Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani just made history by signing a huge $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This deal is the biggest ever in Major League Baseball (MLB) and makes Ohtani one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Ohtani is known as one of the best players in the game and many teams wanted him on their roster.

After lots of talk and speculation, Ohtani decided to join the Dodgers, which caused a big competition between teams trying to sign him. He became a free agent after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels ended, after playing with them for six successful years. The amount of money he will earn is similar to what famous athletes like Lionel Messi and LeBron James make.

Ohtani, who is 29 years old, has already made a big impact on baseball and is seen as a game-changer. Unlike most players who focus on either batting or pitching, Ohtani is great at both. He won the American League MVP award in 2021 and won it again last month, even though he got hurt and couldn’t play much in the 2023 season.

Not only has Ohtani been successful in the MLB, but he also led Japan to a big win over the United States in the World Baseball Classic championship. This was a huge moment for Japan, where baseball is really popular. Fans and experts love Ohtani for his talent and achievements, and he’s well on his way to becoming one of the greatest players ever.

Ohtani shared a message on Instagram thanking the Angels and saying they will always be special to him. He also promised to keep working hard and being the best player he can be, not just for the Dodgers but for all of baseball, until he retires.

Original news source: Shohei Ohtani: Baseball star joins LA Dodgers in record $700m deal (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article silently. Then, ask each group to write a summary of the article in their own words, highlighting the main points and key details. After they finish, have each group share their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Create a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think Shohei Ohtani deserved the $700 million contract?” or “Which team do you think Ohtani should have joined?”. Have students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates these questions. They should record their classmates’ responses and then report back to the class, summarizing the different opinions they gathered.

– Word Association

Instructions: Choose a few key words from the article, such as “Shohei Ohtani,” “Los Angeles Dodgers,” or “MLB.” Write these words on the board. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give them a few minutes to brainstorm as many words or phrases related to the given words as possible. After the brainstorming session, have each group share their lists and discuss the connections between the words.

– Sketch It

Instructions: Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Instruct them to choose a key moment or scene from the article and sketch it on the paper. After they finish, have students take turns sharing their sketches with the class, explaining what they drew and why they chose that particular moment.

– Think-Pair-Share

Instructions: Ask students to think about and write down their personal opinions on the following questions: “What makes Shohei Ohtani a game-changer in baseball?” and “Do you think Ohtani’s $700 million contract is justified?” After they have written their responses, pair them up with a partner to discuss their answers. Finally, have pairs share their opinions with the whole class, encouraging respectful debate and discussion.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the significance of Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers?
2. Why did many teams compete to sign Ohtani?
3. How did Ohtani become a free agent?
4. How does Ohtani’s salary compare to other famous athletes like Lionel Messi and LeBron James?
5. What makes Ohtani unique as a baseball player?
6. What awards has Ohtani won in the MLB?
7. How did Ohtani contribute to Japan’s victory in the World Baseball Classic championship?
8. What did Ohtani say in his Instagram message?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Baseball superstar (1)______ Ohtani just made history by (2)______ a huge $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This deal is the biggest ever in Major League Baseball (MLB) and makes Ohtani one of the highest-paid athletes in the (3)______. Ohtani is known as one of the best (4)______ in the game and many teams wanted him on their roster.

After lots of talk and speculation, Ohtani decided to join the Dodgers, which caused a big competition between (5)______ trying to sign him. He became a free agent after his contract with the Los Angeles (6)______ ended, after (7)______ with them for six successful years. The amount of money he will earn is similar to what famous athletes like Lionel Messi and LeBron (8)______ make.

Ohtani, who is 29 years old, has already made a big impact on baseball and is seen as a game-changer. Unlike most players who (9)______ on either batting or pitching, Ohtani is great at both. He won the American League MVP award in 2021 and won it again last month, even though he got hurt and couldn’t play much in the 2023 (10)______.

Not only has Ohtani been (11)______ in the MLB, but he also led Japan to a big win over the United States in the (12)______ Baseball Classic championship. This was a huge moment for Japan, where (13)______ is really (14)______. Fans and experts love Ohtani for his talent and achievements, and he’s well on his way to becoming one of the greatest (15)______s ever.

