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Language Skills
The Invictus Games Warm up 1 Pairwork Do you know which countries in the world are currently at war? Exchange ideas with your partner.
2
Read and listen to the article. How many Invictus Games have taken place so far? 36
3 CERT Read the article again. For each question, choose the correct option (A, B, C or D).
1 Who can take part in the Invictus Games? A ex servicemen and women B members of the Royal family C wounded and injured ex servicemen and women D everybody 2 Where did the first Invictus Games take place? A in Sydney B in London C in Toronto D in Orlando 3 What is the main objective of the Games? A to show athletes different cities B to heal wounds C to be great fun D to demonstrate the power of sport and life beyond disability 4 How many different countries took part in the Games in Sydney? A 18 B 300 C 11 D 13 5 Which sports did Garry Robinson do in the Games? A archery, cycling and wheelchair rugby B archery, cycling and swimming C cycling, swimming and golf D archery, cycling and sailing 6 What is Prince Harry’s mission? A that all athletes will become soldiers B that wounded soldiers will always be remembered C that wounded soldiers won’t always be remembered D that all soldiers will become athletes 78
‘Sport is surely the best way to support recovery of mind and body.’ When Prince Harry said these words in 2014, it wasn’t just an idea. It was the beginning of what since then has become one of the most important and meaningful sporting events worldwide. The Invictus Games is an international, multisport event created by HRH The Duke of Sussex (or Prince Harry, as he’s more commonly known), for wounded, sick or injured armed services men and women. Invictus means ‘unconquered’ or ‘undefeated’. The first Invictus Games took place in London in 2014. Since then, there have been games in Orlando in 2016, Toronto in 2017, Sydney in 2018. According to the Foundation, ‘the Invictus Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.’ In other words, they aim to demonstrate the power of sport and life beyond disability. The games reflect Prince Harry’s values. They are very competitive, but they are also great fun. In Harry’s words: ‘The idea is simple: set yourself a target, forget all the negative thoughts and concentrate on the challenge in front of you, all while relearning to use your body.’ Winners are celebrated with gold, silver and bronze medals, but there are also medallions for every participant.
7 Learn to Learn
Listening strategies
Listening for specific details When you need to focus on specific information and details, it is useful to take notes of all the details you hear. For example, when listening the first time write down the names, numbers and dates you hear. At the second listening, choose directly from the notes you wrote down.
Listening 37 4 Listen to sports journalist and At the first Invictus Games, 300 athletes from 14 nations competed in the games. By 2018 in Sydney, this number rose to more than 500 from 18 nations and 11 different sports, including wheelchair rugby and basketball, sailing, golf, archery, sitting volleyball and paralympic swimming. The athletes have many different injuries but everyone has the same goal: enjoy sport and recover. 45-year-old Australian athlete Garry Robinson suffered severe injuries in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2010 which led to the amputation of his left leg. He competed in the Sydney Invictus Games in archery, cycling and swimming. He said, ‘Sport has been a big part of my rehabilitation. I came home from the first Invictus Games wanting to compete more. It gave me something to focus on.’ Prince Harry is the patron of the Games and has a past as a serviceman. He joined the Army Air Corps in 2008 and became a pilot of Apache Helicopters. He served in Afghanistan and other territories at war until 2015. According to his fellows and superiors, he was good at his job and for the first time in his life, he wasn’t treated as a member of the Royal Family but as a man. During his years in the army he learned and understood the team ethics and how to fight and win together. He was lucky enough to come home unwounded, but others weren’t. His mission with the Invictus Games is to ensure that injured troops will never be forgotten.
ex-athlete Lucy Simons. Did she win a gold or silver Olympic medal?
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Listen again and write if the sentences are true (T) or false (F). Then correct the false ones. 37
1 Real Madrid have offered their new player $50 million. ___ 2 Lucy was a professional athlete. ___ 3 Gareth Bale is one of the lowest paid soccer players. ___ 4 Lucy thinks soccer players earn too much money. ___ 5 She thinks soccer players should give more money to charity. ___ 6 Lucy was a volleyball player. ___
Writing 6 Internet research Find out about the
Commonwealth Games. Report the main points in the fact file. name of event when it started why it started which sports are played names of famous competitors the Queen’s Baton Relay is
Speaking 7 Use your notes to prepare a short oral presentation to your class.
The Commonwealth Games started in 1930. The reason for the Games was… 79