Do you know what a banana skin is? - 16/17 ep.25
Do you know what a banana skin is? - 16/17 ep.25
In this week's Premier Skills English podcast, Rich and Jack talk about the latest news from the Premier League as Manchester Utd make it 16 matches unbeaten in the Premier League. The language focus this week is on words that we use to give examples e.g. 'for example', 'such as' and 'for instance'. We also explain the phrase 'banana skin' and talk about how it is used in football. We also have a new football phrase for you to guess and a Premier League prediction for you to make. Enjoy!
How much did you understand?
Vocabulary
In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. You can see two examples here:
Sutton Utd play non-league football in the fifth division where most players are amateurs.
Maybe it's a less obvious foul like diving or unsporting behaviour.
There were a few more tricky words in the podcast. Can you remember all of them? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words in context. This can really help with understanding.
Language - Words we use to give examples
If somebody doesn't understand what you mean or you need to give someone more information about something, it can be very helpful to give an example. Giving examples can help someone else understand what you are talking about better and can also help you explain what you mean more clearly. When we give examples we often use specific words, Jack and Rich used some of these words in the podcast:
The referee stops the game a lot, for example, when a player is offside or there is a foul.
'For example' is generally used a lot, but there are lots of other phrases that can be used to:
It would be embarrassing if a Premier League team, such as Arsenal, lost to a non-league team, such as Sutton Utd.
Time wasting works! For instance, in a match I saw recently, a player wasted three minutes, but the referee only played two minutes of injury time.
There are lots of types of fouls, like obstruction, a tackle from behind and tripping a player.
In the podcast, we looked at 'for example', 'for instance', 'like' and 'such as'. Take a look at the questions at the bottom of the page and answer the questions in the comments section. When you write your answers, use some of the phrases from the podcast.
Language - More phrases connected to giving examples
In the podcast, we looked at some of the words and phrases that have the basic 'for example' meaning, but there are lots more phrases that we can use that are connected to giving examples. Take a look at these two examples from the podcast:
Types of fouls include tripping, spitting, swearing and things like that.
The referee stops the game a lot, for example, when the ball goes out of play, for offside and so on.
'Things like that' and 'and so on' are used to show that the examples given are not the only possibilities; there are additional examples that could be mentioned. We can use other phrases to give examples in different ways:
- To compare with a previous example
- To say how often an example is used
- To say how good an example is
- To give a personal example
- To number an example
Now, take a look at the sentences below and try to match them to the bullet points (•) above:
- An example which I often use is.......
- There are many examples, such as......
- A well-known example is........
- A similar example is........
- By far the best illustration of this is......
Now, take a look at the questions at the bottom of the page and see if you can use some of these phrases in the comments section.
Transcript
A banana skin, Rich? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Rich: It’s the yellow skin... you need to peel it if you want to eat your banana!
Jack: Yes, I know that but how can we use it when we’re talking about football?
Rich: Ah well, you’ll have to do the podcast with me if you want the answer…..
Welcome
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich
Jack: and I’m Jack
Rich: and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast
Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.
Jack: What’s happening this week Rich?
Rich: In this week’s show, we’re going to talk about the latest in the Premier League and we’re going to help you with some language you can use when someone else doesn’t understand what you are talking about!
Jack: And we’ve got a new football phrase for you to work out and a football prediction for you to make.
Rich: That’s right. And remember, if you’re listening on Audioboom or iTunes you might also want to listen on the Premier Skills English website where you’ll find the transcript, language activities, quizzes and a discussion.
Jack: But, before all that, let’s take a look at this week’s Premier League headlines.
Headlines
Rich: The race for the Champions League is on.
Jack: Chelsea lead the Premier League by 8 points after being held to a draw by Burnley but the race for a top four place is much closer. Only four points separate Manchester City in second place and Manchester Utd, who are unbeaten in 16 Premier League matches, in sixth place.
