CHAPTER 1 - The Olympic Flame

Vocabulary Comprehension - Words in Context

A. Complete each statement with the best answer. The words in bold are from the passage.

1. A flag is used to symbolize a country's beliefs and goals.
A) flag
B) map

2. Since you're going there on foot, you should carry ______ with you.
A) less
B) more

3. Which of these can be considered an honor?
A) working on a class project
B) representing your school in a competition

4. Which of these can take place?
A) an item
B) an event

5. He had to light a candle because the room was so ______.
A) bright
B) dark

6. One requirement of learning at school is to ______.
A) do homework
B) get a job

7. To select a university means to ______ a school.
A) leave
B) choose

8. Tina kicked off the party by ______.
A) saying goodbye to everyone
B) welcoming everyone

B. Answer the following questions, then discuss your answers with a partner. The words in bold are from the passage.

1. What is used in your country to symbolize your culture?
   Answer

   Answers will vary.

2. Where do you usually go on foot?
   Answer

   Answers will vary.

3. What are the requirements for you to get a job?
   Answer

   being qualified through education or training or experience to carry out the required role.

4. What do universities want to know when they select new students?
   Answer

   final school exam results, grades, and any special abilities, skills, or talents, e.g. in music or sports.

The Olympic Flame

Every four years, the summer Olympic Games kick off with an elaborate¹ opening ceremony that welcomes athletes from every competing nation. However, preparations and celebrations. for the Olympic Games start long before the opening ceremony. The true beginning of the Olympic celebration is the lighting of the Olympic torch and the relay that carries the flame to the host city.

The Olympic torch is lit at a ceremony in Olympia, Greece, where the ancient² games were held. One requirement for the Olympic flame is that it must be created using only sunlight and a mirror. The flame is lit months before the games, and the first runner begins the great relay among the ruins³ of an ancient Olympic stadium.

The first modern Olympic torch relay took place in Berlin, in the summer of 1936. At the beginning, runners were mainly selected from the Olympic athletes, but later regular citizens-including children, old people, and people with disabilities-began to participate as well. Carrying the torch is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a great honor.

Traditionally, the torch is carried on foot. However, sometimes other kinds of transport are needed. When the torch must go overseas, it is sent on a private plane. The torch has also been carried underwater. For the Sydney Summer Games in 2000, a diver swam with the torch!

At the end of the relay, the flame is used to light a giant pot. The light, a symbol of the Olympic spirit, burns throughout the games.

¹ Something that is elaborate is complex and has a lot of different parts.
² Something that is ancient is very, very old.
³ Ruins are the remains of a very old building.