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Formula 1 Racing: Africa Wants a Race!

Africa's passionate Formula 1 fans are demanding a race on the continent, with Kenya hosting lively viewing parties and female fans taking on active roles in the sport.

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Many people in Africa love Formula 1 (F1) racing and want a race to happen there. Right now, Africa is the only continent without an F1 race. Fans have to travel far to see races in places like the Middle East. Shows like “Drive to Survive” on Netflix and live streaming have made F1 more popular in Africa.

In Kenya, fans have fun at F1 viewing parties. These parties have quizzes, free drinks, prizes, and music. A social media star named Joy Jeptoo often hosts these parties. More women in Africa are also becoming F1 fans and even making podcasts about it.

Africa hasn’t had an F1 race in over 30 years. Fans and famous driver Lewis Hamilton think this is unfair because the US has three races each year. There are talks about having races in Morocco, Rwanda, or Zanzibar, but South Africa’s Kyalami circuit is the best option. Sadly, plans for a race in South Africa didn’t work out, so fans are still waiting.

Original news source: Africa’s new F1 fans who want a race on the continent (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

1continentA large area of land, like Africa or Asia
2streamingWatching videos or listening to music online without downloading
3quizzesGames where you answer questions to win
4podcastsAudio shows you can listen to on your phone or computer
5circuitA track where races happen
6viewingWatching something, like a TV show or sports game
7hostsPeople who organize and run events
8unfairNot right or just
9optionA choice or possibility
10sadlyFeeling unhappy about something
11famousKnown by many people
12plansIdeas or arrangements for something you want to do in the future

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of cards with different Formula 1-related words or phrases (e.g. race, car, driver, Lewis Hamilton, F1 viewing party). One student from each group will act out the word or phrase without speaking, while the other group members guess what it is. The group that guesses correctly earns a point.

– News Summary

Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students read the article and write a summary of it in their own words. Then, have each group share their summaries with the class. Encourage students to include the main points and key details from the article.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Create a list of statements related to Formula 1 racing in Africa (e.g. “Formula 1 racing should have a race in Africa,” “F1 viewing parties are a fun way to enjoy the races,” “More women in Africa should become F1 fans”). Have students move around the classroom and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement. They can record the responses on a chart or worksheet.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. race, fans, continent, popular, unfair). Divide the class into pairs or small groups. One student from each group will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it. The other group members must guess the word based on the drawing. The team that guesses correctly earns a point.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of Formula 1 racing in Africa. They can consider questions such as “Will there be a race in Africa in the next 5 years?” or “How will Formula 1’s popularity in Africa continue to grow?” After the discussion, have each group share their predictions with the class. Encourage students to provide reasons for their predictions based on the information in the article.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What continent is the only one without an F1 race?
2. How have shows like “Drive to Survive” made F1 more popular in Africa?
3. What fun things happen at F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
4. Who often hosts the F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
5. How long has it been since Africa had an F1 race?
6. Why do fans and Lewis Hamilton think it’s unfair that Africa doesn’t have an F1 race?
7. Where are there talks about having F1 races in Africa?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Many people in Africa love Formula 1 (F1) racing and want a (1)______ to happen there. Right now, Africa is the only (2)______ without an F1 race. Fans have to travel far to see races in places like the (3)______ East. Shows like “Drive to Survive” on Netflix and live streaming (4)______ made F1 more popular in (5)______.

In Kenya, fans have fun at F1 viewing parties. These parties have quizzes, free (6)______, prizes, and music. A social media star named Joy Jeptoo often hosts these parties. More women in Africa are also becoming F1 fans and even making podcasts about it.

Africa hasn’t had an F1 race in over 30 (7)______. (8)______ and (9)______ driver Lewis Hamilton think this is unfair because the US has three races each year. There are talks about having races in Morocco, Rwanda, or Zanzibar, but South Africa’s Kyalami circuit is the (10)______ option. Sadly, plans for a race in South Africa didn’t (11)______ out, so (12)______ are still waiting.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Formula 1 racing?
2. How do you think people in Africa feel about not having an F1 race?
3. Do you like watching sports on TV? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if your favorite sport didn’t have any events in your country?
5. Have you ever been to a viewing party? What was it like?
6. Do you think it’s important for women to be involved in sports? Why or why not?
7. How do you think F1 racing became more popular in Africa?
8. Do you think it’s fair that Africa is the only continent without an F1 race? Why or why not?
9. What do you think makes the South Africa’s Kyalami circuit the best option for an F1 race?
10. How do you think fans in Africa would feel if a race finally happened there?
11. If you could choose any country in Africa to host an F1 race, which one would you choose and why?
12. Would you like to attend an F1 race someday? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. continent
2. streaming
3. quizzes
4. podcasts
5. circuit
6. viewing
7. hosts
8. unfair
9. option
10. sadly
11. famous
12. plans

Meanings:
(A) Ideas or arrangements for something you want to do in the future
(B) People who organize and run events
(C) Feeling unhappy about something
(D) Watching videos or listening to music online without downloading
(E) A choice or possibility
(F) Watching something, like a TV show or sports game
(G) Audio shows you can listen to on your phone or computer
(H) Not right or just
(I) Games where you answer questions to win
(J) A large area of land, like Africa or Asia
(K) Known by many people
(L) A track where races happen
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which continent does not currently have a Formula 1 (F1) race?
(a) Europe
(b) Asia
(c) Africa
(d) South America

2. What is the name of the popular Netflix show that has made F1 more popular in Africa?
(a) Fast and Furious
(b) Drive to Survive
(c) Speed Racer
(d) Grand Prix

