspired
  9. connection
  10. fans
  1. motivated
  2. attacked
  3. enthusiasm
  4. explain
  5. loyalty
  6. link
  7. ex-
  8. supporters
  9. considered
  10. encourage

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. justified his support of
  2. widely regarded
  3. calls for fellow Americans
  4. landed him
  5. join me to cheer
  6. He grew up in California and
  7. one should ever
  8. teammates whose
  9. I always have had a strong
  10. two guys that Mexico fans
  1. to back rivals Mexico
  2. love to hate
  3. on our other team
  4. question my allegiance
  5. as the best American player
  6. passion inspired me
  7. rivals
  8. connection and respect
  9. in hot water
  10. speaks fluent Spanish

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
exchange
rivals
widely
neighbors
support
payment
ever
tournament

A former U.S. soccer player has justified his (1) ____________ of rivals Mexico at the Russia World Cup. Landon Donovan, 35, played for the USA national team 157 times, scoring 57 goals. He is (2) ____________ regarded as the best American player (3) ____________. However, his calls for fellow Americans to back (4) ____________ Mexico at the World Cup have landed him in hot water. Many of his ex-teammates have further criticized him for accepting (5) ____________ from the company Wells Fargo in (6) ____________ for wearing a Mexico soccer jersey. He tweeted a photograph of himself with a scarf that read: "My other team is Mexico. The (7) ____________ is here. USA fans, our team may not be in Russia, but our (8) ____________ to the south are. So join me...to cheer on our other team - Mexico."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
passion
bleeds
fan
cheer
hate
fluent
respect
allegiance

Donovan explained why he wanted people to (9) ____________ for Mexico. He grew up in California and speaks (10) ____________ Spanish. He said: "My heart (11) ____________ red, white and blue and no one should ever question my (12) ____________ to and support of U.S. Soccer and its national teams. That being said, having grown up east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates whose (13) ____________...inspired me at a very young age....I always have had a strong connection and (14) ____________ for our neighbor." Current U.S. player Claudia Soto said: "I don't understand why he is doing this. Actually, I do - money." A Mexican (15) ____________ said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans love to (16) ____________. Donald Trump and Landon Donovan."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A former U.S. soccer player has justified his ______ Mexico
     a.  support of rivalries
     b.  support of libels
     c.  support of rivals
     d.  support of revels
2)  He is widely regarded as the best American ______
     a.  players ever
     b.  player even
     c.  player ever
     d.  player never
3) calls for fellow Americans to back rivals Mexico at the World Cup have landed him _____
     a.  in hot water
     b.  in hot watery
     c.  on hot water
     d.  in heated water
4)  Many of his ex-teammates have further criticized him for ______
     a.  accept in payment
     b.  accept tin payment
     c.  accept any payment
     d.  accepting payment
5)  our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to ______
     a.  the souths are
     b.  the southern are
     c.  the southerly are
     d.  the south are

6)  He grew up in California and speaks ______
     a.  fluent Spanish
     b.  fluently Spanish
     c.  fluency Spanish
     d.  flue Spanish
7)  My heart bleeds red, white and blue and no one should ever question ______
     a.  my allegiance
     b.  my allegories
     c.  my alliance
     d.  my grievance
8)  having grown up east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates whose ______
     a.  passionate respired me
     b.  passion inspired me
     c.  passion expired me
     d.  passion aspired me
9)  I always have had a strong connection and respect ______
     a.  for our neighbor
     b.  at our neighbor
     c.  on our neighbor
     d.  in our neighbor
10)  A Mexican fan said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans ______"
     a.  love to hatred
     b.  love to hate
     c.  love to hates
     d.  love to hater

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A former U.S. soccer player has justified his (1) ___________________ Mexico at the Russia World Cup. Landon Donovan, 35, played for the USA national team 157 times, (2) ___________________. He is widely regarded as the best American player ever. However, his calls for fellow Americans (3) ___________________ Mexico at the World Cup have landed him in hot water. Many of his ex-teammates have further criticized (4) ___________________ payment from the company Wells Fargo in exchange for wearing a Mexico soccer jersey. He tweeted a photograph of himself with a scarf that read: "(5) ___________________ is Mexico. The tournament is here. USA fans, our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to the south are. So join me... (6) ___________________ our other team - Mexico."