Ohtani shared a message on Instagram thanking the Angels and saying they will always be special to him. He also promised to keep (16)______ hard and being the best player he can be, not just for the Dodgers but for all of baseball, until he retires.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a free agent in sports?
2. How do you think Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract compares to other athletes’ contracts in different sports?
3. Do you think it’s fair for athletes to earn such high salaries? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you were a player on a team that lost a bidding war for Shohei Ohtani?
5. Do you think it’s impressive that Ohtani is skilled in both batting and pitching? Why or why not?
6. What do you think it means for a player to be a game-changer in their sport?
7. How important do you think the World Baseball Classic championship is for Japan and its baseball fans?
8. Would you consider Shohei Ohtani to be one of the greatest baseball players ever? Why or why not?
9. Do you think it’s important for athletes to show gratitude and appreciation to their previous teams? Why or why not?
10. What qualities do you think make a player “the best” in their sport?
11. How do you think Shohei Ohtani’s success in the MLB has impacted the popularity of baseball in Japan?
12. What do you think it takes for a player to win an MVP award?
13. How would you feel if you were a fan of the Los Angeles Angels and Ohtani decided to join the Dodgers?
14. Do you think Shohei Ohtani’s success will inspire more young athletes to pursue baseball? Why or why not?
15. How do you think Ohtani’s promise to keep working hard until he retires will impact his career and legacy?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. contract
2. roster
3. free agent
4. impact
5. batting
6. pitching
7. MVP
8. championship
9. talent
10. achievements
11. Instagram
12. retire
13. speculation
14. competition
15. signing

Meanings:
(A) The act of officially putting one’s name on a document to show agreement or support
(B) To stop working or participating in a sport
(C) Most Valuable Player, an award given to the best player in a league or tournament
(D) The act of guessing or predicting something without definite knowledge
(E) A situation where two or more people or teams are trying to win or achieve something
(F) Accomplishments or successes
(G) The act of hitting the ball in baseball
(H) A major competition or tournament
(I) A player who is not under contract and can sign with any team
(J) Natural skill or ability
(K) The act of throwing the ball in baseball
(L) A powerful or significant effect
(M) A popular social media platform for sharing photos and videos
(N) A legal agreement between two parties, usually involving money or services
(O) The list of players on a team
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the record-breaking amount of Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers?
(a) $700 million
(b) $500 million
(c) $1 billion
(d) $200 million

2. Which league did Shohei Ohtani win the MVP award in?
(a) National League
(b) Japanese League
(c) American League
(d) World Baseball Classic

3. How many successful years did Shohei Ohtani play with the Los Angeles Angels?
(a) 6
(b) 4
(c) 8
(d) 10

4. What is special about Shohei Ohtani’s baseball skills?
(a) He is only good at pitching.
(b) He is great at both batting and pitching.
(c) He is only good at batting.
(d) He is not particularly skilled in either batting or pitching.

5. Which famous athletes’ earnings are similar to Shohei Ohtani’s new contract?
(a) Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady
(b) Serena Williams and Usain Bolt
(c) Lionel Messi and LeBron James
(d) Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods

6. What country did Shohei Ohtani lead to victory in the World Baseball Classic championship?
(a) United States
(b) South Korea
(c) Dominican Republic
(d) Japan

7. What social media platform did Shohei Ohtani use to thank the Los Angeles Angels?
(a) Twitter
(b) Facebook
(c) TikTok
(d) Instagram

8. What did Shohei Ohtani promise to do until he retires?
(a) Quit playing baseball
(b) Keep working hard and being the best player he can be
(c) Focus on his personal life and hobbies
(d) Join another team in the future

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Ohtani is NOT unique in that he excels at both batting and pitching, setting him apart from most players.
2. This deal is NOT the largest contract ever in Major League Baseball (MLB) and does NOT make Ohtani one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.
3. After playing with the Los Angeles Angels for six successful years, Ohtani became a free agent and decided to join the Dodgers.
4. Ohtani’s success extends beyond the MLB, as he also led Japan to victory in the World Baseball Classic championship, a significant achievement for his home country.
5. The competition to sign Ohtani was intense, with many teams vying for his talents.
6. Despite getting injured and not being able to play much in the 2023 season, Ohtani still won the American League MVP award.
7. Ohtani is NOT known for being one of the best players in the game and many teams did NOT want him on their roster.
8. Shohei Ohtani recently signed a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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 record did Shohei Ohtani just break with his $700 million contract?
2. Why did many teams want Ohtani on their roster?
3. How did Ohtani become a free agent?
4. What makes Ohtani different from most baseball players?
5. What is Ohtani’s message to his former team, the Los Angeles Angels?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The significance of Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is that it is the biggest contract ever in Major League Baseball (MLB) and makes Ohtani one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

2. Many teams competed to sign Ohtani because he is known as one of the best players in the game and has the unique ability to be great at both batting and pitching. This makes him a valuable asset to any team.

