🎬 Interactive video — script & questions
NARRATOR: Two friends, Sarah and Mark, are catching up at a café after a long time.
SPEAKER 1: Mark! It’s been ages. How was your summer?
SPEAKER 2: Hi Sarah! It was busy but great. I actually spent three weeks travelling around Spain.
SPEAKER 1: That sounds amazing! Did you go for the beaches?
SPEAKER 2: Mostly for the atmosphere, but I actually went to see a huge football match in Madrid. The stadium was incredible. After that, I visited some film locations where they shot that famous historical movie we saw last year.
SPEAKER 1: Wow, you’re so lucky. Speaking of Spain, I’ve been following the news about their local elections lately. The politics there seems quite complicated.
SPEAKER 2: It is! I actually spoke to some locals about it. It’s a very hot topic right now. But anyway, what about you? Did you stay here?
SPEAKER 1: I did. I’ve mostly been going to the cinema. There’s a new documentary about the history of the World Cup that you have to see. It’s not just about sport; it explains how football and politics are often connected.
SPEAKER 2: That sounds right up my street. Let’s go see it this weekend!
- Which country did Mark visit during his summer holiday?
- a) Italy
- b) Spain
- c) Portugal
- d) Germany
- What did Mark do while he was in Madrid?
- a) He went swimming at the beach.
- b) He saw a football match.
- c) He acted in a movie.
- d) He attended a political rally.
- What did Mark visit after the stadium?
- a) A museum.
- b) A political office.
- c) Film locations from a movie they both saw.
- d) A famous restaurant.
- What topic has Sarah been following in the news?
- a) Local elections in Spain.
- b) A new movie trailer.
- c) Her upcoming holiday.
- d) Weather in Madrid.
- According to Sarah, what is the new documentary about?
- a) The best goals in history.
- b) The rules of the World Cup.
- c) The connection between football and politics.
- d) How to travel on a budget.
📖 Reading
Last year, I decided to combine all my passions into one big trip across Europe. For an adult with a busy job, it was the perfect way to recharge. I started in Manchester, not just for the rainy weather, but to experience a match at Old Trafford. For a lifelong football fan, the atmosphere was electric. There is a specific kind of unity in a stadium that you don't find anywhere else—thousands of people from different backgrounds shouting for the same goal. It reminded me that whether it is sports or international relations, teamwork is essential.
After the UK, I travelled to Berlin. While many tourists visit for the nightlife, I was drawn there by its complex political history. Walking along the remains of the Berlin Wall, I thought about how much the city has changed. I spent hours in a small café discussing European politics with a local student. We talked about how modern leaders often struggle to communicate, much like the characters in a classic drama film. It is fascinating how the stories we watch on screen often mirror the real-life decisions made in government buildings.
My final stop was Cannes, France, famous for its prestigious film festival. Walking along the 'Croisette', I felt like I was on a movie set. I even managed to watch an independent documentary about the impact of global travel on small communities. It made me reflect on my own journey. Travelling isn't just about ticking boxes on a map or seeing famous landmarks; it is about understanding how our hobbies, our leaders, and our stories are all connected in one big global picture.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, moving from country to country every four years.
- Hosting the tournament costs billions of dollars in infrastructure, like new stadiums and hotels.
- Fans from every continent travel across the globe, bringing huge energy but also logistical challenges to cities.
- There is often a big debate about whether the high cost of hosting is worth the benefit to the local people.
Themes
- National Identity — The feeling of pride and belonging when supporting a national team.
- Economic Impact Outreach — The massive financial investment required to build stadiums and transport links.
- Global Unity — How football connects people who speak different languages and have different backgrounds.
Personal Response
- Do you prefer watching football at the stadium or at home on TV? Why?
- Have you ever traveled to another city or country just to see a match?
Themes & Ideas
- Why do many people say football is more than just a sport?
- Is it better for a country to spend money on big stadiums or on better public transport?
Critical Thinking
- Does hosting a huge event like the World Cup really help a city's economy in the long run?
- In your opinion, what makes a 'perfect' host city for a major tournament?
Cultural & Social Topics
- How does football help people from different cultures understand each other?
- Do you think players have too much influence on young people today?
🎭 Classroom activity
Roleplay: One person is a local resident who wants the World Cup in their city. The other person is a worried citizen who thinks it will be too expensive and crowded. Try to find a compromise.
✏️ Questions
- Even though he supports a small team, he really enjoys ___ (win) matches against the bigger clubs in the league.
- What ___ (you / do) when the news about the election results was first announced on TV?
- The lead actor ___ (play) the same character in this movie franchise for over ten years now.
- I don't have enough money, so I won't travel around South America for six months. (Start with: If I...)
- The politician ___ spoke at the international summit yesterday promised to lower travel taxes for tourists.
- Watching a live football match at the stadium is much more exciting ___ watching it on a small television at home.
- Why did the narrator choose to visit Old Trafford in Manchester?
- a) Because he enjoys the typical British weather.
- b) Because he wanted to study international relations.
- c) Because he is a dedicated football supporter.
- d) Because he had a business meeting in Manchester.
- What did the atmosphere in the stadium teach the narrator?
- a) Football is more important than international politics.
- b) People can be united despite being very different.
- c) Only people from Manchester can feel the atmosphere.
- d) Teamwork is only important in professional sports.
- What was the main reason the narrator visited Berlin?
- a) The famous clubs and nightlife.
- b) The city's political past.
- c) The local university courses.
- d) To film a new documentary.
- According to the author, how are politics and drama films similar?
- a) The way leaders talk to each other.
- b) The costumes worn by politicians.
- c) The fact that both are very boring.
- d) The high cost of production.
- How did the documentary in Cannes affect the narrator?
- a) It convinced him to stop travelling forever.
- b) It was his favorite movie at the festival.
- c) It taught him how to become a famous actor.
- d) It encouraged him to think about the effects of his own travels.
- What is the main purpose of this text?
- a) To explain why everyone should move to Europe.
- b) To show how different interests are linked together.
- c) To complain about the difficulty of a busy job.
- d) To argue that football is better than cinema.