The World Cup

The World Cup by Shivani Parulekar

The FIFA World Cup is an international competition for men's soccer. It is one of the most popular single- event sports competitions in the world! The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia was one of the most-viewed sporting events in television history. Three and a half billion people watched part of the World Cup tournament. That's more than the populations of China and India combined! an illustration of the FIFA World Cup trophy Has the World Cup always been this popular?

The first World Cup tournament took place in 1930. It was organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Uruguay won this World Cup. Ever since 1930, there has been a World Cup tournament every four years, except during World War II.

an image showing the countries that competed in Who competes in the World Cup? the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

There are more than 200 national teams around the world that are eligible to qualify for the tournament. The teams are grouped into six regions. First, they compete within their own regions for a few years. Then, 32 national teams make up the final elimination tournament.

Can you guess which country had won the most World Cups by 2018?

By 2018, Brazil had won 5 out of the 21 World Cups. Right behind Brazil, Germany and Italy had won 4 World Cups each.

What are the teams competing for?

The players of the winning team get to prove their skill and say they are the best in the world! In addition to glory, the winning team gets a trophy. Originally, the trophy for the World Cup was the Jules Rimet Trophy. Rimet was the man who suggested having a World Cup in the first place. The Jules Rimet Trophy was the prize until 1970. In that year, Brazil won the World Cup tournament. It was Brazil's third World Cup win! With this win, Brazil had won the most World Cups, so the country was allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. After 1970, the FIFA World Cup became the new trophy.

Is the FIFA World Cup the only international sports competition of its kind?

The FIFA World Cup has inspired many other sports, such as cricket and rugby, to hold their own kind of World Cup competitions. Have you ever watched the FIFA World Cup tournament or any other international sports tournament?

Definition noun 1. the process or act of trying to win.

Many businesses fail because of too much competition.

2. a situation where people compete, such as a contest or game.

My sister won the swimming competition.

Advanced Definition noun 1. the process or act of competing.

Athletics is particularly appealing for those who enjoy competition.

Competition for jobs in the film industry can be fierce.

Their daughter and our son are in competition for first place.

2. a specific instance of competing, such as a contest or game.

The diving competition will be held tomorrow.

3. the person or persons against whom one competes (prec. by the).

How is the competition preparing for the race?

4. the striving of business firms against one another to secure trade.

Competition should bring prices down for consumers.

Spanish cognate competición: The Spanish word competición means competition.

These are some examples of how the word or forms of the word are used:

1. Annabelle smirked. This girl would be no competition for Annabelle and her graceful, gifted performances. ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Definitions and sample sentences within definitions are provided by Wordsmyth. © 2015 Wordsmyth. All rights reserved. ReadWorks Vocabulary - competition

2. The government of Brazil held a competition for planners and architects. They wanted someone to design a new capital. 3. The music in capoeira is very important. The music can make the dance seem like a friendly exercise or like a dangerous competition. 4. When I was little, I definitely remember having competition with boys. In elementary school, I was in gymnastics. I was quite strong and quick. 5. The reason that cicadas are so noisy is the male bugs call out to the females to attract a mate. It's a competition where each male tries to call louder than the next. 6. For example, Hannah Zadeii, 12, of Dellwood, Minn., loves figure skating and enjoys the challenge of competition. But she's naturally shy. "The first time I competed, I was really scared," she recalls. "Looking at all the audience watching me made me really nervous."

ReadWorks.org · © 2020 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Definitions and sample sentences within definitions are provided by Wordsmyth. © 2015 Wordsmyth. All rights reserved. ReadWorks Vocabulary - qualify qualify qual · i · fy

Definition verb 1. to make someone fit for a job or activity.

Special training qualifies him to be a teacher.

Advanced Definition transitive verb 1. to make eligible or competent, as for a job; certify as competent.

The course will qualify you to be an accountant.

I don't think that spending a week in Paris qualifies you as an expert on French culture.

2. to modify, esp. to limit by restating in more restricted terms.

He qualified his remark by mentioning one exception.

They qualified their acceptance of the offer by stating one condition.

3. to describe by giving the characteristics of.

How would you qualify your experience abroad; was it exciting?

4. to make less harsh or extreme; moderate.

She qualified her criticism of his playing by reminding him of how much he had improved.

5. to modify the meaning of.

Adjectives qualify nouns.

She qualified the word "competent" with the word "fairly."

intransitive verb 1. to have the necessary skills or qualities, as for carrying out a job.

Do you think any of the applicants qualify?

2. to gain authorization.

She had qualified as a doctor before coming to the U.S.

3. in sports, to win a preliminary trial and thus be able to compete in the final competition.

Sadly, her injury impaired her performance and she did not qualify for the final.

Spanish cognate calificar: The Spanish word calificar means qualify.

These are some examples of how the word or forms of the word are used:

1. Food that qualifies as junk will have a lot of sugar, fat, or salt. Junk food can lead to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. 2. Eventually, M'bura will be able to have her own offspring and qualify for another captive breeding project. In the meantime, the young okapi is captivating visitors. 3. This is the first year McGwire was eligible, or qualified, for the honor. (To be on the ballot, an athlete must be retired for at least five years.) 4. In a few more years, she would be allowed to qualify for the professional tour. The "Pro Tour," as it was called, was as far as you could go as a surfer. 5. To qualify, you must be active 60 minutes a day, five days a week, for six weeks. There is an activity log on-line at www.fitness.gov under the President's Challenge for PALA and other fitness awards.

Advanced Definition noun 1. a contest of skill including a series of games in which losing contestants are eliminated.

a tennis tournament

2. in medieval times, a contest or series of contests between mounted combatants armed with blunted lances or swords.

Spanish cognate torneo: The Spanish word torneo means tournament.

These are some examples of how the word or forms of the word are used:

1. During peacetime, knights held tournaments. A tournament was a festive time for everyone on the lord's manor estate. 2. The game lasts for 80 minutes unless the specific tournament or game allows for overtime play. Rugby games go into overtime if the teams are tied. 3. Vaughn started playing in second grade and has entered more than 50 tournaments. In 2009, he came in first at the SuperNationals, a huge tournament that happens only once every four years. 4. He has been playing in tennis tournaments since the age of 8. This July [2005], he plans to compete for a medal in the International Children's Games, also known as the Children's Olympics.

Name: ______Date: ______1. What is a meaning of the word competition?

A. the competitors in such a contest B. a thin pliable sheet of material C. the quality of being just or fair

2. What is another meaning of the word competition?

A. an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants B. any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command C. a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

Please use each answer choice only once. Choose the one word that best completes the sentence.

3. In science, great advances are often made because of fierce _____.