“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 10: Sports and Competition
Story 02: Controversies Surrounding the Olympics
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Controversies
- Performance-enhancing drugs
- Disqualifications
- Lifetime bans
- Financial burden
- Infrastructure
- Human rights
- Boycotts
- Environmental impact
- Transparency
Read or Listen to the following passage:
The Olympic Games, a global event that brings together the best athletes from around the world, has been the subject of numerous controversies over the years. From doping scandals to political boycotts, the Olympics have faced a range of issues that have sparked debate and criticism. Here are a few of the most notable controversies:
- Doping: Perhaps the most high-profile controversy surrounding the Olympics is the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. Despite strict rules and testing, some athletes have been caught using banned substances, leading to disqualifications, stripped medals, and even lifetime bans.
- Cost: Hosting the Olympics can be a massive financial burden on the host country, with billions of dollars spent on infrastructure, security, and other expenses. Some critics argue that the cost outweighs the benefits and that the money could be better spent on other priorities, such as education or healthcare.
- Human Rights: The Olympics have often been the subject of political controversies related to human rights. The most notable example is the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, where the United States and Soviet Union respectively boycotted each other’s games in protest of political policies.
- Location: The choice of location for the Olympics can also be controversial, with concerns about environmental impact, displacement of local communities, and corruption in the selection process.
- Governance: The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees the Olympics, has faced criticism for its lack of transparency and accountability. Some argue that the IOC operates like a closed club, with decisions made by a small group of insiders rather than the wider Olympic community.
Despite these controversies, the Olympics remain a beloved event for millions of people around the world. The spirit of competition, camaraderie, and excellence that the Olympics represent can be a powerful force for bringing people together and celebrating our shared humanity. However, it is important to address the issues that have arisen and ensure that the Olympics remain a fair, ethical, and accessible event for all.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the most high-profile controversy surrounding the Olympics?
- Why do some critics argue against hosting the Olympics?
- What is a political controversy related to human rights that has occurred during the Olympics?
- What are some concerns related to the choice of location for the Olympics?
- What criticism has the International Olympic Committee faced?
Conversations Starters:
- Do you enjoy watching the Olympics?
- What is your favorite Olympic Game?
- Should athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs be given lifetime bans?
- What are your thoughts on disqualifications in sports? Do you think they are necessary for fair competition?
- Should host countries be responsible for shouldering the entire financial burden of hosting the Olympic Games?
- In your opinion, what infrastructure improvements are necessary for a country to host a successful Olympics?
- Do you believe that human rights should be taken into account when choosing a host city for the Olympic Games?
- What are your thoughts on countries using the Olympics as a platform for political boycotts?
- What environmental impact do you think the Olympic Games have on host cities?
- Have you ever attended or participated in an Olympic Games event? What was your experience like?
