 Lance Armstrong: A Modern-day Hero
Lance Armstrong: A Modern-day Hero & Vocabulary Development: topInstructions: Complete the chart by using the following words. surrender willpower expose first worthy disgraceful miserly charitable joy misfortune esteemed support defeat hide final weakness insignificant miss discourage notice
Instructions: Read the following text and answer the comprehension questions. Lance Armstrong is not only a world champion cyclist, but also a two-time Olympian, a multiple Tour de France winner, a generous humanitarian and a cancer survivor. This charismatic figure has increased the popularity of cycling in North America as well as provided both adults and children with an admirable role model. This passionate and bold athlete was in the headlines again this summer with his third consecutive Tour de France victory. When discussing Lance Armstrong it is difficult not to mention the word “hero” because he embodies hope and determination, both in his sport and in his personal life. Born on September 18, 1971 in Plano, Texas, Lance was raised by a loving and protective single mother. Throughout his life, Lance has maintained a strong bond with his mother and he credits her with helping him overcome many of the obstacles he has encountered. Although Lance is famous for his cycling accomplishments, he originally competed as a professional triathlete. At the age of 16, he won the United States Junior Triathlon title. His coaches recognized his natural abilities and encouraged him to take up cycling full-time. His hard work paid off with a victory in the 1991 United States Amateur Cycling championship. Lance went on to compete in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona where he finished 14th. Late in 1992, Lance Armstrong entered the word of “professional” cycling by signing a contract with Team Motorola. At that time, Lance was the only American competing internationally. By 1996, Lance was ranked the number one cyclist in the world. It was at this time, that Lance began construction on his Texas mansion, which he calls Casa Linda in honour of his mother. Tragedy struck Lance when he was just four months shy of his 25th birthday. Suffering from dizziness, blurred vision and abdominal pain, Lance decided it was time to visit the doctor. What the doctors discovered changed Lance’s life forever. Tests revealed that he had advanced testicular cancer which had spread to his lungs and his brain. The “hero” of the cycling world was not only facing never being able to compete again, but also he was facing own mortality. Through numerous operations, the doctors removed 12 tumours (some the size of a golf ball) from his lungs and abdomen, and two lesions from his brain. Immediately following his operation, doctors gave Lance a 50% chance of survival. To make matters worse, Lance had to undergo four rounds of intense chemotherapy that reduced his once strong physique to that of a skeleton. Remarkably, the chemotherapy killed the cancer but not Lance’s “spirit”. He began training again only six months after his initial treatments. This time, Lance had something to prove not only to the world, but also to himself! Lance took to the roads with determination and a new love for the sport. In May 1998, Lance celebrated his victory over cancer by winning the Sprint 56K Race in downtown Austin, Texas. Within months, Lance joined the United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team (he is still with them today). Since battling back from cancer, Lance has gone on to win the prestigious Tour de France three consecutive times (with his latest victory in July 2001). Lance Armstrong is a hero both on the bike and off the bike. Although devastated by his fight with cancer, Lance is quoted as saying that cancer was “an unexpected gift”. It forced him to evaluate what was important in life. Lance donates his time and money to help other families suffering from cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation is an international, non-profit organization that was established “to benefit cancer research and promote awareness and early detection”. So, next time you see Lance Armstrong standing on the winners podium holding his young son, surrounded by his beautiful wife and his loving mother Linda, say to yourself: “Now that’s a hero”! 1. Lance Armstrong is described as being a “charismatic” figure because he is: (a) disliked by many people (b) a good cyclist (c) has an appealing/lovable personality (d) the only American cyclist 2. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT: (a) Lance Armstrong has won the Tour de France more than two times. (b) Lance’s father has played a vital role in his life. (c) Lance Armstrong is an international “hero”. (d) Lance Armstrong had a very serious form of cancer. 3. In the third paragraph, the author states that “Tragedy struck Lance when he was just four months shy of his 25th birthday”. This means that: (a) Lance was a timid athlete. (b) Lance was 24 years-old at the time of his diagnosis. (b) Lance had recently turned 25 at the time of his diagnosis. (d) Lance does not enjoy celebrating his birthday. 4. The prefix “tri” in the word triathlete mean: (a) difficult (b) tricky (c) trained (d) three 5. When the author states that: “Remarkably, the chemotherapy killed the cancer but not Lance’s “spirit”, he means: (a) Lance managed to remain hopeful despite his cancer. (b) Lance Armstrong has a strong religious background. (c) Lance was encouraged by his cancer diagnosis. (d) Lance believed that his cancer would kill him. 6. In the fourth paragraph, the expression “took to the roads” means: (a) Lance took the roads. (b) Lance began cycling again. (c) Lance discovered a new road to train on. (d) Lance took his bicycle off of the roads. 7. In the sentence: “Lance donates his time and money to help other families suffering from cancer.” The underlined part is: (a) a prepositional phrase (b) present continuous tense (c) a reduced adjective clause (d) an infinitive phrase 8. In your own words (using sentence form), explain why you think Lance Armstrong refers to his cancer as “an unexpected gift”.
O Listening Exercise: top Instructions: Listen to your instructor read the transcript about cancer facts and prevention. As you are listening, don’t focus too much on specific numbers and details, but rather on the main idea that is being expressed. Circle the correct answer. 1. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 2. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 3. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 4. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 5. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 6. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 7. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 8. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 9. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN 10. YES NO THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION GIVEN
Each & Every Using Each and Every are similar in meaning, but they are used in different contexts. EACH (ii) Each is used for small numbers. (iii) Each (but not every) is used when discussing only two things. (iv) You can use each without a noun. EVERY (ii) Every must be followed by a noun. (iii) We use every (but not each) when referring to how often something happens.
Part One top 1. Lance Armstrong has stated that every person on the cycling team has contributed to his victory. 2. None of his answers was correct. Each contained an error in logic. 3. Every year supporters line the route of the Tour de France to offer their support. 4. Lance Armstrong and Greg LeMond are the only non-Europeans to win the Tour de France. Each cyclist has won the event three times. Part Two top Instructions: Complete the sentences with EACH and EVERY. 1. __________ wall in the room was painted a different colour. 2. __________ hotel room has a private bath. 3. The Toronto Maple Leafs are pitiful. It’s the end of the season and they’ve lost __________ game. 4. The Tour de France is held __________ year. 5. __________ Tuesday afternoon, I take my son to his guitar lesson. 6. The essay is divided into four paragraphs and __________ paragraph must contain a topic sentence. 7. Today was the worst day of my life! I’ve hated __________ minute of it. 8. Write your own sentence using each: ________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Write your own sentence using every: ________________________________________________________________________________ Speaking Exercise top Instructions: Discuss the following questions with the members of your group. Appoint one person to record your group’s ideas/answers. Be prepared to share your opinions with the rest of your classmates. 1. What are five characteristics (attributes) that you think a “hero” should have. (a) ____________________________ (b) ____________________________ (c) ____________________________ (d) ____________________________ (e) ____________________________ 2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Why? Children need heroes in their lives? _____________________________________________________________________________ 3. If you admire someone, does that mean he/she is a “hero” to you? Explain. ____________________________________________________________________________ 4. Many people consider Lance Armstrong a “hero” because he overcame incredible obstacles in his life. What are some other reasons that a person might be considered to be a “hero”? ____________________________________________________________________________ 5. Why do we often view/consider athletes as “heroes”? Explain. ____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Have each member of your group provide the name of someone whom they consider to be a “hero”. Also briefly explain why you feel this particular person is a “hero”. Record your answers in the following chart. [An example has been provided.]
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