PRE-READING:

Look at the title and picture, and predict the main ideas of the article. Then, write down three wh-questions about the text.

Ex: What does cowardice mean?

WHILE READING:

Set a time limit to read this article. An average reader can read at the speed of 250 words per minute. Note down your reading speed regularly to check your progress.

SKIMMING:

Within the time limit, read and summarize the main ideas of the paragraphs with your own words. Do not worry about unfamiliar vocabulary.

POWELL SLAMS PENALTY “COWARDICE”

England women's coach Hope Powell accused her team of "cowardice" after she struggled to find volunteers for the World Cup quarter-final penalty shoot-out against France.

Claire Rafferty, a 22-year-old full-back who had come on after 80 minutes to make her World Cup debut, and Faye White missed the fourth and fifth penalties respectively to seal England's exit and Powell was furious at the overall lack of courage shown by her players.

She told The Guardian: "Three times I had to ask before anyone stepped forward. ’Where are you?' I was thinking, and then a young kid (Rafferty) is the first to put her hand up. And Kelly Smith was dying on her feet but she stepped up and took one. You've got to want to take a penalty, but other players should have come forward and they didn't. That's weak, it's cowardice."

Word count: 146 words

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11072011/63/powell-slams-penalty-cowardice.html

SCANNING:

Use your notes to identify where you can find the answers to the questions you have made in the pre-reading stage.

POST-READING:

Glossary:

Pay attention to how the word is combined with other words in context. Do not learn the meaning of the word without sentences. Vietnamese should be the last resort after you have tried all the learning strategies.

• To accuse (v.): to charge with, or declare to have committed, a crime or offense against someone (Kết án, kết tội)

• To struggle (v.): to try very hard to do something (Vất vả, gắng sức để làm điều gì đó)

• Furious (v.): very angry (Vô cùng giận dữ)

• To die on one’s feet (exp.): to take a long time in passing out of (Chết đứng (nghĩa bóng))

• To step up (v.): to take responsibility for something (Nhận trách nhiệm)

• To admit (v.): to accept or say that something negative is true (Thừa nhận)

Grammar:

Look at the following words from the text. Complete the table with the correct form of the word. You can use a dictionary to help you.

Use the correct form of one of the words from the table to complete the following sentences.

1. When the boss found out that the money was missing, he was ______________.

2. He ___________ Rebecca of stealing it.

3. I didn’t feel _____________enough to admit that I had lost it.

4. Eventually, though, the boss found out and _______________ me a week’s wages.

Discussion:Answer the following questions about the text and about yourself.

1. What is courage?

2. Do you think the way Powell’s players acted was cowardly? Why or why not?

3. What did Powell expect from the players?

4. Can you remember a time when you were afraid to do something? What happened?

5. What would you have done if you had not felt afraid at that time?

ANSWERS:

1. furious

2. accused

3. courageous

4. penalized

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).