Views #259 | Intermediate 4

Beckham

Lois talks about her favorite footballer.
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Todd: Lois, I noticed that you have a poster of David Beckham by your desk.

Lois: Yes, I do. I think that David Beckham is quite a handsome man. I also think that he is a very, very talented footballer. Although, his recent performance in Euro 2004 was maybe not quite what it should have been. He did miss two penalties but I think in the past he has been a very good role model for people in England and a very good footballer.

Todd: So what is it about David Beckham that everyone thinks is handsome?

Lois: Everything about him is perfect. He's got a lovely body, great hair, when he has hair and then when he doesn't have hair, he has a great shaped head. The only thing I don't really like about his body is his tattoos. He's just had a new tattoo on the back of his neck and I think it is a cross with some angel's wings on it and I don't think that is very nice but apart from that I would say that he is perfect.

Todd: Well, what color are his eyes?

Lois: I have no idea what color his eyes are. No, I'm guessing brown but I don't know.

Todd: OK and how tall is he?

Lois: How tall is he? Taller than me but I don't know how tall he is either.

Todd: No details, details. So do you think David Beckham is a better football player or a better model?

Lois: Ugh, Tricky. Possibly at the moment a better model and maybe he should spend less time concentrating on that and more time on his football.

Todd: Well, how old is he now?

Lois: I think he's about 29. Yeah, because his wife just turned 30 a couple of months ago and he's one year younger, so he's 29.

Todd: Does he have any children?

Lois: He has two children. I don't know how old they are. One is called Brooklyn and the other one is called Romeo, not really sure where they got their names from but yeah, two young children.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

role model

David Beckham has been very good role model for people in England.

A 'role model' is a good example for how people should live or act. Notice the following:

  1. Many celebrities today are not good role models for children.
  2. My sister has always been my role model.

penalty

David Beckham missed two penalties in 2004.

In this case, 'penalty' is referring to penalty kicks, which are given when someone from the other team has committed a penalty against another player. Notice the following:

  1. The whole game depended on penalty kicks.
  2. The team spent a lot of time practicing penalties.

apart

Apart from having a tattoo, I would say that David Beckham is perfect.

Here 'apart' is similar to 'other than.' The example says that if David Beckham didn't have a tattoo he would be perfect or the tattoo is the only thing that isn't perfect about him. Notice the following:

  1. He's a good roommate, apart from the fact that he wakes up early every day.
  2. Apart from the rain in the afternoon today was a perfect day.

tricky

That was a tricky question.

A 'tricky' question is difficult to answer. Notice the following:

  1. I thought that exam was pretty tricky.
  2. Communication can be tricky sometimes if you don't speak the language well.

turn

His wife just turned thirty a couple of months ago, and he is one year younger.

When we have a birthday our age chances and we 'turn' a different age. Notice the following:

  1. When do you turn 21?
  2. My dad turned 50 last year.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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Vocabulary Quiz
role model • penalty • apart
tricky • turned
  1. from being a little expensive, I think this is the best restaurant around here.
  2. His birthday was a few weeks ago and he 29.
  3. Traffic will make getting to the meeting on time a little .
  4. The goalie blocked the kick with his hands.
  5. My husband is a perfect for our kids.

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