Rich: City sign World’s best player.
Jack: Manchester City have signed Carli Lloyd from Houston Dash in the USA. Lloyd is the captain of the USA women’s team and has won gold medals at two Olympic Games and the World Cup when she scored a hat-trick in the final.
Rich: Premier League teams are up for the Cup.
Jack: This weekend sees the fifth round of the FA Cup. There are 8 matches and each one sees a Premier League team up against a team from a lower division. Will there be any shocks or will the bigger teams make it through to the next round?
Rich: Ah, yes, no Premier League action this weekend but some interesting matches to look forward to in the FA Cup.
Jack: Arsenal are away to Sutton Utd! They play non-league football - in the fifth division where most players are amateurs. They are over 100 places below Arsenal in English football and they play on a plastic pitch. It might be an uncomfortable afternoon for the Gunners!
Rich: It’s definitely a potential banana skin but I’m sure you will be in the next round.
Jack: Ha ha - nice phrase. I think I know what that means, but do you think you can explain it.
Rich: Well, if you think about a banana skin in a cartoon - it’s something that a cartoon character might step on and fall over and then everyone would laugh. Like in the Simpsons, it’s something that Homer would do.
Jack: Yes - falling on a banana skin is embarrassing.
Rich: If a professional Premier League team such as Arsenal loses a match against a team from a much lower division such as Sutton Utd, that will be embarrassing too. So you can say that the match is a potential banana skin.
Language/Topic Focus
Jack: In this week’s language focus, we’re going to take a look at some words and phrases that we can use to give examples. for example ‘for example’.
Rich: Sorry?
Jack: One of the phrases that we use to give examples is ‘for example’.
RIch: Ah yes, of course, where I live, in Spain, ‘for example’ is used a bit too much because it’s very similar in Spanish.
Jack: But there are lots of different phrases that you can use, such as ………..such as.
RIch: Very good. Let me think of some examples, for instance……...for instance.
Jack: OK, stop. Earlier you gave an example of an embarrassing situation. You said ‘like in the Simpsons’ to give an example of a cartoon.
Rich: Yes, I used the word ‘like’ to give an example.
Jack: And you also said,’If a professional Premier League team such as Arsenal loses a match against a team from a much lower division such as Sutton Utd.’
Rich: Yes, you can see that we can use ‘such as’ to give examples as well.
Jack: Ok, let's look at these types of phrases in more detail. I’ve got a quick game that I sometimes play in the classroom with my students. Shall we have a go?
Rich: OK, sounds good. I’m always happy to get more ideas for the classroom.
Jack: Right, we’re going to revise some football vocabulary and we’re going to use some of these phrases that we use to give examples. Are you ready?
Rich: I was born ready, Jack!
Jack: I’m going to describe a football word but i can’t say what it is. You’ve got to guess it.
Rich: Let’s go.
Jack: This word is an action you might see on the pitch.
Rich: Right, well. There are lots of actions such as kick, shoot, pass, head……..
Jack: Yes, ok, errr the referee stops the game when this happens.
Rich: The referee stops the game. Well, he stops it a lot, for example, if the ball goes out of play or when a player is offside and so on.
Jack: No, this is when a player does something wrong.
Rich: Ah OK, it’s a foul...
Jack: Uhuh..
Rich: A type of foul, but there are many types of fouls…. like obstruction, tripping a player or a tackle from behind and things like that.
Jack: You’re right it’s a type of foul but none of those.
Rich: Maybe it’s a less obvious foul…. for instance diving or unsporting behaviour.
Jack: Yes, you’re right, it is less obvious but not one of those. Errm, you might see it for instance at the end of a match when a team is winning.
Rich: Ahhhh! A goalkeeper?
JAck: Yes.
Rich: It’s time wasting!
Jack: You’re right. I hate it but it works you know. For instance, in a match I saw the other week a player must have been lying on the pitch for three minutes, but then there were only two minutes of injury time.
