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Gangs

Gangs

In this issue, Coach Orlando tells Lucas a story about Bryan, who joined a local gang and learned a painful lesson. 
 
Activity 1: To help your English, it's important to think about a story as you read it. In this activity, try to predict what is going to happen next. The answers are not important but it is important that you think about the story.
Can you predict what will happen in this story?
 

In this episode, Coach Orlando tells Lucas how his friend, Bryan, started to change when he met the gang. Have a look at these two sentences:

"Bryan started skipping school." 

 "Bryan started hanging out with other friends." 

When one verb is followed by another, the second verb can either be an infinitive or, like in the examples above, an -ing form. It is possible to change the sentences above without changing the meaning:

"Bryan started to skip school." 

 "Bryan started to hang out with other friends." 

But, with other verbs, it is often only possible to use one type of verb or changing the verb type also changes the meaning. Have a go at this activity to learn more:

Activity 2: Do you know when to use the infinitive or the -ing form? Have a go at this activity and see how much you understand.
Using two verbs together can sometimes be difficult.

 
During the story, there was some difficult vocabulary. If there were some words you didn't understand, have a go at this activity. Afterwards, remember to record your vocabulary in your notebook, alternatively, there are some great apps you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Here are a couple of suggestions:
  • Evernote is a fantastic tool for storing and categorising vocabulary.
  • Anki is another great tool - you can use it to create flash cards and then test yourself.

Activity 3: There were a few difficult words in the comic. In this activity, match the definitions to the words you read in the comic.
Did you understand all the vocabulary?

Quiz

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What do you think?

Do you think Bryan made the right decision to leave the gang? Why/why not?
Why do you think young people sometimes join gangs?
Are there lots of things to do in your neighbourhood? How can sport help young people in your community?
Tell us your answers in the comments section below.

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Comments

KareemZain
02/08/2023
EG
383
points

1. Yes, I think so because it's bad to be a member of a bad gang.
2. Because some of the young people look for easy money.
3. Sport can aware young people to stay away from gangs and drugdealers.


KareemZain
02/08/2023 19:21
Egypt
Manchester City
383

1. Yes, I think so because it's bad to be a member of a bad gang.
2. Because some of the young people look for easy money.
3. Sport can aware young people to stay away from gangs and drugdealers.

hsn's picture
hsn
14/06/2022
TR
5560
points

What do you think?
• Young people join gangs to prove themselves or they are attracted of expensive things such as car, watch etc.
Phrase
• It would be painful learning by living.
• Newly celebrity might be attracted to nightlife and addicted to bad habits.
• Skipping school and hanging out with bad companions are basic features of lazy and problematic students.


hsn's picture
hsn
14/06/2022 17:17
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

What do you think?
• Young people join gangs to prove themselves or they are attracted of expensive things such as car, watch etc.
Phrase
• It would be painful learning by living.
• Newly celebrity might be attracted to nightlife and addicted to bad habits.
• Skipping school and hanging out with bad companions are basic features of lazy and problematic students.

Michaelsun
26/03/2022
CN
738
points

Bryan made a right decision to leave the gang.


Michaelsun
26/03/2022 04:02
China
Manchester United
738

Bryan made a right decision to leave the gang.

BooYeah
05/02/2024
FO
1
points

man utd sucks


BooYeah
05/02/2024 10:59
Faroe Islands
Liverpool
1

man utd sucks

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
03/03/2021
BR
1512
points

I think he did. He'd probably be at prison or worse if he still joined that gang. I think because they might have the possibility to earn some fast money and power that they were not able ever since. In my community it's common to see young people practicing sports like bicycling, football, handbal and another small games with friends and I think that's one of the best ways to keep a boy/girl far from drugs or any kind of trouble


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
03/03/2021 17:43
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

I think he did. He'd probably be at prison or worse if he still joined that gang. I think because they might have the possibility to earn some fast money and power that they were not able ever since. In my community it's common to see young people practicing sports like bicycling, football, handbal and another small games with friends and I think that's one of the best ways to keep a boy/girl far from drugs or any kind of trouble

King behang's picture
King behang
15/07/2020
CM
9
points

Yes, I do think that He made the right decision to leave the gang, Because He could have been arrested or destroyed his future.
Sometimes young people join gangs just to have the power or just to impress beautiful girls.
There are lots of things to do in my neighborhood, sport can help young people in my community by helping them keeping a healthy body, and by helping them not to destroy their future with gangs


King behang's picture
King behang
15/07/2020 07:48
Cameroon
Manchester City
9

Yes, I do think that He made the right decision to leave the gang, Because He could have been arrested or destroyed his future.
Sometimes young people join gangs just to have the power or just to impress beautiful girls.
There are lots of things to do in my neighborhood, sport can help young people in my community by helping them keeping a healthy body, and by helping them not to destroy their future with gangs

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
05/07/2020
TR
6539
points

Definitely the right decision to avoid being in troubles forever.
Because young people like to have lots of money by doing little work.
Yes we help the local community in lots of works.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
05/07/2020 22:56
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Definitely the right decision to avoid being in troubles forever.
Because young people like to have lots of money by doing little work.
Yes we help the local community in lots of works.

