hoc et illud

Ratanak’s asking himself, „Why is a ‚Marathon‘ called marathon?“ (past simple, A1)

Verfasst von

wolfgang kugler

in

and what do the Greeks have to do with it?

The Story of the Word “Marathon”

A long time ago, in ancient Greece, there was a big war between the Greeks and the Persians. The battle happened in a place called Marathon. The Greeks won the battle even though the Persian army was very large.

After the battle, a Greek soldier named Pheidippides had an important job. He needed to run from Marathon to Athens to tell the people the good news that the Greeks won. The distance between Marathon and Athens is about 42 kilometers, which is a very long way to run.

Pheidippides ran as fast as he could without stopping. When he reached Athens, he shouted, “We have won!” and then he became very tired and died. This story shows great courage and strength.

Because of this story, people started the marathon race. The marathon race is 42.195 kilometers long, which is the same distance Pheidippides ran. The first marathon race was held during the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens, Greece.

Today, the marathon is a famous running race all over the world. It reminds us to be strong, brave, and never give up.

____________________

Vocabulary:

  • ancient: very old, from a long time ago
  • the Greeks: people from Greece, a country in Europe
  • the Persians: people from Persia (now called Iran), an old country in Asia
  • a battle: a fight between two groups of soldiers
  • even though: used to say something is true, but something else happens too
  • an army: a group of soldiers who fight in wars
  • important: something that matters a lot
  • to need (neede) to run: to have to run because it is necessary
  • to win (won) a battle: to be the winner in a fight between soldiers
  • a distance: how far one place is from another
  • to reach (reached) : to get to a place
  • to shout (shouted) : to say something loudly
  • to be (was/were) tired: to feel very sleepy or without energy
  • to die (died): to stop living
  • courage: being brave when something is hard or scary
  • strength: power to do hard things or to be strong
  • a race: a competition to see who is fastest
  • a running race: a race where people run to win
  • to remind (reminded) somebody: to help someone remember something
  • to be (was/were) brave: to not be afraid
  • to never give (gave) up: to keep trying and not stop, even if it is hard

###################

Multiple choice test, one answer correct:

1. What does “ancient” mean?
a) Very old
b) Very fast
c) Very big

2. Who are “the Greeks”?
a) People from Egypt
b) People from Greece
c) People from Persia

3. Who are “the Persians”?
a) People from Persia (Iran)
b) People from Greece
c) People from Rome

4. What is a “battle”?
a) A type of food
b) A big party
c) A fight between soldiers

5. What does “even though” mean?
a) Because
b) But something else happens
c) Before

6. What is an “army”?
a) A group of animals
b) A group of soldiers
c) A group of teachers

7. What does “important” mean?
a) Something very small
b) Something that does not matter
c) Something that matters a lot

8. What does “to need to run” mean?
a) To want to sleep
b) To have to run
c) To like to jump

9. What does “to win a battle” mean?
a) To be the winner in a fight
b) To stop fighting
c) To lose the fight

10. What is a “distance”?
a) How far one place is from another
b) How big a house is
c) How old a person is

11. What does “to reach” mean?
a) To watch TV
b) To leave a place
c) To get to a place

12. What does “to shout” mean?
a) To whisper
b) To say something loudly
c) To sing quietly

13. What does “to be tired” mean?
a) To feel very happy
b) To feel very sleepy or without energy
c) To feel very hungry

14. What does “to die” mean?
a) To stop living
b) To run fast
c) To eat food

15. What is “courage”?
a) Being brave when something is hard
b) Being quiet
c) Being afraid

16. What is “strength”?
a) Power to sleep
b) Power to eat
c) Power to do hard things

17. What is a “race”?
a) A competition to see who is fastest
b) A dance
c) A game with balls

18. What is a “running race”?
a) A race where people swim
b) A race where people run
c) A race where people jump

19. What does “to remind somebody” mean?
a) To forget something
b) To tell a secret
c) To help someone remember something

20. What does “to be brave” mean?
a) To be quiet
b) To not be afraid
c) To be very scared

21. What does “to never give up” mean?
a) To keep trying and not stop
b) To stop trying
c) To run away

Answers:

1 a, 2 b, 3 a, 4 c, 5 b, 6 b, 7 c, 8 b, 9 a,
10 a, 11 c, 12 b, 13 b, 14 a, 15 a, 16 c,
17 a, 18 b, 19 c, 20 b, 21 a

