Useful Vocabulary

Common Sports

archery
badminton
cricket
Cycling
Archery
Badminton
Cricket
Cycling
darts
Football
golf
horse racing
Darts
Football (More Vocabulary)
Golf
Horse Racing
snooker
squash
ping pong
tennis
Snooker
Squash

Table
Tennis

Tennis

Contact Sports

boxing
cricket
rugby
wrestling
Boxing
Judo
Rugby
Wrestling

Water Sports

angling
canoeing
kayaking
Angling / Fishing
Canoeing
Kayaking
rowing sailing waterski
Rowing Sailing Water Skiing

Winter Sports

Curling
ice skating
skiing
Curling
Ice Skating
Skiing

Less Usual Sports

croquet
fencing
hockey
Croquet
Fencing
Hockey
lacrosse
polo
skeet
Lacrosse
Polo
Hunting / Skeet / Shooting

Build Up

How do you play / do some of these sports?

Badminton
A racquet sport played by either two players (singles) or two pairs (doubles). Played on a court divided by a net with racquets and a shuttlecock. You play a game of badminton.
Cricket
A teamgame, usually played outdoors, on a cricket pitch, with a bat, a cricket ball, and stumps, There are11 players on each team. You play a cricket match.
Darts

Darts is played by two players. Darts are thrown at a dart board. You play a game of darts or a darts match.

Football (Footy)

A team sport, usually played outdoors, on a football pitch, with a round football, a goal, with two teams of 11 players, and a goal keeper (goalie). You play a game of football or a football match. Americans insist on calling it soccer.

Golf
Usually played by individuals, golf is played on a golf course, using several types of golf clubs and a golf ball. You play a game of golf or a round of golf.
Rugby
A team sport, played outdoors, on a rugby pitch, with an oval rugby ball, and two teams of 15 players. You play a game of rugby or a rugby match.
Tennis
A racquet sport played by either two players (singles) or two pairs (doubles). Played on a court divided by a net with racquets and a tennis ball. You play a game of tennis or a tennis match.

Naturally Speaking

Making enquiries Making enquiries
Buying a ticket to a sporting event:
  • I`d like four tickets please.
    • Would you like front row seats?
  • That sounds great, but how much do they cost?
    • They`re £30 each.
  • Oh that's fine. I`d like to reserve four front-row seats for this Saturday`s match.
    • Ok, that`ll be £120.
  • Here you go.
    • Thank you. Here are your tickets.
Questions about sporting events
  • How much are the tickets?
  • Who`s playing today?
  • Who`s winning?
  • What`s the score?
  • How much time is left in the game?
  • Which half are we in?
  • Do you think this game will be a draw?
  • Do you think this team will go to the finals?
  • Do you think your team will be relegated / promoted this year? (Ref: Football)
  • What's your handicap? (Ref: Golf.)

Dialogue

Mr Smith is discussing the football with his wife.
Sport  - Conversation
Mr. Smith: I`ve been thinking about exchanging our football tickets. Instead of going to Friday's game, I think we should go on Saturday. Then, John and his friend Mark could come with us because they wouldn`t have school the next day. What do you think?
Mrs Smith : I think that`s a great idea. I didn`t really like the idea of keeping John out of school just to got to a football match.
Mr Smith: I know. So, shall we swap them?
Mrs Smith: Well, first, let me check with Mark`s parents to see if he`s free on Saturday.
Mr Smith: OK, go for it!
Mrs Smith: (Dials the phone)
Hello Mark. It`s Joan, Joan Smith, John`s mother. I was wondering are you free this Saturday? And if you are would you like to come to the match with us?
Mark:

Yes, I'm free and I'd love to, but I'll have to check with my parents.
(Pause)
Yes, they say it`s fine. I can go. Could you give me a lift though?

Mrs Smith: That`s great! John will be glad, and of course we can pick you up. How does 2pm sound?
Mark: Sounds great. I`ll look forward to it.
Mrs Smith: OK, we`ll see you on Saturday and John will see you at school tomorrow. 
Mark: .OK, thanks Mrs. Smith. I can`t wait!
Mrs Smith: OK Mark, we`ll see you then. Have a good evening, give my regards to your mum and dad.
(Hangs up the phone)
Mr Smith: So, is he coming?
Mrs Smith: Yes. Let`s go and change those Friday tickets.

Developed in Association with Harmani Educational Services

Games and Tests for this Vocabulary Unit

All these games and tests open in a new window.

Sport Crossword
Football Crossword
Olympics Crossword
Dictation and Spelling Test
Sport Quiz - Cricket
Reading Comprehension - Unusual Sports
Flashcards - for the most popular sports