Talking Sport-8

Presenter

Hi I'm Natalie and welcome to Talking Sport.

Today we are hearing from a 400m hurdler.

Jehue Gordon is from Trinidad and Tobago.

He is 19 years-old and is one of his country's biggest hopes for the London 2012 Olympics.

So let's hear from Jehue.

Listen out for what he says he wants to be?

Also listen out for the word 'inspiration'.

Clip

Well I want to be the best in the world so, you know, getting that gold medal would be a big, big inspiration for me.

Presenter

Watch the clip again.

Clip

Well I want to be the best in the world you know, so getting that gold medal would be a big, big inspiration for me.

Presenter

Jehue said he wants to be the best in the world!

On screen

best in the world

بهترین در جهان

Presenter

I want to be the best in the world.

Jehue said the word inspiration.

On screen

inspiration

انگیزه

Presenter

… getting that gold medal would be a big, big inspiration for me

Well Jehue wants to be the best hurdler in the world and winning an Olympic gold medal is his inspiration.

So let's hear from some people in London. Who is their inspiration?

Vox pops

I'm a photographer and David LaChapelle is my inspiration.

My inspiration is my parents.

My inspiration is a former teacher because now I want to be a teacher as well.

On screen

My inspiration is…

… is my inspiration

Presenter

I'm Natalie and that’s all from Talking Sport.

I'll see you next time.

In the video Jehue said he wants to be the 'best in the world' in hurdling.

"I want to be the best in the world…"

Below are some idioms with the word 'world'.

in a world of your own: think about something else and not notice what is going on around you

do you the world of good: make you feel much better, happier

the world is your oyster: you have the ability and freedom to do what you want

out of this world: something that is very good, enjoyable, amazing or wonderful

Now complete the sentences with the correct idiom. You may need to change the form of the idiom.

1. You are young, educated and healthy. You are able to do anything you want -

_________________.

2. Sarah is a very good cook. The cake she baked was _________________!

3. You have been working too hard. I think you should take some time off, it would

_________________.

4. He didn't listen to a word I said to him! He was completely _________________.

The adjective 'big' is used to say that something that is more than of average size, weight etc.

In the video Jehue used the adjective 'big' to intensify the noun 'inspiration'.

"… getting that gold medal would be a big inspiration for me."

Here are some common examples of nouns that the intensifying adjective 'big' is used with:

a big decision a big mistake

a big disappointment a big surprise

As an intensifying adjective, 'big' is not usually used with uncountable nouns. For example: big water, big air

Now complete the sentences with each phrase from above.

1. I have such __________________ to make about which university to go to.

2. We are planning __________________ birthday party for Anna's 21st!

3. I did not enjoy the film, I thought it would be better. It was __________________.

4. I made __________________ in my exam! I know I am going to fail!

Idioms with 'world'

1. You are young, educated and healthy. You are able to do anything you want –

the world is your oyster.

2. Sarah is a very good cook. The cake she baked was out of this world!

3. You have been working too hard. I think you should take some time off, it would

do you the world of good.

4. He didn't listen to a word I said to him! He was completely in a world of his own.

Big

1. I have such a big decision to make about which university to go to.

2. We are planning a big surprise birthday party for Anna's 21st!

3. I did not enjoy the film, I thought it would be better. It was a big disappointment.

4. I made a big mistake in my exam! I know I am going to fail!