The First Olympic Games

Reading I: The First Olympic Games

A. Complete the sentences with the words given below.

(exquisite, inherited, underworld, embroidered, stew, decreed, mounted, rejoicing, furious, lush) Answer:

a. We are having stew for lunch today.

b. The demon was sent to the underworld for his disobedience to the gods.

c. The sleeves of his coat were embroidered with gold.

d. Ram was absolutely furious at having been cheated.

e. Her wedding dress was absolutely exquisite.

f. The prince inherited the kingship after his father's death.

g. There was a great rejoicing when the Nepali Football Team won SAFF U-19 championship.

h. The king mounted his horse and rode away from the palace.

i. The government decreed that the following day would be a holiday on the occasion of Eid.

j. It was wonderful to spend a week in the lush countryside.

B. Write if the following statements are true, false or not given based on the information given in the text.

Answer:

a. Tantalus' father Zeus was also half god and half man. Ans: False

b. Tantalus wanted to take revenge with the gods. Ans: False

c. The gods revived Pelops to rule in Elis. Ans: True

d. Princess Hippodamia was impressed with Pelops at first sight. Ans: True

e. Hippodamia wanted to kill the king so that she could inherit the kingdom. Ans: Not Given

f. The Olympic Games were not held for about 1,500 years due to the fear of the earthquake. Ans: False

g. In every Olympic Games the torch is carried from Greece. Ans: Not Given

C. Answer the following questions.

Answer:

a. Who was Tantalus? Ans: Tantalus was half man and half god.

b. Why were the gods angry with him? Ans: The gods were angry with him because he chopped his son and served them his stew.

c. What punishment did gods give Tantalus? Ans: The gods sent him down to the underworld where he had to stand in water up to his neck forever.

d. What unique qualities did the horses of the king and Pelops have? Ans: The king's horse used to run faster than lightning and Pelops' horse used to run faster than wind.

e. What was the risk of proposing Princess Hippodamia? Ans: The risk of proposing Princess Hippodamia was that if the suitor lost the race, the loser's head might be chopped off.

f. How did the stable boy help Pelops win the race? Ans: The stable boy helped Pelops win the race by replacing the copper pins with candle wax pins.

g. How did the king die? Ans: The king died by falling down from his chariot.

h. Why did Pelops and Hippodamia organise a feast? Ans: Pelops and Hippodamia organised a feast to honour the great king.

i. How did the events of the feast become the origin of modern Olympic Games? Ans: The events of the feast became the origin of modern Olympic Games because at the feast the king ordered that such games be held every four years.

j. How is the Olympic torch lit? Ans: The Olympic torch is lit from the rays of the sun.

D. What is the significance of the Olympic Games in the world today? Discuss.

Answer:

The Olympic Games hold significant importance in the world today for several reasons:

1. Legacy and Sustainability: The Olympics leave a lasting legacy in host cities and countries. Infrastructure improvements, sports facilities, and urban development projects often accompany the Games, benefiting local communities long after the event concludes. Recent Olympic Games have also placed a greater emphasis on sustainability, promoting eco-friendly practices and raising awareness about environmental issues.

2. Inspiration and Aspiration: The Olympic Games inspire people worldwide to participate in sports and physical activities. The achievements and stories of Olympic athletes serve as a source of motivation and aspiration for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The Games encourage healthy lifestyles, promote inclusivity, and empower individuals to strive for personal excellence.

3. Economic Impact: Hosting the Olympics has a significant economic impact on the host country and city. The Games attract millions of visitors, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate local businesses and infrastructure development.

4. Promoting Peace: The Olympics have historically played a role in promoting peace. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) encourages dialogue and peaceful resolutions to conflicts through sports diplomacy. The Games have been used as a platform for nations to set aside political differences and engage in peaceful competition.

5. Sportsmanship and Fair Play: The Olympic Games embody the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. Athletes compete according to established rules and regulations, and the spirit of the Games emphasizes respect, discipline, and integrity.

6. Cultural Exchange: The Olympics provide a platform for cultural exchange and appreciation. Athletes, officials, and fans from around the world converge in one location, offering an opportunity to celebrate and learn about different cultures, traditions, and languages.

7. Global Unity: The Olympics bring nations together in a spirit of friendly competition, promoting global unity and understanding. Athletes from different countries and diverse backgrounds gather to showcase their skills and represent their nations.

Despite their significance, the Olympics also face challenges and criticisms, including concerns over commercialization, high costs, corruption, and the potential for social and environmental impacts. However, the Games' overall impact on global unity, cultural exchange, sportsmanship, and inspiration remains significant in today's world.

Grammar I

A. Complete the text below with the present perfect or present perfect continuous tense of verbs in the brackets.

Answer:

A city
21 August

Hi Ram!

Just a quick note. We have been here for two days now. We have been staying in a hotel since we arrived. By now, we have already visited many places of interest here. I feel really excited to be here. We have not been to the hill station yet. We plan to go there too. I have always wished to go paragliding and have been convincing my parents for this. How have you spent your holidays? I guess you have visited your grandparents. Please have a great time. We will have great fun back at school.

With love,
Ram

B. Complete the sentences below with the present perfect or present perfect continuous tense of the verbs given in the brackets.

Answer:

a. Ram has learned to drive just in ten years.

b. It has been raining all summer. There have been floods and landslides in many places.

c. Ram: You must have finished the book. I think you have been reading it since last week. Ram: No, I haven't finished it yet. Actually, I started it just yesterday.

d. What have you been cooking for so long?

e. You have promised to help me many times. You really need to help me today.

f. The children have their exams next week. So they have been preparing a lot.

g. The film is really wonderful. Haven't you watched it yet?

h. Ram has been painting his house all day. He has not finished it yet.

i. Finally, they have fixed the leakage in their roof.

j. I am so tired now. I have been working hard lately.

Writing I

Read the following paragraph about a popular footballer and answer the questions.

Answer:

a. Which sentence is the topic sentence of the paragraph? Ans: The first sentence is the topic sentence of the paragraph.

b. Are the other sentences related to the topic sentence? Ans: Yes, the other sentences in the paragraph are related to the topic sentence. They provide additional information about the footballer's popularity, his skills as a player, his leadership qualities, and his achievements.

c. Which sentence concludes the paragraph? Ans: The sentence that concludes the paragraph is "He is still loved by many even after his retirement."

d. Are the topic and concluding sentences similar or different? Ans: The topic and concluding sentences are different. The topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph, which is the footballer's popularity, while the concluding sentence summarizes the paragraph by stating that he is still loved by many even after his retirement.

B. Write a similar paragraph about your favourite player. Mark the topic, supporting and concluding sentences in your paragraph.

Answer:

Topic: My favourite player

Supporting sentences: My favourite player is a professional footballer. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He is known for his incredible ball control, agility, and precision on the pitch. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Ballon d'Or titles, and has broken several records, including the most goals scored in a calendar year.

Concluding sentence: His talent and dedication to the sport have made him an inspiration to millions of fans around the world, and I am proud to be one of them.