Rich: Right, in this section you probably heard lots of words that can be used to give examples. These included: such as, for instance, like, and for example.
Jack: We also included phrases like so on and things like that which are used to say there are more examples, too.
Rich: Take a look at the activities on the website to practise this area of language more and look at the questions at the bottom of the page, then write a comment or two in the comments section and try to use some of these words
Player of the Week
Jack: There were some great performances in the Premier League last week.
Rich: Yes, Manolo Gabbiadini scored twice for Southampton against Sunderland. That’s three goals in two matches for the Italian since joining the Saints.
Jack: Sadio Mane is back from the Africa Cup of Nations and looked good, too. He scored twice in two minutes for Liverpool against Spurs.
Rich: But, our Player of the Week, this week is Manchester Utd’s Anthony Martial. The United striker scored and provided an assist in their 2-0 win against Watford.
Jack: It was a good performance. You can read more about Anthony Martial in our article on the homepage. There’s also a link on the side of this page. Have a read and have a go at the football English quiz we’ve got on the page.
Can you work out this week’s football phrase?
Rich: Have you got a football phrase for us this week?
Jack: Yes, I have, but first, last week’s football phrase. The phrase was ‘to stay up’. It means to remain in the division and not get relegated. Teams such as Sunderland, Hull and Leicester are fighting to stay up this season.
Rich: Well done to Kwesimanifest from Ghana, Alex from Ukraine, and Shobonenok from Russia. You all got the correct answer.
Jack: And don’t forget to mention Liubomyr from Ukraine, too.
Rich: No, of course not, I forgot to mention him last week. Well done, Liubomyr! You got the right answer this week and last week.
Jack: The phrase this time is ***** ******. The phrase is used to describe a small team from a lower division that beats a team from a higher division. This weekend Sutton Utd are playing Arsenal in the FA Cup and are hoping to be ***** *******.
Rich: The phrase comes from the children’s story, Jack and the Beanstalk I think. Jack is the ***** ******!
Premier League Prediction
Rich: Last week’s prediction was Liverpool - Spurs. It finished 2-1 to Liverpool. I got the right result but not the right score. Jack and our listeners thought Tottenham would win so no points for anybody else.
Jack: That gives you a one point advantage in our prediction league, Rich. What’s your prediction this week?
Rich: No Premier League matches this week so I thought we’d look at one of the potential FA Cup shocks.
Jack: It won’t be Arsenal!
Rich: No, I’m not choosing Arsenal’s match. The Premier League Champions, Leicester City, are away to Millwall who play in League One which is two divisions lower. This is a massive banana skin for Leicester and I think it will be the biggest surprise this weekend. Final score: Millwall 1-0 Leicester CIty.
Jack: Leicester’s form in the cup has been much better than the Premier League. I think Leicester will win 1-0.
Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for this week.
Jack: Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below. And remember to make your match prediction in the vote.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football!
Quiz
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Form
Premier League Prediction - FA Cup - Millwall v Leicester City
Last week's featured match was a 2-0 win for Liverpool against Tottenham. Rich predicted a 2-1 win for the Reds, but Jack and our listeners thought that Spurs would win. That point takes Rich to the top of the Prediction League with 16 points. Remember, it's one point for the correct result and two additional points for the correct score. The big match this week is in the FA Cup - League One Millwall take on Leicester City, the Premier League Champions. Can you predict the right score?
Gameweek 25 | Total Points | Millwall v Leicester | |
Rich | 1 | 16 | 1-0 |
Podcast Listeners | 0 | 15 | ? |
Jack | 0 | 11 | 0-1 |
Make your prediction now!
What do you think?
In this week’s podcast, Jack and Rich talked the FA Cup and words that we can use when giving examples.
-
What's the biggest shock you can remember in a cup competition? Can you give an example?
-
Do small teams beat big teams in your country? Do you think this is a good thing?
