NC BOOK 4 UNIT 4

New Connection—Book 4

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UNIT 4

Sports Mania

Starting Off:
David Beckham is one of the world’s highest-earning athletes, but did
you know that he makes more money from endorsement deals than he
does from actually playing sports? Why do you think people are eager
to own things that are promoted by their favorite sports stars? Are
there some items that you would be willing to pay more for if a celebrity
athlete recommended them? What if that athlete also used them?
2


GETTING READY
Task I
Listen to the two broadcasts. Fill in the reviews with words from the
audio and indicate which type of sporting event each was.

Baseball
batter
inning
pitcher

home team
center fielder

Basketball

jump shot

rookie

blocking

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GETTING READY
Task II
Listen to the audio again and complete the sentences. Use the hints
to help you.
buzzer
1. Once you hear the ___________
it will be halftime, and then everyone will
be leaving their seats to grab some food. (equipment that makes a loud
noise)
outfield
2. Players with a position in the ___________
have to cover a lot of space, but
not too many balls make it out that far. (baseball playing area outside the
diamond)
3. A typical baseball game will have nine innings, but a basketball game will
quarters
only have four ___________.
(the periods a game is divided into)

plate
4. The batter stood next to the ___________
waiting for the pitch to come. (a
piece of plastic or rubber players touch or stand on in baseball)
pop fly
5. Usually a _______________
is easily caught because it doesn’t travel a
great distance. (a type of hit in baseball where the ball goes straight up in
the air)
lineup
6. The coach was required to announce the starting ___________
at least
three hours prior to the game. (the list of players)
4


GETTING READY
Audio Transcripts:

No 1.
Broadcaster: Welcome back to another live broadcast everybody! It’s a perfect
day for a game, and I’m sure all the fans in attendance are thankful for the
wonderful weather. The home team is heading onto the field now, and the first
batter for the away team is walking up to the plate. If you listened to the game
yesterday, you’ll remember this batter1 as the one who hit that disappointing pop
fly2 that lead to the team’s third out3 in the ninth inning4. Let’s see if he’ll do
better today. The pitcher5 is winding up6 and . . . strike one. Strike two. Uh-oh,
this guy could be in big trouble. He swings and connects! The ball shoots to the
outfield7. This could be a home run folks! Oh, spoke too soon. Caught by the
center fielder8, and the batter is out.

No 2.
Broadcaster: And that’s the buzzer9 to end the third quarter. Looks like the coach
of the home team is making some changes to the lineup10. He’s taken out the
starting center and is going to replace him with rookie11 Dave Smith. Smith is
well-known for his jump shot12, which could be the reason behind the change.
The other team has been having quite an easy time blocking all efforts to score.
We’re getting ready to start the fourth quarter now. All right, Smith is receiving a
pass from the point guard13. And in it goes. Two more points for the home team!
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WORD POWER
A. Listen Up
Complete the advertisement based on the audio. Use the correct
forms of the words provided.

tryouts

shooting

slam dunk
small forward
free throw

position
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WORD POWER
Audio Transcripts:

Donald: Hey, Ralph. Are you going play on our school’s basketball team this
year?
Ralph: I hope so. I can’t wait for tryouts1 to start!
Donald: Which position do you usually play?
Ralph: I like playing small forward2 because then I get to do a bit of
everything. I can aggressively try to steal the ball when the other team
is shooting3, and I get the chance to score4 when game play moves to
the other net. I especially enjoy pushing past everyone to slam dunk5
the ball. What about you?
Donald: Directing game play by dribbling6 the ball up and down the court and
passing it to other players is a lot of fun for me, so I usually play point
guard.
Ralph: I could never play that position. I like scoring too much!
Donald: I like to score, too, but my jump shot isn’t that good.
Ralph: Maybe I can help you with that. Last year, I had the highest
free throw7 percentage on the team.
Donald: That would be great. Thanks! If you could give me some advice on my
layups8, that would be cool, too.
Ralph: Sure. In fact, maybe I should hold a session to help lots of
people!
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WORD POWER
B. Word Focus: Sports Necessities
Match the sports below with the things associated with them.

_____
c 1. archery

a. goalie, cleats, field, shin guard

_____
b 2. football

b. pad, goalpost, helmet, yard line

_____
e 3. golf

c. bow, arrow, target, arm guard

_____ 4. gymnastics

d. racket, court, ball, net

f
_____ 5. soccer
a
_____ 6. tennis
d

e. tee, club, caddie, fairway
f. bar, ring, leotard, vault

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WORD POWER
C. Speak Out Loud

What are your opinions about the facts below? Talk about them with a
classmate.

In 1992, America sent a team of professional NBA players
to the summer Olympics for the first time. This “Dream
Team,” which included players like Michael Jordan and
Magic Johnson, dominated the games and easily won gold.

Sports players don’t compete just because they love to
play; they want money, too! According to Forbes, the UEFA
Champions League gives out the largest prizes. In 2012,
tournament winning English team Chelsea received $77
million!