Izabela
17/06/2020
BR
1505
points

Very good comic.


Izabela
17/06/2020 20:11
Brazil
Newcastle United
1505

Very good comic.

joto
15/06/2016
AT
271
points

Yes he did , because it's illegal and would distort him and he would lost his future .
Poverty , uneducation , divorced parents .


joto
15/06/2016 08:52
Austria
Stoke City
271

Yes he did , because it's illegal and would distort him and he would lost his future .
Poverty , uneducation , divorced parents .

ZoeyRedbird's picture
ZoeyRedbird
14/03/2016
RU
369
points

Bryan made the right decision because when he left the gang everything were better, he was not in trouble anymore. Sport can help to everyone, sport give self control, health, effort for more and more achievements.


ZoeyRedbird's picture
ZoeyRedbird
14/03/2016 13:57
Russia
Manchester United
369

Bryan made the right decision because when he left the gang everything were better, he was not in trouble anymore. Sport can help to everyone, sport give self control, health, effort for more and more achievements.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
02/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Absolutely right.
Sometimes they can want to show themselves


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
02/03/2016 03:51
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Absolutely right.
Sometimes they can want to show themselves

cisilce
18/01/2016
US
358
points

Of course Bryan made the right decision to leave the gang.Because become a gang member doesn't give him anything.Young people might feel that they don't receive enough support or attention at home. They may be trying to escape a negative home life.


cisilce
18/01/2016 18:48
United States
Arsenal
358

Of course Bryan made the right decision to leave the gang.Because become a gang member doesn't give him anything.Young people might feel that they don't receive enough support or attention at home. They may be trying to escape a negative home life.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
29/12/2015
ME
3557
points

I will agree with Mugemanyi. One of the biggest reasons why young people join gangs is that they think they can become rich within short period of time. But it has its prize like everything else..


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
29/12/2015 16:31
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I will agree with Mugemanyi. One of the biggest reasons why young people join gangs is that they think they can become rich within short period of time. But it has its prize like everything else..

nyinyi's picture
nyinyi
29/11/2015
MM
257
points

Yes. It was good for him. If he staying in that gang, he will be a bad boy. I think some people join the gang as they have some troubles. There are not lots of things to do. Sport can help to improve friendship and health for young people.


nyinyi's picture
nyinyi
29/11/2015 15:44
Myanmar
Manchester United
257

Yes. It was good for him. If he staying in that gang, he will be a bad boy. I think some people join the gang as they have some troubles. There are not lots of things to do. Sport can help to improve friendship and health for young people.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
23/11/2015
RW
2320
points

Young people join gangs because they think it's easy to be rich.


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
23/11/2015 08:06
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Young people join gangs because they think it's easy to be rich.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
21/11/2015
ME
3557
points

I agree with Aleksandr. Sport complex is the best thing if we want to create a real sportsmen. Children need a stepping stone and after they begin with trainings and healthy, sporty lifestyle the half of work is already done.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
21/11/2015 13:56
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I agree with Aleksandr. Sport complex is the best thing if we want to create a real sportsmen. Children need a stepping stone and after they begin with trainings and healthy, sporty lifestyle the half of work is already done.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
20/11/2015
ME
3557
points

Bryan made right decision on time. He realised that he could be involved in big problems so he left the gang. Sport is always the best solution, it will keep you away from bad people and it might be your way to success, to become a star and live a descent life, to secure better life to your family and help the friends in hard times.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
20/11/2015 15:34
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Bryan made right decision on time. He realised that he could be involved in big problems so he left the gang. Sport is always the best solution, it will keep you away from bad people and it might be your way to success, to become a star and live a descent life, to secure better life to your family and help the friends in hard times.