-
Is the FA Cup an important competition for Premier League teams? Why/why not?
Try to use some of the phrases we used in the podcast to give examples when answering your questions.
Remember to write your guess at this week's football phrase and the questions above in the comments section below.
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Comments
21/01/2021
points
1- Incredible! Shock! This week a much lower- division team has trashed R.Madrid in “Copa Del Rey-Spain”. It’s like a falling on a banana skin-:) Most self-confidence causes disappointment.
2-Rarely it happens. Not so common. I think it’s surprise. It also give a message to the big teams to pull their socks up.
3- Some managers form team from substitutes player . It’s might be an approach that they don’t give importance to FA Cup. Maybe it’s chance for her/him to test substitutes of team.
GIVING EXAMPLES:
1-An example which I often use is.----- To say how often an example is used
2-There are many examples, such as---------- To number an example
3-A well-known example is.---- To say how good an example is
4-A similar example is.----- To compare with a previous example
5-By far the best illustration of this is-- To give a personal example
PHRASES
• I like books about civilization history, philosophy,religion and so on.
• “Regional Amateurs League- Turkey ” correspond to “Non-league - U.K”.
• Perfect official has some features being well-organized , working hard things like that.
P.S.
• I also hate time wasting! It’s impolite and unsporting behaviour. We call “to try to gain time” for this kind of events here but meaning is same as "time wasting" . In my opinion, if it happens more than one time player would be sent off in this case.
• A young student inventor has achieved to make “packaging paper” from banana skin in laboratory here.
21/01/2021 18:34
Tottenham Hotspur
5560
1- Incredible! Shock! This week a much lower- division team has trashed R.Madrid in “Copa Del Rey-Spain”. It’s like a falling on a banana skin-:) Most self-confidence causes disappointment.
2-Rarely it happens. Not so common. I think it’s surprise. It also give a message to the big teams to pull their socks up.
3- Some managers form team from substitutes player . It’s might be an approach that they don’t give importance to FA Cup. Maybe it’s chance for her/him to test substitutes of team.
GIVING EXAMPLES:
1-An example which I often use is.----- To say how often an example is used
2-There are many examples, such as---------- To number an example
3-A well-known example is.---- To say how good an example is
4-A similar example is.----- To compare with a previous example
5-By far the best illustration of this is-- To give a personal example
PHRASES
• I like books about civilization history, philosophy,religion and so on.
• “Regional Amateurs League- Turkey ” correspond to “Non-league - U.K”.
• Perfect official has some features being well-organized , working hard things like that.
P.S.
• I also hate time wasting! It’s impolite and unsporting behaviour. We call “to try to gain time” for this kind of events here but meaning is same as "time wasting" . In my opinion, if it happens more than one time player would be sent off in this case.
• A young student inventor has achieved to make “packaging paper” from banana skin in laboratory here.
16/05/2020
points
This week's football phrase is ( Giant Killers )
16/05/2020 09:39
Manchester United
6539
This week's football phrase is ( Giant Killers )
16/05/2020
points
FA Cup is a historical competition and it's so important too
I think FA Cup and the Premier League complete each other
16/05/2020 09:38
Manchester United
6539
FA Cup is a historical competition and it's so important too
I think FA Cup and the Premier League complete each other
16/05/2020
points
Small teams sometimes beat big teams here and that's why football is an exciting game you cannot predict the winner always
It's always good to be unpredictable
16/05/2020 09:37
Manchester United
6539
Small teams sometimes beat big teams here and that's why football is an exciting game you cannot predict the winner always
It's always good to be unpredictable
16/05/2020
points
It was when Manchester United lost from MK Dons 4-0
I can't believe it till now
16/05/2020 09:35
Manchester United
6539
It was when Manchester United lost from MK Dons 4-0
I can't believe it till now
25/02/2017
points
The phrase is giant killers.
25/02/2017 08:20
Liverpool
3705
The phrase is giant killers.