##################

Gap Fill Exercise – one answer correct

  1. The __________ ran very fast to help the soldiers.
    a) army
    b) food
    c) teacher
  2. Even __________ it was raining, the runners continued the race.
    a) because
    b) though
    c) after
  3. The __________ was very old and from many years ago.
    a) young
    b) big
    c) ancient
  4. The runner was very __________ after the long race.
    a) tired
    b) happy
    c) loud
  5. The __________ shouted loudly to tell the others to run faster.
    a) singer
    b) soldier
    c) runner
  6. The Greeks fought the __________ in a big battle long ago.
    a) Persians
    b) Egyptians
    c) Romans
  7. To __________ a place means to get there.
    a) watch
    b) reach
    c) shout
  8. The runner showed a lot of __________ and did not stop running.
    a) sleep
    b) courage
    c) noise
  9. A marathon is a long __________ where people run.
    a) dance
    b) game
    c) race
  10. The army had to be very strong and have a lot of __________.
    a) time
    b) food
    c) strength
  11. The soldier died because he was very __________.
    a) brave
    b) tired
    c) old
  12. A __________ is a fight between two armies.
    a) battle
    b) song
    c) party
  13. To __________ somebody means to help them remember something.
    a) listen
    b) remind
    c) forget
  14. It is important to never __________ up when things are hard.
    a) eat
    b) stop
    c) give
  15. The __________ ran to win the race.
    a) dancer
    b) runner
    c) singer
  16. The __________ is a group of soldiers.
    a) family
    b) school
    c) army
  17. To be __________ means to not be afraid.
    a) tired
    b) brave
    c) quiet
  18. The distance of a marathon is very __________.
    a) long
    b) short
    c) small

____________________

Answers:
1 a, 2 b, 3 c, 4 a, 5 b, 6 a, 7 b,
8 b, 9 c, 10 c, 11 b, 12 a, 13 b,
14 c, 15 b, 16 c, 17 b, 18 a

__________________

Complete sentences

  1. The army ran very fast to help the soldiers.
  2. Even though it was raining, the runners continued the race.
  3. The ancient city was very old and from many years ago.
  4. The runner was very tired after the long race.
  5. The soldier shouted loudly to tell the others to run faster.
  6. The Greeks fought the Persians in a big battle long ago.
  7. To reach a place means to get there.
  8. The runner showed a lot of courage and did not stop running.
  9. A marathon is a long race where people run.
  10. The army had to be very strong and have a lot of strength.
  11. The soldier died because he was very tired.
  12. A battle is a fight between two armies.
  13. To remind somebody means to help them remember something.
  14. It is important to never give up when things are hard.
  15. The runner ran to win the race.
  16. The army is a group of soldiers.
  17. To be brave means to not be afraid.
  18. The distance of a marathon is very long.

###############

Word-definition matching exercise:

Words:

  1. ancient
  2. army
  3. battle
  4. brave
  5. courage
  6. fight
  7. give up
  8. long
  9. race
  10. reach
  11. remind
  12. runner
  13. shout
  14. strength

Definitions:

A. To stop trying or surrender
B. A group of soldiers
C. To get to a place
D. Very old from a long time ago
E. A competition where people run
F. To call out loudly
G. To help someone remember something
H. To take part in a physical fight
I. Not afraid, showing courage
J. The power to do something difficult
K. A fight between two groups or armies
L. The ability to be brave and face danger
M. A person who runs
N. Having a great distance from one end to another

_____________________

Answers:
1 D, 2 B, 3 K, 4 I, 5 L, 6 H, 7 A, 8 N, 9 E, 10 C, 11 G, 12 M, 13 F, 14 J

_____________________

ancient — Very old from a long time ago

army — A group of soldiers

battle — A fight between two groups or armies

brave — Not afraid, showing courage

courage — The ability to be brave and face danger

fight — To take part in a physical fight

give up — To stop trying or surrender

long — Having a great distance from one end to another

race — A competition where people run

reach — To get to a place

remind — To help someone remember something

runner — A person who runs

shout — To call out loudly

strength — The power to do something difficult

###################

True or false?

