A It is not only the players who are superstitious

B A good example is Serena Williams

C Superstitions and rituals are very common among fans

D After my wife had left the room, Murray lost the fourth set

E The superstitions and rituals are not confined to the court

F Tennis players are strange people

1 Tennis plavers are strange people. Have you noticed how they always ask for three balls instead of two; how they bounce the ball the same number of times before serving. as if any change from their routine might result in disaster?

2 ........................................................the ex-world number 1 female tennis player. When she was once asked why she had played so badly at the French Open she answered. 'I didn't tie my shoe laces right and I didn't bounce the ball five times and I didn't bring my shower sandals to the court with me. I didn't have my extra dress. I just knew it was fate; it wasn't going to happen.'

3..........................................................Goran lvanisevic, Wimbledon champion in 2001, was convinced that if he won a match he had to repeat everything he did the previous day. such as eating the same food at the same restaurant, talking to the same people and watching the same TV programmes. One year this meant that he had to watch Teletubbies every morning during his Wimbledon campaign. 'Sometimes it got very boring,' he said.

4...........................................................As we were watching British tennis player Andy Murray play the fourth set at Wimbledon. my wife suddenly got up and went to the kitchen. 'He keeps losing games when I'm in the room; she said.

5.............................................................Last year. a survey of British football supporters found that 21 per cent had a lucky charm (anything from a scarf to a lucky coin). while another questionnaire revealed that 70 per cent of Spanish football fans performed pre-match rituals (like wearing 'lucky' clothes. eating the same food or drink, or watching matches with the same people).

6...............................................................She returned and he won the fifth. l laughed at her, and then remembered my football team, Spurs. who were losing 1-0 in the Carling Cup. 'If I leave the room now, Spurs will score,' I told my kids, after 27 minutes of extra time. I left the room and they scored. Twice.

In your country, is cheating considered a serious problem in sport? In what sports do you think cheating is most common? What kind of things do people do when they cheat?

Read Taking a short cut about a marathon runner who cheated. How did she cheat?

You are going to tell your partner 2 anecdotes. Choose two of the topics below and plan what you are going to say. Ask your teacher for any words you need.

- A time you cheated (in a sport or game or in an exam) When and where did this happen? What were you doing? Why did you cheat? What happened in the end?

- A really exciting sports event you saw. Where and when was it? Who was playing? What happened? Why was it so exciting?

- A time you had an accident or got a sports injury When and where did this happen? What were you doing? How did the accident happen? What part of your body did you hurt? What happened next? How long did it take you to recover?

- A time you got lost Where were you going? How were you traveling? Why did you get lost? What happened in the end?

Write the words, phrases and expressions you could listen during the trailer.

2) What do you think is the series about?

3) Do you like F1? What other type of car racing is the most similar in Argentina?

What is the guy’s name?

What does he do?

Where is he from?

What is his nationality?

He isn’t a ……………………………………………………….. (2 words)

What is the translation in Spanish of ENGINE ROARING?

What does he like? (he mentions more than one thing)

What does he love?

Most of everything he likes……………………………………………………………..(4 words)

What other pilot was winning the race?

Did Ricardo win the race in the end?

What is the name of the competition?

#1 It could well be that the formula we’ve been using to calculate investment risk is not accurate enough.

#2 The reason for the late start to the meeting was because of today’s tube strike.

#3 One possible explanation/reason for the fall in profits could be the weakness of sterling against the US dollar.

#4 Let me explain, if we were to implement the changes too soon, we’d have a huge problem on our hands.

#5 The most likely reason they chose those suppliers was to reduce costs.

#6 What I mean is, I don’t think we’ll get the necessary funding this year.

#7 This has been a much-needed wake-up call. In other words, it’s been a warning that was needed.

#8 Let me put it/this another way, if we don’t accept their proposals now, they’ll go somewhere else/elsewhere.

#9 Let me deal with the second point first, that is to say, the point about logistics.

#10The thing is, there’s no simple explanation for what went wrong.

#11 Seeing as/that everyone is here, I think it’d be a good idea to tell you what’s happened.

#12 As/since (formal) the goods were damaged on arrival, I’m returning them in this package.

#13 Let me give you another example,….

#14 For example/ for instance, if you were to test the market now, you’d see there isn’t any demand for our product in its present form.

Over to you

Make a note of these phrases. Now try and explain something to me and share it. Try and use some of the expressions above.

Tip1: Focus on making your thinking clear.

One of the reasons we often cannot explain things clearly is because our thinking is not clear. I agree with this because I’ve seen this when coaching my clients on presentations and job interview preparation.

Tip 2: Try and write what you want to explain.

You may find that what you want to explain is not clear so writing it makes you structure your thoughts. Writing most definitely will make your thinking clearer because you’re giving yourself the time to think.

Tip 3: Pay attention to your listener

While explaining, pay attention to the facial expressions of your listener. If they are looking confused, use this feedback to change your explaining. Don’t keep talking without looking at your listener/audience.

Tip 4: Tell a story or give examples to make things easier to understand.

Tip 5: Write it and record it!

What you think you said initially and what you actually communicated to others can be different so it’s worth trying this technique out.

Perhaps what is in our head doesn’t necessarily translate literally into our spoken language?