Donovan explained why he wanted people (7) ___________________ Mexico. He grew up in California (8) ___________________ Spanish. He said: "My heart bleeds red, white and blue and no one should ever question my allegiance to and support of U.S. Soccer and its national teams. That being said, (9) ___________________ east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates whose passion...inspired me at a very young age....I always have had a strong connection (10) ___________________ our neighbor." Current U.S. player Claudia Soto said: "I don't understand why he (11) ___________________. Actually, I do - money." A Mexican fan said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans (12) ___________________. Donald Trump and Landon Donovan."

Comprehension questions

  1. How many times did Landon Donovan play for the USA?
  2. What has Mr Donovan landed in because of his calls to support Mexico?
  3. Who criticized him for wearing a Mexico football shirt?
  4. What did Landon Donovan have in a photograph he tweeted?
  5. What did Landon Donovan say was not in Russia?
  6. Where did Landon Donovan grow up?
  7. What does Landon Donovan's heart bleed?
  8. Who did Landon Donovan play with in east Los Angeles?
  9. What did Claudia Soto say Landon Donovan was doing this for?
  10. How many people did a Mexican fan say other fans love to hate?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many times did Landon Donovan play for the USA?
a) 135
b) 35
c) 157
d) 57
2) What has Mr Donovan landed in because of his calls to support Mexico?
a) hot water
b) cold water
c) deep water
d) shallow water
3) Who criticized him for wearing a Mexico football shirt?
a) Mexico's players
b) the media
c) referees
d) ex-teammates
4) What did Landon Donovan have in a photograph he tweeted?
a) a World Cup trophy
b) a scarf
c) a football
d) a Mexico mascot
5) What did Landon Donovan say was not in Russia?
a) a scarf
b) his dream
c) the USA team
d) the World Cup trophy

6) Where did Landon Donovan grow up?
a) New Mexico
b) California
c) Texas
d) New York
7) What does Landon Donovan's heart bleed?
a) emotions
b) tears
c) football
d) red, white and blue
8) Who did Landon Donovan play with east of Los Angeles?
a) the L.A. Dodgers
b) his Mexican teammates
c) Lionel Messi
d) a basketball team
9) What did Claudia Soto say Landon Donovan was doing this for?
a) money
b) fun
c) passion
d) his friends
10) How many people did a Mexican fan say other fans love to hate?
a) 5
b) 4
c) 3
d) 2

Role play

Role  A – Goals
You think goals are the best thing about football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): fans, rivalries or penalties.

Role  B – Fans
You think fans are the best thing about football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): goals, rivalries or penalties.

Role  C – Rivalries
You think rivalries are the best thing about football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): fans, goals or penalties.

Role  D – Penalties
You think penalties are the best thing about football. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least enjoyable of these (and why): fans, rivalries or goals.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'soccer'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'player'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • why
    • bleeds
    • question
    • current
    • money
    • love
    • former
    • widely
    • fellow
    • further
    • scarf
    • south

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Ex-US soccer player criticized for supporting Mexico

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'soccer'?
    3. What do you think of the World Cup?
    4. What good does the World Cup do?
    5. What's wrong with supporting a rival team?
    6. What do you think of your country's biggest rival?
    7. Do you understand why people are angry with Landon Donovan?
    8. What's wrong with getting paid to wear a soccer jersey?
    9. Should Mr Donovan be applauded for encouraging good relations?
    10. What advice do you have for Landon Donovan?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'rival'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Who do you think will win the 2018 World Cup, and why?
    5. Isn't it better to cheer for many teams?
    6. How much allegiance do you have towards your country?
    7. Whose passion has inspired you?
    8. Who do you love to hate?
    9. Which is the better word - "soccer" or "football"?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Landon Donovan?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A (1) ____ U.S. soccer player has justified his support of rivals Mexico at the Russia World Cup. Landon Donovan, 35, played for the USA (2) ____ team 157 times, scoring 57 goals. He is (3) ____ regarded as the best American play ever. However, his calls for fellow Americans to (4) ____ rivals Mexico at the World Cup have landed him in hot water. Many of his ex-teammates have further criticized him for accepting payment from the company Wells Fargo (5) ____ exchange for wearing a Mexico soccer jersey. He tweeted a photograph of himself with a scarf that read: "My other team is Mexico. The tournament is here. USA fans, our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to the south are. So join me...to cheer (6) ____ our other team - Mexico."