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CONVERSATION ZONE

（（（（（（（

10


CONVERSATION ZONE

Sports Legend
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the choices given. Listen to check
your answers.

Ryan and Ted are talking about their favorite American baseball team.
opposing 1 team was ruthless2.
Ryan: Did you watch yesterday’s game? The ① _________
Ted: Yeah. Despite the Red Sox’s frantic3 last-minute efforts to score, they
got whipped again!
Ryan: To tell you the truth, I’m filled with4 apprehension5 that they might be on
streak 7. Their last one continued for
the verge of6 another losing ② _________
over 80 years!
Ted:
Why did everyone have a leg up on the Sox for so long?
Ryan: You haven’t heard of the Curse of the Bambino?
Ted:
Who?
Ryan: The Bambino. That was the nickname of baseball legend Babe Ruth. He
originally8 played for the Red Sox but was sold to the Yankees.
judgment
Ted:
Talk about
bad ③ _________! Don’t a lot of people consider him
to be the greatest player of all time?
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CONVERSATION ZONE

Ryan: Absolutely. He pulled out all the stops whenever he played. With his help, the
Yankees beat the pants off everyone, winning the league
④ _____________9 seven times and the World Series four times.
championship

Ted:
It sounds like no other team was on par with them. I guess
everyone
acknowledges 10 that the Red Sox would have done better with Ruth,
⑤ ______________
huh?
Ryan: Yeah. It’s believed that trading him caused the curse and condemned11 the
team to fail. For years, they hoped that they would win the World Series again,
and it finally happened in 2004.
Ted:

superstitious

That’s a pretty good story, but I don’t believe in ⑥ _____________12

stuff. I bet the Sox’s bad luck ensued13 because they always chickened out
and didn’t strive to win hard enough.

rational

Ryan: Maybe you’re right, but even if it’s not ⑦ _________14, I like believing in the
curse.
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CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW
A. Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with words from the conversation. Use the hints to
help you.
acknowledge that you caused a serious problem for me, I

1. Unless you can ______________
won’t accept your apology. (recognize)
streak
2. The athlete had such a terrible ___________
of bad luck that no one thought
he would ever win a game again. (series)
condemned to working
3. A person who neglects his or her education is often ___________
in fields that don’t pay well. (doomed)
rational
4. I think Martha’s fear of cats is pretty ___________
considering that she got bit
by one as a child. (logical)
frantic
5. The candidate’s ___________
campaigning right before the election didn’t
help him gain enough votes to win. (hurried)
apprehension about their futures
6. Many college students have feelings of ______________
because the economy has been doing poorly. (anxiety)
ruthless
7. Kim’s ___________
treatment of her employees was the reason why she lost
her managerial position at the company. (without mercy)
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CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW
B. Expression Usage
Match the expression with its meaning.

_____
b 1. get whipped

a. win decisively

_____
h 2. be filled with

b. be beaten badly

_____
3. on the verge of
f

c. be afraid to do something

_____
4. have a leg up
e

d. do everything possible

_____
d 5. pull out all the stops

e. have an advantage

_____ 6. beat the pants off

a
_____ 7. be on par
g

f. about to do or happen

_____ 8. chicken out

h. to feel something strongly

c

g. have similar ability or success

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CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW
C. True, False, or Unknown
Select if the statements are true (T) or false (F).

1. T 
■F■U■

The opposing team played fiercely against the Red
Sox.

2. T ■ F ■ U ■  The Red Sox typically perform better in a game’s
last moments.
3. T 

■F■U■

The Red Sox’s curse is blamed on the trading of a
key player.

4. T ■ F ■
U■

Babe Ruth was originally sold to the Yankees to
break the curse on the Red Sox.

5. T ■ F ■
U■

The Red Sox won the 2004 World Series after
Babe Ruth returned to the team.

6. T ■ F ■ U ■  Since the ending of the curse, the Red Sox have
won most of their championships.

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EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
A. Paying Attention
To Win

To Lose

• beat the pants/socks off (someone)

• win hands down
• get the better of (someone)

• be/get whipped
• blow it
• be beaten down

Fill in the appropriate expressions.

1. Tamara was the first girl to finish all the pies in the pie eating
won hands down
contest. She _______________!

2. Ian’s soccer team has only been playing for a week, so I’m not
got whipped / blew it / were beaten down at the
surprised that they _________________________________

game yesterday.

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EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
B. Comparing Ability
Being Similar in Skill

• neck and neck
• in a dead heat
• on par with (someone)
• on a level playing field

Having an Advantage

• a leg up on (somebody)
• (have) an ace up (one’s) sleeve

Rewrite the parts in bold with the expressions above.
1. My school’s football team isn’t worried about the upcoming game because
they have a new player who is going to give them an advantage.
→ My school’s football team isn’t worried about the upcoming game because
they have an ace up their sleeve.
2. Jeremy may be at the top of his class now, but there are many other
students who have similar abilities to him.
→ Jeremy may be at the top of his class now, but there are many other students
who are on par with him.
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EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
C. Making an Effort or Giving Up
Try Hard

Quit Trying

• pull out all the stops
• go for broke
• move heaven and earth
• put/pour (one’s) blood, sweat, and tears into
(something)

• chicken out
• run out of gas/steam
• lose (one’s) nerve
• give up the ghost

With a partner, create short dialogues with the expressions above and the
situations provided.
1. give a presentation
3. hold a meeting
5. learn an instrument

2. do a school project
4. play in a sports game

Example:
A: Whenever I’m asked to give a presentation by my boss, I pour my
blood, sweat, and tears into it.
B: That’s impressive. I would just chicken out and not do it!
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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
A. Check the Correct Answers
Listen to the audio. Check the correct statements about each sports
fan.










