Marco: This year, I joined the soccer team at my high school.

Being on a team is Marco: This year, I joined the soccer team at my high school. Being on a team is
so much fun. The other players are great. I’ve made a lot of new friends already. so much fun. The other players are great. I’ve made a lot of new friends already.
We’re like a big family. I’m not a very good player yet, but I’m getting better. I like We’re like a big family. I’m not a very good player yet, but I’m getting better. I like
to watch the older players because I can learn from them. They help me a lot. Our to watch the older players because I can learn from them. They help me a lot. Our
______, Mr. Wells, teaches us a lot of new skills. We practice every day after ______, Mr. Wells, teaches us a lot of new skills. We practice every day after
school for two hours. Improving my skills makes me feel good about myself. school for two hours. Improving my skills makes me feel good about myself.

Eric: In Canada, where I’m from, ice hockey is the most popular sport. Some of Eric: In Canada, where I’m from, ice hockey is the most popular sport. Some of
the world’s best hockey players came from Canada, like Wayne Gretzky and the world’s best hockey players came from Canada, like Wayne Gretzky and
Gordie Howe. That makes me feel proud of my country. I like hockey because it’s Gordie Howe. That makes me feel proud of my country. I like hockey because it’s
a fast, ______ game. I love seeing the players fly down the ice. Everyone in my a fast, ______ game. I love seeing the players fly down the ice. Everyone in my
family likes the Jets. That’s the hockey team from my hometown. When they play, family likes the Jets. That’s the hockey team from my hometown. When they play,
my brother, my father, and I enjoy watching the games on TV. Hockey is special to my brother, my father, and I enjoy watching the games on TV. Hockey is special to
me because it brings my family together and makes us closer. me because it brings my family together and makes us closer.

Takumi: These days, baseball and soccer are the most popular sports in Japan, Takumi: These days, baseball and soccer are the most popular sports in Japan,
but we have many ______ sports, too. For example, judo and karate are famous but we have many ______ sports, too. For example, judo and karate are famous
sports that came from Japan. Learning these sports takes a long time, and players sports that came from Japan. Learning these sports takes a long time, and players
practice many hours and work very hard. They must learn how to fight and practice many hours and work very hard. They must learn how to fight and
______themselves from danger. These kinds of sports improve health and help ______themselves from danger. These kinds of sports improve health and help
players learn to concentrate and be ______. I’m proud of these traditional sports. players learn to concentrate and be ______. I’m proud of these traditional sports.
They are an important part of Japan’s history and culture. They are an important part of Japan’s history and culture.

Alex: I can’t imagine my life without sports. Staying healthy is important to me. I Alex: I can’t imagine my life without sports. Staying healthy is important to me. I
don’t play on any sports teams. I prefer exercising by myself. I do some kind of don’t play on any sports teams. I prefer exercising by myself. I do some kind of
exercise every day. Sometimes I go swimming or running, but I enjoy cycling the exercise every day. Sometimes I go swimming or running, but I enjoy cycling the
most. When I go out for a ride on my bike, I usually take quiet roads without any most. When I go out for a ride on my bike, I usually take quiet roads without any
cars. When I’m all alone, and it’s quiet except for the sound of the wind, I can cars. When I’m all alone, and it’s quiet except for the sound of the wind, I can
______ from the rest of the world. Riding my bike gives me a way to ______ ______ from the rest of the world. Riding my bike gives me a way to ______
about my problems. about my problems.