    Donovan explained why he wanted people to cheer for Mexico. He grew up in California and speaks (7) ____ Spanish. He said: "My heart bleeds red, white and blue and no one should ever question my (8) ____ to and support of U.S. Soccer and its national teams. That being said, having grown up east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates (9) ____ passion...inspired me at a very young age....I always have had a strong connection and respect (10) ____ our neighbor." Current U.S. player Claudia Soto said: "I don't understand why he is doing this. (11) ____, I do - money." A Mexican fan said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans (12) ____ to hate. Donald Trump and Landon Donovan."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     farmer     (b)     former     (c)     framer     (d)     firmer    
    2. (a)     nationality     (b)     nationally     (c)     nationals     (d)     national    
    3. (a)     wide     (b)     widely     (c)     widen     (d)     width    
    4. (a)     front     (b)     side     (c)     back     (d)     bottom    
    5. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     of    
    6. (a)     on     (b)     up     (c)     at     (d)     of    
    7. (a)     influence     (b)     fluently     (c)     fluency     (d)     fluent    
    8. (a)     allegiance     (b)     scrutiny     (c)     adversity     (d)     minimal    
    9. (a)     what     (b)     whose     (c)     that     (d)     from    
    10. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     for     (d)     on    
    11. (a)     Actuary     (b)     Archery     (c)     Actually     (d)     Actuality    
    12. (a)     affectionately     (b)     love     (c)     passion     (d)     fond

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. tiisfjeud his support of rivals Mexico
    2. widely egdeardr as the best
    3. teammates have further cizriidect him
    4. iangctpec payment
    5. in egacxnhe for
    6. The rotmuatenn is here

    Paragraph 2

    1. speaks fnteul Spanish
    2. no one should ever question my ceelinagla
    3. irpdisen me at a very young age
    4. a strong nonecntico
    5. ercepts for our neighbor
    6. entrucr U.S. player

    Put the text back together

    (...)  in Russia, but our neighbors to the south are. So join me...to cheer on our other team - Mexico."
    (...)  for the USA national team 157 times, scoring 57 goals. He is widely regarded as the best American player
    (...)  of himself with a scarf that read: "My other team is Mexico. The tournament is here. USA fans, our team may not be
    (...)  fan said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans love to hate. Donald Trump and Landon Donovan."
    (...)  Donovan explained why he wanted people to cheer for Mexico. He grew up in California and speaks
    (...)  player Claudia Soto said: "I don't understand why he is doing this. Actually, I do - money." A Mexican
    (...)  fluent Spanish. He said: "My heart bleeds red, white and blue and no one should ever question my
    (...)  age....I always have had a strong connection and respect for our neighbor." Current U.S.
    (...)  payment from the company Wells Fargo in exchange for wearing a Mexico soccer jersey. He tweeted a photograph
    (...)  him in hot water. Many of his ex-teammates have further criticized him for accepting
    (...)  allegiance to and support of U.S. Soccer and its national teams. That being said, having grown up
    (...)  ever. However, his calls for fellow Americans to back rivals Mexico at the World Cup have landed
    (  1  ) A former U.S. soccer player has justified his support of rivals Mexico at the Russia World Cup. Landon Donovan, 35, played
    (...)  east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates whose passion...inspired me at a very young

