
©(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, file)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What makes watching a sports game fun for you?
- Why do you think people like to follow simple trends or gestures?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- themed /THEEMD/
[adjective] – designed around a single idea or topic
The school prepared a themed event about science and technology. - respond /ri-SPOND/
[verb] – to react or give an answer to something
The company responded to customer feedback with new rules. - interaction /in-ter-AK-shuhn/
[noun] – communication or activity between people
Group work increases interaction between students in class. - repetitive /ri-PET-i-tiv/
[adjective] – happening again and again in the same way
The task felt repetitive after many hours of work. - gesture /JES-cher/
[noun] – a movement of the hand or body to express an idea or feeling
The speaker used a gesture to show agreement.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
LaMelo Ball has received growing public attention in recent years because of a cultural trend linked to basketball scoring and height. The trend, called “6-7,” refers to Ball’s height of 6 feet 7 inches and the strong reaction when teams reach 67 points. The movement began in 2024 after a song became popular on social media and later spread to professional and college basketball games across the United States. In 2025, Dictionary.com named “6-7” its Word of the Year, showing the trend’s wide influence. Sports analysts reported that the idea spread quickly because it was simple, visual, and easy for younger fans to follow. Basketball teams, including the Charlotte Hornets, introduced themed camera features during games to respond to fan interest.
Teams managed the trend through short in-game activities, digital displays, and limited fan interaction to keep it engaging. Marketing specialists explained that controlled use helped prevent the idea from becoming repetitive. Some adults found the trend confusing because it has no clear meaning, while sports scholars compared it to traditional fan rituals that help spectators feel connected. Coaches and players also supported the movement by using hand gestures or themed clothing. The trend does not affect game results, but it shows how social media and fan participation influence modern sports entertainment.
Teams managed the trend through short in-game activities, digital displays, and limited fan interaction to keep it engaging. Marketing specialists explained that controlled use helped prevent the idea from becoming repetitive. Some adults found the trend confusing because it has no clear meaning, while sports scholars compared it to traditional fan rituals that help spectators feel connected. Coaches and players also supported the movement by using hand gestures or themed clothing. The trend does not affect game results, but it shows how social media and fan participation influence modern sports entertainment.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What does the “6-7” trend refer to in basketball?
- When did the “6-7” movement begin?
- How did the trend first become popular?
- Where did the trend later spread?
- Which organization named “6-7” its Word of the Year in 2025?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever heard of the “6-7” trend in basketball? If so, where did you hear about it? If not, where do you usually learn about new trends?
- Have you ever watched a basketball game with excited fans? If so, what did the fans do? If not, how do fans usually show excitement at games?
- Do you agree that simple trends are easy for young fans to follow?
- Why might some adults feel confused about the “6-7” trend?
- How can cheering or gestures change the feeling of a game or event?