  1. The marathon started because a soldier ran to deliver an important message.
  2. The distance of a marathon is about 42 kilometers.
  3. The Greeks ran a marathon to celebrate their victory over the Romans.
  4. The runner who completed the marathon was very tired but showed courage.
  5. The Persians won the battle at Marathon.
  6. The word “marathon” comes from the name of a city in Greece.
  7. A marathon is a swimming competition.
  8. The runner died after completing the marathon.
  9. To be brave means to never give up, even when things are hard.
  10. The army in the story needed to run away to win the battle.
  11. The marathon race reminds people of strength and courage.
  12. The soldier shouted to warn his army to stop running.
  13. The ancient Greeks fought the Persians in the battle of Marathon.
  14. The runner had to reach the city to give an important message.
  15. The marathon is named after the distance the runner ran in the story.
    ____________________

    True: 1,2,4,6,8,9,11,13,14,15

    ##################

Fill in, words below:

  1. A long time ago, there was a big __________.
  2. The Greeks __________the Persians.
  3. The battle was near the __________ of Marathon.
  4. The Greeks __________ the battle.
  5. A __________ needed to run to Athens.
  6. He ran to tell the __________ about the win.
  7. The __________ was very long, about 42 kilometers.
  8. The soldier ran very fast and was very __________.
  9. When he reached Athens, he __________, “We won!”
  10. After the run, the soldier __________ very weak.
  11. The story shows __________ and strength.
  12. Today, people run marathons to __________this story.
    ________________________
    Fill in:
    tired – won – courage – battle – remember – people – shouted – fought – distance – city – soldier – felt
    ________________________

Correct version

  1. A long time ago, there was a big battle.
  2. The Greeks fought the Persians.
  3. The battle was near the city of Marathon.
  4. The Greeks won the battle.
  5. A soldier needed to run to Athens.
  6. He ran to tell the people about the win.
  7. The distance was very long, about 42 kilometers.
  8. The soldier ran very fast and was very tired.
  9. When he reached Athens, he shouted, “We won!”
  10. After the run, the soldier felt very weak.
  11. The story shows courage and strength.
  12. Today, people run marathons to remember this story.
    ###############

Yes, he/they did! or No, he/they didn’t?

  1. Did the Greeks fight the Persians?
  2. Did the soldier run to Athens?
  3. Did the soldier shout when he arrived?
  4. Did the runner feel very tired?
  5. Did the Persians win the battle?
  6. Did the soldier have to run a long way?
  7. Did the runner stop before reaching Athens?
  8. Did the soldier tell people about the win?
  9. Did the soldier run very fast?
  10. Did the soldier fly to Athens?
  11. Did the runner show courage?
  12. Did people remember the runner’s story?

_____________________-

Correct answers:

Did people remember the runner’s story?
Yes, they did.

Did the Greeks fight the Persians?
Yes, they did.

Did the soldier run to Athens?
Yes, he did.

Did the soldier shout when he arrived?
Yes, he did.

Did the runner feel very tired?
Yes, he did.

Did the Persians win the battle?
No, they didn’t.

Did the soldier have to run a long way?
Yes, he did.

Did the runner stop before reaching Athens?
No, he didn’t.

Did the soldier tell people about the win?
Yes, he did.

Did the soldier run very fast?
Yes, he did.

Did the soldier fly to Athens?
No, he didn’t.

Did the runner show courage?
Yes, he did.
#################

Fill in the correct form of the verb in past simple:

  1. The Greeks ________ (fight) the Persians.
  2. The battle ________ (happen) near Marathon.
  3. The soldier ________ (run) to Athens.
  4. He ________ (shout) when he arrived.
  5. The runner ________ (feel) very tired.
  6. The Persians ________ (lose) the battle.
  7. The people ________ (remember) the story today.
  8. The army ________ (march) to the battle.
  9. The soldier ________ (deliver) an important message.
  10. The Greeks ________ (win) the battle.
  11. The runner ________ (keep) running without stopping.
  12. The city ________ (wait) for the news.
  13. He ________ (need) courage and strength.
  14. The people ________ (cheer) for the soldier.
  15. The soldier ________ (travel) on foot to Athens.
  16. The runner ________ (show) bravery during the race.
  17. The messenger ________ (run) very fast.
  18. The runner ________ (reach) Athens after a long run.
  19. The army ________ (attack) near Marathon.
  20. The soldier ________ (tell) the people the good news.

_____________________

Correct version:

The soldier told the people the good news.

The Greeks fought the Persians.

The battle happened near Marathon.

The soldier ran to Athens.

He shouted when he arrived.

The runner felt very tired.

The Persians lost the battle.

The people remembered the story today.

The army marched to the battle.

The soldier delivered an important message.

