This activity will help you to practise your listening skills and add some new English words to your vocabulary for talking about sporting events.

Click on the play button in the centre of the screen to listen. You can pause the recording, or rewind it and listen again as many times as you need to.

When you think you know the answers, try the quiz.

 

1. True or false: The Great North Run is the biggest marathon in the world
   1.   true
   2.   false
   3.   The video doesn't say
2. How many bottles of water are handed out during the race?
   1.   fifty-five thousand
   2.   two hundred thousand
   3.   a quarter of a million
   4.   The video doesn't say
3. How long has the truck driver been delivering water for the marathon?
   1.   two years
   2.   three years
   3.   four years
   4.   The video doesn't say
4. How many pallets can be loaded onto the trucks?
   1.   twenty six
   2.   fifty five
   3.   ten thousand
   4.   The video doesn't say
5. Which company delivers the water for the marathon?
   1.   DHL
   2.   TNT
   3.   BUPA
   4.   The video doesn't say
6. Whereabouts in the UK is Newcastle?
   1.   In the North East of England
   2.   In The North West of England
   3.   The video doesn't say
7. Which UK city does the general manager of the depot come from?
   1.   Durham
   2.   Newcastle
   3.   Southampton
   4.   The video doesn't say

Which nickname for New York was voted the best nickname for an American City?

1.   The Big Apple
2.   The Empire State
3.   The City That Never Sleeps

Why do people give cities nicknames?

1.   It's a good way to attract tourists
2.   The answer isn't given
3.   to establish community identities, spread pride, and build unity