25/02/2017
points
Yes it is,because some teams that are not in the top of the table in the league may win it and go to the Europe league.
25/02/2017 08:19
Liverpool
3705
Yes it is,because some teams that are not in the top of the table in the league may win it and go to the Europe league.
25/02/2017
points
Yes they do,yes i like to see the underdogs beating the favourites.
25/02/2017 08:17
Liverpool
3705
Yes they do,yes i like to see the underdogs beating the favourites.
25/02/2017
points
The biggest shock was when Wigan defeated Man city in the fa cup final 1-0 after scoring a last minute goal.
25/02/2017 08:16
Liverpool
3705
The biggest shock was when Wigan defeated Man city in the fa cup final 1-0 after scoring a last minute goal.
22/02/2017
points
Great job with your precise prediction, Rich. Congrats !
22/02/2017 09:25
Liverpool
6578
Great job with your precise prediction, Rich. Congrats !
22/02/2017
points
Thanks, Alex! I don't get it right that often!
22/02/2017 14:34
Liverpool
594
Thanks, Alex! I don't get it right that often!
21/02/2017
points
1. The best example I always give is El biar near Algiers beating Reims in French cup during the fifties
2. The cup attraction is seeing small clubs beating great ones.
3. FA cup is sometimes embarassing for Premier League teams of course but winning in Wembley the final is fantastic and historical.
Football phrase . Underdog
21/02/2017 18:03
Manchester City
3988
1. The best example I always give is El biar near Algiers beating Reims in French cup during the fifties
2. The cup attraction is seeing small clubs beating great ones.
3. FA cup is sometimes embarassing for Premier League teams of course but winning in Wembley the final is fantastic and historical.
Football phrase . Underdog
22/02/2017
points
Algerian teams used to play in the French Cup?
22/02/2017 08:34
Liverpool
594
Algerian teams used to play in the French Cup?
21/02/2017
points
The FA cup is important for the premier league teams because it offeres them the opportunities of testing their teams against a possibly lower division team to be able to identify a weakness or strenght so they can work on them.
21/02/2017 17:45
Manchester United
4779
The FA cup is important for the premier league teams because it offeres them the opportunities of testing their teams against a possibly lower division team to be able to identify a weakness or strenght so they can work on them.
21/02/2017
points
Quite recently small teams are able to beat the traditionally known big clubs which wasn't a situation that pertained previously.
21/02/2017 17:43
Manchester United
4779
Quite recently small teams are able to beat the traditionally known big clubs which wasn't a situation that pertained previously.
21/02/2017
points
When senegal beat france in korea-japan 2002 it was the biggest shock in that cup competition.
21/02/2017 17:41
Manchester United
4779
When senegal beat france in korea-japan 2002 it was the biggest shock in that cup competition.
21/02/2017
points
This week's phrase is ***** *******
21/02/2017 17:38
Manchester United
4779
This week's phrase is ***** *******
20/02/2017
points
Ohh, please, correct my comment. I forgot to ask for it in the previous comment.
20/02/2017 13:39
Manchester City
989
Ohh, please, correct my comment. I forgot to ask for it in the previous comment.
20/02/2017
points
1. It's not easy to remember that because I've never kept watch over any of the English cups as much as over the Premier League. However, I was extremely shocked when Wigan Athletic beat Manchester City in the FA cop final in 2013. I surmised that something wrong should happen when nobody opened the scoring even when it was only 10 or 5 minutes left...and. unfortunately, I wasn't mistaken. That last-gasp goal grieved me a lot because it was obvious that citizens had no time to equalize. The fairytale which had happened during the against QPR, didn't occur again.
2. It's common in when the teams from the second division beat the teams from the first one in Russia. For instance, Dinamo Moscow beat FC Rostov (the club which won against Bayern Munich at home), Yenisey beat CSKA Moscow (the winner was scored by the player who was loaned from CSKA), Tosno beat Arsenal (from Tula, don't be surprised) and my favourite team, Spartak Moscow was beaten away by SKA from Khabarovsk, which is situated near the Chinese border.
