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Gangs

Gangs

In this issue, Coach Ipul tells Adhi a story about Jono, who joined a local gang and learned a painful lesson. 
 
A group of young men (possibly a gang) are watching the football. Ipul sees them and looks worried. Adhi asks Ipul why he looks so worried.
 
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?
Ipul tells Adhi a story. Ipul’s best friend, Jono joined a gang when he was 15.

 

He had to run errands for the gang on his motorbike – nothing serious, just pass messages and things like that.

 

At first, it was cool. Jono had a motorbike, cool clothes and money in his pocket. He was the coolest kid in the neighbourhood.

 

One day, he was told to join the whole gang as they had a job to do in a nearby neighbourhood.   When he got there, some of the oldest gang members, went into a small shop and started beating the shopkeeper. The rest of the gang all cheered and yelled. The shopkeeper was terrified.

Language Practice

In this episode, Coach Ipul tells a story in the past. To tell a story in the past we often use the past simple to describe actions and the past continuous to describe what is happening in the background or longer actions. For example:

"Adhi helped the other gang members." Actions in the past = past simple

 "The gang was shouting at a shopkeeper." Longer actions = past continuous

Activity 2: To tell a story you often use the past continuous. Do you know how to create the past continuous?
Is it the past continuous?

Afterwards, Jono felt sick. He didn’t want to be in the gang anymore, but it’s not easy to leave a gang.

Language - Past Continuous

During the story, Coach Ipul describes one action that was happening when another action happened. We often use the past simple to describe the short action that interrupts a longer action, which is where we use the past continuous. For example:

"The gang was beating up Jono when Geni told them to stop."  A long action (past continuous) is interrupted by a short action (past simple).

Activity 3: In this activity, think about how we use the past continuous and the past simple.
Can you put the words in the right order?

He spoke to Ipul about it and Ipul suggested he joined the football team. That way, he could tell the gang that he needed to train and had an excuse to leave the gang.   They took his bike and his clothes and beat him up badly, but he was out. He was scared and didn’t want to leave his house for a while…

…but we practiced football together and he got his confidence back. He became a dedicated player and trained really hard. We played in local competitions and did well. Sometimes, members of his old gang even came along to watch the match.

Quiz

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What do you think?

Do you think Jono 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

AquinoFC
14/06/2023
BR
518
points

Don't join gangs


AquinoFC
14/06/2023 18:59
Brazil
Chelsea
518

Don't join gangs

hsn's picture
hsn
29/05/2022
TR
5558
points

Phrases
• Some amateur runners get start running very fast in order to show off but after a while they become out of breath. Steady jogging is suggested at the beginning.
• I prefer reading up new things rather than hang out at the cafe. It's like messing about with friends.
• Fans were cheering up for goal when assistant referee hung up flag shows off-side.


hsn's picture
hsn
29/05/2022 17:32
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5558

Phrases
• Some amateur runners get start running very fast in order to show off but after a while they become out of breath. Steady jogging is suggested at the beginning.
• I prefer reading up new things rather than hang out at the cafe. It's like messing about with friends.
• Fans were cheering up for goal when assistant referee hung up flag shows off-side.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/07/2020
TR
6539
points

Because they are seduced by money and expensive stuff.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/07/2020 00:40
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Because they are seduced by money and expensive stuff.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/07/2020
TR
6539
points

Definitely the right decision or he would have lived a violent life forever.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
01/07/2020 00:39
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Definitely the right decision or he would have lived a violent life forever.

josegsalass's picture
josegsalass
25/11/2019
VE
581
points

Yes, because gangs are not good. Young people get impressed about what gangs' members show, and gangs know that guys who had not received good advice can join them


josegsalass's picture
josegsalass
25/11/2019 01:21
Venezuela
Liverpool
581

Yes, because gangs are not good. Young people get impressed about what gangs' members show, and gangs know that guys who had not received good advice can join them

Maks Poland
28/04/2018
PL
823
points

Easy peasy lemon squeezy! :D


Maks Poland
28/04/2018 09:12
Poland
Manchester United
823

Easy peasy lemon squeezy! :D

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
19/07/2016
GH
4779
points

Sports will help them be fit, prevent them from devoting a lot of time to other inaccurate activities among others


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
19/07/2016 03:45
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Sports will help them be fit, prevent them from devoting a lot of time to other inaccurate activities among others

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
19/07/2016
GH
4779
points

young people sometimes join gangs because they are sometimes influenced by their peers or due to social challenges like the need for belonging.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
19/07/2016 03:42
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

young people sometimes join gangs because they are sometimes influenced by their peers or due to social challenges like the need for belonging.

kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
19/07/2016
GH
4779
points

Yes he made the right decision to leave the gang because they were engaged in a lot of vices.


kwesimanifest's picture
kwesimanifest
19/07/2016 03:39
Ghana
Manchester United
4779

Yes he made the right decision to leave the gang because they were engaged in a lot of vices.

joto
14/06/2016
AT
271
points

He made the right decision on time. Many times it hapenned that young people were involved in the business of the gangs only because they had to find some money to survive or to help the ill member of the family. Sport can really be the solution. I mean, when you play some sport you realise that it is not only for your health but is of a social importance too. Many people with criminal background were saved only because they became good sportsmen. And that's good enough reason to love football or any other sport. It's up to you..