The Greeks won the battle.

The runner kept running without stopping.

The city waited for the news.

He needed courage and strength.

The people cheered for the soldier.

The soldier travelled on foot to Athens.

The runner showed bravery during the race.

The messenger ran very fast.

The runner reached Athens after a long run.

The army attacked near Marathon.
##################

Interview with a historian on the battle of Marathon – fill in, words below:

soldier – tired – fought – give up – called – race – won – stop – tell – shouted

__________________________

Interviewer: Did the Greeks fight the Persians?
Historian: Yes, the Greeks __________ the Persians in a big battle.

Interviewer: Where did the battle happen?
Historian: The battle happened near a place __________ Marathon.

Interviewer: Did the Greeks win the battle?
Historian: Yes, the Greeks __________ the battle.

Interviewer: Who ran to Athens?
Historian: A __________ ran from Marathon to Athens.

Interviewer: Why did he run?
Historian: He needed to __________ the people the good news.

Interviewer: How did the soldier feel after running?
Historian: He felt very tired but he did not __________.

Interviewer: Did the soldier shout when he arrived?
Historian: Yes, he __________, “We won!”

Interviewer: Did the soldier live after the run?
Historian: No, the soldier became very __________ and died.

Interviewer: Why is the story important today?
Historian: It reminds us to be brave and never __________.

Interviewer: Do people remember this story now?
Historian: Yes, people remember it and it is why we have the marathon __________.

________________

Full version:

Interviewer: Did the Greeks fight the Persians?
Historian: Yes, the Greeks fought the Persians in a big battle.

Interviewer: Where did the battle happen?
Historian: The battle happened near a place called Marathon.

Interviewer: Did the Greeks win the battle?
Historian: Yes, the Greeks won the battle.

Interviewer: Who ran to Athens?
Historian: A soldier ran from Marathon to Athens.

Interviewer: Why did he run?
Historian: He needed to tell the people the good news.

Interviewer: How did the soldier feel after running?
Historian: He felt very tired but he did not stop.

Interviewer: Did the soldier shout when he arrived?
Historian: Yes, he shouted, “We won!”

Interviewer: Did the soldier live after the run?
Historian: No, the soldier became very tired and died.

Interviewer: Why is the story important today?
Historian: It reminds us to be brave and never give up.

Interviewer: Do people remember this story now?
Historian: Yes, people remember it and it is why we have the marathon race.

################

What is the past tense simple of these words:

  • to do _______________
  • to fight _______________
  • to happen _______________
  • to win _______________
  • to run _______________
  • to need _______________
  • to tell _______________
  • to feel _______________
  • to stop _______________
  • to shout _______________
  • to become _______________
  • to die _______________
  • to be _______________
  • to remind _______________
  • to give up _______________
  • to remember _______________
  • to have _______________

_________________________

Answers:

  • to do — did
  • to fight — fought
  • to happen — happened
  • to win — won
  • to run — ran
  • to need — needed
  • to tell — told
  • to feel — felt
  • to stop — stopped
  • to shout — shouted
  • to become — became
  • to die — died
  • to be — was / were
  • to remind — reminded
  • to give up — gave up
  • to remember — remembered
  • to have — had

######################

Form questions to which the word/s given is/are the answer:

1) The Greeks fought the Romans

a) The Greeks: Who _______________

b) fought: What _______________

c) the Romans: Who _______________

2) The soldiers fought near Marathon

a) The battle: Who _______________

b) fought: _______________

c) near Marathon: _______________

3) The soldier ran to Athens

a) The soldier: Who _______________

b) ran: What _______________

c) To Athens: Where _______________

4) He shouted ‚we won‘ when he arrived

a) He: Who _______________

b) shouted: What _______________

c) ‚we won‘: What _______________

d) when he arrived: When _______________

_________________________

Correct answers:

  1. The Greeks fought the Romans

a) Who fought the Romans?
b) What did the Greeks do?
c) Who did the Greeks fight?

  1. The soldiers fought near Marathon

a) Who fought near Marathon?
b) What did the soldiers do?
c) Where did the soldiers fight?

  1. The soldier ran to Athens

a) Who ran to Athens?
b) What did the soldier do?
c) Where did the soldier run?

  1. He shouted ‚we won‘ when he arrived

a) Who shouted ‚we won‘?
b) What did he do when he arrived?
c) What did he shout?
d) When did he shout ‚we won‘?

#################

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