مکالمه انگلیسی بین دو نفر درباره ورزش

In this short conversation, Shirley talks about two rival teams in Scotland.

Yuri: Shirley, one question. I’m a bit confused now. One thing, about sports. Sometimes, I can see U.K. play something with a team. Sometimes you’re all divided. Why is that?

Shirley: So, we are essentially still four countries, four separate countries in a united kingdom, so yeah, basically each country just wanted to keep their national team.

In the case of the Olympics, for some reason, and I’m not sure of the exact reason, but the Olympics committee didn’t want four divided teams from Great Britain. They wanted a representative of the United Kingdom, so they basically made the rule that Great Britain had to send a team and not teams from the four individual countries.

So, yeah, so we are United Kingdom but we’re still very much four independent countries and each country is very proud of their own national teams for football and for rugby and things like that.

But, yeah, it’s good that we get together for the Olympics and we can perform as one united country.

Yuri: OK, thank you very much.

Answer the following questions about the conversation.

1) She says each country wanted to _______ .

1. a) become one team
2. b) keep their national team.

2) They joined each other in the Olympics because ____.

1. a) they wanted more medals
2. b) it was cheaper to have one team
3. c) the Olympics made them do it

3) She says the Olympics made ______ .

1. a) a rule
2. b) an exception
3. c) an apology

4) What sports does she mention?

1. a) football
2. b) cricket
3. c) rugby

5) She ______ being united for the Olympics.

1. a) does not like
2. b) thinks it is good

Answers

• 1=b
• 2=c
• 3=a
• 4=a,c
• 5=b

a bit confused

I’m a bit confused.

This is a common phrase people use to show they are unclear about something. ‘A bit’ just means ‘a little bit’. Notice the following:

1. I’m a bit confused. Is the homework due tomorrow?
2. If you find yourself a bit confused, please ask for help.

just wanted

Each country just wanted to keep their national team.

The words ‘just wanted’ means ‘only wanted’. We use the word ‘just’ to show their is not much importance to the answer or meaning, or only one reason for it. Notice the following:

1. I just wanted to say goodbye before you left.
2. This morning I just wanted to stay in bed.

in the case of

In the case of Olympics, the committee did not want four teams.

‘In the case of’ means ‘in the situation regarding’, so in the sample above you could say, ‘In the situation regarding the Olmpics’. Notice though that the phrase ‘in case of’ is different. It means ‘if there is’, as in ‘In case of emergency, call for help’. Notice the following different uses:

1. In the case of the car company, they simply did not make good cars.
2. In case of an earthquake, please stand under a door.

exact reason

I am not sure of the exact reason.

When someone does not know the exact reason, that means they only know some of the reason, perhaps most of the reason, but that there might be details they do not know. Here are some examples:

1. I don’t know the exact reason he quit, but I do know he was unhappy.
2. For the exact reason, you will have to ask her.

still very much

We’re still very much four independent countries.

The phrase ‘still very much’ is used to show that something is unchanged and remains in its original state. Here are some examples:

1. After forty years of marriage, we are still very much in love.
2. We are still very much excited to go on our trip despite the weather.

• a bit
• just wanted
• in the case of
• still very much
• exact reason

1. Now,………  our downtown office, they should have no layoffs.
2. They are……….  enthusiastic about learning.
3. I am……….  unsure when he will get here.
4. I don’t know the……….  she didn’t take the job.
5. We………..  to say thank you for all you have done for us.