3. What do fans enjoy at F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
(a) Movie screenings and popcorn
(b) Art exhibitions and dancing
(c) Cooking competitions and karaoke
(d) Quizzes, free drinks, prizes, and music

4. Who often hosts F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
(a) Joy Jeptoo
(b) Lewis Hamilton
(c) Michael Schumacher
(d) Sebastian Vettel

5. How long has it been since Africa had an F1 race?
(a) 10 years
(b) 5 years
(c) 1 year
(d) Over 30 years

6. Which country is not being considered as a potential location for an F1 race in Africa?
(a) Morocco
(b) Germany
(c) Rwanda
(d) Zanzibar

7. Which circuit in South Africa is considered the best option for an F1 race?
(a) Silverstone circuit
(b) Monza circuit
(c) Kyalami circuit
(d) Spa-Francorchamps circuit

8. Why are fans and Lewis Hamilton unhappy about the lack of F1 races in Africa?
(a) They think it is unfair compared to the US having three races each year
(b) They think F1 is not popular in Africa
(c) They think Africa is too far away for F1 races
(d) They think F1 races are too expensive for Africa

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. In Kenya, fans dislike F1 viewing parties with quizzes, free drinks, prizes, and music.
2. The TV show “Drive to Survive” and live streaming have made F1 more popular in Africa.
3. Joy Jeptoo, a social media sensation, occasionally hosts F1 viewing parties in Kenya.
4. Africa has had an F1 race within the last 30 years.
5. South Africa’s Kyalami circuit is the best option for an F1 race in Africa.
6. More women in Africa are becoming F1 fans and making podcasts about it.
7. Fans in Africa have to travel far to see F1 races in locations like Asia.
8. Africa is the only continent without a Formula 1 (F1) race.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.




Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What continent does not have a Formula 1 race?
2. How have shows like “Drive to Survive” made Formula 1 more popular in Africa?
3. What do fans in Kenya do at Formula 1 viewing parties?
4. Why do fans and Lewis Hamilton think it is unfair that Africa doesn’t have a Formula 1 race?
5. Which country’s circuit is the best option for a Formula 1 race in Africa?

Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What continent is the only one without an F1 race?
Africa.

2. How have shows like “Drive to Survive” made F1 more popular in Africa?
Shows like “Drive to Survive” on Netflix have made F1 more popular in Africa by introducing the sport to a wider audience and generating more interest in it.

3. What fun things happen at F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
At F1 viewing parties in Kenya, there are quizzes, free drinks, prizes, and music for the fans to enjoy.

4. Who often hosts the F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
Joy Jeptoo, a social media star, often hosts the F1 viewing parties in Kenya.

5. How long has it been since Africa had an F1 race?
Africa hasn’t had an F1 race in over 30 years.

6. Why do fans and Lewis Hamilton think it’s unfair that Africa doesn’t have an F1 race?
Fans and Lewis Hamilton think it’s unfair that Africa doesn’t have an F1 race because other continents like the US have multiple races each year, and they believe Africa should have the opportunity to host a race as well.

7. Where are there talks about having F1 races in Africa?
There are talks about having F1 races in Morocco, Rwanda, and Zanzibar.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) race
(2) continent
(3) Middle
(4) have
(5) Africa
(6) drinks
(7) years
(8) Fans
(9) famous
(10) best
(11) work
(12) fans
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. continent
Answer: (J) A large area of land, like Africa or Asia

2. streaming
Answer: (D) Watching videos or listening to music online without downloading

3. quizzes
Answer: (I) Games where you answer questions to win

4. podcasts
Answer: (G) Audio shows you can listen to on your phone or computer

5. circuit
Answer: (L) A track where races happen

6. viewing
Answer: (F) Watching something, like a TV show or sports game

7. hosts
Answer: (B) People who organize and run events

8. unfair
Answer: (H) Not right or just

9. option
Answer: (E) A choice or possibility

10. sadly
Answer: (C) Feeling unhappy about something

11. famous
Answer: (K) Known by many people

12. plans
Answer: (A) Ideas or arrangements for something you want to do in the future
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which continent does not currently have a Formula 1 (F1) race?
Answer: (c) Africa

2. What is the name of the popular Netflix show that has made F1 more popular in Africa?
Answer: (b) Drive to Survive

3. What do fans enjoy at F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
Answer: (d) Quizzes, free drinks, prizes, and music

4. Who often hosts F1 viewing parties in Kenya?
Answer: (a) Joy Jeptoo

5. How long has it been since Africa had an F1 race?
Answer: (d) Over 30 years

6. Which country is not being considered as a potential location for an F1 race in Africa?
Answer: (b) Germany

7. Which circuit in South Africa is considered the best option for an F1 race?
Answer: (c) Kyalami circuit

8. Why are fans and Lewis Hamilton unhappy about the lack of F1 races in Africa?
Answer: (a) They think it is unfair compared to the US having three races each year
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. In Kenya, fans dislike F1 viewing parties with quizzes, free drinks, prizes, and music. (Answer: False)
2. The TV show “Drive to Survive” and live streaming have made F1 more popular in Africa. (Answer: True)
3. Joy Jeptoo, a social media sensation, occasionally hosts F1 viewing parties in Kenya. (Answer: False)
4. Africa has had an F1 race within the last 30 years. (Answer: False)
5. South Africa’s Kyalami circuit is the best option for an F1 race in Africa. (Answer: True)
6. More women in Africa are becoming F1 fans and making podcasts about it. (Answer: True)
7. Fans in Africa have to travel far to see F1 races in locations like Asia. (Answer: False)
8. Africa is the only continent without a Formula 1 (F1) race. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

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