Tommy’s house

He also trained hard his football skills. The kid tried to take every chance to play football with his father. Tommy was well-developed physically – he had a good reaction, so he moved very quickly with ease. The boy played so recklessly and felt confident with the ball.

He also played tennis with dad. Unfortunately, playing together wasn’t their regular practice, as Tommy’s dad rarely had free time. Nevertheless, the boy’s father wanted to improve his son’s tennis skills. He followed each movement of Tom carefully. He gave his comments and short instructions in a command tone:

“Daddy, I’m a bit tired.”

“Tommy, you’re a good tennis player, you can become the world champion if you train harder.”

“Can we continue later? Frankly speaking, I like playing football more.”

“You have more chances in tennis. We must improve your skills.”

“But we play so seldom…

Dad, will we go to the football match in august? Mum said if I do all my Maths, I’ll be able to go!”

“We’ll see, boy.

If I don’t have to leave for Strasbourg on a business trip, we’ll surely watch the match!

Come on, Tom, move faster!”

Suddenly, making an awkward movement, Tommy twisted his ankle and fell on the ground with a short cry, touching his leg.

“Dad, it seems to me, I have just stretched my ankle…”

“Oh, are you kidding?! Come on, boy, get up!

You are a man, you should be strong and calm in any situation.

Control yourself!”

“It hurts…”

“Then let’s go to the doctor.”

HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES

basketball hoop [b?sk?tb?l] [hu p] – баскетбольная корзина, кольцо

well-developed physically [wel-d?vel?pt] [f?z?k(?)l?] – физически развит

to move with ease [mu v] [w??] [i z] – двигаться с лёгкостью, непринуждённо

to play recklessly [ple?] [rekl?sli] —

двигаться с лёгкостью, непринуждённо

nevertheless [_nev???les] – тем не менее, однако, всё-таки

in a command tone [?n] [?] [k?m?_nd] [t?un] – командным, приказным тоном

frankly speaking [fr?nkl?] [spi_k?n] – честно говоря

awkward movement [?kw?d] [mu vm?nt] — неловкое движение

to twist one’s ankle [tw?st] [?nkl] – вывихнуть лодыжку, подвернуть ногу

to stretch one’s leg [stre?] [leg] — растянуть ногу

VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS

I Find in the text the antonyms for the following words:

Lower; feeble; slowly; discreetly; uncertain; occasional; to deteriorate; heedlessly; more sluggish; easier; dishonestly; skillful; weak; wild.

II Here are several expressions from the text (A – I). Match the definition of each of them from the list below (1 – 9).

A to control yourself

B regular practice

C to take chance

D to move with ease

E frankly speaking

F to give instructions

G to play recklessly

H in a command tone

I an awkward movement

1. a settled tendency

2. to tell what should be done

3. in an imperious manner of speaking

4. to act rashly, headlong, hastily

5. to take an opportunity

6. an uncomfortable or clumsy motion

7. to utter in an open, direct, honest manner