Learn English FREE with Trancy & CNN 10 | Major Hurricane Could Hit Florida

G8 Reading Material

Story Title: Olympic Gymnasts on CNN 10

Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Childs appeared on CNN 10, a show designed to provide young viewers with news and current events in a way that's easy to understand. Simone Biles is one of the most successful gymnasts in the world, having won many Olympic medals and World Championships. Jordan Childs is a fellow gymnast who competed alongside Biles at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as part of Team USA.

In this episode of CNN 10, the two athletes answered questions from fans. They talked about how they trained hard to become Olympic gymnasts. Simone Biles explained that it takes many years of practice, dedication, and focus to succeed at such a high level. Jordan Childs shared that she had to overcome many challenges, including injuries, on her way to becoming an Olympic athlete.

Simone Biles also talked about the importance of mental health. At the Tokyo Olympics, she decided to step back from some events to take care of her mental well-being. This decision made headlines around the world, and Biles explained that it's important to listen to your body and mind, even when you're under pressure to perform.

The interview was full of great advice for young people. Both Biles and Childs emphasized that while hard work and physical training are essential, taking care of your mental health is just as important. Their stories inspired many viewers to follow their dreams and work hard to achieve their goals.

Vocabulary

1. Gymnast: A person who practices gymnastics, a sport involving strength, flexibility, and balance. Example: Simone Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts in the world.
2. Olympic: Related to the Olympic Games, where athletes from all over the world compete. Example: The Olympic Games are held every four years.
3. Dedication: The act of committing time and energy to a goal. Example: Simone Biles' dedication to her sport helped her win many medals.
4. Mental health: The condition of someone's emotional and psychological well-being. Example: Simone Biles emphasized the importance of taking care of mental health.
5. Challenge: Something difficult that you need to overcome. Example: Jordan Childs faced many challenges on her way to the Olympics.

Grammar

1. Simple Past Tense: Used to describe actions that happened in the past. Example: Simone Biles competed in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
2. Present Continuous Tense: Used to describe actions happening right now. Example: Jordan Childs is training for her next competition.

Synonym Match

Phrase Match

Gap Fill

Simone Biles and Jordan Childs appeared on CNN 10 to answer questions from fans. They discussed how hard they had to __________(1) to become Olympic gymnasts. Simone Biles talked about the importance of __________(2) health and explained why she decided to step back from some events during the Tokyo Olympics. Jordan Childs shared how she overcame many __________(3) to achieve her dreams. Both athletes inspired young people to work hard and __________(4) their dreams while taking care of their __________(5).

1. _______________(1)
2. _______________(2)
3. _______________(3)
4. _______________(4)
5. _______________(5)

Answers:

1. train
2. mental
3. challenges
4. follow
5. health

Listening Exercise

1. Who appeared on CNN 10?
   A. Serena Williams
   B. Simone Biles and Jordan Childs
   C. Tom Brady
   D. Michael Phelps

2. What sport do Simone Biles and Jordan Childs compete in?
   A. Basketball
   B. Gymnastics
   C. Soccer
   D. Tennis

3. Why did Simone Biles step back from some Olympic events?
   A. She was injured
   B. To focus on her mental health
   C. She wanted to rest
   D. She had other commitments

4. What is one piece of advice Simone Biles gave during the interview?
   A. Win at all costs
   B. Always train harder
   C. Take care of your mental health
   D. Never listen to others

5. How did Jordan Childs overcome her challenges?
   A. She quit and tried a new sport
   B. She worked hard and stayed focused
   C. She received special treatment
   D. She took a long break from sports

Speaking Exercise

1. Discussion: Talk about the importance of mental health in sports. Why is it important to take care of both your mind and body?
2. Role-play: One student plays the role of a gymnast answering questions about how they stay motivated, and the other is the interviewer.
3. Debate: Do you think mental health is as important as physical training for athletes? Why or why not?
4. Presentation: Give a short presentation on the life and career of Simone Biles or Jordan Childs.
5. Group Discussion: Talk about a time when you had to overcome a challenge. How did you stay focused and motivated?

