Objectives
By the end of this lesson:
- By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to define the words lithe, obese, adherent, bliss, and pathetic, and correctly use them to describe sports, physical characteristics, and emotional reactions.
Vocabulary
Keywords
Word | IPA (American English) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
Lithe | /laɪð/ | lythe |
Obese | /oʊˈbis/ | oh-BEES |
Adherent | /ædˈhɪrənt/ | ad-HEER-unt |
Bliss | /blɪs/ | bliss |
Pathetic | /pəˈθɛtɪk/ | puh-THET-ik |
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Listening
Full text
In the Arena
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From a sociological perspective, organized sport can be understood as a structured arena in which societies rehearse broader questions of hierarchy, inclusion, and identity. Athletic spaces gather individuals from diverse economic and physical backgrounds, placing them into clearly defined roles that reflect social organization. The presence of both the lithe competitor, celebrated for agility and aesthetic movement, and the athlete whose build might clinically be described as obese, yet whose mass provides strategic value, complicates narrow cultural standards of bodily worth.
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Spectatorship further deepens this social function. The committed adherent does not merely observe performance; they participate symbolically in a collective narrative. Rituals, chants, and shared attire construct temporary communities bound by allegiance. Moments of triumph can generate communal Bliss, reinforcing group cohesion and shared meaning. However, when outcomes disappoint, public displays of frustration may appear excessive or even pathetic, revealing the emotional investment individuals attach to symbolic victories.
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In this sense, sport operates as a microcosm of social life. It stages cooperation and conflict within regulated boundaries, allowing individuals to experience belonging, rivalry, and status negotiation without destabilizing the broader social order. The field becomes less a site of competition alone and more a laboratory for examining collective behavior and cultural values.
Listening for gist
Words in context (Touch/Click)
The dancer was so lithe that she could bend her body into amazing shapes.
The doctor explained that being obese can lead to serious health problems.
- She is a strict adherent to the school rules and never arrives late.
- Eating ice cream on a hot summer day is pure bliss.
- The puppy looked wet, cold, and pathetic standing in the rain.
Match the definition
Match the synonym
Gap-fill
Complete the text (easy)
Complete the text (hard)
Test Yourself!
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