3. I've already written several podcasts before that it's more important to win Premier League than any of the domestic cups. The first one gives more money, the place in the Champions League.
The football phrase is "***** ******".
20/02/2017 13:38
Manchester City
989
1. It's not easy to remember that because I've never kept watch over any of the English cups as much as over the Premier League. However, I was extremely shocked when Wigan Athletic beat Manchester City in the FA cop final in 2013. I surmised that something wrong should happen when nobody opened the scoring even when it was only 10 or 5 minutes left...and. unfortunately, I wasn't mistaken. That last-gasp goal grieved me a lot because it was obvious that citizens had no time to equalize. The fairytale which had happened during the against QPR, didn't occur again.
2. It's common in when the teams from the second division beat the teams from the first one in Russia. For instance, Dinamo Moscow beat FC Rostov (the club which won against Bayern Munich at home), Yenisey beat CSKA Moscow (the winner was scored by the player who was loaned from CSKA), Tosno beat Arsenal (from Tula, don't be surprised) and my favourite team, Spartak Moscow was beaten away by SKA from Khabarovsk, which is situated near the Chinese border.
3. I've already written several podcasts before that it's more important to win Premier League than any of the domestic cups. The first one gives more money, the place in the Champions League.
The football phrase is "***** ******".
22/02/2017
points
Hi Shobonenok
I've made some corrections below. I hope you find them useful.
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
22/02/2017 08:31
Liverpool
594
Hi Shobonenok
I've made some corrections below. I hope you find them useful.
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
22/02/2017
points
Hi Rich
Thanks for your corrections. Articles usage is not my cup of tea :)
It is a pity that I can't upload any pictures here because I was in Tula (the town where the Arsenal's stadium is situated) and have some photos from it as well as a scarf and photos from the stadium. Tula has been famous for the arms production since the end of the Middle Ages. This town was situated on the way to Moscow, so all the southern conquerors had to capture it in order to make their way to the capital of Russia. However, Tula had never been conquered. The Arsenal's supporters are called "Gunners", "Red-yellows" or "gingerbreads" (due to production of them for hundreds of years).
22/02/2017 14:34
Manchester City
989
Hi Rich
Thanks for your corrections. Articles usage is not my cup of tea :)
It is a pity that I can't upload any pictures here because I was in Tula (the town where the Arsenal's stadium is situated) and have some photos from it as well as a scarf and photos from the stadium. Tula has been famous for the arms production since the end of the Middle Ages. This town was situated on the way to Moscow, so all the southern conquerors had to capture it in order to make their way to the capital of Russia. However, Tula had never been conquered. The Arsenal's supporters are called "Gunners", "Red-yellows" or "gingerbreads" (due to production of them for hundreds of years).
18/02/2017
points
I think that the phrase is the '***** ******'
18/02/2017 21:03
Watford
4417
I think that the phrase is the '***** ******'
18/02/2017
points
I remember Millwall playing the FA final against Man.Utd. with Dennis Wise as a player manager. They were big reveal back in 2004. though they lost that match easily. It looks like this is their season also for they had already eliminated 3PL teams, including official champions! It would be nice if they drew Lincoln, then pack their bags and start the road to Wembley. Arsenal are in a terrible shape but on my opinion it will be a piece of cake against non league team - Sutton.
18/02/2017 17:35
Arsenal
3557
I remember Millwall playing the FA final against Man.Utd. with Dennis Wise as a player manager. They were big reveal back in 2004. though they lost that match easily. It looks like this is their season also for they had already eliminated 3PL teams, including official champions! It would be nice if they drew Lincoln, then pack their bags and start the road to Wembley. Arsenal are in a terrible shape but on my opinion it will be a piece of cake against non league team - Sutton.