G11 Reading Material

Story Title: Simone Biles and Jordan Childs Discuss Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges on CNN 10

In a special episode of CNN 10, Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Childs sat down to talk about their experiences in gymnastics and how they’ve managed the pressures of competing at the highest level. Simone Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts in history, having won seven Olympic medals and 25 World Championship titles. Jordan Childs, a rising star in the sport, was a key member of the U.S. gymnastics team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

During the interview, Biles and Childs discussed the hard work and dedication it takes to reach the top of the sport. Both athletes emphasized the importance of physical training and mental toughness. Simone Biles spoke openly about her decision to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health. She explained that athletes often face enormous pressure and that it’s important to listen to your body and mind. This decision brought attention to the issue of mental health in sports, and Biles became an advocate for the cause.

Jordan Childs shared how she overcame several setbacks, including injuries and doubts about her ability, to achieve her dreams. She credited her success to perseverance, a strong support system, and the guidance of Biles, who mentored her through the process. The gymnasts also spoke about the importance of mental health, with Childs emphasizing how athletes need to be mentally strong to handle the demands of competition.

Both Biles and Childs agreed that while physical strength and technique are essential for success, mental health should never be ignored. Their interview on CNN 10 was a powerful reminder that athletes are human and that balancing physical and mental well-being is key to long-term success.

Vocabulary

1. Advocate: A person who publicly supports a cause. Example: Simone Biles became an advocate for mental health awareness after the Tokyo Olympics.
2. Setback: A problem or difficulty that delays progress. Example: Jordan Childs overcame several setbacks on her way to becoming an Olympian.
3. Perseverance: Continued effort despite difficulties. Example: Perseverance is key to achieving long-term success in gymnastics.
4. Mental toughness: The ability to remain focused and strong in difficult situations. Example: Athletes need mental toughness to perform under pressure.
5. Technique: A way of carrying out a particular task, especially in sports. Example: Gymnasts must constantly work on improving their technique.

Grammar

1. Present Perfect Tense: Describes actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past. Example: Simone Biles has competed in three Olympic Games.
2. Modal Verbs (Must/Should): Express necessity, obligation, or advice. Example: Athletes must take care of their mental health.

Synonym Match

Phrase Match

Gap Fill

Simone Biles and Jordan Childs appeared on CNN 10 to talk about their experiences as Olympic athletes. Simone Biles discussed her decision to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her __________(1) health. She explained that the pressure of competition can be intense, and it's important to take care of your __________(2) and mind. Jordan Childs shared how she overcame several __________(3) on her way to the Olympics, including injuries and doubts about her abilities. Both athletes agreed that __________(4) and mental toughness are key to achieving __________(5) success in sports.

1. _______________(1)
2. _______________(2)
3. _______________(3)
4. _______________(4)
5. _______________(5)

Answers:

1. mental
2. body
3. setbacks
4. perseverance
5. long-term

Listening Exercise

1. What did Simone Biles prioritize at the Tokyo Olympics?
   A. Winning gold medals
   B. Her mental health
   C. Breaking world records
   D. Improving her technique

2. What was one challenge Jordan Childs mentioned?
   A. A lack of support
   B. Injury and self-doubt
   C. Lack of physical training
   D. Missing competitions

3. Why did Simone Biles withdraw from some Olympic events?
   A. She was not prepared
   B. She wanted to focus on her mental health
   C. She had an injury
   D. She wanted to let her teammates compete

4. How did Simone Biles help Jordan Childs?
   A. By coaching her during the Olympics
   B. By providing her with financial support
   C. By mentoring her and offering guidance
   D. By training with her every day

5. What advice did both gymnasts give to young athletes?
   A. Focus only on physical strength
   B. Perseverance and mental toughness are important
   C. Don’t worry about mental health
   D. Technique is not as important as strength

Speaking Exercise

1. Debate: Discuss with a partner whether mental health should be prioritized as much as physical health in sports. Support your argument with examples.
2. Presentation: Prepare a short presentation on how athletes like Simone Biles handle pressure in high-stakes competitions.
3. Discussion: Talk about a time when you had to persevere through a difficult situation. How did you manage to stay mentally strong?
4. Role-play: One student plays the role of a sports psychologist advising Simone Biles, and the other plays Biles discussing her decision to withdraw from events.
5. Group Discussion: Discuss how mental toughness contributes to success in areas beyond sports, such as academics or work.

University Reading Material

Story Title: Balancing Physical and Mental Strength: Lessons from Olympic Gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Childs

In a recent episode of CNN 10, Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Childs discussed the pressures of competing at the highest level of their sport, sharing insights into the importance of mental health in balancing athletic performance. Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, has won seven Olympic medals and 25 World Championship titles. Her decision to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to mental health concerns brought global attention to the issue, sparking discussions about the pressures faced by athletes.

