【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. drought / draʊt / (n.) – refers to instances wherein a team or an individual has not won in competitions for a long period of time
Example: The team will be able to end their 20-year drought if they win this game.
2. back-to-back / bæk tu bæk / (adj.) – happening one after another in time
Example: He was the first athlete to claim back-to-back victories after winning in 2012 and 2013.
Example: He was the first athlete to claim back-to-back victories after winning in 2012 and 2013.
3. inning / ˈɪn ɪŋ / (n.) – a period in a baseball game in which each team has an opportunity to bat until three outs are made
Example: My team led in the first three innings.
4. heightened / ˈhaɪt nd / (adj.) – describing the increased intensity of something
Example: The audience’s heightened excitement motivated the players to do better.
5. commemorate / kəˈmɛm əˌreɪt / (v.) – to honor an important person or event
Example: Every year, we commemorate heroes with a special series of activities.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
The Chicago Cubs finally ended their 108-year championship drought after winning the 2016 World Series.
The Cubs is an American professional baseball team that competes in Major League Baseball. The team claimed its first World Series title in 1907, and it became the first team to win back-to-back championships in the World Series after defeating Detroit in 1908.
The Cubs, who had not won since 1908, claimed the World Series trophy this year after beating the Cleveland Indians. The team’s victory happened in Game 7 of the series at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The game began at the night of November 2, and ended early the next morning.
By the end of the 7th round, the Cubs were leading 6-3. However, a home run by Rajai Davis from the Indians tied the score at 6-6 in the eighth inning. The score remained tied until the ninth inning, and the tension was heightened when the game was halted because of rain. When the game resumed after a 17-minute delay, the Cubs scored two runs, finishing the game at 8-7.
Before this victory, the team was known to have the longest championship drought in baseball. The win has caused the demand for Cubs merchandise to surge. Because of this, some people started selling Cubs merchandise at very high prices.
The most expensive is a set of nine baseballs used in this year’s league offered at $25,000. Other expensive merchandise includes four Chicago Tribune newspapers commemorating the Cubs’ wins, sold at $45; third-baseman Kris Bryan’s uniform, sold at $15,000; and a World Series ball signed by MVP Ben Zobrist for $220.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· In your opinion, how will the victory of the Cubs affect them as a team?
· If you were the coach of the Chicago Cubs, how would you inspire the team to work hard even after winning the World Series?
Discussion B
· Aside from buying merchandise, how can people show their support for their favorite athletes?
· What would you be willing to do to show support for a team or athlete you support?