joto
14/06/2016 15:31
Austria
Stoke City
271

He made the right decision on time. Many times it hapenned that young people were involved in the business of the gangs only because they had to find some money to survive or to help the ill member of the family. Sport can really be the solution. I mean, when you play some sport you realise that it is not only for your health but is of a social importance too. Many people with criminal background were saved only because they became good sportsmen. And that's good enough reason to love football or any other sport. It's up to you..

joto
06/03/2016
AT
271
points

Jono made the right


joto
06/03/2016 07:09
Austria
Stoke City
271

Jono made the right

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
06/03/2016
TR
1761
points

Yes,absolutely.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
06/03/2016 03:51
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

Yes,absolutely.

assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
01/02/2016
PS
3705
points

Jono made the right decision, he was making bad things.


assemjuve's picture
assemjuve
01/02/2016 17:39
Palestinian Territory
Liverpool
3705

Jono made the right decision, he was making bad things.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
22/12/2015
ME
3557
points

I know many examples of true stars who played on the street and were used by the gangs but who succeded thanks to their sports habits.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
22/12/2015 11:02
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I know many examples of true stars who played on the street and were used by the gangs but who succeded thanks to their sports habits.

Shefeek
15/11/2015
IN
1608
points

We do a lot of things in our neighbourhood. We planted a number of trees and plants at the 4 sides of our football ground and these vegetation prevent the ball going into the near river . Moreover , we water plants on everyday basis and it's a good chest and biceps workout. The fruits and vegetables we donate to the near old age home. We have a public library , gymnasium, sport , arts and charity clubs etc. In our local area.


Shefeek
15/11/2015 16:45
India
Manchester United
1608

We do a lot of things in our neighbourhood. We planted a number of trees and plants at the 4 sides of our football ground and these vegetation prevent the ball going into the near river . Moreover , we water plants on everyday basis and it's a good chest and biceps workout. The fruits and vegetables we donate to the near old age home. We have a public library , gymnasium, sport , arts and charity clubs etc. In our local area.

Shefeek
15/11/2015
IN
1608
points

A few days ago I have listened to a podcast about teenager's brain in BBC 6 minutes english podcast. They were discussing about the chemical and functional changes happening during teenage period. The limbic system , a part of the brain which controls the emotions like fear , angry, happiness etc.. , develops so quickly in adolescence . So these youngsters always show temptations to take risks like jona "driving so fast for showing off ". This risk taking behaviour may lead some teenagers to join gangs. On the same time , we should agree with a fact that the pre frontal area which helps us to take wise decision also in good working condition . Then , it's our choice to follow the commands of limbic system or pre frontal area. :- )


Shefeek
15/11/2015 16:13
India
Manchester United
1608

A few days ago I have listened to a podcast about teenager's brain in BBC 6 minutes english podcast. They were discussing about the chemical and functional changes happening during teenage period. The limbic system , a part of the brain which controls the emotions like fear , angry, happiness etc.. , develops so quickly in adolescence . So these youngsters always show temptations to take risks like jona "driving so fast for showing off ". This risk taking behaviour may lead some teenagers to join gangs. On the same time , we should agree with a fact that the pre frontal area which helps us to take wise decision also in good working condition . Then , it's our choice to follow the commands of limbic system or pre frontal area. :- )

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

I'm so interested to search that podcast.


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
25/11/2015 10:49
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

I'm so interested to search that podcast.

Shefeek
15/11/2015
IN
1608
points

I really like jono's decision because he hates hurting others . In this story , jono didn't commit any crime intentionally and he refrained from the gang when he witnessed an anti social activity of his gang members.


Shefeek
15/11/2015 15:06
India
Manchester United
1608

I really like jono's decision because he hates hurting others . In this story , jono didn't commit any crime intentionally and he refrained from the gang when he witnessed an anti social activity of his gang members.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
14/11/2015
RW
2320
points

He made right decision as gangs were doing bad actions. The reason why young person join gangs is because of poverty, unappropriated policies by government about young people. Sport helps people in community to unite and share important ideas.


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
14/11/2015 14:48
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

He made right decision as gangs were doing bad actions. The reason why young person join gangs is because of poverty, unappropriated policies by government about young people. Sport helps people in community to unite and share important ideas.

nikosonris
13/11/2015
UA
2453
points

He did the right thing! And it's a good story for youngsters to read, because sometimes when you are young, you do not think about consequences of your choices.


nikosonris
13/11/2015 15:06
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

He did the right thing! And it's a good story for youngsters to read, because sometimes when you are young, you do not think about consequences of your choices.

Abdallah
13/11/2015
KW
1814
points

Yes he did , because he was doing wrong actions and its crime.
They join it because many reasons such as poverty , an education and weakness country .


Abdallah
13/11/2015 05:17
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

Yes he did , because he was doing wrong actions and its crime.
They join it because many reasons such as poverty , an education and weakness country .

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
12/11/2015
ME
3557
points

He made the right decision on time. Many times it hapenned that young people were involved in the business of the gangs only because they had to find some money to survive or to help the ill member of the family. Sport can really be the solution. I mean, when you play some sport you realise that it is not only for your health but is of a social importance too. Many people with criminal background were saved only because they became good sportsmen. And that's good enough reason to love football or any other sport. It's up to you..


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
12/11/2015 09:13
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

He made the right decision on time. Many times it hapenned that young people were involved in the business of the gangs only because they had to find some money to survive or to help the ill member of the family. Sport can really be the solution. I mean, when you play some sport you realise that it is not only for your health but is of a social importance too. Many people with criminal background were saved only because they became good sportsmen. And that's good enough reason to love football or any other sport. It's up to you..

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Level

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Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

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