Jordan Childs, a member of Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, also spoke about her own challenges, including injuries and periods of self-doubt. Childs credited her perseverance and the guidance of Biles as key factors in overcoming these obstacles. Throughout the interview, both gymnasts emphasized that success in sports requires more than just physical strength and technical ability—it also demands mental toughness and the ability to manage stress effectively.

The discussion highlighted the growing awareness of mental health issues within sports, as well as the changing narrative around what it means to be a successful athlete. Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental health during the Tokyo Games was a bold move that challenged traditional expectations. As more athletes speak out about the pressures they face, it is becoming increasingly clear that mental health and physical well-being must go hand in hand for long-term success.

The conversation on CNN 10 underscored the need for a holistic approach to training that encompasses both physical and mental preparation. By addressing mental health openly, Biles and Childs are helping to break the stigma surrounding this issue, showing that even the most accomplished athletes must care for their mental health if they want to perform at their best. This shift in focus is not only changing the way athletes train but is also influencing how the public perceives sports and competition.

Vocabulary

1. Holistic: Considering the whole of something, not just a part. Example: A holistic approach to training focuses on both physical and mental health.
2. Stigma: A mark of disgrace or shame associated with a particular condition. Example: Simone Biles is helping to break the stigma around mental health in sports.
3. Mental toughness: The ability to stay focused and strong under pressure. Example: Mental toughness is essential for athletes in high-pressure situations.
4. Narrative: A story or account of events. Example: The narrative around mental health in sports is changing, thanks to athletes like Simone Biles.
5. Long-term success: Success achieved over an extended period. Example: Balancing mental and physical health is key to long-term success in sports.

Grammar

1. Present Perfect Continuous Tense: Describes actions that started in the past and are still ongoing. Example: Simone Biles has been advocating for mental health awareness since the Tokyo Olympics.
2. Relative Clauses: Used to give additional information about a subject. Example: Jordan Childs, who overcame many challenges, credits her success to perseverance.

Synonym Match

Phrase Match

Gap Fill

Simone Biles and Jordan Childs discussed the importance of balancing __________(1) and mental well-being on CNN 10. Simone Biles shared how her decision to withdraw from events at the Tokyo Olympics brought attention to the pressures athletes face and helped break the __________(2) around mental health. Jordan Childs credited her __________(3) for helping her overcome injuries and periods of self-doubt. Both athletes emphasized that mental toughness is as important as physical strength for achieving __________(4) success. They believe that taking a __________(5) approach to training is essential for athletes at all levels.

1. _______________(1)
2. _______________(2)
3. _______________(3)
4. _______________(4)
5. _______________(5)

Answers:

1. physical
2. stigma
3. perseverance
4. long-term
5. holistic

Listening Exercise

1. What decision did Simone Biles make during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
   A. To compete in all events
   B. To withdraw from several events due to mental health concerns
   C. To retire from gymnastics
   D. To focus on physical training

2. How did Jordan Childs overcome her challenges?
   A. By relying on physical strength alone
   B. Through perseverance and support from Simone Biles
   C. By taking a break from gymnastics
   D. Through new training techniques

3. What issue did Simone Biles’ decision bring attention to?
   A. Physical fitness
   B. Mental health in sports
   C. The importance of winning
   D. The need for new coaching techniques

4. What do both gymnasts believe is essential for long-term success?
   A. Winning as many competitions as possible
   B. A holistic approach to training
   C. Focusing only on physical strength
   D. Ignoring mental health issues

5. What is one message that Biles and Childs emphasized?
   A. Mental health should be ignored in sports
   B. Perseverance and mental toughness are key to success
   C. Physical training is more important than mental health
   D. Athletes should never rest

Speaking Exercise

1. Panel Discussion: Organize a panel discussion on the role of mental health in sports. How can athletes balance physical and mental preparation?
2. Debate: Should athletes prioritize mental health over physical performance in high-stakes competitions? Use examples from Simone Biles' decision at the Tokyo Olympics.
3. Presentation: Prepare a presentation on how the narrative around mental health in sports has changed over the past decade, using examples from different athletes.
4. Role-play: One student acts as a sports psychologist, discussing with an athlete how to manage the pressure of competition. The other student plays the role of Simone Biles.
5. Group Discussion: Discuss the importance of mental toughness in achieving success. How does it apply not just in sports but also in academic or professional settings?