Ohtani secures second consecutive American League MVP award unanimously

admin 2024年2月2日

Beginner

entertainment, entertainment - beginner

©Nikkei Asia

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Is baseball the most popular sport in your country?
Have you ever played or watched baseball?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

valuable /VAL-yoo-uh-buhl/

[adjective] – something that is of great worth, importance, or usefulness
The ancient artifacts found in the archaeological site were considered highly valuable due to their historical significance.

season /SEE-zuhn/

[noun] – the period of the year during which a particular sport is played
The football season in Europe typically runs from late summer to early spring, captivating millions of fans across the continent.

vote /voht/

[noun] – a choice made by an individual in an election or meeting, often by marking a ballot paper or raising a hand to select a candidate, decide on an issue, or determine a course of action.
During the town hall meeting, each citizen was given the opportunity to cast their vote for the new city council members.

base /beys/

[noun] – one of the four positions on a square that a player must reach to score a point in the game of baseball
After hitting a double, the runner sprinted from second base to third base to advance closer to scoring a run.

skill /skil/

[noun] – an ability to do an activity or job well, especially because you have practiced it
Her proficiency in programming languages showcases her exceptional skill in software development.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Shohei Ohtani, a highly skilled player in Major League Baseball, recently won the American League Most Valuable Player award for the second time. Despite getting hurt and having a shorter 2023 season, Ohtani got all 30 first-place votes, showing how good he is at pitching and hitting.

Ohtani, a renowned player, is compared to Babe Ruth. He played for the Los Angeles Angels, hitting 44 home runs, stealing 20 bases, and obtaining 95 RBIs. Despite being sidelined due to injuries, he maintained a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 23 games, showcasing his exceptional skills. He wanted to win after coming in second last year and said, “My goal was to try to come out on top.” In Japan, where he started playing, people were happy for him, and the government spokesperson, Hirokazu Matsuno, praised him. Also, Ronald Acuna from the Atlanta Braves got the National League’s Most Valuable Player award. He got all the votes and did really well for the Braves, helping them win many games. It’s special because both the American and National Leagues’ MVP winners were chosen unanimously in 2023.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

Shohei Ohtani won the American League Most Valuable Player award for the second time.
Despite injuries, Ohtani didn’t receive any first-place votes for the MVP award in 2023.
Despite facing injuries and a shortened 2023 season, Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes for the MVP award.
Ohtani was disappointed after winning the MVP award and expressed his desire to quit Major League Baseball.
Ronald Acuna from the Atlanta Braves secured the National League’s Most Valuable Player award unanimously in 2023.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

valuable

season

vote

base

skill

In the classroom election, every student had the chance to cast their __________ for the next class president.
The pianist’s remarkable __________ and dedication to practice were evident in her flawless performance.
Time management skills are extremely __________ in today’s fast-paced work environment.
In North America, the basketball __________ usually begins in the fall and extends into the early months of the following year, showcasing intense matchups between rival teams.
The outfielder tagged first __________ and then second base in quick succession, preventing the runner from advancing further.