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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
Audio Transcripts:

Casey: Hey, Pat. How did your favorite team do in their game
yesterday?
Pat: Actually, Casey, the Eagles blew it! The worst part about it
was that they beat the pants off the Dolphins last year!
Casey: Sorry to hear it. My favorite team played last night, too, you
know.
Pat:
Really? How did they do?
Casey: Well, the beginning of the game was pretty terrible. The Tigers
were doing poorly, and the other team was really beating them
down.
Pat: Did you stop watching?
Casey: I thought about it, but I decided to stand by my team. It was a
good thing I did because in the last inning, the Tigers got the
better of the Blues.
Pat:
I’m glad not both of our teams got whipped!
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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
B. Listen for Details
Listen and write the person’s name (Paul, Alana, or Roger) next to the
matching statement.

Roger is as popular among student voters at this moment
1. ________
as Alana is.
Alana had to do many things in order to be regarded as
2. ________
highly as the other candidate.
Roger had an advantage by being a part of a group that
3. ________
earns lots of attention from others.
Paul has been working with one of the candidates to help
4. ________
that person win.
Paul is interested in the tactics that will be used to outdo
5. ________
the other person in the debate.
Alana knows something that could damage the other
6. ________
candidate’s chance of winning.
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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
Audio Transcripts:

Paul:
Alana, isn’t the final debate before the student election
taking place tonight?
Alana: Yup. And I’m all set.
Paul:
I hope so because you and Roger are still neck and
neck. Whoever wins this debate could end up being our class
president.
Alana: You’re right, Paul. I’m glad that we’re in a dead heat now. It took
a lot of effort for me to gain as much support as he had in the
beginning.
Paul:
Being on the school’s winning football team certainly
gave him a leg up on you in terms of popularity. You’re lucky that
I dedicated so much of my time helping out your campaign.
Alana: That’s true. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be on par with Roger
now.
Paul:
So, how are you going to win the debate?
Alana: I have an ace up my sleeve that will really make Roger sweat,
but I can’t tell you what it is yet. I want it to shock everybody!
Paul:
All right. Good luck tonight!
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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
C. Fill out the Chart
Judy and Rex manage a dating agency. Listen to their conversation
and fill out the information about the clients.

Client

Will be set up Reason
again?

Dylan

Yes

He poured his blood, sweat, and tears
into the date.

Candie

No

She lost her nerve and never showed up.

Yes

Although she had some problems, she tried
and didn’t chicken out.

No

He can’t stop talking about his ex. However,
if he can pull out all the stops and get over
her, he’ll be reconsidered.

Yes

She went for broke and confessed how
she really felt in an e-mail. The agency
owners liked her dedication.

Holly
Hank

Abby

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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
Audio Transcripts:
Judy: Hey, Rex. I’m ready to check out those reports and see who we’ll keep as
customers.
Rex:
OK. Dylan is first. His date said that he really moved heaven
and earth to make sure she was having a good time.
Judy: Well, that’s an easy one to accept. Who’s next?
Rex:
Candie. It looks like she chickened out and didn’t show up.
Judy: She’ll have to find herself another agency then. Do you have any
information about Holly yet? She’s a good friend of mine.
Rex:
Yes, her date said he had an alright time. Everything started
out fine, but then Holly ran out of steam.
Judy: At least she didn’t lose her nerve completely. She should get another

chance.
Rex:
Of course. Man, look at Hank’s report! His date said that he is
incapable of talking about anything except his ex-girlfriend.
Judy: I wonder why he can’t give up the ghost. We’ll have to pass on his
business until he can. Anyone else?
Rex:
One more. Her name is Abby, and I think she really enjoyed
her date because she poured her blood, sweat, and tears into an e-mail
explaining why we should keep her.
Judy: I like that. Let’s set her up again soon.
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GRAMMAR ESSENTIALS
Infinitives
An infinitive is a verb form in which the base form of a verb is
preceded by the word “to”.
A. Usage
Guidelines

Examples

Sentences

1. Certain verbs are
always paired with
an infinitive when
they are used with
another verb.

strive, afford,
decline, long, hurry,
fail

• I bet they didn’t strive to win
hard enough. (I bet they didn’t
strive winning hard enough.)

2. Some verbs can be
paired with an
infinitive or can be
followed by a noun
or pronoun before
an infinitive is used.

want, wish, prefer,
hate, need, expect

• The team wants to leave right
away.
• The team wants him to leave
right away.

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