    Put the words in the right order

    1. times   .   the   played   157   for   national   USA   Donovan   team
    2. the   Widely   best   regarded   ever   .   American   as   player
    3. have   his   ex-teammates   him   .   criticized   Many   of   further
    4. himself   tweeted   He   a   of   with   photograph   a   scarf   .
    5. other   on   cheer   Join   me   to   team   .   our
    6. wanted   Donovan   he   people   explained   to   why   cheer   .
    7. one   No   should   question   my   allegiance   .   ever
    8. Mexican   me   .   inspired   passion   Playing  with   whose   teammates
    9. don't   he   why   doing   is   understand   this   .   I
    10. to   that   Mexico   fans   hate   .   guys   love   Two

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A former / firmer U.S. soccer player has justified his support of rivalries / rivals Mexico at the Russia World Cup. Landon Donovan, 35, played for the USA national team 157 times, scoring 57 goals. He is widely / longing regarded as the best American player ever. However, his whispers / calls for fellow Americans to back rivals Mexico at the World Cup have landed / lauded him in hot water. Many of his ex-teammates have farther / further criticized him for accepting / accept payment from the company Wells Fargo in exchange / swap for wearing a Mexico soccer jersey. He tweeted a photograph of himself with a scarf that read: "My other team is Mexico. The tournament is here. USA fans, our team may not be in Russia, but our neighbors to / at the south are. So join me...to cheer up / on our other team - Mexico."

    Donovan explained / explanation why he wanted people to cheer for Mexico. He grew up in California and speaks fluency / fluent Spanish. He said: "My heart bleeds / bloods red, white and blue and no one should ever question / questioning my allegiance to and support at / of U.S. Soccer and its national teams. That being / was said, having grown up east of Los Angeles playing with Mexican teammates whose passionate / passion...inspired me at a very young age....I always have had a strong / strength connection and respect for our neighbor." Current U.S. player Claudia Soto said: "I don't understand why he is doing / done this. Actually, I do - money." A Mexican fan said: "There are two guys that Mexico fans love to hate / hatred. Donald Trump and Landon Donovan."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    A f_r m_r U . S . s_c c_r p l_y_r h_s j_s t_f__ d h_s s_p p_r t _f r_v_l s M_x_c_ _t t h_ R_s s__ W_r l d C_p . L_n d_n D_n_v_n , 3 5 , p l_y_d f_r t h_ U S A n_t__ n_l t__ m 1 5 7 t_m_s , s c_r_n g 5 7 g__ l s . H_ _s w_d_l y r_g_r d_d _s t h_ b_s t A m_r_c_n p l_y_r _v_r . H_w_v_r , h_s c_l l s f_r f_l l_w A m_r_c_n s t_ b_c k r_v_l s M_x_c_ _t t h_ W_r l d C_p h_v_ l_n d_d h_m _n h_t w_t_r . M_n y _f h_s _x - t__ m m_t_s h_v_ f_r t h_r c r_t_c_z_d h_m f_r _c c_p t_n g p_y m_n t f r_m t h_ c_m p_n y W_l l s F_r g_ _n _x c h_n g_ f_r w__ r_n g _ M_x_c_ s_c c_r j_r s_y . H_ t w__ t_d _ p h_t_g r_p h _f h_m s_l f w_t h _ s c_r f t h_t r__ d : " M y _t h_r t__ m _s M_x_c_. T h_ t__ r n_m_n t _s h_r_. U S A f_n s , __ r t__ m m_y n_t b_ _n R_s s__ , b_t __ r n__ g h b_r s t_ t h_ s__ t h _r_. S_ j__ n m_. . . t_ c h__ r _n __ r _t h_r t__ m - M_x_c_. "

