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This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations. June 13, 2006 The world is watching INTRODUCTION

The World Cup finally kicked off on Friday, with 32 teams hoping to reach the final in Berlin on July 9. Newspapers around the world have been full of stories about the event and the Bangkok Post is no different. Let's look at some of the stories that have been making headlines. Predict Match the headlines to the pictures. 1. Punters get World Cup fever 2. Beckham aims for trophy 3. Ronaldo struggles with new boots 4. German relief as team finds form Now talk in groups about what you expect to read. Practice 1. Match the opening sentences to the headlines and fill in the missing words. a. David Beckham says he would probably burst into tears if England were to win the _____ ___. b. _______ eased their homeland's worries by thumping Columbia 3-0 while Italy and Sweden were stuck with draws in World Cup warm-ups on Friday. c. Betting on football matches has swept the country, becoming more _______ than legalised sports betting - such as on horse ______ - and now probably on a par with the government lottery. d. Brazil star _______ will definitely be fit for the champions' World Cup opener despite a foot problem believed to be caused by new _____ he has been wearing, team doctors said yesterday. 2. Write a headline and opening sentence for this World Cup story about Guus Hiddink and the Australian team following their game against Holland. Hiddink was in a buoyant mood after his previously unheralded team overcame the second half sending off of Luke Wilkshire to battle to a highly impressive draw at the home of the team ranked third in the Fifa world rankings. Now, the man who sensationally took South Korea to the semi-finals on home soil four years ago believes his new charges can also shock the world after taking huge strides under his tutelage. ``The progress we have made in just a few months is incredible compared to the level we were at six months ago,'' beamed Hiddink after Sunday's game where Tim Cahill cancelled out Ruud van Nistelrooy's opener. ``We have had a glimpse of what awaits us in the World Cup in physical and tactical terms. ``This is a result which will give us even more confidence, although the players were far from lacking in that department during qualification.'' Australia dug out a draw against the highly fancied Dutch through sheer grit and hard work, and not a little muscle either, as they battled to keep in touch with opponents who were technically far superior. AFP 3. Answer the following questions. 1. Which team does Hiddink coach? 2. What team is third in the Fifa world rankings? 3. Who did Hiddink coach at the last World Cup? 4. Which player scored the first goal? 5. Did Australia have enough confidence during qualification? 6. Which team was better technically? Vocabulary punters gamblers burst into tears suddenly start crying thumping beating heavily on a par with on the same level as buoyant very happy unheralded not praised charges people you are responsible for tutelage teaching far from lacking have more than enough of highly fancied expected to do well sheer grit determination

OUR PICTURES FROM THE BANGKOK POST The biggest show on earth has finally kicked off. — AFP — AP — CHANAT KATANYU — AP Answers Predict 1. 2. 3. 4. Practice 1. a. 2, World Cup b. 4, Germany c. 1, popular, racing d. 3, Ronaldo, boots 2. Anything similar to the original headline and opening sentence is acceptable. Socceroos ready to make an impression Australia are ready to take on the world according to their Dutch coach Guus Hiddink after he watched his side hold the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in Holland. Questions 1. Australia 2. Holland 3. South Korea 4. Ruud van Nistelrooy 5. Yes, they were "far from lacking in that department." 6. The Netherlands Read our other instant lesson here. Return to our home page. | © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2006 | Last modified: June 14, 2006