©Nikkei Asia
Pre-reading questions:
- Is baseball the most popular sport in your country?
- Have you ever played or watched baseball?
Vocabulary:
- valuable /VAL-yoo-uh-buhl/
- season /SEE-zuhn/
- vote /voht/
- base /beys/
- skill /skil/
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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:
True or False:
- 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:
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.