Dialogue about Martial Arts in English with Quiz

Beginner Listening Series 5 Lesson 14- Dialogue about Martial Arts in English

In this lesson, you listen to an English conversation between two people talking about martial arts.

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English Listening Lesson Audio with Script

Lesson Audio

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Lesson Script

Jim: So, Monica, you do Tai Chi?

Monica: Yes, I’ve just joined a Tai Chi club?

Jim: What made you join the Tai Chi club?

Monica: Well, I wanted to do something that was a lot different to what I usually do, which is high impact sports like basketball and tennis.

Jim: So, you wanted to do something that was slower?

Monica: Yeah, well, I don’t usually enjoy exercise that is quite slow such as yoga, but I decided to join this club and I’m really enjoying it.

Jim: So, what exactly is Tai Chi? What do you do in Tai Chi?

Monica: Well, there are different types of Tai Chi. There’s the original Tai Chi which involves quick fast movements, and then there’s a slower form of Tai Chi which is quite popular in Japan. I think it’s called Mr. Young Tai Chi, and that involves very slow pronounced movements, and that’s the Tai Chi that I’m doing.

Jim: How do you feel? Like after you do Tai Chi, do you feel tired? Do you feel energetic?

Monica: After I’ve done Tai Chi I feel quite energetic actually. I don’t really feel tired because I haven’t had a really hard workout, but I feel that my mind is very relaxed and focused and that I’m very motivated to do whatever I need to do for the rest of the day.

Jim: Now, you actually are a tennis coach, so you teach sports. Would you recommend Tai Chi for other athletes?

Monica: Yeah, I do recommend Tai Chi for other athletes. It’s quite difficult to know exactly how you would benefit from Tai Chi, and how it can directly relate a specific sport, but I’ve heard that it works on your energy levels, and focuses your mind so that everything is in balance, and I think that can help in kind of sport because even in a sport like tennis, it’s important to have balance when you’re hitting the ball, when you’re volleying, when you’re getting ready for a smash. It actually involves having balance in terms of where your center of gravity is, so yeah, the concepts are similar.

English Listening Lesson Quizzes

Answer the following questions about the conversation.

1) Monica joined Tai Chi _____ it is slow.

1. a) because
2. b) even though

2) What does Monica explain?

1. a) The origins of Tai Chi.
2. b) The Tai Chi she does.
3. c) Why people do Tai Chi.

3) After Tai Chi she feels ______ .

1. a) tired
2. b) stiff
3. c) focused

4) She says Tai Chi is good for ______ .

1. a) strength
2. b) balance
3. c) flexibility

5) It helps people with _______ .

1. a) center of gravity
2. b) spring in their step
3. c) reaction time

Answers:

• 1=b
• 2=b
• 3=c
• 4=b
• 5=a

English Grammar Tips

Coming soon….

English Listening Lesson Phrases

high impact sports

I like high impact sports like basketball and tennis.

‘High impact sports’ involve a lot of running and jumping. Notice the following.

1. For health reasons, older adults should avoid high impact sports.
2. High impact sports can be more dangerous but, they’re fun to play!

for the rest of the day

This is what I need to do for the rest of the day.

‘The rest of the day’ is the time remaining in our day after we complete an activity. Here are two samples.

1. I ate something bad for lunch. I think I’ll take the rest of the day off.
2. I’ve finished all my classes so for the rest of the day I’m going to surf the net.

energy levels

It works on your energy levels.

Your ‘energy level’ is your physical power to do something. Notice the samples.

1. My energy level is always higher after a good night’s sleep.
2. Carbohydrates can quickly increase your energy level.

A smash

He is getting ready for a smash.

In tennis, ‘a smash’ is a very powerful downward hit that most often can’t be returned by an opponent. Here are some samples.

1. Match point was decided by a crushing smash.
2. The bright sun overhead caused him to miss an easy smash.

center of gravity

You stand where your center of gravity is.

‘Our center of gravity’ is a point or position where our weight is balanced. Notice the sample sentences.

1. In rugby a low center of gravity increases power during contact.
2. A natural awareness of one’s center of gravity is important for a gymnast.

Quizzes for Lesson Phrases

• high impact
• rest of the day
• energy level
• smash
• center of gravity

1. I have a meeting this morning, but after that I will be in the office for the………..  .
2. His opponent sent a………….  to the opposite side of the court.
3. The statue had a  high……..  and fell over easily.
4. After his car accident he couldn’t play……….  sports anymore.
5. A few hours after my morning coffee my……….  is really low.

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