nikosonris
20/11/2015
UA
2453
points

And some typos to mention, if you don't mind: Question 2 - 'tehy' instead of 'they'; Question 9 - 'playerd' instead of 'played'; What happens next - coach 'Ipul' is mentioned instead of Orlando (different story); Gerund or Infinitive - the verb 'play' is not in the list; Match up - the letter 'a' is missing in the indefinite article 'n organized group'. In fact, I wanted to know whether we could also write the 'organised' with the letter 's'? P.S. If you see any typos or mistakes in my comments, please do tell me. It will help improve my writing skills. Thanks!


nikosonris
20/11/2015 08:21
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

And some typos to mention, if you don't mind: Question 2 - 'tehy' instead of 'they'; Question 9 - 'playerd' instead of 'played'; What happens next - coach 'Ipul' is mentioned instead of Orlando (different story); Gerund or Infinitive - the verb 'play' is not in the list; Match up - the letter 'a' is missing in the indefinite article 'n organized group'. In fact, I wanted to know whether we could also write the 'organised' with the letter 's'? P.S. If you see any typos or mistakes in my comments, please do tell me. It will help improve my writing skills. Thanks!

admin's picture
admin
20/11/2015
GB
560
points

Hi Nikosonris - thanks for pointing these out. I think we need to try a bit harder to check our own work! As to the verb organise/organize; both are fine. The z spelling is preferred in American/Canadian English, but it's becoming quite common in British and other varieties of English, too. This is probably because American websites and word processors don't like the 's' English spelling. I've changed it to the preferred British English version. Thanks again. Jack


admin's picture
admin
20/11/2015 12:56
United Kingdom
Arsenal
560

Hi Nikosonris - thanks for pointing these out. I think we need to try a bit harder to check our own work! As to the verb organise/organize; both are fine. The z spelling is preferred in American/Canadian English, but it's becoming quite common in British and other varieties of English, too. This is probably because American websites and word processors don't like the 's' English spelling. I've changed it to the preferred British English version. Thanks again. Jack

nikosonris
20/11/2015
UA
2453
points

Thank you Jack for your explanation. I also prefer the British English version)


nikosonris
20/11/2015 13:30
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

Thank you Jack for your explanation. I also prefer the British English version)

nikosonris
20/11/2015
UA
2453
points

We have some sport facilities in my neighbourhood where you can play and practice football & basketball free of charge.


nikosonris
20/11/2015 08:12
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

We have some sport facilities in my neighbourhood where you can play and practice football & basketball free of charge.

nikosonris
20/11/2015
UA
2453
points

He did the right thing. And it wasn't his fault that he joined the gang. He just fell under bad influence of local gangsters (like Aleksandr said) who perfectly knew how to recruit (bribe) a new member. Usually young people join the gangs because they want to show off in front of their peers and think that's cool to be in a gang. Sometimes they make such decisions because that's the only way to survive in the neighbourhood.


nikosonris
20/11/2015 08:09
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

He did the right thing. And it wasn't his fault that he joined the gang. He just fell under bad influence of local gangsters (like Aleksandr said) who perfectly knew how to recruit (bribe) a new member. Usually young people join the gangs because they want to show off in front of their peers and think that's cool to be in a gang. Sometimes they make such decisions because that's the only way to survive in the neighbourhood.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
25/11/2015
RW
2320
points

Thanks for introducing new word nikosonris! "bribe"


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
25/11/2015 10:00
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

Thanks for introducing new word nikosonris! "bribe"

nikosonris
27/11/2015
UA
2453
points

The reason I know this word is that we have so much bribery in my country that it has literally rooted in our day-to-day life at all levels(


nikosonris
27/11/2015 11:34
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

The reason I know this word is that we have so much bribery in my country that it has literally rooted in our day-to-day life at all levels(

Aleksandr
20/11/2015
UZ
774
points

Of course Brian made the right decision. Because it made him happy. And he always liked football.
People join gangs because of bad influence and imaginary benefits.
IN my neighbourhood ther are a lot of possible sport activities. we have big sport complex with football and basketball fields, pools, gym.


Aleksandr
20/11/2015 06:38
Uzbekistan
Liverpool
774

Of course Brian made the right decision. Because it made him happy. And he always liked football.
People join gangs because of bad influence and imaginary benefits.
IN my neighbourhood ther are a lot of possible sport activities. we have big sport complex with football and basketball fields, pools, gym.

Abdallah
19/11/2015
KW
1814
points

Yes he did , because it's illegal and would distort him and he would lost his future .
Poverty , uneducation , divorced parents .


Abdallah
19/11/2015 20:07
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

Yes he did , because it's illegal and would distort him and he would lost his future .
Poverty , uneducation , divorced parents .

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Practise your reading skills.

Learn some new vocabulary.