3. Ohtani became a free agent after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels ended. He had played with them for six successful years before becoming a free agent.

4. Ohtani’s salary of $700 million is similar to what famous athletes like Lionel Messi and LeBron James make. This means he is among the highest-paid athletes in the world.

5. What makes Ohtani unique as a baseball player is his ability to excel in both batting and pitching. Most players specialize in one area, but Ohtani is a game-changer because he can contribute in both aspects of the game.

6. Ohtani has won the American League MVP award in 2021 and again last month, despite being injured and unable to play much in the 2023 season.

7. Ohtani contributed to Japan’s victory in the World Baseball Classic championship by leading the Japanese team to a big win over the United States. This was a significant moment for Japan, where baseball is very popular.

8. In his Instagram message, Ohtani thanked the Los Angeles Angels and said they will always be special to him. He also promised to continue working hard and being the best player he can be, not just for the Dodgers but for all of baseball, until he retires.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Shohei
(2) signing
(3) world
(4) players
(5) teams
(6) Angels
(7) playing
(8) James
(9) focus
(10) season
(11) successful
(12) World
(13) baseball
(14) popular
(15) player
(16) working
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. contract
Answer: (N) A legal agreement between two parties, usually involving money or services

2. roster
Answer: (O) The list of players on a team

3. free agent
Answer: (I) A player who is not under contract and can sign with any team

4. impact
Answer: (L) A powerful or significant effect

5. batting
Answer: (G) The act of hitting the ball in baseball

6. pitching
Answer: (K) The act of throwing the ball in baseball

7. MVP
Answer: (C) Most Valuable Player, an award given to the best player in a league or tournament

8. championship
Answer: (H) A major competition or tournament

9. talent
Answer: (J) Natural skill or ability

10. achievements
Answer: (F) Accomplishments or successes

11. Instagram
Answer: (M) A popular social media platform for sharing photos and videos

12. retire
Answer: (B) To stop working or participating in a sport

13. speculation
Answer: (D) The act of guessing or predicting something without definite knowledge

14. competition
Answer: (E) A situation where two or more people or teams are trying to win or achieve something

15. signing
Answer: (A) The act of officially putting one’s name on a document to show agreement or support
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the record-breaking amount of Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Answer: (a) $700 million

2. Which league did Shohei Ohtani win the MVP award in?
Answer: (c) American League

3. How many successful years did Shohei Ohtani play with the Los Angeles Angels?
Answer: (a) 6

4. What is special about Shohei Ohtani’s baseball skills?
Answer: (b) He is great at both batting and pitching.

5. Which famous athletes’ earnings are similar to Shohei Ohtani’s new contract?
Answer: (c) Lionel Messi and LeBron James

6. What country did Shohei Ohtani lead to victory in the World Baseball Classic championship?
Answer: (d) Japan

7. What social media platform did Shohei Ohtani use to thank the Los Angeles Angels?
Answer: (d) Instagram

8. What did Shohei Ohtani promise to do until he retires?
Answer: (b) Keep working hard and being the best player he can be
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Ohtani is NOT unique in that he excels at both batting and pitching, setting him apart from most players. (Answer: False)
2. This deal is NOT the largest contract ever in Major League Baseball (MLB) and does NOT make Ohtani one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. (Answer: False)
3. After playing with the Los Angeles Angels for six successful years, Ohtani became a free agent and decided to join the Dodgers. (Answer: True)
4. Ohtani’s success extends beyond the MLB, as he also led Japan to victory in the World Baseball Classic championship, a significant achievement for his home country. (Answer: True)
5. The competition to sign Ohtani was intense, with many teams vying for his talents. (Answer: True)
6. Despite getting injured and not being able to play much in the 2023 season, Ohtani still won the American League MVP award. (Answer: True)
7. Ohtani is NOT known for being one of the best players in the game and many teams did NOT want him on their roster. (Answer: False)
8. Shohei Ohtani recently signed a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