Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- When was the last time you watched an Olympic game?
- What is your favorite sport?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- infection /in-FEK-shuhn/
- athlete /ATH-leet/
- disagree /dis-uh-GREE/
- claim /kleym/
- occur /uh-KUR/
[noun] – a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus
They tested her blood for signs of the infection.
[noun] – a person who is very good at sports or physical exercise, especially one who competes in organized events
He became a professional athlete when he was in high school.
[verb] – to not have the same opinion, idea, etc
I have to disagree with you on that issue.
[verb] – to say that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it
He claimed to have met the president, but I don’t believe him.
[verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen
Many earthquakes have occured in Iceland.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
North Korea is said to have decided to withdraw from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics due to concerns about coronavirus infection among its athletes. According to a report published Tuesday on DPRK Sports, a state media outlet focused on sports affairs, North Korean officials announced Tuesday that the country would not participate in this summer’s Games in order to “protect players from the world public health crisis caused by Covid-19.” According to DPRK Sports, the Olympic Committee of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) made the decision after a video conference meeting with committee members and sports officials on March 25 in Pyongyang. This year’s Games will take place from July 23 to August 8. The Paralympics will take place from August 24 to September 5.
To prevent a coronavirus outbreak, North Korea decided to cut almost all ties with the rest of the world by 2020. Experts disagree with Pyongyang’s claim that the country hasn’t seen a single case of Covid-19, but the country hasn’t reported a major outbreak, and there are no indications that one has occurred. A large number of foreign diplomats and humanitarian workers have also left the country in recent months, citing food shortages and severe restrictions on daily life, according to the Russian Embassy in Pyotrk.
To prevent a coronavirus outbreak, North Korea decided to cut almost all ties with the rest of the world by 2020. Experts disagree with Pyongyang’s claim that the country hasn’t seen a single case of Covid-19, but the country hasn’t reported a major outbreak, and there are no indications that one has occurred. A large number of foreign diplomats and humanitarian workers have also left the country in recent months, citing food shortages and severe restrictions on daily life, according to the Russian Embassy in Pyotrk.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- According to the article, which country has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics?
- What was the reason behind the withdrawal?
- Why did a large number of foreign diplomats and humanitarian workers have also left the country in recent months?
- What does DPRK stand for?
- When will the games take place?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What is your opinion about North Korea’s withdrawal from Tokyo’s Olympics?
- Did North Korea make the right decision? Please explain why.
- What effect would North Korea’s decision have on other countries participating in the Olympics?
- If you were to decide about this matter, would you also reckon withdrawing from Tokyo’s Olympics? Please explain your answer.
- Will the coming Tokyo Olympics be historic? Please explain your answer.