    D_n_v_n _x p l__ n_d w h y h_ w_n t_d p__ p l_ t_ c h__ r f_r M_x_c_. H_ g r_w _p _n C_l_f_r n__ _n d s p__ k s f l__ n t S p_n_s h . H_ s__ d : " M y h__ r t b l__ d s r_d , w h_t_ _n d b l__ _n d n_ _n_ s h__ l d _v_r q__ s t__ n m y _l l_g__ n c_ t_ _n d s_p p_r t _f U . S . S_c c_r _n d _t s n_t__ n_l t__ m s . T h_t b__ n g s__ d , h_v_n g g r_w n _p __ s t _f L_s A n g_l_s p l_y_n g w_t h M_x_c_n t__ m m_t_s w h_s_ p_s s__ n . . ._n s p_r_d m_ _t _ v_r y y__ n g _g_. . . . I _l w_y s h_v_ h_d _ s t r_n g c_n n_c t__ n _n d r_s p_c t f_r __ r n__ g h b_r . " C_r r_n t U . S . p l_y_r C l__ d__ S_t_ s__ d : " I d_n ' t _n d_r s t_n d w h y h_ _s d__ n g t h_s . A c t__ l l y , I d_ - m_n_y . " A M_x_c_n f_n s__ d : " T h_r_ _r_ t w_ g_y s t h_t M_x_c_ f_n s l_v_ t_ h_t_. D_n_l d T r_m p _n d L_n d_n D_n_v_n . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a former us soccer player has justified his support of rivals mexico at the russia world cup landon donovan 35 played for the usa national team 157 times scoring 57 goals he is widely regarded as the best american player ever however his calls for fellow americans to back rivals mexico at the world cup have landed him in hot water many of his ex teammates have further criticized him for accepting payment from the company wells fargo in exchange for wearing a mexico soccer jersey he tweeted a photograph of himself with a scarf that read my other team is mexico the tournament is here usa fans our team may not be in russia but our neighbors to the south are so join meto cheer on our other team  mexico

    donovan explained why he wanted people to cheer for mexico he grew up in california and speaks fluent spanish he said my heart bleeds red white and blue and no one should ever question my allegiance to and support of us soccer and its national teams that being said having grown up east of los angeles playing with mexican teammates whose passion inspired me at a very young agei always have had a strong connection and respect for our neighbor current us player claudia soto said i dont understand why he is doing this actually i do  money a mexican fan said there are two guys that mexico fans love to hate donald trump and landon donovan"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AformerU.S.soccerplayerhasjustifiedhissupportofrivalsMexicoatthe
    RussiaWorldCup.LandonDonovan,35,playedfortheUSAnationaltea
    m157times,scoring57goals.HeiswidelyregardedasthebestAmerican
    playerever.However,hiscallsforfellowAmericanstobackrivalsMexico
    attheWorldCuphavelandedhiminhotwater.Manyofhisex-teammat
    eshavefurthercriticizedhimforacceptingpaymentfromthecompanyW
    ellsFargoinexchangeforwearingaMexicosoccerjersey.Hetweetedap
    hotographofhimselfwithascarfthatread:"MyotherteamisMexico.The
    tournamentishere.USAfans,ourteammaynotbeinRussia,butourneig
    hborstothesouthare.Sojoinme...tocheeronourotherteam-Mexico."D
    onovanexplainedwhyhewantedpeopletocheerforMexico.Hegrewupi
    nCaliforniaandspeaksfluentSpanish.Hesaid:"Myheartbleedsred,whi
    teandblueandnooneshouldeverquestionmyallegiancetoandsupport
    ofU.S.Socceranditsnationalteams.Thatbeingsaid,havinggrownupea
    stofLosAngelesplayingwithMexicanteammateswhosepassion...inspi
    redmeataveryyoungage....Ialwayshavehadastrongconnectionandr
    espectforourneighbor."CurrentU.S.playerClaudiaSotosaid:"Idon'tu
    nderstandwhyheisdoingthis.Actually,Idomoney."AMexicanfansaid:
    "TherearetwoguysthatMexicofanslovetohate.DonaldTrumpandLand
    onDonovan."

    Free writing

    Write about Russia World Cup for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    The FIFA World Cup is the greatest sporting event on Earth. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. RUSSIA WORLD CUP: Make a poster about the Russia World Cup. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. UNITED: Write a magazine article about three countries (Canada, the USA and Mexico) hosting the 2026 World Cop together. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Russia World Cup. Ask him/her three questions about the World Cup. Give him/her three of your ideas on how it can be improved. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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