Learn English : Listen to News : World Cup Athletes Consider Fasting During Ramadan
photo Tara Benwell Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.

dateline: 01 July 2014

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World Cup Athletes Consider Fasting During Ramadan

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • qualify: to earn the right to compete
  • fast: to refrain from eating (and sometimes drinking) for a set amount of time
  • confirm: to provide a statement about the facts
  • postpone: to schedule something for a later date than originally planned
  • hydrated: having enough fluids in the body

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World Cup Athletes Consider Fasting During Ramadan
Muslim athletes who have qualified for the second round of the World Cup are facing tough choices this week. The holy month of Ramadan began on Sunday. During Ramadan, Muslims to fast for 30 days. This means no food or drink during the daylight hours. Some of the World Cup athletes have confirmed that they will postpone fasting until . Others have stated that they will observe the fast during Ramadan. Algeria’s team, which has a number of Muslim players, to the second round for the first time in World Cup history. Algeria’s coach is upset about all of the questions surrounding his athletes. He says that observing Ramadan is a matter, and that people should not the choices of his players. Team doctors say that staying hydrated in Brazil’s heat will be the greatest challenge for Muslim athletes who decide to observe the fast.

  1. What must Muslims do during Ramadan?
  2. What accomplishment are Algerians excited about?
  3. What will be the greatest challenge for World Cup athletes who attempt to observe Ramadan?

Discussion Question: Many people in the Muslim community believe that fasting should not pose a risk to a person’s health. Others feel all able-bodied Muslims should fast regardless of their private schedules. Do you agree with the Algerian coach that this is a private matter?

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Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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